"For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate,' says the Lord" 2 Corinthians 6:16-17.
If we claim to be one of God's children then according to God we carry in our hearts the temple of this holy God. If He lives with us is He enjoying the things we are watching on television and the items for which our attention is directed? If he walks among us is He pleased with the words that are coming out of mouths and the thoughts that are inhabiting our minds?
Are we standing out as Christians and setting ourselves apart or are we being pushed along in our days by our circumstances allowing our temple to be one of commonplace?
Join me in allowing the Holy Spirit to settle upon us this morning and reveal the truth about the condition of our heart. Also, ask Him to reveal what we are displaying in our temple that is not pointing to our Father and giving Him total honor and glory.
Live your life today so that anyone who comes across your path will know without a doubt who leads and guides you. Let us set ourselves apart as God has commanded~!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Romancing the Stone
"All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands...Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into the forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground." 1 Samuel 17:47-49.
I've got to tell you I have loved this story since childhood! Good vs. bad, strong vs. weak and the good guy wins. These few verses have amazing implications that we can implement into any Goliath we face. In theory, the odds of David winning this battle were very slim, David being a shepherd boy and Goliath being over 7 feet tall. The faith and audacity of David makes his own men ridicule his ideas about defeating the Philistine. Those closest to us sometimes send out these similar discouragements when we are facing battles. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to fill up our own "bag of stones" so that when the battle rages we are pulling from what we know - not what someone else is carrying in their bags. Our gathered stones of faith ensures our belief that as we run towards our challenges we can have confidence that God will fight our battles successfully.
If we never tend to our bags and collect what is required we run into battle ill-equipped and defeated before the charge. Our love relationship with God should be foremost in our lives in the calm times so that when we go into battle our stones are nice and smooth from all of the gentle carresses we have given them. Romancing the stone is giving our faith in God the proper attention, stroking and molding for facing our Goliaths in addition to building our love relationship with Him.
How are you romancing the stone?
I've got to tell you I have loved this story since childhood! Good vs. bad, strong vs. weak and the good guy wins. These few verses have amazing implications that we can implement into any Goliath we face. In theory, the odds of David winning this battle were very slim, David being a shepherd boy and Goliath being over 7 feet tall. The faith and audacity of David makes his own men ridicule his ideas about defeating the Philistine. Those closest to us sometimes send out these similar discouragements when we are facing battles. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to fill up our own "bag of stones" so that when the battle rages we are pulling from what we know - not what someone else is carrying in their bags. Our gathered stones of faith ensures our belief that as we run towards our challenges we can have confidence that God will fight our battles successfully.
If we never tend to our bags and collect what is required we run into battle ill-equipped and defeated before the charge. Our love relationship with God should be foremost in our lives in the calm times so that when we go into battle our stones are nice and smooth from all of the gentle carresses we have given them. Romancing the stone is giving our faith in God the proper attention, stroking and molding for facing our Goliaths in addition to building our love relationship with Him.
How are you romancing the stone?
Monday, April 13, 2009
Gotta Minute?
"So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
Prior to my father-in-law's Alzheimers anytime my husband was in a quandry about how to resolve something in his life or what direction in which to take regarding his life he would set aside time with his father. He would take a few days and visit him and hash over the decisions for which he faced. His dad would lovingly and patiently listen to him, consider all of the options and put into place his wisdom as it would apply to my husband's life. His father had built a relationship with my husband that created a safe, loving and consistent avenue for help in time of need.
My husband grieves this part of his life as his father does not have the capacity any longer to perform in this manner. His Alzheimer's has stolen and robbed him of this ability. Thankfully, my husband has His heavenly Father to approach on these matters.
Through Christ we have been given both access and authority to approach our Father and spend time hashing over the direction for our lives. God will never lose the capacity to listen and guide all of His children through life. Even in Alzheimer's my father-in-law is guided by his heavenly Father on that individual level that is unique to Bud and God. The throne room and the King meets us where we are whether that is desolation, aggrevation, consideration or devastation such as Alzheimers.
To approach boldly is to have confidence in seeking not only an outcome but the Mediator who will bring you the resolution.
Prior to my father-in-law's Alzheimers anytime my husband was in a quandry about how to resolve something in his life or what direction in which to take regarding his life he would set aside time with his father. He would take a few days and visit him and hash over the decisions for which he faced. His dad would lovingly and patiently listen to him, consider all of the options and put into place his wisdom as it would apply to my husband's life. His father had built a relationship with my husband that created a safe, loving and consistent avenue for help in time of need.
My husband grieves this part of his life as his father does not have the capacity any longer to perform in this manner. His Alzheimer's has stolen and robbed him of this ability. Thankfully, my husband has His heavenly Father to approach on these matters.
Through Christ we have been given both access and authority to approach our Father and spend time hashing over the direction for our lives. God will never lose the capacity to listen and guide all of His children through life. Even in Alzheimer's my father-in-law is guided by his heavenly Father on that individual level that is unique to Bud and God. The throne room and the King meets us where we are whether that is desolation, aggrevation, consideration or devastation such as Alzheimers.
To approach boldly is to have confidence in seeking not only an outcome but the Mediator who will bring you the resolution.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Our Sweet Seedling, Beth
"What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body." 1 Co. 15:36.
This Easter Sunday comes with such a gift of message for me this year. Easter for me has always been a day of humility, gratitude and deep reflection for what Jesus did for each of us. It is a day that I could not quite grasp the depth of its meaning until this year. My sister's passing one month ago today has breathed fresh meaning into this unselfish act of Christ. He sacrificed everything so that Beth could be given the eternal gift of life. He suffered so Beth no longer had to. He died so that Beth could be resurrected with Him.
Without the death and resurrection of Christ, Beth's pain would have been unbearable and her death would have been without purpose. God is in the business of turning death into resurrection of something else - something better. For Beth, it is a better life, a better way, an eternal life starting a little earlier than it will begin for us.
Through her death this family ministry was resurrected and will provide the Way for many people to find Christ. Her life was planted as a seedling and God beautifully nourished and grew her until the seed became the life He determined at which point He brought her home to be with Him.
This devotion is for anyone who has experienced death in the recent past whether it is the death of a person in your life, the death of marriage, the death of financial security or the death of hope. Remember that in God's economy that all seeds must die before life can burst through - it is way of nature.
"So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." 1 Cor. 15:42-44.
With every "death" you are experiencing remember that God will determine what life will be resurrected from your pain - who knows but that your pain will prompt a new ministry in your life. Allow this Easter Sunday to resonate upon you with a deeper meaning of fresh application and hope.
This Easter Sunday comes with such a gift of message for me this year. Easter for me has always been a day of humility, gratitude and deep reflection for what Jesus did for each of us. It is a day that I could not quite grasp the depth of its meaning until this year. My sister's passing one month ago today has breathed fresh meaning into this unselfish act of Christ. He sacrificed everything so that Beth could be given the eternal gift of life. He suffered so Beth no longer had to. He died so that Beth could be resurrected with Him.
Without the death and resurrection of Christ, Beth's pain would have been unbearable and her death would have been without purpose. God is in the business of turning death into resurrection of something else - something better. For Beth, it is a better life, a better way, an eternal life starting a little earlier than it will begin for us.
Through her death this family ministry was resurrected and will provide the Way for many people to find Christ. Her life was planted as a seedling and God beautifully nourished and grew her until the seed became the life He determined at which point He brought her home to be with Him.
This devotion is for anyone who has experienced death in the recent past whether it is the death of a person in your life, the death of marriage, the death of financial security or the death of hope. Remember that in God's economy that all seeds must die before life can burst through - it is way of nature.
"So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." 1 Cor. 15:42-44.
With every "death" you are experiencing remember that God will determine what life will be resurrected from your pain - who knows but that your pain will prompt a new ministry in your life. Allow this Easter Sunday to resonate upon you with a deeper meaning of fresh application and hope.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Vengeance is Mine!
"For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people." Heb. 10:30-KJV
"For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge, I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.'" Heb. 10:30-NIV
"For we know the one who said, "I will take vengeance, I will repay those who deserve it." He also said, "The Lord will judge his own people." Heb. 10:30-NLT
Doesn't matter which translation we study God speaks loud and clear about revenge and judgment. I cannot help to draw a parallel between the day after the lynching and murder of Jesus and what has just happened in our community. The Minister of Music for the church I used to attend was a victim, along with her 2 1/2 year old daughter, of a tragic accident involving a twenty year old who was drag racing down a major highway. She was greatly loved by her friends, family and church and loved God with all of her heart. This senseless decision of racing created pain, suffering and anger in the life of those who loved the music director. She did not deserve this death nor did her 2 1/2 year old, much like Jesus.
God spoke these words thousands of years ago because He knew we would face situations that would provoke such a deep anger that without His intervention we would be unable to forgive. I love the KJV best because it speaks of vengeance belonging to Him - since we do not truly own our vengeance it is not ours to give to others. When we judge and condemn we are breaking one of God's essential commands - "Love others as I have loved you".
There have been many times I didn't receive the punishment I probably deserved from God because He looks deeper than our actions - He looks at our motives and truly knows who we are in Him. He has both the ability to forgive ALL indiscretions and the love to forgive them. On the flipside He has the right to judge and takes away our right to condemn.
Max Lucado states, "Judgment is God's job. To assume otherwise is to assume God can't do it. Revenge is irreverent. When we strike back we are saying, 'I know vengeance is yours, God, but I just didn't think you'd punish enough.' To forgive someone is to display reverence. Forgiveness is not saying the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is fair and he will do what is right."
The driver of the other car didn't wake up that morning and decide to take the life of two people. God is able to look into his heart and know his motives and He will be the true Judge and Jury. Our community is charged to forgive this young driver but only with God's help are we able to accomplish this.
"For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge, I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.'" Heb. 10:30-NIV
"For we know the one who said, "I will take vengeance, I will repay those who deserve it." He also said, "The Lord will judge his own people." Heb. 10:30-NLT
Doesn't matter which translation we study God speaks loud and clear about revenge and judgment. I cannot help to draw a parallel between the day after the lynching and murder of Jesus and what has just happened in our community. The Minister of Music for the church I used to attend was a victim, along with her 2 1/2 year old daughter, of a tragic accident involving a twenty year old who was drag racing down a major highway. She was greatly loved by her friends, family and church and loved God with all of her heart. This senseless decision of racing created pain, suffering and anger in the life of those who loved the music director. She did not deserve this death nor did her 2 1/2 year old, much like Jesus.
God spoke these words thousands of years ago because He knew we would face situations that would provoke such a deep anger that without His intervention we would be unable to forgive. I love the KJV best because it speaks of vengeance belonging to Him - since we do not truly own our vengeance it is not ours to give to others. When we judge and condemn we are breaking one of God's essential commands - "Love others as I have loved you".
There have been many times I didn't receive the punishment I probably deserved from God because He looks deeper than our actions - He looks at our motives and truly knows who we are in Him. He has both the ability to forgive ALL indiscretions and the love to forgive them. On the flipside He has the right to judge and takes away our right to condemn.
Max Lucado states, "Judgment is God's job. To assume otherwise is to assume God can't do it. Revenge is irreverent. When we strike back we are saying, 'I know vengeance is yours, God, but I just didn't think you'd punish enough.' To forgive someone is to display reverence. Forgiveness is not saying the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is fair and he will do what is right."
The driver of the other car didn't wake up that morning and decide to take the life of two people. God is able to look into his heart and know his motives and He will be the true Judge and Jury. Our community is charged to forgive this young driver but only with God's help are we able to accomplish this.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Pro Choice
"There are times when God sends thunder to stir us. There are times when God sends blessings to lure us. But then there are times when God sends nothing but silence as he honors us with the freedom to choose..." Max Lucado, Cast of Characters, p.110.
Choosing Christ is pretty black and white with no gray areas. Even on the cross Jesus hung between men who had to choose as they faced their impending death. The tenacity of one criminal mocking Jesus verses the honor and respect the other criminal displays for Jesus symbolizes the struggle of man. I suspect we have hung on both sides of Jesus but luckily the cross provides eterenal life when choosing Christ, apart from our actions. Once we have chosen Christ as our Savior we then journey on our spiritual walks with secondary choices a million times a day.
I love this paragraph from Max Lucado as he describes the different ways God speaks to us and allows us to choose what we will do with His leadings. We can choose daily how to respond to God as our spiritual rose unfolds according to His planting - not ours. The freedom to choose allows us to water and nourish the rose or starve the rose. Once saved, while our roses may wilt they will never be uprooted and thrown out of the garden.
Thank you Christ for dying so that we may live!
Choosing Christ is pretty black and white with no gray areas. Even on the cross Jesus hung between men who had to choose as they faced their impending death. The tenacity of one criminal mocking Jesus verses the honor and respect the other criminal displays for Jesus symbolizes the struggle of man. I suspect we have hung on both sides of Jesus but luckily the cross provides eterenal life when choosing Christ, apart from our actions. Once we have chosen Christ as our Savior we then journey on our spiritual walks with secondary choices a million times a day.
I love this paragraph from Max Lucado as he describes the different ways God speaks to us and allows us to choose what we will do with His leadings. We can choose daily how to respond to God as our spiritual rose unfolds according to His planting - not ours. The freedom to choose allows us to water and nourish the rose or starve the rose. Once saved, while our roses may wilt they will never be uprooted and thrown out of the garden.
Thank you Christ for dying so that we may live!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Burning Bush
"One day Moses was taking care of Jethro's flock. When Moses led the flock to the west side of the desert, he came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire coming out of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up...When the LORD saw Moses was coming to look at the bush, God called to him fron the bush, 'Moses, Moses!'" Ex. 3:1-6.
I remember when God laid on my heart to complete my grandmother's book which she had been working off and on for almost 20 years. It wasn't until she had declined both physically and mentally that I heard Him call me to this task. I was both ill- equipped and unprepared for that which I was called. Many nights I was frustrated and confused and didn't really have the ability to get clarification from Grandmother. Although many times my clarification and encouragement came through her own writings there were many times it was clear I was way over my head. I plodded through it and thankfully God provided through me all of the touches need to bring this project to completion. In spite of me God was able to work through me.
I sometimes wondered if God had called me earlier in life to accomplish this when Grandmother would have been available to assist. I had to entertain the harsh fact that maybe I had not been surrendered enough to hear the call.
Had I walked right by my burning bush earlier in life? Was my focus towards the destination up ahead instead of on the path wherein the glow of the bush could be seen? We will never know all of the burning bushes we have hurried past but if it is God's will there will be another bush up ahead. Just because we miss God's voice in one instance doesn't mean He will not get our attention through another means.
Being surrendered is the key to recognizing when God is doing something and requires our partnership. What steps are you doing on your present path to ensure you do not miss the burning bush?
I remember when God laid on my heart to complete my grandmother's book which she had been working off and on for almost 20 years. It wasn't until she had declined both physically and mentally that I heard Him call me to this task. I was both ill- equipped and unprepared for that which I was called. Many nights I was frustrated and confused and didn't really have the ability to get clarification from Grandmother. Although many times my clarification and encouragement came through her own writings there were many times it was clear I was way over my head. I plodded through it and thankfully God provided through me all of the touches need to bring this project to completion. In spite of me God was able to work through me.
I sometimes wondered if God had called me earlier in life to accomplish this when Grandmother would have been available to assist. I had to entertain the harsh fact that maybe I had not been surrendered enough to hear the call.
Had I walked right by my burning bush earlier in life? Was my focus towards the destination up ahead instead of on the path wherein the glow of the bush could be seen? We will never know all of the burning bushes we have hurried past but if it is God's will there will be another bush up ahead. Just because we miss God's voice in one instance doesn't mean He will not get our attention through another means.
Being surrendered is the key to recognizing when God is doing something and requires our partnership. What steps are you doing on your present path to ensure you do not miss the burning bush?
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