I had the privilege of hearing Kay Arthur speak a year or so ago. Her focus was on John 14. Her first bit of teaching stopped me in my tracks and has stayed with me ever since. John 14:1 says "Let not your heart be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me."
I have heard that verse many times... it is used often in conjunction with a death. And the message is usually that when our hearts are troubled, we can / should trust in God. That is true... not a bad message or a wrong one. But what Kay pointed out was the wording... LET NOT... Don't Let your heart be troubled.. That puts it all on me. It is a choice... I choose to have a troubled heart or one at peace because I trust in Him.
So no matter what life sends my way, I have a choice as to how I will let it effect me.
I was reminded of that choice again today as I read John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Again, another verse I am very familiar with.. but today God showed me the choice in it. Jesus tells us that we WILL have trouble in the world. No choice there. It is going to happen. But before that He says He has told us things (His precious promises) so that we MAY have peace.. MAY.. might.. not will. Peace is not an automatic guarantee. Again, it is a choice we make.
So today...no matter what my emotions and circumstances tell me, I am choosing to "let the peace of Christ rule my heart" (Col. 3:15) instead of letting my heart be troubled and full of unrest.
How about you? What are you choosing today?
Monday, July 23, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Parenting....
Today one of my children (who are 20 & 24 so not really children) asked my advice on something. The answer I gave was not what the child wanted to hear. I believe the child knew this would be the answer, but hoped for something different. I hated disappointing the child, but had to speak the truth in love. My kids know that and expect it from me.
As I have pondered a bit on this, I have thought about my relationship with my Heavenly parent.. my Father.. I wonder if I ever ask Him something... state my case.. try to sell Him on it.. knowing full well what He is going to say but hoping that maybe, just maybe, this time He will answer differently. (I the Lord do not change.. Malachi 3:6).
And when He answers with no or wait or yes, you have to do that... and it isn't what I want to hear.. then I am disappointed.. hurt.. miffed.. even though I know He would never steer me wrong.. that whatever He says is best for me.
The difference, however, is God KNOWS His answer is right. I can only hope mine is and trust God with the outcome. He sees the future.. I don't... but just as my child trusts me to speak the truth and love unconditionally, I trust my Father to do the same for me.. and for my children.
As I have pondered a bit on this, I have thought about my relationship with my Heavenly parent.. my Father.. I wonder if I ever ask Him something... state my case.. try to sell Him on it.. knowing full well what He is going to say but hoping that maybe, just maybe, this time He will answer differently. (I the Lord do not change.. Malachi 3:6).
And when He answers with no or wait or yes, you have to do that... and it isn't what I want to hear.. then I am disappointed.. hurt.. miffed.. even though I know He would never steer me wrong.. that whatever He says is best for me.
The difference, however, is God KNOWS His answer is right. I can only hope mine is and trust God with the outcome. He sees the future.. I don't... but just as my child trusts me to speak the truth and love unconditionally, I trust my Father to do the same for me.. and for my children.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
All's Quiet... or is it?
This past weekend was Easter. I remember reading lots of Facebook Statuses and Tweets on Twitter on Good Friday about the Crucifixion.. and many saying Sunday's Coming! All true and all good.
And I knew on Easter Sunday I would be reading lots and lots of comments on His Resurrection and being alive. Again.. all true and all good! But what about the day in-between?
There really isn't anything said about that Saturday in the Bible. We know it was a Sabbath day, so we can assume the Jews were observing the Sabbath. We know Jesus' followers were hiding.. scared.. no doubt confused and troubled.
But again, the Word is quiet about that time and so it would be easy to assume everything was quiet.. God was not working.. Jesus was in the tomb.. all work had ceased. But of course, that is not true. God never sleeps nor slumbers. (Ps. 121:4) He is always at work. And He was that day.
We know a lot happened while Jesus was in the grave. We know He overcame the power of sin, death and hell. How.. we don't know the details.. and we don't need to know. Bottom line... things were happening.. things on the Spiritual realm that we could not see.
And how I praise God they were happening!
And still happen!
We all have "good Friday" moments in our life.. when someone "bad" happens.. something that overwhelms us.. something outside our human capacity to cope.. and when we are in those situations, we are looking for answers.. a way out.. results. And for whatever reason, we often have times after the "good Friday" event where it seems God is quiet... nothing is happening.. we are just coasting in our anguish. But guess what? OUR GOD does not sleep! He is at work.. always! And He has not forgotten us. There is a Resurrection Sunday coming for us and our situation... it may not be this side of heaven.. it may not look the way we thing it should look.. but it is coming.. God has made a way... He is at work. We need only wait and trust that even when it is "Saturday" and we are scared and troubled and it seems we are alone, we are not. Our God is working in ways we cannot comprehend.. doing what is best for us and for His kingdom.
And I knew on Easter Sunday I would be reading lots and lots of comments on His Resurrection and being alive. Again.. all true and all good! But what about the day in-between?
There really isn't anything said about that Saturday in the Bible. We know it was a Sabbath day, so we can assume the Jews were observing the Sabbath. We know Jesus' followers were hiding.. scared.. no doubt confused and troubled.
But again, the Word is quiet about that time and so it would be easy to assume everything was quiet.. God was not working.. Jesus was in the tomb.. all work had ceased. But of course, that is not true. God never sleeps nor slumbers. (Ps. 121:4) He is always at work. And He was that day.
We know a lot happened while Jesus was in the grave. We know He overcame the power of sin, death and hell. How.. we don't know the details.. and we don't need to know. Bottom line... things were happening.. things on the Spiritual realm that we could not see.
And how I praise God they were happening!
And still happen!
We all have "good Friday" moments in our life.. when someone "bad" happens.. something that overwhelms us.. something outside our human capacity to cope.. and when we are in those situations, we are looking for answers.. a way out.. results. And for whatever reason, we often have times after the "good Friday" event where it seems God is quiet... nothing is happening.. we are just coasting in our anguish. But guess what? OUR GOD does not sleep! He is at work.. always! And He has not forgotten us. There is a Resurrection Sunday coming for us and our situation... it may not be this side of heaven.. it may not look the way we thing it should look.. but it is coming.. God has made a way... He is at work. We need only wait and trust that even when it is "Saturday" and we are scared and troubled and it seems we are alone, we are not. Our God is working in ways we cannot comprehend.. doing what is best for us and for His kingdom.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Delight in the Word
"If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction." Ps. 119:92
No doubt this verse shows that God's word upholds us.. protects us.. etc. during difficult times, but I also see a daily application. if I delight in something, I will make time for it. So if I delight in His Word, I'll be in it .. daily.. reading, studying, meditating, memorizing.
Doing this daily, even when life is going good, builds that foundation.. that fortification.. for when the tough stuff happens (and it will happen!) and it is easier to delight and dig in when life is going smooth.
Trails, testings, etc are to build and strengthen our faith.
I believe "smooth" sailings are to build our faith's foundation.. our footing as it were.. to sharpen our swords... to condition ourselves.. to make ready for what is to come.
That "smooth" sailing is our study time and those trials our exams. We can't really cram because we rarely see the exam coming.. they are more like pop quizzes! And I, for one, want to pass... so I need to be in the Word daily!
I am praying for a heart that delights in the Word... praying that Jeremiah 15:16 would be true in my life...
Your Words were found and I ate them.
They were a joy to me and the delight of my heart
for I am called by Your Name, O Lord.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Whatever
This quote from Wesley L. Duewel's book Mighty Prevailing Prayer continues to roll around my mind...
"Whatever gets you too busy for prayer time, whatever distracts you from holy prevailing, whatever robs you of hunger for God, for souls, and for time for prayer warfare is a hindrance to God and His kingdom. You cannot afford it."
Whatever...
There is a verse in the Bible many call the Whatever verse.
It ties in with the thought from Duewel. If we are focusing on the Phil. 4:8 Whatevers, we will not get too busy for prayer.. we will hunger for God.. because if we are focusing on these Whatevers, we are focusing on Him and His truths.
The next verse in Phil 4 strengthens Duewel's thought also...
When we are in the Word... seeking, studying.. getting to know Jesus, we will see what He does.. He seeks the Father, He prays, He trusts God etc. and when we do what He did... when we put it into practice, we will be in prayer, hungering for God, participating in prayer warfare ...
As God has shown me over and over and over and over... it is about Him.. being in His Word and in Prayer with Him!
"Whatever gets you too busy for prayer time, whatever distracts you from holy prevailing, whatever robs you of hunger for God, for souls, and for time for prayer warfare is a hindrance to God and His kingdom. You cannot afford it."
Whatever...
There is a verse in the Bible many call the Whatever verse.
Finally, brothers, 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
It ties in with the thought from Duewel. If we are focusing on the Phil. 4:8 Whatevers, we will not get too busy for prayer.. we will hunger for God.. because if we are focusing on these Whatevers, we are focusing on Him and His truths.
The next verse in Phil 4 strengthens Duewel's thought also...
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you. Phil. 4:9
When we are in the Word... seeking, studying.. getting to know Jesus, we will see what He does.. He seeks the Father, He prays, He trusts God etc. and when we do what He did... when we put it into practice, we will be in prayer, hungering for God, participating in prayer warfare ...
As God has shown me over and over and over and over... it is about Him.. being in His Word and in Prayer with Him!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
A One.. Two Punch
Catching up on my reading in the Daily Walk Bible today. This verse really grabbed me... 2 Kings. 17:41 "Even while these people were worshipping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren do as their fathers did."
WHOA! Who or what am I serving today? Work, money, media, computer, me (selfishness), food, laziness... the list in endless!
And a reminder that what I do today affects the generations to come. What kind of legacy am I leaving?
Then I opened up the book Mighty Prevailing Prayer by Wesley L. Duewel and read this....
"Whatever gets you too busy for prayer time, whatever distracts you from holy prevailing, whatever robs you of hunger for God, for souls, and for time for prayer warfare is a hindrance to God and His kingdom. You cannot afford it."
Again WHOA! Obviously the Lord is telling me something here. Time for some soul searching... by the Holy Spirit!
WHOA! Who or what am I serving today? Work, money, media, computer, me (selfishness), food, laziness... the list in endless!
And a reminder that what I do today affects the generations to come. What kind of legacy am I leaving?
Then I opened up the book Mighty Prevailing Prayer by Wesley L. Duewel and read this....
"Whatever gets you too busy for prayer time, whatever distracts you from holy prevailing, whatever robs you of hunger for God, for souls, and for time for prayer warfare is a hindrance to God and His kingdom. You cannot afford it."
Again WHOA! Obviously the Lord is telling me something here. Time for some soul searching... by the Holy Spirit!
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. Ps. 139:23-24
Monday, March 19, 2012
A Promise to Provide...
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19
Sunday, March 18, 2012
A Promise to Soar like the Eagles
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isa. 40:29-31
Friday, March 16, 2012
A Promise for those who are weary and burdened....
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29
Promises
Lately God has pointed out 2 verses about His Promises to me.. the first was a couple of weeks ago. I was preparing for the Bible study I lead on Sunday night and 2 Peter 1:3 came to mind.. I wanted to make sure I wrote it down right, so I looked it up... it is one of my favorite people's favorite verses :-)
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."
And then I read on to verse 4...
"Through these 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."
His very great and precious promises! I just love that. NASB calls them magnificent and great... Amplified says precious and exceedingly great...
I have pondered that verse and the wonder of it... that God would give us.. freely.. His exceedingly great, magnificent, precious promises... so that we might participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption found in the world!
And then I read Joshua 21:45 in my Daily Bible reading a week later..
"Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."
And we know this is true.. just read all He promised in the Torah and then read what all happens to them.. good and bad.. it is all there! And even into the prophets.. He promised a Messiah and He has sent one!
I realized that I can personalize that verse...
Not one of all the Lord's good promises to Barbara failed... every one was fulfilled.
Every promise He has given, is giving and will give to me will come about.. never fail!
So where do I find the promises... in His writings to me.. His Holy Word.. there is promise after promise found in Scriptures from having our needs supplied, being given strength, never being alone, salvation, protection, love and on and on...
I am going to be sharing some of these promises on this blog in the days ahead.. So be watching for them. And in the meantime, open the Word and find some for yourself! They are there.. not hidden at all.. just ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see the Wonderful Promise He has for you today!
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."
And then I read on to verse 4...
"Through these 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."
His very great and precious promises! I just love that. NASB calls them magnificent and great... Amplified says precious and exceedingly great...
I have pondered that verse and the wonder of it... that God would give us.. freely.. His exceedingly great, magnificent, precious promises... so that we might participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption found in the world!
And then I read Joshua 21:45 in my Daily Bible reading a week later..
"Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."
And we know this is true.. just read all He promised in the Torah and then read what all happens to them.. good and bad.. it is all there! And even into the prophets.. He promised a Messiah and He has sent one!
I realized that I can personalize that verse...
Not one of all the Lord's good promises to Barbara failed... every one was fulfilled.
Every promise He has given, is giving and will give to me will come about.. never fail!
So where do I find the promises... in His writings to me.. His Holy Word.. there is promise after promise found in Scriptures from having our needs supplied, being given strength, never being alone, salvation, protection, love and on and on...
I am going to be sharing some of these promises on this blog in the days ahead.. So be watching for them. And in the meantime, open the Word and find some for yourself! They are there.. not hidden at all.. just ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see the Wonderful Promise He has for you today!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Attitude
"The right attitude in real difficulty is unconditional acceptance and obedience. God's own must never stand in judgment upon Him."
Priscilla Shier -- One in a Million
Priscilla Shier -- One in a Million
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Grumbling...
"A grumbling spirit will rob you of what God designed the in-between time to teach you. It will keep you from getting the most out of your journey with God."
Priscilla Shier -- One in a Million
Priscilla Shier -- One in a Million
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Judges ...
Reading in Judges recently... in Judges 1 we see that the Israelites disobey God as soon as they get the Promised Land. (Maybe that is why He keeps us in the wilderness so long!) He told them to drive out all the people and yet they don't. They keep some of the Canaanites and it says they were forced to do hard labor for the Israelites.. so Israel has forgotten their heritage of slavery in Egypt and become slave masters to the Canaanites.
I am thinking at this point Israel thought.. we're safe.. we have them under our thumbs.. we are God's people.. He won't deliver them like He delivered us.. but they have a lot more to fear than loosing the Help!
Judges 2:3 God says to them... ".. you have disobeyed me... now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you. They will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you."
Doesn't take long at all for the thorns to catch and the Israelites to be trapped in that snare..
v. 11 says they followed Baal.
Back up to verse 10 which says "All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel."
Throughout Deuteronomy God has spoken to the Israelites through Moses and said over and over and over.. REMEMBER.. REMEMBER.. and what does He want them to Remember? The things He has done.. where they came from.. and He wants them to tell these things to their children and their children's children and teach them His laws.
It is obvious they did none of this... and this is the fruit their disobedience has borne.. the legacy they have left... a generation who does not know the Lord and who follow Baal!
Consequences... all our actions have consequences which often involve a future generation.
Oh Lord, May I hear You... listen to You... Heed You... obey.. FULLY. I want no thorns in my side or snares in my path.. nor do I want to plant them or set them for my children or their children... may I follow You wholeheartedly and leave a legacy of faith, honor and obedience to those who come behind.
I am thinking at this point Israel thought.. we're safe.. we have them under our thumbs.. we are God's people.. He won't deliver them like He delivered us.. but they have a lot more to fear than loosing the Help!
Judges 2:3 God says to them... ".. you have disobeyed me... now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you. They will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you."
Doesn't take long at all for the thorns to catch and the Israelites to be trapped in that snare..
v. 11 says they followed Baal.
Back up to verse 10 which says "All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel."
Throughout Deuteronomy God has spoken to the Israelites through Moses and said over and over and over.. REMEMBER.. REMEMBER.. and what does He want them to Remember? The things He has done.. where they came from.. and He wants them to tell these things to their children and their children's children and teach them His laws.
It is obvious they did none of this... and this is the fruit their disobedience has borne.. the legacy they have left... a generation who does not know the Lord and who follow Baal!
Consequences... all our actions have consequences which often involve a future generation.
Oh Lord, May I hear You... listen to You... Heed You... obey.. FULLY. I want no thorns in my side or snares in my path.. nor do I want to plant them or set them for my children or their children... may I follow You wholeheartedly and leave a legacy of faith, honor and obedience to those who come behind.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Egypt
"Salvation delivers you out of Egypt, but the wilderness is designed to work Egypt out of you."
Priscilla Shier -- One in a Million
Priscilla Shier -- One in a Million
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Decision without Commitment
"Many have made the decision to beleive in Jesus without making a commitment to follow Jesus." -- Kyle Idleman Not a Fan
Friday, March 9, 2012
Cease Striving.. Be Still
"Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations." Ps. 46:10
This is a verse most folks who attend church have heard ... are familiar with... I learned it from the NIV. Recently in my Bible study, I heard it in the NASB and it was like a whole knew verse to me...
"Cease striving and know that I am God."
Cease Striving... seems so much more than Be Still to me. When I am not still, it could be due to busyness.. the normal ebb and flow of the day... and, for me, does not indicate much about my state of mind or emotions. I could be rushing here and there frazzled.. or just going about my daily routine.
Cease Striving, however, sets a different tone for me. If I am striving, I am determined to do something or to make something happen no matter what!
When I hear Be Still I think of resting in Him.. just stopping what I am doing and resting in Him. But with Cease Striving I picture a fussy child... probably a toddler.. Mom or Dad has picked her up and that child is thrashing about and squirming... striving to get loose from that parent's grip... so the parent holds tighter and often says something like "Be still... settle down..."
That child is wanting her way... she may be scared of what is to come next (shot at the doctor, discipline etc...) or she just doesn't want what comes next (nap, bath, bed time etc...) or maybe she is upset over something (didn't get her way, got hurt playing or is mad etc...) and Mom or Dad is trying to make it better but the child is fighting against them.
I wonder... am I like that with God? Are you? Do I buck and balk and strive to get my own way.. fighting against Him when I know I have sinned and discipline is at hand? Or I know He is calling me to obey and I don't really want to. Or maybe I am hurt, frustrated, angry, scared etc. and I'm having a bit of a fit.. a pity party.. and don't want to give that up just yet.
Any of those and much more can cause me to strive .. to not be still... and in the process I miss out on what God is doing and on getting to know Him deeper and in a new way.
Lord, Teach me to be still.. to cease striving.. to stop and let You be who You are... to see what You are doing in my life and around me... to acknowledge that You are God and I am not! May I exalt You among the nations.
Are you running about today.. striving to get things done.. providing God with a moving target? STOP... Cease... Be Still... and rest in Him.
This is a verse most folks who attend church have heard ... are familiar with... I learned it from the NIV. Recently in my Bible study, I heard it in the NASB and it was like a whole knew verse to me...
"Cease striving and know that I am God."
Cease Striving... seems so much more than Be Still to me. When I am not still, it could be due to busyness.. the normal ebb and flow of the day... and, for me, does not indicate much about my state of mind or emotions. I could be rushing here and there frazzled.. or just going about my daily routine.
Cease Striving, however, sets a different tone for me. If I am striving, I am determined to do something or to make something happen no matter what!
When I hear Be Still I think of resting in Him.. just stopping what I am doing and resting in Him. But with Cease Striving I picture a fussy child... probably a toddler.. Mom or Dad has picked her up and that child is thrashing about and squirming... striving to get loose from that parent's grip... so the parent holds tighter and often says something like "Be still... settle down..."
That child is wanting her way... she may be scared of what is to come next (shot at the doctor, discipline etc...) or she just doesn't want what comes next (nap, bath, bed time etc...) or maybe she is upset over something (didn't get her way, got hurt playing or is mad etc...) and Mom or Dad is trying to make it better but the child is fighting against them.
I wonder... am I like that with God? Are you? Do I buck and balk and strive to get my own way.. fighting against Him when I know I have sinned and discipline is at hand? Or I know He is calling me to obey and I don't really want to. Or maybe I am hurt, frustrated, angry, scared etc. and I'm having a bit of a fit.. a pity party.. and don't want to give that up just yet.
Any of those and much more can cause me to strive .. to not be still... and in the process I miss out on what God is doing and on getting to know Him deeper and in a new way.
Lord, Teach me to be still.. to cease striving.. to stop and let You be who You are... to see what You are doing in my life and around me... to acknowledge that You are God and I am not! May I exalt You among the nations.
Are you running about today.. striving to get things done.. providing God with a moving target? STOP... Cease... Be Still... and rest in Him.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Admiration?... Devotion?... Knowledge of?... Intimacy with?
"Fans often confuse their admiration for devotion. They mistake their knowledge of Jesus for intimacy with Jesus. Fans assume their good intentions make up for their apathetic faith.. one of the core symptoms of 'fandom' is that fans almost always consider themselves to be followers."
from not a fan by Kyle Idleman
from not a fan by Kyle Idleman
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Everything
2 Peter 1:3 is a favorite verse of a dear friend and mentor of mine... God brought it to mind recently and I went to read over it again and meditate a bit on what it said. In the process, He led me to keep reading through verse 4. What a promise.. assurance.. Word from Him!
"His diving power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through out knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great promises so that through them you (I) may participate in the Divine Nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
I love that God has already, at the time of salvation, given us everything we need for life and godliness. Not a little... not the start.. not some.. but EVERYTHING! It is there.. done.. we need only access it. But even more, He has given us His promises (the Word) which are very great.. and He gave them so that we (you and me) could be part of the divine (NOT be divine.. but participate in it) and to be able to escape the trappings of the world.
Of course we know that the Word is a 2 edged sword and the part that slices here is the fact that since we have everything we need.. we have the ability to escape.. then we are without excuse when we fail... and we will BUT praise God there is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1) and if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Some verses these gems in 2 Peter brought to mind...
Your Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you. Ps. 119:11
But when you are tempted He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor. 10:13b
God is not a man that He should lie -- not a son of man that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19
God's promises are right and true... they always always come to pass.. I can.. you can.. stand on them with confidence! Let's do that today.. take a stand against evil desires.. against the temptations of this world.. let's walk in confidence knowing He has given us ALL we need for today... we need just accept it by yielding to Him and letting the Holy Spirit be manifest in us. That is how we participate in the divine!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
"So Long...."
Ex 32:1 "when the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain...."
Moses took longer than the people wanted... they grew impatient.. began to "suppose"... to let their minds wander here and there right into a golden calf and idolatry.
Don't I do the same? God takes "so long"... too long for me... I want Him to act, but nothing (actually He very likely is acting, but not in the manner I expect or want.. so I see it as inactivity). My mind then starts to have a hey day of what ifs and I decide to help move things along.. I usually am able to even convince myself that this is what God wanted all along.. my help.
I may not create a golden calf as the Israelites did, but I create my own idol... the idol of self.. I set myself, my thoughts, my ideas, my abilities etc. up as "god".. I idolize me!
And in doing this I find that I am like Peter... my eyes were on Jesus, but then I got distracted by the water and waves (life) and now I am sinking in the water even if I don't realize it. I must FIX my eyes on Jesus.. FIX, not glance His way.
I looked Fix up in the dictionary and found these definitions... to make firm, stable or stationary... affix... attach.. to hold or direct steadily... to capture the attention of.. establish.. to make an accurate determination of... to get ready.. focus.. decide.. settle.. fasten
I want to do all of that! To make my focus Jesus... to have a firm grasp on Him.. to be stable and stationary in where I place my trust... to affix myself, attach me to Him.. to hold steadily to His Word.. to capture His attention.. to make an accurate determination by seeing HIM (Imperishable Truth) and not my circumstances (which are fleeting).. to get ready for whatever comes my way by fastening my eyes on Jesus!
Lord, may You be my vision today... the focus on my eyes and my life!
Moses took longer than the people wanted... they grew impatient.. began to "suppose"... to let their minds wander here and there right into a golden calf and idolatry.
Don't I do the same? God takes "so long"... too long for me... I want Him to act, but nothing (actually He very likely is acting, but not in the manner I expect or want.. so I see it as inactivity). My mind then starts to have a hey day of what ifs and I decide to help move things along.. I usually am able to even convince myself that this is what God wanted all along.. my help.
I may not create a golden calf as the Israelites did, but I create my own idol... the idol of self.. I set myself, my thoughts, my ideas, my abilities etc. up as "god".. I idolize me!
And in doing this I find that I am like Peter... my eyes were on Jesus, but then I got distracted by the water and waves (life) and now I am sinking in the water even if I don't realize it. I must FIX my eyes on Jesus.. FIX, not glance His way.
I looked Fix up in the dictionary and found these definitions... to make firm, stable or stationary... affix... attach.. to hold or direct steadily... to capture the attention of.. establish.. to make an accurate determination of... to get ready.. focus.. decide.. settle.. fasten
I want to do all of that! To make my focus Jesus... to have a firm grasp on Him.. to be stable and stationary in where I place my trust... to affix myself, attach me to Him.. to hold steadily to His Word.. to capture His attention.. to make an accurate determination by seeing HIM (Imperishable Truth) and not my circumstances (which are fleeting).. to get ready for whatever comes my way by fastening my eyes on Jesus!
Lord, may You be my vision today... the focus on my eyes and my life!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Testings
I have always loved Genesis 22 -- God's call to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. What obedience! What Faith!
I am using The Daily Walk Bible to read through the Scripture this year and each day has a short devotional thought with it. The one for this particular passage caused me to ponder this passage in light of my own life.
Verse 1 of Chapter 22 says "Sometime later God tested Abraham"... the comments are made in the devo that Abraham had already been through a lot of faith-stretching circumstances which were evidently preparing him for this, his biggest test.
And then these questions are asked... "Are you learning lessons today that will help you handle the tests God has for you tomorrow? Think of one faith-stretching situation you are facing today. How might God use it to prepare you for tomorrow? Ask Him to make you teachable in today's tests so you'll be prepared for the bigger ones tomorrow."
Great questions to ponder... great way to apply this to our own lives.
I am using The Daily Walk Bible to read through the Scripture this year and each day has a short devotional thought with it. The one for this particular passage caused me to ponder this passage in light of my own life.
Verse 1 of Chapter 22 says "Sometime later God tested Abraham"... the comments are made in the devo that Abraham had already been through a lot of faith-stretching circumstances which were evidently preparing him for this, his biggest test.
And then these questions are asked... "Are you learning lessons today that will help you handle the tests God has for you tomorrow? Think of one faith-stretching situation you are facing today. How might God use it to prepare you for tomorrow? Ask Him to make you teachable in today's tests so you'll be prepared for the bigger ones tomorrow."
Great questions to ponder... great way to apply this to our own lives.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Flee!
In reading through Genesis, I recently looked at the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. When the angel tells Lot what is about to happen, he tells him to Flee for your lives! Don't look back and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee for the mountains or you will be swept away. (Gen. 19:17)
In the New Testament we are also told to Flee... what do we flee from? Evil. (see 1 Tim. 1:11 & 2 Tim 2:22) and in Phil. 3:13 Paul says "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead..." Similar to the angel telling Lot not to look back but move forward.
Paul is pressing on toward the goal. The angel urges Lot to do the same. "Do not stop --- flee to the mountains."
But Lot does stop -- he settles for less than what God wants to give him -- less than a full relationship with God -- less than the abundant life He offers. Instead, Lot decides it is too much work .. it requires too much of himself.. so he asks to settle in the town of Zoar not going all the way to the mountains.
I wonder.. do I do this? Do I settle for a small town when God wants me to press on towards the mountain? Do I not want to work at my spiritual journey -- not give of myself? and if so, what will be the result?
The angel told Lot "Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away" .. certainly Lot survived that day, but in the end he had grandchildren from incest who became 2 of the most corrupt nations ever -- enemies of God's chosen people who were ultimately destroyed by God (Amos 2:1-3, Eze. 25:1-11).
Consequences -- Legacy -- what we do or don't do today effects others now and in the future. We must Flee the temptations of the world and head for the mountains .. for God.. we want to develop that intimate relationship with Him that He wants with us.. to stand firm on the Promises in His Word.. to be salt and light in this dark world.. and yes, it will require something of us.. more and more as time goes on, I believe. And we may grow tired and weary... or just be lazy... or just be willing to settle for a little God (like being a Sunday morning Christian warming the pew). We might do ok just getting by, but we will miss out on the blessings God has in store for us and our actions will effect others. So forget what lies behind... flee the trappings of the world... and press on towards the prize!
Lord, May I obey fully and seek Your face -- pursue an intimate relationship with you and the abundant life you have for me. Help me not to grow weary or lazy -- not to stop short or settle for less -- put to press on toward the prize for which "You have called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
In the New Testament we are also told to Flee... what do we flee from? Evil. (see 1 Tim. 1:11 & 2 Tim 2:22) and in Phil. 3:13 Paul says "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead..." Similar to the angel telling Lot not to look back but move forward.
Paul is pressing on toward the goal. The angel urges Lot to do the same. "Do not stop --- flee to the mountains."
But Lot does stop -- he settles for less than what God wants to give him -- less than a full relationship with God -- less than the abundant life He offers. Instead, Lot decides it is too much work .. it requires too much of himself.. so he asks to settle in the town of Zoar not going all the way to the mountains.
I wonder.. do I do this? Do I settle for a small town when God wants me to press on towards the mountain? Do I not want to work at my spiritual journey -- not give of myself? and if so, what will be the result?
The angel told Lot "Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away" .. certainly Lot survived that day, but in the end he had grandchildren from incest who became 2 of the most corrupt nations ever -- enemies of God's chosen people who were ultimately destroyed by God (Amos 2:1-3, Eze. 25:1-11).
Consequences -- Legacy -- what we do or don't do today effects others now and in the future. We must Flee the temptations of the world and head for the mountains .. for God.. we want to develop that intimate relationship with Him that He wants with us.. to stand firm on the Promises in His Word.. to be salt and light in this dark world.. and yes, it will require something of us.. more and more as time goes on, I believe. And we may grow tired and weary... or just be lazy... or just be willing to settle for a little God (like being a Sunday morning Christian warming the pew). We might do ok just getting by, but we will miss out on the blessings God has in store for us and our actions will effect others. So forget what lies behind... flee the trappings of the world... and press on towards the prize!
Lord, May I obey fully and seek Your face -- pursue an intimate relationship with you and the abundant life you have for me. Help me not to grow weary or lazy -- not to stop short or settle for less -- put to press on toward the prize for which "You have called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Desires....
I have several devotional books I am reading in this year... I am not legalistic, in that I don't read every book every day. One is Daily Light on the Daily Path. There are morning and evening readings taken straight from Scripture... wonderful book! I have this on my Kindle and it uses a different Bible version than ones I normally read. It uses God's Word Version. I have never read this version and confess I am watching carefully for any red flags. I love reading different translations / transliterations, but seek to discern those that take the truth and twist it. So far, this one has been sound.
I was recently intrigued by the wording used for a specific passage of Scripture... Phil 2:12-13.
The NIV says: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."
In the Devotional, God's Word Version, it says : "My dear friends, you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you but even more now that I’m absent. In the same way continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please Him."
The part that stopped me was the last line.. "It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please Him."
There is something about the thought of God producing the desires and actions in me that makes me stop and think. Certainly that is only when I am fully yielded to Him, because I know there are desires and actions in me at times which in no way please Him and are not from Him. They are my sinful flesh's produce -- rotten fruit as it were -- where as the Lord wants to produce good fruit in me through His Holy Spirit.
Lord, help me to be fully and completely yielded to You today. I choose that -- less of me, more of You! May I produce good fruit that pleases You -- benefits me -- blesses others -- brings You and You alone glory. Amen!
I was recently intrigued by the wording used for a specific passage of Scripture... Phil 2:12-13.
The NIV says: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."
In the Devotional, God's Word Version, it says : "My dear friends, you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you but even more now that I’m absent. In the same way continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please Him."
The part that stopped me was the last line.. "It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please Him."
There is something about the thought of God producing the desires and actions in me that makes me stop and think. Certainly that is only when I am fully yielded to Him, because I know there are desires and actions in me at times which in no way please Him and are not from Him. They are my sinful flesh's produce -- rotten fruit as it were -- where as the Lord wants to produce good fruit in me through His Holy Spirit.
Lord, help me to be fully and completely yielded to You today. I choose that -- less of me, more of You! May I produce good fruit that pleases You -- benefits me -- blesses others -- brings You and You alone glory. Amen!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
He's Coming!
For the Lord Himself
will come down from heaven
with a loud command,
with the voice of the archangel
and with the trumpet call of God,
and the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thess. 4:16
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Scripture Memory
Most folks run at the mention of memorizing Scripture... that is, after all, something for kids in Sunday School, right? No.. not at all! We are never too young or too old to learn Scripture. Yes, as we age it might take us longer to learn a verse or passage, but we are still able to learn. One of the things I have come to realize through memorizing Scriptures is that the process of learning the verse is as beneficial as the learning of it. By reading the verse over and over... taking it apart... I find myself meditating on it.. thinking about the words and what they mean to my life. I often don't just memorize the verse, God writes it on my heart.
I recently started reading a wonderful book by Robert J. Morgan (one of my favorite authors). 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know By Heart. I am posting the verses on the side bar here as I learn them. (The other Scripture memory there are the verses our church learns together each week.) Some are old favorites / standards, so it is more review than learn. I admit that I purchased the book mainly out of curiosity. I wondered what verses he thought were important to know. And while I did find his list, I found much more. The first half of the book talks about Scripture Memorization.. the benefits, how-to etc. And for each of the verses, he provides a bit of study, something to help glue the verse to your brain and heart. Again, going for something other than rote memorization. I highly recommend this book. I feel certain I will share things from it in the weeks ahead.
In the meantime, dive in and start learning Scripture... Ps. 119:11 says "Thy Word have I hidden in my heart that I might now sin against Thee." Want to sin less and live the holy life has called you to live? Learn Scripture! It is also how we are ready in and out of season... how we consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.. where we find the words to say to a hurting friend... and so much more. Think of it this way.. Jesus is THE WORD.. so when you spend time learning the Word, you are learning about (and with) Jesus. And when you hide the Word in your heart, you are in a way putting Jesus there. Yes, as a believer the Holy Spirit already indwells you being, but this is progressive sanctification... becoming more like Jesus every day.
I recently started reading a wonderful book by Robert J. Morgan (one of my favorite authors). 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know By Heart. I am posting the verses on the side bar here as I learn them. (The other Scripture memory there are the verses our church learns together each week.) Some are old favorites / standards, so it is more review than learn. I admit that I purchased the book mainly out of curiosity. I wondered what verses he thought were important to know. And while I did find his list, I found much more. The first half of the book talks about Scripture Memorization.. the benefits, how-to etc. And for each of the verses, he provides a bit of study, something to help glue the verse to your brain and heart. Again, going for something other than rote memorization. I highly recommend this book. I feel certain I will share things from it in the weeks ahead.
In the meantime, dive in and start learning Scripture... Ps. 119:11 says "Thy Word have I hidden in my heart that I might now sin against Thee." Want to sin less and live the holy life has called you to live? Learn Scripture! It is also how we are ready in and out of season... how we consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.. where we find the words to say to a hurting friend... and so much more. Think of it this way.. Jesus is THE WORD.. so when you spend time learning the Word, you are learning about (and with) Jesus. And when you hide the Word in your heart, you are in a way putting Jesus there. Yes, as a believer the Holy Spirit already indwells you being, but this is progressive sanctification... becoming more like Jesus every day.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Be Ready!
You also must be ready,
because the Son of Man
will come at an hour
when you do not expect Him.
Luke 12:40
Sunday, January 1, 2012
In the Beginning...
Our church has been encouraged to read the Bible through in a year together. I have done this some in the past, but it has been a while. So I decided to participate this year. One downfall for me personally when doing this is I often end up reading just to check off on my to-do list that I have read and not really getting anything from it.. reading to read, not to learn.. to grow closer to God.. to grow etc. So I am praying this year to NOT read just to read. We read Genesis chapters 1 & 2 today and I was once again reminded of the awesomeness of our God... His power... His Sovereignty... in chapter 2 man is not a living creature until God breaths life into Him. Oh that I would ask God to breath into my future, my hopes and dreams, my ministry, my work, my family, my marriage, my ______... then and only then will their be life there! He is the life-giver.. the only one who holds the key to life... it is in His actual breath!
And I love that chapter 2 verse 24 is a picture of marriage.. given before the Fall of man.. Marriage.. which we know is a picture of Christ and the Church... and God has it planned from the beginning. Salvation was always part of the plan because He knew we would fall. Earlier in chapter 2 He says to Adam and Eve, WHEN you eat of it you will surely die.. not IF but WHEN. Our Omnipotent God knew sin was crouching at the door and about to slip right in and change everything.. and He already had the solution ready.
Grace did not just show up in a manger.. it was there all along!
And I love that chapter 2 verse 24 is a picture of marriage.. given before the Fall of man.. Marriage.. which we know is a picture of Christ and the Church... and God has it planned from the beginning. Salvation was always part of the plan because He knew we would fall. Earlier in chapter 2 He says to Adam and Eve, WHEN you eat of it you will surely die.. not IF but WHEN. Our Omnipotent God knew sin was crouching at the door and about to slip right in and change everything.. and He already had the solution ready.
Grace did not just show up in a manger.. it was there all along!
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