Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31
On a day like today... when I am exhausted... this comforts me.
I do hope in the Lord! How great to know that my strength will be restored!
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28
I can pull strength from the Lord, from Christ who LIVES in me! God will not grow weary and I can press on.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
I think, a lot of times, maybe mothers in particular, forget that we are doing GOOD. Raising our children for Christ is furthering God's Kingdom. That is good! And we will reap a wonderful harvest... some days it's just not as easy as others, to remember this.
In praying, I have ended up feeling like this fatigue I have right now is an opportunity to sit back and relax. I should be re-evaluating, pondering, praying, enjoying, digging into the Word, and resting. There's nothing wrong with slowing down for a little while.
After all... I'm supposed to be working on God's time!
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
Praise You Jesus! I look forward to being lifted up! Praise you Jesus, whether I am "up" or "down" I am held firmly in God's hand!
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
God-goggles
Do you see what God sees? Are you looking at things through His eyes, His point of view?
She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." Genesis 16:13
"His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step. Job 34:21
would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? Psalm 44:21
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
God watches us. Not just you... ALL of us. And what He sees is different from what the world sees. Not just because He can but He is searching for something different than the world looks for.
But when God looks at us He sees the Truth. There is still failure and disappointment... but He sees the heart. The heart that would have succeeded. The heart that already knows it came up short. The heart that wants to do better. He sees who is trying to be more like Him... and who isn't.
So, when you see people, what do you look for?
because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14
...and...
Then he adds: Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17
People do not = their sins! So why do we see someone's sin when we look at them? If they are believers and pursuing a right relationship with Christ, He says He doesn't see their sins. And if they are not:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
God didn't wait until we were good to die for us. So why do we wait until people are "good" to love them?
I'm not saying that we should ignore sin. I'm not condoning any actions that God has called sin. It is not Christ-like to act in a way that we would be mistaken for a non-believer. Reaching out does not mean joining in. Jesus hung out with the thieves and tax collectors and the untouchables. It is Christ-like to reach out to them and for our hearts to ache for them and for us to desire them to be saved.
I do believe we should lovingly rebuke our brothers and sisters in Christ. But We should not be condemning them. And we should be able to see past it and LOVE THEM.
Who then will condemn us? No one--for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:34
This world, because of satan's influence, is bent toward looking for the worst in everyone. Most human eyes seek out failure and disappointment... just waiting to shout "I told you so! Not perfect! Not good enough!". If you seek out the bad, you WILL find it. People will never fail to live up to your expectations... What YOU see is what you get...
So put your God-goggles on!
She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." Genesis 16:13
"His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step. Job 34:21
would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? Psalm 44:21
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
God watches us. Not just you... ALL of us. And what He sees is different from what the world sees. Not just because He can but He is searching for something different than the world looks for.
But when God looks at us He sees the Truth. There is still failure and disappointment... but He sees the heart. The heart that would have succeeded. The heart that already knows it came up short. The heart that wants to do better. He sees who is trying to be more like Him... and who isn't.
So, when you see people, what do you look for?
because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14
...and...
Then he adds: Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17
People do not = their sins! So why do we see someone's sin when we look at them? If they are believers and pursuing a right relationship with Christ, He says He doesn't see their sins. And if they are not:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
God didn't wait until we were good to die for us. So why do we wait until people are "good" to love them?
I'm not saying that we should ignore sin. I'm not condoning any actions that God has called sin. It is not Christ-like to act in a way that we would be mistaken for a non-believer. Reaching out does not mean joining in. Jesus hung out with the thieves and tax collectors and the untouchables. It is Christ-like to reach out to them and for our hearts to ache for them and for us to desire them to be saved.
I do believe we should lovingly rebuke our brothers and sisters in Christ. But We should not be condemning them. And we should be able to see past it and LOVE THEM.
Who then will condemn us? No one--for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:34
This world, because of satan's influence, is bent toward looking for the worst in everyone. Most human eyes seek out failure and disappointment... just waiting to shout "I told you so! Not perfect! Not good enough!". If you seek out the bad, you WILL find it. People will never fail to live up to your expectations... What YOU see is what you get...
So put your God-goggles on!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Do you give love a bad name?
This thought crossed my mind and I immediately thought of the Bon Jovi song. Funny, yes... but what a good question.
Do you give love a bad name?
In other words...
Are you a good representative for Christ?
When people look at you, and watch you... do they see Jesus? Do they see love in action?
Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God, the Firstborn and Lord of all creation. Colossians 1:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15
We are called to be like Jesus... who represents our Heavenly Father. The Bible is filled with ways that we can emulate his behaviors and live like Him.
So what happens when we don't?
Say it with me:
HYPOCRIT.
The people we share the message with are watching! And they don't look away when we fail. We look bad... but even worse... the King and Kingdom look bad!
I think we share the wrong message.
Too often we share something that is more like a fairytale or fantasy than the Truth. We paint pictures of flowers and dancing and instant perfection instead of the actual and factual. We feel the burden of "winning them over". And if we don't know the story ourselves, we can't believe it. And if we don't believe it... we won't live it.
Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 1 Peter 5:3
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21
The Truth is that He died, rose again, and made a way for us to get to Heaven. It's a free gift, no hoops to jump through, available to all mankind. Without His sacrifice we would NOT make it on our own.
The Truth is that you will have trials and troubles. The Truth is that accepting Jesus will not make your children love you, your ex-spouse come back, or your boss favor you. But Jesus understands that pain and mourns with you, hurts with you, and has good plans for you. The one who looks to steal your joy is the devil, not God.
The Truth is that it can be hard and diligent work, but it's always worth the effort. Every time you follow Jesus' teaching with a heart that is about being more like Him, you WILL BE BLESSED.
The Truth is that you may fail often, but Jesus will always take you back. We all struggle... and should remember that about each other.
The Truth is that it's a relationship thing. You and Jesus. One on one. And then that love is reverberated back into the world, and the more you get to know Jesus, the less you can help it. You don't have to change to go to church, come as you are... but I guarantee the Holy Spirit will work in your heart and you will begin to desire better than where you're at now. Even if you think where you're at right now isn't so bad.
The Truth is that those who refuse Him, deny Him, or ignore Him WILL not hang out with Him in Heaven when they die. That IS justice... justice has never been about letting people get away without consequence. There are no brownie points to cash in, no secret passwords, and no sins too big for Him to forgive.
The Truth is that no one else will ever love you like Jesus does and He is worthy of your love in return. He meant every word He said, and does not contradict Himself.
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 2 Corinthians 13:8
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17
So Jesus gave love a good name.
Do you?
Or do you misrepresent Him by catering to your listener? Do you sacrifice the details so as not to offend? Anything less than the Truth is not love. Lies give love a bad name. And they will figure it out later.
I am only going on my own experience and struggle. Maybe for some, a watered-down and false representation is good enough. But if you truly are loving the people you share the message with, as Jesus does, you'll share the truth. And if your heart truly feels for those who are not yet saved, you'll want to be accurate.
One of the saddest things you don't want to be responsible for is the soul of another person who has accepted a religion instead of beginning a relationship with Jesus.
Great... you shared the Gospel... according to who?
Do you give love a bad name?
In other words...
Are you a good representative for Christ?
When people look at you, and watch you... do they see Jesus? Do they see love in action?
Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God, the Firstborn and Lord of all creation. Colossians 1:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15
We are called to be like Jesus... who represents our Heavenly Father. The Bible is filled with ways that we can emulate his behaviors and live like Him.
So what happens when we don't?
Say it with me:
HYPOCRIT.
The people we share the message with are watching! And they don't look away when we fail. We look bad... but even worse... the King and Kingdom look bad!
I think we share the wrong message.
Too often we share something that is more like a fairytale or fantasy than the Truth. We paint pictures of flowers and dancing and instant perfection instead of the actual and factual. We feel the burden of "winning them over". And if we don't know the story ourselves, we can't believe it. And if we don't believe it... we won't live it.
Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 1 Peter 5:3
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21
The Truth is that He died, rose again, and made a way for us to get to Heaven. It's a free gift, no hoops to jump through, available to all mankind. Without His sacrifice we would NOT make it on our own.
The Truth is that you will have trials and troubles. The Truth is that accepting Jesus will not make your children love you, your ex-spouse come back, or your boss favor you. But Jesus understands that pain and mourns with you, hurts with you, and has good plans for you. The one who looks to steal your joy is the devil, not God.
The Truth is that it can be hard and diligent work, but it's always worth the effort. Every time you follow Jesus' teaching with a heart that is about being more like Him, you WILL BE BLESSED.
The Truth is that you may fail often, but Jesus will always take you back. We all struggle... and should remember that about each other.
The Truth is that it's a relationship thing. You and Jesus. One on one. And then that love is reverberated back into the world, and the more you get to know Jesus, the less you can help it. You don't have to change to go to church, come as you are... but I guarantee the Holy Spirit will work in your heart and you will begin to desire better than where you're at now. Even if you think where you're at right now isn't so bad.
The Truth is that those who refuse Him, deny Him, or ignore Him WILL not hang out with Him in Heaven when they die. That IS justice... justice has never been about letting people get away without consequence. There are no brownie points to cash in, no secret passwords, and no sins too big for Him to forgive.
The Truth is that no one else will ever love you like Jesus does and He is worthy of your love in return. He meant every word He said, and does not contradict Himself.
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 2 Corinthians 13:8
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17
So Jesus gave love a good name.
Do you?
Or do you misrepresent Him by catering to your listener? Do you sacrifice the details so as not to offend? Anything less than the Truth is not love. Lies give love a bad name. And they will figure it out later.
I am only going on my own experience and struggle. Maybe for some, a watered-down and false representation is good enough. But if you truly are loving the people you share the message with, as Jesus does, you'll share the truth. And if your heart truly feels for those who are not yet saved, you'll want to be accurate.
One of the saddest things you don't want to be responsible for is the soul of another person who has accepted a religion instead of beginning a relationship with Jesus.
Great... you shared the Gospel... according to who?
Friday, August 13, 2010
I am God's child
So what does that mean?
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:1-13
I like to pick this stuff apart... I'm seeing this: Not everyone will recognize or desire God and His ways. If someone does, they are like family to Him.
We're a new spiritual being, adopted into the King's family. By accepting Him... we gain the rights to the inheritance He has for us. And so much more.
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18
So, what's it like to be an orphan? The Bible calls them defenseless. They were pitied along with the widows. They had no one to protect them, and no inheritance to look forward to.
Oh, sure there are orphanages... a few even have loving caregivers in them. Even with the most loving of caregivers, each and every child sitting in an orphanage only wishes for their own parents to love them, and protect them. It's awful to feel like you don't belong to any particular people.
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:7
How great it feels to belong! From slave to the world... to daughter (or son) of the King of Kings. How good to know I always have someone to turn to. Someone always has my back! And the Kingdom is my inheritance.
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
And how great is our God that He has room in His heart for all of us! It's not as thought He built His house with a capacity limit.
He wants ALL men (and women) to be saved! God creates every person, every life... no one else but him CAN. He created all with the intention that they would know Him. And it saddens Him when He is rejected.
It also saddens Him when WE reject the lost ones He is after.
I know that before I knew Him, I felt like I didn't belong anywhere. God pulled on my heart from a young age and I fought Him every step of the way. I was certain I would find acceptance somewhere other than in His arms. As a matter of fact, His arms looked like prison bars to me at one point in time.
Oh, but now... to know the truth! How wonderful! The God of this universe put hundreds of generations of planning into me, the one and only. How amazing to know that He offers His Kingdom to me.
I am His child. I belong to God!
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:1-13
I like to pick this stuff apart... I'm seeing this: Not everyone will recognize or desire God and His ways. If someone does, they are like family to Him.
We're a new spiritual being, adopted into the King's family. By accepting Him... we gain the rights to the inheritance He has for us. And so much more.
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18
So, what's it like to be an orphan? The Bible calls them defenseless. They were pitied along with the widows. They had no one to protect them, and no inheritance to look forward to.
Oh, sure there are orphanages... a few even have loving caregivers in them. Even with the most loving of caregivers, each and every child sitting in an orphanage only wishes for their own parents to love them, and protect them. It's awful to feel like you don't belong to any particular people.
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:7
How great it feels to belong! From slave to the world... to daughter (or son) of the King of Kings. How good to know I always have someone to turn to. Someone always has my back! And the Kingdom is my inheritance.
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
And how great is our God that He has room in His heart for all of us! It's not as thought He built His house with a capacity limit.
He wants ALL men (and women) to be saved! God creates every person, every life... no one else but him CAN. He created all with the intention that they would know Him. And it saddens Him when He is rejected.
It also saddens Him when WE reject the lost ones He is after.
I know that before I knew Him, I felt like I didn't belong anywhere. God pulled on my heart from a young age and I fought Him every step of the way. I was certain I would find acceptance somewhere other than in His arms. As a matter of fact, His arms looked like prison bars to me at one point in time.
Oh, but now... to know the truth! How wonderful! The God of this universe put hundreds of generations of planning into me, the one and only. How amazing to know that He offers His Kingdom to me.
I am His child. I belong to God!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Offended?
Offend - To be offensive to; to harm; to pain; to annoy; as, strong light offends the eye; to offend the conscience. or To oppose or obstruct in duty; to cause to stumble; to cause to sin or to fall.
This is according to Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language.
So when is it ok to offend someone? Only when it is for Christ's sake...
If I offend someone by pointing out their sin I may be considered offensive to them. They may feel like I am causing them harm... I may cause them pain, it may annoy them. I may be as a strong light that offends the eye.
Think about when you have been sleeping soundly... and the sun comes up and shines on our face. Do we pull the covers up over our head? Or welcome the light?
I know that when I am waking my children in the morning and I turn the lights on, their eyes immediately scrunch shut tightly... to block out the light. They were comfortable in the darkness.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. John 3:19
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. John 3:20
And think about when you have been outdoors, in the sunshine, for a long time. What happens when you come inside? The house didn't seem dark when you left... but when you come back in it can be hard to see at first.
The parallel to a life with and without sin seems obvious.
Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. 1 John 2:10
When I point out the sin of another believer, a brother or sister in Christ, I do it out of love! I don't want them to keep on sinning, I don't want them to stumble. I don't want their relationship with Jesus to be damaged.
Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. 2 Corinthians 12:19
We could get into a word war I suppose... but being offended is different than hurting someone's feelings. Hurting someone's feelings intentionally is wrong. Pointing out a sin so that they can fix it and sin no more is an act of love. If they feel hurt, remorse, guilt, anger, or sadness because of it, it doesn't mean I shouldn't have pointed it out.
If I have the opportunity to correct someone in love, and I pass it up... that's when they will truly be hurt. And so will I.
I could carry the burden of their sin just because I don't want to offend them. I've just allowed a wedge between them and God... and myself and God too!
At one point in time I hated to be corrected... it offended me greatly! It used to spur up all kinds of bad feelings when someone corrected me... but the more He worked in my heart, the more I desired to do things His way. And I can't fix something if you I don't realize it's broken.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1
A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. Proverbs 17:10
But I must be careful not to throw in condemnation. Leave it at rebuking. There is no need for me to decide their fate. Then I offend God...
This is according to Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language.
So when is it ok to offend someone? Only when it is for Christ's sake...
If I offend someone by pointing out their sin I may be considered offensive to them. They may feel like I am causing them harm... I may cause them pain, it may annoy them. I may be as a strong light that offends the eye.
Think about when you have been sleeping soundly... and the sun comes up and shines on our face. Do we pull the covers up over our head? Or welcome the light?
I know that when I am waking my children in the morning and I turn the lights on, their eyes immediately scrunch shut tightly... to block out the light. They were comfortable in the darkness.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. John 3:19
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. John 3:20
And think about when you have been outdoors, in the sunshine, for a long time. What happens when you come inside? The house didn't seem dark when you left... but when you come back in it can be hard to see at first.
The parallel to a life with and without sin seems obvious.
Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. 1 John 2:10
When I point out the sin of another believer, a brother or sister in Christ, I do it out of love! I don't want them to keep on sinning, I don't want them to stumble. I don't want their relationship with Jesus to be damaged.
Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. 2 Corinthians 12:19
We could get into a word war I suppose... but being offended is different than hurting someone's feelings. Hurting someone's feelings intentionally is wrong. Pointing out a sin so that they can fix it and sin no more is an act of love. If they feel hurt, remorse, guilt, anger, or sadness because of it, it doesn't mean I shouldn't have pointed it out.
If I have the opportunity to correct someone in love, and I pass it up... that's when they will truly be hurt. And so will I.
I could carry the burden of their sin just because I don't want to offend them. I've just allowed a wedge between them and God... and myself and God too!
At one point in time I hated to be corrected... it offended me greatly! It used to spur up all kinds of bad feelings when someone corrected me... but the more He worked in my heart, the more I desired to do things His way. And I can't fix something if you I don't realize it's broken.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1
A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. Proverbs 17:10
But I must be careful not to throw in condemnation. Leave it at rebuking. There is no need for me to decide their fate. Then I offend God...
Monday, August 9, 2010
Moments of revelation...
I don't get a lot of alone time with God. I hardly get any "alone" time at all... kind of hard with a big family. And, honestly, I find other things to do. But I miss it.
If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, if you get to KNOW Him... you can't help but miss it when you drift way from Him.
I encourage anyone to spend time with Jesus with the intention of getting to know Him better. You WILL be blessed.
God has revealed Himself to me in the most amazing ways! From things I see in my children, or even strangers... to soap bubbles... or nature... or the dirty water in my mop bucket. There are the little, intimate moments... and the moments that make you slap your forehead... and the times He sets your entire universe upside down and inside out.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8
I'm working on a pure heart, I want to see Jesus. Literally, face to face the way Paul and Thomas and Peter were able to. I want to rest in His arms... feel Him breathe next to me... hold His hand and hear His voice. I want to hear it the way I remember hearing my daddy's voice when I laid on his chest.
It is so amazing to look back and see where I was compared to where I am now. It didn't happen in a moment. Maybe for some people it does, but for me it was a little here and there. Moments of revelation. Moments of "wow" that turned my world upside-down.
When I was seeking God out, when I was completely turned to Him, when I have been desperate to know Him better... He has never let me down. He wants me to know Him better.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. Luke 12:31
So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:11
Some of my "biggest" revelations have been about my relationship with Jesus. I have to admit, I still find it hard to comprehend, but I'm glad to look at things differently than I did the first time I met Him. I've held many false beliefs about God.
The "far away God" theory.
The "God with a big stick" theory.
The "I'll never be good enough" and the "If I try hard enough..." theories.
The "He must be talking to her" theory.
The "maybe if I ignore Him, He'll go away" theory.
The "tell Him to buzz off, I can handle this on my own" theory.
It's not like any of those things! He's not far away. He doesn't have a big stick or lightning bolt waiting for me when I mess up. I can be good enough... I was worth dying for! It's not about trying hard, it's about being more like Him. He's reaching for ME and her! He's never going away... and I can't make it without Him.
In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 1 John 4:17
It took me a while to realize that it was an actual relationship. Two-sided! We're supposed to be actively pursuing each other. Well, He's always held up His end of the bargain. I don't know about you, but God never lets up on my heart!
Me though... I slack off.
So glad He's waiting there, right where I left Him.
If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, if you get to KNOW Him... you can't help but miss it when you drift way from Him.
I encourage anyone to spend time with Jesus with the intention of getting to know Him better. You WILL be blessed.
God has revealed Himself to me in the most amazing ways! From things I see in my children, or even strangers... to soap bubbles... or nature... or the dirty water in my mop bucket. There are the little, intimate moments... and the moments that make you slap your forehead... and the times He sets your entire universe upside down and inside out.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8
I'm working on a pure heart, I want to see Jesus. Literally, face to face the way Paul and Thomas and Peter were able to. I want to rest in His arms... feel Him breathe next to me... hold His hand and hear His voice. I want to hear it the way I remember hearing my daddy's voice when I laid on his chest.
It is so amazing to look back and see where I was compared to where I am now. It didn't happen in a moment. Maybe for some people it does, but for me it was a little here and there. Moments of revelation. Moments of "wow" that turned my world upside-down.
When I was seeking God out, when I was completely turned to Him, when I have been desperate to know Him better... He has never let me down. He wants me to know Him better.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. Luke 12:31
So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:11
Some of my "biggest" revelations have been about my relationship with Jesus. I have to admit, I still find it hard to comprehend, but I'm glad to look at things differently than I did the first time I met Him. I've held many false beliefs about God.
The "far away God" theory.
The "God with a big stick" theory.
The "I'll never be good enough" and the "If I try hard enough..." theories.
The "He must be talking to her" theory.
The "maybe if I ignore Him, He'll go away" theory.
The "tell Him to buzz off, I can handle this on my own" theory.
It's not like any of those things! He's not far away. He doesn't have a big stick or lightning bolt waiting for me when I mess up. I can be good enough... I was worth dying for! It's not about trying hard, it's about being more like Him. He's reaching for ME and her! He's never going away... and I can't make it without Him.
In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 1 John 4:17
It took me a while to realize that it was an actual relationship. Two-sided! We're supposed to be actively pursuing each other. Well, He's always held up His end of the bargain. I don't know about you, but God never lets up on my heart!
Me though... I slack off.
So glad He's waiting there, right where I left Him.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
What are you worried about?
Has the thought ever crossed your mind that this world is going downhill fast? I know I have thought that life would have been better 100 years ago. It would have been safer, more peaceful, and less stressful. Well... they said that in Biblical times too... and Jesus told us not to worry about it.
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:7-8
Don't worry about it?! Why not?!
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Luke 12:25
So... what do we do? We jump on the WWJD bandwagon! Seriously. God knew this world would fall apart morally... He sees this happening. He even stepped down, hung out with us for a while, and made a way so that we don't have to get flushed with the rest of the world.
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. John 12:46-48
And we are called to do the very same thing. Step down. Die. Be resurrected. And save the world.
Even little old me.
Once I was a believer, I had to step down from my self-given throne. Before I was a believer, I was the most important person in my life.
Then I had to die. My old self... buried.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
And now I am a new creation!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
And now... I am on a mission to save the world. Sound crazy? It is! In a good way... how awesome that the God of the universe, Creator of every living thing, King of Kings, Lord of Lords... would trust me to gather His sheep!
Remember when you were a kid and you used your bed sheets for a cape? Pretended you could fly and rescue people from the jaws of death? You were invincible!
Now, we get to do it for real.
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:7-8
Don't worry about it?! Why not?!
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Luke 12:25
So... what do we do? We jump on the WWJD bandwagon! Seriously. God knew this world would fall apart morally... He sees this happening. He even stepped down, hung out with us for a while, and made a way so that we don't have to get flushed with the rest of the world.
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. John 12:46-48
And we are called to do the very same thing. Step down. Die. Be resurrected. And save the world.
Even little old me.
Once I was a believer, I had to step down from my self-given throne. Before I was a believer, I was the most important person in my life.
Then I had to die. My old self... buried.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
And now I am a new creation!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
And now... I am on a mission to save the world. Sound crazy? It is! In a good way... how awesome that the God of the universe, Creator of every living thing, King of Kings, Lord of Lords... would trust me to gather His sheep!
Remember when you were a kid and you used your bed sheets for a cape? Pretended you could fly and rescue people from the jaws of death? You were invincible!
Now, we get to do it for real.
Monday, August 2, 2010
The Blame Game
Do you play it?
The need to find someone to blame for our problems, faults, and shortcomings is like a plague around us. No televised trial is complete without the accused pointing his (or her) finger at the people or circumstances that made them do it. Even my children learn that game early on... for example, when I hear them say "But he made me mad, Mom!".
It seems that taking responsibility for yourself isn't exactly popular. It started with Adam and Eve...
The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Genesis 3:12
So what does God tell us to DO about it? And why do I feel the need to drag someone down with me anyway?
For every man shall bear his own burden. Galatians 6:5
He tells us that... our sins are ours.
...and...
and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38
He says to carry our own cross... He didn't say give your cross to your brother or sister and have them carry it. And if we don't, we're not worthy of Him. Ouch... that part gets me.
Who am I that I think someone else should bear my shame? Who am I that I think I can get away with it?
And Who do I think Jesus is if I can't tell Him when I've messed up without volunteering someone else for my punishment?
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21
I can speak for myself only... I just know that the spotlight is so terribly uncomfortable when I've done something wrong that I want to deflect that attention elsewhere! When I'm embarassed I can't stand the staring. And in my weakness I can end up bringing my brothers and sisters in Christ down.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
I'll be working on remembering this when I mess up and feel the need to justify my actions. I don't want to play the Blame Game... and I don't have to.
The need to find someone to blame for our problems, faults, and shortcomings is like a plague around us. No televised trial is complete without the accused pointing his (or her) finger at the people or circumstances that made them do it. Even my children learn that game early on... for example, when I hear them say "But he made me mad, Mom!".
It seems that taking responsibility for yourself isn't exactly popular. It started with Adam and Eve...
The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Genesis 3:12
So what does God tell us to DO about it? And why do I feel the need to drag someone down with me anyway?
For every man shall bear his own burden. Galatians 6:5
He tells us that... our sins are ours.
...and...
and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38
He says to carry our own cross... He didn't say give your cross to your brother or sister and have them carry it. And if we don't, we're not worthy of Him. Ouch... that part gets me.
Who am I that I think someone else should bear my shame? Who am I that I think I can get away with it?
And Who do I think Jesus is if I can't tell Him when I've messed up without volunteering someone else for my punishment?
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21
I can speak for myself only... I just know that the spotlight is so terribly uncomfortable when I've done something wrong that I want to deflect that attention elsewhere! When I'm embarassed I can't stand the staring. And in my weakness I can end up bringing my brothers and sisters in Christ down.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
I'll be working on remembering this when I mess up and feel the need to justify my actions. I don't want to play the Blame Game... and I don't have to.
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