“But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the LORD, ‘O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home…I knew you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity …’ But the LORD replied, ‘Have you any right to be angry?’” Jonah 4:1-4
Every parent has heard the battle cry- ‘I’m telling!’ It used to send chills up my spine much like fingernails on a chalkboard. The anguish of the ‘victim’ was only matched by the anticipated delight of the punishment of the ‘perpetrator’. This was the plea of Jonah as he pouted to God that the region for which he was sent to minister had been forgiven. He didn’t feel they were worthy of forgiveness and had rather had them destroyed by God’s wrath. This one is too close for comfort! Not that I desire for anyone to experience calamity but on some level we all want justice served up our way.
I have watched a person in my life continuously live out life through the ego, self-will and self-centeredness. Many times I have pointed out to God these transgressions much like Jonah did. I have sat by much like a little child tattle-telling and anticipating the parent to step in and condemn. Now understand that I am not proud of this but simply am being honest.
I am reminded of the beautiful verse that follows up one of the most well-known Bible passages of John 3:16. The verse that follows (v. 17) is ‘God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ Christ understood that will and did not use His power irresponsibly. He had both knowledge and righteous motivation. In Ezekiel we are told the correct attitude to have as far as the forgiveness of others. ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn…’ Ez. 33:11. In the New Testament, we are told that love God’s way is ‘not delighting in evil but rejoicing when truth wins out’ (1 Co. 13:6)
We are to pray for the Spirit-led conviction and the full heart repentance of those for whom we see living life apart from the Holy Spirit. We are to be free from our judgment of others as they are to seek freedom from their life of self. We are to praise God when others turn away from their selfishness and replace it with righteousness. ‘Oh, God, give us a longing – not for the sin of this world to be judged – but for the sinners of this world to be forgiven.’ Beth Moore, Jesus-The One and Only.
We should dress ourselves each morning with the helmet of Hebrews 10:24: ‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds’ and rejoice that Christ responds with the heart of Hebrews 10:17: ‘Then he adds, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven…’”
Friday, July 2, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
View At The Top
“About eight days after Jesus said this he took Peter, John and James with him and went up on a mountain to pray…Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem…A voice came from the cloud…When the voice had spoken…The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.” Luke 9: 28-36
This passage describes the Transfiguration of Christ. Transfiguration is defined as a dramatic change in appearance, especially one that reveals great beauty, spirituality, or magnificence. This is what the chosen disciples witnessed as they awoke from a hazy sleep. No doubt they had to rub their eyes more than a few times to assure themselves they were not dreaming! I love what my Bible commentary writes regarding the word ‘departure.’ “Note that His death is here spoken of as an accomplishment. Also note that death is simply as exodus – not cessation of existence but departure from one place to another one.”
Wonderful truths may be drawn from this experience to apply to our lives. God will call upon us to follow Him to the mountain to be alone. We will have to climb steep rocks of adversity but the payoff will be glorious. To experience the fullness of Christ, we must go through the dark sleep of adversity. Some things can only be shown to us after we have awakened from our circumstances.
Another wonderful truth is that we will have experiences in spiritual awareness and holy revelation with Christ in which we will be unable to speak of for a time. These are such sacred experiences we store them up in our hearts and ponder upon the significance of them. We guard them so closely knowing that mere words could never do the experience justice. Experiences with Christ are unique revelations chosen distinctly for the unique individual.
The last truth that is essential is the ability for all of us to have a sort of transfiguration of our own. Let’s go back to the definition of transfiguration - a dramatic change in appearance, especially one that reveals great beauty, spirituality, or magnificence. As we take on the attitude and heart of God we will take on dramatic change in our actions and words. We will reflect the glorious splendor of His light, diminishing our own poor reflection. We will reveal the beauty of the Spirit and illuminate the Light of a magnificent God.
Father, as we climb those mountains to get a greater view of You, keep us safe, focused and expectant of your glory and splendor. In Your transforming arms, I am…Amen.
This passage describes the Transfiguration of Christ. Transfiguration is defined as a dramatic change in appearance, especially one that reveals great beauty, spirituality, or magnificence. This is what the chosen disciples witnessed as they awoke from a hazy sleep. No doubt they had to rub their eyes more than a few times to assure themselves they were not dreaming! I love what my Bible commentary writes regarding the word ‘departure.’ “Note that His death is here spoken of as an accomplishment. Also note that death is simply as exodus – not cessation of existence but departure from one place to another one.”
Wonderful truths may be drawn from this experience to apply to our lives. God will call upon us to follow Him to the mountain to be alone. We will have to climb steep rocks of adversity but the payoff will be glorious. To experience the fullness of Christ, we must go through the dark sleep of adversity. Some things can only be shown to us after we have awakened from our circumstances.
Another wonderful truth is that we will have experiences in spiritual awareness and holy revelation with Christ in which we will be unable to speak of for a time. These are such sacred experiences we store them up in our hearts and ponder upon the significance of them. We guard them so closely knowing that mere words could never do the experience justice. Experiences with Christ are unique revelations chosen distinctly for the unique individual.
The last truth that is essential is the ability for all of us to have a sort of transfiguration of our own. Let’s go back to the definition of transfiguration - a dramatic change in appearance, especially one that reveals great beauty, spirituality, or magnificence. As we take on the attitude and heart of God we will take on dramatic change in our actions and words. We will reflect the glorious splendor of His light, diminishing our own poor reflection. We will reveal the beauty of the Spirit and illuminate the Light of a magnificent God.
Father, as we climb those mountains to get a greater view of You, keep us safe, focused and expectant of your glory and splendor. In Your transforming arms, I am…Amen.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Games in the Sand
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Juke 9:23
When I was a little girl at the beach, I would always marvel at all of the footprints in the sand. There were so many leading in so many different directions. I would survey the choices and choose a set of prints in which to walk on the beach. I would stretch my legs from one impression to another. Certain truths were obvious about all of these journeys. I didn’t know who made the impression, I didn’t know where the impressions were leading and they certainly never fit my own personal stride.
Christ exhorts the commands in this verse in order to live a spirit-filled life. He offers the invitation to everyone and anyone without exclusion. Come after is defined as ‘reaching to a particular point or being brought into a particular state’. ‘Coming after Christ’ is the intentional pursuit of the intended goal to receive Him. Deny is defined as ‘not allowing yourself something.’ To find Christ we must not allow ourselves to live the flesh-filled life. The spirit-filled life cannot live in harmony with the flesh-filled life…a choice must be made. They cannot live side by side in the heart of a Christian. Our flesh may momentarily win out but the Spirit-filled life immediately recognizes the ‘slip’, repents and turns away from that activity or attitude.
Taking up our cross is to purposely choose the mind and ways of God. It is the intentional attitude of embracing both good and bad in our path with Christ. When we suffer there is unique and divine fellowship with God as He moves us through that pain and moves us out of that pain. We are to consistently and daily pick up His work on the cross and bear the heavy responsibility of bringing all to Him.
Following Christ is to intentionally choose the path laid before us and to place our feet in the steps of Christ. We will replace our earthly truths with His absolute truths.
Back to my childhood games in the sand…we can know Who made the impressions for which we are stretching our legs to fill and we can know that wherever the impressions lead is for our good and gain. We can most assuredly know that the impressions for which we walk will be unique to us and perfect in stride.
May we each follow the footprints of God on our seashores of life and follow where He leads.
When I was a little girl at the beach, I would always marvel at all of the footprints in the sand. There were so many leading in so many different directions. I would survey the choices and choose a set of prints in which to walk on the beach. I would stretch my legs from one impression to another. Certain truths were obvious about all of these journeys. I didn’t know who made the impression, I didn’t know where the impressions were leading and they certainly never fit my own personal stride.
Christ exhorts the commands in this verse in order to live a spirit-filled life. He offers the invitation to everyone and anyone without exclusion. Come after is defined as ‘reaching to a particular point or being brought into a particular state’. ‘Coming after Christ’ is the intentional pursuit of the intended goal to receive Him. Deny is defined as ‘not allowing yourself something.’ To find Christ we must not allow ourselves to live the flesh-filled life. The spirit-filled life cannot live in harmony with the flesh-filled life…a choice must be made. They cannot live side by side in the heart of a Christian. Our flesh may momentarily win out but the Spirit-filled life immediately recognizes the ‘slip’, repents and turns away from that activity or attitude.
Taking up our cross is to purposely choose the mind and ways of God. It is the intentional attitude of embracing both good and bad in our path with Christ. When we suffer there is unique and divine fellowship with God as He moves us through that pain and moves us out of that pain. We are to consistently and daily pick up His work on the cross and bear the heavy responsibility of bringing all to Him.
Following Christ is to intentionally choose the path laid before us and to place our feet in the steps of Christ. We will replace our earthly truths with His absolute truths.
Back to my childhood games in the sand…we can know Who made the impressions for which we are stretching our legs to fill and we can know that wherever the impressions lead is for our good and gain. We can most assuredly know that the impressions for which we walk will be unique to us and perfect in stride.
May we each follow the footprints of God on our seashores of life and follow where He leads.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Whisperings
“Then I said, ‘Here I am…I have come to do your will, O God.’” Hebrews 10:7
A while back my daughter and grandchildren spent the night with us. Carson, my grandson, enjoys playing Spongebob games on the laptop. Around 6:40 am we were standing in the kitchen as she was preparing to gather them all up and hit the road to get the day started. Kristen was to my right and Carson to my left. Carson whispered in my ear, ‘Emmy, is it too early to get on the computer?’ I replied that that was a question for his mommy. He crossed his little fingers on both hands and whispered, ‘No Emmy, that is a question for you!’
How we all have a ‘Carson heart’ when approaching our desires. We know the things we desire in this life and many times we know the answer to the question because we have been told ‘No’ before by God. We approach God on behalf of our own will instead of committing everything to His will. The verse above exemplifies the life of Christ, one after which we should pattern our own lives. Many times, if we know the desire of our heart is not the will of God we will remove that from our prayers, knowing that we are not going to ask for permission from our Father. We become willing recipients of our own will and the circumstances that follow.
Carson heard the answer to his desire many times before, but sought the approval apart from his parent’s will to get what he wanted. He approached the approval of someone he thought would validate and fulfill his desire. It wasn’t that Kristen didn’t want him to play the game but rather the timing was wrong. There were other things that she needed him to do first.
God wills things for our lives based upon what is healthy for us and the timing of the blessing. It is up to us to respect the boundaries, wait for the green light with self-control and accept the red light with obedience. Seeking the approval of man instead of the will of God will open up circumstances that will both frustrate the purpose of God for our lives and require discipline from God to bring us back around to His will.
Whisper the attitude of Christ into the ear of God – ‘Here I am...I have come to do your will, O God!’
A while back my daughter and grandchildren spent the night with us. Carson, my grandson, enjoys playing Spongebob games on the laptop. Around 6:40 am we were standing in the kitchen as she was preparing to gather them all up and hit the road to get the day started. Kristen was to my right and Carson to my left. Carson whispered in my ear, ‘Emmy, is it too early to get on the computer?’ I replied that that was a question for his mommy. He crossed his little fingers on both hands and whispered, ‘No Emmy, that is a question for you!’
How we all have a ‘Carson heart’ when approaching our desires. We know the things we desire in this life and many times we know the answer to the question because we have been told ‘No’ before by God. We approach God on behalf of our own will instead of committing everything to His will. The verse above exemplifies the life of Christ, one after which we should pattern our own lives. Many times, if we know the desire of our heart is not the will of God we will remove that from our prayers, knowing that we are not going to ask for permission from our Father. We become willing recipients of our own will and the circumstances that follow.
Carson heard the answer to his desire many times before, but sought the approval apart from his parent’s will to get what he wanted. He approached the approval of someone he thought would validate and fulfill his desire. It wasn’t that Kristen didn’t want him to play the game but rather the timing was wrong. There were other things that she needed him to do first.
God wills things for our lives based upon what is healthy for us and the timing of the blessing. It is up to us to respect the boundaries, wait for the green light with self-control and accept the red light with obedience. Seeking the approval of man instead of the will of God will open up circumstances that will both frustrate the purpose of God for our lives and require discipline from God to bring us back around to His will.
Whisper the attitude of Christ into the ear of God – ‘Here I am...I have come to do your will, O God!’
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Thy Will Be Done...
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men!’” Matthew 16:21-23
First of all, we cannot get too righteous in reading that Peter ‘rebuked’ Jesus. How many times have the realized something heartbreaking is unfolding before our very eyes? We take Jesus aside in our prayers and say, ‘Wait a minute, here! This shall not happen…You cannot be part of this!’ We are no better than Peter as we explain to God why He shouldn’t do this, cannot do this, and exert our own will upon the situation.
When God’s will in put into motion for a higher purpose, Satan will set up stumbling blocks to detour our thinking and convince us of our rights in our own agenda. He will try to frustrate our part in the will of God. Peter had just gotten out of his mouth the proclamation that ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ (Matthew 16:16) This rebuke from Jesus came upon the heels of a historical blessing. ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah…and I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will be my church’ (v. 17)
Like Peter, we can experience a spiritual high and receive apparent blessings from God only to have Satan rip the moment from under us if we are not careful. We can live our lives testifying that God is our Savior, the Lord of our life, and our faith in Him in complete. But as soon as we realize something horrible that is coming to pass in our lives we sing a different tune. Statements and actions that follow our testimony show contradiction in belief when the fire ignites.
When God has revealed His plan through the unfolding circumstances of our lives we must accept and not reject, embrace and not recoil. We must carry the will of God as our own and not provide Satan a place of spiritual division.
‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!’
First of all, we cannot get too righteous in reading that Peter ‘rebuked’ Jesus. How many times have the realized something heartbreaking is unfolding before our very eyes? We take Jesus aside in our prayers and say, ‘Wait a minute, here! This shall not happen…You cannot be part of this!’ We are no better than Peter as we explain to God why He shouldn’t do this, cannot do this, and exert our own will upon the situation.
When God’s will in put into motion for a higher purpose, Satan will set up stumbling blocks to detour our thinking and convince us of our rights in our own agenda. He will try to frustrate our part in the will of God. Peter had just gotten out of his mouth the proclamation that ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ (Matthew 16:16) This rebuke from Jesus came upon the heels of a historical blessing. ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah…and I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will be my church’ (v. 17)
Like Peter, we can experience a spiritual high and receive apparent blessings from God only to have Satan rip the moment from under us if we are not careful. We can live our lives testifying that God is our Savior, the Lord of our life, and our faith in Him in complete. But as soon as we realize something horrible that is coming to pass in our lives we sing a different tune. Statements and actions that follow our testimony show contradiction in belief when the fire ignites.
When God has revealed His plan through the unfolding circumstances of our lives we must accept and not reject, embrace and not recoil. We must carry the will of God as our own and not provide Satan a place of spiritual division.
‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!’
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Riding with Jesus
“‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest…’ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. ‘Send the people away so they can go … and buy themselves something to eat.’ But he answered, ‘You give them something to eat.’” Mark 6:31, 35
Being one of four girls I always wanted alone time with either of my parents. I didn’t care which parent but just knew that I didn’t want to share them at certain points. Two cars were constantly taken wherever we went due to obligations that took my parents in separate directions after church. They would speak those words, ‘Who is riding with me?’ I would hesitate in my answer until I saw the decisions of my other sisters. Some times it worked out that either Mother or Daddy would be left to ride alone at which point I would jump at the chance to be in their car. Ahhh…alone time….with my parent…without having to share.
I cannot help but to smile as I think about the disciples who finally thought they were getting alone time with Jesus. He called out, ‘Come with me for some alone time,’ at which point I can feel the hearts of our beloved disciples soar. I can only imagine the disappointment and irritation of seeing all of the people running towards Jesus only to take away their solitary attention with Him. Much like, watching one of my sisters jump out of the car of the other parent at the last minute to come and join us. The disciples were patient as the Shepherd’s compassionate heart beckoned more of Him. But patience only lasts for a while and the disciples point out that enough is enough and ‘let’s let these fine people go home’ as Daddy use to say when he was ready for our visiting guests to leave.
Jesus retorts with a challenge to His disciples… ‘You feed them!’ These disciples had been witnesses to the amazing healing miracles from Christ. They had watched the blind see, the lame walk, the dead raised and demons cast, but yet they didn’t recognize the fact that this same power could feed in the everyday needs of many. There were many to teach that day on the countryside, over 5000 reported, but the pupils were God’s chosen. The pupils were the very ones who knew Christ the closest. “They protested that they had only five loaves and two fish, forgetting that they also had the unlimited resources of the Lord Jesus to draw on.” p. 1401. As followers of God, it seems we are always poised and alert to the need for a major miracle but do we recognize the smaller day to day miracles that He performs in our lives?
Do we recognize the daily need and provision of moving along our countrysides? We will always be asked to provide much more than we have in our own strength as ambassadors of Christ. There will always be people to feed when we are tired, requiring us to call on Christ for miracle strength in the everyday duties of the Great Commission. "The five thousand represent lost humanity, starving for the bread of God. The disciples picture helpless Christians, with seemingly limited resources, but unwilling to share what they have. The Lord’s command, ‘You give them something to eat’ is simply a restatement of the great commission. The lesson is that if we give Jesus what we have, He can multiply it to feed the spiritually hungry multitude.’" Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1402.
‘Who wants to ride with Me?’
Being one of four girls I always wanted alone time with either of my parents. I didn’t care which parent but just knew that I didn’t want to share them at certain points. Two cars were constantly taken wherever we went due to obligations that took my parents in separate directions after church. They would speak those words, ‘Who is riding with me?’ I would hesitate in my answer until I saw the decisions of my other sisters. Some times it worked out that either Mother or Daddy would be left to ride alone at which point I would jump at the chance to be in their car. Ahhh…alone time….with my parent…without having to share.
I cannot help but to smile as I think about the disciples who finally thought they were getting alone time with Jesus. He called out, ‘Come with me for some alone time,’ at which point I can feel the hearts of our beloved disciples soar. I can only imagine the disappointment and irritation of seeing all of the people running towards Jesus only to take away their solitary attention with Him. Much like, watching one of my sisters jump out of the car of the other parent at the last minute to come and join us. The disciples were patient as the Shepherd’s compassionate heart beckoned more of Him. But patience only lasts for a while and the disciples point out that enough is enough and ‘let’s let these fine people go home’ as Daddy use to say when he was ready for our visiting guests to leave.
Jesus retorts with a challenge to His disciples… ‘You feed them!’ These disciples had been witnesses to the amazing healing miracles from Christ. They had watched the blind see, the lame walk, the dead raised and demons cast, but yet they didn’t recognize the fact that this same power could feed in the everyday needs of many. There were many to teach that day on the countryside, over 5000 reported, but the pupils were God’s chosen. The pupils were the very ones who knew Christ the closest. “They protested that they had only five loaves and two fish, forgetting that they also had the unlimited resources of the Lord Jesus to draw on.” p. 1401. As followers of God, it seems we are always poised and alert to the need for a major miracle but do we recognize the smaller day to day miracles that He performs in our lives?
Do we recognize the daily need and provision of moving along our countrysides? We will always be asked to provide much more than we have in our own strength as ambassadors of Christ. There will always be people to feed when we are tired, requiring us to call on Christ for miracle strength in the everyday duties of the Great Commission. "The five thousand represent lost humanity, starving for the bread of God. The disciples picture helpless Christians, with seemingly limited resources, but unwilling to share what they have. The Lord’s command, ‘You give them something to eat’ is simply a restatement of the great commission. The lesson is that if we give Jesus what we have, He can multiply it to feed the spiritually hungry multitude.’" Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1402.
‘Who wants to ride with Me?’
Friday, June 25, 2010
Give and Receive
“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near… Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.’” Matthew 10:7-10
This was an item on the list for which Christ called the disciples. He gave them power, authority but definite instructions. This passage provides two important principles in sharing the gospel about God…give and receive freely.
It is always much easier for me to give than to receive or ask for assistance in anything. I have been shown over the years by God that my hesitancy in receiving help is aligned with my insecurity of being loved. My incessant need to give to others through resources, encouragement or service is laced with my desire to be accepted. This has been a huge stumbling block in my faith, one which Christ continuously works with me.
I am also very aware of those who refuse to give, whether it is their time, their service, their money or their hearts. They are navigated and guided by self-love, self-gratification and self-service. It is impossible for them to give for they believe to give is to lose something of their own.
These particular instructions command us to give away what is not ours in the first place. God has given us everything we possess so we have no rights in the gift, only blessings to share with others. We are called to live a life of pouring out of ourselves as offerings to God through service. We are also commanded to receive from the Body of Christ and believe that through His Body our provisions will be met. He never intended on us to be dependant upon our own strength, our own power and our own resources.
During the past two years I have required much comfort in my grief and have been given much through friends, family and God’s provisions through prayer. At present, I am requiring much perseverance, endurance and strength in navigating through the choppy waters of Alzheimer’s. As I give myself over to God in all circumstances I receive everything required in this season. To give freely is to receive freely. Can we truly trust this Christ-like attitude? Jesus came with nothing but the will of His Father and He hung on the cross with nothing but the love and deliverance of His Father.
Are you willing to give with all of your heart as a sacrifice offering to God, and are you willing to receive as a trust offering for His provisions?
This was an item on the list for which Christ called the disciples. He gave them power, authority but definite instructions. This passage provides two important principles in sharing the gospel about God…give and receive freely.
It is always much easier for me to give than to receive or ask for assistance in anything. I have been shown over the years by God that my hesitancy in receiving help is aligned with my insecurity of being loved. My incessant need to give to others through resources, encouragement or service is laced with my desire to be accepted. This has been a huge stumbling block in my faith, one which Christ continuously works with me.
I am also very aware of those who refuse to give, whether it is their time, their service, their money or their hearts. They are navigated and guided by self-love, self-gratification and self-service. It is impossible for them to give for they believe to give is to lose something of their own.
These particular instructions command us to give away what is not ours in the first place. God has given us everything we possess so we have no rights in the gift, only blessings to share with others. We are called to live a life of pouring out of ourselves as offerings to God through service. We are also commanded to receive from the Body of Christ and believe that through His Body our provisions will be met. He never intended on us to be dependant upon our own strength, our own power and our own resources.
During the past two years I have required much comfort in my grief and have been given much through friends, family and God’s provisions through prayer. At present, I am requiring much perseverance, endurance and strength in navigating through the choppy waters of Alzheimer’s. As I give myself over to God in all circumstances I receive everything required in this season. To give freely is to receive freely. Can we truly trust this Christ-like attitude? Jesus came with nothing but the will of His Father and He hung on the cross with nothing but the love and deliverance of His Father.
Are you willing to give with all of your heart as a sacrifice offering to God, and are you willing to receive as a trust offering for His provisions?
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