“Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit…This man was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems.” Daniel 5:10-11
These were the words spoke to Belshazzar by the queen during the unholy banquet. The hand of God literally appeared and wrote a message on the wall which no one could interpret. The queen recalled a man in the kingdom during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign possessing extraordinary gifts. Two points of interest in this passage, as rendered by the Aramaic translation, are the phrases ‘keen mind’ and ‘solve difficult problems’ . According to my Bible Study, a ‘keen mind’ is closely translated to an extraordinary spirit. ‘Solving difficult problems’ is associated in the Aramaic translation with ‘a loosening of knots.’
As I meditate on the queen’s description of Daniel I cannot help but to think of my dear grandmother. I couldn’t have come up with a more accurate description of the spirit of my grandmother. Through her pursuit and commitment to living a Daniel life in a Babylonian world she developed an extraordinary spirit and an amazing ability to both speak to God and hear from God. Many people called upon her to ‘solve difficult problems’ and loosen the knots that so deeply bound them in their lives. Through constant meditation of God’s word she was able to live out the Romans 16:25-26 life. “Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden…but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the eternal God.”
The Bible states that revelation and hidden mysteries belong to the saints of God – those who try to live holy lives. “…the mystery that has been kept hidden but is now disclosed to the saints” Col: 1:26. It is essential in the life of a Christian to have a Daniel in our lives to give us Godly direction and God-driven interpretation. On the flipside, we need to position ourselves in His knowledge and wisdom to help others ‘loosen their problems.’
May we all be described as having a keen mind in Christ.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Playing Cards
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets.” 2 Co. 7:10
There have certainly been instances of sin in my life for which I was convicted requiring my plea for God’s forgiveness. Some were immediate sins for which I was aware and some were unconfessed and hidden sins that He had to shine the light upon for my discovery. Either way when conviction hits it hurts!
Even after our repentance and knowledge of His forgiveness that is ours we still remember our sin and many times keep its memory alive far beyond its usefulness. People live with regrets everyday which is a normal part of life as long as we have the mental capacity to remember. But when these regrets become thought absorbing and all consuming it may take on a sin of its own. When we are given the promise from God of forgiveness and fail to believe that promise we are communicating to God that our sin is bigger than our God. We live our lives as marked children not seeing ourselves as holy and forgiven thereby contradicting the promises of God.
We trump God’s card of forgiveness with the full house of self-condemnation. We lay down a losing hand when we carry a game winning card every time. We believe our own billing of sinner, loser and worthless. The repentance that creates a sorrowful and humble heart before God is the same repentance that creates life from death and good from evil. “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.” 2 Co. 2:15-16
Our repentance and forgiveness, which is freely given by God through Christ, will manifest in the beautiful aroma of life as we show our belief in the God of forgiveness and many chances instead of the god of regret and despair.
Which card will you lay down?
There have certainly been instances of sin in my life for which I was convicted requiring my plea for God’s forgiveness. Some were immediate sins for which I was aware and some were unconfessed and hidden sins that He had to shine the light upon for my discovery. Either way when conviction hits it hurts!
Even after our repentance and knowledge of His forgiveness that is ours we still remember our sin and many times keep its memory alive far beyond its usefulness. People live with regrets everyday which is a normal part of life as long as we have the mental capacity to remember. But when these regrets become thought absorbing and all consuming it may take on a sin of its own. When we are given the promise from God of forgiveness and fail to believe that promise we are communicating to God that our sin is bigger than our God. We live our lives as marked children not seeing ourselves as holy and forgiven thereby contradicting the promises of God.
We trump God’s card of forgiveness with the full house of self-condemnation. We lay down a losing hand when we carry a game winning card every time. We believe our own billing of sinner, loser and worthless. The repentance that creates a sorrowful and humble heart before God is the same repentance that creates life from death and good from evil. “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.” 2 Co. 2:15-16
Our repentance and forgiveness, which is freely given by God through Christ, will manifest in the beautiful aroma of life as we show our belief in the God of forgiveness and many chances instead of the god of regret and despair.
Which card will you lay down?
Unholy Toasts
“While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them.” Daniel 5:2
During the siege of Babylon against the Israelites, the articles of the temple that were deemed holy and consecrated were stolen and put aside without regard. Many years later Belshazzar sent for these holy vessels to be brought out for unholy celebration. Not only did he make the decision for sin but he also enticed everyone at the banquet to also indulge in unholy activities.
Many times we find ourselves living as unholy vessels in an unholy world. Like the holy vessels of Jerusalem we have been carried away by our captors and become lost in a world of excess, self-promotion and self-indulgence. We do not wake up one morning and find ourselves ‘shelved’ by our captivities. We can reflect and trace the steps of being carried away by our sins. Sin is planted as a thought first before any of us take that first step towards sin. “For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone: but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:13-14
Sin is described as a thought first (desire) many times to be followed up with action. The Bible compares sin to creating life which we carry within us. If we entertain the thought of sin for any period of time we will give birth to a Babylonian way of unholy living. Our sin takes on a life of its own growing up and taking on its own personality enticing us to behave in a way carried off or holiness placed aside. It doesn’t matter which sin we have birthed we are all deemed lawbreakers. “…you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” James 2:9-10. There is no favoritism in sin!
All sin is unholy and all sin needs redemption. There is no degree of sin that requires more forgiveness than the other. All sin is born of evil whether we are gossiping or murdering and every sin can be aborted at its conception through the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Don't toast unholy activity with the same hands that God has given us to perform holy duties.
During the siege of Babylon against the Israelites, the articles of the temple that were deemed holy and consecrated were stolen and put aside without regard. Many years later Belshazzar sent for these holy vessels to be brought out for unholy celebration. Not only did he make the decision for sin but he also enticed everyone at the banquet to also indulge in unholy activities.
Many times we find ourselves living as unholy vessels in an unholy world. Like the holy vessels of Jerusalem we have been carried away by our captors and become lost in a world of excess, self-promotion and self-indulgence. We do not wake up one morning and find ourselves ‘shelved’ by our captivities. We can reflect and trace the steps of being carried away by our sins. Sin is planted as a thought first before any of us take that first step towards sin. “For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone: but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:13-14
Sin is described as a thought first (desire) many times to be followed up with action. The Bible compares sin to creating life which we carry within us. If we entertain the thought of sin for any period of time we will give birth to a Babylonian way of unholy living. Our sin takes on a life of its own growing up and taking on its own personality enticing us to behave in a way carried off or holiness placed aside. It doesn’t matter which sin we have birthed we are all deemed lawbreakers. “…you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” James 2:9-10. There is no favoritism in sin!
All sin is unholy and all sin needs redemption. There is no degree of sin that requires more forgiveness than the other. All sin is born of evil whether we are gossiping or murdering and every sin can be aborted at its conception through the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Don't toast unholy activity with the same hands that God has given us to perform holy duties.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Ignoble Purposes
“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work…and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Tim 2:21-22
I can go around my house today and identify more articles of senseless purpose than those of noble purpose. We fill our houses with both useful and useless articles in hopes for a life being more purposeful, convenient, and fulfilling. We surround ourselves with senseless ‘things’ to fill the vacuums in our lives.
Our heart home is no different as we store up our fear so we can pull it out when needed. We know just the right time when that bitterness needs to be brought out and served up fresh. Through Christ our hearts are made up of precious righteousness like gold and silver but many times we must dig through the rubble to locate these items of noble purpose. The word ‘ignoble’ means dishonorable and contrary to the high standards of conduct expected of somebody. Oh, how I do not want Christ to see this laying around. I know that through allowing Him full access to my heart He can clean it up, call me to His usefulness and purpose just as He will in all of our hearts.
We are told to pursue righteousness which infers that we must work towards this goal putting aside anything that could hinder, delay or deter. Righteousness does not come naturally to our sinful nature but by actively and passionately pursuing those noble qualities we will not be of ‘ignoble purpose.’
Our behavior will follow the pursuit of our hearts.
I can go around my house today and identify more articles of senseless purpose than those of noble purpose. We fill our houses with both useful and useless articles in hopes for a life being more purposeful, convenient, and fulfilling. We surround ourselves with senseless ‘things’ to fill the vacuums in our lives.
Our heart home is no different as we store up our fear so we can pull it out when needed. We know just the right time when that bitterness needs to be brought out and served up fresh. Through Christ our hearts are made up of precious righteousness like gold and silver but many times we must dig through the rubble to locate these items of noble purpose. The word ‘ignoble’ means dishonorable and contrary to the high standards of conduct expected of somebody. Oh, how I do not want Christ to see this laying around. I know that through allowing Him full access to my heart He can clean it up, call me to His usefulness and purpose just as He will in all of our hearts.
We are told to pursue righteousness which infers that we must work towards this goal putting aside anything that could hinder, delay or deter. Righteousness does not come naturally to our sinful nature but by actively and passionately pursuing those noble qualities we will not be of ‘ignoble purpose.’
Our behavior will follow the pursuit of our hearts.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
While I Lay Sleeping...
“If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139: 9-10
As I lay sleeping comfortably and safely nothing bothered me last night. I arise to a new dawn, a new day of possibility and opportunity for my God has been working all night. As I slept His sweet breath spoke blessings for me to experience today. During my dreams His fingertips were stirring the seas and His voice was moving the wind for my benefit. He was laying out precise movements for me assigned to this day alone. Will I see the signs that point me to do what He has laid out for me to accomplish today?
He has been working all through my night although He is assigned neither time nor space. He has seen what my future path holds and is carefully placing the stepping stones so my feet will not stumble. If I should stumble He has already placed beside these steps His loving soft spots to keep me from injuring myself.
He has hidden relics along the path for my discovery and revelation. He rejoices in my findings and celebrates in our journey. He has also lovingly laid a few stones that are more unstable to better teach me how to keep my balance during the unstable times of my journey.
I am His and He is mine! He is also yours…experience Him intimately for He has an exclusive plan for exclusive hearts.
As I lay sleeping comfortably and safely nothing bothered me last night. I arise to a new dawn, a new day of possibility and opportunity for my God has been working all night. As I slept His sweet breath spoke blessings for me to experience today. During my dreams His fingertips were stirring the seas and His voice was moving the wind for my benefit. He was laying out precise movements for me assigned to this day alone. Will I see the signs that point me to do what He has laid out for me to accomplish today?
He has been working all through my night although He is assigned neither time nor space. He has seen what my future path holds and is carefully placing the stepping stones so my feet will not stumble. If I should stumble He has already placed beside these steps His loving soft spots to keep me from injuring myself.
He has hidden relics along the path for my discovery and revelation. He rejoices in my findings and celebrates in our journey. He has also lovingly laid a few stones that are more unstable to better teach me how to keep my balance during the unstable times of my journey.
I am His and He is mine! He is also yours…experience Him intimately for He has an exclusive plan for exclusive hearts.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sealed, But Marked?
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts…” 2 Cor. 1:21-22
There is no way to believe this other than its truth. Through the acceptance of Christ as the sacrificial bridge between us and God we become an heir to the family of Christ. God owns us and seals us complete with the impossibility of the seal becoming broken.
This is one seal of covenant for which Satan will come up empty every time. He knows that he is unable to penetrate our seal so he goes for the next best thing – our mark. While Heaven sees our seal, man sees our mark. Our mark involves the behavior in which we live our lives. Once we belong to the family of Christ we all carry within our hearts His spirit, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will empower us and guide us to align our seal with our mark.
The Bible clearly states the fruit of the Holy Spirit should mark the life of a Christian. These markings are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Gal. 5:22-23. Any behavior that contradicts these markings is the marking of the enemy where there are no laws. Perfection is unattainable for us on earth but living blameless lives, lives with a heart bent away from sin, will bear the mark of our Father and show man that He has declared us holy and sealed in His name and the name of Jesus Christ.
No matter what our past markings have shown we are given fresh forgiveness at every confessed sin and never lose our standing of a sealed life in Him.
There is no way to believe this other than its truth. Through the acceptance of Christ as the sacrificial bridge between us and God we become an heir to the family of Christ. God owns us and seals us complete with the impossibility of the seal becoming broken.
This is one seal of covenant for which Satan will come up empty every time. He knows that he is unable to penetrate our seal so he goes for the next best thing – our mark. While Heaven sees our seal, man sees our mark. Our mark involves the behavior in which we live our lives. Once we belong to the family of Christ we all carry within our hearts His spirit, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will empower us and guide us to align our seal with our mark.
The Bible clearly states the fruit of the Holy Spirit should mark the life of a Christian. These markings are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Gal. 5:22-23. Any behavior that contradicts these markings is the marking of the enemy where there are no laws. Perfection is unattainable for us on earth but living blameless lives, lives with a heart bent away from sin, will bear the mark of our Father and show man that He has declared us holy and sealed in His name and the name of Jesus Christ.
No matter what our past markings have shown we are given fresh forgiveness at every confessed sin and never lose our standing of a sealed life in Him.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Heart Deafness
“Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” Daniel 4:27
Why is doing what is right so hard sometimes? There are many times when we truly do not know the direction in which to go and then there are sometimes when the neon light is so bright that we must close our eyes to it. This was the advice from Daniel as he implored the king to renounce his sins and be kind to the poor. In the Hebrew translation, renounce means to ‘break off.’
We know in our hearts if we are not doing what is right since God placed conviction in our lives through the Holy Spirit. If our actions go against what is Biblically sound the Holy Spirit will place within us uneasiness and discontent. We may get so entrenched in our own sins of selfishness that the voice of the Holy Spirit is quietened. To quieten the Holy Spirit is to continuously behave in such a manner that our ears are no longer attuned to the conviction of our hearts. Make no mistake that He is still calling, guiding, urging and imploring just as Daniel did but we begin to possess heart deafness for the Holy
Spirit.
By staying in God’s word and remaining in fellowship with Him throughout the day we align ourselves with the Holy Spirit and ensure our hearts are hearing the proper tunes. By ‘breaking off’ our sins of selfishness and opening our hearts to those in need regardless of our obligations we will prosper in love, purpose and blessings.
We become rich in purpose through advocating for the poor in spirit.
Why is doing what is right so hard sometimes? There are many times when we truly do not know the direction in which to go and then there are sometimes when the neon light is so bright that we must close our eyes to it. This was the advice from Daniel as he implored the king to renounce his sins and be kind to the poor. In the Hebrew translation, renounce means to ‘break off.’
We know in our hearts if we are not doing what is right since God placed conviction in our lives through the Holy Spirit. If our actions go against what is Biblically sound the Holy Spirit will place within us uneasiness and discontent. We may get so entrenched in our own sins of selfishness that the voice of the Holy Spirit is quietened. To quieten the Holy Spirit is to continuously behave in such a manner that our ears are no longer attuned to the conviction of our hearts. Make no mistake that He is still calling, guiding, urging and imploring just as Daniel did but we begin to possess heart deafness for the Holy
Spirit.
By staying in God’s word and remaining in fellowship with Him throughout the day we align ourselves with the Holy Spirit and ensure our hearts are hearing the proper tunes. By ‘breaking off’ our sins of selfishness and opening our hearts to those in need regardless of our obligations we will prosper in love, purpose and blessings.
We become rich in purpose through advocating for the poor in spirit.
Monday, January 25, 2010
First Borns
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8: 29-32
Following Becki in life who was firstborn was tough as a little girl because she was such a responsible and admirable role model. She was loved by all of her teachers and respected by many. Whenever I would get a former teacher they were very excited at first only to realize that I was not like Becki and came with my own personality. I didn’t hear just once ‘Boy you are not like your sister!’ That statement usually came with a frustration from the teachers. Those firstborns can be tough to live up to but are blessings to follow.
Christ is our firstborn in our spiritual family and gives us the perfect example in which to live our lives. God called Him and predestined Him to show us the likeness that we are to take on so the Father can be recognized and glorified. I cannot remember a time over the course of my life when I wasn’t thinking to the future about being a mom or experiencing motherhood. It was the passionate seedling that had always been at the base of my heart. Each child Bruce and I had predetermined to include in our family was foreknown and predestined for us from our Father. Christ is the first among our spiritual family taking on the likeness of the original Father. He is our oldest sibling and our greatest role model.
God not only gave us Christ as first born in our family but for a while gave Him up to earth for the benefit of the rest of the family. What greater gift can He give us than what has already been given? It is done! He has given us His all and we have taken it so what do we give back to Him?
We give back our lives in hopes of hearing the words of our peers – ‘You are just like your older brother!”
Following Becki in life who was firstborn was tough as a little girl because she was such a responsible and admirable role model. She was loved by all of her teachers and respected by many. Whenever I would get a former teacher they were very excited at first only to realize that I was not like Becki and came with my own personality. I didn’t hear just once ‘Boy you are not like your sister!’ That statement usually came with a frustration from the teachers. Those firstborns can be tough to live up to but are blessings to follow.
Christ is our firstborn in our spiritual family and gives us the perfect example in which to live our lives. God called Him and predestined Him to show us the likeness that we are to take on so the Father can be recognized and glorified. I cannot remember a time over the course of my life when I wasn’t thinking to the future about being a mom or experiencing motherhood. It was the passionate seedling that had always been at the base of my heart. Each child Bruce and I had predetermined to include in our family was foreknown and predestined for us from our Father. Christ is the first among our spiritual family taking on the likeness of the original Father. He is our oldest sibling and our greatest role model.
God not only gave us Christ as first born in our family but for a while gave Him up to earth for the benefit of the rest of the family. What greater gift can He give us than what has already been given? It is done! He has given us His all and we have taken it so what do we give back to Him?
We give back our lives in hopes of hearing the words of our peers – ‘You are just like your older brother!”
Sunday, January 24, 2010
God's Field
“The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; in your hands he has placed mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all.” Daniel 2:37
“Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit…But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.” Daniel 4: 14
King Nebuchadnezzar had quite the cushy life as he ruled over Babylon at the point in time when there was no other kingdom like his. It was in a class of its own and was world renowned for its grandeur and opulence. As we learned earlier he took complete credit, glory and power for this dynasty. Daniel points out to the king that God seeded, planted, watered and grew this kingdom into what it was and that God alone determined what He placed under the king’s rule. His dream warned him that God had grown the kingdom and placed it under the king apart from anything the king had accomplished. The prophesy was that he would be cut down and stripped of everything for a period of time. The stump would remain and be bound with a secure foundation in the ground represented by bronze and iron.
When we fail to recognize all the things of the world for which God has placed under our rule we too tend to build up ourselves as we tower in our lives. Nothing we have received was accomplished apart from God’s planting and growing. He places under our rule what He determines we can handle carefully growing us up at His pace. When we move ahead of God we place ourselves over people and things developing an attitude of judgment and self-promotion. God will not allow the trees of His field to take on their own prideful personalities but rather take on the spiritual likeness of the One and only who towers and rules over all kingdoms.
If God determines that He must cut us back in order to grow us up He will not leave nor forsake us. He will place around us a band of protection of “iron and bronze” so we may stay rooted and healthy in Him as He produces new growth, new fruit and new scatterings of revelations in our lives.
The smaller we become in our own fields the greater we will tower in God’s field.
“Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit…But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.” Daniel 4: 14
King Nebuchadnezzar had quite the cushy life as he ruled over Babylon at the point in time when there was no other kingdom like his. It was in a class of its own and was world renowned for its grandeur and opulence. As we learned earlier he took complete credit, glory and power for this dynasty. Daniel points out to the king that God seeded, planted, watered and grew this kingdom into what it was and that God alone determined what He placed under the king’s rule. His dream warned him that God had grown the kingdom and placed it under the king apart from anything the king had accomplished. The prophesy was that he would be cut down and stripped of everything for a period of time. The stump would remain and be bound with a secure foundation in the ground represented by bronze and iron.
When we fail to recognize all the things of the world for which God has placed under our rule we too tend to build up ourselves as we tower in our lives. Nothing we have received was accomplished apart from God’s planting and growing. He places under our rule what He determines we can handle carefully growing us up at His pace. When we move ahead of God we place ourselves over people and things developing an attitude of judgment and self-promotion. God will not allow the trees of His field to take on their own prideful personalities but rather take on the spiritual likeness of the One and only who towers and rules over all kingdoms.
If God determines that He must cut us back in order to grow us up He will not leave nor forsake us. He will place around us a band of protection of “iron and bronze” so we may stay rooted and healthy in Him as He produces new growth, new fruit and new scatterings of revelations in our lives.
The smaller we become in our own fields the greater we will tower in God’s field.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Our Courtyards
“While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him a second time: ‘This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” Jeremiah 33:1-3
I love this passage as it gives me a visual as Jeremiah is being held captive. I can see him pacing back and forth in peace and resolve as he speaks out to anyone who can hear and proclaims what the LORD has taught him to believe.
Jeremiah prefaces the LORD’s message with a list of amazing works from God’s hands since the beginning of time. In essence Jeremiah was confidently saying, ‘This confinement doesn’t hold me! I am not only held by the LORD who formed and established this earth in which we live but He has given me a fresh word. The confinement of this regime is only temporary for the Creator of all things is going to show me things I do not even know exist. My God is so much bigger than any of this!’ Imagine the confusion of the guard as he watches the freedom in Jeremiah’s heart as he is imprisoned.
There lies the rub! We all move in and out of captivity throughout our entire lives. We are confined by our emotions, our circumstances or the decisions of other people much like Jeremiah. When your confinement holds you down, proclaim your testimony of past graces and faithfulness that your personal and intimate God has revealed to you through your trials. List the marvelous works of His hands in your lives. These precious hands that create, mold, and establish are the very hands that bear the scars that save, deliver and liberate! The more we can confidently remain in our courtyards no matter what holds us the more we will experience being held by the Creator.
Who holds you – your God or your confinement?
I love this passage as it gives me a visual as Jeremiah is being held captive. I can see him pacing back and forth in peace and resolve as he speaks out to anyone who can hear and proclaims what the LORD has taught him to believe.
Jeremiah prefaces the LORD’s message with a list of amazing works from God’s hands since the beginning of time. In essence Jeremiah was confidently saying, ‘This confinement doesn’t hold me! I am not only held by the LORD who formed and established this earth in which we live but He has given me a fresh word. The confinement of this regime is only temporary for the Creator of all things is going to show me things I do not even know exist. My God is so much bigger than any of this!’ Imagine the confusion of the guard as he watches the freedom in Jeremiah’s heart as he is imprisoned.
There lies the rub! We all move in and out of captivity throughout our entire lives. We are confined by our emotions, our circumstances or the decisions of other people much like Jeremiah. When your confinement holds you down, proclaim your testimony of past graces and faithfulness that your personal and intimate God has revealed to you through your trials. List the marvelous works of His hands in your lives. These precious hands that create, mold, and establish are the very hands that bear the scars that save, deliver and liberate! The more we can confidently remain in our courtyards no matter what holds us the more we will experience being held by the Creator.
Who holds you – your God or your confinement?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Up On The Rooftop...
“To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.” Daniel 4:1 (NIV) “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.” Daniel 4:4 (NAS)
Daniel 4 is a monumental chapter on pride and the price paid from pride. King Nebuchadnezzar had been previously warned 12 months prior that his reign would end due to his self-glorification. He had been reckless with this information and had not taken the prophesy seriously. Many years later he records the events in chapter 4 of Daniel. He addresses his audience as everyone, both present and future who live on earth. That includes us! His recollection includes an immediate response to an outrageous statement. “Twelve months later as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, ‘Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?’ The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven…Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled.” Daniel 4:29-31.
‘…at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.’ These words send a chill down my spine as this description many times describes our lives. We may not be bold enough to proclaim that we have built a great kingdom by our own power and glory but our ‘unlovely attitudes’ infer the status for which we have raised ourselves in our own eyes. We sit in our comfortable lives and enjoy the palaces that we have built many times forgetting to look beyond the kingdom walls to those who are in need. We convince ourselves that we are much too busy, much too tired and secretly much too apathetic. The more we attach ourselves to our own problems and our own focus the less room exists in our minds and hearts for others.
God hasn’t forgotten the poor in resources, the poor in spirit or the poor in health. We are His hands and feet to remember them and act upon Christ’s example. We can lift this story from the Bible and place it on any corner of any city in the USA. We will never be asked to travel as far as Christ traveled to sacrifice and help our fellow man.
He was at ease in His house and flourishing in His palace but He gave it all up for us temporarily so we could all come and eventually live with Him eternally. We should pursue a kingdom on earth that glorifies Him and a royal residence for Him to rule in our hearts.
Daniel 4 is a monumental chapter on pride and the price paid from pride. King Nebuchadnezzar had been previously warned 12 months prior that his reign would end due to his self-glorification. He had been reckless with this information and had not taken the prophesy seriously. Many years later he records the events in chapter 4 of Daniel. He addresses his audience as everyone, both present and future who live on earth. That includes us! His recollection includes an immediate response to an outrageous statement. “Twelve months later as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, ‘Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?’ The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven…Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled.” Daniel 4:29-31.
‘…at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.’ These words send a chill down my spine as this description many times describes our lives. We may not be bold enough to proclaim that we have built a great kingdom by our own power and glory but our ‘unlovely attitudes’ infer the status for which we have raised ourselves in our own eyes. We sit in our comfortable lives and enjoy the palaces that we have built many times forgetting to look beyond the kingdom walls to those who are in need. We convince ourselves that we are much too busy, much too tired and secretly much too apathetic. The more we attach ourselves to our own problems and our own focus the less room exists in our minds and hearts for others.
God hasn’t forgotten the poor in resources, the poor in spirit or the poor in health. We are His hands and feet to remember them and act upon Christ’s example. We can lift this story from the Bible and place it on any corner of any city in the USA. We will never be asked to travel as far as Christ traveled to sacrifice and help our fellow man.
He was at ease in His house and flourishing in His palace but He gave it all up for us temporarily so we could all come and eventually live with Him eternally. We should pursue a kingdom on earth that glorifies Him and a royal residence for Him to rule in our hearts.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
VIP
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
When I think about how we as Christians can come across I am reminded of the television shows about a bouncer standing at a rope which serves as a reminder that only VIP may enter that venue. We are left watching the faces of those in line anticipating, watching carefully for a move as they think of ways to cross beyond the rope. They scan the crowd to see if there is anyone for whom they can ‘hitch their wagons’ that will guarantee entry.
Many times we are like that bouncer who stands at the base of cross judging who should come, who is worthy enough and who has excluded themselves. We deem ourselves as the ticket master who will determine entry into the venue of Christ forgetting that He is the only one who hung on that cross. We have no right to exclude anyone – the cross covers everyone!
God sent His Son as a sacrifice for the man who lays homeless in the streets. God sent the sacrificial Lamb as offering for eternal life to the woman who for whatever reason has left her children for a different life. God did not waste the life of His only Son only for us to play a bad version of God picking and choosing who we will bring to the base of the cross.
The very rope we drape between ourselves and others will be the very rope that hangs us if we are not careful.
When I think about how we as Christians can come across I am reminded of the television shows about a bouncer standing at a rope which serves as a reminder that only VIP may enter that venue. We are left watching the faces of those in line anticipating, watching carefully for a move as they think of ways to cross beyond the rope. They scan the crowd to see if there is anyone for whom they can ‘hitch their wagons’ that will guarantee entry.
Many times we are like that bouncer who stands at the base of cross judging who should come, who is worthy enough and who has excluded themselves. We deem ourselves as the ticket master who will determine entry into the venue of Christ forgetting that He is the only one who hung on that cross. We have no right to exclude anyone – the cross covers everyone!
God sent His Son as a sacrifice for the man who lays homeless in the streets. God sent the sacrificial Lamb as offering for eternal life to the woman who for whatever reason has left her children for a different life. God did not waste the life of His only Son only for us to play a bad version of God picking and choosing who we will bring to the base of the cross.
The very rope we drape between ourselves and others will be the very rope that hangs us if we are not careful.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
It Is Done!
“At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.” Daniel 4:34
Well I am sure that everyone reading this devotional today will be thrilled for me to drag off the dead horse for which I have been beating! Our verse today ends the documented life of our dear King Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible. He has been humbled by his circumstances as God has taken away everything from him as warned one year earlier. God prophesied that seven times (most likely seven years) would pass before the king would finally be humbled and ask for repentance for his sin. His sin was the same as mine – pride and self-righteousness.
I have repeatedly written about a 26 year relationship in my life that offered continual wounds. Throughout December I felt the LORD warning me that the only way I could move forward in ministry was to surrender once and for all the hurt and bitterness in this relationship apart from any rights I felt I had in holding on to the resentment. He asked me to lay it down and walk away. I knew in my heart at the beginning of January that I was treading on disobedient ground. 2009 was God’s limit of patience realized. I feel that His patience had been extinguished and I had better get on board if I wanted to move forward.
God knew that what began as a little bruise in my heart had grown into rotten fruit. He made it very clear late December that I could cut off that part or He would allow me to taste the poison of that fruit. I felt a Godly fear in my heart that God was moving on whether I chose to join Him or not. But, if I was to join Him there was no room for my pride, bitterness and resentment. There was not enough room on the throne for both of us!
He led me into this with my 2010 year verse. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ He said to me: It is done.’” Rev. 21:4-6
This passage has been confirmed by the Holy Spirit over and over since this revelation. God was essentially saying to me at the beginning of January ‘Brenda, I am taking this ministry forward with or without you. You can move with Me in the new or you can stay stuck in the old. Either way I am moving on!’
Praise God that no matter what our ‘old’ reeks of or the power for which it holds that God is making all things new and the old order of things can pass away if we choose to let them die. We all possess a sinful nature so I knew the importance of constant visual reminders of the fresh 2010 Word I received from God. I put 'All things new...It is Done!' as the banner on my cell phone. That fresh Word comes to me all day long everytime I look at my phone.
So, I lift my eyes to Heaven and my sanity was restored!
Well I am sure that everyone reading this devotional today will be thrilled for me to drag off the dead horse for which I have been beating! Our verse today ends the documented life of our dear King Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible. He has been humbled by his circumstances as God has taken away everything from him as warned one year earlier. God prophesied that seven times (most likely seven years) would pass before the king would finally be humbled and ask for repentance for his sin. His sin was the same as mine – pride and self-righteousness.
I have repeatedly written about a 26 year relationship in my life that offered continual wounds. Throughout December I felt the LORD warning me that the only way I could move forward in ministry was to surrender once and for all the hurt and bitterness in this relationship apart from any rights I felt I had in holding on to the resentment. He asked me to lay it down and walk away. I knew in my heart at the beginning of January that I was treading on disobedient ground. 2009 was God’s limit of patience realized. I feel that His patience had been extinguished and I had better get on board if I wanted to move forward.
God knew that what began as a little bruise in my heart had grown into rotten fruit. He made it very clear late December that I could cut off that part or He would allow me to taste the poison of that fruit. I felt a Godly fear in my heart that God was moving on whether I chose to join Him or not. But, if I was to join Him there was no room for my pride, bitterness and resentment. There was not enough room on the throne for both of us!
He led me into this with my 2010 year verse. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ He said to me: It is done.’” Rev. 21:4-6
This passage has been confirmed by the Holy Spirit over and over since this revelation. God was essentially saying to me at the beginning of January ‘Brenda, I am taking this ministry forward with or without you. You can move with Me in the new or you can stay stuck in the old. Either way I am moving on!’
Praise God that no matter what our ‘old’ reeks of or the power for which it holds that God is making all things new and the old order of things can pass away if we choose to let them die. We all possess a sinful nature so I knew the importance of constant visual reminders of the fresh 2010 Word I received from God. I put 'All things new...It is Done!' as the banner on my cell phone. That fresh Word comes to me all day long everytime I look at my phone.
So, I lift my eyes to Heaven and my sanity was restored!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Joy for the Redeemed
“I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.” Isaiah 45:7-8
Anytime we witness complete devastation of a region such as Haiti we are called to compassion and service. We are inundated with the media coverage and the plea for us to help. It is essential for us to step up in servitude and help do the work of the LORD – to comfort, to serve and to encourage. A call to action in devastating times is the manner in which God can show His righteousness through His people. But, I would like to go far above the devastation of the landscape in Haiti and view it from the standpoint of the redeemed, those who He delivered through this disaster straight into His arms.
“The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people…I have heard them crying out…I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Exodus 7-8.
This area is no stranger to devastation for it is a way of life for them. Each day is a search for life and a search for survival under the rubble of poverty and famine. There are so many people in regions such as this who experience death in some form daily. They experience true hunger, disease and incredible famine. They live in a region deemed hopeless and forgotten by many…but not forgotten by their God. What is seen by man as earthly disaster is given by God as eternal prosperity. He has opened the earth and salvation has sprung up – the salvation of the redeemed people who now walk the streets of gold. He has brought to them prosperity that we can only imagine and showered them with His righteousness never to be hungry and scared again.
But what about those who never were reached to be told of the wonderful Redeemer?
“Rather, as it is written: ‘Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.’” Romans 15:21
God makes the divine provision for these children in His family. For those who were never reached by the Word and never experienced God’s peace on earth are alive in Christ now and living like they have never known.
We hurt for those family members left behind for we know the pain that is theirs. I have been left behind to experience grief, loss and despair through my own disaster of my sister’s death but praise be to the Redeemer “who calls things that are dead to life.” Disaster, disease and despair come to us in chaos, devastation and imperfection, “but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” 1 Cor. 13:10
Dear Father, please be with those left behind for loss is their disaster and thank you for transforming the lives of so many by bringing them to your eternal home. In Your Name, Amen.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Phil 1:21
Anytime we witness complete devastation of a region such as Haiti we are called to compassion and service. We are inundated with the media coverage and the plea for us to help. It is essential for us to step up in servitude and help do the work of the LORD – to comfort, to serve and to encourage. A call to action in devastating times is the manner in which God can show His righteousness through His people. But, I would like to go far above the devastation of the landscape in Haiti and view it from the standpoint of the redeemed, those who He delivered through this disaster straight into His arms.
“The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people…I have heard them crying out…I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Exodus 7-8.
This area is no stranger to devastation for it is a way of life for them. Each day is a search for life and a search for survival under the rubble of poverty and famine. There are so many people in regions such as this who experience death in some form daily. They experience true hunger, disease and incredible famine. They live in a region deemed hopeless and forgotten by many…but not forgotten by their God. What is seen by man as earthly disaster is given by God as eternal prosperity. He has opened the earth and salvation has sprung up – the salvation of the redeemed people who now walk the streets of gold. He has brought to them prosperity that we can only imagine and showered them with His righteousness never to be hungry and scared again.
But what about those who never were reached to be told of the wonderful Redeemer?
“Rather, as it is written: ‘Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.’” Romans 15:21
God makes the divine provision for these children in His family. For those who were never reached by the Word and never experienced God’s peace on earth are alive in Christ now and living like they have never known.
We hurt for those family members left behind for we know the pain that is theirs. I have been left behind to experience grief, loss and despair through my own disaster of my sister’s death but praise be to the Redeemer “who calls things that are dead to life.” Disaster, disease and despair come to us in chaos, devastation and imperfection, “but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” 1 Cor. 13:10
Dear Father, please be with those left behind for loss is their disaster and thank you for transforming the lives of so many by bringing them to your eternal home. In Your Name, Amen.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Phil 1:21
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Shop 'Til You Drop
“But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Daniel 3:15b.
This is the statement Nebuchadnezzar yelled to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as he was furious with rage towards them when they refused to bow. Their king represented evil and temptation to renounce their God for earthly life. He presented a situation of fear and intimidation showing them their immediately future.
Satan is the king of evil on earth and reigns relentlessly. Like this evil king, he lays out before us scenarios which can terrify us of the future. In my book, Dear Adversity I refer to this as trying on our fear to see how well it fits. I write:
“Oh how Satan loves to take us shopping! He loves to bombard our minds with the possibility of the worst case scenario. He tempts us to shop from his rack of garments trying on our pain to see how it will fit before we even need to wear the garments. These garments consist of pain, grief and despair before it becomes a reality.”
I did this when Kristen was deep in her addiction. Each time the phone would ring my heart would temporarily stop as I braced myself for the voice on the other line with my devastating reality. Living in the fear of her “possible” death I missed out on God’s comfort and promise. I suffered an unnecessary sense of loss over and over again with my daughter. I mourned and grieved for her absence and her life because I had shopped from the devil’s rack. I praise God that He replaced the phone call of devastation with that phone call on Mother’s Day when she gave me the gift of sobriety.
Don’t go shopping on his rack because his clothes of fear and despair will always wear out and never hold up~
This is the statement Nebuchadnezzar yelled to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as he was furious with rage towards them when they refused to bow. Their king represented evil and temptation to renounce their God for earthly life. He presented a situation of fear and intimidation showing them their immediately future.
Satan is the king of evil on earth and reigns relentlessly. Like this evil king, he lays out before us scenarios which can terrify us of the future. In my book, Dear Adversity I refer to this as trying on our fear to see how well it fits. I write:
“Oh how Satan loves to take us shopping! He loves to bombard our minds with the possibility of the worst case scenario. He tempts us to shop from his rack of garments trying on our pain to see how it will fit before we even need to wear the garments. These garments consist of pain, grief and despair before it becomes a reality.”
I did this when Kristen was deep in her addiction. Each time the phone would ring my heart would temporarily stop as I braced myself for the voice on the other line with my devastating reality. Living in the fear of her “possible” death I missed out on God’s comfort and promise. I suffered an unnecessary sense of loss over and over again with my daughter. I mourned and grieved for her absence and her life because I had shopped from the devil’s rack. I praise God that He replaced the phone call of devastation with that phone call on Mother’s Day when she gave me the gift of sobriety.
Don’t go shopping on his rack because his clothes of fear and despair will always wear out and never hold up~
Saturday, January 16, 2010
No Smoking, Please!
“So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire…the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.” Daniel 3:26b-27.
So, my parents came out of the fire, the journey of my sister’s battle with cancer and her deliverance from suffering into the arms of God. Their spiritual bodies had not been harmed but rather strengthened as they still believe that God is good and “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. The verse doesn’t say that we will agree with His purpose or that we even have to like it – we simply must both accept and believe it!
They have never worn the robe of anger but continue to clothe themselves in the garment of Christ testifying to all of His faithfulness, His love and His grace. There is not one bit of the scent of fire on them for they never picked up the scent of bitterness and resentment that their desire for my sister didn’t match that of her Father’s. They spiritually marched out of that furnace more resolved, more whole and more bound by their faith believing His purpose is higher than any earthly understanding and laying down any emotional agenda of their own.
The inspiration I have for my parents through this experience leaves me humbled and wanting more faith than what I possess. Some days I smell smoke in my own life regarding much less loss and less importance. To come through their fiery furnace with no smell of smoke is yet another way God still uses my parents to parent me. We are never too old to learn from those who love us and want the best for us.
The smell of smoke through our complaints, grumblings of our circumstances and desire to be viewed as victims will always overpower the fragrance of Christ is our lives.
Father, please help me be a smoke-free building!
So, my parents came out of the fire, the journey of my sister’s battle with cancer and her deliverance from suffering into the arms of God. Their spiritual bodies had not been harmed but rather strengthened as they still believe that God is good and “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. The verse doesn’t say that we will agree with His purpose or that we even have to like it – we simply must both accept and believe it!
They have never worn the robe of anger but continue to clothe themselves in the garment of Christ testifying to all of His faithfulness, His love and His grace. There is not one bit of the scent of fire on them for they never picked up the scent of bitterness and resentment that their desire for my sister didn’t match that of her Father’s. They spiritually marched out of that furnace more resolved, more whole and more bound by their faith believing His purpose is higher than any earthly understanding and laying down any emotional agenda of their own.
The inspiration I have for my parents through this experience leaves me humbled and wanting more faith than what I possess. Some days I smell smoke in my own life regarding much less loss and less importance. To come through their fiery furnace with no smell of smoke is yet another way God still uses my parents to parent me. We are never too old to learn from those who love us and want the best for us.
The smell of smoke through our complaints, grumblings of our circumstances and desire to be viewed as victims will always overpower the fragrance of Christ is our lives.
Father, please help me be a smoke-free building!
Friday, January 15, 2010
The Fourth Man
“Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, O king.’ He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’” Daniel 3:24-25
One year ago in February I lived out this passage in my own life. My sister was dying, my dad’s cancer had progressed into the liver and my own daughter had to face the tragic death of her boyfriend. These were only three devastating furnace realities of six situations occurring in that season of my life. I could hardly breathe from the suffocating smoke and couldn’t see a foot ahead of me for the arcing flames. The Deliverer I knew spiritually could not be seen at the time but I sensed He was there. His presence was promised and His deliverance was inevitable.
One year later as I look back on that furnace I too can see that the fourth man was walking around in the fire with me. I can see how He was extinguishing the flames right before me allowing me to walk step by step. I can witness the clean air for which He was providing allowing me to experience this adversity breath by breath.
The three circumstances in that furnace that had the potential to bind me, burn me and destroy me were not successful in my demise. Instead of death the fourth Man gave me life and instead of captivity He gave me freedom. “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you…Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:5, 9.
Do you see the fourth Man walking around in your fire?
One year ago in February I lived out this passage in my own life. My sister was dying, my dad’s cancer had progressed into the liver and my own daughter had to face the tragic death of her boyfriend. These were only three devastating furnace realities of six situations occurring in that season of my life. I could hardly breathe from the suffocating smoke and couldn’t see a foot ahead of me for the arcing flames. The Deliverer I knew spiritually could not be seen at the time but I sensed He was there. His presence was promised and His deliverance was inevitable.
One year later as I look back on that furnace I too can see that the fourth man was walking around in the fire with me. I can see how He was extinguishing the flames right before me allowing me to walk step by step. I can witness the clean air for which He was providing allowing me to experience this adversity breath by breath.
The three circumstances in that furnace that had the potential to bind me, burn me and destroy me were not successful in my demise. Instead of death the fourth Man gave me life and instead of captivity He gave me freedom. “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you…Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:5, 9.
Do you see the fourth Man walking around in your fire?
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Even If...
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18
This has to be one of the most powerful stands of faith ever documented. The scene is outdoors in Babylon as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stand before the king in complete defiance. The entire kingdom was given an order to bow and worship before a nine-story gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had formed and erected in his own honor and glory. These men take a faith stand on facing immediate death by refusing this command. There was no hesitancy in their decision and they would not budge in their actions.
What great faith we should strive to imitate as we face our fiery furnaces. We must not give in to the fear and despair of our circumstances. We must lean into the mouth of the fire and be prepared to allow God to deliver us from, by or through the fire not forsaking Him based on the end results.
I have scars from where I have been burned in the past not trusting God for whom He says He is and what He says He will do. I treated my burns in the past with the temporary balm of disbelief, fear and despair which did nothing to heal my wounds. It wasn’t until I felt the same heat of the fire again that invited me to experience something different this time. This time I was armed with the divine balm of the Spirit which placed a protection around me against the fiery furnace.
We may not know when our furnace is heating up again but we do know on this earth we will always be one phone call away from the fire. “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your God.” Isaiah 43:2b-3
The promise is simple – He will always walk with us and never leave us. He doesn’t claim He will send someone else from above to comfort us and walk with us but He alone will be with us. He will give us everything required to be delivered through our fires even if this delivery is straight into His arms. His promise is ever-binding, ever-faithful and everlasting.
O king, even if….
This has to be one of the most powerful stands of faith ever documented. The scene is outdoors in Babylon as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stand before the king in complete defiance. The entire kingdom was given an order to bow and worship before a nine-story gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had formed and erected in his own honor and glory. These men take a faith stand on facing immediate death by refusing this command. There was no hesitancy in their decision and they would not budge in their actions.
What great faith we should strive to imitate as we face our fiery furnaces. We must not give in to the fear and despair of our circumstances. We must lean into the mouth of the fire and be prepared to allow God to deliver us from, by or through the fire not forsaking Him based on the end results.
I have scars from where I have been burned in the past not trusting God for whom He says He is and what He says He will do. I treated my burns in the past with the temporary balm of disbelief, fear and despair which did nothing to heal my wounds. It wasn’t until I felt the same heat of the fire again that invited me to experience something different this time. This time I was armed with the divine balm of the Spirit which placed a protection around me against the fiery furnace.
We may not know when our furnace is heating up again but we do know on this earth we will always be one phone call away from the fire. “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your God.” Isaiah 43:2b-3
The promise is simple – He will always walk with us and never leave us. He doesn’t claim He will send someone else from above to comfort us and walk with us but He alone will be with us. He will give us everything required to be delivered through our fires even if this delivery is straight into His arms. His promise is ever-binding, ever-faithful and everlasting.
O king, even if….
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Building Statues
“King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.” Daniel 3:1
I can’t help but believe we wear a crown in our self-made kingdoms, casting and forming images to help promote who we wish to be. We are appalled when we read that the king erected such a hideous and obvious image infuriating us as we think how much more God deserves than this idol.
How much do we have in common with this king as he rules his kingdom in relation to the manner in which we rule ours? Do we build up our image through our own arrogance and pride? Do we create a façade and wear a mask of who we desire to be, not really who we are? Do our actions and words in private match our behavior in public?
There are so many image consultants in the world today making money off of our desire to be something we are not. They look at our lives through the scope of their agendas and determine who we should most look like, act like and be like. We give full reign over to these consultants who barely know us. We allow the opinions of others, albeit paid consultants or friends to help us build his golden image which may in the end forsake the One who created the image we are to be.
The word image is defined as ‘a person or thing bearing a close likeness to somebody or something else.’ The Bible gives us everything we need to know about the image of God and the manner in which we may achieve this likeness. Christ cast the perfect image of God when He walked this earth which we will never be able to do. However, His walk did give us the standard for which is set that shows through imitating His walk we can continuously emerge more into His likeness daily.
We should scan our horizons on a regular basis and determine if any statues of gold images litter our landscapes and ask God to tear down those false images.
I can’t help but believe we wear a crown in our self-made kingdoms, casting and forming images to help promote who we wish to be. We are appalled when we read that the king erected such a hideous and obvious image infuriating us as we think how much more God deserves than this idol.
How much do we have in common with this king as he rules his kingdom in relation to the manner in which we rule ours? Do we build up our image through our own arrogance and pride? Do we create a façade and wear a mask of who we desire to be, not really who we are? Do our actions and words in private match our behavior in public?
There are so many image consultants in the world today making money off of our desire to be something we are not. They look at our lives through the scope of their agendas and determine who we should most look like, act like and be like. We give full reign over to these consultants who barely know us. We allow the opinions of others, albeit paid consultants or friends to help us build his golden image which may in the end forsake the One who created the image we are to be.
The word image is defined as ‘a person or thing bearing a close likeness to somebody or something else.’ The Bible gives us everything we need to know about the image of God and the manner in which we may achieve this likeness. Christ cast the perfect image of God when He walked this earth which we will never be able to do. However, His walk did give us the standard for which is set that shows through imitating His walk we can continuously emerge more into His likeness daily.
We should scan our horizons on a regular basis and determine if any statues of gold images litter our landscapes and ask God to tear down those false images.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
In All Seasons
“He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:21
I am so tired of the cold and we are only in January! I thrive surrounded with the chirping birds of spring and the croaking frogs of summer. The soft breezes that accompany mild temperatures beckon an invitation to fully engage in that season.
That is the same way I am with my spiritual seasons. I know that although God set up every season in my life I, like everyone else, enjoy the milder temperatures of my circumstances. When my problems are mild such as too much on the calendar and too many demands for which I am trying to meet I can still hear those birds chirping. But, when we experience seasons of devastation such as abandonment, sickness, divorce or even death there seems to be a void of soft breezes and an absence of outdoor laughter. We stay inside to avoid the harsh winter season and limit our outdoor involvement.
God’s grace no matter what season for which we are experiencing is available to all of us, no one excluded! The providence of God moves us forward in circumstances and is always purposeful in experience. “Providence is not a principle of orderliness or reason; rather, providence is the will of the Creator who is actively involved in moving His creation to a goal…history is being moved toward the predetermined end.” Harpers Bible Dictionary.
What I know and trust for sure is that God will not allow me to remain in my winter seasons forever. He does not leave me alone to my own circumstances and confusion as to which direction I should walk. In every season He will answer me, guide me and encourage me. We will not experience our seasons alone but rather through God’s interpretation and revelations He will provide wisdom and knowledge for future journeys.
Don’t be afraid of the winter but trust that God’s grace will thaw any circumstance. We can still experience spring in our winters by understanding that our purpose on the continuum of the Creator’s goal for the world is critical in its fulfillment.
Every winter we experience will be followed up with an amazing spring!
I am so tired of the cold and we are only in January! I thrive surrounded with the chirping birds of spring and the croaking frogs of summer. The soft breezes that accompany mild temperatures beckon an invitation to fully engage in that season.
That is the same way I am with my spiritual seasons. I know that although God set up every season in my life I, like everyone else, enjoy the milder temperatures of my circumstances. When my problems are mild such as too much on the calendar and too many demands for which I am trying to meet I can still hear those birds chirping. But, when we experience seasons of devastation such as abandonment, sickness, divorce or even death there seems to be a void of soft breezes and an absence of outdoor laughter. We stay inside to avoid the harsh winter season and limit our outdoor involvement.
God’s grace no matter what season for which we are experiencing is available to all of us, no one excluded! The providence of God moves us forward in circumstances and is always purposeful in experience. “Providence is not a principle of orderliness or reason; rather, providence is the will of the Creator who is actively involved in moving His creation to a goal…history is being moved toward the predetermined end.” Harpers Bible Dictionary.
What I know and trust for sure is that God will not allow me to remain in my winter seasons forever. He does not leave me alone to my own circumstances and confusion as to which direction I should walk. In every season He will answer me, guide me and encourage me. We will not experience our seasons alone but rather through God’s interpretation and revelations He will provide wisdom and knowledge for future journeys.
Don’t be afraid of the winter but trust that God’s grace will thaw any circumstance. We can still experience spring in our winters by understanding that our purpose on the continuum of the Creator’s goal for the world is critical in its fulfillment.
Every winter we experience will be followed up with an amazing spring!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Hidden Treasures
“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:22
This is one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible! It assures my soul that no matter what darkness I experience it lays bare before the LORD. There are neither surprises nor circumstances that didn’t first pass through the filter of God.
For something to be hidden means someone had to place it there for our discovery. This reminds me of when our children were little and Bruce use to “plant” pre-bought shark’s teeth as we took the kids looking for treasures in the sand. He was well aware of where he had hidden these treasures and would guide the kids to that direction.
Our Father does the same thing as we search our lives for answers. He knows the hidden things He has purposed for us and if we will allow Him complete guidance of our lives He will reveal where these divinely appointed treasures lay.
His light consists of His knowledge, His understanding and His resolutions of all of our challenges. If all of this dwells and lives within Him and we allow Him to dwell within us, we receive this Light through the transfer of spirits.
Darkness is only dark to the one who cannot see but we “will do well to pay attention to it (God’s light), as to a light shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises.” (2 Pet 1:19 – italicized mine)
Once our day dawns and all darkness is revealed we will see the perfect Light of God on previously darkened areas. We will never come out of the darkness without new knowledge, new wisdom and the light of a new day.
Trust in the Light that will expose and reveal the treasures that lay in the dark.
This is one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible! It assures my soul that no matter what darkness I experience it lays bare before the LORD. There are neither surprises nor circumstances that didn’t first pass through the filter of God.
For something to be hidden means someone had to place it there for our discovery. This reminds me of when our children were little and Bruce use to “plant” pre-bought shark’s teeth as we took the kids looking for treasures in the sand. He was well aware of where he had hidden these treasures and would guide the kids to that direction.
Our Father does the same thing as we search our lives for answers. He knows the hidden things He has purposed for us and if we will allow Him complete guidance of our lives He will reveal where these divinely appointed treasures lay.
His light consists of His knowledge, His understanding and His resolutions of all of our challenges. If all of this dwells and lives within Him and we allow Him to dwell within us, we receive this Light through the transfer of spirits.
Darkness is only dark to the one who cannot see but we “will do well to pay attention to it (God’s light), as to a light shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises.” (2 Pet 1:19 – italicized mine)
Once our day dawns and all darkness is revealed we will see the perfect Light of God on previously darkened areas. We will never come out of the darkness without new knowledge, new wisdom and the light of a new day.
Trust in the Light that will expose and reveal the treasures that lay in the dark.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Pass The Salt
“Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Col 4:6
I have a friend who contacted me regarding an article she had read relating to suicide. She has recently had to experience this devastating reality in her own family. I read the article which overall spoke of trusting God’s ability to comfort and to deliver. The aspect of God being bigger than all of our problems was undercut by the judgmental harshness of the author’s opinion wherein she spoke of suicide being a selfish act.
Aren’t all of our choices and actions when distant from God self-acts? Aren’t we all of a sinful nature and require God’s daily redemption guarding us against our own self?
This judgmental article wounded my friend on top of deep injuries that already penetrate her heart. Thankfully, my friend is a devout Christian but what if she wouldn’t have been? If we are to be the salt of the world we should be seasoned with God’s knowledge and loving grace. When spreading the faith, Christ did not promise eternal life through condemnation but rather through His surrendered life. So, why do we are Christians feel the need to judge and discredit the very faith for which we are trying to build?
Let us determine before we speak the seasoning for which we wish to pass. Should we pass the salt of grace or instead pepper our faith with condemnation?
I have a friend who contacted me regarding an article she had read relating to suicide. She has recently had to experience this devastating reality in her own family. I read the article which overall spoke of trusting God’s ability to comfort and to deliver. The aspect of God being bigger than all of our problems was undercut by the judgmental harshness of the author’s opinion wherein she spoke of suicide being a selfish act.
Aren’t all of our choices and actions when distant from God self-acts? Aren’t we all of a sinful nature and require God’s daily redemption guarding us against our own self?
This judgmental article wounded my friend on top of deep injuries that already penetrate her heart. Thankfully, my friend is a devout Christian but what if she wouldn’t have been? If we are to be the salt of the world we should be seasoned with God’s knowledge and loving grace. When spreading the faith, Christ did not promise eternal life through condemnation but rather through His surrendered life. So, why do we are Christians feel the need to judge and discredit the very faith for which we are trying to build?
Let us determine before we speak the seasoning for which we wish to pass. Should we pass the salt of grace or instead pepper our faith with condemnation?
Saturday, January 9, 2010
I Do!
“Will you love him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?”
These are the words spoken between two people on their sacred wedding day. In the Bible we are told that Christ is our groom and we are His bride. The day we accept Jesus Christ as our Love is the most exciting journey for which we will ever walk. But do we stay true to our vows to Him?
Instead of honoring Him with our belief in His faithfulness do we blame Him for our pain? Instead of thanking Him even in financial adversity do we tell Him why we need more? In sad circumstances do we still love, cherish and bestow upon Him our heart’s deepest devotion or do we become distant from Him through our passive aggressive behavior?
In our hearts are we looking for a replacement groom in our pain who will temporarily help us forget our suffering? Are we having an affair of the heart as we live out our grief reaching for anything for comfort other than our Groom?
How serious do we take our vows to God? Do we forsake things and sacrifice our own agenda and sense of self out of our desire to “keep ourselves unto Him”? These should not be mere words we recite in an orchestrated ceremony but heart felt passion and actions to show each sentence of this vow lived out in our lives.
We expect God to keep His promises to us so why shouldn’t our vows be etched on the walls of our hearts to Him. Each day I should both inspect and ask myself, ‘Am I loving Him? Am I honoring Him? Am I cherishing Him with the deepest part of my heart? Am I forsaking all others? Most importantly, am I keeping myself only unto Him?
We cannot be perfect in our marriage to Him but we can be intentional and passionate in our hearts towards Him affording Him all access to our hearts. So, I say again today, ‘I Do!”
These are the words spoken between two people on their sacred wedding day. In the Bible we are told that Christ is our groom and we are His bride. The day we accept Jesus Christ as our Love is the most exciting journey for which we will ever walk. But do we stay true to our vows to Him?
Instead of honoring Him with our belief in His faithfulness do we blame Him for our pain? Instead of thanking Him even in financial adversity do we tell Him why we need more? In sad circumstances do we still love, cherish and bestow upon Him our heart’s deepest devotion or do we become distant from Him through our passive aggressive behavior?
In our hearts are we looking for a replacement groom in our pain who will temporarily help us forget our suffering? Are we having an affair of the heart as we live out our grief reaching for anything for comfort other than our Groom?
How serious do we take our vows to God? Do we forsake things and sacrifice our own agenda and sense of self out of our desire to “keep ourselves unto Him”? These should not be mere words we recite in an orchestrated ceremony but heart felt passion and actions to show each sentence of this vow lived out in our lives.
We expect God to keep His promises to us so why shouldn’t our vows be etched on the walls of our hearts to Him. Each day I should both inspect and ask myself, ‘Am I loving Him? Am I honoring Him? Am I cherishing Him with the deepest part of my heart? Am I forsaking all others? Most importantly, am I keeping myself only unto Him?
We cannot be perfect in our marriage to Him but we can be intentional and passionate in our hearts towards Him affording Him all access to our hearts. So, I say again today, ‘I Do!”
Friday, January 8, 2010
Following Signs
“Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.’” Daniel 2:27
We have all had them and have all attempted to interpret them – dreams. We have laid awake in the darkness of the night panicked, anxious and begging for the light of day to appear. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was no different. He had such a disturbing dream that when none of his appointed men in his kingdom could interpret the dream he commanded the death of all of them. Daniel, our dear man of God, prayed to the Father to obtain this knowledge. He knew that only through God’s supernatural intervention could Daniel and his friends be used as instruments of interpretation.
God appeared to the king in a dream knowing the importance the king placed on dreams in predicting the future. Back in his days it was believed that the many gods of Babylon appeared in dreams for future fulfillment. God knew exactly how to get the king’s attention and knew the exact man for the job for carrying out His message. Not only did Daniel recall the dream and interpret its meaning, but he prefaced the interpretation with the truth that no man can accomplish this command. He gave full credit to the One God in heaven who reveals all mysteries.
Giving God the glory upfront no matter who we are speaking to is essential in showing God our heart and love for Him. It is the desire of our Father to claim us as His children before God so we must claim Him as our Father before man. (“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33.)
As we stand before man in all circumstances are we simply trying to achieve our own agenda or are we trying to find ways to acknowledge our Maker? As we go through our day let us replace the word ‘I’ with the beautiful name of ‘God".
We have all had them and have all attempted to interpret them – dreams. We have laid awake in the darkness of the night panicked, anxious and begging for the light of day to appear. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was no different. He had such a disturbing dream that when none of his appointed men in his kingdom could interpret the dream he commanded the death of all of them. Daniel, our dear man of God, prayed to the Father to obtain this knowledge. He knew that only through God’s supernatural intervention could Daniel and his friends be used as instruments of interpretation.
God appeared to the king in a dream knowing the importance the king placed on dreams in predicting the future. Back in his days it was believed that the many gods of Babylon appeared in dreams for future fulfillment. God knew exactly how to get the king’s attention and knew the exact man for the job for carrying out His message. Not only did Daniel recall the dream and interpret its meaning, but he prefaced the interpretation with the truth that no man can accomplish this command. He gave full credit to the One God in heaven who reveals all mysteries.
Giving God the glory upfront no matter who we are speaking to is essential in showing God our heart and love for Him. It is the desire of our Father to claim us as His children before God so we must claim Him as our Father before man. (“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33.)
As we stand before man in all circumstances are we simply trying to achieve our own agenda or are we trying to find ways to acknowledge our Maker? As we go through our day let us replace the word ‘I’ with the beautiful name of ‘God".
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Resolving Up Front
“Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” Daniel 1:8
When my children were teenagers I remember encouraging them to make decisions up front when faced with a decision that could cause temptation. If they were going to be around a person with whom they usually argued I would tell them to decide up front to stay calm and not be pulled into their pettiness. As they got older the temptations grew more serious such as drinking at a party or saying no to drugs.
To resolve is “to come to a firm decision about something, to find a solution to a problem and to dispel doubts or anxieties.” The most difficult thing to do as a Christian is to maintain the consistency of integrity. We know how we want to live our lives but find ourselves in temptation at our weakest moments. Satan doesn’t attack in the strong areas of our lives but waits until he sees our approaching weaknesses. As God told Cain before he killed his brother, “Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you.” Gen. 4:7.
If we are to be people of integrity we must resolve to make certain decisions in our minds before facing them with our hands. The word ‘integrity’ in the Latin translation means entire. It is the “quality or state of being complete or undivided.” It is being resolved to respond a certain way in every circumstance.
Like Daniel, we can ask our Chief Official for help in keeping us pure, clean and resolved to make the consistent decisions of living inside out. Inside out living is the practice of being the same person and making the same godly decisions apart from the change of our surroundings of people, places or things.
By living this way, we align ourselves more successfully to ward off the crouching enemy whose resolve is to disorient, confuse and destroy. Let us resolve to live a life that shuts the door to sin and its desire to overtake both our lives and our ministries.
When my children were teenagers I remember encouraging them to make decisions up front when faced with a decision that could cause temptation. If they were going to be around a person with whom they usually argued I would tell them to decide up front to stay calm and not be pulled into their pettiness. As they got older the temptations grew more serious such as drinking at a party or saying no to drugs.
To resolve is “to come to a firm decision about something, to find a solution to a problem and to dispel doubts or anxieties.” The most difficult thing to do as a Christian is to maintain the consistency of integrity. We know how we want to live our lives but find ourselves in temptation at our weakest moments. Satan doesn’t attack in the strong areas of our lives but waits until he sees our approaching weaknesses. As God told Cain before he killed his brother, “Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you.” Gen. 4:7.
If we are to be people of integrity we must resolve to make certain decisions in our minds before facing them with our hands. The word ‘integrity’ in the Latin translation means entire. It is the “quality or state of being complete or undivided.” It is being resolved to respond a certain way in every circumstance.
Like Daniel, we can ask our Chief Official for help in keeping us pure, clean and resolved to make the consistent decisions of living inside out. Inside out living is the practice of being the same person and making the same godly decisions apart from the change of our surroundings of people, places or things.
By living this way, we align ourselves more successfully to ward off the crouching enemy whose resolve is to disorient, confuse and destroy. Let us resolve to live a life that shuts the door to sin and its desire to overtake both our lives and our ministries.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
What's In a Name?
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into this wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
In the Old Testament, we find a group of young men who were carried away by the Babylonians from their home city of Jerusalem. Four of these men were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, all chosen because of their family ties to royalty, their handsome appearance, their keen intellect and their ability to be trained in King Nebuchadnezzar’s army. You may better recognize the last three men as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the men who were thrown into the fiery furnace only to survive by the hands of God.
All four names are derived from the meaning that God was with them. Interestingly enough, the Babylonians renamed them referring to the gods of the Babylonians. Their captives redefined who they were and renamed them according to their many pagan beliefs.
I know that I write a great deal on captivity because I feel that this world offers continuous lures to move from one prison to another. Through many circumstances beyond our control we allow our captivities to both rename and redefine us. In divorce, we may be redefined as bitter or in family relationships we may take on the new name of unforgiving.
We were born and chosen to be sons and daughters of Christ and God never intended on us living in the darkness of our prisons. Just as we desire for our children to live in joy and freedom we understand that they must realize who they are and stay true to themselves. This is the desire of our Father as He reveals to us in His word who we are in Him no matter what our captors tempt us to believe.
When my daughter was living in her world of drugs I allowed the captor to redefine me as a mother who had done things the wrong way. As I battled my own secret spending I renamed myself as shameful and deceitful. These new names are the work of your captors and not your God.
Our Father makes it clear who we are apart from our captivities – we are a people belonging to Him, a royal heir to the eternal King and a chosen family. Our King will lead us out of the darkness of our captivities and the Light will show that our names have not changed.
Our captors can call us what they want but it doesn't change who we are!
In the Old Testament, we find a group of young men who were carried away by the Babylonians from their home city of Jerusalem. Four of these men were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, all chosen because of their family ties to royalty, their handsome appearance, their keen intellect and their ability to be trained in King Nebuchadnezzar’s army. You may better recognize the last three men as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the men who were thrown into the fiery furnace only to survive by the hands of God.
All four names are derived from the meaning that God was with them. Interestingly enough, the Babylonians renamed them referring to the gods of the Babylonians. Their captives redefined who they were and renamed them according to their many pagan beliefs.
I know that I write a great deal on captivity because I feel that this world offers continuous lures to move from one prison to another. Through many circumstances beyond our control we allow our captivities to both rename and redefine us. In divorce, we may be redefined as bitter or in family relationships we may take on the new name of unforgiving.
We were born and chosen to be sons and daughters of Christ and God never intended on us living in the darkness of our prisons. Just as we desire for our children to live in joy and freedom we understand that they must realize who they are and stay true to themselves. This is the desire of our Father as He reveals to us in His word who we are in Him no matter what our captors tempt us to believe.
When my daughter was living in her world of drugs I allowed the captor to redefine me as a mother who had done things the wrong way. As I battled my own secret spending I renamed myself as shameful and deceitful. These new names are the work of your captors and not your God.
Our Father makes it clear who we are apart from our captivities – we are a people belonging to Him, a royal heir to the eternal King and a chosen family. Our King will lead us out of the darkness of our captivities and the Light will show that our names have not changed.
Our captors can call us what they want but it doesn't change who we are!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Working Out
“…train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Tim. 4:7-8
This passage should be at the top of all of our lists for our New Year’s Resolution. I will step up first and say hooray that spiritual training is of much greater value than physical training (it’s a good thing!)
When I look at all of the failed attempts in my life regarding working out, getting physically in shape and any kind of physical training I realize that its results were not enduring and were only successful as long as I participated in some type of regimented practice. Don’t get me wrong for there is a place for maintaining good physical health in our lives but never should it be the driving force in our lives.
Anything that dominates our focus as Christians should be a building block to help us better live our lives for God and build our value in Him. The word ‘physical training’ can be replaced with any passion that penetrates our thoughts and actions.
The importance of working out spiritually everyday of our lives is paramount in our walk with God. Not only does it build spiritual muscle but it gives us wisdom and understanding into our Trainer and allows Him full reign for our work-out plan.
Notice that no one can show up for our session but us as we are to train ourselves in the ways of the LORD.
This training will build value instead of muscle and replace focus on the temporary self with the eternal spirit. So let’s go ahead and break that spiritual sweat!
This passage should be at the top of all of our lists for our New Year’s Resolution. I will step up first and say hooray that spiritual training is of much greater value than physical training (it’s a good thing!)
When I look at all of the failed attempts in my life regarding working out, getting physically in shape and any kind of physical training I realize that its results were not enduring and were only successful as long as I participated in some type of regimented practice. Don’t get me wrong for there is a place for maintaining good physical health in our lives but never should it be the driving force in our lives.
Anything that dominates our focus as Christians should be a building block to help us better live our lives for God and build our value in Him. The word ‘physical training’ can be replaced with any passion that penetrates our thoughts and actions.
The importance of working out spiritually everyday of our lives is paramount in our walk with God. Not only does it build spiritual muscle but it gives us wisdom and understanding into our Trainer and allows Him full reign for our work-out plan.
Notice that no one can show up for our session but us as we are to train ourselves in the ways of the LORD.
This training will build value instead of muscle and replace focus on the temporary self with the eternal spirit. So let’s go ahead and break that spiritual sweat!
Monday, January 4, 2010
He Fails Us Not
“For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you…You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you…Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.” 2 Chr. 20:12 & 17
I cannot come up with a greater battle we are called to fight than the war of grief. The fiery bows keep coming and it seems the ammunition never runs out. But this battle is much different than any other battle we face in life because there is no action we can take to reverse the outcome. Every attempt for comfort must be directed to God for present comfort and future healing.
This past week two of my friends lost their 15 year old daughter in a tragic automobile accident. As I approached them at the funeral home I felt the engulfing power of grief reminding me of my experience this past year. I was comforted for them as I realized that the LORD has delivered me tear by tear and hour by hour, and will be faithful in fighting their overwhelming battle of despair. It gave me power in words as I approached them . I kept hearing the words over and over again in my head ‘God fails us not’ and ‘His love will cover all pain’. As I embraced them and said these words I felt the love of God flow through one broken heart to another and knew that God indeed was with me as I went out to minister to others and face their fresh pain. God certainly uses the pain of one to minister to another.
We are called upon to encourage, lift up and use our experiences as vessels for God to flow into others when they are experiencing their battles. Through standing firm in our faith and believing that God will be with us in all things we are able to allow God to run into battle for us and ward off attack upon attack.
God is the Ancient of Days and has been the Comforter of hearts since the beginning of time. He comforts divinely and delivers supernaturally if we will lay down our arsenal and pick up our faith.
Our present pain is God's future ministry in our lives if we will allow Him to use it for His glory and purpose.
I cannot come up with a greater battle we are called to fight than the war of grief. The fiery bows keep coming and it seems the ammunition never runs out. But this battle is much different than any other battle we face in life because there is no action we can take to reverse the outcome. Every attempt for comfort must be directed to God for present comfort and future healing.
This past week two of my friends lost their 15 year old daughter in a tragic automobile accident. As I approached them at the funeral home I felt the engulfing power of grief reminding me of my experience this past year. I was comforted for them as I realized that the LORD has delivered me tear by tear and hour by hour, and will be faithful in fighting their overwhelming battle of despair. It gave me power in words as I approached them . I kept hearing the words over and over again in my head ‘God fails us not’ and ‘His love will cover all pain’. As I embraced them and said these words I felt the love of God flow through one broken heart to another and knew that God indeed was with me as I went out to minister to others and face their fresh pain. God certainly uses the pain of one to minister to another.
We are called upon to encourage, lift up and use our experiences as vessels for God to flow into others when they are experiencing their battles. Through standing firm in our faith and believing that God will be with us in all things we are able to allow God to run into battle for us and ward off attack upon attack.
God is the Ancient of Days and has been the Comforter of hearts since the beginning of time. He comforts divinely and delivers supernaturally if we will lay down our arsenal and pick up our faith.
Our present pain is God's future ministry in our lives if we will allow Him to use it for His glory and purpose.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
There Is None Besides Me
”You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’ Disaster will come upon you, and you will not know how to conjure it away. A calamity will fall upon you that you cannot ward off with a ransom; a catastrophe you cannot foresee will suddenly come upon you.” Isaiah 47:10-11
These were the prophetic words from God in Isaiah when speaking of the Fall of Babylon. God spoke to Babylon as if the city were a painted woman of the night, a prostitute who sold her worth in every transaction in her life. He speaks as if she lurked around in the dark allies stealing, seducing, and intoxicating her prey only to gain at the loss of others.
Have things changed? Does our culture paint up our face, look to self for gain and sell ourselves for cheap? Within the walls of our home do we hide our choices and try to cover our sins? Do our children see our homes as a monument of worship to God or as a mistress to the world?
God makes it abundantly clear throughout the Bible that sin will be dealt with in each of our lives and there is no action that is not laid bare upon the Lord’s examination. When we choose sin in private to man it is in full view to God. I once read a book, Who You Are When No One’s Looking which was a wonderful book on building character as it relates to biblical standards.
The road to calamity and disaster is littered with wisdom and knowledge of self and want. We are all guilty of this in some area of our lives which will be dealt with on some level at some point. God will not be less than God so He must stay true to His holiness in dealing with our sins. The beauty of God is forgiveness and each day is new.
As we begin a new year and a new day let us place our trust in holiness instead of sin and wisdom in place of want.
These were the prophetic words from God in Isaiah when speaking of the Fall of Babylon. God spoke to Babylon as if the city were a painted woman of the night, a prostitute who sold her worth in every transaction in her life. He speaks as if she lurked around in the dark allies stealing, seducing, and intoxicating her prey only to gain at the loss of others.
Have things changed? Does our culture paint up our face, look to self for gain and sell ourselves for cheap? Within the walls of our home do we hide our choices and try to cover our sins? Do our children see our homes as a monument of worship to God or as a mistress to the world?
God makes it abundantly clear throughout the Bible that sin will be dealt with in each of our lives and there is no action that is not laid bare upon the Lord’s examination. When we choose sin in private to man it is in full view to God. I once read a book, Who You Are When No One’s Looking which was a wonderful book on building character as it relates to biblical standards.
The road to calamity and disaster is littered with wisdom and knowledge of self and want. We are all guilty of this in some area of our lives which will be dealt with on some level at some point. God will not be less than God so He must stay true to His holiness in dealing with our sins. The beauty of God is forgiveness and each day is new.
As we begin a new year and a new day let us place our trust in holiness instead of sin and wisdom in place of want.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Playgrounds
“The LORD will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” Isaiah 58:11a
I remember passing by an abandoned playground once when I was in Lancaster. The frame of the swing set was warped and disfigured and the grass was so high I wouldn’t have dared walk through it. When I would baby sit children, I remember taking them to this park. This time there was a strange emptiness that surrounded this park which no longer bore life. The crooked swings hung lifeless on a frame that was no longer sufficient to hold life and unmanicured grass invited nothing more than snakes. Laughter was only echoes of time past with nothing there in the present.
We all will experience this same type of emptiness where joy once lived and discontent where satisfaction once ruled. We long for the days of play, joy, connection and contentment. Much like playgrounds, if we do not make intentional attempts to manicure our hearts and mind we invite the enemy to infiltrate and tear down the very areas that have brought us joy and satisfaction in this past.
Through the guidance of Christ we can break free from any emptiness no matter what we are experiencing. We can be satisfied in Christ apart from our circumstances. The key is focus. Where does our focus lay? Do we get lost and stuck in the past which prevents us from freedom in the present? Do we only revisit the echoes in our mind as a means to break free from giving us assurance for the future?
The empty playgrounds in our hearts will become the enemy’s playground haunting us if we do not surround ourselves with the appropriate tools for upkeep. We must manicure our grounds and maintain our frames to assure joy, contentment and complete satisfaction in Him.
Through Christ let us bring life back into the playgrounds of our hearts and swing through the present with child-like joy and freedom.
I remember passing by an abandoned playground once when I was in Lancaster. The frame of the swing set was warped and disfigured and the grass was so high I wouldn’t have dared walk through it. When I would baby sit children, I remember taking them to this park. This time there was a strange emptiness that surrounded this park which no longer bore life. The crooked swings hung lifeless on a frame that was no longer sufficient to hold life and unmanicured grass invited nothing more than snakes. Laughter was only echoes of time past with nothing there in the present.
We all will experience this same type of emptiness where joy once lived and discontent where satisfaction once ruled. We long for the days of play, joy, connection and contentment. Much like playgrounds, if we do not make intentional attempts to manicure our hearts and mind we invite the enemy to infiltrate and tear down the very areas that have brought us joy and satisfaction in this past.
Through the guidance of Christ we can break free from any emptiness no matter what we are experiencing. We can be satisfied in Christ apart from our circumstances. The key is focus. Where does our focus lay? Do we get lost and stuck in the past which prevents us from freedom in the present? Do we only revisit the echoes in our mind as a means to break free from giving us assurance for the future?
The empty playgrounds in our hearts will become the enemy’s playground haunting us if we do not surround ourselves with the appropriate tools for upkeep. We must manicure our grounds and maintain our frames to assure joy, contentment and complete satisfaction in Him.
Through Christ let us bring life back into the playgrounds of our hearts and swing through the present with child-like joy and freedom.
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