Stand Together and Fight

I fear for the young mom today. She, more than the mothers of yesterday, are trying to raise a family in a hostile world. A world that continues to grow hostile towards anything godly.

If she is a stay at home mom most often she is looked down upon and in some circles even mocked. Women no longer have biblical role models readily available to them. My generation of women have been strongly influenced by the media where we see women who are often portrayed as strong, bold and overbearing women who berate their husbands and rule the home. Or we are sex objects. TV shows offer very little in between.

I was recently talking to a stay at home mom who shared with me how she feels like an outcast among other believers. Most of the moms in her church work outside the home. She and her husband have made sacrifices and don’t have the kind of cars others drive or the houses they have. She is content and believes she is doing what God has called her to do but still she feels left out so much of the time, and has so little in common with the other families. Often activities are offered that are really geared, price wise, to the two income family.

She understands some must work, and some choose to work, but why must it seem like it’s an “us against them” battle. Why are we fighting one another? She shared some of the comments that have been made that are just heart breaking. Some just down right mean. When did it become such a bad thing to be a stay at home mom?

She was told by one Christian mom that it’s actually healthy to let someone else raise her children and that she has the right to pursue a career. When did children and families become expendable? When did what I want or desire become more important than my family?

It wasn’t much different in the 80’s and 90’s when I was raising my own children. The message wasn’t quite as loud, but it’s volume was increasing against the mom who would stay home. Stay at home moms were still being attacked, looked down upon. But at least then you felt supported. There seemed to be a greater acceptance of those who choose to stay at home, make sacrifices, and raise their children. Today the stay at home mom finds peer support difficult to find.

I think as the messages of the world has gotten louder it has filtered into the church. The church used to be a place that supported and even encouraged moms to stay home. Recently I heard someone from church leadership (not my church) say that the church shouldn’t help a particular young family out if the mom was unwilling to go to work. Really? Please understand, we weren’t talking about a family that consistently made unwise financial choices but who had several major things happen all at once and just needed help. Fortunately there were some families that helped them out, but is this the message of the church? Is this the message of God’s word.

My heart broke for this family. Then I thought of Nehemiah Chapter 4:14 when he said

"...Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

So who is going to fight for our daughters... the women of the next generation?

I remembered that this is the call God gave me quite a while ago. To fight for the women of the next generation. To fight for my sisters, daughters, and for godly families. And just so I am clear families can be godly where or not a mom works outside the home.

But do they want me to fight for them? Many will argue that young women will do as they please, in spite of other’s experiences. So why bother trying to be a spiritual mother or disciple? History does prove that often this is true, but it's not a good reason to not try.

While the ideal is for mentors to teach and try to prevent mistakes, they can also support and help work through mistakes. A spiritual mother is the one who can say “Here’s my experience and how I dealt with it, and I can support you while you go through it.”

I believe that we as older women can have great influence among the younger generations of women. We can help them navigate through the storms of life. We can walk with that young stay at home mom who feels isolated. We can help support the mom who chooses to work. We can encourage the mom who must work.

Honestly it doesn’t really matter what I believe about whether or not moms should work outside the home.  It’s not up to me to judge, but I am called to encourage, support and walk with her. Regardless of your beliefs we need to stand together and fight for the Christian family.

Let us join hands and hearts and be there for one another. Let’s stop judging and start encouraging. Let’s stand against an enemy that would rather see us fall apart.

   

photo courtesy of geyerbaby @ http://www.morguefile.com/

Be Still and Wait…

There are times in our lives when nothing seems to make sense and evil seems to be gaining ground. But for the Christian, those who follow after the Lord, we must remember that our God is always in control.

We will not always understand. We will not always have the answers. We will not know what tomorrow might hold.
And yet God reminds us to…

BE STILL

WAIT for HIM

Do NOT fret

be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him…. Psalms 37:7

Oh Father, help me to cease striving to see what tomorrow may bring . Help me to rest in my circumstances today. Help me to wait as I trust in your purposes for my life.

Suffering Brings Growth

I’ve been reading in Acts for the past several weeks and have been fascinated by all that took place in the beginnings of the early church. There is so much to learn, to apply and to study! But there is a phrase that first caught my attention back in chapter 6, then today as I read chapter 12 I noticed a very similar phrase. There was something that God intended me to see. Something important. A truth that needs to be preached. A truth I needed to remember once again.

Two verses speaking of the word of God spreading, of growing.

“The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7

“But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.” Acts 12:24

And I wondered if the phrase was used again in Acts. It was! I found it again in Acts 19:20 “So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing”

Three times we are told that the word of God was spreading. It was prevailing through out the land. People were being saved and the church was growing. What was causing the growth? Why was the word spreading? God showed me two things that brings growth not only in the church but in the individual.

“The first is preaching truth. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Acts 5:42

“So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.” Acts 8:22

“But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea” (8:40)

“…and there they continued to preach the gospel.” Acts 14:7

The Gospel was preached. The name of Jesus was preached. The word of God was preached. They taught and preached the word of God where ever they went.

So for growth to happen we need to preach the true Gospel. We need to speak the name of Jesus. Truth needs to be spoken from the pulpits and into our hearts. I see two things here. One truth needs to be spoken by our pastors and teachers. But we also need to be sure we are putting the truth into our own hearts. We need to preach the gospel to ourselves through careful study of the word of God.

The second thing that causes growth is suffering. In the context of each of the above verses the gospel is being preached in the midst of suffering. Out of that suffering for the gospel the church grows.

In Chapter 8 we have Paul persecuting the church. And in chapter 11:19 "we read “So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen” In Chapter James is “put to death with the sword” and Peter imprisoned.

“And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.” Acts 13: 49-50

The word of God is preached. His children suffer. There is growth. I can’t help but think of the increasing hostility toward God here in America and I am forced to ask myself. What if the gospel is preached? The true gospel. What if we stand firm and preach the Name of Jesus regardless of what happens?

What would happen? Most likely we will be persecuted. We may lose our jobs. Be imprisoned, mocked, or worse. But isn’t this the life Christ calls us to? Isn’t this the cost of following Him? As I read the books of Acts I am challenged to live a life that is bold for the gospel. I am challenged to speak truth regardless of the repercussions.

How about you? Are you ready to preach the Name of Jesus even if it means you will suffer?

“…Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:21-22

 

 

Technorati Tags: Gospel,Truth,Suffering,Suffer,Jesus,Growth

To Finish Well

In my last blog post I shared how King Asa was a king that sought the Lord. He removed idols from the kingdom and He restored the things in house of God.

I shared “…the LORD is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” (2 Chron 15:2) God was with the King. God gives Asa a reign of peace, without war. We are even told that King “…Asa's heart was blameless...” (2 Chron 15:7)

At this point you could say that King Asa was off to a good start. A life that pleases God. A life that seeks God in all he does. He was running his race and he was winning, so to speak. He was living a life of peace in the land. But if you read verse 19 of chapter 15 you see that things change in the 35th year of his reign.

Beginning in 2 Chron 16 we see that war breaks out. Now you would think that King Asa would remember that in the past God helped them defeat an army of a million men. (16:8-9) King Asa had prayed to God (16:11) for help and God answered. (16:12-15) But this time when war comes King Asa takes matters into his own hands. He doesn’t seek God’s counsel. He makes a treaty with the king of Aram.

Was he over confident in his own abilities? Had he became complacent during those 30 plus years of peace? Scripture doesn’t tell us why this change in Asa. All we know for sure is that when he was in trouble this time he relied on man (King Aram) for help. So we know something in the heart of Asa had changed. King Asa did not win this battle. God was displeased.

2 Chron 16:7 tells us “…Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, "Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand.” Hanani goes on to remind Asa of the time he has sought the Lord in war and God has answered." and then says “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars” (16:9)

I don’t know about you but I like happy endings. Unfortunately King Asa didn’t finish well. He did not have a happy ending to his life. At this point King Asa could have fallen before the Lord in humility and confessed that he had sinned against God. But King Asa did not. Instead he became angry and put the seer in prison. Scripture says he was “Enraged”. He was so upset that not only did he take his anger out on the seer but he also oppressed some of the people. (16:10-11)

Because of King Asa’s actions God choose to give him a disease of his feet. 2 Chronicles says in 16:12 that the disease was severe but even in this King Asa did not seek the Lord. Instead he choose to put his trust in the physicians. Two years later King Asa would die. 

As I look at King Asa’s life I wonder about my own walk on this earth. Do I seek God’s council or man’s? Who do I most often put my trust in? My dear sisters I don’t know about you but I want to finish well. I want to come to the end of my life and know that I have finished my race. I want to know that I have ran it with endurance. (Heb 12:1) I do not want to be one that shrinks back but one that has faith to preserve. (Heb:35-39)

How can I persevere to the end? I am sure my list is NOT exhaustive but this is what came to my mind as I was reflecting on Asa’s poor finish.

God wants a heart that is completely His. 2Chron16:9 God doesn’t want bits and pieces of our lives that we are willing to give Him, He wants access to all of our life. God wants someone who seeks Him and Him alone. Our whole life belongs to Him.

Our confidence must be in God. Hebrews chapter 10:35 says Therefore don’t throw your confidence away. But then what should we place our confidence in? Hebrew 10:1-34 tells us to place our confidence in Jesus Christ whose sacrifice is sufficient for us all. Our confidence is in the power of a living God who was raised from the dead.

We need endurance. We must understand that times in this life will be hard. We WILL have struggles, trials and temptations. When we face circumstances that seem impossible we need to persevere through it in the strength of Christ. We can not run to man (or woman) but we must run to God. (Heb. 10)

Remember past victories.  Hebrews 11 gives us a long list of those who persevered in their faith. We see men and women who faced unbelievable circumstances and yet they kept there faith in the God who would deliver them. Then in Heb. 12:1a we are told “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us…” Remember the pass victories of others and in your own life. Believe that if God worked things out before He is working things out now.

Lay aside this life. Hebrews 12:1b says “let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” I think it’s fairly self explanatory and yet not always so easily done. But we must pursue a life that lives separated from things in this world. WE must stay away from those things or people that easily distract us and ends up getting us entangled in to sin. We must lay aside our selfish desires and press on toward a life that finishes well.

Oh Father help me to run my race with endurance. Help me to lay aside those things that keep me from running a good race. Show me those places in my heart that I have held from you. Father I desire to to run a race that is pleasing to You. I want a heart that is wholly yours, a heart that seeks you and you alone. And yet I am so weak. I give in so easily to my flesh!

“O LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength ; so help me, O LORD my God, for I trust in You” 2 Chron 14:11

A Word of Encouragement

I love it when the Word of God speaks into my heart with encouragement at just the time I need it. For months I have felt distant from God, a lack of passion to really seek Him. It’s been especially hard since I haven’t had a Bible Study or a person to study with.  You know, someone to help keep me accountable to be in the word. Someone to encourage me, listen to me process, and to just grow together. We all need that right?

Then I remembered the message God had given me at the beginning of the year. He gave me Psalm 24:4-5 which says "He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord..." From this verse and various books He has had me read, I have come face to face with my idols. Like my tendency to run to people instead of God.

If I run to people instead of God I am saying I do not trust God. I am saying He alone isn’t enough. In essence I am telling God “I only need you if I can’t figure this out on my own”. I’ve even said “I just want/need Jesus with skin on!” While we understand the meaning of that phrase to mean sometimes God uses people to give a hug or a word at just the right time as if God Himself were doing it, it isn’t something He chooses to do all the time.

So what do you do when you are feeling like you need “Jesus with skin on” and He says “I am enough”? What happens when weeks and months go by without “feeling” His presence in a tangible way?

Here is what God showed me today. This is the truth from His very voice that was spoken to my heart.

"…LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength ; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You… 2 Chron 14:11

And this, “…the LORD is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” 2 Chron 15:2

And this, …"But you, be strong and do not lose courage , for there is reward for your work."… 2 Chron 15:7

 

As I read through 2 Chronicles I was reminded that my part is to seek the Lord. I am to seek Him with my whole heart. I am to purge the idols and rid my life of the things that distract me from spending time with Him. (2 Chron 15:5-16)

God sent Asariah to King Asa in Chapter 15 with a message from God. The way the king responded gives me much food for thought.

First, he received the message and took courage. In other words he didn’t need to think about it. He didn’t need to talk it over with anyone. He accepted it as truth.

Second, he removed all the idols. He heard from God, knew God was with him so then he acted. He did not whine or argue or think he had a better way. He just went to work doing what was needed.

Then he restored the altar. This is huge. When we begin removing the idols of our heart we must then replace the idols with truth. We must allow the sweet promises of God to be restored into our soul.

He gathered the people together. We do need community. I find it interesting that Asa only gathered the people after he removed the idol and restored the altar. Knowing God was with him he did what God required, then  he went to the people. When the people saw Asa they could tell that the Lord was with with him.(15:9b)

Does my community see God in me? A good question to ponder.

Finally, together with the community, they gave sacrifices to the Lord and entered into a covenant. Once Asa heard from the Lord and worked out that which needed to be done he entered a covenant. We do need those around us to help remind us of that which God has done and is doing. We need the community around us in order to rejoice together in what God is doing.

Asa had a prophet give him a message from the Lord. I have his word. I need to remember that God has already told me how I am to live and what I am to be. I do not need to go to others first, I need to go to God. I need to pursue the life God has for me. I am to SEEK Him, no one else.

Community comes after we have heard from God, and we’ve walked in obedience. We can not “gather the people” before we’ve allowed God to work in our own hearts. God does the work in our hearts not people.

What happens when we seek God with our whole heart? We find Him. What happens when we are obedient and removed the idols from our hearts? We have peace? Peace in this world? No, but we have peace in our soul and with God.

I love and get much encouragement from 2 Chron 15:17,

“But the high places (cultic platform, places of worship) were not removed from Israel; nevertheless Asa's heart was blameless all his days.” 2 Chron 15:17

There is so much more to learn about Asa, why not read it for yourself? His story is found in 2 Chron 14-16.

El Olam - The Everlasting God

The existence of God in the past and the future is a great mystery. He always was and always will be. It’s hard to get your mind around this truth. Scripture doesn’t really even attempt to explain God’s existence but simply assumes it.
It takes faith. Hebrews 11:6 says “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

God is pleased with a faith that simply ‘believes that He is’. Faith is a conviction of a truth about something which can not be proved. It’s to believe in something without seeing. It’s by faith that I believe in El Olam, The Everlasting God.

In our finite thinking we can not fully comprehend something that is eternal. We live in a world were things have a beginning and an end. Nothing seems permanent - beauty and strength fades, mothers and fathers desert their families, friends come and go out of your life, loved ones move or die, there are disappointments - nothing here on earth is everlasting.

Only El-Olam, the Everlasting God can be counted on to always be in control and to always be available when we need Him.

 Olam comes from the root word 'lm (which means "eternity"). Olam literally means "forever," "eternity," or "everlasting". Olam means for ever, always, everlasting, indefinite or unending.¹
He is the eternal, everlasting God without beginning or end!  He simply “IS”. My mind can’t quite get around that truth. I’ve tried, but my mind was not made to fully understand eternity while here on earth. It’s by faith that I believe that God inhabits eternity, and that HE continually fulfills His Word.

By faith I believe in His eternal protection over me. (Deut 33:27)
By Faith I believe in His eternal love for me. (Is 54:8)
By faith I believe He is the living God and the everlasting King. (Jer 10:10)
By faith I believe that He will be an eternal Light that guides me.(Is 60:19)
By faith I believe that He is my everlasting Rock. Is 26:4

What great comfort this name gives me! My God is eternal, He saw me before the foundations of the earth. He sees my life from the beginning to end. El Olam does not need to “wait and see” how I turn out in the end. HE KNOWS! Not only does He know but He is with me, molding me and making me into His Son’s image.

I am convinced, beyond all doubt, that my God is The Everlasting God! And because I am convinced of His eternal presence I can know that He has everything in control. He saw me before birth and He sees my end here on earth. He sees me in eternity with Him. No, I can’t fully understand, but I don’t need to.  I just need to trust in Him, The Everlasting God, and walk by faith.

Below are a few verse for you to “chew” on today. They are all from NASB translation and the words in bold print are mine.

Isaiah 40:28-31 says “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.”

Psalm 41:12-13 says “As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And You set me in Your presence forever.  Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.”

Psalm 90:1-2 tells us “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

Psalm 93:1-2 says The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength ;Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. Your throne is established from of old ; You are from everlasting.”

Psalm 102:11-12 “ My days are like a lengthened shadow, And I wither away like grass. But You, O LORD, abide forever, And Your name to all generations.”
 
¹ Blue Letter Bible
 
For more in the series “Who Are You?” please click here.

Suffering, the Plan of God

Every time I read through Genesis I am reminded anew that God has a plan for my life. He has a plan for each of us. Knowing He has a plan helps, however rarely do we fully understand or accept the journey He leads us to.

His plan for Abraham was to make him a great nation. God says to him in Genesis 12:2 “And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing.”

Of course we know Abram’s reaction. He was old and had no children so how could he possibly become a great nation.

Abram, like I do so often, ran ahead of God. He thought he could help God out. Abram needed an heir, Sarah had a plan. It sounds good, it must be God’s will, it must be the way God plans of making him a nation.

A son is born to a servant girl. All seems well. God will bless Abram’s son. Abraham will be a great nation. At least I am sure this was what Sarah and Abraham thought.

But God has HIS plan. A better plan. A plan that would be sure to show He was God Almighty. For God would open the womb of an old woman, beyond child-bearing years, and give her a son. This son, named Isaac, is whom God would make a nation through.

Making the impossible possible.

Why don’t I get that? Why do I always think it’s about what I can do? How I think I can help God? Why do I run ahead of God thinking I know what or how He is going to do what He has promised? (sigh)

The promises of God are rarely, if ever, fulfilled in the way we think they might be… or should be. And yet I continue to try to figure it all out. I want to know how God will fulfill what He promises. I want to know ahead of time what He plans for me.

It’s not the way God works. For example God says to Abraham in Gen 15:13 "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions”.

Now if it was me I would think “Wait! What do you mean they will be enslaved and oppressed for 400 years?” But Abraham didn’t seem to question it. Maybe he just trusted in the promise of God and didn’t worry about how God would fulfill it. He had worried about that before and made a mess of it. Maybe this time he was going to just trust God to do it and not wonder how? I don’t know…just thinking out loud.

What we do know is that several generations what God said He did fulfill. In Genesis 46:2-4 we see God speaking to Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, and telling him “do not be afraid to go to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again”

So God sends Abraham’s descendants into Egypt knowing they would be there for 400 years. It would be hard. They would become enslaved, oppressed and wonder “where is God?” But they would grow to be a strong nation. Their numbers would multiply greatly.

We don’t like to think of it. To be reminded that God sent the nation into slavery in order to grow. God sent them to suffer under taskmasters so that they would become a strong people.

God knew that one day His people would cry out and He would save them. He knew they would need to be strong and have the ability to endure hardship before they ever entered into the land of Promise. God knew that the 400 years in slavery would prepare them for the 40 years they would end up in the desert.

What about me? What about you?

I know the promises of God. I know that Jesus will return. I know that while I am here God has a plan for my life. But when faced with hard times do I feel forgotten? Do I wonder what I have done to warrant pain or suffering? Do I automatically assume God must be punishing me?

Or do I look upon suffering as a time of God preparing me for the next step in life. Do I see pain as a way that God may be training me in endurance?

The above example is just one of many examples that show God using suffering as a way to train, prepare, discipline and/or grow His people.

I’ve heard it said that you can’t make a sailor out of a man on calm waters. It’s true of life too. If there was never any trials, suffering, difficulties in life we would be easily overtaken by our enemies.

God uses the rough seas of life to train us and teach us to endure. I also believe, based on my own experience, that God uses whatever trial I might currently be going through to prepare me for the next season of life.

All of life is a training ground. We are being trained, disciplined toward holiness. It’s through suffering that we grow more Christ like. So take courage today and remember

 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning. And you won't spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God… So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.1 Peter 4:1-2,19

Lost Passion

I sat there listening intently to our pastor bring forth truth from God’s word. It was a continuation of the week before. I was eager to hear more of how the Word of God works in our lives. In my life.

He asked a question. Do you love the word of God? Are you passionate about God’s word? Do you seek to uncover the treasures hidden within as if it were the purest of gold?

Yes, YES! My heart cried.

But since then I have heard God whisper ever so gently in my heart. “Do you really? Are you still passionate about being in my word like you once were?” The question haunted me. It cut deep within as it exposed truth. The truth of a lost passion.

I had not stopped being in the word. I was and am doing my daily readings as I go through in a year, but little beyond that. I’d pick up my Bible to study only to find myself distracted and seemingly without a purpose.

What was wrong? Was there sin? Am I just being lazy? Have I just lost my desire? But why would I loose desire for that which I loved so passionately before?

My heart was grieved. I looked to God for an answer. One of the first thoughts that came to my mind was, I am not in a Bible Study. I am not studying with other like-minded women. Studying the word together with others is such an encouragement. It keeps me accountable.

Studying deep, honestly, with vulnerability was what was missing. It has been a very long time since I have had that. That must be it. It had to be it. My spirit wouldn’t let it go. You see for some time now I have “whined” before God that there are no like-minded women to study with. Not that like to study the way I do. I’ve tried leading a study, but hardly anyone comes. So I get discouraged. I am discouraged.

I’m discouraged because I am looking at me. Somewhere along the line it became about me, AGAIN! It’s so frustrating to be here again. It’s not about me and what I think or want.  I KNOW THIS!!

It’s about what God wants to do in me and through me. It’s about God’s glory and how He chooses to reveal Himself to me. It is all about God. Why do I seem to need to learn this lesson over and over again?

I can not “blame” my loss of passion on the lack of having others studying with me. My lack of passion is due to a wrong attitude in my own heart. In my heart I had begun to slip back to old patterns of thinking. I desired intimacy with others instead of God. I want heart friends, sisters that would be there for me. I wanted it to be about meeting my needs.

In the beginning it sounded good since I wanted to do it through studying His word. But the lies of our idols can sound like truth and we begin to walk into their trap before we realize the danger we are in. It started out being about God and desiring to have other’s in my life that would walk with me, but it ended up being a desire to fulfill my feelings of discouragement, loneliness and being forgotten.

So here I am today, faced with a choice. Well that’s not really true, for there is only one choice and that is returning to my Jesus. I lost passion because I began to look to others instead of Him. I began to think in my mind that I needed more than just Him and His word. It’s not true. It’s not Jesus and ______, it’s Jesus. Period. Nothing more, nothing less.

You see what I had forgotten is that I need to go Jesus first. He wants me to run to Him and His word for all that my heart desires. Yes He wants us to be in community, but only after we’ve gone to Him.

When I am filled with Jesus and the truth of His word then…

• I have the right attitude in the midst of community.
• I come in order to serve and be “Jesus with skin on”.
• I do not look to be served and it’s not about me.
• I am better equipped to discern lies from truth.
• I am able to see the idols I am turning to instead of turning to God.

So what do I need to do today? Or as our Pastor asked at the end of his sermon “What do I need to apply immediately?”

It’s simple. First, I must pray. I need to confess. Confess that I have being running after other things instead of running to Him. I need to tell God the truth of my idols and wrong attitudes.

Second, I must choose to return to God and His promises. When I begin to turn to idols I have turned away from God and have begun the walk back to Egypt and slavery, just as the Israelites did in the Old Testament. I have chosen bondage over freedom. It needs to be a daily, moment by moment choice of turning my heart to God. My heart is so easily deceived. I must never think I can just run on auto pilot.

Third, I need to be diligent and on guard constantly. The enemy does not want to see God’s children enter into the fulfillment of God’s promises. He will deceive, lie and use words that seem like to truth to keep us from a passionate pursuit of God. The enemy is good at what he does, but those who are constantly before the face of God will not be so easily led back to Egypt.

Oh dear sisters, it’s a battle isn’t it? We can not let our guards down for even a second. Our enemy is just waiting to keep us from living a life lived in the freedom of God’s Spirit.

Today I began again. I will stop and do an about face. I will go to God’s word in obedience and know that He will meet me there. I will be patient, knowing that God does indeed have a plan for me, but for now I must seek Him whole heartedly.

My passion for His word will return as I return in obedience to the pursuing of His word.

I want to close using Psalm 119:169-176 as my prayer. As you read this take note exactly what the Psalmist is asking for. May our hearts desire the same as we seek Him with greater intimacy and passion.

“May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word. May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.  May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.”

 

It’s been awhile since I’ve linked up to the below but I know you will be blessed as you read what other’s are learning…

When Adversity Knocks

 

 

ad·ver·si·ty -a condition marked by misfortune, calamity, or distress: an adverse or unfortunate event or circumstance.   Synonyms: catastrophe, disaster; trouble, misery, tribulation, calamity, affliction, adversity, misfortune, trial

Adversity hits everyone. If you are alive then you have, or will at some point, face trouble in your life. It comes in all different forms, from different places, at different times and for different reasons.

Some people seem to have entire seasons of adversity. Some will have a short onset of trouble that seems to pass quickly.

As I have been thinking about the role that adversity plays in our lives I have been reminded that while we have little to no control when or how it comes we do have control over how we react.

Will you (or I) allow it to destroy you/me? Will we destroy others in the process? Will it weaken us? Make us stronger? Will we choose to lash out and hurt others because we have been hurt?

My prayer is that adversity would make me more like Christ. Regardless of how or why it comes I want to react in such a way that it leaves me better for having gone through it. I also want to leave others around me better for having walked with me. I want those around me to be encouraged as they see me live through adversity.

I want my life to be a life of righteousness. To be a life that glorifies God. I want to be a child of God that welcomes the refiners fire, knowing as it  is said in Malachi 3:3 that “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness…”

I desire my character to be as such that when the refiner’s fire comes I will walk through it in a way that testifies to how big my God is. “O, Father I pray I would walk with my eyes fully on You! I pray that ‘in my day of trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me!” Ps 86:7

May this be true of me. May it be true of you. No matter whether it’s Satan asking to “sift us as wheat” (Luke 22:31), the fire of the refiner (Jer 9:7, Zech 13:9) or seemingly unfair circumstance that comes into our life may we all cry out to our Father who hears and answers us.

How will you choose to walk through adversity? Will you come through purified, leaving a sweet smelling aroma? Will you call on the name of Jesus?

Or will you allow it to harden your heart or destroy you and those around you? Will you try to handle it in your own strength and fight the battle in your own way?

I want to encourage you with the words from “Call on Jesus” by Nicole C. Mullen

But when I call on Jesus
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus
Mountains are gonna fall
'Cause He'll move heaven
And earth to come rescue me when I call

Call Him in the mornin'
In the afternoon time
Late in the evenin'
He'll be there
When your heart is broken
And you feel discouraged
You can just remember that He said
He'll be there

No More CHRISTmas

Each year I find my heart grows sadder during the Christmas season as I watch more and more of Christ being taken out of the celebrations.

Sadly I witness the true meaning of Christmas being buried and forgotten beneath holiday decorations, presents, Santa, elves, and anything else that man can think of in order to gain a profit and our enemy use to distract from the birth of our Lord.

This year, more than any other, I keep asking myself “where is Jesus?” Drive down the road and you see very few nativity scenes. Home after home there are many Santa’s and such. But where is Jesus?

I wonder if we are headed to a time, in the not so distance future, when people will actually forget it’s the birthday of the Christ. Already towns are being told to remove nativity scenes and Christmas crosses. It’s hard to find any retail store that will say Merry Christmas. Children can’t sing Christmas songs about Christ in school. It seems with each generation the babe that came to save us is pushed further away.

It’s true, none of this is completely surprising to me, as the enemy has done a good job of deceiving those who don’t believe in Christ anyway. But what does surprise me, what saddens my heart, is that even those who believe in Christ have either put Him in the background of their celebrations or practically removed Him from the holiday.

Christmas has become a celebration of Rudolph the Red nose Reindeer, and Dasher, and Dancer, Frosty the snowman and an elf you can adopt who will then report back to Santa if boys and girls are good or not. Apart from having nothing to do with Jesus are we saying it’s good parenting to teach our children that bribery is okay? Do we really want our children thinking the reason for good behavior is to get presents? What does this have to do with Christ and the need of a savior?

God doesn’t need elves, He sees everything. He knows that there is not one that is good, we have all sinned. Therefore we are in need of Jesus, not Santa.

Please understand there is nothing wrong with sharing the real story of St Nicholas who was a good saint, but why would Christians allow this man to become the center of the holiday? Why would believers in Christ buy into all the commercialism of the holiday and those things that draw us away from Christ? It’s not Nickmas, Elfmas,  or Santamas,  it is CHRISTmas right?

So if it’s still called Christmas, and it’s a celebration of Jesus coming to earth as a baby then why not make it about Jesus? Why not center our celebrations on the birth of One who would save us from our sins?

Just one last thought. If Christians do not celebrate the birth of Christ differently than the world how will we be a LIGHT? No wonder the world is walking away from the the true meaning and allowing Christ to be removed, why wouldn’t they if Christians are also forgetting the Babe who came to earth.

I am still processing…wondering…praying and asking. I just can’t seem to break the feeling that we are losing Christ in Christmas.

Endurance

I hate days like today.

Feelings

Insecurity

Doubt

Wondering

Fighting the battle is difficult.

Endurance

Joy

Contentment

Peace

Lies and Truth seem inseparable.

Stand

Fail

WORD

Emotions

Every day is a choice.

Life

Death

truth

Lies

Today I choose LIFE and TRUTH.

Regardless of EMOTIONS and LIES.

I Don’t Need to Hide From You

Today I heard a song that spoke into the places of my heart that have been crying out to God.

Those places where I KNOW the enemy has been whispering lies. Lies that cause doubt and tell me I am unworthy. Lies that say I am not enough, God can’t use me.

You know the lies my sweet sister’s don’t you? We all have them, we all hear them. Sometimes they come boldly and we fight them off with truth.

Other times, when our defenses are down they come creeping in and get ahold of us before we realize it.

This is where I have been.

I haven’t kept my defenses up. I have allowed the enemy to breach a part of my wall that I haven’t been diligent to keep strong.

Yesterday the word God had for me came from Heb 10:35-36 that reminded me that I NEED patient endurance. I need to remember that my confidence comes from the very One who created me to do His good will.

My confidence is in Christ who remains faithful. It is in Him I have hope. (Heb 10:23)

How did that affect my thinking? It was a wonderful reminder that I am to patiently endure that which He has called me to do. I am to walk in the hope of an eternal reward. I walk based on the truth I KNOW not what I feel and certainly not what the enemy would like me to believe.

Truth is – God created me for a purpose and He has given me everything I need to do that which He has called me to do.

Truth is – He knows me inside and outside. He knows my heart, my mind, my passions and desires and HE LOVES ME. And while there are times I do need to hide my heart from others, I never ever have to hide from Him.

 

Today these words from a song worked to reinforce that which God has been speaking…

You don’t have to prove yourself you are already mine. You don’t don’t have to hide your heart, I already love you and I hold it in mine. So You don’t have to work so hard ….just rest easy

Maybe you also find yourself working too hard to prove you are worthy of His love…I pray this song might speak to your heart also.

 

Completing the Work He Started

I am not always the woman I want to be. I often fail. Forgetting who I am I react in ways that later I regret.

I let my loved one’s down. I disappoint them. There are times I say I am going to do something and don’t. It’s never on purpose, but at the same time I am not so sure I have a good excuse. To say I got too busy or totally forgot just seems inadequate.

So often I let my need of approval effect what I should do or say. I will say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Or the right thing at the wrong time. My words can be harsh. Hurtful. Judgmental.

Oh to keep my mouth shut more than I open it is my prayer!!

You may be sitting there reading this thinking “wow she’s hard on herself.” And you would be right. I have a friend who often tells me I am my own worse critic. I often will focus on my failures and weakness instead of my successes.

And when I get to the point of “going there” to that place I only see my failures and weakness it could send me into a deep dark pit. That is when I remember TRUTH.

I remember truth like Psalms 40…

And “I wait patiently for my LORD….He hears me…He brings me up out of the pit…out of the miry clay, And He sets my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God…Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count…I delight to do Your will, O my God ; Your Law is within my heart." I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know.”

I pray with the Psalmist…

“I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation. You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me….My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And my heart has failed me. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; Make haste, O LORD, to help me.…Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!" Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.”

I am so thankful that my God continues to work in me to create a heart that desires to be the woman He knows I am. There is work to be done in me but He will not give up on me. It is a process. Granted sometimes a long, painful process but He is faithful to complete the work. :-)

You’re Not Forgotten

As a young girl of almost six I remember feeling uncertain and fearful that there would be no one to take care of me or love me. There was a deep feeling of being abandoned.

There was no one to talk to.
 
To my child’s mind it seemed I was alone. My father was gone. He was now in heaven. My mother would need to stay in a hospital for what seemed like months, but it was only weeks. Six weeks.

Growing up I would experience those same feelings over and over of being alone. Abandoned. Unloved. Granted they were only feelings. Emotions. Emotions that were not allowed to be expressed. Feelings that were never talked about. Never spoken.

Now, years later I see things differently. I see how hard life was for those who were suppose to take care of me. I see, but I do not always understand. And maybe that is okay.

Maybe it’s okay, even normal to still have emotions come over me. Feelings of being forgotten. Unwanted. Abandoned.

At times I want to give up. Stop trying to make sense of it all. I mean how does someone get over being abandoned, unloved and feelings of being forgotten. How do you not allow you to effect how you view relationships now?

How? I have not yet reached the how of NEVER feeling this way again, never allowing the emotions to overwhelm me in certain circumstances.

But I have learned how to move beyond the moment. I have learned that even though the emotions may come I don’t have to stay there. I don’t have to believe them. I don’t have to allow them to effect the way I think or live.

I have learned to speak truth to myself. And in speaking truth I am reminded that even though at times I FEEL forgotten my God will NEVER forget me. He will never leave me. He will not abandon me.

I can hold on to these truths and stand on them. I can because I know that my God does not lie. He can not lie. If His word says it then I believe with my heart, soul and mind that it’s true.

So what does His word say? What truth do I stand on? There are so many but here are a few.

"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land ; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you…He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:6.8
"For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the LORD has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. 1 Samuel 12:22
For the LORD loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off. Psalm 37:28
For the LORD will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance. Psalm 94:14
"I will not leave you as orphans ; I will come to you. John 14:18

So may I encourage you to reflect on these words of truth during those times when you might feel forgotten by others…or even God. Hold on to truth. Know that it does not matter whether those here on earth forget us, we will never be forgotten by our God.
He promises to never leave or forsake you. If He promises then you can stand firm on it regardless of your emotions at the time!

What Are You Clinging To?

"But you are to cling to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.” Joshua 23:8

I celebrated my fiftieth birthday this past Sunday and this week I have done a lot of reflecting over my life. Age gives us a perspective that the young often do not have or even understand. I am reminded of a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson which says “The years teach much which the days never know.”  In looking back over the years I understand even more now what Emerson was saying. It was also a perspective that Joshua had at the end of his days as he gives his last words to Israel.

Joshua reminds the people in chapter 23 what God has done, what He has promised and what God will continue to do. As I read this chapter I too was reminded of what God has done in my life.

Looking back there is evidence of a holy, sovereign God who has always been there watching, working, waiting and drawing me near to Him.

There has been forgiveness of sin and grace poured out. There has been healing and hope. God has turned hurt, pain, and sorrow into good. He has walked with me in the darkest of nights and the harshest of storms. When I couldn’t bear the pain any longer He would carry me through. God has kept His promises to never leave or forsake me. He has taught me His word, of His love and who He is. Has has been patient with me as I have learned to separate truth from lies. He has shown me who I am in Christ and given me a brand new heart of hope, love and joy.

Oh dear one, can you look back over you life and see all the wonders God has done? Can you see your life through God’s eyes? Through His truth?  Can you see His goodness in your life?

The more I see and know my God I find the less I want of what this world has to offer. Joshua tells the people to not associate with the nations around them. Do not be drawn to the worlds idols, or the worlds way of thinking for God’s anger will burn against them. However, we are to cling to the Lord God. We are to stand firm, keep and do all that is written in the Word of God. We are to be diligent in our love for the Lord.

The years have shown me that the things of this world will always fail to bring true joy, peace or happiness. However God will always remain faithful. My history with Him proves it. God has shown me that His word is true, He does not fail and all His promises will be fulfilled in my life.

So as I begin a new decade with my God my prayer is that I will grow to cling more and more to a Sovereign, Holy, Just, Good God and less to anything this world has.

Oh Father thank you for your faithfulness in my life. Thank you for the constant pouring out of love, grace and mercy as I have walked on this journey with You. Thank you for your patience as I have learned to trust You in all things, even those things I still may not understand. Father You are a holy God, and I know I can trust in Your goodness and faithfulness. May my heart never turn away from you and cling to worthless things of this world. Continue to create in me a heart that clings desperately to You. A heart that obeys all of Your words does not forsake Your covenant with me. Amen.

"And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the LORD your God is He who has been fighting for you…"Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left…for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you. "So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the LORD your God.”

Joshua 23:3,6,10,11

When I am Weak, He is Strong

Have you ever had those days when you are just tired? Tired of fighting the flesh? Tired of trying to be who you are suppose to be? Tired of fighting the lies of the enemy? Tired of fighting wrong emotions and feelings?

It’s where I have been for a couple days now. My emotions have been all over the place. Sometimes it feels like my feelings, thoughts and life are a tangled mess.

I try as hard as I can but just can’t seem to untangle the mess of emotions. It’s exhausting trying to sort out what I am suppose to feel, what is normal, and what is not.

I am suppose to be a big girl and have all this figured out. Right? Or is that another lie? Am I suppose to ask for help? But who do I ask? Who would understand? Who would really be available to sit and listen? And NOT think I was totally losing it! Who could I talk to that would know it’s just a moment. Who would give me grace and allow me a few minutes to talk out loud and then I’ll be fine? Because most of the time I just need to talk out loud.

Currently, the lies in my head say I have no one. No one that is but Jesus. (I do KNOW deep in my heart that this is another lie. Our emotions often DO lie to us!) But still I wonder, shouldn’t Jesus be enough? I mean, He IS enough. He IS all I need. He’s the only one I am suppose to really need. Right?

If that is true then why does this place feel like a place of such loneliness? Is this yet another lie? Another attempt of the enemy to try and wedge discontent between me and my God? To create a distance between me and those God has placed in my life to journey with?

It all makes me tired and it’s exhausting….and I just want to go home. To my Father. I am tired of my enemy's constant knocking on the door of my mind. Seriously, I believe my mind is the enemy's most powerful weapon against me.

Then it hits me…

The selfishness of the flesh that cries out to be noticed, to be fed. Yes I am weary of the constant onslaught of what seems like the constant battles of my mind. Wrong thinking. Emotions that want to be given into. Emotions that cry out to be felt. But they are lies that FEEL like truth.

I am weary because for this moment I have forgotten. I have forgotten truth. The truth that I know, believe and trust in.

The truth is I do not fight alone.

I have forgotten to be diligent about putting on the armor of God so that I can fight against the powers of this dark world. The evil forces of this world do not let up, they desire to destroy me. 

 I have forgotten that I need to stand firm with the belt of truth buckled tightly around my waist. Never should I be without it. 

I have forgotten that I am to take my shield of faith up daily against the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

I have forgotten that I do not fight alone but with the Lord and in His mighty power. 

I have forgotten that when I am weak HE IS strong. I can run to Him and find rest, even in the midst of my struggles.

Paul reminds the Ephesians in chapter 6 that they are in a battle. They are to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. He tells them that in order to take a stand against the devils schemes they need the armor of God. They need to stand firm, be alert, and always praying.

I need the armor of God. I need to pray. I need to stand strong in His mighty power.

And then in Paul’s final sentences he tells the Ephesians that he is going to send Tychicus so that they might be encouraged. Don’t you love it?

Paul reminds them that yes, they ARE to stand firm, they ARE to wear the armor of God, they ARE to be alert and pray BUT he knows they also need the encouragement of others.

We need our brothers and sisters who can come along and encourage us when we become battle weary. To strengthen us and pray with and for us.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10

Oh precious Father, thank you for these words of reminder. Thank you for helping me through this moment. Father forgive me for my forgetfulness and selfishness. Help me to lean on You and allow You to bring other’s into my life to encourage me. Help me to remember I don’t always have to be strong, have it all together or be perfect. For in my weaknesses You can show Your strength, Your power and Your grace.

Who May Enter Into Worship?

Exalt the LORD our God And worship at His holy hill, For holy is the LORD our God. Psalms 99:9

This morning I was challenged in the word about worship. Who can enter into worship? How am I to enter?  Do I prepare my heart to enter into His presence. I am not just talking about being prepared on a Sunday morning, but a daily preparedness to live a life of worship to my God.

Psalms 15 begins in verse one with two questions “Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?”

The rest of the chapter gives me the answers and give me a clear picture of how I should be prepared for worship. I think it gives me a good measuring stick as to where my heart is before I enter into a true worship of my Holy God.

Verses 2-5 tells me that when my heart seeks to 1) be blameless  2)do what is right 3)speak truth 4) not slander 5)be kind to my neighbor 6) not speak evil of my friends 7)despise persistent sinners 8)honor the family of God 9)keep my promises even if it hurts 10)be honest in financial dealings.

THEN I will stand firm. Then I will be able to enter into worship with a heart that is ready.

Romans 12 reminds me that I am “to present my body as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God…”

This is daily worship. To live a life that seeks to be holy, to do what is right. To live a life that seeks to be good, acceptable and perfect, not following after the things of the world.

So I ask myself, “Am I preparing my heart for worship? Do I live a LIFE of holy sacrifice?”

This isn’t just about a Sunday worship service, this is about a life that lives to worship God. But at the same time I must also ask myself is my heart prepared for “corporate” worship? Or maybe the better question to ask is, “Have I lived a life all week of personal worship? A worship that just overflows into corporate worship?”

 

"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:24

Are Your Walls in Ruin?

Sunday our Pastor began a series on the book of Nehemiah and I have been “chewing” on it ever since. Before I get to writing though I must confess that my first thought was “really Lord? Nehemiah…AGAIN?” I have been in this book probably more in the last 10 years than any other book! And just 2 years ago I studied it inductively! So what more is there to show me…

I do LOVE His Word…It is always new.  He always has a fresh word.

In the past as I’ve studied Nehemiah it’s been in the context of ministry and building up the “spiritual walls” of our communities of our churches and our cities.

But this time our Pastor, as he often does, took us to our hearts. He wanted us to evaluate our own spiritual walls. The walls of our heart. Not the walls we build because of hurt or to keep other’s out but the walls that are build on truth. The walls that surround our hearts in order to keep SIN out.

Are your walls firmly built on truth? Do you spend time with God daily in prayer?

Are there parts of your walls that are crumbling, or have grown weak from neglect?

As I sat there listening, especially in light of what had just happened on the way to church, I realized there are parts of my wall that needs some tending too.

What I have realized, and our pastor impressed upon us, is that we can not possibly build the walls around our communities until we have first allowed God to rebuild us. I don’t mean we have to be perfect and there can’t be any weaknesses at all, but we do need to be aware of the areas that are weak.

We need to be willing to allow God to continue exposing the cracks in our foundations and our walls and this allow Him to rebuild or re-enforce them.

I want to spend time this week really seeking God and asking Him to show me the areas of weakness. Those areas of my heart that are in danger of completely crumbling because they have been neglected.

How about you? Are you willing? Do you have parts of your wall that are crumbling? Lets us pray together for spiritual walls to build on the foundations of truth. The truth of God’s word.

Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit. Prov 25:28

Have We Failed The Test?

Since the beginning of the year I have been reading through the Bible and jotting down blog ideas! Thoughts that have really struck me in a new or different way, hoping that I’ll be able to get back to them and study further. Well, several weeks ago I read Judges 3 and saw something I hadn’t really noticed before and my mind has not let it go.

Judges 3 begins this way, “The LORD left certain nations in the land to test those Israelites who had not participated in the wars of Canaan. He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle…These people were left to test the Israelites -- to see whether they would obey the commands the LORD had given to their ancestors through Moses.” (v.1,2,4)

As I read those verses I couldn’t help but to compare it to my life. To life here in what is considered a “Christian” nation. A nation built on godly morals by people who fought for their religious freedom. They were not afraid to take a stand against those who would deny their right to worship God. They left everything they knew, everything they had and came to a land that promised freedom.

I’ve often wondered how we got here, to where we are today. A nation led by godless leaders. Making laws in favor of things God calls sin. How did we become a nation that allows homosexuals to marry? We allow babies to be aborted? We have allowed God to be taken out of our schools, our work place and our government!

Where did it happen? When did godly men and women begin turning a blinds eye to sin? When did we stop fighting for what God sees as right and holy? When did we, as a nation and as a church, fail the test?

A test? What test? I believe God will always leave “certain nations” or “certain people” in the land to test us. Why? To see whether we would obey the commands of the Lord. Will we stand up and fight against God’s enemies? Have we forgotten that we have God on our side? As believers we have God fighting for us and with us and yet so often we sit idly by and allow those that have been left to test us, rule us.

Israel, like God’s people today, joined together with the pagan nations. They began to worship the god’s of the land. They began to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord. And they forgot about God. (v.5-8)

Let’s remember that God’s judgment in verse 8 is against Israel, not the nation. God’s anger burned against His own people and He handed them over to a King to be his subjects. There freedom was gone.

Do you see the lesson here for us to learn? Today we cry out that our nation needs to repent, but it’s not the nation. It’s God’s people that needs to repent. His people have become apathetic and no longer fight for God. His people serve the god of this nation, wealth, power and self interest. His people have allowed sin into the church to the point that many churches no longer care about God’s law and only teach a watered down gospel.

God allowed the nation to rule over Israel for eight years. What changed? The people, God’s people,  “cried out to the LORD for help, the LORD raised up a man to rescue them.” (v.9)

 

Oh Father how I have sinned, how your church, and your bride has sinned against you. Forgive me for not standing up for Your truth. Forgive me for those times I have voted for godless men and women to rule this nation. Forgive me for sitting by and allowing this nation and it’s leaders to take You out of the schools, the work places and the government. O, Father forgive a generation that has been apathetic and have forgotten You. Show me what you would have me do. Help me to stand against Your enemies, even if it means standing against a giant with only a sling shot and a few rocks. I know that You will be with Your people who choose to make a stand for righteousness. Father raise up those who will fight for You. Lead a revival in this land among Your church. O God I pray that You will begin by creating a fire in my own heart, a holy, righteous fire.

Living Purposefully with Confidence

The Law, written on tablets of stone, was given to Moses and the people of Israel. A covenant was made. They promised to obey. It would be a promise they would not keep. They could not keep.

Breaking covenant meant death. The death of an animal sacrifice. Sin required a blood sacrifice. The priest would need to offer the blood sacrifice of perfect animals, daily for the sins of the people.

It was a shadow of things to come. There would be a better way. A better covenant. A perfect sacrifice that would be once and for all. It would cover all sin, for all time. To those who believe.

A better covenant. A law, not written on stone but written on our hearts. No longer would an earthly priest be needed. We will know God. We will be His people. Our sins remembered no more.

Our sins forgiven. Forgiven, not because of the blood of animals, but because of the One who came to offer His perfect sacrifice.The One, Jesus, the perfect sacrifice offered Himself freely.

Before, in the shadow of the things to come, man could not enter into the tabernacle. A veil separate man from entering. But Jesus provided a better covenant. His flesh, the veil, was torn so that we could freely “draw near” to God with “hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb 10:22)

So the law written on stone could not be kept, but the law written on our hearts can be kept through Jesus. We can have confidence in the One who promised is faithful to keep His covenant. A covenant that frees us from our sins and will no longer be remembered.

Since we have this confidence in Jesus we can endure the struggles and trials of this earth know that we will receive what has been promised. That which is promised is eternal life with Jesus.

So let us not give up, but let us hold fast and preserve to the end.

(see Hebrews 8-9 and Exodus 24)

 

Other Blog Post for Living Purposefully!

1. Living Purposefully in the New Year
2. Living Purposefully with eyes on Jesus
3. Living Purposefully: Consider Jesus
4. Are You Mature?
5. Living Purposefully with Hope