“About eight days after Jesus said this he took Peter, John and James with him and went up on a mountain to pray…Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem…A voice came from the cloud…When the voice had spoken…The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.” Luke 9: 28-36
This passage describes the Transfiguration of Christ. Transfiguration is defined as a dramatic change in appearance, especially one that reveals great beauty, spirituality, or magnificence. This is what the chosen disciples witnessed as they awoke from a hazy sleep. No doubt they had to rub their eyes more than a few times to assure themselves they were not dreaming! I love what my Bible commentary writes regarding the word ‘departure.’ “Note that His death is here spoken of as an accomplishment. Also note that death is simply as exodus – not cessation of existence but departure from one place to another one.”
Wonderful truths may be drawn from this experience to apply to our lives. God will call upon us to follow Him to the mountain to be alone. We will have to climb steep rocks of adversity but the payoff will be glorious. To experience the fullness of Christ, we must go through the dark sleep of adversity. Some things can only be shown to us after we have awakened from our circumstances.
Another wonderful truth is that we will have experiences in spiritual awareness and holy revelation with Christ in which we will be unable to speak of for a time. These are such sacred experiences we store them up in our hearts and ponder upon the significance of them. We guard them so closely knowing that mere words could never do the experience justice. Experiences with Christ are unique revelations chosen distinctly for the unique individual.
The last truth that is essential is the ability for all of us to have a sort of transfiguration of our own. Let’s go back to the definition of transfiguration - a dramatic change in appearance, especially one that reveals great beauty, spirituality, or magnificence. As we take on the attitude and heart of God we will take on dramatic change in our actions and words. We will reflect the glorious splendor of His light, diminishing our own poor reflection. We will reveal the beauty of the Spirit and illuminate the Light of a magnificent God.
Father, as we climb those mountains to get a greater view of You, keep us safe, focused and expectant of your glory and splendor. In Your transforming arms, I am…Amen.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Games in the Sand
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Juke 9:23
When I was a little girl at the beach, I would always marvel at all of the footprints in the sand. There were so many leading in so many different directions. I would survey the choices and choose a set of prints in which to walk on the beach. I would stretch my legs from one impression to another. Certain truths were obvious about all of these journeys. I didn’t know who made the impression, I didn’t know where the impressions were leading and they certainly never fit my own personal stride.
Christ exhorts the commands in this verse in order to live a spirit-filled life. He offers the invitation to everyone and anyone without exclusion. Come after is defined as ‘reaching to a particular point or being brought into a particular state’. ‘Coming after Christ’ is the intentional pursuit of the intended goal to receive Him. Deny is defined as ‘not allowing yourself something.’ To find Christ we must not allow ourselves to live the flesh-filled life. The spirit-filled life cannot live in harmony with the flesh-filled life…a choice must be made. They cannot live side by side in the heart of a Christian. Our flesh may momentarily win out but the Spirit-filled life immediately recognizes the ‘slip’, repents and turns away from that activity or attitude.
Taking up our cross is to purposely choose the mind and ways of God. It is the intentional attitude of embracing both good and bad in our path with Christ. When we suffer there is unique and divine fellowship with God as He moves us through that pain and moves us out of that pain. We are to consistently and daily pick up His work on the cross and bear the heavy responsibility of bringing all to Him.
Following Christ is to intentionally choose the path laid before us and to place our feet in the steps of Christ. We will replace our earthly truths with His absolute truths.
Back to my childhood games in the sand…we can know Who made the impressions for which we are stretching our legs to fill and we can know that wherever the impressions lead is for our good and gain. We can most assuredly know that the impressions for which we walk will be unique to us and perfect in stride.
May we each follow the footprints of God on our seashores of life and follow where He leads.
When I was a little girl at the beach, I would always marvel at all of the footprints in the sand. There were so many leading in so many different directions. I would survey the choices and choose a set of prints in which to walk on the beach. I would stretch my legs from one impression to another. Certain truths were obvious about all of these journeys. I didn’t know who made the impression, I didn’t know where the impressions were leading and they certainly never fit my own personal stride.
Christ exhorts the commands in this verse in order to live a spirit-filled life. He offers the invitation to everyone and anyone without exclusion. Come after is defined as ‘reaching to a particular point or being brought into a particular state’. ‘Coming after Christ’ is the intentional pursuit of the intended goal to receive Him. Deny is defined as ‘not allowing yourself something.’ To find Christ we must not allow ourselves to live the flesh-filled life. The spirit-filled life cannot live in harmony with the flesh-filled life…a choice must be made. They cannot live side by side in the heart of a Christian. Our flesh may momentarily win out but the Spirit-filled life immediately recognizes the ‘slip’, repents and turns away from that activity or attitude.
Taking up our cross is to purposely choose the mind and ways of God. It is the intentional attitude of embracing both good and bad in our path with Christ. When we suffer there is unique and divine fellowship with God as He moves us through that pain and moves us out of that pain. We are to consistently and daily pick up His work on the cross and bear the heavy responsibility of bringing all to Him.
Following Christ is to intentionally choose the path laid before us and to place our feet in the steps of Christ. We will replace our earthly truths with His absolute truths.
Back to my childhood games in the sand…we can know Who made the impressions for which we are stretching our legs to fill and we can know that wherever the impressions lead is for our good and gain. We can most assuredly know that the impressions for which we walk will be unique to us and perfect in stride.
May we each follow the footprints of God on our seashores of life and follow where He leads.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Whisperings
“Then I said, ‘Here I am…I have come to do your will, O God.’” Hebrews 10:7
A while back my daughter and grandchildren spent the night with us. Carson, my grandson, enjoys playing Spongebob games on the laptop. Around 6:40 am we were standing in the kitchen as she was preparing to gather them all up and hit the road to get the day started. Kristen was to my right and Carson to my left. Carson whispered in my ear, ‘Emmy, is it too early to get on the computer?’ I replied that that was a question for his mommy. He crossed his little fingers on both hands and whispered, ‘No Emmy, that is a question for you!’
How we all have a ‘Carson heart’ when approaching our desires. We know the things we desire in this life and many times we know the answer to the question because we have been told ‘No’ before by God. We approach God on behalf of our own will instead of committing everything to His will. The verse above exemplifies the life of Christ, one after which we should pattern our own lives. Many times, if we know the desire of our heart is not the will of God we will remove that from our prayers, knowing that we are not going to ask for permission from our Father. We become willing recipients of our own will and the circumstances that follow.
Carson heard the answer to his desire many times before, but sought the approval apart from his parent’s will to get what he wanted. He approached the approval of someone he thought would validate and fulfill his desire. It wasn’t that Kristen didn’t want him to play the game but rather the timing was wrong. There were other things that she needed him to do first.
God wills things for our lives based upon what is healthy for us and the timing of the blessing. It is up to us to respect the boundaries, wait for the green light with self-control and accept the red light with obedience. Seeking the approval of man instead of the will of God will open up circumstances that will both frustrate the purpose of God for our lives and require discipline from God to bring us back around to His will.
Whisper the attitude of Christ into the ear of God – ‘Here I am...I have come to do your will, O God!’
A while back my daughter and grandchildren spent the night with us. Carson, my grandson, enjoys playing Spongebob games on the laptop. Around 6:40 am we were standing in the kitchen as she was preparing to gather them all up and hit the road to get the day started. Kristen was to my right and Carson to my left. Carson whispered in my ear, ‘Emmy, is it too early to get on the computer?’ I replied that that was a question for his mommy. He crossed his little fingers on both hands and whispered, ‘No Emmy, that is a question for you!’
How we all have a ‘Carson heart’ when approaching our desires. We know the things we desire in this life and many times we know the answer to the question because we have been told ‘No’ before by God. We approach God on behalf of our own will instead of committing everything to His will. The verse above exemplifies the life of Christ, one after which we should pattern our own lives. Many times, if we know the desire of our heart is not the will of God we will remove that from our prayers, knowing that we are not going to ask for permission from our Father. We become willing recipients of our own will and the circumstances that follow.
Carson heard the answer to his desire many times before, but sought the approval apart from his parent’s will to get what he wanted. He approached the approval of someone he thought would validate and fulfill his desire. It wasn’t that Kristen didn’t want him to play the game but rather the timing was wrong. There were other things that she needed him to do first.
God wills things for our lives based upon what is healthy for us and the timing of the blessing. It is up to us to respect the boundaries, wait for the green light with self-control and accept the red light with obedience. Seeking the approval of man instead of the will of God will open up circumstances that will both frustrate the purpose of God for our lives and require discipline from God to bring us back around to His will.
Whisper the attitude of Christ into the ear of God – ‘Here I am...I have come to do your will, O God!’
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Thy Will Be Done...
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men!’” Matthew 16:21-23
First of all, we cannot get too righteous in reading that Peter ‘rebuked’ Jesus. How many times have the realized something heartbreaking is unfolding before our very eyes? We take Jesus aside in our prayers and say, ‘Wait a minute, here! This shall not happen…You cannot be part of this!’ We are no better than Peter as we explain to God why He shouldn’t do this, cannot do this, and exert our own will upon the situation.
When God’s will in put into motion for a higher purpose, Satan will set up stumbling blocks to detour our thinking and convince us of our rights in our own agenda. He will try to frustrate our part in the will of God. Peter had just gotten out of his mouth the proclamation that ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ (Matthew 16:16) This rebuke from Jesus came upon the heels of a historical blessing. ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah…and I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will be my church’ (v. 17)
Like Peter, we can experience a spiritual high and receive apparent blessings from God only to have Satan rip the moment from under us if we are not careful. We can live our lives testifying that God is our Savior, the Lord of our life, and our faith in Him in complete. But as soon as we realize something horrible that is coming to pass in our lives we sing a different tune. Statements and actions that follow our testimony show contradiction in belief when the fire ignites.
When God has revealed His plan through the unfolding circumstances of our lives we must accept and not reject, embrace and not recoil. We must carry the will of God as our own and not provide Satan a place of spiritual division.
‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!’
First of all, we cannot get too righteous in reading that Peter ‘rebuked’ Jesus. How many times have the realized something heartbreaking is unfolding before our very eyes? We take Jesus aside in our prayers and say, ‘Wait a minute, here! This shall not happen…You cannot be part of this!’ We are no better than Peter as we explain to God why He shouldn’t do this, cannot do this, and exert our own will upon the situation.
When God’s will in put into motion for a higher purpose, Satan will set up stumbling blocks to detour our thinking and convince us of our rights in our own agenda. He will try to frustrate our part in the will of God. Peter had just gotten out of his mouth the proclamation that ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ (Matthew 16:16) This rebuke from Jesus came upon the heels of a historical blessing. ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah…and I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will be my church’ (v. 17)
Like Peter, we can experience a spiritual high and receive apparent blessings from God only to have Satan rip the moment from under us if we are not careful. We can live our lives testifying that God is our Savior, the Lord of our life, and our faith in Him in complete. But as soon as we realize something horrible that is coming to pass in our lives we sing a different tune. Statements and actions that follow our testimony show contradiction in belief when the fire ignites.
When God has revealed His plan through the unfolding circumstances of our lives we must accept and not reject, embrace and not recoil. We must carry the will of God as our own and not provide Satan a place of spiritual division.
‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!’
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Riding with Jesus
“‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest…’ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. ‘Send the people away so they can go … and buy themselves something to eat.’ But he answered, ‘You give them something to eat.’” Mark 6:31, 35
Being one of four girls I always wanted alone time with either of my parents. I didn’t care which parent but just knew that I didn’t want to share them at certain points. Two cars were constantly taken wherever we went due to obligations that took my parents in separate directions after church. They would speak those words, ‘Who is riding with me?’ I would hesitate in my answer until I saw the decisions of my other sisters. Some times it worked out that either Mother or Daddy would be left to ride alone at which point I would jump at the chance to be in their car. Ahhh…alone time….with my parent…without having to share.
I cannot help but to smile as I think about the disciples who finally thought they were getting alone time with Jesus. He called out, ‘Come with me for some alone time,’ at which point I can feel the hearts of our beloved disciples soar. I can only imagine the disappointment and irritation of seeing all of the people running towards Jesus only to take away their solitary attention with Him. Much like, watching one of my sisters jump out of the car of the other parent at the last minute to come and join us. The disciples were patient as the Shepherd’s compassionate heart beckoned more of Him. But patience only lasts for a while and the disciples point out that enough is enough and ‘let’s let these fine people go home’ as Daddy use to say when he was ready for our visiting guests to leave.
Jesus retorts with a challenge to His disciples… ‘You feed them!’ These disciples had been witnesses to the amazing healing miracles from Christ. They had watched the blind see, the lame walk, the dead raised and demons cast, but yet they didn’t recognize the fact that this same power could feed in the everyday needs of many. There were many to teach that day on the countryside, over 5000 reported, but the pupils were God’s chosen. The pupils were the very ones who knew Christ the closest. “They protested that they had only five loaves and two fish, forgetting that they also had the unlimited resources of the Lord Jesus to draw on.” p. 1401. As followers of God, it seems we are always poised and alert to the need for a major miracle but do we recognize the smaller day to day miracles that He performs in our lives?
Do we recognize the daily need and provision of moving along our countrysides? We will always be asked to provide much more than we have in our own strength as ambassadors of Christ. There will always be people to feed when we are tired, requiring us to call on Christ for miracle strength in the everyday duties of the Great Commission. "The five thousand represent lost humanity, starving for the bread of God. The disciples picture helpless Christians, with seemingly limited resources, but unwilling to share what they have. The Lord’s command, ‘You give them something to eat’ is simply a restatement of the great commission. The lesson is that if we give Jesus what we have, He can multiply it to feed the spiritually hungry multitude.’" Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1402.
‘Who wants to ride with Me?’
Being one of four girls I always wanted alone time with either of my parents. I didn’t care which parent but just knew that I didn’t want to share them at certain points. Two cars were constantly taken wherever we went due to obligations that took my parents in separate directions after church. They would speak those words, ‘Who is riding with me?’ I would hesitate in my answer until I saw the decisions of my other sisters. Some times it worked out that either Mother or Daddy would be left to ride alone at which point I would jump at the chance to be in their car. Ahhh…alone time….with my parent…without having to share.
I cannot help but to smile as I think about the disciples who finally thought they were getting alone time with Jesus. He called out, ‘Come with me for some alone time,’ at which point I can feel the hearts of our beloved disciples soar. I can only imagine the disappointment and irritation of seeing all of the people running towards Jesus only to take away their solitary attention with Him. Much like, watching one of my sisters jump out of the car of the other parent at the last minute to come and join us. The disciples were patient as the Shepherd’s compassionate heart beckoned more of Him. But patience only lasts for a while and the disciples point out that enough is enough and ‘let’s let these fine people go home’ as Daddy use to say when he was ready for our visiting guests to leave.
Jesus retorts with a challenge to His disciples… ‘You feed them!’ These disciples had been witnesses to the amazing healing miracles from Christ. They had watched the blind see, the lame walk, the dead raised and demons cast, but yet they didn’t recognize the fact that this same power could feed in the everyday needs of many. There were many to teach that day on the countryside, over 5000 reported, but the pupils were God’s chosen. The pupils were the very ones who knew Christ the closest. “They protested that they had only five loaves and two fish, forgetting that they also had the unlimited resources of the Lord Jesus to draw on.” p. 1401. As followers of God, it seems we are always poised and alert to the need for a major miracle but do we recognize the smaller day to day miracles that He performs in our lives?
Do we recognize the daily need and provision of moving along our countrysides? We will always be asked to provide much more than we have in our own strength as ambassadors of Christ. There will always be people to feed when we are tired, requiring us to call on Christ for miracle strength in the everyday duties of the Great Commission. "The five thousand represent lost humanity, starving for the bread of God. The disciples picture helpless Christians, with seemingly limited resources, but unwilling to share what they have. The Lord’s command, ‘You give them something to eat’ is simply a restatement of the great commission. The lesson is that if we give Jesus what we have, He can multiply it to feed the spiritually hungry multitude.’" Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1402.
‘Who wants to ride with Me?’
Friday, June 25, 2010
Give and Receive
“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near… Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.’” Matthew 10:7-10
This was an item on the list for which Christ called the disciples. He gave them power, authority but definite instructions. This passage provides two important principles in sharing the gospel about God…give and receive freely.
It is always much easier for me to give than to receive or ask for assistance in anything. I have been shown over the years by God that my hesitancy in receiving help is aligned with my insecurity of being loved. My incessant need to give to others through resources, encouragement or service is laced with my desire to be accepted. This has been a huge stumbling block in my faith, one which Christ continuously works with me.
I am also very aware of those who refuse to give, whether it is their time, their service, their money or their hearts. They are navigated and guided by self-love, self-gratification and self-service. It is impossible for them to give for they believe to give is to lose something of their own.
These particular instructions command us to give away what is not ours in the first place. God has given us everything we possess so we have no rights in the gift, only blessings to share with others. We are called to live a life of pouring out of ourselves as offerings to God through service. We are also commanded to receive from the Body of Christ and believe that through His Body our provisions will be met. He never intended on us to be dependant upon our own strength, our own power and our own resources.
During the past two years I have required much comfort in my grief and have been given much through friends, family and God’s provisions through prayer. At present, I am requiring much perseverance, endurance and strength in navigating through the choppy waters of Alzheimer’s. As I give myself over to God in all circumstances I receive everything required in this season. To give freely is to receive freely. Can we truly trust this Christ-like attitude? Jesus came with nothing but the will of His Father and He hung on the cross with nothing but the love and deliverance of His Father.
Are you willing to give with all of your heart as a sacrifice offering to God, and are you willing to receive as a trust offering for His provisions?
This was an item on the list for which Christ called the disciples. He gave them power, authority but definite instructions. This passage provides two important principles in sharing the gospel about God…give and receive freely.
It is always much easier for me to give than to receive or ask for assistance in anything. I have been shown over the years by God that my hesitancy in receiving help is aligned with my insecurity of being loved. My incessant need to give to others through resources, encouragement or service is laced with my desire to be accepted. This has been a huge stumbling block in my faith, one which Christ continuously works with me.
I am also very aware of those who refuse to give, whether it is their time, their service, their money or their hearts. They are navigated and guided by self-love, self-gratification and self-service. It is impossible for them to give for they believe to give is to lose something of their own.
These particular instructions command us to give away what is not ours in the first place. God has given us everything we possess so we have no rights in the gift, only blessings to share with others. We are called to live a life of pouring out of ourselves as offerings to God through service. We are also commanded to receive from the Body of Christ and believe that through His Body our provisions will be met. He never intended on us to be dependant upon our own strength, our own power and our own resources.
During the past two years I have required much comfort in my grief and have been given much through friends, family and God’s provisions through prayer. At present, I am requiring much perseverance, endurance and strength in navigating through the choppy waters of Alzheimer’s. As I give myself over to God in all circumstances I receive everything required in this season. To give freely is to receive freely. Can we truly trust this Christ-like attitude? Jesus came with nothing but the will of His Father and He hung on the cross with nothing but the love and deliverance of His Father.
Are you willing to give with all of your heart as a sacrifice offering to God, and are you willing to receive as a trust offering for His provisions?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
On The Way To a Miracle...
“…a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man…fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him…because his only daughter…was dying….And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years…came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped…Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet…Then he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace’…When he arrived at the house…Jesus said, ‘She is not dead but asleep’…But he took her by the hand and said, ‘My child, get up!’ Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up.” Luke 8:40-58
Where do I begin? So much happened…so many people…so many needs. Jesus was walking in the town with a following so thick the Bible reports that he was being crushed. ‘As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.’ Luke 8:42. If you have ever been to a concert you know this feeling. Efforts are futile while trying to move in one direction only to feel the wall of people pressing against you. For Jesus, the wall of people were no doubt those who required some type of healing. They had come with urgency, hopelessness and last resort hope. Is anyone feeling this way today?
Jesus was on his way to heal a man’s only daughter whom was believed to be dead. There was no sense of urgency on the part of Christ for He already knew that she would live. As He was moving through the crowds to accomplish one miracle the slender hand of woman whom had been infirmed for twelve years inconspicuously reached out and touched the border of His garment. My commentary states, ‘She sensed that there was power in Jesus to heal her, so she eased her way through the crowd to where He was. Stooping down, she touched the border of His garment, the hem or fringe that formed the lower border of a Jew’s robe.’ p. 1399. Jesus stopped in His tracks realizing that healing power had left Him. He asks, ‘Who touched Me?’ Christ knew who touched Him but wanted the woman to publicly receive the healing and publicly testify to the miracle. Can you imagine having a life consuming need for twelve years only to be healed in an instant? There are no expiration dates on prayers or miracles!
When we ‘stoop down (prayer) and touch the border of belief’ we align ourselves for the miracle. He will stop on His way to another miracle and acknowledge our faith. Jesus Christ always knows when we have reached out for Him and believed. When our belief touches the power of God, miraculous things occur. Neither our needs nor our faith will go unnoticed. The crushing needs of His children will not be hidden from Him. He can handle all of our needs.
Go ahead...stoop down, reach out, touch and believe!
Where do I begin? So much happened…so many people…so many needs. Jesus was walking in the town with a following so thick the Bible reports that he was being crushed. ‘As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.’ Luke 8:42. If you have ever been to a concert you know this feeling. Efforts are futile while trying to move in one direction only to feel the wall of people pressing against you. For Jesus, the wall of people were no doubt those who required some type of healing. They had come with urgency, hopelessness and last resort hope. Is anyone feeling this way today?
Jesus was on his way to heal a man’s only daughter whom was believed to be dead. There was no sense of urgency on the part of Christ for He already knew that she would live. As He was moving through the crowds to accomplish one miracle the slender hand of woman whom had been infirmed for twelve years inconspicuously reached out and touched the border of His garment. My commentary states, ‘She sensed that there was power in Jesus to heal her, so she eased her way through the crowd to where He was. Stooping down, she touched the border of His garment, the hem or fringe that formed the lower border of a Jew’s robe.’ p. 1399. Jesus stopped in His tracks realizing that healing power had left Him. He asks, ‘Who touched Me?’ Christ knew who touched Him but wanted the woman to publicly receive the healing and publicly testify to the miracle. Can you imagine having a life consuming need for twelve years only to be healed in an instant? There are no expiration dates on prayers or miracles!
When we ‘stoop down (prayer) and touch the border of belief’ we align ourselves for the miracle. He will stop on His way to another miracle and acknowledge our faith. Jesus Christ always knows when we have reached out for Him and believed. When our belief touches the power of God, miraculous things occur. Neither our needs nor our faith will go unnoticed. The crushing needs of His children will not be hidden from Him. He can handle all of our needs.
Go ahead...stoop down, reach out, touch and believe!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
All Ashore
“When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man…For a long time this man had not…but had lived in tombs…For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained…the man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him… ‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’” Luke 8:26-39
This was an encounter between good and evil, perfection and imperfection, Christ and Satan. This is the story of sin in heart of man. We all have it, we all live among it and we all struggle within our own sin. We all have an appetite of sin for which we have struggled many times throughout our life. We each know within us our appetite of sin which reappears without notice, and ‘seizes us’ over and over again. It is the habitual practice for which Satan uses time and time again due to its success. Our sins live in those private and shameful places in our hearts.
But then Christ docks on our shore of sin and steps out of the boat. He faces our sin head on as He exposes, commands and convicts. Satan knows that God is greater than our sin and that He will not be satisfied until our surrender and repentance.
Our sins wrap their chains around us and before we know it we are firmly bound by them. We live in shame and fear of the exposure of these sins. We relegate ourselves to tombs fearful of letting anyone too close. We can be assured that as long as we live in our unconfessed sin, much like this man, ‘we will have not.’ We will be without the peace and contentment that is offered through the cleansing of our heart. We will be without the joy that is found in Him. We will be without a song in our heart testifying of Christ’s great and marvelous forgiveness and deliverance. We will live in tombs!
It is guaranteed that Christ will step ashore on all of our little islands. Meet Him at the water’s edge and welcome Him on your knees. Then return home to that place where shame and fear no longer reside and tell how much God has done for you!
This was an encounter between good and evil, perfection and imperfection, Christ and Satan. This is the story of sin in heart of man. We all have it, we all live among it and we all struggle within our own sin. We all have an appetite of sin for which we have struggled many times throughout our life. We each know within us our appetite of sin which reappears without notice, and ‘seizes us’ over and over again. It is the habitual practice for which Satan uses time and time again due to its success. Our sins live in those private and shameful places in our hearts.
But then Christ docks on our shore of sin and steps out of the boat. He faces our sin head on as He exposes, commands and convicts. Satan knows that God is greater than our sin and that He will not be satisfied until our surrender and repentance.
Our sins wrap their chains around us and before we know it we are firmly bound by them. We live in shame and fear of the exposure of these sins. We relegate ourselves to tombs fearful of letting anyone too close. We can be assured that as long as we live in our unconfessed sin, much like this man, ‘we will have not.’ We will be without the peace and contentment that is offered through the cleansing of our heart. We will be without the joy that is found in Him. We will be without a song in our heart testifying of Christ’s great and marvelous forgiveness and deliverance. We will live in tombs!
It is guaranteed that Christ will step ashore on all of our little islands. Meet Him at the water’s edge and welcome Him on your knees. Then return home to that place where shame and fear no longer reside and tell how much God has done for you!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Sowing Seeds
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” Luke 8:5-8
This was a parable Jesus told when explaining the results of hearing the Word. The seed represents the knowledge and faith we have in what has been presented to us through His Word. The seed along the path represents those whom have heard God’s word but didn’t receive it as their way of life. Those among the rock actually heard and received God’s word but didn’t penetrate the truths more deeply through meditation upon the Word and had no roots when times of testing came. The seeds that feel among thorns heard, received and studied but allowed their faith to co-exist with the worries, riches and pleasures of the world. The most successful and victorious seedlings took root in ‘good soil.’ These are the ones with active and progressive faith that is never satisfied with the level of knowledge they already possess in the Word. They are always planting, sowing, watering and preparing.
When we were planting grass last year it wasn’t until later that I saw the spots that we had missed or failed to water. It was too late for that season but thankfully we can always re-sow. This is much like our faith as it is a living and changing element of our Christian walk. During the time of my daughter’s active addiction my seed of faith certainly lived among the rocks and thorns. I worried myself sick and despaired beyond any comforts. I turned to secret spending and fleeting joys of the world only to find that my faith was without any root. It was only through making a decision to sow elsewhere that I was able to prepare my faith for the times of testing down the road. I planted in good soil being the foundation of the Word. Daily, I watered and pulled weeds. I submitted to God His plan for the growth apart from my own ideas on how to farm. When the season of testing came through my family’s medical illnesses I saw the yield that God’s seed provided. I am experiencing the divine growth and blossoming peace of His garden.
We will all sow but where will it land?
This was a parable Jesus told when explaining the results of hearing the Word. The seed represents the knowledge and faith we have in what has been presented to us through His Word. The seed along the path represents those whom have heard God’s word but didn’t receive it as their way of life. Those among the rock actually heard and received God’s word but didn’t penetrate the truths more deeply through meditation upon the Word and had no roots when times of testing came. The seeds that feel among thorns heard, received and studied but allowed their faith to co-exist with the worries, riches and pleasures of the world. The most successful and victorious seedlings took root in ‘good soil.’ These are the ones with active and progressive faith that is never satisfied with the level of knowledge they already possess in the Word. They are always planting, sowing, watering and preparing.
When we were planting grass last year it wasn’t until later that I saw the spots that we had missed or failed to water. It was too late for that season but thankfully we can always re-sow. This is much like our faith as it is a living and changing element of our Christian walk. During the time of my daughter’s active addiction my seed of faith certainly lived among the rocks and thorns. I worried myself sick and despaired beyond any comforts. I turned to secret spending and fleeting joys of the world only to find that my faith was without any root. It was only through making a decision to sow elsewhere that I was able to prepare my faith for the times of testing down the road. I planted in good soil being the foundation of the Word. Daily, I watered and pulled weeds. I submitted to God His plan for the growth apart from my own ideas on how to farm. When the season of testing came through my family’s medical illnesses I saw the yield that God’s seed provided. I am experiencing the divine growth and blossoming peace of His garden.
We will all sow but where will it land?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Redefining Family
“Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him. ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.’ He replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.’” Luke 8:19-21
I love God’s timing as He determines from which passage I will be inspired each day. This is very appropriate as we just celebrated Father’s Day yesterday. When I first read this my ‘mother heart’ was hurt for the thought of Mary being relegated to the same position as many other people. I searched my commentary to see what on earth Jesus meant by this and was completely blessed by the motivation of His heart. “The answer of the Lord was that real relationship with Him does not depend on natural ties, but on obedience to the word of God. No crowd can prevent His spiritual family from having audience with him.” Believer’s Bible Comm. “Jesus was not rejecting as much as redefining His family. His statement reflected inclusion more than exclusion.” Beth Moore, “Jesus – The One and Only.”
As parents, we love to think that only we can give our children that perfect recipe of love, encouragement, discipline and nurturing. There are many people who want fellowship with family but are excluded based on the will of the other. Christ brings good news regarding fellowship with Him. He will always be available, approachable and attainable through our pursuit of His word. Many people lack a positive experience with a parent and are left on the outside looking in much like Jesus’ family. Feelings of abandonment and neglect crowd the thoughts and feelings only to distort relationship and fellowship. Through Christ, He shows us the importance of fellowship with Him and all that He provides. He reprioritizes what relationships should guide our lives. He heals and mends the wounded and injured giving them a new prospective of family – His family. A family that always seeks, loves, and passionately pursues. His invitation is for all and He will not rest until He has offered a place in the spiritual Family. He will only invite...He will not force.
Our family knows first hand the pain of a child with a broken relationship with a biological parent. God has healed her and redefined her family and she now knows the complete and absolute truth of who her fathers are – both earthly and spiritually speaking.
Father, show yourself as the Father who loves, comforts and resurrects the heart of the abandoned. Fill that empty place in their hearts and make them complete in You. In your complete and perfect love, Amen.
I love God’s timing as He determines from which passage I will be inspired each day. This is very appropriate as we just celebrated Father’s Day yesterday. When I first read this my ‘mother heart’ was hurt for the thought of Mary being relegated to the same position as many other people. I searched my commentary to see what on earth Jesus meant by this and was completely blessed by the motivation of His heart. “The answer of the Lord was that real relationship with Him does not depend on natural ties, but on obedience to the word of God. No crowd can prevent His spiritual family from having audience with him.” Believer’s Bible Comm. “Jesus was not rejecting as much as redefining His family. His statement reflected inclusion more than exclusion.” Beth Moore, “Jesus – The One and Only.”
As parents, we love to think that only we can give our children that perfect recipe of love, encouragement, discipline and nurturing. There are many people who want fellowship with family but are excluded based on the will of the other. Christ brings good news regarding fellowship with Him. He will always be available, approachable and attainable through our pursuit of His word. Many people lack a positive experience with a parent and are left on the outside looking in much like Jesus’ family. Feelings of abandonment and neglect crowd the thoughts and feelings only to distort relationship and fellowship. Through Christ, He shows us the importance of fellowship with Him and all that He provides. He reprioritizes what relationships should guide our lives. He heals and mends the wounded and injured giving them a new prospective of family – His family. A family that always seeks, loves, and passionately pursues. His invitation is for all and He will not rest until He has offered a place in the spiritual Family. He will only invite...He will not force.
Our family knows first hand the pain of a child with a broken relationship with a biological parent. God has healed her and redefined her family and she now knows the complete and absolute truth of who her fathers are – both earthly and spiritually speaking.
Father, show yourself as the Father who loves, comforts and resurrects the heart of the abandoned. Fill that empty place in their hearts and make them complete in You. In your complete and perfect love, Amen.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Master, Say On...
“When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself…Jesus answered him, ‘Simon, I have something to tell you.’ ‘Tell me, teacher,’ he said.” Luke 7:39-40
This exchange haunts me from time to time as I find myself thinking ‘unlovely thoughts’ as my grandmother used to say. This verse states that the Pharisee had certain thoughts regarding his opinion. Christ immediately responded with a desire to disclose something to Simon. I love the KJV of these sentences. It states, ‘Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee.’ Simon’s response was ‘Master, say on.’ Simon had no idea that Jesus had known his thoughts and was about to rebuke him through a parable of satisfying the debts of two debtors. (Luke 7:41-48)
Many times our thoughts are equally condemning, judgmental and unforgiving and I shudder to think that Christ hears them. Christ reads our hearts and mind continuously as it reveals motivation, trust and belief. I believe His concern for the motivation of our heart is much greater the work of our hands. Remember the Pharisee as He invited Christ in for external appearance but missed the lesson of internal acceptance. His deeds were surface and his heart was shallow.
We must renew our thinking and purify our hearts. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world…” (condemnation of others, being judgmental and unforgiving) “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
One day while babysitting for my granddaughter, Kherington I was fussing (that is what southern women do!) at their cat. She looks up at me and with her long southern drawl says, ‘Be niiice, Memmy!’ I suddenly felt convicted of my tongue and aware of my attitude as an example…and that was just an 18 month old! “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 Imagine how I feel when I remember that Christ knows every attitude, thought and motivation. ‘Brenda, I have somewhat to say to thee.’ After some of my thoughts I am not sure if I would invite the Master to ‘say on!’
We must ‘take every thought captive to make it obedient of Christ.’ 2 Co. 10:5
This exchange haunts me from time to time as I find myself thinking ‘unlovely thoughts’ as my grandmother used to say. This verse states that the Pharisee had certain thoughts regarding his opinion. Christ immediately responded with a desire to disclose something to Simon. I love the KJV of these sentences. It states, ‘Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee.’ Simon’s response was ‘Master, say on.’ Simon had no idea that Jesus had known his thoughts and was about to rebuke him through a parable of satisfying the debts of two debtors. (Luke 7:41-48)
Many times our thoughts are equally condemning, judgmental and unforgiving and I shudder to think that Christ hears them. Christ reads our hearts and mind continuously as it reveals motivation, trust and belief. I believe His concern for the motivation of our heart is much greater the work of our hands. Remember the Pharisee as He invited Christ in for external appearance but missed the lesson of internal acceptance. His deeds were surface and his heart was shallow.
We must renew our thinking and purify our hearts. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world…” (condemnation of others, being judgmental and unforgiving) “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
One day while babysitting for my granddaughter, Kherington I was fussing (that is what southern women do!) at their cat. She looks up at me and with her long southern drawl says, ‘Be niiice, Memmy!’ I suddenly felt convicted of my tongue and aware of my attitude as an example…and that was just an 18 month old! “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 Imagine how I feel when I remember that Christ knows every attitude, thought and motivation. ‘Brenda, I have somewhat to say to thee.’ After some of my thoughts I am not sure if I would invite the Master to ‘say on!’
We must ‘take every thought captive to make it obedient of Christ.’ 2 Co. 10:5
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Hosting Jesus...
“When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.’” Luke 7:36-39
Tradition in ancient times was to anoint the forehead of a guest that has come to a person’s home. This was done as a general custom of welcome as well as to give the person who might have traveled some distance a nice smell. The fragrant smell would cover any unsavory smell of the person from the journey. It was also the custom to wash the feet of a guest since back then most of the roads and paths were dirt and would have been very dusty. We are told in this passage that Jesus was invited by the Pharisee, but notice that the host didn’t even display the obligatory offerings as custom in those times. It was the woman, the sinner, who displayed hospitality and humility.
We invite Christ in for fellowship on Sundays much like the Pharisee. We prepare for our time with Him that morning as we prepare for church. We walk through the doors and approach our fellowship time with Him with obligatory worship, worship that is contained within the walls of the church with no sincere ‘washing or pouring of perfume’. Then we depart and during the week we judge, we ignore our Guest and we scoff at others. We become indifferent towards the work of God and our part in ‘hosting Jesus’. There is much to learn from our sinful woman in our study. Notice her process and the example of how we should fellowship with Christ.
She approached – Come to Him with a heart of repentance
She wept – Come to Him with a heart of humility
She dried – Come to Him with a heart of service
She kissed – Come to Him with a heart of love and testimony
She poured – Come to Him with heart of sacrifice
God meets us where we are, not where we think we are going. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Tradition in ancient times was to anoint the forehead of a guest that has come to a person’s home. This was done as a general custom of welcome as well as to give the person who might have traveled some distance a nice smell. The fragrant smell would cover any unsavory smell of the person from the journey. It was also the custom to wash the feet of a guest since back then most of the roads and paths were dirt and would have been very dusty. We are told in this passage that Jesus was invited by the Pharisee, but notice that the host didn’t even display the obligatory offerings as custom in those times. It was the woman, the sinner, who displayed hospitality and humility.
We invite Christ in for fellowship on Sundays much like the Pharisee. We prepare for our time with Him that morning as we prepare for church. We walk through the doors and approach our fellowship time with Him with obligatory worship, worship that is contained within the walls of the church with no sincere ‘washing or pouring of perfume’. Then we depart and during the week we judge, we ignore our Guest and we scoff at others. We become indifferent towards the work of God and our part in ‘hosting Jesus’. There is much to learn from our sinful woman in our study. Notice her process and the example of how we should fellowship with Christ.
She approached – Come to Him with a heart of repentance
She wept – Come to Him with a heart of humility
She dried – Come to Him with a heart of service
She kissed – Come to Him with a heart of love and testimony
She poured – Come to Him with heart of sacrifice
God meets us where we are, not where we think we are going. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Friday, June 18, 2010
Greater Than...Less Than
“That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30
This was John the Baptist’s realization as he faced death at the end of his ministry. His public ministry had only lasted one year only to end in martyrdom. He realized that he had accomplished what he was born to accomplish and now the time had come to relinquish his duties. How that must have been bitter sweet for him. It couldn’t have been easy to realize that his part in the crucial work of the Kingdom was over. Jesus’ ministry was emerging and growing in strength, power and sustenance. To emerge is to ‘appear out of or from behind something’. The ministry of Christ came out of the forerunner’s ministry of prophesy and revelation. The establishment of Christ’s ministry ended the important work of John but the fruit of his ministry still lives today. “The entire object of John’s ministry is summarized in the verse above. He labored ceaselessly to point men and women to the Lord, and to make them realize His true worth.” Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1481.
When Beth was dying of cancer we started a website called Caringbridge where people would sign in and encourage both Beth and the family. Each morning I posted devotions and updates which quickly became a ministry for which I loved. When Beth died the website was deactivated…the ministry was over…the doors had closed. While the reason for the ministry was not joyful, the service of the ministry was. It pointed to Christ as a means and provision through suffering.
All service is a form of ministry. When my father-in-law came to live with us this became a ministry of service. It is a very private and excruciating service that only God sees but the ministry must be something I need to develop and grow. I must remember that as I serve my father-in-law I serve Christ. When focusing on Christ and less on me, my service seems joyful and peaceful. When I focus on the negative and ‘rehearse my woes’, peace eludes me.
We all are called to service in different ministries whether public or private, joyful or sorrowful. The message is the same: More of Christ and less of us.
This was John the Baptist’s realization as he faced death at the end of his ministry. His public ministry had only lasted one year only to end in martyrdom. He realized that he had accomplished what he was born to accomplish and now the time had come to relinquish his duties. How that must have been bitter sweet for him. It couldn’t have been easy to realize that his part in the crucial work of the Kingdom was over. Jesus’ ministry was emerging and growing in strength, power and sustenance. To emerge is to ‘appear out of or from behind something’. The ministry of Christ came out of the forerunner’s ministry of prophesy and revelation. The establishment of Christ’s ministry ended the important work of John but the fruit of his ministry still lives today. “The entire object of John’s ministry is summarized in the verse above. He labored ceaselessly to point men and women to the Lord, and to make them realize His true worth.” Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1481.
When Beth was dying of cancer we started a website called Caringbridge where people would sign in and encourage both Beth and the family. Each morning I posted devotions and updates which quickly became a ministry for which I loved. When Beth died the website was deactivated…the ministry was over…the doors had closed. While the reason for the ministry was not joyful, the service of the ministry was. It pointed to Christ as a means and provision through suffering.
All service is a form of ministry. When my father-in-law came to live with us this became a ministry of service. It is a very private and excruciating service that only God sees but the ministry must be something I need to develop and grow. I must remember that as I serve my father-in-law I serve Christ. When focusing on Christ and less on me, my service seems joyful and peaceful. When I focus on the negative and ‘rehearse my woes’, peace eludes me.
We all are called to service in different ministries whether public or private, joyful or sorrowful. The message is the same: More of Christ and less of us.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
He Said Not A Word
“When the men came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else…’ ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk…the deaf hear, the dead are raised…Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.’” Luke 7:20-23
Boy, does this passage make me squirm! John has been incarcerated for rebuking King Herod for entering into an unlawful marriage with his brother Philip’s wife. It looked as if all hope was lost of John ever enjoying life without imprisonment. John the Baptist sends his messengers to Jesus to basically say, ‘I hear that you are doing all kinds of miracles in the land and delivering many people from many situations. What about me? Where is my deliverance? Where is my rescue from my situation?’
How many times have we thought in our hearts and minds these questions? How many times have we heard ourselves utter those words from our lips? ‘Where are you God? Where is my miracle? Where is my healing? I know you can but why don’t you?’ My commentary states it best:
“So John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He were really the Messiah…It may seem strange to us that John should ever question Jesus’ Messiahship. But we must remember that the best of men suffer brief lapses of faith….C.G. Moore says: I know of no hours more trying to faith than those in which Jesus multiplies evidences of His power and does not use it. There is need of much grace when the messengers come back saying: ‘Yes, He has all the power, and is all that you have thought; but He said not a word about taking you out of prison…’ No explanation; faith nourished; prison doors left closed; and then the message, ‘Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in men.’ That is all!” p. 1393
How this breaks my heart for the forerunner of Christ. He had given his all, had been faithful to end, and had lived his entire life for the purpose of God…and yet, he did not receive…was not rescued…was not a miracle recipient in the earthly form. With both my sister and my dad ‘He said not a word.’ For 8 years with my daughter’s drug addiction, ‘He said not a word.’ With my father-in-laws disease of Alzheimer’s, ‘He said not a word.’ Is there something in your life that ‘He said not a word.’
We must believe with all of our hearts than when God is silent or fails to give us our miracle there is greater work being accomplished in the heavenlies by our circumstances. I must believe that the deaths of my dad and sister were crucial in the Kingdom of God. We cannot allow a resolution to determine whether we recognize Christ in our lives. Our faith must be in His will, His work and His purposes apart from outcomes in our situations.
‘He said not a word’ but I knew He was there. Let us be blessed by trusting God in His ultimate wisdom and sovereignty.
Boy, does this passage make me squirm! John has been incarcerated for rebuking King Herod for entering into an unlawful marriage with his brother Philip’s wife. It looked as if all hope was lost of John ever enjoying life without imprisonment. John the Baptist sends his messengers to Jesus to basically say, ‘I hear that you are doing all kinds of miracles in the land and delivering many people from many situations. What about me? Where is my deliverance? Where is my rescue from my situation?’
How many times have we thought in our hearts and minds these questions? How many times have we heard ourselves utter those words from our lips? ‘Where are you God? Where is my miracle? Where is my healing? I know you can but why don’t you?’ My commentary states it best:
“So John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He were really the Messiah…It may seem strange to us that John should ever question Jesus’ Messiahship. But we must remember that the best of men suffer brief lapses of faith….C.G. Moore says: I know of no hours more trying to faith than those in which Jesus multiplies evidences of His power and does not use it. There is need of much grace when the messengers come back saying: ‘Yes, He has all the power, and is all that you have thought; but He said not a word about taking you out of prison…’ No explanation; faith nourished; prison doors left closed; and then the message, ‘Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in men.’ That is all!” p. 1393
How this breaks my heart for the forerunner of Christ. He had given his all, had been faithful to end, and had lived his entire life for the purpose of God…and yet, he did not receive…was not rescued…was not a miracle recipient in the earthly form. With both my sister and my dad ‘He said not a word.’ For 8 years with my daughter’s drug addiction, ‘He said not a word.’ With my father-in-laws disease of Alzheimer’s, ‘He said not a word.’ Is there something in your life that ‘He said not a word.’
We must believe with all of our hearts than when God is silent or fails to give us our miracle there is greater work being accomplished in the heavenlies by our circumstances. I must believe that the deaths of my dad and sister were crucial in the Kingdom of God. We cannot allow a resolution to determine whether we recognize Christ in our lives. Our faith must be in His will, His work and His purposes apart from outcomes in our situations.
‘He said not a word’ but I knew He was there. Let us be blessed by trusting God in His ultimate wisdom and sovereignty.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Funeral March
“As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out – the only son of a mother, and she was a widow. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’ Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” Luke 7:13-15
What a touching and endearing story regarding the heart of Christ. All of us can relate to feeling like there is hopelessness in our spirit and lifelessness in our situations. We carry around despair in our hearts just like these people were carrying the little coffin of the small child.
We have laid to rest any hope in our situations. Our season of suffering performs an embalmment of our soul as our circumstances drain the life from us. We march in our processionals of despair with our following of mourners.
And then…at the gate of hope…where death meets life, we meet Christ. His heart pours love and compassion upon us. It stops us in our tracks and we begin to feel a pulse. He reaches out that miraculous and scarred hand and says, ‘Don’t cry, I have overcome death and despair. Through me, life can be restored and resurrected.’ He will approach our heart and spirit which carries death, and will call us back to life through Him and in Him.
If you are carrying around a coffin that encases lifelessness don’t despair. Christ will meet you at the gate of provision and will touch your circumstances bringing life where death was once laid to rest.
What a touching and endearing story regarding the heart of Christ. All of us can relate to feeling like there is hopelessness in our spirit and lifelessness in our situations. We carry around despair in our hearts just like these people were carrying the little coffin of the small child.
We have laid to rest any hope in our situations. Our season of suffering performs an embalmment of our soul as our circumstances drain the life from us. We march in our processionals of despair with our following of mourners.
And then…at the gate of hope…where death meets life, we meet Christ. His heart pours love and compassion upon us. It stops us in our tracks and we begin to feel a pulse. He reaches out that miraculous and scarred hand and says, ‘Don’t cry, I have overcome death and despair. Through me, life can be restored and resurrected.’ He will approach our heart and spirit which carries death, and will call us back to life through Him and in Him.
If you are carrying around a coffin that encases lifelessness don’t despair. Christ will meet you at the gate of provision and will touch your circumstances bringing life where death was once laid to rest.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Highly Valued
“There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant…He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: ‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself, but I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority…When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him and turning to the crowd following him, he said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.’” Luke 7:1-10
I love this story with all of its literal and symbolic teachings. The centurion loved his servant just as his own family member. To the world’s standards this servant was of little or no value once infirmed. A servant’s employment and his master’s loyalty was only as good as his usefulness. Once a servant was infirmed or disabled his usefulness ceased and his employment withdrawn. This centurion was unique in his loyalty and compassionate in his relationships. Sound like anyone we know?
Christ does not assume fellowship with us based on our works. He does not throw us aside when our effectiveness is hindered. He knows we are all infirmed and disabled in one way or another but He still approaches the Healer on our behalf. He runs to God and explains how highly valued we are to Him, and through the authority extended to Him by God we are the recipients of His intercession. In addition to Christ being our centurion asking for healing on our behalf, the centurion himself demonstrates basic essentials in prayer.
He solicits the intercession of others as we do when we ask fellow Christians to pray for us.
He is firm in his faith that healing will occur.
He is humble in his approach in the asking of his request.
He is adamant in his belief in the authority Christ has to heal.
We should never discount the condition of others in their lives for all of God’s children and co-heirs of Christ are highly valued in the eyes of the Master.
Whether we are sick physically, emotionally or spiritually Jesus is coming towards the house for healing. Let’s run to meet Him half way!
I love this story with all of its literal and symbolic teachings. The centurion loved his servant just as his own family member. To the world’s standards this servant was of little or no value once infirmed. A servant’s employment and his master’s loyalty was only as good as his usefulness. Once a servant was infirmed or disabled his usefulness ceased and his employment withdrawn. This centurion was unique in his loyalty and compassionate in his relationships. Sound like anyone we know?
Christ does not assume fellowship with us based on our works. He does not throw us aside when our effectiveness is hindered. He knows we are all infirmed and disabled in one way or another but He still approaches the Healer on our behalf. He runs to God and explains how highly valued we are to Him, and through the authority extended to Him by God we are the recipients of His intercession. In addition to Christ being our centurion asking for healing on our behalf, the centurion himself demonstrates basic essentials in prayer.
He solicits the intercession of others as we do when we ask fellow Christians to pray for us.
He is firm in his faith that healing will occur.
He is humble in his approach in the asking of his request.
He is adamant in his belief in the authority Christ has to heal.
We should never discount the condition of others in their lives for all of God’s children and co-heirs of Christ are highly valued in the eyes of the Master.
Whether we are sick physically, emotionally or spiritually Jesus is coming towards the house for healing. Let’s run to meet Him half way!
Monday, June 14, 2010
He's The Man!
“As he went along he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life...’ ‘Go…wash.’ So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, ‘Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?’… But he himself insisted, ‘I am the man.’ ‘How then were your eyes opened?’ they demanded. ‘He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus…’ John 9:1-11
This story has so many spiritual principles from which we can draw as Christians. This was an exchange between Jesus and the disciples. Jesus explained the principle of purpose in challenges. He made it real clear that the blindness was known to God prior to birth so that at the proper time His power would be displayed in him. “Jesus did not mean that the man had not sinned, or that his parents had not sinned. Rather, He meant that the blindness was not a direct result of sin in their lives. God has allowed this man to be born blind in order that the man might become a means of displaying the mighty works of God. Before the man was born, the Lord Jesus knew He would give sight to those blind eyes.” Believer’s Bible Commentary, pp. 1520-1521. We will all face challenges throughout our lives which were known to God before we were known to the world. Nothing comes into our lives that God doesn’t have full discloser of and the purpose attached.
On April 30, 1982 the doctors placed a bundle of joy into my arms for the first time. God already knew that she would develop an addiction and walk a dark and blinding life for eight years. He already knew that He would heal her in order for others to see His mighty work and the miracle He performed. He knew that one day He would look upon her and speak those mighty words, ‘Go…Wash!’ He knew that witnesses would then look upon her life questioning if that could really be her. Could this be the same one who ‘sat and begged’? My daughter now proclaims at every turn, ‘I am the person,’ and identifies her Healer. ‘The man they call Jesus!’
Much like the blind man, we have been created with purposeful challenges so that God’s power may be displayed in us.
Much like the blind man, we beg for mercy, healing, and deliverance through our prayers.
Much like the blind man, we can be washed and cleansed from anything.
Much like the blind man, we will be transformed and have sight where there was once blindness.
Much like the blind man, we will have testimony in our transformation.
‘I am that man!’
This story has so many spiritual principles from which we can draw as Christians. This was an exchange between Jesus and the disciples. Jesus explained the principle of purpose in challenges. He made it real clear that the blindness was known to God prior to birth so that at the proper time His power would be displayed in him. “Jesus did not mean that the man had not sinned, or that his parents had not sinned. Rather, He meant that the blindness was not a direct result of sin in their lives. God has allowed this man to be born blind in order that the man might become a means of displaying the mighty works of God. Before the man was born, the Lord Jesus knew He would give sight to those blind eyes.” Believer’s Bible Commentary, pp. 1520-1521. We will all face challenges throughout our lives which were known to God before we were known to the world. Nothing comes into our lives that God doesn’t have full discloser of and the purpose attached.
On April 30, 1982 the doctors placed a bundle of joy into my arms for the first time. God already knew that she would develop an addiction and walk a dark and blinding life for eight years. He already knew that He would heal her in order for others to see His mighty work and the miracle He performed. He knew that one day He would look upon her and speak those mighty words, ‘Go…Wash!’ He knew that witnesses would then look upon her life questioning if that could really be her. Could this be the same one who ‘sat and begged’? My daughter now proclaims at every turn, ‘I am the person,’ and identifies her Healer. ‘The man they call Jesus!’
Much like the blind man, we have been created with purposeful challenges so that God’s power may be displayed in us.
Much like the blind man, we beg for mercy, healing, and deliverance through our prayers.
Much like the blind man, we can be washed and cleansed from anything.
Much like the blind man, we will be transformed and have sight where there was once blindness.
Much like the blind man, we will have testimony in our transformation.
‘I am that man!’
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Leper's Prayer
“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’” Luke 5:12
This short story tucked away in Luke exemplifies true faith in a hopeless situation. Leprosy is an infectious disease that has been known since biblical times. It is characterized by disfiguring skin sores, nerve damage, and progressive debilitation. ‘To touch a leper in Luke’s time was dangerous medically, defiling religiously, and degrading socially. Dr. Luke makes special mention of the fact that this man was full of leprosy. It was an advanced case and quite hopeless, humanly speaking. The faith of the leper was remarkable.’ Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1384.
The leper approached Jesus with elements for which we should pattern our Christian walk in seasons of hopelessness.
First of all, he pursued and sought Jesus. He knew Jesus was the answer and didn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself or take matters into his own hands. He knew his condition was out of control. He actively pursued the Healer.
Once he was in fellowship with Christ his awareness of unworthiness was paramount causing him to fall on his knees in humility.
His faith had feet as he proclaimed, ‘You can make me clean.’ He walked the talk knowing that Christ had the power to heal.
He made his requests known to Jesus and publicly acknowledged his condition and need for healing.
Last but most importantly, he aligned his request with the will of Christ.
Like the leper, we are all covered with circumstances of hopelessness, unworthiness and the need for God to intervene. We must seek, pursue and approach Christ with humility, complete faith, and the desire to accept and live within the will of God. Living within His will isn’t always easy. Much like the leper, over the past year I have crawled up to the Healer for two of my family members, been on my knees many days proclaiming Lord, you can do this! I have seen You in these situations and it is as simple as speaking the word. I have seen you heal, transform, restore and renew. I will accept if earthly healing is not your will but you have given me authority to approach you and ask for anything. ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Phil. 4:6
God’s will was larger than earthly healing. He wanted to give them more than life on earth. He was ready to bestow a crown of righteousness upon their heads and walk with them in His home – not mine. Although my desire did not match the will of God He has healed me in a transforming way just like he healed the leper that day. My sorrow no longer holds me down and I am no longer debilitated with grief. Phil 4:6 follows with the promise no matter what resolution we experience in our requests. ‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Phil 4:7
'Thy will be done indeed!'
This short story tucked away in Luke exemplifies true faith in a hopeless situation. Leprosy is an infectious disease that has been known since biblical times. It is characterized by disfiguring skin sores, nerve damage, and progressive debilitation. ‘To touch a leper in Luke’s time was dangerous medically, defiling religiously, and degrading socially. Dr. Luke makes special mention of the fact that this man was full of leprosy. It was an advanced case and quite hopeless, humanly speaking. The faith of the leper was remarkable.’ Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1384.
The leper approached Jesus with elements for which we should pattern our Christian walk in seasons of hopelessness.
First of all, he pursued and sought Jesus. He knew Jesus was the answer and didn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself or take matters into his own hands. He knew his condition was out of control. He actively pursued the Healer.
Once he was in fellowship with Christ his awareness of unworthiness was paramount causing him to fall on his knees in humility.
His faith had feet as he proclaimed, ‘You can make me clean.’ He walked the talk knowing that Christ had the power to heal.
He made his requests known to Jesus and publicly acknowledged his condition and need for healing.
Last but most importantly, he aligned his request with the will of Christ.
Like the leper, we are all covered with circumstances of hopelessness, unworthiness and the need for God to intervene. We must seek, pursue and approach Christ with humility, complete faith, and the desire to accept and live within the will of God. Living within His will isn’t always easy. Much like the leper, over the past year I have crawled up to the Healer for two of my family members, been on my knees many days proclaiming Lord, you can do this! I have seen You in these situations and it is as simple as speaking the word. I have seen you heal, transform, restore and renew. I will accept if earthly healing is not your will but you have given me authority to approach you and ask for anything. ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Phil. 4:6
God’s will was larger than earthly healing. He wanted to give them more than life on earth. He was ready to bestow a crown of righteousness upon their heads and walk with them in His home – not mine. Although my desire did not match the will of God He has healed me in a transforming way just like he healed the leper that day. My sorrow no longer holds me down and I am no longer debilitated with grief. Phil 4:6 follows with the promise no matter what resolution we experience in our requests. ‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Phil 4:7
'Thy will be done indeed!'
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Because You Say So...
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But, because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number…” Luke 5:4-5
I love when passage becomes pulse and the words become alive in our walk! This happened this past week and I still sit on Simon’s shore in amazement much like he sat. There is a long running relationship with a person in the family regarding my father-in-law which at best as been challenging. We have been the target of so much anger, resentment and bitterness once the decision to bring him to our home was made. For four months we have been the enemy and the face of Alzheimer’s.
Things this past week were so fragile and I felt that everything for which we had worked regarding the care of my father-in-law was going to unravel. I arose one morning totally defeated knowing I was going to have to face this person. I spent two hours pleading with God to send relief, strength and resolution. I was basically told to ‘let down my nets in the same waters for which I had fished so many times before.’ I was to lower my net of compassion and love. I was to use the same bait of forgiveness and mercy that Christ gives us. I was to be a fisherman of peace in the waters of Christ and not navigate in my own murky waters. So, on that day in my little boat, I opened the nets of my heart and lowered them one more time because ‘He said so’. The reception for my approach was welcomed with complete surrender and acceptance on her part.
The blessings that have flowed since that day have been wonderful. Everything has fallen into place for the first time in five months. I have been fishing in those waters for many days but have come up empty in resolving this problem. God was working on her in her own heart and His timing of casting my net was crucial to the success of the situation.
Many times in our challenges, it is not that we are casting our nets in the wrong waters, but that the timing for our fishing expedition is not the timing of God. Keep your spiritual senses in tact so that you can hear when it is time to go fishing!
I love when passage becomes pulse and the words become alive in our walk! This happened this past week and I still sit on Simon’s shore in amazement much like he sat. There is a long running relationship with a person in the family regarding my father-in-law which at best as been challenging. We have been the target of so much anger, resentment and bitterness once the decision to bring him to our home was made. For four months we have been the enemy and the face of Alzheimer’s.
Things this past week were so fragile and I felt that everything for which we had worked regarding the care of my father-in-law was going to unravel. I arose one morning totally defeated knowing I was going to have to face this person. I spent two hours pleading with God to send relief, strength and resolution. I was basically told to ‘let down my nets in the same waters for which I had fished so many times before.’ I was to lower my net of compassion and love. I was to use the same bait of forgiveness and mercy that Christ gives us. I was to be a fisherman of peace in the waters of Christ and not navigate in my own murky waters. So, on that day in my little boat, I opened the nets of my heart and lowered them one more time because ‘He said so’. The reception for my approach was welcomed with complete surrender and acceptance on her part.
The blessings that have flowed since that day have been wonderful. Everything has fallen into place for the first time in five months. I have been fishing in those waters for many days but have come up empty in resolving this problem. God was working on her in her own heart and His timing of casting my net was crucial to the success of the situation.
Many times in our challenges, it is not that we are casting our nets in the wrong waters, but that the timing for our fishing expedition is not the timing of God. Keep your spiritual senses in tact so that you can hear when it is time to go fishing!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Prison With A Key
“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’ ‘Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” John 5:6-9
Somebody needs to read this on this Friday. I usually do my Bible Study and prayer time before I post but my Bible turned to this chapter and passage… so here I write. This reminds me of a story I heard over 20 years ago while attending an alcohol recovery meeting with a friend. The story was about a man who claimed to be drowning and no one would assist him. As he pled for someone on the shoreline to rescue him a man yelled from the shore, ‘You are not drowning for the water is only two feet deep. Stand up!’ This is basically what Jesus was saying to the victim in this story.
Many of our challenges remain the basic center of our lives because we will not ‘Get up… or Stand up!’ We define our challenges by the length of time for which we have lived them instead of the reality that we have a part in breaking free from them. Jesus asked an essential question to the man whom had been afflicted for a very long time. ‘Do you want to get well?’ Herein lays the million dollar question for each of us.
We become so at home in our ‘condition’ we forget we have the power in Christ to change it, work on it, move it and be rescued from it. We must recognize when our opportunity to break free arises and when the ‘water is being stirred’. We have a responsibility in breaking free from any challenge for which we have lived our lives. God never intended on any of His children in live in any form of captivity, but we must ‘get up, pick up our mat and walk’ and not depend on ‘someone else’ to do the work for us.
Thanks to Christ, no one lives in a prison without a key.
Somebody needs to read this on this Friday. I usually do my Bible Study and prayer time before I post but my Bible turned to this chapter and passage… so here I write. This reminds me of a story I heard over 20 years ago while attending an alcohol recovery meeting with a friend. The story was about a man who claimed to be drowning and no one would assist him. As he pled for someone on the shoreline to rescue him a man yelled from the shore, ‘You are not drowning for the water is only two feet deep. Stand up!’ This is basically what Jesus was saying to the victim in this story.
Many of our challenges remain the basic center of our lives because we will not ‘Get up… or Stand up!’ We define our challenges by the length of time for which we have lived them instead of the reality that we have a part in breaking free from them. Jesus asked an essential question to the man whom had been afflicted for a very long time. ‘Do you want to get well?’ Herein lays the million dollar question for each of us.
We become so at home in our ‘condition’ we forget we have the power in Christ to change it, work on it, move it and be rescued from it. We must recognize when our opportunity to break free arises and when the ‘water is being stirred’. We have a responsibility in breaking free from any challenge for which we have lived our lives. God never intended on any of His children in live in any form of captivity, but we must ‘get up, pick up our mat and walk’ and not depend on ‘someone else’ to do the work for us.
Thanks to Christ, no one lives in a prison without a key.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Savior Again
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” Revelation 19:11
This verse has never been brought to life as it was yesterday morning. As I wrote in my last blog, I was a defeated foe in my personal battle of my circumstances. Emotionally, I lay on the ground suffering wounds, battered and bruised. I felt emotional death and my faith had temporarily lost its pulse. I was crying out Psalm 42, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Where can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night…” I was getting ready to declare defeat when out of nowhere I felt the pulse of God showing life where I thought death had consumed me.
God opened up His marvelous storehouse of resurrection and restoration. He rode in on a remarkable sweep of solutions that would breathe life in my situation and restore my faith. He was not only faithful in resolution but true in spirit. He removed all bitterness and anger that accompanied my battle – ‘The rider whose name is Faithful and True.’
He knows when our faith is not enough and requires His faith to encircle ours. He knows when we have lost hope for a hero and cannot bear one more thing in our own strength. He can sense the raising of our white flags when we can no longer see through the mire of our circumstances. And now all I can do is praise Him through the words of David:
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:2
I must say that my new song is one for which I can be proud. Praising Him instead of singing the blues is such a sweeter sound.
This verse has never been brought to life as it was yesterday morning. As I wrote in my last blog, I was a defeated foe in my personal battle of my circumstances. Emotionally, I lay on the ground suffering wounds, battered and bruised. I felt emotional death and my faith had temporarily lost its pulse. I was crying out Psalm 42, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Where can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night…” I was getting ready to declare defeat when out of nowhere I felt the pulse of God showing life where I thought death had consumed me.
God opened up His marvelous storehouse of resurrection and restoration. He rode in on a remarkable sweep of solutions that would breathe life in my situation and restore my faith. He was not only faithful in resolution but true in spirit. He removed all bitterness and anger that accompanied my battle – ‘The rider whose name is Faithful and True.’
He knows when our faith is not enough and requires His faith to encircle ours. He knows when we have lost hope for a hero and cannot bear one more thing in our own strength. He can sense the raising of our white flags when we can no longer see through the mire of our circumstances. And now all I can do is praise Him through the words of David:
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:2
I must say that my new song is one for which I can be proud. Praising Him instead of singing the blues is such a sweeter sound.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Search and Rescue
“…and recovery of sight for the blind.” Luke 4:18
I know that I just used this verse the day before yesterday but I am need of recovery of sight for the blind. I need God to remind me of all of the blessings I have since I am only feeling the negative in my life right now. We have to put our true feelings out there if we are in hopes of restoration and recovery.
I am on a major search and rescue project this morning as I remind myself of everything for which I have that others may not. I am searching for peace and a return to my former life along with sight of how blessed I am. Over the past few days I have been blinded to all that God has done for me and continues to do. It is times like this that Satan comes in for the kill. He sees that we are hungry for something different, angry at our circumstances, lonely in our emotions and tired in our physical bodies. Charles Stanley calls this H.A.L.T.(hungry, angry, lonely, tired)
Situations creating these emotions are when we are most vulnerable to Satan and his tactics. H.A.L.T. is the time when we must get on bended knees, totally surrender our situation and allow God to rescue us from ourselves. Through our surrender He will place a band of protection around us as we walk through the fire. I told God that I was desperate for His word today and to please show me something, anything! I decided to read the morning blog from two days ago.
My blogs are never planned ahead as I post at the end of my time of morning study and prayer. I know these are inspired by God and I usually have trouble remembering the subject for which I wrote that very morning. I assume the reason is because I didn’t come up with these writings but am simply transcribing thoughts and words through the inspiration and leadings of the Holy Spirit.
I asked myself this morning, ‘Why is it that in remembering all the good I possess, the bad seems so all-consuming?’ Then I read my answer in the morning blog from two days ago. “Satan does an extremely convincing job blinding us during our fiery trials, enveloping us with the smoke of loneliness and helplessness. He veils what is good in our lives and highlights the bad. The above phrase ‘recovery of sight for the blind’ indicates that sight was once there but had been removed. When walking through our fires we must believe that anything that was removed will be restored and recovered through the grace of God. He will always take the remnants of our fires and rebuild with the elements that support His purpose for our lives.”
As I H.A.L.T. this morning, I will praise my Savior that He is in charge of my search and rescue mission. Thank you Father to supplying everything I need when my supplies run out.
I know that I just used this verse the day before yesterday but I am need of recovery of sight for the blind. I need God to remind me of all of the blessings I have since I am only feeling the negative in my life right now. We have to put our true feelings out there if we are in hopes of restoration and recovery.
I am on a major search and rescue project this morning as I remind myself of everything for which I have that others may not. I am searching for peace and a return to my former life along with sight of how blessed I am. Over the past few days I have been blinded to all that God has done for me and continues to do. It is times like this that Satan comes in for the kill. He sees that we are hungry for something different, angry at our circumstances, lonely in our emotions and tired in our physical bodies. Charles Stanley calls this H.A.L.T.(hungry, angry, lonely, tired)
Situations creating these emotions are when we are most vulnerable to Satan and his tactics. H.A.L.T. is the time when we must get on bended knees, totally surrender our situation and allow God to rescue us from ourselves. Through our surrender He will place a band of protection around us as we walk through the fire. I told God that I was desperate for His word today and to please show me something, anything! I decided to read the morning blog from two days ago.
My blogs are never planned ahead as I post at the end of my time of morning study and prayer. I know these are inspired by God and I usually have trouble remembering the subject for which I wrote that very morning. I assume the reason is because I didn’t come up with these writings but am simply transcribing thoughts and words through the inspiration and leadings of the Holy Spirit.
I asked myself this morning, ‘Why is it that in remembering all the good I possess, the bad seems so all-consuming?’ Then I read my answer in the morning blog from two days ago. “Satan does an extremely convincing job blinding us during our fiery trials, enveloping us with the smoke of loneliness and helplessness. He veils what is good in our lives and highlights the bad. The above phrase ‘recovery of sight for the blind’ indicates that sight was once there but had been removed. When walking through our fires we must believe that anything that was removed will be restored and recovered through the grace of God. He will always take the remnants of our fires and rebuild with the elements that support His purpose for our lives.”
As I H.A.L.T. this morning, I will praise my Savior that He is in charge of my search and rescue mission. Thank you Father to supplying everything I need when my supplies run out.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Prone To Wander...
“Prone to wander… Lord I feel it …prone to leave …the God I love
Here's my heart Lord… take and seal it… seal it for… Thy courts above”
This song was played at my church yesterday in the contemporary version. I was reminded of when I would walk through the doors as a young girl and hear this old hymn. I sang this song out of the book many Sundays but they were just words upon my lips. This song, Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King, is a prophetic statement for all of us.
The word prone means ‘inclined to do or be affected by something, in downward direction, sloping, leaning or moving downward.’ When living our lives with a complacent attitude we can be assured that we are living life on the slope leaning downward opposed to reaching for the upward. Notice in the song that it is our nature to wander, to linger on the slope which may lead to exiting our fellowship with God. He doesn’t go anywhere but we do based on the absence of focus on God in our lives.
The word fount means ‘One that initiates or dispenses, the source’. Our hearts can only be restored by calling out for our Fount, our King, the source of our lives. Only through our surrender to Christ can he take possession of our hearts, protect it from the slopes and seal it for His purpose.
If we are not living our lives with intentional fellowship with Christ we will be affected by this world which will always pull us in the downward direction. Only through God’s source are we able to focus on His heavenly courts and live a life apart from the slopes.
May we sing this hymn today as ‘Prone to love Him…prone to serve Him… prone to love the God within’
Here's my heart Lord… take and seal it… seal it for… Thy courts above”
This song was played at my church yesterday in the contemporary version. I was reminded of when I would walk through the doors as a young girl and hear this old hymn. I sang this song out of the book many Sundays but they were just words upon my lips. This song, Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King, is a prophetic statement for all of us.
The word prone means ‘inclined to do or be affected by something, in downward direction, sloping, leaning or moving downward.’ When living our lives with a complacent attitude we can be assured that we are living life on the slope leaning downward opposed to reaching for the upward. Notice in the song that it is our nature to wander, to linger on the slope which may lead to exiting our fellowship with God. He doesn’t go anywhere but we do based on the absence of focus on God in our lives.
The word fount means ‘One that initiates or dispenses, the source’. Our hearts can only be restored by calling out for our Fount, our King, the source of our lives. Only through our surrender to Christ can he take possession of our hearts, protect it from the slopes and seal it for His purpose.
If we are not living our lives with intentional fellowship with Christ we will be affected by this world which will always pull us in the downward direction. Only through God’s source are we able to focus on His heavenly courts and live a life apart from the slopes.
May we sing this hymn today as ‘Prone to love Him…prone to serve Him… prone to love the God within’
Saturday, June 5, 2010
I Am...
“He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind.” Luke 4:18
This was yet another element of the job description of Jesus as He preached in the synagogues. The word ‘blind’ is translated as ‘to envelop with smoke, to be unable to see clearly’. In 2 Co. 4:4 it is stated, ‘The god of this age has blinded the mind of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.’ This verse refers to the blindness belonging to the unbeliever but we may experience our own blindness as believers thanks to Satan.
Satan does an extremely convincing job blinding us during our fiery trials, enveloping us with the smoke of loneliness and helplessness. He veils what is good in our lives and highlights the bad. The above phrase ‘recovery of sight for the blind’ indicates that sight was once there but had been removed. When walking through our fires we must believe that anything that was removed will be restored and recovered through the grace of God. He will always take the remnants of our fires and rebuild with the elements that support His purpose for our lives.
His promise states ‘When you walk through the fire, you will be not burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:2-3 God identifies Himself among other descriptions as our Savior. He will save us when facing dark times and He will remove any smoke with promises and truth.
Any fire we encounter certainly has the potential to burn but we are promised that we will not be burned with permanent scars. We may temporarily feel the scorching heat and inhale the suffocating smoke but the great I AM is walking in the fire with us.
“For I AM…”
This was yet another element of the job description of Jesus as He preached in the synagogues. The word ‘blind’ is translated as ‘to envelop with smoke, to be unable to see clearly’. In 2 Co. 4:4 it is stated, ‘The god of this age has blinded the mind of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.’ This verse refers to the blindness belonging to the unbeliever but we may experience our own blindness as believers thanks to Satan.
Satan does an extremely convincing job blinding us during our fiery trials, enveloping us with the smoke of loneliness and helplessness. He veils what is good in our lives and highlights the bad. The above phrase ‘recovery of sight for the blind’ indicates that sight was once there but had been removed. When walking through our fires we must believe that anything that was removed will be restored and recovered through the grace of God. He will always take the remnants of our fires and rebuild with the elements that support His purpose for our lives.
His promise states ‘When you walk through the fire, you will be not burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:2-3 God identifies Himself among other descriptions as our Savior. He will save us when facing dark times and He will remove any smoke with promises and truth.
Any fire we encounter certainly has the potential to burn but we are promised that we will not be burned with permanent scars. We may temporarily feel the scorching heat and inhale the suffocating smoke but the great I AM is walking in the fire with us.
“For I AM…”
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Alms For The Poor...
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor.” Luke 4:18.
As many of you are aware, my father-in-law who suffers with Alzheimer’s, lives with me and my husband. His goal for each day is to be a comedian beckoning laughs from anyone he comes upon. He consistently and continuously makes the same jokes, walks the same funny way to get a laugh and makes the same silly faces – all before 8:00 am each morning. One of the things I am greeted with daily is his plea for “alms for the poor.” He cups his precious aging hands and approaches as he tries to remember those words to receive a laugh.
Jesus stood before the congregation and read this verse as fulfillment of God’s prophesy. The word ‘poor’ is translated in Greek as 'indicating utter helplessness, complete destitution, afflicted, distressed subsisting on the alms of others.' The definition of subsist is ‘managing to live, maintaining somebody or something and reside in or consist of a particular thing.’ This translation together assumes the belief the ability to live is dependent on someone outside of ourselves.
We are the kept people of an all supplying God! I cannot imagine any better news than what Jesus was offering then and still offers through being our Savior. My grandmother would always lift her arms when worshipping to God and similarly I worship with palms up to heaven. It dawned on me this morning that as we worship in our own unique ways we are saying to God ‘alms for the poor’. Through our prayers we are cupping our little hands not for laughs but for life! Apart from God we are poor in provision and empty in spirit. Our little tin cups echo the few coins we drop in there highlighting the fact that so much more is missing. Only God can fill our cups and supply everything missing in our lives.
I praise God this morning for His mighty provisions managing my life, maintaining my walk and providing a spiritual home in which I reside.
As many of you are aware, my father-in-law who suffers with Alzheimer’s, lives with me and my husband. His goal for each day is to be a comedian beckoning laughs from anyone he comes upon. He consistently and continuously makes the same jokes, walks the same funny way to get a laugh and makes the same silly faces – all before 8:00 am each morning. One of the things I am greeted with daily is his plea for “alms for the poor.” He cups his precious aging hands and approaches as he tries to remember those words to receive a laugh.
Jesus stood before the congregation and read this verse as fulfillment of God’s prophesy. The word ‘poor’ is translated in Greek as 'indicating utter helplessness, complete destitution, afflicted, distressed subsisting on the alms of others.' The definition of subsist is ‘managing to live, maintaining somebody or something and reside in or consist of a particular thing.’ This translation together assumes the belief the ability to live is dependent on someone outside of ourselves.
We are the kept people of an all supplying God! I cannot imagine any better news than what Jesus was offering then and still offers through being our Savior. My grandmother would always lift her arms when worshipping to God and similarly I worship with palms up to heaven. It dawned on me this morning that as we worship in our own unique ways we are saying to God ‘alms for the poor’. Through our prayers we are cupping our little hands not for laughs but for life! Apart from God we are poor in provision and empty in spirit. Our little tin cups echo the few coins we drop in there highlighting the fact that so much more is missing. Only God can fill our cups and supply everything missing in our lives.
I praise God this morning for His mighty provisions managing my life, maintaining my walk and providing a spiritual home in which I reside.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Like Jesus...
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit…was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil…The devil said to him, ‘If you...’ The devil led him up…showed him…and said to him ‘So if you…’ The devil led him…and had him stand…and said to him… ‘If you…’ When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:1-13
It looks like the devil uses the same tricks on us that he used on the Savior of the world during His walk on earth. As soon as Jesus was baptized He was led by the Holy Spirit to enter the desert for a season. There has been much written regarding the intent of this intense temptation. Jesus was going to be presented to the world as the Incarnate Son of God and Savior of the world. He would be put to the test daily and the desert provided a backdrop of intense temptation which provided Him the opportunity to stand firm in God’s will and steadfast in His mind. It is no doubt that this was a foreshadowing of our walk on this earth.
His baptism was immediately followed with the season of intense temptation and desert dwelling. This supports what 1 Peter 2:20-21 states, ‘But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.’
Like Jesus, we will enter the desert in seasons of life and will be tempted to the greatest intensity. Satan is well aware of our appetites in sin and will use the very lures that have worked in the past. We will enter the desert so we better be prepared. We had better use the example of Christ and determine certain truths before we enter into the dark times. Christ focused through fasting from the first day He was in the desert. He used the words of God instead of His own when facing his adversary. He stood firm in His faith in God’s promises. He was clear on what God says about every subject for which Satan hurled. Christ passed with flying colors so we should use the same standard for which we live our lives. When we face the darkness, and we will, we will use the Sword of the Word and allow God to lead our paths through the desert. Satan will take us on detours that lead to waterless holes, rocky terrain and false promises.
Satan does some of his best work when we are in the desert but so does God. I choose God!
It looks like the devil uses the same tricks on us that he used on the Savior of the world during His walk on earth. As soon as Jesus was baptized He was led by the Holy Spirit to enter the desert for a season. There has been much written regarding the intent of this intense temptation. Jesus was going to be presented to the world as the Incarnate Son of God and Savior of the world. He would be put to the test daily and the desert provided a backdrop of intense temptation which provided Him the opportunity to stand firm in God’s will and steadfast in His mind. It is no doubt that this was a foreshadowing of our walk on this earth.
His baptism was immediately followed with the season of intense temptation and desert dwelling. This supports what 1 Peter 2:20-21 states, ‘But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.’
Like Jesus, we will enter the desert in seasons of life and will be tempted to the greatest intensity. Satan is well aware of our appetites in sin and will use the very lures that have worked in the past. We will enter the desert so we better be prepared. We had better use the example of Christ and determine certain truths before we enter into the dark times. Christ focused through fasting from the first day He was in the desert. He used the words of God instead of His own when facing his adversary. He stood firm in His faith in God’s promises. He was clear on what God says about every subject for which Satan hurled. Christ passed with flying colors so we should use the same standard for which we live our lives. When we face the darkness, and we will, we will use the Sword of the Word and allow God to lead our paths through the desert. Satan will take us on detours that lead to waterless holes, rocky terrain and false promises.
Satan does some of his best work when we are in the desert but so does God. I choose God!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Going Before Us
“…for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 52:12
With this verse being so short in length it is so long is meaning. God’s ultimate goal for us is to be in constant fellowship with Him and accomplish the purpose for which we were created for the Kingdom. Our births were no accident and our lives are to be lived with purpose. God understood and knew in advance that man would not be able to live holy so He sent His Son to go before us and do the work for which we were unable. It is only through the sacrificial death of Christ that we are able to live.
‘Going before us’ also was demonstrated in His prayers. Jesus Christ was the ultimate example of a prayer warrior in intercessory prayer. He went before us and from the suffering on the cross He still interceded for sinners. The translation for made intercession expresses a work begun, but not yet finished. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:44. He went before us physically and now goes before us spiritually. He sits next to the Father and continuously asks for the forgiveness of all of us. Through His intercession and the Father’s love and willingness to forgive, God never leaves us. He always comes behind Christ’s petition for us and follows up with love and forgiveness.
It is through the first part of this verse that we have the guarantee of the second.
With this verse being so short in length it is so long is meaning. God’s ultimate goal for us is to be in constant fellowship with Him and accomplish the purpose for which we were created for the Kingdom. Our births were no accident and our lives are to be lived with purpose. God understood and knew in advance that man would not be able to live holy so He sent His Son to go before us and do the work for which we were unable. It is only through the sacrificial death of Christ that we are able to live.
‘Going before us’ also was demonstrated in His prayers. Jesus Christ was the ultimate example of a prayer warrior in intercessory prayer. He went before us and from the suffering on the cross He still interceded for sinners. The translation for made intercession expresses a work begun, but not yet finished. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:44. He went before us physically and now goes before us spiritually. He sits next to the Father and continuously asks for the forgiveness of all of us. Through His intercession and the Father’s love and willingness to forgive, God never leaves us. He always comes behind Christ’s petition for us and follows up with love and forgiveness.
It is through the first part of this verse that we have the guarantee of the second.
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