Concealer… We girls use them often….to hide some flaw that our foundation won’t cover.
I’ve never had a lot of problems with my skin, even as a teenager. But…every now and then my skin decides to gift me with a zit. And, the area under my eyes seems to get darker and darker, not to mention baggier. So…concealer is my friend.
We can hide a lot of imperfections….and not just with cosmetics. We all have our methods of covering them up. We often are quite good at putting on the mask, hiding….pretending. It’s an old strategy, it began in The Garden with a fig-leaf. (Gen.3:7)
The hiding is such a waste of energy. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.”(Heb. 4:13) We are much better off to embrace the truth, respond to the guilty feeling by running TO Him instead of away.
Besides, “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts…”, anyway. “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed..” (Matt. 10:26)
We are believing a lie to think we can conceal any little thing from Him. Oh….we can conceal it from others. But there is absolutely no advantage in it. It changes nothing for the better, in fact, it may lead to our own heart believing the lie of the enemy and even becoming calloused, even worse…hiding God’s Face from us.
“…your iniquities have separated you from your God, your sins have hidden His Face from you..”(Isa.59:2) “There’s nothing wrong with God, the wrong is in you. Your wrongheaded lives caused the split between you and God. Your sins got between you so that He doesn’t hear.” (same passage, The Message)
Here is my goal…I want to get rid of the concealer. I want to feel no need to hide.
“Keep your servant from willful sins, may they not rule over me”(Ps. 19:12)
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Oh Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” (Ps. 19:14)
It’s a work in progress….a daily, moment by moment choice….throwing away the urge to conceal, embracing truth, even when it’s ugly….
…and running TO the One Who “..restores the joy of salvation…and grants me a willing spirit..”(Ps. 51:12)
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Older...
Older… We count the years. We expect. We dread.
We expect our children to roll over, then crawl, then walk… on and on the list goes as our babies get older. Then we dread the day they leave, even though we expect it…even pray for it.
We dread the years piling up on us, dread the aches and pains, the health issues, the wrinkles. Even though we expect to get old, even want to live to be very old, we dread.
We expect to take care of our children. We expect to take care of ourselves. But do we really do either?
In reality, without what God provides, we are utterly helpless.
“Listen to Me…you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He Who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you. To whom will you compare me or count me equal?” (Isa. 46:3-5)
We are deceived by Satan’s lies that we have any power at all. The only thing we have is choice.
And with that choice, we choose so poorly sometimes. We choose to ‘pour out gold …hire someone…make a god and lift it up on our shoulders and carry it…set it up where it stands and can’t move from that spot. Though we might cry out to it, it does not answer and can not save from any trouble.’ (vs. 6-7 my version)
I never want my trust to be in money. I don’t want to pour it out in any way, trying to buy what only God can really provide. There is no security outside of Him.
I never want my trust to be in any thing or any system. We set up all these ‘things’ that supposedly make us secure, or even things that supposedly make us ‘righteous’ or ‘saved’. Then we must sustain it, we must carry it as it gets heavier and heavier. No thing and no system can make one iota of difference in an eternal way. There is no security outside of Him.
As I get older I want to pray regularly with David… “O God, You have taught me from my youth….now when I am old and gray headed, Oh God, forsake me not until I have shown Your strength to this generation and Your power to every one that is to come….” (Ps. 71: 7-8)
I’m older than I was. But I am not as old as I want to be.
And I want to be more and more useful as I grow older. Not less.
I long to watch and count as my children grow older. And I expect to see God do mighty things in their lives and expect Him to work through them as they too grow older.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3John 1:4)
We expect our children to roll over, then crawl, then walk… on and on the list goes as our babies get older. Then we dread the day they leave, even though we expect it…even pray for it.
We dread the years piling up on us, dread the aches and pains, the health issues, the wrinkles. Even though we expect to get old, even want to live to be very old, we dread.
We expect to take care of our children. We expect to take care of ourselves. But do we really do either?
In reality, without what God provides, we are utterly helpless.
“Listen to Me…you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He Who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you. To whom will you compare me or count me equal?” (Isa. 46:3-5)
We are deceived by Satan’s lies that we have any power at all. The only thing we have is choice.
And with that choice, we choose so poorly sometimes. We choose to ‘pour out gold …hire someone…make a god and lift it up on our shoulders and carry it…set it up where it stands and can’t move from that spot. Though we might cry out to it, it does not answer and can not save from any trouble.’ (vs. 6-7 my version)
I never want my trust to be in money. I don’t want to pour it out in any way, trying to buy what only God can really provide. There is no security outside of Him.
I never want my trust to be in any thing or any system. We set up all these ‘things’ that supposedly make us secure, or even things that supposedly make us ‘righteous’ or ‘saved’. Then we must sustain it, we must carry it as it gets heavier and heavier. No thing and no system can make one iota of difference in an eternal way. There is no security outside of Him.
As I get older I want to pray regularly with David… “O God, You have taught me from my youth….now when I am old and gray headed, Oh God, forsake me not until I have shown Your strength to this generation and Your power to every one that is to come….” (Ps. 71: 7-8)
I’m older than I was. But I am not as old as I want to be.
And I want to be more and more useful as I grow older. Not less.
I long to watch and count as my children grow older. And I expect to see God do mighty things in their lives and expect Him to work through them as they too grow older.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3John 1:4)
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Glory...
Glory… is it an ego trip?
Scripture has a lot to say about glory, especially about the glory of God. I once thought God had a really big ego that needed fed. Why else would He have so much to say in His Word about bringing Him glory?
I’m faced often with hard situations and difficult choices. Most of them would be so easy to make were I not a follower of Jesus Christ.
Every time I make a decision and follow through with actions in line with what Jesus would do, I bring Him glory…. (..remember WWJD?..)
In those difficult times I have opportunity to display the Character of God….IF (big if..) ….If my choice is made from His Truth, if I am doing it because it is right, if it is because He has called me to do it, and if I recognize that it is thru the power of His Holy Spirit that I am enabled and empowered to do it.
If you ever see any fruit of righteousness in me, you can be sure that it is because thru Jesus Christ, my love has abounded, my knowledge and depth of insight has abounded, if I am able to discern what is best, it comes thru Jesus Christ….and you need to be attracted to God because of what He might show you thru my life…. (Php. 1:9-11 my personalized version and Paul’s prayer for us )
There are many times I’d sure like to be Jonah. Run the other way. Pass my judgment and hold back God’s love and mercy from somebody else. Yep, some days my name is Jo-netta.
Sigh….
God doesn’t need glory. We need to see it.
God’s doesn’t need glory. I need to reflect it.…..because my glory at it’s best is still not attractive….only ‘filthy rags’. (Isa. 64:6)
“Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of Your Name. Deliver us and forgive our sins for Your Name’s sake.” (Ps. 79:9)
“I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength.” (Php. 4:13)
Scripture has a lot to say about glory, especially about the glory of God. I once thought God had a really big ego that needed fed. Why else would He have so much to say in His Word about bringing Him glory?
I’m faced often with hard situations and difficult choices. Most of them would be so easy to make were I not a follower of Jesus Christ.
Every time I make a decision and follow through with actions in line with what Jesus would do, I bring Him glory…. (..remember WWJD?..)
In those difficult times I have opportunity to display the Character of God….IF (big if..) ….If my choice is made from His Truth, if I am doing it because it is right, if it is because He has called me to do it, and if I recognize that it is thru the power of His Holy Spirit that I am enabled and empowered to do it.
If you ever see any fruit of righteousness in me, you can be sure that it is because thru Jesus Christ, my love has abounded, my knowledge and depth of insight has abounded, if I am able to discern what is best, it comes thru Jesus Christ….and you need to be attracted to God because of what He might show you thru my life…. (Php. 1:9-11 my personalized version and Paul’s prayer for us )
There are many times I’d sure like to be Jonah. Run the other way. Pass my judgment and hold back God’s love and mercy from somebody else. Yep, some days my name is Jo-netta.
Sigh….
God doesn’t need glory. We need to see it.
God’s doesn’t need glory. I need to reflect it.…..because my glory at it’s best is still not attractive….only ‘filthy rags’. (Isa. 64:6)
“Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of Your Name. Deliver us and forgive our sins for Your Name’s sake.” (Ps. 79:9)
“I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength.” (Php. 4:13)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Hope...
Hope… It is the desire of some good, with the expectation of obtaining it. I heard of two kinds today…
‘Hope So’ hope, and ‘Know So’ hope. What kind do you have?
How do you answer the familiar question, ‘If you die today, will you spend eternity in heaven?’
Do you have a god that ‘might’ be able to save you? Is that your hope?
Do you have enough willpower to correct what is wrong yourself? Is your own performance your hope?
Do you serve The God Who is able and willing? Is your hope in Him?
Do you hope you have hope?
Do you KNOW you have hope?
“I ask God to give you the spirit or wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may KNOW the hope to which He has called you….His incomparably great power for us who believe…” (Eph. 1:18)
‘Hope So’ hope, and ‘Know So’ hope. What kind do you have?
How do you answer the familiar question, ‘If you die today, will you spend eternity in heaven?’
Do you have a god that ‘might’ be able to save you? Is that your hope?
Do you have enough willpower to correct what is wrong yourself? Is your own performance your hope?
Do you serve The God Who is able and willing? Is your hope in Him?
Do you hope you have hope?
Do you KNOW you have hope?
“I ask God to give you the spirit or wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may KNOW the hope to which He has called you….His incomparably great power for us who believe…” (Eph. 1:18)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Fit...
Fit… Do you?
I heard someone say they didn’t. I know that feeling. It made me stop to consider when I stopped feeling like I didn’t fit. Makes me wonder if somewhere along the way I began to fit , or if I just stopped caring that I didn’t fit.
Someone else I know once told me about a missing piece of a puzzle, a piece that she needed to complete the picture of herself. She searched for a long time for that missing piece.
To fit, I think we first have to know who we are. I can’t fit unless I know the shape of my piece of the puzzle. I won’t fit into your puzzle piece’s place. I have to find my own place, and to find it, I must examine what it is I’m searching for…what is it that I am trying to find a ‘fit’ for.
Jesus didn’t fit. Even though by His very breath, the stars were created. “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; all the host of them by the breath of His Mouth.” (Ps. 33:6) Even though by His Word, light became. “..God said ‘Let there be light’, and there was light.”(Gen. 1:3)
He was responsible for the creation of every part of our reality and beyond…He made our world, yet did not fit in it…. “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.” (John 1:10)
It was not always so. God The Father created perfect fit, intimate relationship between God and man. “ …the Lord God, walking in the garden in the cool of the day… "and God called unto Adam, and said to Him, ‘where are you?’" (Gen.3:8) God came to walk with Adam in the cool of the day! Everything God made was once perfectly fitted. "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good."(Gen. 1:31)
Then the choice was made to know evil, the choice was made to decide for self rather than obey. Because sin was present, the perfect fit was spoiled. Everything that was once good, now had evil in the mix.
That is exactly why I didn’t fit. I didn’t understand it, but I felt it. I sensed the very real truth that something was dreadfully wrong. I was not what I was meant to be. And I was not meant to be any of the things that I saw offered as I searched for that missing piece and searched for the place where I fit.
I felt it until He did the work of re-creation in me…when I ‘received the Spirit Who is from God, …that I could understand what God has freely given me.’ (1 Cor.2:12 personalized by me)
I felt it until I found Him in such a personal way, that I no longer fell for the deception and lie of the enemy…no longer looked outward for where my puzzle piece fit.
I felt it until I looked upward to Him and then inward to His Spirit, The Holy Spirit that is now present within.
I don’t fit…HE does.
He fits perfectly into that gaping hole in my soul.
And because of that perfect fit, I don’t care that I do not fit anywhere else.
I heard someone say they didn’t. I know that feeling. It made me stop to consider when I stopped feeling like I didn’t fit. Makes me wonder if somewhere along the way I began to fit , or if I just stopped caring that I didn’t fit.
Someone else I know once told me about a missing piece of a puzzle, a piece that she needed to complete the picture of herself. She searched for a long time for that missing piece.
To fit, I think we first have to know who we are. I can’t fit unless I know the shape of my piece of the puzzle. I won’t fit into your puzzle piece’s place. I have to find my own place, and to find it, I must examine what it is I’m searching for…what is it that I am trying to find a ‘fit’ for.
Jesus didn’t fit. Even though by His very breath, the stars were created. “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; all the host of them by the breath of His Mouth.” (Ps. 33:6) Even though by His Word, light became. “..God said ‘Let there be light’, and there was light.”(Gen. 1:3)
He was responsible for the creation of every part of our reality and beyond…He made our world, yet did not fit in it…. “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.” (John 1:10)
It was not always so. God The Father created perfect fit, intimate relationship between God and man. “ …the Lord God, walking in the garden in the cool of the day… "and God called unto Adam, and said to Him, ‘where are you?’" (Gen.3:8) God came to walk with Adam in the cool of the day! Everything God made was once perfectly fitted. "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good."(Gen. 1:31)
Then the choice was made to know evil, the choice was made to decide for self rather than obey. Because sin was present, the perfect fit was spoiled. Everything that was once good, now had evil in the mix.
That is exactly why I didn’t fit. I didn’t understand it, but I felt it. I sensed the very real truth that something was dreadfully wrong. I was not what I was meant to be. And I was not meant to be any of the things that I saw offered as I searched for that missing piece and searched for the place where I fit.
I felt it until He did the work of re-creation in me…when I ‘received the Spirit Who is from God, …that I could understand what God has freely given me.’ (1 Cor.2:12 personalized by me)
I felt it until I found Him in such a personal way, that I no longer fell for the deception and lie of the enemy…no longer looked outward for where my puzzle piece fit.
I felt it until I looked upward to Him and then inward to His Spirit, The Holy Spirit that is now present within.
I don’t fit…HE does.
He fits perfectly into that gaping hole in my soul.
And because of that perfect fit, I don’t care that I do not fit anywhere else.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Birth Day
Birthday… Today is mine. It is also what I call my mother’s ‘birthing’ day…the day she gave birth….to me.
I have two birthing days. Two sons, healthy baby boys, born just a few minutes before nine o’clock in the morning after a long night of hard labor, 6 ½ years apart. Every year when those birth days come around I re-live the hours before, during, and after…remembering.
Today, 55 years ago, my mother was alone in an army hospital hundreds of miles away from any family or friend except for my daddy….and he wasn’t allowed in the room. (things are so different now, thankfully…)
Going thru childbirth for the first time, not knowing what to expect, alone with the pains except for strangers… Thank You God that You were there with my young mother.
I don’t remember that day, but it happened. Obviously.
I also don’t remember the day of my spiritual birth. I remember the day I was baptized. (two of them actually…) I remember times of repentance, times of knowing His Presence intimately… I recall definite times of change, times when I knew that I knew His direction and answers, times when His Voice was almost audible to my ears and not just to my spirit.
I don’t remember the moment of my spiritual birth. But it happened. Obviously.
“He gave me birth through the word of truth, that I might be a kind of first fruit of all He created.” (James 1:18)
“Praise be to the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ ! In His great mercy He has given me new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade…”(1 Peter 1:3,4)
There was a long time that I questioned my spiritual birth…my salvation… Am I saved? Have I been re-born? I don’t remember an event.
Perhaps it is different for you. And that’s ok, even great ! For me…it was a process. Somewhere along the way, I was ‘born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.’ (1 Peter 1:23)
Somewhere along the way, amid my struggle to re-create myself, trying to ‘fix’ all that was terribly wrong…I got out of the way long enough for God to do His work in me. I got tired enough to surrender the fight, accept that I was defeated in the battle against sin, keep the desire to have victory over it, yet look for victory from The One Who died to offer it to me.
Hallelujah, What a Savior !
Thank You Lord Jesus on this, my birthday…for Your birthing me…whatever that date was.
It happened.
It is obvious to me.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Cheqer tabawn....
Cheqer tabuwn … In Hebrew, it means finding out knowledge…
Isaiah says that we can not fathom God’s knowledge or His understanding. “ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth……………. and His understanding no one can fathom.” (Isa. 40:28)
But I try. I’m not the smartest gal around…but I’m smarter than I was. I’m not the wisest, but I’ve gained in wisdom. I don’t understand everything, but I understand a great deal more than I once did.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. All who follow His precepts have good understanding…” (Ps. 111:10) Fear was the beginning. Thank You God, that isn’t all there is.
I’ll never know as much as God knows. But I have knowledge OF HIM. And ‘if I call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, if I look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, I will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom…He holds victory in store…He is a shield…He gaurds the course…He protects the way…” (Pro. 2, selected passages, personalized by me)
I must ‘turn my ear to wisdom and apply my heart to understanding.’ Seems that often I listen for only what I want to hear. “ …since you would not accept my advice and you spurned my rebuke, you will eat the fruit of your way and be filled with the fruit of your scheme…” Ouch.
Better leave my schemes out of it, ya think?
“Trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, Connie. In ALL your ways acknowledge Me, and I will make your paths straight.”
(Pro. 3:5 personalized by me)
Isaiah says that we can not fathom God’s knowledge or His understanding. “ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth……………. and His understanding no one can fathom.” (Isa. 40:28)
But I try. I’m not the smartest gal around…but I’m smarter than I was. I’m not the wisest, but I’ve gained in wisdom. I don’t understand everything, but I understand a great deal more than I once did.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. All who follow His precepts have good understanding…” (Ps. 111:10) Fear was the beginning. Thank You God, that isn’t all there is.
I’ll never know as much as God knows. But I have knowledge OF HIM. And ‘if I call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, if I look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, I will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom…He holds victory in store…He is a shield…He gaurds the course…He protects the way…” (Pro. 2, selected passages, personalized by me)
I must ‘turn my ear to wisdom and apply my heart to understanding.’ Seems that often I listen for only what I want to hear. “ …since you would not accept my advice and you spurned my rebuke, you will eat the fruit of your way and be filled with the fruit of your scheme…” Ouch.
Better leave my schemes out of it, ya think?
“Trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, Connie. In ALL your ways acknowledge Me, and I will make your paths straight.”
(Pro. 3:5 personalized by me)
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Pretty...
Pretty... Pretty is as pretty does.
When I was younger, I heard my grandmother say this, and countless others...and knew they were advising me to behave properly, be nice, be polite, smile and say please and thank you, etc. etc. etc.
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
I've spent the last 35 years doing what I can do to improve appearances. Shaping a haircut to compliment and balance a face, using color to brighten a face, covering up the natural signs of aging (gray hair!! shudder.....)
I've practiced my craft, I've gotten a lot of education, know a lot of 'stuff' about what I do, how to do it and why. But only the outward appearance is changed. And while it is true that the outward appearance affects the way we feel about ourselves, it doesn't really change anything that is inside us. It doesn't change who we are.
I can change appearance, but only God can change a heart. And He is so very good at what He does.
When I was younger, I heard my grandmother say this, and countless others...and knew they were advising me to behave properly, be nice, be polite, smile and say please and thank you, etc. etc. etc.
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
I've spent the last 35 years doing what I can do to improve appearances. Shaping a haircut to compliment and balance a face, using color to brighten a face, covering up the natural signs of aging (gray hair!! shudder.....)
I've practiced my craft, I've gotten a lot of education, know a lot of 'stuff' about what I do, how to do it and why. But only the outward appearance is changed. And while it is true that the outward appearance affects the way we feel about ourselves, it doesn't really change anything that is inside us. It doesn't change who we are.
I can change appearance, but only God can change a heart. And He is so very good at what He does.
Light...
Light... I caught myself complaining this morning about the lack of sunshine. Why is it that when the sun is not shining bright, I tend to be sluggish? grumpy? lazy?
Jesus said "I am the Light" He has shown me this morning that when I allow 'clouds' to rise up between us, that I suffer. Very often, issues and concerns rise up that I am powerless to remove. He is able. My choice is to look at the clouds, or to ask Him to shine His Light thru those clouds.
He has promised and He is faithful. I most often ask for Him to remove the cloud....and often He does. There are other times when He does not, but He provides the warmth and light to get thru it...sustaining me....and what a joy to feel that Light shining on my face again.
He is so good
Personal Trainer....
Personal Trainer… a person who works one-on-one with a client to plan or implement an exercise or fitness regimen….
People hire them when they want to lose weight or change their body condition and they can’t seem to accomplish it by themselves for whatever reason. Maybe they don’t work at it every day as they need to. Maybe they don’t perform the exercise correctly, opting instead for an easier way that doesn’t really stretch the muscle much. (..that’s me, if there is an easier way, I will find it.)
Sometimes more weight needs to be added. Other times, the weight needs to stay the same and the endurance level needs to be increased. Or maybe raise the tilt on the treadmill, same pace, same distance or time…but more uphill.
I don’t like any of it. I am sure I would like the result.
I have a personal Trainer. I don’t pay Him. He offers Himself to me freely. I love the results He has accomplished in me. Never want to go back to the shape I was once in. But sometimes I want to quit and just stay in ‘this’ shape. He pushes me on.
He allows me a break now and then, a time to ‘rest in the shadow’ (Ps. 91:1) But He does not allow me to quit. Even more, He does not allow me to WANT to quit for very long. He ‘renews my strength’ and helps me to ‘run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.’ (Isa. 40:31 personalized by me)
I often say that I am old and tired. But ‘ He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.’ (Isa. 40: 29-31 The Message)
I’m thankful for the faith muscles that I have. And I trust The Trainer when He adds a little weight, or increases the incline of the hill, or pushes me for another lap. He has shown to me that He knows what He’s doing.
People hire them when they want to lose weight or change their body condition and they can’t seem to accomplish it by themselves for whatever reason. Maybe they don’t work at it every day as they need to. Maybe they don’t perform the exercise correctly, opting instead for an easier way that doesn’t really stretch the muscle much. (..that’s me, if there is an easier way, I will find it.)
Sometimes more weight needs to be added. Other times, the weight needs to stay the same and the endurance level needs to be increased. Or maybe raise the tilt on the treadmill, same pace, same distance or time…but more uphill.
I don’t like any of it. I am sure I would like the result.
I have a personal Trainer. I don’t pay Him. He offers Himself to me freely. I love the results He has accomplished in me. Never want to go back to the shape I was once in. But sometimes I want to quit and just stay in ‘this’ shape. He pushes me on.
He allows me a break now and then, a time to ‘rest in the shadow’ (Ps. 91:1) But He does not allow me to quit. Even more, He does not allow me to WANT to quit for very long. He ‘renews my strength’ and helps me to ‘run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.’ (Isa. 40:31 personalized by me)
I often say that I am old and tired. But ‘ He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.’ (Isa. 40: 29-31 The Message)
I’m thankful for the faith muscles that I have. And I trust The Trainer when He adds a little weight, or increases the incline of the hill, or pushes me for another lap. He has shown to me that He knows what He’s doing.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Love...
Love.. Today is Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air….and the banner of love has been flying high, restaurants full of couples, and stores cashing in on the opportunity to sell merchandise designated for your ‘valentine’.
‘…He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.’ (Song of Solomon 2:4) The entirety of Solomon’s book is a romantic love story. It has lots of rich lessons for us, lessons about our relationships as husband and wife, and the love relationship that God has for us….the relationship that God WANTS us to be completely engaged in and committed to.
I’ve been married to my valentine since 1974. He treats me like a ’lily among thorns’ (S.of S.2:2) He makes me feel treasured and beautiful. I am secure knowing his love for me.
‘How great is the love the Father has lavished on me, that I should be called a child of God! And that is what I am !’ (1 John 3:1 personalized by me) I am secure in my marriage…my husband puts me as his top priority, nothing out-ranks me except God Himself.
How much more secure I am to be in the love of God. “His banner over me is love.” (S.of S. 2:4) God has stopped at nothing to communicate His love for me. Jesus left the perfection of heaven to step into a body of slowly dying flesh, just to communicate the love of God, to dwell among us, and to restore our relationship with Him back to the way it was…perfect and complete.
‘Taste and see…the lord is good..’ (Ps. 34:8)
‘Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord.’
(Ps. 107:43) How I pray you really know Him….know His character, His perfect love for you. He is so good.
‘…He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.’ (Song of Solomon 2:4) The entirety of Solomon’s book is a romantic love story. It has lots of rich lessons for us, lessons about our relationships as husband and wife, and the love relationship that God has for us….the relationship that God WANTS us to be completely engaged in and committed to.
I’ve been married to my valentine since 1974. He treats me like a ’lily among thorns’ (S.of S.2:2) He makes me feel treasured and beautiful. I am secure knowing his love for me.
‘How great is the love the Father has lavished on me, that I should be called a child of God! And that is what I am !’ (1 John 3:1 personalized by me) I am secure in my marriage…my husband puts me as his top priority, nothing out-ranks me except God Himself.
How much more secure I am to be in the love of God. “His banner over me is love.” (S.of S. 2:4) God has stopped at nothing to communicate His love for me. Jesus left the perfection of heaven to step into a body of slowly dying flesh, just to communicate the love of God, to dwell among us, and to restore our relationship with Him back to the way it was…perfect and complete.
‘Taste and see…the lord is good..’ (Ps. 34:8)
‘Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord.’
(Ps. 107:43) How I pray you really know Him….know His character, His perfect love for you. He is so good.
Covet...
Covet…..We don’t use that word. Maybe you use it, but it’s not in my vocabulary normally. I do know it’s one of those ‘thou shalt not’ things…
Chamad=covet in the original language. In the verb form, which is the acting out of this thing called chamad, it means to desire passionately or intensely, to take delight in something delectable. It expresses the idea of finding pleasure in something.
So why is it a ‘thou shalt not’ ? Is our God just mean and nasty and intends for us to not enjoy anything?
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, nor thy neighbor’s wife, not his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.”(Ex. 20:17) ‘Don’t set your heart on anything that is your neighbor’s.’(Ex.20:17 The Message)
You see, it’s not that we should not find pleasure….we’re just not to find it in the wrong places. Having the great house is ok…as long as we are not taking what we want from someone else. Are we sure the desire for the great house is not out of a wrong heart motive?
And who is a neighbor? Looking for a loophole? Jesus addressed that very thing in Luke 10. My conclusion is that my neighbor is anyone within the realm of my existence and opportunity of influence. Wherever the ripple effect of my decisions go…whoever it touches… that is my neighbor. I am not to undermine any other person in order to further the desires of my own heart.
This ‘thou shalt not’ has to do with our wanting and even planning to have what is someone else’s, and even getting it by whatever method necessary, at their expense. An extreme example is David’s coveting the wife of another man, and what David was capable of doing to have her. The story is told in 1 Samuel 11.
‘..David said ‘ put Uriah in the front line where the fighting in the fiercest, then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.’ (vs.15 NIV)
Whew…I’d surely not do anything that awful would you? ….Then the Lord answered my prayer about revealing to me the sin in my own heart so that I might truly repent and turn away from it, asking Him to forgive and remove the guilt. He did. It is ugly. I am so thankful that He will remove the ugliness and grow me up in the process.
You’ll have to examine your own heart prayerfully in His Presence. If you know His love, you’ll feel safe doing that. It’s not a pleasant thing to look on purpose at the ugliness within yourself. But I believe it is necessary for spiritual growth. God knows every detail of it anyway…it’s us that refuse to acknowledge the presence of it within us, we are the ones who hide our eyes and pretend it’s not there. We pretend that it will not be noticed, or will somehow go away and never effect our lives. Wrong. So wrong…
Chamad=covet in the original language. In the verb form, which is the acting out of this thing called chamad, it means to desire passionately or intensely, to take delight in something delectable. It expresses the idea of finding pleasure in something.
So why is it a ‘thou shalt not’ ? Is our God just mean and nasty and intends for us to not enjoy anything?
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, nor thy neighbor’s wife, not his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.”(Ex. 20:17) ‘Don’t set your heart on anything that is your neighbor’s.’(Ex.20:17 The Message)
You see, it’s not that we should not find pleasure….we’re just not to find it in the wrong places. Having the great house is ok…as long as we are not taking what we want from someone else. Are we sure the desire for the great house is not out of a wrong heart motive?
And who is a neighbor? Looking for a loophole? Jesus addressed that very thing in Luke 10. My conclusion is that my neighbor is anyone within the realm of my existence and opportunity of influence. Wherever the ripple effect of my decisions go…whoever it touches… that is my neighbor. I am not to undermine any other person in order to further the desires of my own heart.
This ‘thou shalt not’ has to do with our wanting and even planning to have what is someone else’s, and even getting it by whatever method necessary, at their expense. An extreme example is David’s coveting the wife of another man, and what David was capable of doing to have her. The story is told in 1 Samuel 11.
‘..David said ‘ put Uriah in the front line where the fighting in the fiercest, then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.’ (vs.15 NIV)
Whew…I’d surely not do anything that awful would you? ….Then the Lord answered my prayer about revealing to me the sin in my own heart so that I might truly repent and turn away from it, asking Him to forgive and remove the guilt. He did. It is ugly. I am so thankful that He will remove the ugliness and grow me up in the process.
You’ll have to examine your own heart prayerfully in His Presence. If you know His love, you’ll feel safe doing that. It’s not a pleasant thing to look on purpose at the ugliness within yourself. But I believe it is necessary for spiritual growth. God knows every detail of it anyway…it’s us that refuse to acknowledge the presence of it within us, we are the ones who hide our eyes and pretend it’s not there. We pretend that it will not be noticed, or will somehow go away and never effect our lives. Wrong. So wrong…
Snow...
Snow… Seldom do we see the amount of snow that blankets the landscape right now. Leaving work yesterday, it seemed early…
A blanket of white covering everything makes just a tiny bit of light bounce and reflect until it almost seems like daylight…even when the sun has long since set, even when clouds hang low, weeping out fluffy white flakes.
Every little speck against a backdrop of this snowy whiteness stands out starkly, the contrast is so great. A footprint thru to the soil beneath, a tire track, a patch of snow that has been soiled with a spilled drink…every little thing shows up against the pure white snow.
I was thinking yesterday about how disfigured and imperfect I am. When I examine myself against a simple ten-part standard, I fail miserably. Black….dirty…so ugly against the pureness of God. It serves the purpose God intended…it makes me see how badly I need a Savior. I can’t get myself pure when I can’t even follow ten simply stated guidelines. Did you see any black ugliness in yourself ?
‘Come now ! Let us reason together…’ (Isa. 1:18) That is God speaking thru the prophet Isaiah. Engage yourself…enter into the conversation He initiates…He continues ‘though your sins are like scarlet…they shall be as white as snow…’
Imagine a bright red laying against this backdrop of snow. What a contrast ! My sin shows up. Like a huge bright red stain on this pure white landscape of snow..my sin shows up. The Good News is that the scarlet blood of my Savior ‘purifies me from all sin’ (1 John 1:7) I am ‘justified by His blood…’(Rom. 5:9)
White as snow… He ‘suffered outside the city gate to make me holy through His own blood.’ (Heb. 13:12) Whiter than snow.. ‘..wash me and I will be whiter than snow.’ (Ps.51:7)
How could anything possibly be whiter than this snow….
Mirror...
Mirror…There are indeed many distorted mirrors, making us look taller and thinner, or wider, or strangely curved. A perfect clean mirror will reflect a perfect image of what stands before it. Often, we don’t like what we see…
What we call The Ten Commandments mirrors something to me that’s not pretty. When I look at that ‘thou shalt/thou shalt not’ list closely, I become keenly aware of how disfigured I am.
‘…through the law we become conscious of our sin.’ (Rom. 3:20)
Are you brave enough to look into that mirror with your eyes really open? We will start with a simple one. ‘Thou shalt not steal.’(Ex.20:15) There’s no thief reading this right? No bank robbers on the list, I’m sure.
The word translated steal is ‘ganab’ in the original language. It means to secretly bring, to obtain by stealth, the implication to deceive, to thieve literally or figuratively.
Think you’re innocent? So, you’re 100% honest on your tax forms? You have never passed on some unkind, untrue, or unnecessary remark, taking away someone’s good reputation. What about that item that was mis-priced, you knew it, but that young kid working as a salesclerk didn’t. What about the stuff you bring home from work, that stuff the company pays for, provides for you as you work there, and you take it home to provide for your family, saving yourself the cost of purchasing it yourself? Maybe you didn’t correct that person who thought it was you that did that great thing, you just kept quiet and let them think it. Dozens and dozens of things to list. This mirror shows my face. I’m guilty. Perhaps I’m the only one though…or maybe you’re not looking into this same mirror…maybe you’re looking into a distorted one. You know, one that makes you look taller and thinner. Better than you really do.
Think I’m being legalistic? I am. That is what law is…legal. God’s purpose in issuing law is served when we really begin to see how guilty we are of breaking them. Only then do we really see our predicament, and our great need of rescue.
When God looks, He sees all that stuff… unless I’m covered by His Son. Then He sees Jesus, the One and Only Perfect One.
Thank You Lord for Your amazing grace. I’m a thief.
What we call The Ten Commandments mirrors something to me that’s not pretty. When I look at that ‘thou shalt/thou shalt not’ list closely, I become keenly aware of how disfigured I am.
‘…through the law we become conscious of our sin.’ (Rom. 3:20)
Are you brave enough to look into that mirror with your eyes really open? We will start with a simple one. ‘Thou shalt not steal.’(Ex.20:15) There’s no thief reading this right? No bank robbers on the list, I’m sure.
The word translated steal is ‘ganab’ in the original language. It means to secretly bring, to obtain by stealth, the implication to deceive, to thieve literally or figuratively.
Think you’re innocent? So, you’re 100% honest on your tax forms? You have never passed on some unkind, untrue, or unnecessary remark, taking away someone’s good reputation. What about that item that was mis-priced, you knew it, but that young kid working as a salesclerk didn’t. What about the stuff you bring home from work, that stuff the company pays for, provides for you as you work there, and you take it home to provide for your family, saving yourself the cost of purchasing it yourself? Maybe you didn’t correct that person who thought it was you that did that great thing, you just kept quiet and let them think it. Dozens and dozens of things to list. This mirror shows my face. I’m guilty. Perhaps I’m the only one though…or maybe you’re not looking into this same mirror…maybe you’re looking into a distorted one. You know, one that makes you look taller and thinner. Better than you really do.
Think I’m being legalistic? I am. That is what law is…legal. God’s purpose in issuing law is served when we really begin to see how guilty we are of breaking them. Only then do we really see our predicament, and our great need of rescue.
When God looks, He sees all that stuff… unless I’m covered by His Son. Then He sees Jesus, the One and Only Perfect One.
Thank You Lord for Your amazing grace. I’m a thief.
Reflection...
Reflection…I work standing in front of a mirror. I’m so accustomed to it, I seldom see my own image there. But it IS there…
There are reflections of ourselves in a lot of places if we look for them. We are reflected in our children. Simply the face of a child often reflects who the parent is, the image being so similar. Often, we see ourselves reflected in the behavior of our children ….sometimes not a pretty reflection.
Our actions and words are reflections. (I am convinced that we act on what we REALLY believe, not on what we SAY we believe.) Words are important….but actions speak much louder. ‘As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead…..show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.’ (James 2:26, 18)
Sometimes the mirror is true, sometimes it’s distorted. Sometimes I just wish for the excuse of a distorted mirror, giving me an excuse for the reflection I see. It’s not pretty sometimes, often in fact…but I’ve become more able to look at the ugliness I see reflected because only when I acknowledge it can it be changed.
We are prone to not really look…to only look from a distance, or look quickly and turn away, ignoring what we see, even pretending we look entirely different. ‘Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.’ (James 1:23,24 NIV) ‘But suppose you take a good look….keep looking at it…don’t forget…but act…’ (James 1:25 NIrV)
I can change a lot standing in front of my mirror. I’ll be changing my own reflection in front of a mirror in a few minutes as I ready for the day ahead. I can change your reflection to a degree…with shears, a brush and a blow dryer. But only the Lord can remove the real ugly…the ugly that goes all the way to the spirit.
Examine yourselves..’ (2Cor. 13:5) I need to prayerfully look at my reflection. I don’t want to have ‘eyes that could not see..’(Rom. 11:8)
My desire is to reflect Jesus Christ. His image is perfect…and He shows me what I really look like. I am thankful He doesn’t leave me to my own skill to make improvements, for my image is beyond flawed, beyond my capacity to improve.
‘Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.’ (James 1:4) ‘I have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of the Creator’(Col.3:10)
It is a work in progress.
There are reflections of ourselves in a lot of places if we look for them. We are reflected in our children. Simply the face of a child often reflects who the parent is, the image being so similar. Often, we see ourselves reflected in the behavior of our children ….sometimes not a pretty reflection.
Our actions and words are reflections. (I am convinced that we act on what we REALLY believe, not on what we SAY we believe.) Words are important….but actions speak much louder. ‘As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead…..show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.’ (James 2:26, 18)
Sometimes the mirror is true, sometimes it’s distorted. Sometimes I just wish for the excuse of a distorted mirror, giving me an excuse for the reflection I see. It’s not pretty sometimes, often in fact…but I’ve become more able to look at the ugliness I see reflected because only when I acknowledge it can it be changed.
We are prone to not really look…to only look from a distance, or look quickly and turn away, ignoring what we see, even pretending we look entirely different. ‘Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.’ (James 1:23,24 NIV) ‘But suppose you take a good look….keep looking at it…don’t forget…but act…’ (James 1:25 NIrV)
I can change a lot standing in front of my mirror. I’ll be changing my own reflection in front of a mirror in a few minutes as I ready for the day ahead. I can change your reflection to a degree…with shears, a brush and a blow dryer. But only the Lord can remove the real ugly…the ugly that goes all the way to the spirit.
Examine yourselves..’ (2Cor. 13:5) I need to prayerfully look at my reflection. I don’t want to have ‘eyes that could not see..’(Rom. 11:8)
My desire is to reflect Jesus Christ. His image is perfect…and He shows me what I really look like. I am thankful He doesn’t leave me to my own skill to make improvements, for my image is beyond flawed, beyond my capacity to improve.
‘Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.’ (James 1:4) ‘I have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of the Creator’(Col.3:10)
It is a work in progress.
Sword...
Sword… Have you noticed all the pieces of the armor we’ve looked at are for protection? Did you notice there’s nothing for the back side? We are to stand, not run. (see Armor / Feb.4th) Stand…that implies a continued action. We are called to face the assault. We have protection, and we have one weapon to fight with.
‘Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get….Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You will need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.’ (Eph. 6”13-17 The Message)
We are not to fight with our idea of what is right, (truth), but His. We can’t fight armed in our own good behavior (righteousness), but His. We don’t overcome what we face while sitting on our hands, simply on the strength of faith. ‘faith without deeds? Can such faith save?‘(James 2:14) We have to act on what we say we believe. We are provided what is necessary to secure ourselves, but we are still vulnerable and will never take out the enemy without this one weapon He provides for our armor. The Sword of the Spirit…God’s Word.
God’s Word. Communication from the Almighty. What God has said has been recorded for us by a host of different writers, in 3 different languages, under all sorts of circumstances, from every social rank, kings to peasants, highly educated to absolutely no education, Jews and Gentiles, most of them completely unknown to each other, living over the space of some 1600 years, all telling the same story…. the relationship between God and man, how it started, what went wrong, and God’s rescue…the redemption story.
What God says IS. Period. He said ‘let there be….’(Gen.1) and there WAS. He is the same God, what He says packs a powerful punch…and the opposing forces can NOT over-rule His say-so. What satan can and does do, is deceive us about what God has in fact said. (we make it easy when we haven’t a clue what He said in the first place!)
The first sin was a result of not being sure of what God had said. Satan asked Eve, “Did God really say,’You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Gen.3:1 NIV) Read the complete story for yourself, see how that happened. Learn the tactic the serpent used. He uses it still. Look for God’s Word in that story, what DID He say?
Satan’s agenda is to keep us ignorant of what God has said or make us believe his version (lies) of what God has said. That devil will try to make us question and doubt God’s character and intent about what He has said and why. God has a reason for what He has said, always always a good reason, and for our ultimate good.
You can’t fight without something to fight with. You’ll get slaughtered standing against an enemy with no weapon to take that enemy down. You may manage to stand a short while…but you’ll not stand long, the enemy will USE his weapons. His weapons are a distortion of God’s Word. You are wise to find out the truth of what He says.
‘Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get….Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You will need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.’ (Eph. 6”13-17 The Message)
We are not to fight with our idea of what is right, (truth), but His. We can’t fight armed in our own good behavior (righteousness), but His. We don’t overcome what we face while sitting on our hands, simply on the strength of faith. ‘faith without deeds? Can such faith save?‘(James 2:14) We have to act on what we say we believe. We are provided what is necessary to secure ourselves, but we are still vulnerable and will never take out the enemy without this one weapon He provides for our armor. The Sword of the Spirit…God’s Word.
God’s Word. Communication from the Almighty. What God has said has been recorded for us by a host of different writers, in 3 different languages, under all sorts of circumstances, from every social rank, kings to peasants, highly educated to absolutely no education, Jews and Gentiles, most of them completely unknown to each other, living over the space of some 1600 years, all telling the same story…. the relationship between God and man, how it started, what went wrong, and God’s rescue…the redemption story.
What God says IS. Period. He said ‘let there be….’(Gen.1) and there WAS. He is the same God, what He says packs a powerful punch…and the opposing forces can NOT over-rule His say-so. What satan can and does do, is deceive us about what God has in fact said. (we make it easy when we haven’t a clue what He said in the first place!)
The first sin was a result of not being sure of what God had said. Satan asked Eve, “Did God really say,’You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Gen.3:1 NIV) Read the complete story for yourself, see how that happened. Learn the tactic the serpent used. He uses it still. Look for God’s Word in that story, what DID He say?
Satan’s agenda is to keep us ignorant of what God has said or make us believe his version (lies) of what God has said. That devil will try to make us question and doubt God’s character and intent about what He has said and why. God has a reason for what He has said, always always a good reason, and for our ultimate good.
You can’t fight without something to fight with. You’ll get slaughtered standing against an enemy with no weapon to take that enemy down. You may manage to stand a short while…but you’ll not stand long, the enemy will USE his weapons. His weapons are a distortion of God’s Word. You are wise to find out the truth of what He says.
Helmet...
Helmet… We just had Superbowl Sunday. If you know me very well, you will know I have issues with football. I’m not a big fan.
Today, I have to smile at God’s timing, He is so cool, so good at what He does. I’ve spent all this time reflecting on armor, the equipment He tells us to use… to defend ourselves against the very real attacks of our very real opposition. The last piece of protective armor is ‘the helmet of salvation.’
‘ …let us ..put on…the hope of salvation as a helmet.’ (1Thes. 5:8) ’Take the helmet of salvation…’ (Eph. 6:17) ‘ press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:14) …(listen to all this football language! Doesn’t God have a sense of humor?!).. ‘make it my goal to please Him’ (2 Cor. 5:9) ‘receiving the goal of my faith, the salvation of my soul..’ (1 Peter 1:9)
Let’s clear up our thinking about this hope thing though. Hope = ‘elpis’ in the original language of scripture and it means to anticipate with pleasure, to expect with confidence, desire something good with the expectation of obtaining it while not yet an actuality.
It is difficult to stay in a battle when there is no hope of victory. This is not a big ‘what if’. This is not an impossiblity. But ‘thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor. 15:57)
Daily putting on this helmet of salvation protects my mind. This hope protects me when my understanding is being assaulted. The enemy wants me to have poor or no understanding, and he will twist truth so that I MISunderstand. He wants me to have poor judgment. He wants me to be confused and uncertain. He would have me live in fear and insecurity, or horribly misuse and misapply the grace that God has extended. But..
I have received… ‘the Spirit Who is from God’ (1Cor. 2:12) I have possession… ‘the promised Holy Spirit….gaurantees my inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession..’ (Eph. 1:13,14) HE is ‘the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.’ (Heb.5:9)
The opposing side plays rough and dirty. I have protective gear to wear because the opposition wants to take me down any way possible. The helmet is a vital part.
It is crucial to protect my mind…and God Himself provides that protection.
I have possession, and I have the promises of God. I am assured victory. How about you? Are you on God’s team? Are you suited up?…protected with His gear, or relying on your own? Your apt to be injured without it. Are you in the game, or on the bench? He needs all players on the field, He really wants to run the scoreboard up. ‘..look at the fields, they are ripe for harvest.’(John 4:25)
Today, I have to smile at God’s timing, He is so cool, so good at what He does. I’ve spent all this time reflecting on armor, the equipment He tells us to use… to defend ourselves against the very real attacks of our very real opposition. The last piece of protective armor is ‘the helmet of salvation.’
‘ …let us ..put on…the hope of salvation as a helmet.’ (1Thes. 5:8) ’Take the helmet of salvation…’ (Eph. 6:17) ‘ press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:14) …(listen to all this football language! Doesn’t God have a sense of humor?!).. ‘make it my goal to please Him’ (2 Cor. 5:9) ‘receiving the goal of my faith, the salvation of my soul..’ (1 Peter 1:9)
Let’s clear up our thinking about this hope thing though. Hope = ‘elpis’ in the original language of scripture and it means to anticipate with pleasure, to expect with confidence, desire something good with the expectation of obtaining it while not yet an actuality.
It is difficult to stay in a battle when there is no hope of victory. This is not a big ‘what if’. This is not an impossiblity. But ‘thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor. 15:57)
Daily putting on this helmet of salvation protects my mind. This hope protects me when my understanding is being assaulted. The enemy wants me to have poor or no understanding, and he will twist truth so that I MISunderstand. He wants me to have poor judgment. He wants me to be confused and uncertain. He would have me live in fear and insecurity, or horribly misuse and misapply the grace that God has extended. But..
I have received… ‘the Spirit Who is from God’ (1Cor. 2:12) I have possession… ‘the promised Holy Spirit….gaurantees my inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession..’ (Eph. 1:13,14) HE is ‘the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.’ (Heb.5:9)
The opposing side plays rough and dirty. I have protective gear to wear because the opposition wants to take me down any way possible. The helmet is a vital part.
It is crucial to protect my mind…and God Himself provides that protection.
I have possession, and I have the promises of God. I am assured victory. How about you? Are you on God’s team? Are you suited up?…protected with His gear, or relying on your own? Your apt to be injured without it. Are you in the game, or on the bench? He needs all players on the field, He really wants to run the scoreboard up. ‘..look at the fields, they are ripe for harvest.’(John 4:25)
Shield...
Shield….I’ve been wearing a raincoat a lot lately. It is my shield against falling drops of water. It keeps my clothes dry, therefore keeping me warm instead of chilled to the bone. I have a plastic shield I use in my microwave. I put it over the food to keep it from splattering. Shields…of water-proof material…of microwave safe plastic. What about the shield in this armor of God…
‘take the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.’ (Eph. 6:16) Don’t get off the point here…don’t zoom in on that faith word yet. (I’m not sure I can tackle that one!) We need to understand why we have a need for a shield, and what we use it for.
We are being told in this scripture that there are ‘flaming arrows’ from ‘the evil one’ …that we ARE in harm’s way, and we need a shield between us and these methods of attack. We have to have a way to put out these ‘flaming arrows’. (I have images of Calvary forts and Indians, on the western movies that often play in our living room.)The Indians’ flaming arrows may or may not have been real…but the ones our enemy uses are very real.
The wrong thoughts that pass thru my mind, but get caught and thrown out as I use my shield.
The opportunities to do what I know I should not…I use my shield of faith to turn them down.
The occasions when I want to lash out and return the attack..I raise my shield to protect myself, refusing to hurt another person unnecessarily.
The fear that plagues me…I raise up my shield to keep it from penetrating my heart.
The burning questions I struggle with, I raise up my shield to put out the fire of doubt and unbelief that my enemy would like to see steal my joy and destroy me.
All the ‘what if’s…I raise my shield to knock them down, remembering the promises of God.
I must on purpose raise up my shield. It’s up to me. It doesn’t raise itself.
The shield used in Biblical times was usually made of light wood covered with several layers of leather hides with a rim of brass. Some shields were covered in metal, making them heavier and harder to use for long periods of time. The wood was vulnerable to fire but lighter and easier to maneuver in battle. Leathers were kept rubbed with oil to protect them and help keep the surface smooth so that arrows or darts would not penetrate easily. ( anointed with oil ! )
Our shield is made of faith. That’s a really big word. The writer of Hebrews says it is ‘being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ (Heb. 11:1) My faith is not in my faith. My faith is in the God of the universe, the Creator of everything in my reality and beyond. HE, my friend, shields me from any flaming arrow my enemy hurls.
‘Thou O Lord, are a shield around me.’ (Ps. 3:3)
‘take the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.’ (Eph. 6:16) Don’t get off the point here…don’t zoom in on that faith word yet. (I’m not sure I can tackle that one!) We need to understand why we have a need for a shield, and what we use it for.
We are being told in this scripture that there are ‘flaming arrows’ from ‘the evil one’ …that we ARE in harm’s way, and we need a shield between us and these methods of attack. We have to have a way to put out these ‘flaming arrows’. (I have images of Calvary forts and Indians, on the western movies that often play in our living room.)The Indians’ flaming arrows may or may not have been real…but the ones our enemy uses are very real.
The wrong thoughts that pass thru my mind, but get caught and thrown out as I use my shield.
The opportunities to do what I know I should not…I use my shield of faith to turn them down.
The occasions when I want to lash out and return the attack..I raise my shield to protect myself, refusing to hurt another person unnecessarily.
The fear that plagues me…I raise up my shield to keep it from penetrating my heart.
The burning questions I struggle with, I raise up my shield to put out the fire of doubt and unbelief that my enemy would like to see steal my joy and destroy me.
All the ‘what if’s…I raise my shield to knock them down, remembering the promises of God.
I must on purpose raise up my shield. It’s up to me. It doesn’t raise itself.
The shield used in Biblical times was usually made of light wood covered with several layers of leather hides with a rim of brass. Some shields were covered in metal, making them heavier and harder to use for long periods of time. The wood was vulnerable to fire but lighter and easier to maneuver in battle. Leathers were kept rubbed with oil to protect them and help keep the surface smooth so that arrows or darts would not penetrate easily. ( anointed with oil ! )
Our shield is made of faith. That’s a really big word. The writer of Hebrews says it is ‘being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ (Heb. 11:1) My faith is not in my faith. My faith is in the God of the universe, the Creator of everything in my reality and beyond. HE, my friend, shields me from any flaming arrow my enemy hurls.
‘Thou O Lord, are a shield around me.’ (Ps. 3:3)
Shod...
Shod… People with horses know that term well. I’m not a horse, but I like being well shod. Most people do, especially us girls…we like shoes.
There is a purpose for being shod…to cover the feet and make us able to take steps without subjecting our tender flesh to the bare ground. The older I’ve gotten, my choices have changed…the emphasis becomes more on comfort and purpose rather than style and appearance.
When I go on a day’s shopping trip, I take in consideration the amount of walking, and I make sure I’m shod accordingly. Every Christian should make similar considerations daily, we should be ‘shod’ appropriately, for we are shopping with Jesus, looking for others who will choose His offer. ‘He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ (1 Peter 3:9)
He has already bought me…paid the price, I’m just waiting to go home with Him. Meanwhile, He is within me, with me every moment of every day. He’s not walking around in flesh anymore…He is RE-presented to the world now thru the flesh of His children. ‘Christ is in you..’ (Col. 1:27) That’s me… and you, if you‘re His.So what about the foot-gear in the armor we’ve been discussing? ‘..your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace..’(Eph. 6:15) The common soldiers of that day were shod with a type of sandal or ‘caligae’. They were strapped around the instep and ankle, with thick soles studded with protruding nails that kept them standing firmly in the sandy ground.
In the very real spiritual war that is going on all around you and I, we must be shod. But not with a spiked heel. We are to be shod and prepared with ‘the gospel of peace’ We can’t achieve any victory without this important basic piece of equipment. (shoes DO make the outfit !)
The gospel/good news/message….IS peace. Peace with God instead of conflict with Him. He is perfect, we are not. FAR from it in fact ! Conflicts (sin) exist in our relationships with each other. There is conflict between us and God. Conflict destroys personal peace and peace with others…family, friends, spouses, neighbors, strangers, other nations…. It gets to be a really awful mess. Painful. Hurtful. Damaging. There is a solution to the problem…reconciliation has been made possible. Peace with God will bring personal peace and peace with one another.
Ephesians 2 has a lot to say about this.. ‘In Christ Jesus, you who were far away, have been brought near… He Himself is our peace, Who has… destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…making peace, …, to reconcile ….them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.’ (selected verses)
How you are shod will tell off on you. Is the gospel of peace what keeps you grounded, standing firmly, able to stand against enemy assault? Or is it your flesh….your tender , vulnerable, bare feet?
There is a purpose for being shod…to cover the feet and make us able to take steps without subjecting our tender flesh to the bare ground. The older I’ve gotten, my choices have changed…the emphasis becomes more on comfort and purpose rather than style and appearance.
When I go on a day’s shopping trip, I take in consideration the amount of walking, and I make sure I’m shod accordingly. Every Christian should make similar considerations daily, we should be ‘shod’ appropriately, for we are shopping with Jesus, looking for others who will choose His offer. ‘He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ (1 Peter 3:9)
He has already bought me…paid the price, I’m just waiting to go home with Him. Meanwhile, He is within me, with me every moment of every day. He’s not walking around in flesh anymore…He is RE-presented to the world now thru the flesh of His children. ‘Christ is in you..’ (Col. 1:27) That’s me… and you, if you‘re His.So what about the foot-gear in the armor we’ve been discussing? ‘..your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace..’(Eph. 6:15) The common soldiers of that day were shod with a type of sandal or ‘caligae’. They were strapped around the instep and ankle, with thick soles studded with protruding nails that kept them standing firmly in the sandy ground.
In the very real spiritual war that is going on all around you and I, we must be shod. But not with a spiked heel. We are to be shod and prepared with ‘the gospel of peace’ We can’t achieve any victory without this important basic piece of equipment. (shoes DO make the outfit !)
The gospel/good news/message….IS peace. Peace with God instead of conflict with Him. He is perfect, we are not. FAR from it in fact ! Conflicts (sin) exist in our relationships with each other. There is conflict between us and God. Conflict destroys personal peace and peace with others…family, friends, spouses, neighbors, strangers, other nations…. It gets to be a really awful mess. Painful. Hurtful. Damaging. There is a solution to the problem…reconciliation has been made possible. Peace with God will bring personal peace and peace with one another.
Ephesians 2 has a lot to say about this.. ‘In Christ Jesus, you who were far away, have been brought near… He Himself is our peace, Who has… destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…making peace, …, to reconcile ….them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.’ (selected verses)
How you are shod will tell off on you. Is the gospel of peace what keeps you grounded, standing firmly, able to stand against enemy assault? Or is it your flesh….your tender , vulnerable, bare feet?
Breastplate...
Breastplate… Batman wore one with six-pack abs made into it. Remember? My breastplate doesn’t give me abs…but it protects the vital parts of me…my heart.
We’re still talking about this armor thing remember? We thought about the belt of truth previously. Now to this breastplate thing….get out your Sword (Bible) and look for yourself. There’s a table of contents in the front of your Bible to help you locate the books, Ephesians is in the New Testament section. Look at chapter 6, verse 14.
‘ ..with the breastplate of righteousness in place…’ Why does scripture use this picture to illustrate something to us? Just what IS righteousness anyway? And a breastplate?? Come on…
Batman’s breastplate turned bullets and protected him from blows to his ribs. (Fictional) Police have garments that serve as breastplates, they call them bullet-proof vests. They offer protection from attacks helping to slow down or stop a piece of lead screaming thru space, shot from a gun. I think it’s made of something called ‘Kevlar’. (Reality)
Dikaiosune = righteousness in the original language of scripture. The word dikaiosune has to do with character. Innocent, holy, absolute rightness. It was once spelled ‘rightwiseness’. So we are to ‘put on’ this thing to protect us…this thing called righteousness. Think you can fill that description? I can’t !! I am not innocent, far from holy, and absolutely never absolutely right !!
So how can I wear something I don’t have ?!!? Here’s The Good News, the absolute best news you’ll ever hear. I quote it from The Message translation…‘…anyone united with The Messiah gets a fresh start, …God settled the relationship between us and Him…He put the world square with Himself through the Messiah Jesus… God put the wrong on Him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God. ’ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
There my friend is my rightwisesness. There is the only absolute right character you’ll find in me. My only innocence. Nothing holy in me except from Him. I want it firmly in place every single day. I have never accomplished it, try as I might…HE accomplished it. And HE continues the work in me to rid me of the stains and residues of sin…the stuff that keeps me from being innocent, holy, and right. It is an on-going process, will be until I draw my last breath in this body.
My breastplate of righteousness is always on. My heart is not just set right with God, but was changed. I want what He wants. And even when I don’t really…I WANT to want what He wants. He protects me in that way…drawing me to Him rather than letting me be content out of His perfect will.
My breastplate doesn’t give me six-pack abs. But it makes me look perfect to God. He sees perfection…the perfection of Christ. And knowing THAT….protects my heart.
We’re still talking about this armor thing remember? We thought about the belt of truth previously. Now to this breastplate thing….get out your Sword (Bible) and look for yourself. There’s a table of contents in the front of your Bible to help you locate the books, Ephesians is in the New Testament section. Look at chapter 6, verse 14.
‘ ..with the breastplate of righteousness in place…’ Why does scripture use this picture to illustrate something to us? Just what IS righteousness anyway? And a breastplate?? Come on…
Batman’s breastplate turned bullets and protected him from blows to his ribs. (Fictional) Police have garments that serve as breastplates, they call them bullet-proof vests. They offer protection from attacks helping to slow down or stop a piece of lead screaming thru space, shot from a gun. I think it’s made of something called ‘Kevlar’. (Reality)
Dikaiosune = righteousness in the original language of scripture. The word dikaiosune has to do with character. Innocent, holy, absolute rightness. It was once spelled ‘rightwiseness’. So we are to ‘put on’ this thing to protect us…this thing called righteousness. Think you can fill that description? I can’t !! I am not innocent, far from holy, and absolutely never absolutely right !!
So how can I wear something I don’t have ?!!? Here’s The Good News, the absolute best news you’ll ever hear. I quote it from The Message translation…‘…anyone united with The Messiah gets a fresh start, …God settled the relationship between us and Him…He put the world square with Himself through the Messiah Jesus… God put the wrong on Him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God. ’ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
There my friend is my rightwisesness. There is the only absolute right character you’ll find in me. My only innocence. Nothing holy in me except from Him. I want it firmly in place every single day. I have never accomplished it, try as I might…HE accomplished it. And HE continues the work in me to rid me of the stains and residues of sin…the stuff that keeps me from being innocent, holy, and right. It is an on-going process, will be until I draw my last breath in this body.
My breastplate of righteousness is always on. My heart is not just set right with God, but was changed. I want what He wants. And even when I don’t really…I WANT to want what He wants. He protects me in that way…drawing me to Him rather than letting me be content out of His perfect will.
My breastplate doesn’t give me six-pack abs. But it makes me look perfect to God. He sees perfection…the perfection of Christ. And knowing THAT….protects my heart.
Armor...
Armor… Do you have pictures of King Arthur in your head? (He’s a myth, by the way.) A handsome knight in shining armor? (A righteous vigilante, putting down evil-doers for his queen?) Romantic huh?
Armor looks uncomfortable to me. Heavy. Bulky. Restrictive. David would not wear Saul’s armor when he went out to meet Goliath. Why? You tell me…1 Samuel 17 tells the story. Take up your Sword of The Spirit (Bible) and see for yourself.
Ephesians 6:11 advises me to ‘put on the whole armor of God’. Not part of it…the whole thing. And it doesn’t advise me to come up with my own outfit. It tells me to put on God’s armor. Why? ‘SO I may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’ (verse 11) OK….so what is this armor?
Eph. 6:14 begins to tell us about it. Don’t take my word for it. Open up that Sword of The Spirit and see for yourself.
First….STAND. Decide you’re going to in fact PUT this armor ON. We can talk about what a good idea it is. That doesn’t give us a tiny little bit of protection. So…will you decide? Begin to arm yourself against the very real enemy?
Then, we must ‘ have the belt of truth buckled around our waist..’ There IS absolute truth. If you have no consistent views of truth, you are an easy target for the adversary to successfully attack. Ask God right NOW, to help you to see. Ask Him to remove the scales from your eyes, that you are not deceived or blinded by the enemy’s lies. What God says….IS. Period. Absolute.
In the time period this scripture was written, people wore long flowing garments, men and women alike. It was vital, when battle came, those garments must not be a hindrance. A belt, sometimes called a girdle, would be worn to secure all the garments in place. The loose parts would be gathered up and fastened inside a belt.
Truth keeps all of our ‘self’ grounded and in place. Truth keeps us from being tangled up in the ‘stuff’ that surrounds us on every side, the struggles, skirmishes, and outright war that we face. Truth keeps the fleshly/human part of us standing firmly, supporting us, so that we all fight on the same ground, for the same side. The enemy wants us divided, wants us confused about what IS true and right. That’s one of his best tactics. I detest him for it.
Armor. God had one tailor made for me. He has one for you…if you’ll wear it.
Armor looks uncomfortable to me. Heavy. Bulky. Restrictive. David would not wear Saul’s armor when he went out to meet Goliath. Why? You tell me…1 Samuel 17 tells the story. Take up your Sword of The Spirit (Bible) and see for yourself.
Ephesians 6:11 advises me to ‘put on the whole armor of God’. Not part of it…the whole thing. And it doesn’t advise me to come up with my own outfit. It tells me to put on God’s armor. Why? ‘SO I may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’ (verse 11) OK….so what is this armor?
Eph. 6:14 begins to tell us about it. Don’t take my word for it. Open up that Sword of The Spirit and see for yourself.
First….STAND. Decide you’re going to in fact PUT this armor ON. We can talk about what a good idea it is. That doesn’t give us a tiny little bit of protection. So…will you decide? Begin to arm yourself against the very real enemy?
Then, we must ‘ have the belt of truth buckled around our waist..’ There IS absolute truth. If you have no consistent views of truth, you are an easy target for the adversary to successfully attack. Ask God right NOW, to help you to see. Ask Him to remove the scales from your eyes, that you are not deceived or blinded by the enemy’s lies. What God says….IS. Period. Absolute.
In the time period this scripture was written, people wore long flowing garments, men and women alike. It was vital, when battle came, those garments must not be a hindrance. A belt, sometimes called a girdle, would be worn to secure all the garments in place. The loose parts would be gathered up and fastened inside a belt.
Truth keeps all of our ‘self’ grounded and in place. Truth keeps us from being tangled up in the ‘stuff’ that surrounds us on every side, the struggles, skirmishes, and outright war that we face. Truth keeps the fleshly/human part of us standing firmly, supporting us, so that we all fight on the same ground, for the same side. The enemy wants us divided, wants us confused about what IS true and right. That’s one of his best tactics. I detest him for it.
Armor. God had one tailor made for me. He has one for you…if you’ll wear it.
War...
War…It is real. It is here. You and I are IN it. ‘This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the devil and all his angels.’ (Eph. 6:12 The Message)
‘Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet.’ (Eph. 6:13 The Message)
Are you prepared? Do you make it your business to stay prepared? The enemy has no shame, he will surely notice if you are not…and he will take advantage of the opportunity. He will attack when you are most vulnerable. There is no honor found in him. He ‘prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’…so ‘be self-controlled and alert’ (1 Peter 5:8)
The natural response to the awareness of danger is to seek protection. We will never succeed in protecting ourSELF from this enemy. He has the upper-hand, he won it in The Garden incident. It’s that curse. Death…and we can’t defeat death, remember? I have been saved from that curse…but the war goes on. The attacks still come. Daily. And I need protection. ‘Give me aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.’ (Ps.60:11)
There are many battlefields. The frustration and anger that shows up in the workplace. The behavior we display when a neighbor annoys us. The addictions that hold us captive. The attitudes of disrespect and dishonor to other people. The self-righteousness and pride in our hearts. Dishonesty. Gossip. Neglect. Putting ANY thing or ANY one above God. There is no place, no moment…that we are not standing on a battle ground.
Are you fighting? Or are you surrendered?
I want to fight. I have protection, and I have One weapon. ‘Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes….take up the Sword of the Spirit..’ (Eph. 6:11,17)
Get your Sword, and let’s look at this armor a little closer….
‘Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet.’ (Eph. 6:13 The Message)
Are you prepared? Do you make it your business to stay prepared? The enemy has no shame, he will surely notice if you are not…and he will take advantage of the opportunity. He will attack when you are most vulnerable. There is no honor found in him. He ‘prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’…so ‘be self-controlled and alert’ (1 Peter 5:8)
The natural response to the awareness of danger is to seek protection. We will never succeed in protecting ourSELF from this enemy. He has the upper-hand, he won it in The Garden incident. It’s that curse. Death…and we can’t defeat death, remember? I have been saved from that curse…but the war goes on. The attacks still come. Daily. And I need protection. ‘Give me aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.’ (Ps.60:11)
There are many battlefields. The frustration and anger that shows up in the workplace. The behavior we display when a neighbor annoys us. The addictions that hold us captive. The attitudes of disrespect and dishonor to other people. The self-righteousness and pride in our hearts. Dishonesty. Gossip. Neglect. Putting ANY thing or ANY one above God. There is no place, no moment…that we are not standing on a battle ground.
Are you fighting? Or are you surrendered?
I want to fight. I have protection, and I have One weapon. ‘Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes….take up the Sword of the Spirit..’ (Eph. 6:11,17)
Get your Sword, and let’s look at this armor a little closer….
Shadow...
Shadow….Somewhere today, somebody will watch to see if a groundhog sees his shadow. What’s the deal with being scared of a shadow? A shadow is simply the darkness that is cast by placing a body between light and what the shadow is cast upon. Why be concerned about a shadow?…
There is one shadow we are all concerned about. ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..’ (Ps. 23:4) Oh, you may not think about it much if you’re healthy, especially if you’re young. But when something happens to endanger your life, you are concerned about staying alive. When the doctor has some bad report, you are concerned about staying alive. When your child falls and comes up bloody and screaming, you’re concerned about the shadow of death. Those are times when the shadow of death shows up, and when we see it, we wish for a way to escape. Like the groundhog, we want to stay away from it.
Just as the groundhog causes the shadow he sees, we’ve caused this shadow of death. ‘..you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it…you will surely die.’ (Gen. 2:17) If Eve hadn’t picked it, if Adam hadn’t joined her, even if every human being since that time had been perfect in obedience…I’d have done it. I’ve chosen the knowledge of evil often. Finding out for myself…disobedience…only to find out God was just protecting me when He said ‘don’t.
Ever since that time in The Garden, death has loomed…shadowing our lives, because there is sin between us and our Perfect Creator God, we all will die. There is no hole to crawl in …no escaping this shadow. Unless….
‘I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life….he has crossed over from death to life..’ (Jesus’ words in John 5:24)
‘all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into HIS death…’(Rom. 6:3 emphasis mine) ‘..be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.’(Rev. 2:10)
Our bodies will die, they are corruptible. Perishable. But ‘in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye…we will be raised imperishable and all be changed…clothed with the imperishable…immortality…death swallowed up in victory.’ (1Cor. 15:52-54) ’..death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man…in Christ, all will be made alive..as in Adam, all die. so in Christ all will be made alive.’(1Cor. 15:21,22)
The groundhog runs back into his hole in the ground. I run to the empty tomb of Jesus Christ. Death is defeated, and I’ve accepted the escape offered. This body is wearing out…it will stop working someday. The heart will stop pumping the blood…but my life is eternal. This body that will perish in a grave one day, will be replaced by one as glorious as that of Jesus Christ when He came out of His tomb. ….Talk about changes !!
There is one shadow we are all concerned about. ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..’ (Ps. 23:4) Oh, you may not think about it much if you’re healthy, especially if you’re young. But when something happens to endanger your life, you are concerned about staying alive. When the doctor has some bad report, you are concerned about staying alive. When your child falls and comes up bloody and screaming, you’re concerned about the shadow of death. Those are times when the shadow of death shows up, and when we see it, we wish for a way to escape. Like the groundhog, we want to stay away from it.
Just as the groundhog causes the shadow he sees, we’ve caused this shadow of death. ‘..you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it…you will surely die.’ (Gen. 2:17) If Eve hadn’t picked it, if Adam hadn’t joined her, even if every human being since that time had been perfect in obedience…I’d have done it. I’ve chosen the knowledge of evil often. Finding out for myself…disobedience…only to find out God was just protecting me when He said ‘don’t.
Ever since that time in The Garden, death has loomed…shadowing our lives, because there is sin between us and our Perfect Creator God, we all will die. There is no hole to crawl in …no escaping this shadow. Unless….
‘I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life….he has crossed over from death to life..’ (Jesus’ words in John 5:24)
‘all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into HIS death…’(Rom. 6:3 emphasis mine) ‘..be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.’(Rev. 2:10)
Our bodies will die, they are corruptible. Perishable. But ‘in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye…we will be raised imperishable and all be changed…clothed with the imperishable…immortality…death swallowed up in victory.’ (1Cor. 15:52-54) ’..death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man…in Christ, all will be made alive..as in Adam, all die. so in Christ all will be made alive.’(1Cor. 15:21,22)
The groundhog runs back into his hole in the ground. I run to the empty tomb of Jesus Christ. Death is defeated, and I’ve accepted the escape offered. This body is wearing out…it will stop working someday. The heart will stop pumping the blood…but my life is eternal. This body that will perish in a grave one day, will be replaced by one as glorious as that of Jesus Christ when He came out of His tomb. ….Talk about changes !!
Personal...
Personal…My God is personal. (not remote) ‘…The Lord my God will go with me. He will never leave me. He will never forsake me.’ (Deut. 31:6 and Heb. 13:5) ‘You are near, O Lord..’ (Ps. 119:51) ‘..it is good for me to draw near to You, I have put my trust in You..’(Ps.73:28) Need some personal, reliable help? Where are you looking for it?
It’s hard to stop listing scriptures that tell how faithful He is, and how much help He offers. He is THE Friend of friends..The Wise Counselor. (Isa. 9:6) The narrative of scripture tells such a beautiful story of His love. From creation, to salvation….perfect self-sacrificing love. Why is it so difficult to grab hold of? Do we think it’s too good to be true? After all, most of us have learned the hard way what it is to be forsaken by someone we called friend. We’ve all been hurt by bad advice.
When we think of our Creator God in terms of what we know of human beings, comparing Him to us…we are making Him into an image. Our image. And He is not like us! ‘God is not a man that he should lie…or change His mind.. He does not speak and then not act. He does not promise and not fulfill.’ (Num. 23:19)
I tried personally to tend to my own behavior. I attempted to ’fix’ all the wrong things in myself. The wrong attitudes and bad behavior kept popping it’s ugly head up. ’..law (rule-keeping) made nothing perfect.’ (Heb. 7:19) Oh, I’m not ’fixed’ yet…it’s a work in progress. I am ‘being transformed by the renewing of my mind..’ (Rom. 12:2) ‘Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on…forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…’ (Phil. 3:12,13,14)
While He is faithful, I am not always. I sometimes turn a deaf ear to His Whisper. I brush off His Hand, choosing my will over His. (Even though experience has taught me that He always, always, always, knows best !) But ‘..as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of all His deeds.’ (Ps. 73:28)
‘Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name….for great is your love toward me…’ (Ps. 86:11,13)
He never forces His will. It is a personal choice….ask Him for an undivided heart. Be honest. Completely… with yourself and with Him. Make it intimate…and personal.
It’s hard to stop listing scriptures that tell how faithful He is, and how much help He offers. He is THE Friend of friends..The Wise Counselor. (Isa. 9:6) The narrative of scripture tells such a beautiful story of His love. From creation, to salvation….perfect self-sacrificing love. Why is it so difficult to grab hold of? Do we think it’s too good to be true? After all, most of us have learned the hard way what it is to be forsaken by someone we called friend. We’ve all been hurt by bad advice.
When we think of our Creator God in terms of what we know of human beings, comparing Him to us…we are making Him into an image. Our image. And He is not like us! ‘God is not a man that he should lie…or change His mind.. He does not speak and then not act. He does not promise and not fulfill.’ (Num. 23:19)
I tried personally to tend to my own behavior. I attempted to ’fix’ all the wrong things in myself. The wrong attitudes and bad behavior kept popping it’s ugly head up. ’..law (rule-keeping) made nothing perfect.’ (Heb. 7:19) Oh, I’m not ’fixed’ yet…it’s a work in progress. I am ‘being transformed by the renewing of my mind..’ (Rom. 12:2) ‘Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on…forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…’ (Phil. 3:12,13,14)
While He is faithful, I am not always. I sometimes turn a deaf ear to His Whisper. I brush off His Hand, choosing my will over His. (Even though experience has taught me that He always, always, always, knows best !) But ‘..as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of all His deeds.’ (Ps. 73:28)
‘Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name….for great is your love toward me…’ (Ps. 86:11,13)
He never forces His will. It is a personal choice….ask Him for an undivided heart. Be honest. Completely… with yourself and with Him. Make it intimate…and personal.
Remote control...
Sometimes, the battery for our TV remote control is low and it doesn’t respond properly. Sometimes believe it or not, I just decide to walk over and do the controlling …impatient or irritated, making a statement of my ability to control the TV myself.
I do have a remote control that is capable of controlling EVERYthing. I often have it stuffed down somewhere though, like the TV remote control gets lost in the recliner.
‘…my Savior….has the power to bring everything under His control, transforming my lowly body to be like His….’ (Phillipians 3:21) No batteries required…His power really does keep going and going…. But I have the option of not using it. I can stuff it away ‘..Quench not the Spirit.’ (1Th. 5:19)
‘…the holy Scriptures…are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and useful in….training in righteousness…to be thoroughly equipped…’ (2 Tim. 3: 15-17) The manual will never be exhausted. It will always be fresh and relevant, teaching me how to use this Remote Control in more and more ways. But I have the option of not reading it.
Remote control….Our satellite equipment quit working properly. Yesterday, the service man came and installed new equipment, which included a new remote control device. It is different from the old one. Now we have to learn how to use it….
I suppose we could just get up and change the channels by hand, but like you…(admit it, you’re the same way..) we want to sit across the room in our easy chair and change the channels. We are discovering some new benefits from this remote control, things other than simply changing channels….I’m hoping it will control everything so we can do away with the other equipment controllers. We haven’t read all the manual yet, so I’m not sure. He has ‘given me everything I need for life and godliness through my knowledge of Him…’ helping me to ‘..add to my faith, goodness and knowledge, self control and perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness….and love.’ ( 2 Peter 1:3,6) This Remote Control will address every area of life, sending the Signal that selects the very best programming. But I have options for all sorts of programming. I get to choose.
We have a lot of things blocked on our TV, opted out of a number of channels that are available. Our Remote Control advised us against many of them. ‘ ..whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely…..think on these things…’ (Phil. 4:8)
‘ ..the Spirit of truth…will guide you into all truth…He will show you things to come…’(John 16:13) THIS is remote control. But I have the option of not using it.
Do you have Remote Control? Do you read the Manual? Do you appropriate His power Source, or use your own? It is available to you….but you have the option of not using it.
I do have a remote control that is capable of controlling EVERYthing. I often have it stuffed down somewhere though, like the TV remote control gets lost in the recliner.
‘…my Savior….has the power to bring everything under His control, transforming my lowly body to be like His….’ (Phillipians 3:21) No batteries required…His power really does keep going and going…. But I have the option of not using it. I can stuff it away ‘..Quench not the Spirit.’ (1Th. 5:19)
‘…the holy Scriptures…are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and useful in….training in righteousness…to be thoroughly equipped…’ (2 Tim. 3: 15-17) The manual will never be exhausted. It will always be fresh and relevant, teaching me how to use this Remote Control in more and more ways. But I have the option of not reading it.
Remote control….Our satellite equipment quit working properly. Yesterday, the service man came and installed new equipment, which included a new remote control device. It is different from the old one. Now we have to learn how to use it….
I suppose we could just get up and change the channels by hand, but like you…(admit it, you’re the same way..) we want to sit across the room in our easy chair and change the channels. We are discovering some new benefits from this remote control, things other than simply changing channels….I’m hoping it will control everything so we can do away with the other equipment controllers. We haven’t read all the manual yet, so I’m not sure. He has ‘given me everything I need for life and godliness through my knowledge of Him…’ helping me to ‘..add to my faith, goodness and knowledge, self control and perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness….and love.’ ( 2 Peter 1:3,6) This Remote Control will address every area of life, sending the Signal that selects the very best programming. But I have options for all sorts of programming. I get to choose.
We have a lot of things blocked on our TV, opted out of a number of channels that are available. Our Remote Control advised us against many of them. ‘ ..whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely…..think on these things…’ (Phil. 4:8)
‘ ..the Spirit of truth…will guide you into all truth…He will show you things to come…’(John 16:13) THIS is remote control. But I have the option of not using it.
Do you have Remote Control? Do you read the Manual? Do you appropriate His power Source, or use your own? It is available to you….but you have the option of not using it.
Tangles...
Tangles… As a hairdresser, I deal with lots of tangles. Some hair is in really good condition and the tangles comb out easily. Some hair needs lots of conditioner and several minutes to soak before the tangles can be removed. Once in a while, I have to cut out a tangle. Some people, especially children, don’t keep their hair brushed. They brush the top layer, leaving the underneath to knot in tangles so twisted that it’s painful to remove them. Maintenance is vital….
Life gets tangled. It is just part of the human condition. There will always be maintenance because ‘all have sinned’ and sin ‘easily entangles us’. (Rom. 3:23 & Heb. 12:1)
Just like brushing hair to keep the tangles out, we must take personal responsibility to ‘walk in the Light’…to ‘confess our sins’. (1John 1:7,9) and ‘put off the old self, to be made new in the attitude of our minds’ (Eph. 4:22-24) ‘…stop thinking like children, …in your thinking, be adults…’(1 Cor. 14:20) I could go on and on with scripture that encourages and instructs us to ON PURPOSE ‘not give the devil a foothold’ to tangle up our life. (Eph. 4:27) Sounds like a daunting task. Impossible really. Believe me, I tried.
My 9 year old grand-daughter has long thick hair. She doesn’t brush it except right on the surface. As a result, it gets matted and tangled underneath. So her mother helps her, I help her. God knows my life is like her hair, matted and tangled underneath. I try to keep it smooth. But the best I can do is keep the surface tangle-free. If that.
So…He helps me. He has sent ‘…The Comforter…to guide me into all truth and show me things to come..’(1 John 16: 7, 13)
He ‘teaches me all things and reminds me of everything He has said…’ (John 14:26)
He ‘guarantees my inheritance..’(Eph. 1:14) ..that I will be ‘acceptable to God (tangle-free)…’( Rom. 15:16 ).
‘God made Him who had no sin (tangles) to be sin for me, so that I might become the righteousness (perfectly tangle-free) of God.’ (2 Cor. 5:21)
He is the very Presence of God within me, ( 2 Tim. 1:14)… helping to brush and keep out the tangles. ( Titus 3;5) It is a daily, hourly, every moment choice, to appropriate either His power or mine. Do you need help with your tangles?
Life gets tangled. It is just part of the human condition. There will always be maintenance because ‘all have sinned’ and sin ‘easily entangles us’. (Rom. 3:23 & Heb. 12:1)
Just like brushing hair to keep the tangles out, we must take personal responsibility to ‘walk in the Light’…to ‘confess our sins’. (1John 1:7,9) and ‘put off the old self, to be made new in the attitude of our minds’ (Eph. 4:22-24) ‘…stop thinking like children, …in your thinking, be adults…’(1 Cor. 14:20) I could go on and on with scripture that encourages and instructs us to ON PURPOSE ‘not give the devil a foothold’ to tangle up our life. (Eph. 4:27) Sounds like a daunting task. Impossible really. Believe me, I tried.
My 9 year old grand-daughter has long thick hair. She doesn’t brush it except right on the surface. As a result, it gets matted and tangled underneath. So her mother helps her, I help her. God knows my life is like her hair, matted and tangled underneath. I try to keep it smooth. But the best I can do is keep the surface tangle-free. If that.
So…He helps me. He has sent ‘…The Comforter…to guide me into all truth and show me things to come..’(1 John 16: 7, 13)
He ‘teaches me all things and reminds me of everything He has said…’ (John 14:26)
He ‘guarantees my inheritance..’(Eph. 1:14) ..that I will be ‘acceptable to God (tangle-free)…’( Rom. 15:16 ).
‘God made Him who had no sin (tangles) to be sin for me, so that I might become the righteousness (perfectly tangle-free) of God.’ (2 Cor. 5:21)
He is the very Presence of God within me, ( 2 Tim. 1:14)… helping to brush and keep out the tangles. ( Titus 3;5) It is a daily, hourly, every moment choice, to appropriate either His power or mine. Do you need help with your tangles?
Connection...
Connection…Isn’t it frustrating when you need to make a call, and your phone tells you ‘no service’ or ‘failed connection’? The metal walls of the store you are in interfere with the signal, or the mountains are too high they cut off the signal all together, or you’re simply so far away from a tower, there is absolutely no signal at all. Been there?
Yep…me too. It’s especially frustrating when the call is vital, you need to get an important message thru to someone or you need help. We are so accustomed to our easy communications, but they fail occasionally, and we are shocked and frustrated. Even scared sometimes. Our communications are built around a system… towers, little tiny devices we call cell phones, and invisible things called digital signals. They all work together to keep us invisibly connected to each other.
Ever call God and feel like you’re got ‘no service’? Ever thought you just didn’t know how to pray at all, that you don’t have a contract with Him for ‘service’? Or pray about something and seeing no answer think you just failed to make a ‘connection’, that your prayers don’t reach His ears? Sometimes in prayer time, I find myself NOT praying at all, but thinking about what I need from the grocery store tomorrow or some such thing…I call that a ‘dropped call’ …and I’m the one who dropped. God does not fail. And the truth is, He’s even interested in my grocery list !!
This is not a perfect analogy, but it gives us a reference point. When we use a cell phone, we have to operate within the system. Our location is important. When we want to communicate with God, our location is important. We have to be praying WITHIN His will. THAT is our main problem. We often talk to God about things strictly based on our perspective. What we desperately need is to see from HIS.
Jesus Himself deliberately chose to pray within The Father’s will. “..if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away…may Your will be done.’ (Matt.26:42) He didn’t relish the idea of spikes being hammered thru His hands and feet, but He saw from The Father’s perspective…He saw the big picture, what was at stake overall…save Himself from the circumstances, or save every person throughout time who would choose to participate in His death instead of being responsible for their own sentence of death and separation from God.
‘this is my prayer…that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best….’ (Phillipians 1:9)
This morning, I am again encouraged and filled afresh with love and adoration because of the words of Jesus as recorded by John in chapter 17. I encourage you to read this chapter for yourself. Pay close attention to verse 20...because if you believe in Him, Jesus personalized this for you. Put your name in it…He did.
Yep…me too. It’s especially frustrating when the call is vital, you need to get an important message thru to someone or you need help. We are so accustomed to our easy communications, but they fail occasionally, and we are shocked and frustrated. Even scared sometimes. Our communications are built around a system… towers, little tiny devices we call cell phones, and invisible things called digital signals. They all work together to keep us invisibly connected to each other.
Ever call God and feel like you’re got ‘no service’? Ever thought you just didn’t know how to pray at all, that you don’t have a contract with Him for ‘service’? Or pray about something and seeing no answer think you just failed to make a ‘connection’, that your prayers don’t reach His ears? Sometimes in prayer time, I find myself NOT praying at all, but thinking about what I need from the grocery store tomorrow or some such thing…I call that a ‘dropped call’ …and I’m the one who dropped. God does not fail. And the truth is, He’s even interested in my grocery list !!
This is not a perfect analogy, but it gives us a reference point. When we use a cell phone, we have to operate within the system. Our location is important. When we want to communicate with God, our location is important. We have to be praying WITHIN His will. THAT is our main problem. We often talk to God about things strictly based on our perspective. What we desperately need is to see from HIS.
Jesus Himself deliberately chose to pray within The Father’s will. “..if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away…may Your will be done.’ (Matt.26:42) He didn’t relish the idea of spikes being hammered thru His hands and feet, but He saw from The Father’s perspective…He saw the big picture, what was at stake overall…save Himself from the circumstances, or save every person throughout time who would choose to participate in His death instead of being responsible for their own sentence of death and separation from God.
‘this is my prayer…that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best….’ (Phillipians 1:9)
This morning, I am again encouraged and filled afresh with love and adoration because of the words of Jesus as recorded by John in chapter 17. I encourage you to read this chapter for yourself. Pay close attention to verse 20...because if you believe in Him, Jesus personalized this for you. Put your name in it…He did.
Birthday...
Birthday…if you’re reading this, you had one. Do you remember it? Of course not…but it happened. Obviously. I remember lots of days when a birth took place. Today is my baby sister’s birthday. But honestly, I don’t remember it. I was 15, and on another planet perhaps. But it happened. Obviously….
We are all born from the womb of our mother. ‘Flesh giving birth to flesh…’ (John 3:6) There is absolutely no other way to have a human existence than to be born of a woman. And that existence is more limited than we are comfortable with realizing. “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble…springs up like a flower and withers away..’ (Job 14:1)
But… ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men…’ (Ecc. 3:11) . Eternity is in the hearts of men, God put it there. We all have that basic desire to live. That’s why human beings cling to life in the face of devastation. We WANT to live!!
Oh, there are people who exhaust all their fleshly resources, having built their hope on self or other people, or “stuff”… only to be disappointed and let down…and with no hope, they forfeit their life in defeat. Jesus said ‘..the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10) Sometimes we believe the enemy’s lies about an escape. There is an escape for the human condition, and it IS death…“we died to sin….all of us who are baptized into Christ Jesus are baptized into His death…buried with Him through baptism into death…raised from death …to live a new life…united with Him like this in His death…our old self crucified…freed from sin…” (Romans 6: 2-18)
I love my life. Oh, I have stressful times, sad times, frustrations come and go. I get weary, angry, disgusted. My life is not all beauty and fun. But eternity is in my heart, and I’m aware of the promises of God, and the power of God to fulfill those promises in me.
See, I had another birthday, different than the one that involved my mother. This birth involved my Father. ‘Spirit gives birth to spirit.’ (John 3:6) ‘ My new life is not like my old life. My old birth came from mortal sperm, my new birth comes from God’s living Word. ..a life conceived by God Himself.’ (1 Peter 1:23 The Message) I don’t recall the calender date. But it happened. I hope it is obvious.
We are all born from the womb of our mother. ‘Flesh giving birth to flesh…’ (John 3:6) There is absolutely no other way to have a human existence than to be born of a woman. And that existence is more limited than we are comfortable with realizing. “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble…springs up like a flower and withers away..’ (Job 14:1)
But… ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men…’ (Ecc. 3:11) . Eternity is in the hearts of men, God put it there. We all have that basic desire to live. That’s why human beings cling to life in the face of devastation. We WANT to live!!
Oh, there are people who exhaust all their fleshly resources, having built their hope on self or other people, or “stuff”… only to be disappointed and let down…and with no hope, they forfeit their life in defeat. Jesus said ‘..the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10) Sometimes we believe the enemy’s lies about an escape. There is an escape for the human condition, and it IS death…“we died to sin….all of us who are baptized into Christ Jesus are baptized into His death…buried with Him through baptism into death…raised from death …to live a new life…united with Him like this in His death…our old self crucified…freed from sin…” (Romans 6: 2-18)
I love my life. Oh, I have stressful times, sad times, frustrations come and go. I get weary, angry, disgusted. My life is not all beauty and fun. But eternity is in my heart, and I’m aware of the promises of God, and the power of God to fulfill those promises in me.
See, I had another birthday, different than the one that involved my mother. This birth involved my Father. ‘Spirit gives birth to spirit.’ (John 3:6) ‘ My new life is not like my old life. My old birth came from mortal sperm, my new birth comes from God’s living Word. ..a life conceived by God Himself.’ (1 Peter 1:23 The Message) I don’t recall the calender date. But it happened. I hope it is obvious.
Forecast...
Forecast…guess you’ve watched it, know that it will likely get icy around here in a day or two. The stores will probably be packed today. People will ‘stock up’ on things. We won’t want to run out of milk and eggs, or bread, or whatever tops your list of important items. We want to be prepared…right ?…..
We will make all sorts of preparations, buy more groceries than we really need, fill the tanks with gas, bring the firewood in under shelter. After all, the prediction is for snow and ice. Propheteia=prediction in Greek, and nbula=prediction in Hebrew, the original languages of scripture. Predictions. Prophecy. I wonder, do we pay more attention to the weather-man on television than we do to the One Who is Creator and Master over it all.
‘In the beginning, God created…’ (Gen.1:1) ‘ lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding..’(Psa. 148:8) ‘He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast?’ ( Ps. 147:16) ‘…the Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet…’ (Nahum 1:3) He changes the times and seasons. (Dan. 2:21)
This is the God we serve. Give Him more consideration than the weatherman. Give His forecast some serious thought. He has gone to such great lengths to help us be prepared. The book we call the Bible is full of predictions and advice. How long since you held one in your hand, how long since you asked Him to reveal the message it contains…and it does have relevant messages for each of us, every day.
Go ahead and stock up…but hear the words of Jesus…’Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths, corroded by rust, or stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe..’ (Matt. 6:19 The Message)
We will make all sorts of preparations, buy more groceries than we really need, fill the tanks with gas, bring the firewood in under shelter. After all, the prediction is for snow and ice. Propheteia=prediction in Greek, and nbula=prediction in Hebrew, the original languages of scripture. Predictions. Prophecy. I wonder, do we pay more attention to the weather-man on television than we do to the One Who is Creator and Master over it all.
‘In the beginning, God created…’ (Gen.1:1) ‘ lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding..’(Psa. 148:8) ‘He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast?’ ( Ps. 147:16) ‘…the Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet…’ (Nahum 1:3) He changes the times and seasons. (Dan. 2:21)
This is the God we serve. Give Him more consideration than the weatherman. Give His forecast some serious thought. He has gone to such great lengths to help us be prepared. The book we call the Bible is full of predictions and advice. How long since you held one in your hand, how long since you asked Him to reveal the message it contains…and it does have relevant messages for each of us, every day.
Go ahead and stock up…but hear the words of Jesus…’Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths, corroded by rust, or stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe..’ (Matt. 6:19 The Message)
Stumble...
Stumble…not a desirable thing to do, but we’ve all done it. Stubbed a toe and stumbled…. for absolutely no reason…just stumble. Then, embarrassed, look to see if anyone saw it! In the language the Bible was written in, ‘hamartano’=miss the mark. We miss the mark of our step and down we go.
Our mother has some difficulty moving around, bad knees…and we are concerned about her stumbling. A stumble could result in a fall, and worse. So…we are removing obstacles. I spent part of a day with my sister, cleaning and removing ‘stuff’ from our parents home. What looks like trash to me, looks like a treasure to our mother because of the memory it stirs. She was surrounded by things that witnessed about something pleasant.
We chose the best things. Some of them were ok…colored pages or handmade crafts, gifts from children. Half burned candles. Trinkets from all sorts of places, souveniers. Framed pictures of children who HAVE children now.
Some of the things were better. Figurines of birds and glass candlesticks. Then the best…things that belonged to my mother’s mother…photos of her grown children and her grandchildren, a small chest for jewelry that was a gift from my daddy (she has had ever since I can remember). Best things. Sometimes we have to strip off some ‘good’ things just so we can see the best things. Sometimes we have to rid ourselves of ‘ok’ stuff…just so we don’t stumble.
Life is like that. There are some things we’d be better off to let go of., or at least get off the shelf. Some friends who aren’t as committed to the Lord. Wrong friends who will get us off course. All sorts of activities that crowd in and consume too much of our lifetime. Maybe even too much religious activity. Good stuff…but so much of it that we miss hearing God’s Voice, we forfeit that quiet time sitting at His Feet….and we stumble.
‘..preserve sound judgment and discernment…they will be life for you…then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble…’ (Pro. 3: 21-23) God will give discernment. He will help us to choose the best. Trouble is, we often don’t ask Him to show us the best choices, we choose the ok stuff and miss out on so much. We cling to those ok things, and forfeit moving forward with God in adventuring into the best things He has waiting for us. We stand still and collect dust with all this ’ok’ stuff…and never see the treasures He wants to give us. And often end up stumbling on the clutter.
We all stumble. “..for all have sinned (harmartano)…and come short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23) None of us walk thru this life without stumbling and sinning…because we are not God. Jesus was the only One who lived a life without sin. He personified the glory of God. In skin. ‘ In the beginning was the Word….and the Word was God….and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us’ John 1:1,14
You can stay with the ok stuff. You can collect dust on it. Maybe you won’t stumble….maybe. Or you can run with God and ask Him to show you the better stuff, and He’ll give you the best !
‘…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.‘ Heb. 12:1
Our mother has some difficulty moving around, bad knees…and we are concerned about her stumbling. A stumble could result in a fall, and worse. So…we are removing obstacles. I spent part of a day with my sister, cleaning and removing ‘stuff’ from our parents home. What looks like trash to me, looks like a treasure to our mother because of the memory it stirs. She was surrounded by things that witnessed about something pleasant.
We chose the best things. Some of them were ok…colored pages or handmade crafts, gifts from children. Half burned candles. Trinkets from all sorts of places, souveniers. Framed pictures of children who HAVE children now.
Some of the things were better. Figurines of birds and glass candlesticks. Then the best…things that belonged to my mother’s mother…photos of her grown children and her grandchildren, a small chest for jewelry that was a gift from my daddy (she has had ever since I can remember). Best things. Sometimes we have to strip off some ‘good’ things just so we can see the best things. Sometimes we have to rid ourselves of ‘ok’ stuff…just so we don’t stumble.
Life is like that. There are some things we’d be better off to let go of., or at least get off the shelf. Some friends who aren’t as committed to the Lord. Wrong friends who will get us off course. All sorts of activities that crowd in and consume too much of our lifetime. Maybe even too much religious activity. Good stuff…but so much of it that we miss hearing God’s Voice, we forfeit that quiet time sitting at His Feet….and we stumble.
‘..preserve sound judgment and discernment…they will be life for you…then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble…’ (Pro. 3: 21-23) God will give discernment. He will help us to choose the best. Trouble is, we often don’t ask Him to show us the best choices, we choose the ok stuff and miss out on so much. We cling to those ok things, and forfeit moving forward with God in adventuring into the best things He has waiting for us. We stand still and collect dust with all this ’ok’ stuff…and never see the treasures He wants to give us. And often end up stumbling on the clutter.
We all stumble. “..for all have sinned (harmartano)…and come short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23) None of us walk thru this life without stumbling and sinning…because we are not God. Jesus was the only One who lived a life without sin. He personified the glory of God. In skin. ‘ In the beginning was the Word….and the Word was God….and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us’ John 1:1,14
You can stay with the ok stuff. You can collect dust on it. Maybe you won’t stumble….maybe. Or you can run with God and ask Him to show you the better stuff, and He’ll give you the best !
‘…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.‘ Heb. 12:1
Honor..
Honor…one of the things on that list of Ten things. ‘Honor your father and your mother,’(Ex. 20:12) I notice there are no conditions attached. I don’t get to pick and choose when or if I honor them. I am not told to obey them instead of God,.and.never in disobedience to God. But I am not given the option of deciding they don’t deserve my honoring them.
‘kabed’=to be heavy. This is the word that is translated honor. It carries with it the idea of importance. Parents are important. Even bad parents are important. But how my heart hurts for those who did not have the nurturing they needed. I grieve for those who are alone in their struggles. The mother in me wants to step into those situations and try to make up for it. But there is no making up for it. Not by me, or you.
But there is help. ‘When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.’ (Ps. 27:10) The very best thing we can do for adults who have been let down…disappointed…abandoned…forsaken by parents, is point them to The Perfect Father. Even the most devoted parent among us lets our children down, fails on some point. ‘God is not a man, that He should lie’ (Num. 23:19) Hallelujah.
‘kabed’=to be heavy. This is the word that is translated honor. It carries with it the idea of importance. Parents are important. Even bad parents are important. But how my heart hurts for those who did not have the nurturing they needed. I grieve for those who are alone in their struggles. The mother in me wants to step into those situations and try to make up for it. But there is no making up for it. Not by me, or you.
But there is help. ‘When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.’ (Ps. 27:10) The very best thing we can do for adults who have been let down…disappointed…abandoned…forsaken by parents, is point them to The Perfect Father. Even the most devoted parent among us lets our children down, fails on some point. ‘God is not a man, that He should lie’ (Num. 23:19) Hallelujah.
Lists..
Lists…Do you make them? I do. Seems if I get it written on a list, I can release it from my mind, depending on the list rather than my memory. If I send someone to buy things for me, I make a list. I’m in good company…God made a few lists…
The first one I think of is that list of ten things He wrote. (‘Moses was there with the Lord…and He wrote on the tablets…the Ten Commandments’ Ex. 34:28) THAT is a list…if you haven’t really considered all those ten things, it would be worth your time.
It’s an impossible list to fill though. He knew that when He made it…but we didn’t. We had to learn that it was impossible…that was the purpose of the list. (‘no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the law, rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.’ Romans 3:20) Jesus filled that list perfectly. (..I have not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill..’Matt.5:17) And what is simply amazing is that He is so gracious to credit to us, what He did to fill that list, He did all the work and we can gain reward. Amazing grace indeed.
There are other lists. Lists of behavior that offend God. I find myself listed somehow in all of them. And am so thankful for the Amazing Grace of Jesus Christ and His payment for my offenses.
The first one I think of is that list of ten things He wrote. (‘Moses was there with the Lord…and He wrote on the tablets…the Ten Commandments’ Ex. 34:28) THAT is a list…if you haven’t really considered all those ten things, it would be worth your time.
It’s an impossible list to fill though. He knew that when He made it…but we didn’t. We had to learn that it was impossible…that was the purpose of the list. (‘no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the law, rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.’ Romans 3:20) Jesus filled that list perfectly. (..I have not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill..’Matt.5:17) And what is simply amazing is that He is so gracious to credit to us, what He did to fill that list, He did all the work and we can gain reward. Amazing grace indeed.
There are other lists. Lists of behavior that offend God. I find myself listed somehow in all of them. And am so thankful for the Amazing Grace of Jesus Christ and His payment for my offenses.
List..
The lists continue.. ‘from within, out of your hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile you.’ The words of Jesus Christ as recorded by Mark in 7:22. Think you’re not on that list? If so, the arrogance got you. Let’s consider the list.
Consider that first thing…’evil thoughts’. ‘kakos’= evil. It includes hurtful, bad, harmful, malicious, injurious, ill, worthless… dialogiamos=thoughts. It means internal consideration, imagination, reasoning, to reckon thoroughly, to deliberate by reflection or discussion, cast in mind, consider, think. So….when someone cuts you off and grabs that parking space you were headed for, and you think how they deserve a flat tire when they get out of the store with $100 worth of groceries, including ice cream and milk, and it’s hot July weather…THAT is a ‘kakos dialogiamos’, and you made the list.
Consider that first thing…’evil thoughts’. ‘kakos’= evil. It includes hurtful, bad, harmful, malicious, injurious, ill, worthless… dialogiamos=thoughts. It means internal consideration, imagination, reasoning, to reckon thoroughly, to deliberate by reflection or discussion, cast in mind, consider, think. So….when someone cuts you off and grabs that parking space you were headed for, and you think how they deserve a flat tire when they get out of the store with $100 worth of groceries, including ice cream and milk, and it’s hot July weather…THAT is a ‘kakos dialogiamos’, and you made the list.
list...
The lists continue..Paul has a great list. “..whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…if anything is excellent or praiseworthy..think about such things.’(Phil. 4:8) This list really helps to re-program wrong thinking. When I have those ‘kakos dialogiamos’/evil thoughts…the Holy Spirit will often remind me of this list, and if I do not quench His whisper, He helps me to re-direct my thinking to whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admireable, excellent, or praiseworthy. In the case of the parking spot..and my wishing for a flat tire….that’s not a noble thought is it?!!
Hoarding...
Hoarding…have you ever seen a place that’s stacked and piled up with all kinds of ‘stuff’? There is a TV show about it now. ‘Hoarders’ it’s called. I’ve seen this up close and personal….
I remember the rooms being pretty normal, chairs to sit in, tables to eat off of, floor space for children to play games on. Then over a period of time, all of it becomes consumed and overtaken with ‘stuff’. Then the stuff begins to collect layers and layers of dust. ( you just can’t clean piles of ‘stuff’) Some of the family may try to approach the problem, but after their attempts are rejected with reprimands about interfering in personal choice….the hoarding person is allowed to live as they please. Personal choice, free will….God allows us that as well.
I wonder too how people’s lives get so consumed and overtaken with what the Bible calls ‘sin’. Where does it begin? How does someone ever become a murderer? a drug addict? . Wrong choices. Sin. God doesn’t like our choices, but they are ours. He will not over-rule them. Human-kind chose knowledge in the Garden. Knowledge of both good and evil. (‘of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, do not eat…or you will die.’ Gen.2:17 )
“Since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities have been clearly seen…men are without excuse…they neither glorified Him as God or gave thanks to Him, their thinking became futile and their hearts darkened…therefore God gave them over to the desire of their hearts…to sexual impurity…worshipping and serving created things rather than the Creator…He gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones…men also abandoned natural relations with women ..committing indecent acts with other men…they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of god, so He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done…they know god’s righteous decree that those who do these things deserve death, they continue to do them and even approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:20-32
Sexual sin is just one of a number of areas I could list that begins with one wrong choice. Then, we begin to know the evil of it…and it brings death into our lives. One wrong choice begins the process…unless we allow God to intervene and rescue us from wrong paths. (‘Guard my life and rescue me, let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.’ Ps.25:20)
Hoarding and turning your home into a trash pile is a process. A life consumed and completely surrendered to sin began somewhere…it was a process. Hoarding can be undone…family can come in and carry all that stuff away and clean house. (‘Rescue me from the mire..do not let me sink..’ Ps. 69:14)
God will allow you to hoard sin in your life. The longer you hoard it, the worse it will get. Call on Him today to come carry all that stuff away and clean house. Like the hoarders…it will be painful to let go of some of that nasty stuff you’ve become involved in. But it’s never too late for Him. He is God.
I remember the rooms being pretty normal, chairs to sit in, tables to eat off of, floor space for children to play games on. Then over a period of time, all of it becomes consumed and overtaken with ‘stuff’. Then the stuff begins to collect layers and layers of dust. ( you just can’t clean piles of ‘stuff’) Some of the family may try to approach the problem, but after their attempts are rejected with reprimands about interfering in personal choice….the hoarding person is allowed to live as they please. Personal choice, free will….God allows us that as well.
I wonder too how people’s lives get so consumed and overtaken with what the Bible calls ‘sin’. Where does it begin? How does someone ever become a murderer? a drug addict? . Wrong choices. Sin. God doesn’t like our choices, but they are ours. He will not over-rule them. Human-kind chose knowledge in the Garden. Knowledge of both good and evil. (‘of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, do not eat…or you will die.’ Gen.2:17 )
“Since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities have been clearly seen…men are without excuse…they neither glorified Him as God or gave thanks to Him, their thinking became futile and their hearts darkened…therefore God gave them over to the desire of their hearts…to sexual impurity…worshipping and serving created things rather than the Creator…He gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones…men also abandoned natural relations with women ..committing indecent acts with other men…they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of god, so He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done…they know god’s righteous decree that those who do these things deserve death, they continue to do them and even approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:20-32
Sexual sin is just one of a number of areas I could list that begins with one wrong choice. Then, we begin to know the evil of it…and it brings death into our lives. One wrong choice begins the process…unless we allow God to intervene and rescue us from wrong paths. (‘Guard my life and rescue me, let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.’ Ps.25:20)
Hoarding and turning your home into a trash pile is a process. A life consumed and completely surrendered to sin began somewhere…it was a process. Hoarding can be undone…family can come in and carry all that stuff away and clean house. (‘Rescue me from the mire..do not let me sink..’ Ps. 69:14)
God will allow you to hoard sin in your life. The longer you hoard it, the worse it will get. Call on Him today to come carry all that stuff away and clean house. Like the hoarders…it will be painful to let go of some of that nasty stuff you’ve become involved in. But it’s never too late for Him. He is God.
Rocks...
Rocks…my friend Barbara caught a couple on her windshield yesterday. It has happened to me. You too probably. A little tiny pebble, powered by some unseen force, flying thru the air, striking a heavy shatterproof glass windshield…and there’s a break. Unless the repair guy can stop it, it will run little fingers across the entire windshield.
The information and instructions we find in scripture are like that. A verse can fly off the pages, hit us right in the face, and crack the wall of defenses we’ve built around us. That wall…(and yes, you’ve got at least one)…is called a stronghold in scripture. (“For the weapons of our warfare are not weapons of the world…. they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2Cor. 10:4)
You see, you and I put up windshields. The natural, fleshly, carnal way of human beings since the incident in The Garden is to keep the Wind of God away from us. Just like Adam and Eve, we think we can hide. Then one of those verses is quoted… in print, or spoken aloud by someone…and POW!! Cracks in the windshield.
The thing is…we’d be so much better off to stay away from that guy that wants to stop the effects of it. He is not repairing…and he is not our friend. He is the enemy. (“…your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 )
His purpose is to “steal, kill, and destroy..” John 10:10
He is a liar. Invented it, in fact. (“…the devil…is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 )
Satan’s mission is to separate us from God. He accomplished that by influencing the wrong decisions made in The Garden. Ever since that happened, God has been at work to restore us. And those nuggets of scripture that fly into your face…well, those are the Words of our God!! He wants to crack thru the strongholds of sin. Don’t repair those!!…don’t stop His Word from spreading across your heart and changing your entire being. You do not need protection from His Spirit. Let His Word take out that entire shield, open yourself up to Him completely. You will love the wind of His Love blowing on your face.
He speaks. But the choice is your. He won’t over-ride your decision about your windshield. Listen? ….or keep the shield up, stop all His attempts to break thru…and miss out on experiencing the Wind of His Spirit?
“ He sends His Word and melts them…He stirs up His breezes, and the waters flow. He has revealed His Word….Praise the Lord.” Psalm 147:18,20
Father, today…throw some good rocks. Make some good clean breaks in the barriers that have been erected in our lives. Help us to trust You enough to allow, even ask You, to remove the shields that keep You distanced from us. And blow into us, Your breath of life.
Wind...
Wind…it is a force you can not see. We only see the evidence of it. Last night there was a lot of evidence!! I wonder if there is anyone that does not believe in wind. Absurd you say?…
well, people claim to not believe in God, yet they believe they stand on a planet, they believe we have seasons because this globe tilts and moves in space around a sun. They believe all the evidence. Hundreds of things people accept as absolute truth, yet they doubt the Master Design Creator? God IS infinite, and there are a lot of things that will always be mysterious, things that are out of the realm of our reality…other-worldly things…things we can’t see. But look at the evidence !! Like wind.
“Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name? and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!” (Prov. 30:4) ….I know. His Name is “I AM”. (Ex.3:14) His Son is called Jesus. (Mt.1:21)
“..we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”(2Cor. 4:18) I haven’t seen God…nor have I put my eyes on the Face of Jesus. But the wind of His Spirit has blown into my life….it has blown away a lot of debris…knocked out a few dead branches, blown away a lot of ‘stuff’, only to rebuild what is new and eternal.
Jesus said, “Wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going…”(John 3:8) “..so it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Desires...
Desires…talking with my cousin last night, he was trying to fulfill his mother’s desires for her funeral. Years ago, she gave me a list of songs. I know…strange, you’d have to know her. It seemed so important to her that she made her desires known about her funeral. The songs, the order, who spoke and who didn’t. Like she was planning a party……. (continued in comment)
The funeral services don’t matter to her now, in my opinion. But they matter to her family. It bring a certain amount of comfort to do as she wished. There will be sadness. It is ok to be sad. Jesus Himself wept out of the emotions of His humanity. (I‘m remembering my aunt drilling us on Bible trivia…what‘s the shortest verse in the Bible? “Jesus wept.” John 11:35 )
Jesus’ tears were shed at a time when a friend lay dead, the family mourning. They questioned why Jesus hadn’t come and made Lazarus to recover from his illness. “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:32) Jesus asked where they had put Lazarus’ body. “Come and see..” they replied. (v.34)…and they led Jesus to the place of their grief. They believed that he would ‘rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’(v.24) They were not hopeless in their grief. But hopeful grief is still grief, still bitterly painful.
So where is the place that holds your pain and grief? Where is it that you need to say to Jesus ‘Come and see..’? He has said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”(v.40)
You can’t call yourself out from behind that stone, but He can. And He IS calling you. But you have the option of staying behind the stone. Listen for Him…”Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened.”( Matt. 11:28)
The funeral services don’t matter to her now, in my opinion. But they matter to her family. It bring a certain amount of comfort to do as she wished. There will be sadness. It is ok to be sad. Jesus Himself wept out of the emotions of His humanity. (I‘m remembering my aunt drilling us on Bible trivia…what‘s the shortest verse in the Bible? “Jesus wept.” John 11:35 )
Jesus’ tears were shed at a time when a friend lay dead, the family mourning. They questioned why Jesus hadn’t come and made Lazarus to recover from his illness. “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:32) Jesus asked where they had put Lazarus’ body. “Come and see..” they replied. (v.34)…and they led Jesus to the place of their grief. They believed that he would ‘rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’(v.24) They were not hopeless in their grief. But hopeful grief is still grief, still bitterly painful.
So where is the place that holds your pain and grief? Where is it that you need to say to Jesus ‘Come and see..’? He has said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”(v.40)
You can’t call yourself out from behind that stone, but He can. And He IS calling you. But you have the option of staying behind the stone. Listen for Him…”Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened.”( Matt. 11:28)
Clothes...
clothes...they really do tell a lot sometimes. In my study last night, I read again the story of Lazarus. His were graveclothes. I remembered the times I've chosen the clothes for a burial garment. I remember going to purchase a new one for my father-in-law. And I remember the years I walked around with my graveclothes on.…(continued in comment)
Yikes !! Yes, I wore them for years, dressed up in the finery of my good behavior. Graveclothes are what dead people wear, and I was dead… a breathing, heart-beating, walking, talking, dead person. They are everywhere. People who just think they are alive.
Jesus provided a new garment, a garment more fine than any of mine, perfect in fact. Perfect. …. I never accomplished that myself. He did. He offered it to me time and time again. I said I accepted it, but I never put it on….I couldn’t figure out how it fit.
Then, in frustration and utter defeat, I quit trying and accepted the clothes I had on. I continued to wear them, tried to make them look as good as possible…(even washed them in the baptistry a couple times)….and went on with my existence. I even tried to put my clothes on other people. Mine looked a little bit better than theirs, I thought. But they usually rejected them, choosing to wear their own grave clothes.
Then one day, in the middle of a stormy time of my existence, when all I could say was ‘Help me.”…He called me out. Oh relax…I didn’t hear a Charlton Heston voice say my name…..but since that day everything changed. Just as Jesus said ‘Loose him and let him go’ after He had called Lazarus out of the grave, He has loosed me. I’m not wearing the grave clothes anymore.
“…she will be dressed in white and I will never blot out her name from the book of life, but will acknowledge her name before My Father and His angels.” Rev. 3:5
Yikes !! Yes, I wore them for years, dressed up in the finery of my good behavior. Graveclothes are what dead people wear, and I was dead… a breathing, heart-beating, walking, talking, dead person. They are everywhere. People who just think they are alive.
Jesus provided a new garment, a garment more fine than any of mine, perfect in fact. Perfect. …. I never accomplished that myself. He did. He offered it to me time and time again. I said I accepted it, but I never put it on….I couldn’t figure out how it fit.
Then, in frustration and utter defeat, I quit trying and accepted the clothes I had on. I continued to wear them, tried to make them look as good as possible…(even washed them in the baptistry a couple times)….and went on with my existence. I even tried to put my clothes on other people. Mine looked a little bit better than theirs, I thought. But they usually rejected them, choosing to wear their own grave clothes.
Then one day, in the middle of a stormy time of my existence, when all I could say was ‘Help me.”…He called me out. Oh relax…I didn’t hear a Charlton Heston voice say my name…..but since that day everything changed. Just as Jesus said ‘Loose him and let him go’ after He had called Lazarus out of the grave, He has loosed me. I’m not wearing the grave clothes anymore.
“…she will be dressed in white and I will never blot out her name from the book of life, but will acknowledge her name before My Father and His angels.” Rev. 3:5
Wear...
Wear…I have a bit of spring fever I guess. I’m ready to change out some boots for sandals and ready my wardrobe for warmer weather. What will I wear this spring? Add a new color when I replace some of last years stained t-shirts? Will I go with a trendy look? Worn-out ragged jeans and tattoo-inspired t-shirts? Or maybe a classic look with dark jeans and polo shirts? What will I wear….
Shallow huh? But be honest, you think about it too. Every time you are preparing to go somewhere the question looms. What to wear….
Planning ahead and being responsible are good qualities to cultivate. Being organized and prepared in every facet of life is a benefit. But in spite of all my organization, all the preparations and thinking ahead, if I am not wearing His righteousness, and His spiritual armor, I might as well be naked on a desert. In fact…until He rescued me, I was. ‘In a desert land He found her, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded her and cared for her and He guarded Her as the apple of His Eye.”(Deu.32:10 gender changed by me)
Now I am clothed in clothing I could not purchase. ‘…He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness..’(Isa.61:10) …’God made Him who had no sin to be sin for me…so that in Him I might become the righteousness of God.’ (2Cor.5:21 pronouns personalized by me)
Jesus said ‘..do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.’ (Luke 12:22,23) My priority must be His purposes, His Kingdom (‘seek His kingdom and all these things will be given to you’ v.31) I must be dressed and ready for HIS service.( ‘be dressed and ready, keep your lamps burning’ v.35)
So today…I ‘stand firm, with this belt of truth buckled around my waist..’(Eph. 6:14)… that He is sovereign, and that He chooses to value and love me. How can I not return His love and live every moment basking in it? How can I not clothe myself daily in Him, ’not by works of my righteousness, but according to His mercy…’ (Titus 3:5)
‘Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.’(Rev.16:15)
Thank You Lord Jesus, for paying my debt and not only covering my shame, but removing both the shame and guilt. Thank You that I am blessed in keeping watch, that ‘having been baptized into Christ, I have put on Christ.’ (Gal.3:27) and am no longer naked and ashamed, but clothed in Your garment of righteousness.
Shallow huh? But be honest, you think about it too. Every time you are preparing to go somewhere the question looms. What to wear….
Planning ahead and being responsible are good qualities to cultivate. Being organized and prepared in every facet of life is a benefit. But in spite of all my organization, all the preparations and thinking ahead, if I am not wearing His righteousness, and His spiritual armor, I might as well be naked on a desert. In fact…until He rescued me, I was. ‘In a desert land He found her, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded her and cared for her and He guarded Her as the apple of His Eye.”(Deu.32:10 gender changed by me)
Now I am clothed in clothing I could not purchase. ‘…He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness..’(Isa.61:10) …’God made Him who had no sin to be sin for me…so that in Him I might become the righteousness of God.’ (2Cor.5:21 pronouns personalized by me)
Jesus said ‘..do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.’ (Luke 12:22,23) My priority must be His purposes, His Kingdom (‘seek His kingdom and all these things will be given to you’ v.31) I must be dressed and ready for HIS service.( ‘be dressed and ready, keep your lamps burning’ v.35)
So today…I ‘stand firm, with this belt of truth buckled around my waist..’(Eph. 6:14)… that He is sovereign, and that He chooses to value and love me. How can I not return His love and live every moment basking in it? How can I not clothe myself daily in Him, ’not by works of my righteousness, but according to His mercy…’ (Titus 3:5)
‘Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.’(Rev.16:15)
Thank You Lord Jesus, for paying my debt and not only covering my shame, but removing both the shame and guilt. Thank You that I am blessed in keeping watch, that ‘having been baptized into Christ, I have put on Christ.’ (Gal.3:27) and am no longer naked and ashamed, but clothed in Your garment of righteousness.
Shake...
shaken...I can't fathom the terror of the earth shaking beneath me. My mind knows the truth about this world, it does not offer security. He has told me in scripture that all created things are temporary and unsure. (Heb.12:27)Yet I realize that I place much confidence in them. The ‘real’ things are not the things I see and touch, the ‘real’ things are the things of God, the spiritual realities. He is unshakable.
I haven’t experienced an earthquake. Neither have I experienced the sudden loss of a spouse, or a child…or a fire destroying the place I call ‘home’… shaking the foundation of life here on this ball of dirt we call Earth. ….nor am I in physical battle against a cancer that threatens to shorten my stay. I hope those things are not in my future, but if they are, I want to walk thru them in unshakable trust that He holds my eternal future in His loving Hands. I would want others to see His love evidenced in me as I have seen it in all it’s glory displayed in the lives of those who DO walk thru these shakings hand in Hand with Him.
When shaking comes, only what can NOT be shaken remains. When the future is so unsure and loss is so great, a future built on Him remains steady and sure, even in the suffering and loss. “..since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…” Hebrews 12:28
He is so good.
I haven’t experienced an earthquake. Neither have I experienced the sudden loss of a spouse, or a child…or a fire destroying the place I call ‘home’… shaking the foundation of life here on this ball of dirt we call Earth. ….nor am I in physical battle against a cancer that threatens to shorten my stay. I hope those things are not in my future, but if they are, I want to walk thru them in unshakable trust that He holds my eternal future in His loving Hands. I would want others to see His love evidenced in me as I have seen it in all it’s glory displayed in the lives of those who DO walk thru these shakings hand in Hand with Him.
When shaking comes, only what can NOT be shaken remains. When the future is so unsure and loss is so great, a future built on Him remains steady and sure, even in the suffering and loss. “..since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…” Hebrews 12:28
He is so good.
War...
war...the conflicts go on and on. Jesus said 'do not be alarmed..'(Mark13:7) War does not surprise Him. Neither does famine and earthquake.(vs.8) The conflicts and the devastations are global, common to all humanity… and we feel so powerless. But we are not. (continued in comment)
We can donate time, donate money to provide physical help, those things are important. “..if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” (Matt.10.42)
But the most pressing battles are spiritual. ‘What profit is it if you gain the whole world, and lose your own soul?’ (Mark 8:36)
'..though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.'(2Cor. 10:3) We have His power available to us. 'The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world...they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”(2Cor.10:4) We have a weapon that has no earthly match. ‘..take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’(Eph 6:17)
His Word as recorded in our Bible is not just a bunch of ink and paper. It is our only weapon. Have you picked it up? Do you know what it is capable of doing? (Heb.4:12)
We can donate time, donate money to provide physical help, those things are important. “..if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” (Matt.10.42)
But the most pressing battles are spiritual. ‘What profit is it if you gain the whole world, and lose your own soul?’ (Mark 8:36)
'..though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.'(2Cor. 10:3) We have His power available to us. 'The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world...they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”(2Cor.10:4) We have a weapon that has no earthly match. ‘..take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’(Eph 6:17)
His Word as recorded in our Bible is not just a bunch of ink and paper. It is our only weapon. Have you picked it up? Do you know what it is capable of doing? (Heb.4:12)
Blessed...
blessed...what do you think of? Got a mental list yet? House? Job? Cars? Stuff of all sorts.. or maybe health? Family? Friends? How about this...'Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, BECAUSE of the Son of Man.'(emphasis mine Luke 6:22) I've been there...i...t didn't seem like much of a blessing. Maybe we should examine our definition
Makarios=‘blessed’ in the original language of this passage. It's definition includes the concept of being approved by God and marked by a fullness from God, and it indicates the state of the believer in Christ. You see, the most valueable thing we can have, is His approval. Yet we are not capable of earning it, even when we make all sorts of resolutions about our conduct. If that were possible, the simple Ten Commandments would have done the trick.
So….where does that leave us? Lost…without His approval, that’s where. UNLE SS we get help. And we certainly need help….(especially when ‘men hate you and exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil…’ Amen ??)
Luke wasn’t saying that we are blessed BECAUSE we are hated and insulted….he says we are blessed by God in spite of it!! Blessed because we choose His way over our own or that of the culture around us. Who cares what anybody says when God gives His approval !!!??? Oh His standards are indeed high, but He helps us! ... See More
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him …… He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2Peter 1:4
You notice that this hinges on our knowledge of Him? And SO often, we have little or no knowledge, and even more often we have the WRONG knowledge. (my opinion…)
Who is He to you?
He has give promises. Do you know them?
Makarios=‘blessed’ in the original language of this passage. It's definition includes the concept of being approved by God and marked by a fullness from God, and it indicates the state of the believer in Christ. You see, the most valueable thing we can have, is His approval. Yet we are not capable of earning it, even when we make all sorts of resolutions about our conduct. If that were possible, the simple Ten Commandments would have done the trick.
So….where does that leave us? Lost…without His approval, that’s where. UNLE SS we get help. And we certainly need help….(especially when ‘men hate you and exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil…’ Amen ??)
Luke wasn’t saying that we are blessed BECAUSE we are hated and insulted….he says we are blessed by God in spite of it!! Blessed because we choose His way over our own or that of the culture around us. Who cares what anybody says when God gives His approval !!!??? Oh His standards are indeed high, but He helps us! ... See More
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him …… He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2Peter 1:4
You notice that this hinges on our knowledge of Him? And SO often, we have little or no knowledge, and even more often we have the WRONG knowledge. (my opinion…)
Who is He to you?
He has give promises. Do you know them?
Harmony...
harmony....I'm teaching my grand-daughter piano and voice. Yesterday's lesson included just a touch of the concept of harmony. God created harmony. He created the instrument we call 'voice'. In singing, we use our voices in different ways, creating harmonies that can stir every emotion God made in us.
Some voices sing the melody...the saprano, or lead. Some voices add other tones that harmonize, we call them alto, tenor, baritone, or bass.The lead may carry the melody, but it is not fully complete without the other parts.
The voice is an instrument, and we must learn our own particular voice, discover the function of it, identify it, explore its use...and train it. The voice that is regularly used becomes more capable and sure...able to produce sounds that were not possible before. It is more dependable, less likely to squeak out off key or crack and make you want to hide, never to sing again!!!
There is other harmony as well...the harmony of His Body, the church."the body is not made up of one part but of many'.(1Cor.12:14 ) Here to, we must learn and train....learn who we are in Him...learn what part of the melody is ours to sing..."they form one body...So it is with Christ." (1Cor.12:12)... See More
We must learn He has created in each of us, a part of the harmony...a place and purpose..'God arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be' (1Cor.12:18) He did not leave you out.
'There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord' (1Cor.12:5)
'Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable" (1Cor.12:22)
You may not sing the lead...but the song is not complete without your voice
Some voices sing the melody...the saprano, or lead. Some voices add other tones that harmonize, we call them alto, tenor, baritone, or bass.The lead may carry the melody, but it is not fully complete without the other parts.
The voice is an instrument, and we must learn our own particular voice, discover the function of it, identify it, explore its use...and train it. The voice that is regularly used becomes more capable and sure...able to produce sounds that were not possible before. It is more dependable, less likely to squeak out off key or crack and make you want to hide, never to sing again!!!
There is other harmony as well...the harmony of His Body, the church."the body is not made up of one part but of many'.(1Cor.12:14 ) Here to, we must learn and train....learn who we are in Him...learn what part of the melody is ours to sing..."they form one body...So it is with Christ." (1Cor.12:12)... See More
We must learn He has created in each of us, a part of the harmony...a place and purpose..'God arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be' (1Cor.12:18) He did not leave you out.
'There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord' (1Cor.12:5)
'Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable" (1Cor.12:22)
You may not sing the lead...but the song is not complete without your voice
Hear...
hear...at times, I get so tired of sounds. My ears are very sensitive, my mind processes every sound...sometimes yards away from me... I find myself hearing, though I am not listening. Sometimes, I'd like a switch to turn it off.
I wish I could hear like that with my spirit and my heart. Jesus often said 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.' (I can give you at least half a dozen verses for that if you want them.) He knows I have hears...but do I have hears 'to hear'...or have I switched that off? (Seems I have no problem switching off THAT hearing!)
Do I only hear what is comfortable and pleasant? Is my spiritual hearing as sensitive as my ears seem to be sometimes? Or does God have to speak really loud before I pay attention?
"And the Lord came and stood and called as at other times....'Samuel...Samuel...' and Samuel answered, Speak:for thy servant heareth."(1Sam.3:10) ... See More
'Connie....Connie...." When He speaks, I want to hear....the first time He calls.
I wish I could hear like that with my spirit and my heart. Jesus often said 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.' (I can give you at least half a dozen verses for that if you want them.) He knows I have hears...but do I have hears 'to hear'...or have I switched that off? (Seems I have no problem switching off THAT hearing!)
Do I only hear what is comfortable and pleasant? Is my spiritual hearing as sensitive as my ears seem to be sometimes? Or does God have to speak really loud before I pay attention?
"And the Lord came and stood and called as at other times....'Samuel...Samuel...' and Samuel answered, Speak:for thy servant heareth."(1Sam.3:10) ... See More
'Connie....Connie...." When He speaks, I want to hear....the first time He calls.
Answers...
answers...I don't have them all. What I do have is an inside scoop to THE Answer Man.('search the scriptures....they testify of Me.' John5:39) Sometimes I get answers immediately. Some I'm still waiting on. Sometimes I get a 'yes'....sometimes a clear 'no'.
There is nothing special about me, you have the same opportunity to this Answer Man. But following Christ must really be about following HIM...seeking His FACE, not just the blessings of His Hand. Oh, don't think I've got this down pat...I'm a work in progress. But I am confident that He will continue His work in me till it is completed.(James1:4... See More) 'Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked,"What do you want?"...'(John 1:38) So...what is it you want from Jesus. Do you seek His kingdom?... or yours? His glory?....or yours? Be honest with yourself. He knows the truth of it anyway...but do you ? Lord Jesus, give us sight.
There is nothing special about me, you have the same opportunity to this Answer Man. But following Christ must really be about following HIM...seeking His FACE, not just the blessings of His Hand. Oh, don't think I've got this down pat...I'm a work in progress. But I am confident that He will continue His work in me till it is completed.(James1:4... See More) 'Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked,"What do you want?"...'(John 1:38) So...what is it you want from Jesus. Do you seek His kingdom?... or yours? His glory?....or yours? Be honest with yourself. He knows the truth of it anyway...but do you ? Lord Jesus, give us sight.
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