If there’s one analogy we all get, it’s being stuck. In life. In a relationship. Emotionally. In a job. With a bad attitude. In debt. In a rut spiritually. 

You’ve been there. You’ve also been literally stuck. In mud. In your car. In the snow. In a ditch. In that nasty sludge at the bottom of the pond. One way or another, we all get it. 

It’s never where we want to be. We never get stuck on a beach in Cancun.  It always happens at the worst times in life. Stuck. The wheels of our misfortunes spinning, sometimes it’s our own fault for getting stuck…sometimes it’s a bomb of bad news that sends us spiraling, sometimes it just happens for no reason. 

If you’re not there, stuck, right now…you will be. It happens to all of us. It’s not ‘if’, it’s ‘when’. It’s not ‘why’ as much as it’s ‘how deep’. 

David talks about being stuck, with no hope in sight. He was there a lot. He also figured how to get out, or at least what to do to start the process of getting unstuck. 

Let’s look at Psalm 40. David starts out by giving us a picture of hope.

1  I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2  He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3  He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.

Okay…for starters the fact that David waited patiently…and is advising us to do the same…it’s not the answer we were hoping for. I know when I’m stuck I’ll stop at nothing to desperately get out. I’ll kick and scream, I’ll claw and fight to get unstuck…both in physical mud or emotional mud. It’s all the same, no one wants to be stuck. 

Patience. Trust. Prayers. Over and over again. Don’t worry…He’s got solid ground waiting for you. He always does. Through hardships, through pain, through even the death of a loved one. He can use it all. There is no amount of stuck that bothers our God. You have got to believe that. It doesn’t even matter how deep you’re stuck or who’s fault it is that you’re there in the first place. David goes on to say:

11  As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
12  For evils have encompassed me
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.

Did you catch that in verse 12? David was stuck so badly, so deep that he couldn’t even see. He couldn’t even count the number problems he had. It doesn’t matter if they’re self imposed problems (that only YOU struggle with…because, well…you’re YOU) or real problems that could bog anyone down. You’ve been there, you might be there right now. Here’s my advise: I WOULD SPEND MORE TIME BEING QUIET, PRAYING, WAITING PATIENTLY than I would kicking and screaming…don’t waste time and energy counting all your hardships, you need that energy for better things. 

Try this: Keep telling God He’s great, no matter what…even if you don’t mean it at first. Say it until you actually mean it. David did. 

16  But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the Lord!”

God WILL reach out His hand. He always does. We may be scarred forever by the wounds we suffered while being stuck…it’s ok, they won’t hurt for long. 

Last step. Get humble, like now. Don’t wait. Stop clawing, stop forcing it. Listen:

17  As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!

I am poor. I am weak. I am needy. I am hurt. I am quiet. I am listening. I am praying. I am trusting. I am reaching out my hand. I am being pulled out! I am on solid rock! I am praising YOU LORD! I am free from the mud! 

Eventually you will read that last paragraph backwards and start the whole process over again with a whole new set circumstances, feelings, emotions and thoughts that get you stuck. It’s ok. 

Be thankful for the mud. Without it we would NEVER understand the redemptive power of our Savior. 

Today I found my daily reading starting the book of Acts. God knows exactly what I need and when I need it and it’s no surprise I find myself here staring down Acts chapter 5. The surroundings take place at such a pivotal time. Jesus had ascended into Heaven after His resurrection and the apostles were wrecking the world for Christ, unapologetically. People were lining up in the streets, lepers just hoping they could be in Peters shadow as he passed them. This was a time like no other. God worked supernaturally in those times, to start His church. The Holy Spirit was working overtime.

Once in a while, the apostles found themselves in prison:) 

I love this portion in Acts 5…and I love God’s sense of humor. Check it out:

22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,23 ”We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.”24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them,28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

I LOVE when God magically helps you disappear from a bad situation. You know, when He steps in and rescues you from whatever prison is trying to keep you down. It could be depression, drugs, sex, lust, selfishness, pride, you name it. He’s really good about saving us miraculously when we commit to Him. Here’s what I learn from this portion of scripture: When God delivers you from whatever is holding you back from the life He desires you to live IN HIM, when He pulls through big time (and you know exactly what I mean) …He fully expects you to repay Him by telling the world about His love. 

He didn’t jail break the apostles so that they could run and hide. How funny is it the guards were freaking that they ran away and someone just looked out the back window and said, “uhm…I found them”. Preaching. Healing. Counseling. Praying. 

Just outside their prison. 

I doubt they even took time to eat or high five, they just kept grinding it out. Eventually almost all of them would die a brutal death for it too. You better believe they knew it was coming. 

Friends, take a moment to assess your level of commitment to God. This life isn’t all smiles and roses…but it’s not all gloom and rain either. God never promises our perfect happiness or to deliver us instantly from every single prison we create for ourselves. He merely wants to know we’ll stop at nothing to live for Him. No matter what bullets fly in your face or what hardships you endure along the way, He’ll continue to bless you in ways you could never imagine, He’ll continue to break you out of every prison you ever find yourself walled into….if you make a commitment to Him: 

Stop at nothing to make your life, worth every single moment for Christ. Start today. 

Picture your favorite vacation spot. Make sure it’s the one with the most dramatic, scenic landscape. In other words…not Gary, Indiana. I hope there’s an ocean there…or mountains. Maybe both? if you’re really smart I bet there’s palm trees and Jimmy Buffet there too, right now, as you’re picturing it. 

You know that place where you’ve stood time and time again and probably said something like this, “I could wake up to this EVERY single day of my life and NEVER get tired of it”. 

Well, I’m here to tell you…that’s a load of crap. 

It may take longer than usual, but sooner or later that scenery wouldn’t trump your complaining. That breathtaking landscape wouldn’t be the escape it is right now in your mind. That’s why it’s so powerful. YOU AREN’T USED TO IT. When we get used to something that beautiful, our eyes become calloused. It’s not that we don’t appreciate the beauty, or even respect it and gaze upon it…but over time…we just plain expect it. We’re not surprised by it anymore. Your therapeutic, much needed retreat will slowly blend into the background of your everyday life. 

I have friends that live up North where I go with the guys a few times a year. It’s absolutely stunning, the way the aqua clear, cold northern water lays up against the white rocks as pine trees jet magically from nowhere. Peace and quiet, not a soul in site. Man, I wish I was there right now, starring at it. Taking one of my patented naps in the middle of the woods while the sun is hitting me just enough to keep me warm and the wind that’s whipping around the tree tops makes a perfect sound to fall asleep to but never creeps down low enough to make me cold. WHOA! You lost me there for a second…

Anyway, about my friends that live up there and stare at that beauty every single day of their lives: They prove my point. They don’t even see it. They’re busy with life. My precious retreat of amazing, recharging, healing, tortellini soup for the busy pastors soul…is smack dab in the middle of their problems, their vocations, their busy family life, their running kids back and forth to school. 

My oasis can literally be seen as they sit at their breakfast table, 30 feet from the waters edge. 

Forget me, go back to your place. 

You know the story of Lazarus. Read these verses from John Chapter 11. 

11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep.14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died,15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”16 So Thomas, called the Twin,t said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

You totally just skimmed that, so go back and read verses 14-15. 

Did you catch that? Jesus says FOR YOUR SAKE, I’m glad it worked out this way (that the Laz Man went ahead and died), so you can completely be amazed, surprised, inspired and renewed when we all head back there and I proceed to, you know…bring him back TO LIFE. 

Think about it. Had they been around the Lazinator as he was dying it would have inevitably been a yawn fest as Jesus, the Son of God found yet another creative way to heal him. Sadly the only thing keeping the disciples awake apparently, when Jesus was healing someone of a terminal illness, was the guessing game on HOW he would do it. Spit in some dirt and rub it on them? Grab an olive branch and slap them in the face with it? Take off his Jesus sandals and dance around them 3 times while juggling 3 fish? 

Just when you think I’m taking this too far in my speculation…RE-READ verse 15 up there ^^.

Apparently Jesus knew these guys were so used to seeing Him suck cancer and aids away from people that every once in a while, even the disciples needed a good ‘old fashioned death raising.  

I bet there’s a lot of things Jesus has been doing in your life lately that you’re just plain used to. It’s ok, those blessings have just turned into my oasis up north, and you’re my friends that live there…innocently used to God. 

Every once in a while GOD KNOWS He needs to give us something that will REALLY make us believe, or be inspired, or be healed, or be rejuvenated. 

If you’re desperately needing that right now, get un-used to His blessings. Take a step back and be grateful. Let the part of you that EXPECTS things from God….die. 

Just like vers 16 up there says…sometimes we have to ‘die’, to keep His retreat inside of us fresh and inspiring…every single morning the sun comes up. 

Do me a favor…I want to ask you to read more than usual. Don’t worry. It’s a story about Jesus. A REAL story and a blind beggar. I don’t care if you’ve read it before:) I’ll catch up with you after you read it.

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”6 Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?”9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.”10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?”11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.”12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.”22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesust to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.)23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?”28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.”30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes.31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”t 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.”38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?”41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt;t but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.

How dare this NOBODY, this beggar talk to a pastor, a priest, a religious leader with any kind of authority on God’s matters! 

I love this guy. He didn’t have any good answers, he only knew what he personally saw, and he didn’t try to act like he knew more than he did. 

By the way, he didn’t ‘see’ any of it, it all happened while he was still blind. He felt it. He heard it. He experienced it. He never saw it. Once that mud came off at Siloam, he opened his eyes for the first time in his life. 

ROM 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Open your ears friends. What is HE saying? Once you learn this, your eyes will truly be opened. 

Jesus was passing through Samaria…Sychar to be exact, when He stopped by a well to rest. The disciples had gone in to town for food…you know, the inevitable Taco Bell run. You’ve been there. A woman comes up to Jesus and they have some conversation. Jesus is testing her out to see if she’ll tell Him the truth about questions He’s asking. Of course He already knows the answers. 

As they talk she realizes He knows an awful lot about her. He promises water that will never let her go thirsty. She starts telling Him there’s going to be a Messiah, a Savior one day…one day He’s going to come. That’s when Jesus drops the bomb in John CH 4, check it:

25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.”26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” 

Oh wow. It wasn’t like it was a passing thought, or one of those times when someone says something to you…and you’re busy thinking about something else. It was loud and clear. It was understood. It was, absolutely jaw dropping. 

Could you imagine that? Trust me, she wasn’t prepared…as much as you and I could NEVER be prepared to meet Jesus FACE TO FACE.

The disciples come back as the woman is telling the whole town about Jesus. Remember, He was traveling. If you’re like me you don’t like to stop when you’re traveling. Every bathroom break my wife or kids beg for kills me. You keep going, no matter what, even if your car is on fire. 

The town’s people were really digging the face to face relationship with Jesus, so they asked Him to stay. 

39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days.41 And many more believed because of his word.42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Look at that last part. NUGGET TIME: If you get all of your Biblical knowledge from someone else, a Pastor, YouTube, Podcast, iCampus, Books, in Church…whatever…you need to drop all of it and get some face time with Jesus. PRONTO.

Hear it for yourself. Look how much it changed these people in the town. Don’t let anyone tell you about the Savior of the world, crack open His word, get on your knees, head to the well….you’ll find Him there. Every time. 

You know it’s true, I know it’s true. It’s the worst kept secret in the universe. It’s the biggest flaming bag of poop on our front porch that we’ve ever seen. The problem is…it wasn’t the kids down the street pulling a prank you on, ringing your doorbell and running. It wasn’t anyone, except for you. 

You and I are in denial daily. We talk a big game. We tell God we want Him to lead us. We ask Him even…”Lord, be with me today, guide me, I give it all to You”. or how about this “Lord, You know what’s best for me…I hand over my day, my decisions, my reactions, my leading…to You. You know what’s best for me, I give you control, Lord”. 

You know the prayer. It sounds amazing. I’ve even preached it in front of 10,000 people before, so you know I really mean it when I say it. ha

God hears that prayer, you know. The bible says our prayers are like smoke, or incense offered up to heaven. That sounds really nice doesn’t it? 90% of the time we pray this prayer though…it smells like something else.   

That’s when it happens…we jump out of the bushes onto God’s front porch, light the bag and take off running. 

Do we honestly give Him control of our day, our lives, our decisions, our frustrations, our situations, our emotions? What would we look like if we TRULY handed these over to God? I know I’d look a lot different, that’s for sure. It’s really hard to do. It’s harder than you could ever imagine. 

Why? Because we know in our hearts that we can’t do as good as God can…but our stupid tiny little brains tell us we should at least try. Whoops. 

When it comes to this topic, here are the most important, yet simple verses in all the Bible. If we could live by these 3 verses, almost every problem in our lives would either clear up completely or get to the point where it was manageable and we were content with it. Check it out:

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Psalm 3:5-7

That’s it.  

So…do this with me…let Jesus tell you which path to take today. Right now. Stop what you’re doing, unless you’re driving…and if that’s the case you have massive issues. 

Stop right now and ask Him. Remember, when you ask Him to guide you to the right path…you may have to turn from a sin that feels so good…has a grip on you. Get over that and get going. 

I don’t know about you but I love to be surprised by things. Especially when it’s good news, expensive gifts or a good doctors report. ha

I’m one of those people who always try to figure everything in life out. I like to have a plan…and when I get pleasantly surprised, it messes with that plan and makes me appreciate life more. Don’t get me wrong, I NEVER try to figure out a movie or TV show. EVER. I can’t stand when people are talking the entire way through trying to guess what’s going to happen next. JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY A SURPRISE ENDING PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of the best surprises I’ve ever enjoyed in my life, come straight from God. You know, those blessings that smack you in the face when you turn around and least expect them. They aren’t deserved, they aren’t fore-casted, they aren’t wished or prayed for…and often they defy our pea brained human logic. Yeah, those surprises. I LOVE when God chucks a few of those my way every so often! 

In my reading today I was reminded of the story of Nathanael in John CH 1. Man, talk about surprises. Check this part of the story out, when Nathanael is first introduced to Creator of the Universe: 

45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him,“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you,t you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Seriously though…Nathanael had a great point. WHAT GOOD CAN COME FROM NAZARETH??? He wasn’t expecting that. I guess that’s sort of like Jesus coming from New Jersey or something. Anyway…I’d say the Nathanator got the surprise of his life…from the very place he wasn’t looking. 

So it is with you and I so many times. I want to challenge you to STOP trying to predict what God is up to. It’s fine to pray, to wish, to be observant of His work in your life (that’s what helps lead us to gratitude after all) but I want you to stop trying to figure God out. It’s futile, you know. He likes to keep you on your toes, and trust me…He’s really good at it. 

Embrace it. Be watching for God to throw you a change up when you’re expecting a curve ball. When He does…write it down, journal it, remember it. 

It will help you appreciate the creativeness, the personal touches of the Son of God. 

Check out part of my reading today:  10 But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

When is the last time you felt unfit for God’s calling? You know, maybe even NOT qualified to do what we challenge you to in a weekend sermon? Here’s what we tend to do…when we don’t feel adequate…we just don’t show up. That’s right. Why aren’t you working out every day? Why aren’t you taking lessons for a new sport you’re interested in trying? Why aren’t you pursuing that relaxing hobby you’ve always said you should get into? 

I know why, I get it. It’s really hard to start something. Once we get it rolling and we feel comfortable in our own skin, we feel good about people seeing/knowing we do it. Believe it or not, it’s really hard to ‘start’ God up too. 

Devotions in the morning, follow thru during the day with what we’ve learned. Discipline to rock it out daily. List your excuses. Go ahead. Write them down, log them on your computer, Evernote them in your iPhone, whatever…make them physical. Then continue reading here…

11 Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD?12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

Ok then. You know what to do.