Deuteronomy 6:4-8
4) Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.
5) Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6) These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.
7) Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
8) Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead.
9) Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Listen/Hear - Shema (Hebrew) - a verb (which means action:) - [Strong's Dictionary] obey, understand, diligently, declare, perceive, tell. To hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience), carefully. [Merriam-Webster] to hear something with thoughtful attention, give consideration.
So at the very beginning of these verses we are told to pay attention, to give consideration, to obey - in other words to take action not just passively listen and let it go in one ear and out the other with no effect upon our lives. This is critical. In our day and time we often "listen" with our eyes on our phones, on the television, on a book. And yet when we do this we are only barely making an effort to tune in to life around us we aren't really listening.
I don't know about you, but I prefer eye contact and attentiveness in a conversation rather than just a passing awareness. We are all guilty of this. In this passage, however, in reference to the most important thing in life - sharing Jesus with our children (and honestly, all who we come in contact with) we are told to listen and that listening causes moment by moment, daily, monthly, yearly and life-long action. And yet like the rest of life we can become complacent and just let life pass by without any real purpose or plan - constantly checking our phones or doing our to do lists. For what purpose?
This passage requires me to remind myself over and over again that the LORD my God is the One True God and that I must guard myself against idols in this life. The idol of placing my family, my hobbies, my job, my church, my friends, or anything else before the LORD in my life.
My purpose and your purpose in life is to first determine that the LORD, Jesus Christ Himself, is in fact our LORD and that He is "in My heart" - that He is in charge of our lives, that it is to Him we look for every single thing - hope, peace, provision, grace, mercy, forgiveness, joy, direction, etc. and that we look to Him first and last and every moment in between. We must ask ourselves...Am I loving "MY" LORD with ALL my heart, ALL my soul, and ALL my strength?
The only way we have any chance of doing so is by the power of the Holy Spirit within us. Thank You LORD for providing us the Holy Spirit! When we fall short in this (many times daily) we can confess it and repent and ask Jesus to be our strength! He provides for our every need!!!
Once I am certain of my own personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I must determine that I will listen to His command to love Him wholeheartedly, then I must repeat this over and over to my children and to those I influence in my life. Every area of life is covered here: Love the Lord Your God with ALL your heart, soul and strength!
Then, check this out: Repeat them, talk about them...when?... you sit in your house, you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up!!! ALL THE TIME!!! EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT. OF. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
God is in us. He is with us. We must simply look to Him, determine to recognize Him. Truly, He has done the hard part of it for us. After all Jesus Christ died to pay my debt of sin and He rose again so that I can have relationship with Him - NOW and FOR ETERNITY!!! He did this for you as well. Do you know HIM? Message me and we can talk about it. But I also know this, I make walking with Him hard - He doesn't.
So let's consider this... Am I listening to God or to my flesh? Am I loving God the way He commands me too? Am I committed to recognizing Him in every moment of my life? Am I willing to share Him with others? And if I am not, why? Do I have any idols in my life? Am I aware of Him as I go about this life? Am I loving others out of the love I have for Him and that love He has provided for me? Do I see Him? Do others see Him in me?
Father God, please forgive me for getting so caught up in the "busyness" of this life that I tend to just go on about my day without acknowledging Your Presence. Forgive me for being unwilling to share You in the every day moments of life or for even just being unaware. Thank You for Your constant, faithful presence. Thank You that You are always at work in me and through me never leaving me on my own. Thank You for convicting me and for loving me so much that You will discipline me. May I love You more and more each day and may those around me see You in me and desire to love you too! Have Your way in me. It is all because of You Jesus!!! Thank You!!
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Friday, September 8, 2017
God of ALL Grace...
1 Peter 5:10
Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. HCSB
I am overwhelmed by this verse over and over again. Will you look at it and then it's context with me?
Think of it in parts with me. Now - is in the moment, every moment!!! The God - Our One True God - who is the God of ALL GRACE promises to do this for us. I love that little word ALL!!! All is all; complete, whole with no ifs, ands or buts. I don't know about you but I tend to be the one who is always trying to add in the but what about this and what about that to God. I am often reminded that God's grace is based on Jesus and the fact that I am in Christ Jesus. It is never based on my worth, my ability to earn it etc and thank the Lord for that!!! Because of Jesus I receive ALL the grace God has to offer - with no exceptions!! Please God, help me to walk in the truth of this and convey that same grace to others with Your strength.
Did you see the next part of the verse? Remember the first part - THE GOD OF ALL GRACE - now for the next part - WILL PERSONALLY RESTORE, ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN AND SUPPORT YOU!! Those of us in Christ (we have accepted and trusted that Jesus died for OUR VERY OWN sin and was raised from the dead to give us new life) have the very God of the the universe, as our very own Father who will Himself restore us, establish us, strengthen us and support us!! Wow!!!! Thank You, Father God!!!
He is personally and intimately involved in your life as well as mine by the power of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirt - the Father will send Him in My Name - will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you."
Don't forget the last part of the verse (which in some other translations is at the beginning) - after you have suffered a little. Suffering is a part of the Christian life and life in general. It is to be expected - but we do not suffer without hope!! Romans 12:12, "Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer." He promises to do all of this for us, but there is a caution that suffering is going to be involved in the process - it is inevitable. For all of us. But so is GRACE!! and so much more!!!
Look back at 1 Peter 5:6-9, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you. Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world."
Do you see our responsibility? God promises to personally restore, establish, strengthen and support us; however He requires that we humble ourselves before Him, trusting Him to do what He says He will. We must give Him our cares over and over again - every single time they rise up in our mind as cares again. We must be observant and pay attention because it is a fact that the Devil is our enemy and He wants to "steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10) us, our family's, and our lives. Anything he can do to render us ineffective for the kingdom of God is his plan. He doesn't care if we love the things of this life or do what the world says is acceptable (that is what he wants) - he only cares and fights us when we are seeking to bring God glory and to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Don't let that bring fear, but let it bring an awareness.
If you do not find yourself battling in this life - may I suggest a moment of reflection on what is important to you and what is your priority? This is a check that I use in analyzing myself to see if I am where God wants me. I am not saying storms and suffering will happen all the time, but if you find yourself rarely in the fight check your priorities and make sure that this earth is not your home. Hebrews 13:14, "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come." Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Remember the rest of John 10:10, Jesus says that He has come that we may have life and have it in abundance. Are we walking in victory with Christ - in the spirit? Am I experiencing His restoration, strength and support in the midst of the suffering in this life? He says I can and I will!!!
Father God, thank You for the many truths of Your Word. Thank You for Your Grace, for the fact that You promise to personally restore, establish, strengthen and support us even as we experience suffering for a time. Thank You that You give us the ability to rejoice in You and hold on to Your Truth despite how we may feel. God, forgive me for often giving in to my feelings rather than taking my thoughts captive and walking in the truth of what I know. Thank You, Jesus for making all of this possible because You personally came to redeem and rescue us! You paid the sin debt that we could not. Please God, help us to walk in Your ways for Your glory. Use us as You will, in Jesus' Name.
Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. HCSB
I am overwhelmed by this verse over and over again. Will you look at it and then it's context with me?
Think of it in parts with me. Now - is in the moment, every moment!!! The God - Our One True God - who is the God of ALL GRACE promises to do this for us. I love that little word ALL!!! All is all; complete, whole with no ifs, ands or buts. I don't know about you but I tend to be the one who is always trying to add in the but what about this and what about that to God. I am often reminded that God's grace is based on Jesus and the fact that I am in Christ Jesus. It is never based on my worth, my ability to earn it etc and thank the Lord for that!!! Because of Jesus I receive ALL the grace God has to offer - with no exceptions!! Please God, help me to walk in the truth of this and convey that same grace to others with Your strength.
Did you see the next part of the verse? Remember the first part - THE GOD OF ALL GRACE - now for the next part - WILL PERSONALLY RESTORE, ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN AND SUPPORT YOU!! Those of us in Christ (we have accepted and trusted that Jesus died for OUR VERY OWN sin and was raised from the dead to give us new life) have the very God of the the universe, as our very own Father who will Himself restore us, establish us, strengthen us and support us!! Wow!!!! Thank You, Father God!!!
He is personally and intimately involved in your life as well as mine by the power of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirt - the Father will send Him in My Name - will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you."
Don't forget the last part of the verse (which in some other translations is at the beginning) - after you have suffered a little. Suffering is a part of the Christian life and life in general. It is to be expected - but we do not suffer without hope!! Romans 12:12, "Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer." He promises to do all of this for us, but there is a caution that suffering is going to be involved in the process - it is inevitable. For all of us. But so is GRACE!! and so much more!!!
Look back at 1 Peter 5:6-9, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you. Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world."
Do you see our responsibility? God promises to personally restore, establish, strengthen and support us; however He requires that we humble ourselves before Him, trusting Him to do what He says He will. We must give Him our cares over and over again - every single time they rise up in our mind as cares again. We must be observant and pay attention because it is a fact that the Devil is our enemy and He wants to "steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10) us, our family's, and our lives. Anything he can do to render us ineffective for the kingdom of God is his plan. He doesn't care if we love the things of this life or do what the world says is acceptable (that is what he wants) - he only cares and fights us when we are seeking to bring God glory and to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Don't let that bring fear, but let it bring an awareness.
If you do not find yourself battling in this life - may I suggest a moment of reflection on what is important to you and what is your priority? This is a check that I use in analyzing myself to see if I am where God wants me. I am not saying storms and suffering will happen all the time, but if you find yourself rarely in the fight check your priorities and make sure that this earth is not your home. Hebrews 13:14, "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come." Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Remember the rest of John 10:10, Jesus says that He has come that we may have life and have it in abundance. Are we walking in victory with Christ - in the spirit? Am I experiencing His restoration, strength and support in the midst of the suffering in this life? He says I can and I will!!!
Father God, thank You for the many truths of Your Word. Thank You for Your Grace, for the fact that You promise to personally restore, establish, strengthen and support us even as we experience suffering for a time. Thank You that You give us the ability to rejoice in You and hold on to Your Truth despite how we may feel. God, forgive me for often giving in to my feelings rather than taking my thoughts captive and walking in the truth of what I know. Thank You, Jesus for making all of this possible because You personally came to redeem and rescue us! You paid the sin debt that we could not. Please God, help us to walk in Your ways for Your glory. Use us as You will, in Jesus' Name.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
More than we can bear?!?
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB) No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG) No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He'll never let you be pushed past your limit; He'll always be there to help you come through it.
"God won't allow anything more than what you can bear." I hear this all of the time and it bothers me greatly because it just isn't true!!! The Bible does not say that. The verse that it is taken from
1 Corinthians 10:13 in context is referring to idolatry and sin. This verse and passage is saying that sin is common to all of us and that nothing will tempt us that hasn't already tempted someone else; however God is always there with us as believers. He promises to provide a way out from under the temptation, a way of escape, a way out so that we can endure and not fall INTO SIN. This promise has nothing to do with not having to face trials in our lives that won't break us or cause us to question and wonder at times if we will survive!!!
We have probably all said it at one time or another "Oh, God won't give you more than you can handle. It will be okay just trust God, He won't let you deal with more than you can bear." I am hear to tell you this is wrong and not biblical at all.
I have personally been to the point of not being able to handle "life" and all that it entails several times, even to the point of death and I know that I know that God was there with me at all times and yet He definitely allowed to me to face more than I could bear - because the fact is having to face more than I can manage helped me to realize that life is all about Him, that He is able and sufficient to handle anything - Not me! Not ever me!! There are times in all of our lives - in a variety of ways - that God allows things or we face things because we live in a fallen and sinful world and these are the times that we can see God most clearly. Not on the mountain top, but in the valley, the pit or in my case - under the pit ;)
Look at Job. He lost every single thing he had in this world besides his wife (Job 1). He called on God. He trusted God. But he struggled. He hurt in every way, emotionally, physically, mentally. He did not passively say "Oh well, I know God won't allow more than I can bear!" God did allow more than he could bear - from a human standpoint he was devastated - he would never be the same! He lost all of his children!! He lost all he had! And yet he knew that most important was that he belonged to God. He mourned, he lamented. He didn't pretend he was fine and that is wasn't a big deal! It was a huge deal!! He was human, it hurt like crazy!! And it was more than he could bear but he knew it was not more than his God could bear. He trusted God.
Do you think David enjoyed being hunted down by someone he thought loved him as a son (1 Samuel 15...)? Do you think it was no big deal for Hannah to be barren (1 Samuel 8...)? Do you think it was fun for Elijah to be chased down by an evil woman with such power (1 King 19...)? What about Paul? Do you think being in jail, stoned, etc. didn't bother him? Or Peter? On and on I could go.
Honestly, we all forget that those in the Bible were real people facing real emotions. Look at their stories and realize that the common denominator is that they suffered, they struggled and yet they knew their God was bigger - not their ability to bear up under the hurts, but His ability to see them through. It is wrong of us to say to that parent who lost their child - God won't give you any more than you can handle. Or the one facing the cancer diagnosis... on and on. Romans 12:15 says, "...weep with those who weep." We are to give one another the freedom to grieve. Our job is to point them to the fact that they are never alone, no matter how they feel. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us - He never ever leaves!!
So let's remember that when we are tempted to sin that this is not the same as dealing with hurt and loss or a life event that may overwhelm us. The fact is that there will be many life events - good and bad that overwhelm us and God will use them to remind us that we are not alone. That He has a plan and a purpose for us and He is at work. We will still be tempted sin in the midst of the hurt because we are human but we can know that God never leaves us and trust that He is at work drawing us to Himself and making us more like Him even in the unexplainable. We are here to bring Him glory and point others to Him. We will hurt, we will face loss, we will even be broken beyond what we can bear at times - but never alone, never abandoned by Him. He will see you through even when you do not see how He possibly could, or even if you doubt that He will. He can take your honesty - go to Him!! To come to the end of ourselves is the goal!! To rely fully on God!!!
Psalm 51:17 "a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise." (Matthew 5:3; Luke 18:14). Brokenness before the Lord is beautiful and something He can work with. To humble ourselves before God is what He has called us to. To recognize that we can do nothing on our own.
Father God, I know I have jumped on my soap box today. Please, Lord, use Your Words to encourage us. Help us to not fall into the trap of the enemy that nothing too hard will happen to us if we walk with the Lord. It just isn't true. Suffering happens. Life is hard even in the midst of good things. In our pride we often think we are in control and to suffer or fall is a reminder that we are weak, but Your grace is sufficient and You remind us that You are with us at all times. You are at work to bring about good for those that love You and are called according to Your purpose. Help us as we forget that the ultimate good for us is our arrival in heaven. The ultimate healing. The freedom from hurts will be in heaven in Your Presence for all eternity. This life is not heaven. This world is not our home. Forgive us for living as if it is and not having the urgency to tell others of the good news of the gospel of Christ. That Jesus alone is the answer - we have no other answer!! Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your unfailing love for us. May we love others with Your love and may we say less and love more.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB) No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG) No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He'll never let you be pushed past your limit; He'll always be there to help you come through it.
"God won't allow anything more than what you can bear." I hear this all of the time and it bothers me greatly because it just isn't true!!! The Bible does not say that. The verse that it is taken from
1 Corinthians 10:13 in context is referring to idolatry and sin. This verse and passage is saying that sin is common to all of us and that nothing will tempt us that hasn't already tempted someone else; however God is always there with us as believers. He promises to provide a way out from under the temptation, a way of escape, a way out so that we can endure and not fall INTO SIN. This promise has nothing to do with not having to face trials in our lives that won't break us or cause us to question and wonder at times if we will survive!!!
We have probably all said it at one time or another "Oh, God won't give you more than you can handle. It will be okay just trust God, He won't let you deal with more than you can bear." I am hear to tell you this is wrong and not biblical at all.
I have personally been to the point of not being able to handle "life" and all that it entails several times, even to the point of death and I know that I know that God was there with me at all times and yet He definitely allowed to me to face more than I could bear - because the fact is having to face more than I can manage helped me to realize that life is all about Him, that He is able and sufficient to handle anything - Not me! Not ever me!! There are times in all of our lives - in a variety of ways - that God allows things or we face things because we live in a fallen and sinful world and these are the times that we can see God most clearly. Not on the mountain top, but in the valley, the pit or in my case - under the pit ;)
Look at Job. He lost every single thing he had in this world besides his wife (Job 1). He called on God. He trusted God. But he struggled. He hurt in every way, emotionally, physically, mentally. He did not passively say "Oh well, I know God won't allow more than I can bear!" God did allow more than he could bear - from a human standpoint he was devastated - he would never be the same! He lost all of his children!! He lost all he had! And yet he knew that most important was that he belonged to God. He mourned, he lamented. He didn't pretend he was fine and that is wasn't a big deal! It was a huge deal!! He was human, it hurt like crazy!! And it was more than he could bear but he knew it was not more than his God could bear. He trusted God.
Do you think David enjoyed being hunted down by someone he thought loved him as a son (1 Samuel 15...)? Do you think it was no big deal for Hannah to be barren (1 Samuel 8...)? Do you think it was fun for Elijah to be chased down by an evil woman with such power (1 King 19...)? What about Paul? Do you think being in jail, stoned, etc. didn't bother him? Or Peter? On and on I could go.
Honestly, we all forget that those in the Bible were real people facing real emotions. Look at their stories and realize that the common denominator is that they suffered, they struggled and yet they knew their God was bigger - not their ability to bear up under the hurts, but His ability to see them through. It is wrong of us to say to that parent who lost their child - God won't give you any more than you can handle. Or the one facing the cancer diagnosis... on and on. Romans 12:15 says, "...weep with those who weep." We are to give one another the freedom to grieve. Our job is to point them to the fact that they are never alone, no matter how they feel. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us - He never ever leaves!!
So let's remember that when we are tempted to sin that this is not the same as dealing with hurt and loss or a life event that may overwhelm us. The fact is that there will be many life events - good and bad that overwhelm us and God will use them to remind us that we are not alone. That He has a plan and a purpose for us and He is at work. We will still be tempted sin in the midst of the hurt because we are human but we can know that God never leaves us and trust that He is at work drawing us to Himself and making us more like Him even in the unexplainable. We are here to bring Him glory and point others to Him. We will hurt, we will face loss, we will even be broken beyond what we can bear at times - but never alone, never abandoned by Him. He will see you through even when you do not see how He possibly could, or even if you doubt that He will. He can take your honesty - go to Him!! To come to the end of ourselves is the goal!! To rely fully on God!!!
Psalm 51:17 "a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise." (Matthew 5:3; Luke 18:14). Brokenness before the Lord is beautiful and something He can work with. To humble ourselves before God is what He has called us to. To recognize that we can do nothing on our own.
Father God, I know I have jumped on my soap box today. Please, Lord, use Your Words to encourage us. Help us to not fall into the trap of the enemy that nothing too hard will happen to us if we walk with the Lord. It just isn't true. Suffering happens. Life is hard even in the midst of good things. In our pride we often think we are in control and to suffer or fall is a reminder that we are weak, but Your grace is sufficient and You remind us that You are with us at all times. You are at work to bring about good for those that love You and are called according to Your purpose. Help us as we forget that the ultimate good for us is our arrival in heaven. The ultimate healing. The freedom from hurts will be in heaven in Your Presence for all eternity. This life is not heaven. This world is not our home. Forgive us for living as if it is and not having the urgency to tell others of the good news of the gospel of Christ. That Jesus alone is the answer - we have no other answer!! Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your unfailing love for us. May we love others with Your love and may we say less and love more.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Authenticity with Jesus and Others
I have read a few interesting books lately. One is entitled “No More Faking Fine” by
Esther Fleece. I found this book after a
friend sent me a YouTube video of an interview in which Esther Fleece talks
about her book. I highly recommend it –
it is 45 minutes that is well worth the time. Anyway, after watching the interview multiple times and sharing it with
many different people I felt the Lord leading me to purchase the book. It was excellent and very impactful, just as
the video was. Would you consider
watching it?
This book is about lamenting or about recognizing and
admitting that we as believers hurt.
“Lament is simply expressing honest emotions to God when life is not
going as planned.” God wants our
sad. He is not distressed by our
emotions of sadness – we need only look to David, or Jeremiah or Hannah or
Jesus Himself…. For some reason though in the church and as believers we have
conditioned ourselves or been tricked by the enemy that to share authentically
and vulnerably is a bad thing or at the very least is an inconvenience. This is so wrong. I believe that God intends to break us of our
pride and our self-sufficiency by using these hurts we experience to enable us
to see that He is the only one who is able to meet our every need. Then we are able to share the hope we find in
Jesus with others in a way that meets them where they are because it is real –
it is ours and it becomes theirs. Jesus
is our only hope!!
At one point in the book, Esther Fleece makes a few
statements that the Lord has used to impact me profoundly. “The only way to process the loss of the life
we had hoped for is to lament. And one
of the kindest things we can do for each other is to offer a safe space where
we don’t have to do it alone. The
ministry of presence is one of the greatest gifts we have to offer each other,
especially in the midst of heartache.” (p. 188). This is it!! God has called me to the
ministry of presence. He has been
showing me this for many years. It is
crucial that we come alongside one another and live life beyond the
surface. The enemy of our soul tries to
keep up from facing life head on with Jesus by convincing us to put on a mask
or pretend that all is well when that is not the case. We all struggle and admitting that is a great
beginning or connecting point in sharing Jesus with a lost and dying world!!
Consider Psalm 13.
1)
LORD, how long will You forget me? Forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
2)
How long will I store up anxious concerns
within me, agony in my mind every day?
How long will my enemy dominate me?
3)
Consider me and answer, LORD my God. Restore brightness to my eyes; otherwise I
will sleep in death.
4)
My enemy will say, ‘I have triumphed over
him,’ and my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.
5)
But have trusted in Your faithful love; my
heart will rejoice in Your deliverance.
6)
I will sing to the LORD because He had
treated me generously.
Do you see how David took his “lament” to God? How he shared fully his hurts, his fears, his
doubts and then his hopes and ultimately turned to praising God? This is a phenomenon only our Lord can do for
us! To go to Him honestly and without
restraint is a gift He has given us! (Hebrews 4:16) And in turn He restores us, our trust, our
awareness that He is mighty, that He is in control and no matter what things
look like around us or what is done to us – He loves us and He holds us in His
mighty hand!! (Jeremiah 30:17; Psalm
51:12; Isaiah 57:18; 1 Peter 5:10; John 10:29).
It is an ongoing process, a journey. I want to do this journey His way and not my
own.
Father God, I thank
You that though this journey can be awfully hard the fact is that when we
belong to You we never walk alone. Thank
You for Your provision at all times and in all ways – regardless of what we see
or don’t see. Thank You that we can
bring it all to You without fear and know that You are at work. Help us Lord to be willing to do the hard
things of facing our hurts – those we experience and those we cause – both for
ourselves and alongside the others that You put in our path. We all hurt, Lord, this is just a fact (John
16:33), but please allow us to surrender to You so that You may use our hurts
to point others to the hope that we have in You, Jesus. Help us not to get stuck in our hurts, but to
lament and process them so that You may use them for Your glory in Your time
and in Your way. In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
I can...because of Jesus
A look at a few of Paul's words in Philippians.
Philippians 1:20b-21, I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
Philippians 2:12b-13, Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
Philippians 3:10a, I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him.
Philippians 4:11b, I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.
Philippians 4:13, I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.
I have been contemplating my lack of contentment and in so doing I found myself looking at Paul and wondering how he claimed contentment?
He trusted Christ, period, whether he was to live or die, no matter what came. He knew that He belonged to Christ and thus he would live for Him, regardless and he looked forward to dying. In other words, he did not worry about what was happening to him or what would happen to him. He trusted Christ. Oh God, I want to trust You like this. Give me the faith of a child.
He tells me it is vital that we work hard revealing the fact that I am saved through Christ and to be determined to obey God, no excuses. After all, God, Himself, is the one who works in me giving the very desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Father God, please forgive me for trying to do things in my own power instead of using my energy to be determined to obey You. I am often more concerned with what I am doing instead of whom I am doing it for. I trust You to provide the desire and the power. I do want to please You.
Paul's desire was to know Christ and experience His mighty power. Is that my desire? Do I truly want to know Christ and experience more of Him or do I just say that I do? Am I wiling to suffer with Him/for Him? His contentment came with this and the fact that whatever came he knew he could do it because Christ would give him the strength he needed. He was never left on his own. Jesus, please give me the desire to know You and experience You more each day. May I not be content with anything less than to know You more. And may I trust, really trust that You will provide all the strength I need no matter what.
Father God, may You receive glory from my life and this daily struggle to surrender fully to You. I pray for Your strength to be content and full of joy. You alone know me and understand my battles and yet You promise victory, ultimately. May I put my eyes on You with more regularity and may I truly desire You as evidenced by my actions not just my words. I know that anything is possible with You, Jesus. Thank You for providing all that I need to live this life for Your purpose. Have Your will and way in me...
Philippians 1:20b-21, I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
Philippians 2:12b-13, Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
Philippians 3:10a, I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him.
Philippians 4:11b, I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.
Philippians 4:13, I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.
I have been contemplating my lack of contentment and in so doing I found myself looking at Paul and wondering how he claimed contentment?
He trusted Christ, period, whether he was to live or die, no matter what came. He knew that He belonged to Christ and thus he would live for Him, regardless and he looked forward to dying. In other words, he did not worry about what was happening to him or what would happen to him. He trusted Christ. Oh God, I want to trust You like this. Give me the faith of a child.
He tells me it is vital that we work hard revealing the fact that I am saved through Christ and to be determined to obey God, no excuses. After all, God, Himself, is the one who works in me giving the very desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Father God, please forgive me for trying to do things in my own power instead of using my energy to be determined to obey You. I am often more concerned with what I am doing instead of whom I am doing it for. I trust You to provide the desire and the power. I do want to please You.
Paul's desire was to know Christ and experience His mighty power. Is that my desire? Do I truly want to know Christ and experience more of Him or do I just say that I do? Am I wiling to suffer with Him/for Him? His contentment came with this and the fact that whatever came he knew he could do it because Christ would give him the strength he needed. He was never left on his own. Jesus, please give me the desire to know You and experience You more each day. May I not be content with anything less than to know You more. And may I trust, really trust that You will provide all the strength I need no matter what.
Father God, may You receive glory from my life and this daily struggle to surrender fully to You. I pray for Your strength to be content and full of joy. You alone know me and understand my battles and yet You promise victory, ultimately. May I put my eyes on You with more regularity and may I truly desire You as evidenced by my actions not just my words. I know that anything is possible with You, Jesus. Thank You for providing all that I need to live this life for Your purpose. Have Your will and way in me...
Friday, November 18, 2016
The LORD is My Rescuer
Some verses from Psalm 18.
(vs 1) I love You, LORD; You are my strength. (vs 2) The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. (vs 3) I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies. (vs 4) The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. (vs 5) The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. (vs 6) But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. Help heard me from His sanctuary; my cry to Him reached His ears.
(vs. 16) He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters. (vs 17) He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. (vs 18) They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the LORD supported me. (vs 19) He led me to a place of safety He rescued me because He delights in me.
(vs 28) You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.
(vs 30) God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection. (31) For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? (vs 32) God arms me with strength, and He makes my way perfect.
(vs 46) The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted!
Father, I thank You that You are my strength, my rock, my fortress, my protection and my savior. You LORD, are worthy of my praise. Once again, Lord, I have asked You to rescue me from the enemy of my soul and his deceptive ways of manipulating my emotions and You did!! Thank You! I have asked You to rescue me and draw me out of the deep waters and help me to cast my burdens on You and release them and You have given me the strength to do that! Thank You! Thank You, Lord, for taking delight in me. Enable me to obey You and to be faithful as You are faithful. Thank You, Lord for lighting up my darkness & for providing relief from the weight of it. I praise You once again for Your rescue and that You never, ever leave me or forsake me.
The Lord has been teaching me of late, the importance of coming to Him as a little child. In complete trust, hope and a knowing that He will do what He says He will. As as adult, I often find myself analyzing, actually overanalyzing, and trying to figure things out, particularly the things of God, rather than trusting Him simply as a child. You know, taking Him at His WORD. James 1:17b says, "He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He is trustworthy. He will do what He says He will. And I know it because He has proven it to me over and over and I am so thankful!
Father God, please continue to remind me to have the faith of a child. Thank You for showing me so much and for refusing to ever leave me in the hard places alone. You are there with me and when the time is right, You rescue me. Help me to trust in You before the rescue seems apparent and take my worries to You and release them to You and receive Your peace regardless of the circumstances or my feelings about them. Enable me to be intentional in holding onto the Truth of Your Word. Forgive me for casting my cares upon You and not releasing them into Your capable hands. Forgive me for lacking faith and trust in Who You say You are. Thank You for Your willingness to always hear from me and Your desire to relieve me of the pressures of this world when I focus on You rather than on anyone or anything else. Thank You that Your ways are perfect and all Your promises are true. May I bring You glory today as I surrender my will to Yours, Jesus. Thank You, LORD for being my Rescuer!
(vs 1) I love You, LORD; You are my strength. (vs 2) The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. (vs 3) I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies. (vs 4) The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. (vs 5) The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. (vs 6) But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. Help heard me from His sanctuary; my cry to Him reached His ears.
(vs. 16) He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters. (vs 17) He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. (vs 18) They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the LORD supported me. (vs 19) He led me to a place of safety He rescued me because He delights in me.
(vs 28) You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.
(vs 30) God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection. (31) For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? (vs 32) God arms me with strength, and He makes my way perfect.
(vs 46) The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted!
Father, I thank You that You are my strength, my rock, my fortress, my protection and my savior. You LORD, are worthy of my praise. Once again, Lord, I have asked You to rescue me from the enemy of my soul and his deceptive ways of manipulating my emotions and You did!! Thank You! I have asked You to rescue me and draw me out of the deep waters and help me to cast my burdens on You and release them and You have given me the strength to do that! Thank You! Thank You, Lord, for taking delight in me. Enable me to obey You and to be faithful as You are faithful. Thank You, Lord for lighting up my darkness & for providing relief from the weight of it. I praise You once again for Your rescue and that You never, ever leave me or forsake me.
The Lord has been teaching me of late, the importance of coming to Him as a little child. In complete trust, hope and a knowing that He will do what He says He will. As as adult, I often find myself analyzing, actually overanalyzing, and trying to figure things out, particularly the things of God, rather than trusting Him simply as a child. You know, taking Him at His WORD. James 1:17b says, "He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He is trustworthy. He will do what He says He will. And I know it because He has proven it to me over and over and I am so thankful!
Father God, please continue to remind me to have the faith of a child. Thank You for showing me so much and for refusing to ever leave me in the hard places alone. You are there with me and when the time is right, You rescue me. Help me to trust in You before the rescue seems apparent and take my worries to You and release them to You and receive Your peace regardless of the circumstances or my feelings about them. Enable me to be intentional in holding onto the Truth of Your Word. Forgive me for casting my cares upon You and not releasing them into Your capable hands. Forgive me for lacking faith and trust in Who You say You are. Thank You for Your willingness to always hear from me and Your desire to relieve me of the pressures of this world when I focus on You rather than on anyone or anything else. Thank You that Your ways are perfect and all Your promises are true. May I bring You glory today as I surrender my will to Yours, Jesus. Thank You, LORD for being my Rescuer!
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
God's Guidance is BEST
Psalm 32: 8-9
The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."
I do not know about you, but I often find myself being that "senseless horse or mule" referred to in the verses above. It is maddening to me just how often I try to take charge of things in my life - particularly by overanalyzing and trying to figure things out.
The Lord reminds me over and over as I read His Word to Trust Him. He has the plan for me and my family fully under control and He really does not need my input! He is reminding me to put my energies toward being thankful to Him and focusing on Him. Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Isaiah 30:15b, "Only in returning to Me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength."
Isaiah 30:18, "So the LORD must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help."
He is good to repeatedly remind me to repent (return to Him) and to rest in Him. It is in resting in Him that I find I can wait on Him and then quietness and confidence in Him becomes my strength. I struggle to rest in Him. I struggle with waiting on Him. And yet when I turn to Him and share my heart in full disclosure in prayer and repentance, He shows Himself faithful and He does provide that rest, strength, hope and joy that can only be found in Him. Then He reveals His path for me.
Father God, I am sorry that I am often like the senseless horse or mule that will have none of Your leading though I often mask it in ways that makes me feel like I am following. Convict me Holy Spirit and do not allow me to walk so often on that particular path, but give me eyes to see and ears to hear as You lead along with a willing and pure heart that will follow. I know that I know that You are trustworthy God and truly it makes no sense that I would continue to give in to my flesh and follow my own lead, but I often do. Please God, transform me from the inside out and enable me to have full confidence in Your strength as represented by my actions not just my words. I want to become better at waiting for You, Lord, instead of running out ahead of You. Forgive me. Show me the best pathway for my life and help me to walk on it in quietness and strength. Give me a heart's desire to devote myself to prayer, being watchful for who and what You want me to pray about and to be thankful, regardless. Thank You, Jesus, for Your provision, for Your unfailing love and for making a way for me to have relationship with God through the shedding of Your blood that paid my sin debt and for raising to life again guaranteeing me eternal life. Please help me to walk in the abundance of what You already done for me in this life! Thank You that I do not have to wait until heaven. It's is all because of You, Jesus, Amen.
The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."
I do not know about you, but I often find myself being that "senseless horse or mule" referred to in the verses above. It is maddening to me just how often I try to take charge of things in my life - particularly by overanalyzing and trying to figure things out.
The Lord reminds me over and over as I read His Word to Trust Him. He has the plan for me and my family fully under control and He really does not need my input! He is reminding me to put my energies toward being thankful to Him and focusing on Him. Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Isaiah 30:15b, "Only in returning to Me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength."
Isaiah 30:18, "So the LORD must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help."
He is good to repeatedly remind me to repent (return to Him) and to rest in Him. It is in resting in Him that I find I can wait on Him and then quietness and confidence in Him becomes my strength. I struggle to rest in Him. I struggle with waiting on Him. And yet when I turn to Him and share my heart in full disclosure in prayer and repentance, He shows Himself faithful and He does provide that rest, strength, hope and joy that can only be found in Him. Then He reveals His path for me.
Father God, I am sorry that I am often like the senseless horse or mule that will have none of Your leading though I often mask it in ways that makes me feel like I am following. Convict me Holy Spirit and do not allow me to walk so often on that particular path, but give me eyes to see and ears to hear as You lead along with a willing and pure heart that will follow. I know that I know that You are trustworthy God and truly it makes no sense that I would continue to give in to my flesh and follow my own lead, but I often do. Please God, transform me from the inside out and enable me to have full confidence in Your strength as represented by my actions not just my words. I want to become better at waiting for You, Lord, instead of running out ahead of You. Forgive me. Show me the best pathway for my life and help me to walk on it in quietness and strength. Give me a heart's desire to devote myself to prayer, being watchful for who and what You want me to pray about and to be thankful, regardless. Thank You, Jesus, for Your provision, for Your unfailing love and for making a way for me to have relationship with God through the shedding of Your blood that paid my sin debt and for raising to life again guaranteeing me eternal life. Please help me to walk in the abundance of what You already done for me in this life! Thank You that I do not have to wait until heaven. It's is all because of You, Jesus, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)