Matt. 14:28 ~ And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
The disciples had already heard His voice, but there was still some uncertainty, some doubt. How could they be sure? And Peter said, Lord, command me (bid me) come to you. Do we, like Peter, ask Jesus for impossible proof that He is with us? In asking this, Peter was saying to Jesus I will put my life on the line so I know for sure it is You. Peter didn't step out of the boat with a rope around him, just in case Jesus wasn't there, he didn't have a life preserver on, there was no plan B, he would walk on the water to Jesus or he would drown. I would want a back up plan, a safety net, or rope in place--- just in case . I would want my friends in the boat ready to pull me back. But that would have been trusting in the flesh and not in Jesus. Peter put all of his trust in Jesus and Jesus met him. I would miss the miracle! for pragmatism, common sense safety. To think I would trust a rope before the Creator of the universe; my Savior! O Father, may I trust You, as Peter did, may I do Your bidding without preparing for 'what if I fail', trusting You with my very life- my all.
v.29 ~ And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Jesus meets our honest doubts and fears every time! When He bids us to come to Him, no matter how difficult the way, or impossible it seems, He makes a way as we come to Him. So often I wait, I hesitate, I want the wind to be still and the sea to be calm, I want everything perfect before I get out of the boat. But Peter simply obeyed Jesus; and He walked on water! Lord, give me a heart to just come to You! Even when it appears impossible, life threatening, or contrary to all I know.
v.30 ~ But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
Once Peter was out of the boat, walking on water, he saw the wind, he became distracted. But he was already moving toward Jesus in the impossible! I wonder about what those in the boat said to him; I am one of their voices. How about: 'Duh, Peter, the wind is still contrary, of course it's out there, didn't you count the cost?' or 'What were you thinking!' or 'It was foolishness to get out of the boat.' But even sinking, Peter cried out to Jesus, "Lord, save me!" He still trusted Jesus more than himself or the boat! And Jesus met him.
Lord, I look at how many times I sink, at how often I fail, and not at Your face. I feel like a failure when I start something, only to have the wind push me down; and yet, You are ever faithful to pick me up and walk with me.
v.31 ~ And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Jesus took hold of him! And the only chastisement was for his lack of faith! Not for getting out of the boat. The rebuke was for his doubt.
Lord Jesus, I cannot walk without You, Your presence walking with me, holding me up, in the midst of a contrary wind and battering waves. Keep my eyes focused on You that I would not doubt that with You the impossible is possible. Silence the voices that would keep me in the boat, never attempting to walk on water, trusting in myself and what I know, more than You. Free me Jesus, to trust You enough to keep getting out of the boat whenever You bid me "Come", knowing that even if (when) I fail You do not and You are there to pick me up.
v.32-33 ~ And when they got into the boat the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son!"
The wind did not stop until Peter was already safely in the boat. And the disciples who just minutes before were troubled, unsure, frightened, were worshiping Jesus as God's Son. Faith, even when it is unsteady and sinking, encourages others. The disciples became focused on Jesus because Peter stepped out of the boat! They were now in a place of worship and not fear. They saw Jesus more clearly.
Lord, as I look at stepping out of the boat and see all the reasons to stay in the boat, give me simple obedience to just get out of the boat, that others would be encouraged in their faith. Even if all I do is get out and sink, it is You who saves me, and all would see You for who you are. Thank You for those who have gotten out of the boat, for their example and encouragement as their lives point me to You.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Jesus speaks to fear
Matt. 14:25-27 ~ And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
The disciples had been battered, they were tired, the night was almost gone, and Jesus came to them. Unexpectedly, quietly, in the midst of the wind and the waves; this was not a smooth glassy sea where all was suddenly still. This troubled or frightened the disciples, understandably so. It was the middle of the night, they were tired, this was very unusual.
How often do we see Jesus coming unexpectedly, and we don't recognize Him? Or we are frightened. Why?
When we cannot trust our own senses do we, as the disciples, become troubled? The disciples had to wonder- is this real or is it just an apparition seen out of their own exhaustion and the wind and water. There are times in our night of being battered that we need Jesus; we want His answer so desperately that when He comes, we have to be sure it is Him, and not just our senses playing tricks on us.
"and immediately Jesus spoke" Jesus comes and calms our fears, puts us at rest and reassures us, He is with us! Jesus gave just a short sentence. 'Take courage'- what calming of our fears! Be encouraged. He spoke courage to them when they had none. 'It is I'- just hearing His voice should have calmed their doubts. Jesus identified Himself to them. 'Do not be afraid'- I am here, there is no need to fear.
Father, as we struggle with life may we rest in Your presence, give us Your assurance of Your presence with us. Speak Your courage and Your peace to us, banish our fears, that we might see You in the midst of life's batterings. May we rejoice that You are with us and be thankful for Your comforting voice.Give us faith to believe when it is so dark and rough that we have trouble knowing You are present.
The disciples had been battered, they were tired, the night was almost gone, and Jesus came to them. Unexpectedly, quietly, in the midst of the wind and the waves; this was not a smooth glassy sea where all was suddenly still. This troubled or frightened the disciples, understandably so. It was the middle of the night, they were tired, this was very unusual.
How often do we see Jesus coming unexpectedly, and we don't recognize Him? Or we are frightened. Why?
When we cannot trust our own senses do we, as the disciples, become troubled? The disciples had to wonder- is this real or is it just an apparition seen out of their own exhaustion and the wind and water. There are times in our night of being battered that we need Jesus; we want His answer so desperately that when He comes, we have to be sure it is Him, and not just our senses playing tricks on us.
"and immediately Jesus spoke" Jesus comes and calms our fears, puts us at rest and reassures us, He is with us! Jesus gave just a short sentence. 'Take courage'- what calming of our fears! Be encouraged. He spoke courage to them when they had none. 'It is I'- just hearing His voice should have calmed their doubts. Jesus identified Himself to them. 'Do not be afraid'- I am here, there is no need to fear.
Father, as we struggle with life may we rest in Your presence, give us Your assurance of Your presence with us. Speak Your courage and Your peace to us, banish our fears, that we might see You in the midst of life's batterings. May we rejoice that You are with us and be thankful for Your comforting voice.Give us faith to believe when it is so dark and rough that we have trouble knowing You are present.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Battered by the Winds
Matt. 14:24: "But the boat was already many stadia away from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary." One version says they were tormented by the waves.
The disciples had had a very full day, at the end of it, Jesus had sent them by boat to the other side, but it was at least 9 hours later and they were still struggling. Some of these were seasoned fishermen! The disciples were faithfully obeying Jesus, but it was hard work and they were being battered, tormented, struggling for all forward progress. They were no doubt tired, yet they persevered.
How often, in obeying Jesus, do we find ourselves battered, tormented, going against a contrary wind? In our home, in our work, in our school or studies, with our finances, we struggle to do what is right, to be obedient, and we aren't getting very far. Oh, we are making some progress, but it is slow and we are beyond exhausted. We can ask all the why's we can think of: Jesus, You sent us on this trip, why aren't You blessing it? Why aren't we making much progress? Why do I have to go through this rough time? But none of the questions or their answers will ever meet our need. Mostly they just get us out of sorts, cranky. We are to continue doing what He has called us to do; even with the opposition. When we cannot see Jesus, it is imperative we stay faithful to His call or command to us. (The disciples were to go to the other side of the lake)
This was not satan coming against them, or an enemy; it was just life. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with the curves that come in our lives that we forget, sometimes just moving forward is all Jesus is asking of us- inch by inch.
As we feel battered, tormented, pushed by a contrary wind, may we be faithful to what Jesus has called us to do. May we see His hand still leading us, and guiding us in the midst of our difficulties. When we feel like He isn't with us, may we remember that He never leaves us or forsakes us. And may we too, continue in faithful obedience and perseverance in the midst of our own exhaustion, moving forward, even if it is one inch at a time.
The disciples had had a very full day, at the end of it, Jesus had sent them by boat to the other side, but it was at least 9 hours later and they were still struggling. Some of these were seasoned fishermen! The disciples were faithfully obeying Jesus, but it was hard work and they were being battered, tormented, struggling for all forward progress. They were no doubt tired, yet they persevered.
How often, in obeying Jesus, do we find ourselves battered, tormented, going against a contrary wind? In our home, in our work, in our school or studies, with our finances, we struggle to do what is right, to be obedient, and we aren't getting very far. Oh, we are making some progress, but it is slow and we are beyond exhausted. We can ask all the why's we can think of: Jesus, You sent us on this trip, why aren't You blessing it? Why aren't we making much progress? Why do I have to go through this rough time? But none of the questions or their answers will ever meet our need. Mostly they just get us out of sorts, cranky. We are to continue doing what He has called us to do; even with the opposition. When we cannot see Jesus, it is imperative we stay faithful to His call or command to us. (The disciples were to go to the other side of the lake)
This was not satan coming against them, or an enemy; it was just life. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with the curves that come in our lives that we forget, sometimes just moving forward is all Jesus is asking of us- inch by inch.
As we feel battered, tormented, pushed by a contrary wind, may we be faithful to what Jesus has called us to do. May we see His hand still leading us, and guiding us in the midst of our difficulties. When we feel like He isn't with us, may we remember that He never leaves us or forsakes us. And may we too, continue in faithful obedience and perseverance in the midst of our own exhaustion, moving forward, even if it is one inch at a time.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Come, Holy Spirit
"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation- having also believed, you were sealed in Him, with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." Eph.1:13-14
The Holy Spirit of promise, sent by Jesus to live in us who believe; to bring us to Jesus, to keep us in purity and holiness, always at work making Christ known in our hearts. (check Jn. 16:13-14) The pledge that we have been bought and paid for!
Ever try to do something right and holy and just fall flat on your face? That's me- and often I feel like I didn't just fall on my face, but in some really gooey mud and it is stuck to me so everyone can see. All of us, if we are honest., recognize that we have no power in or of ourselves to really live as God desires us to ~ as Jesus died for us to live. That power to live comes only through the Holy Spirit, no amount of self-control will overcome the flesh. Yet, the Holy Spirit will cause the things of the flesh to fall away; drop off; and we have victory. This takes a simple faith and just getting closer to Jesus; ask and obey. Jesus, my heart cry is just for cleansing- and He cleanses. We just have to not go back to the pig trough anymore! (obedience) And again, it is the Holy Spirit that gives us the power and ability to not go back. It is only by allowing Him to live and work in us that we can have a victorious walk. When we keep trying to beat something down, it pops back up again, and we wear ourselves out beating it down. But when God through the Holy Spirit beats it down- we have victory; we just have to not return to it again.
Thank You Lord for sending Your Holy Spirit, all I have to do is say yes, and simple obedience brings growth. The growth shows me God's answers to big prayers. When I do not say yes, when I hold back for any reason, I grieve the Holy Spirit and distance myself from God and His answers to my prayers. He may answer me anyway, but I know that I have moved in the wrong direction. Then all I have to do is repent, look to Jesus and I am back, used of God with no distance between us at all!
Thank You Jesus for making walking with You in victory so easy. So simple. Forgive me for making it more complicated than You ever intend it to be. May each of us grasp the wonder of Your Holy Spirit working in us for victory in our daily walk, for power over our flesh, our own nature, all for Your glory. May we all desire just to be closer to Jesus. May Your victory rule in our lives.
The Holy Spirit of promise, sent by Jesus to live in us who believe; to bring us to Jesus, to keep us in purity and holiness, always at work making Christ known in our hearts. (check Jn. 16:13-14) The pledge that we have been bought and paid for!
Ever try to do something right and holy and just fall flat on your face? That's me- and often I feel like I didn't just fall on my face, but in some really gooey mud and it is stuck to me so everyone can see. All of us, if we are honest., recognize that we have no power in or of ourselves to really live as God desires us to ~ as Jesus died for us to live. That power to live comes only through the Holy Spirit, no amount of self-control will overcome the flesh. Yet, the Holy Spirit will cause the things of the flesh to fall away; drop off; and we have victory. This takes a simple faith and just getting closer to Jesus; ask and obey. Jesus, my heart cry is just for cleansing- and He cleanses. We just have to not go back to the pig trough anymore! (obedience) And again, it is the Holy Spirit that gives us the power and ability to not go back. It is only by allowing Him to live and work in us that we can have a victorious walk. When we keep trying to beat something down, it pops back up again, and we wear ourselves out beating it down. But when God through the Holy Spirit beats it down- we have victory; we just have to not return to it again.
Thank You Lord for sending Your Holy Spirit, all I have to do is say yes, and simple obedience brings growth. The growth shows me God's answers to big prayers. When I do not say yes, when I hold back for any reason, I grieve the Holy Spirit and distance myself from God and His answers to my prayers. He may answer me anyway, but I know that I have moved in the wrong direction. Then all I have to do is repent, look to Jesus and I am back, used of God with no distance between us at all!
Thank You Jesus for making walking with You in victory so easy. So simple. Forgive me for making it more complicated than You ever intend it to be. May each of us grasp the wonder of Your Holy Spirit working in us for victory in our daily walk, for power over our flesh, our own nature, all for Your glory. May we all desire just to be closer to Jesus. May Your victory rule in our lives.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Happy New Year
2 Corinthians 5:17 ~"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come."
I am about a month late here.I get so excited about a New Year, a clean slate, a time to start over or have a fresh start. Old things passing away and new things coming, I always look forward to new things! I have enough plans for this New Year to last 3 years or 5. I always have a lot of plans. A few years ago instead of doing a New Year's resolution, I started asking God what His goals for the year for me were, how did He want me to be focusing my time and energy. It has made a difference in the way I see the New Year, yes, it is still a fresh start, a clean slate; but it comes with God given direction and strength. Do I still get everything done? No, I struggle with time priorities. I go too many directions at once, but when I am working on that which God has shown me at the beginning of the year, I have peace that passes all understanding and joy overflowing.
This year as I was seeking God I didn't get a direction, just a daily assignment. Each day purpose to see God glorified in my life. Make this a conscious decision. So whether I am working or at home, cleaning toilets, caring for a sick child,or in an abusive workplace, in a classroom studying or walking in the wilderness, the goal is the same. That God would be glorified. It has been a little over a month, some days I have succeeded in this, others I have failed miserably. It is a much harder goal for me than accomplishing a task; this takes my whole being and it means a change in my thinking. Each day I need to wake up and go through my day God-centered. It involves more surrender ~ but the joy is incredible. I have become more flexible with my time, less stressed when what I want to do doesn't get done, and hopefully, more God centered.
Lord, as we look at our lives, and where You have us this year, may we purpose to glorify You in all our ways. May You pick us up when we fail, for Your mercies are new every morning. May we lean on You as You give us strength for each day knowing what we will face in it. May we see that You are for us, and work in us daily for Your glory. May we thank You for the new things that come.
I am about a month late here.I get so excited about a New Year, a clean slate, a time to start over or have a fresh start. Old things passing away and new things coming, I always look forward to new things! I have enough plans for this New Year to last 3 years or 5. I always have a lot of plans. A few years ago instead of doing a New Year's resolution, I started asking God what His goals for the year for me were, how did He want me to be focusing my time and energy. It has made a difference in the way I see the New Year, yes, it is still a fresh start, a clean slate; but it comes with God given direction and strength. Do I still get everything done? No, I struggle with time priorities. I go too many directions at once, but when I am working on that which God has shown me at the beginning of the year, I have peace that passes all understanding and joy overflowing.
This year as I was seeking God I didn't get a direction, just a daily assignment. Each day purpose to see God glorified in my life. Make this a conscious decision. So whether I am working or at home, cleaning toilets, caring for a sick child,or in an abusive workplace, in a classroom studying or walking in the wilderness, the goal is the same. That God would be glorified. It has been a little over a month, some days I have succeeded in this, others I have failed miserably. It is a much harder goal for me than accomplishing a task; this takes my whole being and it means a change in my thinking. Each day I need to wake up and go through my day God-centered. It involves more surrender ~ but the joy is incredible. I have become more flexible with my time, less stressed when what I want to do doesn't get done, and hopefully, more God centered.
Lord, as we look at our lives, and where You have us this year, may we purpose to glorify You in all our ways. May You pick us up when we fail, for Your mercies are new every morning. May we lean on You as You give us strength for each day knowing what we will face in it. May we see that You are for us, and work in us daily for Your glory. May we thank You for the new things that come.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
The Night Watch
Luke 1:8 ~ "And it came to pass in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night."
He loved the night shift; the silence, the feeling of being a protector- even if it was just of sheep. He loved the stillness. Maybe a shepherd felt this way on his way to guard the sheep- to keep watch so very long ago.
Shift workers have a different rhythm to their life. They are up when others sleep, they sleep when others have been up and working for hours. Their social life is different, they work when others have time to visit. They become invisible, non-entities in a world of business and activity. These shepherds were faithfully working the night shift. Maybe their ears were attuned to the night sounds, straining for any sound out of the ordinary, listening to the sheep and to what was beyond the sheep. Maybe their eyes were looking at the shadows beyond the flocks. And maybe they were talking about how many strangers there were in town, how busy their quiet village had become. They were at work, invisible to most of Bethlehem.
Then their night was interrupted. Lk. 1:9~ "And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly afraid."
This was not expected, this was not something to fight, this was a right reaction to a messenger from God. No question in their minds that this was real and not a dream!
Lk. 1:10-11 ~ "And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
These shepherds were reassured, and given the biggest news story ever. The Messiah had come! The Christ was here- born in Bethlehem! A Savior- finally! Maybe they didn't grasp the fullness of what it meant, but they grasped enough! God had come to the invisible, the shift workers, the one who missed out on everything, and told them first! Why? Maybe because they were up and doing their job, maybe because He was the Shepherd of Israel, maybe because they had learned humility, maybe simply because they were keeping watch; listening and watching, so they saw and heard.
Lk 1:12-14~ " 'And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'"
When the miraculous was over, these men would need to know if this was indeed true; how could they prove it? So they were given a sign, something concrete to check out, a proof that would be there after the glory of the moment faded.
Lk.1: 15-17 ~"And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, 'Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened that the Lord has made known to us.' And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child."
These shepherds understood priorities. Leave the sheep unguarded, something greater than sheep was happening! They acted immediately, this was not a 'sit down and lets think about this time', this was a 'let's check it out time'! And they did! This was for all the people- they told everyone.
Lord, in our work, whether the night shift or day, may we watch and listen for You. When you show Yourself to us, may we see You. It probably won't be an angel or a chorus of angels, but it may be a baby, or another person that You use to touch us, to help us to really see You in the midst. And then, when we see You, may we share You with all the people~ so they too would rejoice in the Savior, Christ the Lord.
He loved the night shift; the silence, the feeling of being a protector- even if it was just of sheep. He loved the stillness. Maybe a shepherd felt this way on his way to guard the sheep- to keep watch so very long ago.
Shift workers have a different rhythm to their life. They are up when others sleep, they sleep when others have been up and working for hours. Their social life is different, they work when others have time to visit. They become invisible, non-entities in a world of business and activity. These shepherds were faithfully working the night shift. Maybe their ears were attuned to the night sounds, straining for any sound out of the ordinary, listening to the sheep and to what was beyond the sheep. Maybe their eyes were looking at the shadows beyond the flocks. And maybe they were talking about how many strangers there were in town, how busy their quiet village had become. They were at work, invisible to most of Bethlehem.
Then their night was interrupted. Lk. 1:9~ "And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly afraid."
This was not expected, this was not something to fight, this was a right reaction to a messenger from God. No question in their minds that this was real and not a dream!
Lk. 1:10-11 ~ "And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
These shepherds were reassured, and given the biggest news story ever. The Messiah had come! The Christ was here- born in Bethlehem! A Savior- finally! Maybe they didn't grasp the fullness of what it meant, but they grasped enough! God had come to the invisible, the shift workers, the one who missed out on everything, and told them first! Why? Maybe because they were up and doing their job, maybe because He was the Shepherd of Israel, maybe because they had learned humility, maybe simply because they were keeping watch; listening and watching, so they saw and heard.
Lk 1:12-14~ " 'And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'"
When the miraculous was over, these men would need to know if this was indeed true; how could they prove it? So they were given a sign, something concrete to check out, a proof that would be there after the glory of the moment faded.
Lk.1: 15-17 ~"And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, 'Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened that the Lord has made known to us.' And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child."
These shepherds understood priorities. Leave the sheep unguarded, something greater than sheep was happening! They acted immediately, this was not a 'sit down and lets think about this time', this was a 'let's check it out time'! And they did! This was for all the people- they told everyone.
Lord, in our work, whether the night shift or day, may we watch and listen for You. When you show Yourself to us, may we see You. It probably won't be an angel or a chorus of angels, but it may be a baby, or another person that You use to touch us, to help us to really see You in the midst. And then, when we see You, may we share You with all the people~ so they too would rejoice in the Savior, Christ the Lord.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Mary's Surrender
Luke 1:38~ And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord, be it done to me according to Your word." And the angel departed from her.
I often have wondered, what if Mary really knew what she was getting into when she said these words- would she still have said them? How many of us, when we surrender to the Lord really understand what that means? Yes, Mary had a high honor, but her surrender took great courage. When God asks us to surrender, it also takes courage on our part.
As the story of Jesus unfolds let us look at what Mary gave up (surrendered).
- her reputation
- a wedding
- her expectations of life as it had always been
- a birthing with her female relatives helping
- being physically close to relatives
And as she surrendered all this to God ~ what did He give her?
- a husband who not only loved her, but believed her
- travel, even to a foreign land
- shepherds and angels coming to seek Jesus, just after his birth
- gifts from magi
- a Savior, not just for her, but for all the world
She really didn't see any of this at the point of surrender. She was simply, humbly, obedient to the angel of the Lord. Just as many years later Jesus showed simple, humble obedience to God as he lay down his life for us.
Father, You have given us so many examples in scripture of obedience and surrender, may this one, from Mary speak to our hearts. Help us, as we struggle with full surrender to You, not always have to know everything coming, not to always have to figure it all out first, but to simply trust You, and in trusting, to simply and humbly obey You, surrendering all of ourselves to You. Give us the courage to do this. Thank You for Your abundant grace and strength to accomplish Your will for us today.
I often have wondered, what if Mary really knew what she was getting into when she said these words- would she still have said them? How many of us, when we surrender to the Lord really understand what that means? Yes, Mary had a high honor, but her surrender took great courage. When God asks us to surrender, it also takes courage on our part.
As the story of Jesus unfolds let us look at what Mary gave up (surrendered).
- her reputation
- a wedding
- her expectations of life as it had always been
- a birthing with her female relatives helping
- being physically close to relatives
And as she surrendered all this to God ~ what did He give her?
- a husband who not only loved her, but believed her
- travel, even to a foreign land
- shepherds and angels coming to seek Jesus, just after his birth
- gifts from magi
- a Savior, not just for her, but for all the world
She really didn't see any of this at the point of surrender. She was simply, humbly, obedient to the angel of the Lord. Just as many years later Jesus showed simple, humble obedience to God as he lay down his life for us.
Father, You have given us so many examples in scripture of obedience and surrender, may this one, from Mary speak to our hearts. Help us, as we struggle with full surrender to You, not always have to know everything coming, not to always have to figure it all out first, but to simply trust You, and in trusting, to simply and humbly obey You, surrendering all of ourselves to You. Give us the courage to do this. Thank You for Your abundant grace and strength to accomplish Your will for us today.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Luke 1:37 ~ "For nothing will be impossible with God."
An angel was talking to Mary, she had just been told she would have a child, and she wondered how this could be. And the angel gave her this word. I struggle with the impossibles in my life ~ none as great as Mary's. But I think we all look at the impossible and say, "It can't happen." or " How?" It may not sound like faith, but 'how' is a faith question, the conversation with God is still open. And He has the last word-nothing is impossible.
As life's struggles overwhelm and we look at the impossible in our own life, the lives of those we love, or those we pray for- God still works the impossible today. He gives strength for each day, He answers prayer, He changes lives, He sets captives free- no matter the addiction or bondage, He is greater. He is also Jehovah Jireh- our amazing provider. When physical needs look impossible to meet- He is faithful-He is greater than our need.
Maybe God has given you a word, a promise that He would do something specific for you and it has been years, it hasn't happened yet. Remember His word- and remember it is He who brings His word to pass and nothing is impossible with God. Even when we cannot see it or grasp it, when it is beyond our comprehension, God is still faithful to bring it to pass. In His way, in His time and for His glory.
As Christmas comes and we sort through all the season means, may God bless us with answers to the impossibles in our life. May we have in each of us a new hope and faith for His work. May we see Him working in a way that makes the impossibles completely possible by God's power. May we expect Him to be greater than all the impossibles we face.
An angel was talking to Mary, she had just been told she would have a child, and she wondered how this could be. And the angel gave her this word. I struggle with the impossibles in my life ~ none as great as Mary's. But I think we all look at the impossible and say, "It can't happen." or " How?" It may not sound like faith, but 'how' is a faith question, the conversation with God is still open. And He has the last word-nothing is impossible.
As life's struggles overwhelm and we look at the impossible in our own life, the lives of those we love, or those we pray for- God still works the impossible today. He gives strength for each day, He answers prayer, He changes lives, He sets captives free- no matter the addiction or bondage, He is greater. He is also Jehovah Jireh- our amazing provider. When physical needs look impossible to meet- He is faithful-He is greater than our need.
Maybe God has given you a word, a promise that He would do something specific for you and it has been years, it hasn't happened yet. Remember His word- and remember it is He who brings His word to pass and nothing is impossible with God. Even when we cannot see it or grasp it, when it is beyond our comprehension, God is still faithful to bring it to pass. In His way, in His time and for His glory.
As Christmas comes and we sort through all the season means, may God bless us with answers to the impossibles in our life. May we have in each of us a new hope and faith for His work. May we see Him working in a way that makes the impossibles completely possible by God's power. May we expect Him to be greater than all the impossibles we face.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Joy of Children's Christmas Programs
I love children's Christmas programs. I love the anticipation, the excitement, the intense pride of each child as they go up to say their piece or play their part, or play an instrument. There is an expectancy in the air that is rarely felt in adult programs. Inevitably something goes wrong. The sheep crawls off the stage, the donkey grabs the microphone and won't let go, the pianist, who practiced perfectly, starts with all their fingers just a note off. And then the beauty and glory of a Christmas program happens. It is in the mistakes that we see God's love and grace, the perfect don't need it. I clap louder for those children who stop and start over, or who stumble through their piece. Because I see Jesus, I see His face loving these children in their honesty, their genuineness. I see more clearly the reason He came. We all, like sheep, have gone astray. We all think we are the only one with something important to say, and we all make mistakes- every day. That is why Jesus came- to save us from our self- something we can never do. When we try to be perfect, we never can, and we fall, then Jesus comes and lovingly picks us up, takes us to Himself and gives us a hug. Just like so many parents do with their children. Through the mistakes I am reminded more strongly of God's wondrous love for us, His sending His Son to earth to become an offering for my sin, His redemption of me- and all of my mistakes.
I love children's Christmas programs, the children in them and the mistakes that teach me so much more of Jesus.
I love children's Christmas programs, the children in them and the mistakes that teach me so much more of Jesus.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
The Ministry of Sitting at the Feet of Jesus
Luke 10:38b-42 " and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover, was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him , and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." "
It is so easy to be busy doing what we think is important. Feeding our families, washing their clothes. Teaching Sunday school, being about our Father's business. After all we ARE to occupy until He returns... doesn't that mean constantly doing ministry? In our results oriented culture we forget that sometimes just being is all Jesus wants. Just sitting at His feet, soaking up His presence. Why is it so hard?
I look at that position, it involves humility. We are at His feet, we are invisible to most others, and possibly thought less of by others, but, we are looking up to Jesus, looking into His face. What joy! As I sit at Jesus' feet, I recognize He is Lord. Not just my Lord, but Lord over all, in command of all, even those who may be my enemies. All those other voices calling me to 'get busy and do' become dim as I look at Him. When I am at His feet I see myself in proper perspective to Jesus. I am at His feet to worship and adore Him, to soak in who He is, to just be near Him as much as I can.
Sitting at His feet involves protection. There will always be those who think I should be doing more, even if it is the voice in my own head that says I am useless at Jesus' feet. But Jesus answers the critics and accusers- it is not my job to answer or defend myself. To those who want me caught up in ministry or work, Jesus says," You worry about so many things...". Sitting at the feet of Jesus protects me from worry. I am doing what He wants me to do, so I am free from unnecessary cares. Being at His feet protects me from burn out and complaining. As I sit at His feet He shows me what is most important. Then He enables me to do it and it is easy and fun! And He looks at me and says I have chosen the good part. I didn't realize it was good, I just thought it was all I could do.
When I give out of myself what I give is limited and selfish. When I give from having been at the feet of Jesus what I give brings life. Sitting at His feet opens my eyes to trust Him...He could provide the meal, no sweat! It opens my eyes to possibilities I wouldn't have thought of otherwise. Sitting at His feet brings Jesus pleasure, and when He is pleased He overflows me with His joy.
Even though I come to worship and bless Him, I get more than anything when I sit at His feet. So is it selfish to be in that spot? Never, it is an acknowledgement of His sovereignty and Lordship. It puts Him where He should be in my life... above all else. It keeps me where I can give out of the overflow. Ministering to Jesus should always be my first priority, even if that is all I do.
Sitting at Jesus feet keeps me from distraction. I am more focused on His word and not pulled away by other things. It protects me from bad attitudes and emotional difficulties. When distracted I am easier prey for the lies of the enemy. Some that show up in Martha are: God doesn't care, self-pity, anger, it's not fair, and pride (giving God orders). She felt abandoned by her sister in a time of need, she was serving Jesus and maybe feeling a little self- righteous. According to her, Mary's place was in the kitchen. Martha had wrong expectations, it is easy to become overburdened and burned out with those! Jesus, in His great love for Martha reminds her to look at what matters. The root was her distraction from Him to do for Him. Sitting at His feet returns us to Him.
Lord, Mary chose the necessary, help me to see what is necessary. I, too, get distracted by so many things... and then I begin to think they are what is important. And my focus shifts, my energy is drained, my time with Jesus interrupted and shortened because I am working so hard on the temporal I forget the eternal. And I get cranky (just like Martha), my focus is self ~ not Jesus. What Martha was doing for Jesus became more important than Jesus! Sometimes our service, intended to honor Jesus , winds up becoming a production that honors self or our group. And we find we are distracted and looking for others to praise us for our hard work, because Jesus isn't. Why? We have missed the sitting at His feet ~ the good part. Lord, help me, help us, as Your children, to choose the good part, as Mary, undistracted, totally focused on You.
The needs of others never stop. We can always be busy with necessary things. Yet the break that we need is one of sitting at the feet of Jesus. Time with Jesus is a time of refreshing and renewing. He, our Lord and Master has made a feast for us from His Word and He is so gentle as He says, "Come and eat your fill."
I think of a song from many years ago, "Lord I only want to bless you while I'm sitting at Your feet, Nothing in this world can woo me from this blessed holy seat. All that I can do is thank You, all that I can do is praise, all that I can do is lift my hands and sing Your praise."
What woos me from that blessed place? from just sitting at His feet?
Lord, keep us looking at Your face, sitting at Your feet, hungry for Your word. Free from distraction, worries and cares, free from wrong expectations and pride. Refresh and renew us with Yourself. Give us a heart of worship and praise flowing from a heart for You. May God bless each of us with a time just to bask in His presence, to sit at His feet.
It is so easy to be busy doing what we think is important. Feeding our families, washing their clothes. Teaching Sunday school, being about our Father's business. After all we ARE to occupy until He returns... doesn't that mean constantly doing ministry? In our results oriented culture we forget that sometimes just being is all Jesus wants. Just sitting at His feet, soaking up His presence. Why is it so hard?
I look at that position, it involves humility. We are at His feet, we are invisible to most others, and possibly thought less of by others, but, we are looking up to Jesus, looking into His face. What joy! As I sit at Jesus' feet, I recognize He is Lord. Not just my Lord, but Lord over all, in command of all, even those who may be my enemies. All those other voices calling me to 'get busy and do' become dim as I look at Him. When I am at His feet I see myself in proper perspective to Jesus. I am at His feet to worship and adore Him, to soak in who He is, to just be near Him as much as I can.
Sitting at His feet involves protection. There will always be those who think I should be doing more, even if it is the voice in my own head that says I am useless at Jesus' feet. But Jesus answers the critics and accusers- it is not my job to answer or defend myself. To those who want me caught up in ministry or work, Jesus says," You worry about so many things...". Sitting at the feet of Jesus protects me from worry. I am doing what He wants me to do, so I am free from unnecessary cares. Being at His feet protects me from burn out and complaining. As I sit at His feet He shows me what is most important. Then He enables me to do it and it is easy and fun! And He looks at me and says I have chosen the good part. I didn't realize it was good, I just thought it was all I could do.
When I give out of myself what I give is limited and selfish. When I give from having been at the feet of Jesus what I give brings life. Sitting at His feet opens my eyes to trust Him...He could provide the meal, no sweat! It opens my eyes to possibilities I wouldn't have thought of otherwise. Sitting at His feet brings Jesus pleasure, and when He is pleased He overflows me with His joy.
Even though I come to worship and bless Him, I get more than anything when I sit at His feet. So is it selfish to be in that spot? Never, it is an acknowledgement of His sovereignty and Lordship. It puts Him where He should be in my life... above all else. It keeps me where I can give out of the overflow. Ministering to Jesus should always be my first priority, even if that is all I do.
Sitting at Jesus feet keeps me from distraction. I am more focused on His word and not pulled away by other things. It protects me from bad attitudes and emotional difficulties. When distracted I am easier prey for the lies of the enemy. Some that show up in Martha are: God doesn't care, self-pity, anger, it's not fair, and pride (giving God orders). She felt abandoned by her sister in a time of need, she was serving Jesus and maybe feeling a little self- righteous. According to her, Mary's place was in the kitchen. Martha had wrong expectations, it is easy to become overburdened and burned out with those! Jesus, in His great love for Martha reminds her to look at what matters. The root was her distraction from Him to do for Him. Sitting at His feet returns us to Him.
Lord, Mary chose the necessary, help me to see what is necessary. I, too, get distracted by so many things... and then I begin to think they are what is important. And my focus shifts, my energy is drained, my time with Jesus interrupted and shortened because I am working so hard on the temporal I forget the eternal. And I get cranky (just like Martha), my focus is self ~ not Jesus. What Martha was doing for Jesus became more important than Jesus! Sometimes our service, intended to honor Jesus , winds up becoming a production that honors self or our group. And we find we are distracted and looking for others to praise us for our hard work, because Jesus isn't. Why? We have missed the sitting at His feet ~ the good part. Lord, help me, help us, as Your children, to choose the good part, as Mary, undistracted, totally focused on You.
The needs of others never stop. We can always be busy with necessary things. Yet the break that we need is one of sitting at the feet of Jesus. Time with Jesus is a time of refreshing and renewing. He, our Lord and Master has made a feast for us from His Word and He is so gentle as He says, "Come and eat your fill."
I think of a song from many years ago, "Lord I only want to bless you while I'm sitting at Your feet, Nothing in this world can woo me from this blessed holy seat. All that I can do is thank You, all that I can do is praise, all that I can do is lift my hands and sing Your praise."
What woos me from that blessed place? from just sitting at His feet?
Lord, keep us looking at Your face, sitting at Your feet, hungry for Your word. Free from distraction, worries and cares, free from wrong expectations and pride. Refresh and renew us with Yourself. Give us a heart of worship and praise flowing from a heart for You. May God bless each of us with a time just to bask in His presence, to sit at His feet.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Grumbles
Psm.106:23 ~Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying them.
How could God have a people that were so fickle? Are we any different? Yet, Moses interceded for them. Here is Moses interceding for a people that he has already asked God why are they so hard-hearted and rebellious. He knows who he is interceding for, what they are like, and he intercedes anyway. What an encouragement to me when I grow weary of interceding , especially when I see no change. Moses kept interceding - for 40 years! And the Israelites never changed. Yet Moses intercession kept them alive. What an incredible picture of God's mercy.
v.24 ~ Have you ever hated a good gift you have been given? I haven't, I enjoy good gifts. But before the Israelites ever got to the Promised Land, they despised it. That means they hated it, before they ever saw it!
"they did not believe in His word", this sums up their problem very well, no faith- even after mighty miracles.
v.25 ~ But grumbled in their tents; they did not listen to the voice of the Lord.
Set free from slavery, protected from death and all they could ever do was grumble! Grumbling drowns out God's voice, it makes our own voice (self) sound better, important even. It justifies rebellion or a hard heart. It deafens our spirit to God. And it was done in the privacy of their own tents. Sometimes, even when we do things in the privacy of our homes, assured that it won't spread or hurt others, we damage the body. My private grumbling, my private disobedience, hurts every one of God's people- not just me. It keeps me from being the blessing to the body that God wants me to be. In my selfishness, I cripple the body, make it less complete, less able to accomplish all God desires of it. The private grumbling of the Israelites affected all of them. Even those who were obedient. This makes me much more aware of the spiritual ripples of my own discontent or dissatisfaction, (my names for grumbling). And much more convicted.
After years of being in slavery their idea of freedom was to do what they wanted, to indulge the senses, the flesh. Yet God set them free to worship and serve Him. That is why He set us free as well. I do not always know how to worship and serve Him rightly, but if that is my goal He will teach me. If my goal is to do as I please without seeing the freedom for me that He sees, I put myself back into bondage.
Lord, may my words never be as pleasant to me, to my ears and heart, as Yours are. May I believe Your word and value Your promise. May I always see Your word as true, even when it seems impossible. May You keep my heart, that I would not grumble or complain, even privately. Thank You for Your forgiveness when I grumble and Your mercy as I struggle to be grateful and content. May I listen, with a heart to obey, to Your voice. Help each one of us to walk in Your freedom.
How could God have a people that were so fickle? Are we any different? Yet, Moses interceded for them. Here is Moses interceding for a people that he has already asked God why are they so hard-hearted and rebellious. He knows who he is interceding for, what they are like, and he intercedes anyway. What an encouragement to me when I grow weary of interceding , especially when I see no change. Moses kept interceding - for 40 years! And the Israelites never changed. Yet Moses intercession kept them alive. What an incredible picture of God's mercy.
v.24 ~ Have you ever hated a good gift you have been given? I haven't, I enjoy good gifts. But before the Israelites ever got to the Promised Land, they despised it. That means they hated it, before they ever saw it!
"they did not believe in His word", this sums up their problem very well, no faith- even after mighty miracles.
v.25 ~ But grumbled in their tents; they did not listen to the voice of the Lord.
Set free from slavery, protected from death and all they could ever do was grumble! Grumbling drowns out God's voice, it makes our own voice (self) sound better, important even. It justifies rebellion or a hard heart. It deafens our spirit to God. And it was done in the privacy of their own tents. Sometimes, even when we do things in the privacy of our homes, assured that it won't spread or hurt others, we damage the body. My private grumbling, my private disobedience, hurts every one of God's people- not just me. It keeps me from being the blessing to the body that God wants me to be. In my selfishness, I cripple the body, make it less complete, less able to accomplish all God desires of it. The private grumbling of the Israelites affected all of them. Even those who were obedient. This makes me much more aware of the spiritual ripples of my own discontent or dissatisfaction, (my names for grumbling). And much more convicted.
After years of being in slavery their idea of freedom was to do what they wanted, to indulge the senses, the flesh. Yet God set them free to worship and serve Him. That is why He set us free as well. I do not always know how to worship and serve Him rightly, but if that is my goal He will teach me. If my goal is to do as I please without seeing the freedom for me that He sees, I put myself back into bondage.
Lord, may my words never be as pleasant to me, to my ears and heart, as Yours are. May I believe Your word and value Your promise. May I always see Your word as true, even when it seems impossible. May You keep my heart, that I would not grumble or complain, even privately. Thank You for Your forgiveness when I grumble and Your mercy as I struggle to be grateful and content. May I listen, with a heart to obey, to Your voice. Help each one of us to walk in Your freedom.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Psm. 106:19-21 ~ "They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped a molten image. (20) Thus they exchanged their glory for the image of an ox that eats grass, (21) They forgot God their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,"
I was thinking, how could anyone worship something they made? Then I thought of television and computers and how often we are more attuned to them than God. Or even getting together to make something as a group and seeing it turn out really awesome, so you want everyone to see it. It is not hard to move one step further to worship. Worshiping a false god IS exchanging their glory, which is God, for a god, that exchange leads to wickedness. We cannot build our own god and expect it to be any better than our self. Once we build our own god, we are already deceived, so we continue in that deception as we worship something false.
They forgot God their Savior. They had seen all the plagues in Egypt, they had all observed the Passover, they had all walked through the Red Sea, as if it were dry, and seen their enemies drown. They had all praised God for His deliverance, they had all seen water come out of a rock and food come from heaven, they had seen the wicked swallowed up by the earth and flame consume them. Yet, in a time of testing, they forgot God.
How could that be?
1. They did not know God ~ only His works
2. Neither did they fear God
3. They were easily deceived
These three work together and are still a danger for any of us today. Because they only knew God's works and not Him, they did not understand His nature, His character, His heart for them. So they took Him lightly, accepted his goodness, of course, but not really trusting Him in giving that goodness. They could not believe that if all else failed, God would be true, faithful, for them, so they sought their own answer. This meant they trusted themselves more than God, forgetting that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. In not fearing God they could not understand His greatness, that He made us with an innate desire to honor or reverence Him. So they chose to make something they could understand, deceived into believing that any god would work.
Lord, protect us from ourselves, our own tendency to want to know everything before we trust You. Our own desire to be in control. Show us Your heart for us, that we would see Your heart that is for us, Your character, which is pure, Your faithfulness to us even when we are faithless to You. Guard us from deception, from deceiving ourselves with what we want to hear, instead of hearing what You desire us to hear. While we greatly appreciate Your works toward us, may that not be our focus, may You be our center and our focus.
How often in a time of testing do I try to figure it all out on my own? Lord work in me, in us, a heart that turns to You, even in a time of testing.
I was thinking, how could anyone worship something they made? Then I thought of television and computers and how often we are more attuned to them than God. Or even getting together to make something as a group and seeing it turn out really awesome, so you want everyone to see it. It is not hard to move one step further to worship. Worshiping a false god IS exchanging their glory, which is God, for a god, that exchange leads to wickedness. We cannot build our own god and expect it to be any better than our self. Once we build our own god, we are already deceived, so we continue in that deception as we worship something false.
They forgot God their Savior. They had seen all the plagues in Egypt, they had all observed the Passover, they had all walked through the Red Sea, as if it were dry, and seen their enemies drown. They had all praised God for His deliverance, they had all seen water come out of a rock and food come from heaven, they had seen the wicked swallowed up by the earth and flame consume them. Yet, in a time of testing, they forgot God.
How could that be?
1. They did not know God ~ only His works
2. Neither did they fear God
3. They were easily deceived
These three work together and are still a danger for any of us today. Because they only knew God's works and not Him, they did not understand His nature, His character, His heart for them. So they took Him lightly, accepted his goodness, of course, but not really trusting Him in giving that goodness. They could not believe that if all else failed, God would be true, faithful, for them, so they sought their own answer. This meant they trusted themselves more than God, forgetting that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. In not fearing God they could not understand His greatness, that He made us with an innate desire to honor or reverence Him. So they chose to make something they could understand, deceived into believing that any god would work.
Lord, protect us from ourselves, our own tendency to want to know everything before we trust You. Our own desire to be in control. Show us Your heart for us, that we would see Your heart that is for us, Your character, which is pure, Your faithfulness to us even when we are faithless to You. Guard us from deception, from deceiving ourselves with what we want to hear, instead of hearing what You desire us to hear. While we greatly appreciate Your works toward us, may that not be our focus, may You be our center and our focus.
How often in a time of testing do I try to figure it all out on my own? Lord work in me, in us, a heart that turns to You, even in a time of testing.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
ENVY
Psm.106:16 ~ They became envious of Moses and Aaron.
Are we envious of leaders because of their position? Their position with God? Does that envy turn into challenging their place and authority, their leadership, from God? This is different than challenging a leader because of bad teaching or immoral or unethical living. This is envying another's place with God, and wanting that place without being right with God, without paying the price of surrender to God. This includes not being thankful for the place God has given me. This envy leads others away from God into judgment. This was a sin God took very seriously, He dealt with these men openly; in front of the whole congregation. It didn't matter if all of the Israelites followed them, they were still wrong. Do I judge a leader by the number of followers he has, or where God is in his life? (v. 17-18) The earth swallowed them up and fire consumed them. I think if I had seen that I would have understood what sin displeased God!
It would have been amazing to see. God protecting His people from attacks within, that unrighteousness within the body of Christ does more damage than any attacks from outside. At the same time, I am incredibly thankful this does not happen today! I am so thankful for God's mercy toward us, He remembers that we are but dust. If He dealt with the body of Christ like this today, would I be swallowed up? Would I be one of the ones dissatisfied with where He has me? I like to think I would have been a righteous one, but would I have been swayed to believe a majority of leaders more than one who was right? Am I thankful for where God has me right now?
v.18 ~ The fire that came was to purify, just as we go through a fire of testing, purifying is necessary in our hearts. And in the church. It is usually painful, as it was for the whole congregation of Israelites.
Lord, we need Your cleansing purifying fire for that which is unrighteous and ungodly to be burned up, within us individually and within the body of Christ as a whole, so that what is left is pure and clean, able to be used by You for Your purposes. And with Your cleansing purifying fire, give us again Your mercy, Your grace, that we may be renewed in our relationship with You, not destroyed as these men were. Thank you that You are both righteous and merciful!
Are we envious of leaders because of their position? Their position with God? Does that envy turn into challenging their place and authority, their leadership, from God? This is different than challenging a leader because of bad teaching or immoral or unethical living. This is envying another's place with God, and wanting that place without being right with God, without paying the price of surrender to God. This includes not being thankful for the place God has given me. This envy leads others away from God into judgment. This was a sin God took very seriously, He dealt with these men openly; in front of the whole congregation. It didn't matter if all of the Israelites followed them, they were still wrong. Do I judge a leader by the number of followers he has, or where God is in his life? (v. 17-18) The earth swallowed them up and fire consumed them. I think if I had seen that I would have understood what sin displeased God!
It would have been amazing to see. God protecting His people from attacks within, that unrighteousness within the body of Christ does more damage than any attacks from outside. At the same time, I am incredibly thankful this does not happen today! I am so thankful for God's mercy toward us, He remembers that we are but dust. If He dealt with the body of Christ like this today, would I be swallowed up? Would I be one of the ones dissatisfied with where He has me? I like to think I would have been a righteous one, but would I have been swayed to believe a majority of leaders more than one who was right? Am I thankful for where God has me right now?
v.18 ~ The fire that came was to purify, just as we go through a fire of testing, purifying is necessary in our hearts. And in the church. It is usually painful, as it was for the whole congregation of Israelites.
Lord, we need Your cleansing purifying fire for that which is unrighteous and ungodly to be burned up, within us individually and within the body of Christ as a whole, so that what is left is pure and clean, able to be used by You for Your purposes. And with Your cleansing purifying fire, give us again Your mercy, Your grace, that we may be renewed in our relationship with You, not destroyed as these men were. Thank you that You are both righteous and merciful!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Tempting God
Psalm 106:14-15 ~ "but craved intensely in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. 15 So He gave them their request, but sent a wasting disease among them."
When we are wandering in a wilderness, a place different than what we expected, a place of testing, danger, and growth; it is our sin nature that craves intensely for what we used to have, thinking it is better than what it really was. When we give in to that, and only think how wonderful our bondage was, not seeing our current freedom, we cross a line with God. At that point we test Him, after He has already proven Himself to us. We challenge Him to give us what we want, not content or satisfied with His provision. Not trusting his purpose or training while we are in the wilderness. This stirs up strife and rebellion in us. For me, verse 15 is one of the scariest verses in the Bible. If we push hard enough God will give us what we ask for- even if it kills us. In giving them what they wanted God sent a wasting disease among them, a leanness of soul.
That leanness of soul, or wasting disease still didn't open their eyes and heart to their need for God. Their focus was on themselves and how they could meet their immediate temporal need. While God will meet these needs for His children; He is most interested in the heart, that there would be a God focus in each one of us, trusting Him to care for us His way and in His time. In the wilderness, He always waits to see how we will handle something- will we run to Him or will we try to force our own way and desires? It cost the Israelites dearly, and years later King Saul failed this one, it cost him dearly as well. (1 Sam.15) For the rest of his life he had leanness of soul.
Father protect us from ourselves, our own desires that are more self focused than God focused. Keep us hungry for you, putting a desire in us to wait for You, to desire a fatness of soul more than that which is temporal. Give us a fresh anointing of Your Holy Spirit that we would desire what You desire for us. And while we are walking in the wilderness, may we see Your hand leading and guiding us in the tests so we would be strong. May You be our focus, our center, may we willingly and expectantly wait for You that You would be glorified.
When we are wandering in a wilderness, a place different than what we expected, a place of testing, danger, and growth; it is our sin nature that craves intensely for what we used to have, thinking it is better than what it really was. When we give in to that, and only think how wonderful our bondage was, not seeing our current freedom, we cross a line with God. At that point we test Him, after He has already proven Himself to us. We challenge Him to give us what we want, not content or satisfied with His provision. Not trusting his purpose or training while we are in the wilderness. This stirs up strife and rebellion in us. For me, verse 15 is one of the scariest verses in the Bible. If we push hard enough God will give us what we ask for- even if it kills us. In giving them what they wanted God sent a wasting disease among them, a leanness of soul.
That leanness of soul, or wasting disease still didn't open their eyes and heart to their need for God. Their focus was on themselves and how they could meet their immediate temporal need. While God will meet these needs for His children; He is most interested in the heart, that there would be a God focus in each one of us, trusting Him to care for us His way and in His time. In the wilderness, He always waits to see how we will handle something- will we run to Him or will we try to force our own way and desires? It cost the Israelites dearly, and years later King Saul failed this one, it cost him dearly as well. (1 Sam.15) For the rest of his life he had leanness of soul.
Father protect us from ourselves, our own desires that are more self focused than God focused. Keep us hungry for you, putting a desire in us to wait for You, to desire a fatness of soul more than that which is temporal. Give us a fresh anointing of Your Holy Spirit that we would desire what You desire for us. And while we are walking in the wilderness, may we see Your hand leading and guiding us in the tests so we would be strong. May You be our focus, our center, may we willingly and expectantly wait for You that You would be glorified.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Distractions
Psalm 106:13~ "They quickly forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel."
When I quickly forget God's works it is because I am preoccupied or distracted. The Israelites, who did not have all the distractions of our technology still forgot God's works. I think- oh, if that distraction just wasn't around following God would be easier. God, give me a simpler life, without modern distractions! And it is the simple things in life that distract me, fixing a meal, doing laundry, visiting with others. All these things are necessary, so when does it become a distraction? When I forget what God has done.
In the midst of my busy life, how do I remember, how do I choose to see, what God has done? I start with thanking Him for life, for the miracle of being able to get up and breathe and move and not have to figure it out first. He keeps me alive! Then the gift of a spiritual life, without Him, I am just a cardboard shell. Then the gift of family and friends, food, shelter. I guess I need to count my blessings, seeing Him as the source of each one. Has God done big works in your life? A time when you know God intervened for you? The Israelites were to remember their freedom from bondage, the crossing of the Red Sea, the keeping power of God in the wilderness and the victory of the Promised land. These were big things, yet they forgot.
Lord, may we not forget Your works, the big or the little, what You have mightily done for us, for Your Name. Bring them to our mind, that we would regularly be reminded of Your works in us, around us and for us. As we remind ourselves may we remind others as well. Guard us against being distracted from You.
The Israelites also did not wait for His counsel. This ties so closely to forgetting His works! If we do not remember what He has done, how can we be sure His counsel is necessary? We become self reliant, trusting that our way will work and we can do things our own way. We wind up trusting in our own knowledge and ability more than trusting God to work things out. We no longer wait on God, we don't review the great and mighty things He has already done, being assured that they will continue. Teach us how to remember Your works so we would trust in You, and Your ways, so we would seek Your counsel. Lord, it is so tempting to trust myself more than You, to try and figure out my own way, especially when I am going through a hard time, to think that I have to come up with an answer. Yet, You just want me to trust You, to remember how mighty You are. If You can care for the Israelites as they go through the wilderness, surely You can take care of me and my needs, be they big or small. Thank you for Your living presence in my life. May each of us trust God more today, and remember His works.
When I quickly forget God's works it is because I am preoccupied or distracted. The Israelites, who did not have all the distractions of our technology still forgot God's works. I think- oh, if that distraction just wasn't around following God would be easier. God, give me a simpler life, without modern distractions! And it is the simple things in life that distract me, fixing a meal, doing laundry, visiting with others. All these things are necessary, so when does it become a distraction? When I forget what God has done.
In the midst of my busy life, how do I remember, how do I choose to see, what God has done? I start with thanking Him for life, for the miracle of being able to get up and breathe and move and not have to figure it out first. He keeps me alive! Then the gift of a spiritual life, without Him, I am just a cardboard shell. Then the gift of family and friends, food, shelter. I guess I need to count my blessings, seeing Him as the source of each one. Has God done big works in your life? A time when you know God intervened for you? The Israelites were to remember their freedom from bondage, the crossing of the Red Sea, the keeping power of God in the wilderness and the victory of the Promised land. These were big things, yet they forgot.
Lord, may we not forget Your works, the big or the little, what You have mightily done for us, for Your Name. Bring them to our mind, that we would regularly be reminded of Your works in us, around us and for us. As we remind ourselves may we remind others as well. Guard us against being distracted from You.
The Israelites also did not wait for His counsel. This ties so closely to forgetting His works! If we do not remember what He has done, how can we be sure His counsel is necessary? We become self reliant, trusting that our way will work and we can do things our own way. We wind up trusting in our own knowledge and ability more than trusting God to work things out. We no longer wait on God, we don't review the great and mighty things He has already done, being assured that they will continue. Teach us how to remember Your works so we would trust in You, and Your ways, so we would seek Your counsel. Lord, it is so tempting to trust myself more than You, to try and figure out my own way, especially when I am going through a hard time, to think that I have to come up with an answer. Yet, You just want me to trust You, to remember how mighty You are. If You can care for the Israelites as they go through the wilderness, surely You can take care of me and my needs, be they big or small. Thank you for Your living presence in my life. May each of us trust God more today, and remember His works.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Psalm 106, part 3
Psm. 106:10-12 ~"So He saved them from the hand of the one who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 And the waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. 12 Then they believed His words; they sang His praise."
The Israelites believed God's words only after they saw His absolute victory over their enemies. Today my enemies are different, but do I still doubt God until I see absolute victory? My enemies are the world, the flesh and the devil; but often they show themselves as greed, or selfishness, fear, anger,or lack of compassion, gossip, financial challenges, unforgiveness. I could go on, but you get the idea. How, in the church today, is God's power shown over these enemies? What does His victory look like? Do we even see it? How do we share it so the body sees his victory? His power? So others are able to praise God with us when we have victory? Even more, how do I share Christ's victory in my life so that others believe God, His words, and sing His praise? So the victory of one gives hope to others who struggle?
Redeem us, Lord, from the hand of our enemy, the enemy of the world, the flesh and the devil, even when we don't deserve it. Lord, may we know You, and act as if we do, rightly representing You to others. Deliver us from that which keeps us from being an effective representative. Give us eyes to see Your victory, show us how to share that with others, to give hope to the struggling. Give us faith, that we would not doubt You. Show us how to live and walk so others see You, and the hope and victory that You alone give.
The Israelites believed God's words only after they saw His absolute victory over their enemies. Today my enemies are different, but do I still doubt God until I see absolute victory? My enemies are the world, the flesh and the devil; but often they show themselves as greed, or selfishness, fear, anger,or lack of compassion, gossip, financial challenges, unforgiveness. I could go on, but you get the idea. How, in the church today, is God's power shown over these enemies? What does His victory look like? Do we even see it? How do we share it so the body sees his victory? His power? So others are able to praise God with us when we have victory? Even more, how do I share Christ's victory in my life so that others believe God, His words, and sing His praise? So the victory of one gives hope to others who struggle?
Redeem us, Lord, from the hand of our enemy, the enemy of the world, the flesh and the devil, even when we don't deserve it. Lord, may we know You, and act as if we do, rightly representing You to others. Deliver us from that which keeps us from being an effective representative. Give us eyes to see Your victory, show us how to share that with others, to give hope to the struggling. Give us faith, that we would not doubt You. Show us how to live and walk so others see You, and the hope and victory that You alone give.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Psalm 106; part 2
Psalm 106:6- "We have sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have behaved wickedly." Verses 6-46 are a confession of sin and a declaration of God's mercy. I love the 'we' in v.6. An intercessor so identifies with the sin of those being prayed for that they take that sin as their own to God. It is also a recognition that none of us are righteous; we have all sinned; it is our nature, as all who have gone before us. No matter how much right we do, we still blow it.Then this intercessor lists the sins of Israel; not content to just have a generic identification of sin, he identifies with each one. As Christ is our intercessor, this identification with sin had to happen so there could be repentance. Then, this intercessor repented- for the whole, he did not wait for the people to repent, he did it for them! So the whole country could see God's mercy. Not a finger pointer- but a fellowman in need of God's mercy.
v.7~ "Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Thy wonders; they did not remember Thine abundant kindnesses, but they rebelled by the seas, at the Red Sea."
When we do not understand God's wonders or remember His abundant kindnesses we will rebel. Just as Israel did. One must understand God's wonders and see them to have a living relationship with Jesus. Rebellion is a part of our fallen nature; but also comes from not understanding God's wonders and not consciously remembering the good He has done for us. What inspires awe in us? Have we become so accustomed to explaining everything that we no longer stand in wonder over anything? Do we look back at God's wonders in our own lives? His unique working on our behalf, just because of his incredible love and mercy for us. When we are going through a trying time do we thank Him, remembering his goodness to us, or do we moan about having to go through it? We all think the trial we are going through is the hardest, or most difficult, but the Israelites thought that as well. And we can see the great deliverance God was working on their behalf!
Which brings us to v. 8, "Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name, that He might make His power known." What a God! He has ungrateful, complaining people, sinning against Him, rebelling, refusing to acknowledge his past wonders and He saves them. What mercy! We are no different. In the midst of our rebellion God saves and shows His power, not just to His people or for His people, but so their enemies would see as well. He saves us for the sake of His name and to show His power!
Thank You that this was fully accomplished the day Jesus died on the cross; He saved us; a rebellious people, for His Name's sake. He made known His power, through the resurrection, to give us new hearts and new lives, to make us His.
Lord, give us intercessor hearts, identifying with the sin of those we pray for, or even the sin of our nation, that we would look at others with Your mercy. May we see Your mighty hand of deliverance in our dark times or trials. When we forget Your goodness, bring to our remembrance the good You have done for us. Give us thankful hearts in the midst of our hard times. Remind us that this trying time is not just for us, but for others (our enemies?) to see Your mighty power. Thank You for Your incredible mercy, that saves us in the midst of our rebellion. May Your Name and power be known in and through Your people today.
v.7~ "Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Thy wonders; they did not remember Thine abundant kindnesses, but they rebelled by the seas, at the Red Sea."
When we do not understand God's wonders or remember His abundant kindnesses we will rebel. Just as Israel did. One must understand God's wonders and see them to have a living relationship with Jesus. Rebellion is a part of our fallen nature; but also comes from not understanding God's wonders and not consciously remembering the good He has done for us. What inspires awe in us? Have we become so accustomed to explaining everything that we no longer stand in wonder over anything? Do we look back at God's wonders in our own lives? His unique working on our behalf, just because of his incredible love and mercy for us. When we are going through a trying time do we thank Him, remembering his goodness to us, or do we moan about having to go through it? We all think the trial we are going through is the hardest, or most difficult, but the Israelites thought that as well. And we can see the great deliverance God was working on their behalf!
Which brings us to v. 8, "Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name, that He might make His power known." What a God! He has ungrateful, complaining people, sinning against Him, rebelling, refusing to acknowledge his past wonders and He saves them. What mercy! We are no different. In the midst of our rebellion God saves and shows His power, not just to His people or for His people, but so their enemies would see as well. He saves us for the sake of His name and to show His power!
Thank You that this was fully accomplished the day Jesus died on the cross; He saved us; a rebellious people, for His Name's sake. He made known His power, through the resurrection, to give us new hearts and new lives, to make us His.
Lord, give us intercessor hearts, identifying with the sin of those we pray for, or even the sin of our nation, that we would look at others with Your mercy. May we see Your mighty hand of deliverance in our dark times or trials. When we forget Your goodness, bring to our remembrance the good You have done for us. Give us thankful hearts in the midst of our hard times. Remind us that this trying time is not just for us, but for others (our enemies?) to see Your mighty power. Thank You for Your incredible mercy, that saves us in the midst of our rebellion. May Your Name and power be known in and through Your people today.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Psalm 106 part 1; an intercessor's psalm
A Psalm of an intercessor, so full of Israel's wrongdoing, but also showing God's incredible lovingkindness and mercy. This psalm starts with praise to God and an acknowledgment that there aren't enough words to adequately praise Him. That is so very true! Once started there is no end to God's praise. And if I pay attention, I see His works all day long and can praise Him all day for His goodness. But I get caught up in the day's activities, in my life, and I miss seeing His hand, or His handiwork and I miss praising Him. My attitude changes from one of thanksgiving and privilege to one of dullness and duty.
So with this psalmist, may I sing Your praise today Lord, open my eyes that I may see Your handiwork, and have a heart of thanksgiving.
Psm. 106:4-5 ~ "Remember me, O Lord, in Thy favor toward Thy people; visit me with Thy salvation, (5) that I may see the prosperity of Thy chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Thy nation, that I may glory with Thine inheritance."
A cry to the Lord, not just for favor but also to see God's hand move in the nation so the psalmist could glory in God's inheritance. My heart cry is not always that big. I want God to move in my nation, and I want to see that move, but to be honest, I am usually more wrapped up in my life than in interceding for the nation. I pick small prayers. Is it because I lack the faith for the big? Because I am unsure if God can really do it? Or is it because I don't want to invest myself, my time, pain in my heart, for a nation? I don't want to pay the price to intercede for this nation. This convicts me. Am I praying the prayers God has asked me to pray?
But I, with the psalmist, want God's favor shown in His people, that it would be seen, and I would have eyes to see it; so there would be rejoicing among God's people, the body of Christ, and we, as the body may glory with God's inheritance. And I pray for that diligently. So is the focus of intercession a matter of calling? I do not struggle praying for people, sometimes I may resist dying to self to pray, but that is different. Maybe it is a matter of growth, and I am not yet able to battle the principalities and powers of the nation.
Lord, may Your people have prosperity of soul, solid knowledge of You, a firm walk with You daily, a desire to grow in You by the power of Your Holy Spirit and may we see Your hand move, in the lives of our people and in this nation. Grow us, me especially, to pray the big prayers. May we be obedient to pray the prayers You give us to pray, may You work through each of us for Your glory.
So with this psalmist, may I sing Your praise today Lord, open my eyes that I may see Your handiwork, and have a heart of thanksgiving.
Psm. 106:4-5 ~ "Remember me, O Lord, in Thy favor toward Thy people; visit me with Thy salvation, (5) that I may see the prosperity of Thy chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Thy nation, that I may glory with Thine inheritance."
A cry to the Lord, not just for favor but also to see God's hand move in the nation so the psalmist could glory in God's inheritance. My heart cry is not always that big. I want God to move in my nation, and I want to see that move, but to be honest, I am usually more wrapped up in my life than in interceding for the nation. I pick small prayers. Is it because I lack the faith for the big? Because I am unsure if God can really do it? Or is it because I don't want to invest myself, my time, pain in my heart, for a nation? I don't want to pay the price to intercede for this nation. This convicts me. Am I praying the prayers God has asked me to pray?
But I, with the psalmist, want God's favor shown in His people, that it would be seen, and I would have eyes to see it; so there would be rejoicing among God's people, the body of Christ, and we, as the body may glory with God's inheritance. And I pray for that diligently. So is the focus of intercession a matter of calling? I do not struggle praying for people, sometimes I may resist dying to self to pray, but that is different. Maybe it is a matter of growth, and I am not yet able to battle the principalities and powers of the nation.
Lord, may Your people have prosperity of soul, solid knowledge of You, a firm walk with You daily, a desire to grow in You by the power of Your Holy Spirit and may we see Your hand move, in the lives of our people and in this nation. Grow us, me especially, to pray the big prayers. May we be obedient to pray the prayers You give us to pray, may You work through each of us for Your glory.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Rottenness
Matthew 15:18 ~ But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.
What happens when a home gets a hidden water leak? A lot of damage can be done before the leak is found and fixed. The first clue it is there is the house might smell funny, maybe a little moldy. Does my life or heart smell moldy or a little 'off' to others? to God? to me? Are my words hurtful or edifying?
The wall or floor may have more give. Am I giving in or yielding to pressure from sin? or from the world? or the flesh? Am I staying firm when sin in any form pushes against me? Or is there a softness? Am I finding it harder to guard my tongue?
Stains will show up on the wall or floor or ceiling where the leak is. What am I stained with? The blood of Jesus or my own sin; disobedience to God? Have I said things I wish hadn't come out of my mouth? Have I caused another pain by thoughtless speech?
Usually to fix a leak some of the structure must be torn apart and sometimes it takes some tearing, (looking and searching) to find exactly where the leak is. There may be a period of what appears to be chaos and disuse, but repair is happening. Without this time of repair and apparent chaos and no water, the wall or floor would rot, eventually becoming so bad that area of the house would collapse. Rottenness spreads. It would not be safe for anyone to walk on the floor. If it were a ceiling it could drop down on anyone or anything under it. The home would be unsafe; rotten.
When there is a leak, a stain of sin, in my life, I struggle to let Jesus tear something apart to fix it. I want Him to fix it without the tearing apart. But the pulling up and tearing apart shows me why the leak started as well as how much damage sin does to myself and that it affects others. Jesus wants freedom for each of us and to have that we must give Him the freedom to work in us. To cleanse us of all the sin leaks we have, to clear out all the rotten wood in the walls, that we would be cleansed of all unrighteousness and be made new. So we would not harm others and would be the finished, usuable building He desires each of us to be.
So Lord, when we see only chaos and disuse in our life, show us Your hand, that we would have Your assurance that it is indeed You working in us for Your glory and pleasure. With that, may we surrender to Your hand, allowing You to work freely with Your cleansing power as you rebuild what has been damaged.
What happens when a home gets a hidden water leak? A lot of damage can be done before the leak is found and fixed. The first clue it is there is the house might smell funny, maybe a little moldy. Does my life or heart smell moldy or a little 'off' to others? to God? to me? Are my words hurtful or edifying?
The wall or floor may have more give. Am I giving in or yielding to pressure from sin? or from the world? or the flesh? Am I staying firm when sin in any form pushes against me? Or is there a softness? Am I finding it harder to guard my tongue?
Stains will show up on the wall or floor or ceiling where the leak is. What am I stained with? The blood of Jesus or my own sin; disobedience to God? Have I said things I wish hadn't come out of my mouth? Have I caused another pain by thoughtless speech?
Usually to fix a leak some of the structure must be torn apart and sometimes it takes some tearing, (looking and searching) to find exactly where the leak is. There may be a period of what appears to be chaos and disuse, but repair is happening. Without this time of repair and apparent chaos and no water, the wall or floor would rot, eventually becoming so bad that area of the house would collapse. Rottenness spreads. It would not be safe for anyone to walk on the floor. If it were a ceiling it could drop down on anyone or anything under it. The home would be unsafe; rotten.
When there is a leak, a stain of sin, in my life, I struggle to let Jesus tear something apart to fix it. I want Him to fix it without the tearing apart. But the pulling up and tearing apart shows me why the leak started as well as how much damage sin does to myself and that it affects others. Jesus wants freedom for each of us and to have that we must give Him the freedom to work in us. To cleanse us of all the sin leaks we have, to clear out all the rotten wood in the walls, that we would be cleansed of all unrighteousness and be made new. So we would not harm others and would be the finished, usuable building He desires each of us to be.
So Lord, when we see only chaos and disuse in our life, show us Your hand, that we would have Your assurance that it is indeed You working in us for Your glory and pleasure. With that, may we surrender to Your hand, allowing You to work freely with Your cleansing power as you rebuild what has been damaged.
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Need for One Another
This last week my husband and I went camping. We spent one morning walking along a mountain stream, the sun was shining and we were just enjoying looking at the beauty of the place and wildlife. Suddenly my husband called to me to stop. I stopped, wondering what he saw that I could not, straining my eyes to see something close by. He asked me if I felt something on my leg, I said I did. Was a snake right at my foot? I looked down. I was totally entangled in fishing line. Not just a little- a lot. I had not felt it, it had not hindered my walking- yet. But my husband walking behind me had seen light reflecting in a line and moving behind me. He knew that was not normal. When he asked if I had felt something, he had simply tugged on the line. I did manage to untangle myself, but if I had needed to have it cut free, my husband had a knife handy.
What if I had been walking alone, or had not listened to the stop from my husband? The fishing line would have done a great job of tripping me. In our spiritual lives we also get entangled with invisible lines; something others can see and we cannot. Without their help we trip, fall down, and have a mess to deal with. We are in the body of Christ so we can help one another; that includes alerting one another to danger, or maybe just to an entanglement. It takes humility to recognize the need for help, and it is indeed humbling to see ones self entangled and not be aware!
What if I had not trusted my husband when he told me to stop? Thinking, I know better, I don't need to stop for anything! I would have eventually been forced to stop, doubly humbled because I didn't listen.
His tugging on the line is not what had entangled me, it just showed both of us I was entangled. How often do we get upset with the one who shows us our entanglements instead of being thankful and doing what is necessary to be freed from them?
It was a beautiful sunny day, nothing to worry about, things were going great. In our walk with Jesus, even when things are going great it is possible to just be walking along and get tangled up in the distractions of the world, or the desires of the flesh. Nothing bad or evil in themselves, just enough to keep us from running if the need were to arise.
Lord, we need those in our lives that give us cautions, corrections and help us when we are entangled to get un-entangled, yet so often we push them away, we keep our distance, not wanting to admit our need for help. Especially from others. You have given us Your body Lord, so we could work together for each other's good. Help us to receive from our brothers and sisters the help we need. As we are also called to give loving thoughtful correction and caution, may we do it with Your Spirit of humility, love and grace. May we be truly thankful for one another.
Psm. 141:5a ~ Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; it is oil upon the head; do not let my head refuse it.
What if I had been walking alone, or had not listened to the stop from my husband? The fishing line would have done a great job of tripping me. In our spiritual lives we also get entangled with invisible lines; something others can see and we cannot. Without their help we trip, fall down, and have a mess to deal with. We are in the body of Christ so we can help one another; that includes alerting one another to danger, or maybe just to an entanglement. It takes humility to recognize the need for help, and it is indeed humbling to see ones self entangled and not be aware!
What if I had not trusted my husband when he told me to stop? Thinking, I know better, I don't need to stop for anything! I would have eventually been forced to stop, doubly humbled because I didn't listen.
His tugging on the line is not what had entangled me, it just showed both of us I was entangled. How often do we get upset with the one who shows us our entanglements instead of being thankful and doing what is necessary to be freed from them?
It was a beautiful sunny day, nothing to worry about, things were going great. In our walk with Jesus, even when things are going great it is possible to just be walking along and get tangled up in the distractions of the world, or the desires of the flesh. Nothing bad or evil in themselves, just enough to keep us from running if the need were to arise.
Lord, we need those in our lives that give us cautions, corrections and help us when we are entangled to get un-entangled, yet so often we push them away, we keep our distance, not wanting to admit our need for help. Especially from others. You have given us Your body Lord, so we could work together for each other's good. Help us to receive from our brothers and sisters the help we need. As we are also called to give loving thoughtful correction and caution, may we do it with Your Spirit of humility, love and grace. May we be truly thankful for one another.
Psm. 141:5a ~ Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; it is oil upon the head; do not let my head refuse it.
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