TRANSITION
Aug 17th 2010
When I hear this word the only thing I can think of is my labor with Annabella. She was my first homebirth and I really was expecting a much different labor. She was my 4th child so I was expecting a 5 hour labor, no problems and that I would be calm and quiet, able to deal with it with grace. Haha!
In labor, transition is supposed to be the shortest, yet most intense and painful part of labor. It is the body preparing for the final stage and it’s characterized as the “give-up” phase of labor. It’s when the woman usually feels she can’t do it anymore, that she says she needs meds, that she feel out of control and can be confused or disoriented. The contractions are more intense, shorter together, sometimes with double peaks. You can physically observe a woman in transition; they sometimes are shaking very badly, shivering, vomiting or nauseated. Sometimes the only focus point at this phase or help you can offer is letting them know they are in transition; knowing the end is very near and this stage and pain will be relatively short.
Transition in the dictionary is defined as: Passage; the act of passing from one state or place to the next conversion: an event that results in a transformation a change from one place or state or subject or stage to another cause to convert or undergo a transition
Transition is a temporary place of “no man’s land” and has two defining characteristics.
1.) It is not intended to be lived in permanently
2.) Has the purpose of going from one thing, transforming into another; much like a butterfly.
Some interesting things:
There are 4 stages of development for every butterfly.
Egg, larva, pupa, butterfly
The egg has to be laid on the type of leaf that type of caterpillar will eat because it’s born on the leaf and immediately begin eating. The caterpillar is very hungry and eats and eats to grow. I suppose we only see growth in us when we eat and eat the “right” kind of food. It can’t be just any old leaf.
The caterpillar doesn't grow by stretching; instead his exoskeleton has to be shed, it does this several times. I think of the verse that says being changed from glory to glory. In our walks we have to go through several times of shedding our ways, beliefs to grow. We may have thought we arrived at something only to find we only saw in part, understood in part.
When they have reached a place of growth they form this chrysalis and on the outside it looks like nothing is happening that they are just resting or sleeping. But really on the inside a complete transformation is taking place…hidden from sight. As change happens in the heart, our motives are exposed to us. Even those hidden things. The old body parts are going through a metamorphosis and changing into something beautiful and different. Like the physical, we can see the spiritual application. here; sanctification.
As the butterfly comes out, its wings are folded and soft because it was tight in there, it rests and then it gets the blood pumping into the wings for them to be able to fly. Their whole life purpose as a butterfly is to look to reproduce. Isn't that what God wants us to do? Share and grow that into other people, reproduce what we have learned and know.
If you help a butterfly out of its cocoon its wings will be too weak to fly because it didn't go through the struggle and it will die. If helped, it will simply fall to the ground, crawl around with a swollen body and shrunken wings, and soon die. Think about when we have knowledge of something. The Bible says knowledge puffeth up but love builds up. The Bible also says that all the gifts and tongues and prophesy are basically nothing w/o love. We can have these gifts, the knowledge and be all puffed up but not have the strong wings needed to fly. Those wings only get strength through experiencing the struggle to make them strong. We also see that its Gods loving-kindness that He allows the struggle and doesn't just "do it all" for us. He knows what will produce maturity. James 1:2-4 "2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Weird to think we can go through all the stages of growth, go through eating a ton, being transformed etc and we will still die if we aren't given the opportunity to struggle. Wonderful that the Lord gives us all the tools needed to become the butterfly but its when love and perfect timing enter into our lives that we can fly. I guess that is why His holiness demands righteous order; because He knows we would perish w/o this.
Now back to my story…Annabella was positioned ever so slightly wrong. She was slightly posterior, making the labor non-progressive and causing back labor (which you cannot understand this kind of excruciating pain unless you experience it). Unfortunately, where I got “stuck” was in transition. Normal transition lasts 15 minutes to 2 hours. I was stuck for 7 hours!! I wanted to give up, I wanted to go to hospital (so I said). I couldn't do anything but writhe in pain and even though I groaned and moaned and had no control over what was happening, and as I insisted I wanted to go in, I really didn't. What I really wanted was for someone to tell me how much longer I had so I could mentally deal with it. But nobody could tell me. I was desperate and at the end of myself. I had been praying the whole time but now it got different. I began begging the Lord to do something, asking for mercy, anything!!
All at once I fell asleep from complete and utter exhaustion. I had already been sleeping for 30 seconds here and there, it was going on 21 hours now and I could not do anymore. I fell asleep and for 10 minutes straight I didn't have a contraction. Suddenly I woke to a feeling of Annabella moving and positioning herself correctly. I could feel her move down into the correct position. She was ready to be birthed. I yelled out that she was ready, she had moved! I was worn out, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually at the end of myself, and this movement gave me hope. I knew deep inside it was time, that I had finally come through the transition and now was going to meet my daughter. She was born very soon after that, all 10 pounds of her, and it was beautiful and peaceful! Great was my blessing!
I am forever grateful of that experience as it taught me to rely on the Lord, it taught me that pain itself cannot kill me, and it taught me about the pain of transition in our lives; the struggle to be transformed into something different. The pain is part of the process. It also taught me I don’t want to be “stuck” in a transitory state and the slightest re-positioning may be all that was necessary to facilitate progress.
In the spiritual application, I can see this ever so true. If someone would have been able to tell me exactly what that specific birth scenario was going to be, I may not have chosen it; for fear of the pain, the sacrifice. I am glad I went into w/the faith it was going to be great, had I not I would have missed out on the lessons learned and growth. Growth can only come by overcoming. Transition is not only good but necessary but it is possible to get stuck, and if we find ourselves in a stuck transition, we may need to evaluate if we are aligned w/God. Is our position in line with God’s, are we expecting Him to align with us or do we need to align with Him. God is holy; He will not realign Himself to fit into our thoughts or ways.
Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts
Be encouraged if you find yourself in transition, for it means something beautiful is about to be birthed!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
PEACE
PEACE
Recently I have had several conversations on “peace”. I think on these conversations and am grateful for the hopes of peace and that people still believe in peace. But as I pondered more and more I realize my views on peace are much different than those that possess worldly or secular views.
Over and over in the Bible the Lord is called the God of Peace. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace and so on. Several references being made to peace in Christian life, yet we also see and know that there will be wars and nation rising against nation. So how do these fit together?
The Jesus that some perceive in worldly view, is one that is peaceful and desires for us to be in peace. He stated that, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”. (John 14:27)
As this is true we also see that Jesus Himself says, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's foes will be those of his own household.” (Matthew 10:33-36)
So how can the two views be seen as one? How does the peace teaching Jesus, also say this? It is because true peace will never be on this Earth. Jesus knew that. We see the world trying to strive toward unity and peace and yet it will never happen. Wars will go on, fightings and killing will persist. He tells us the key, “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
It is only IN HIM that we can have true peace. Peace is not “no war”, it is a state of being IN HIM. Peace is not dependant on circumstances, health and financial prosperity. It is not dependant on war or no war. It transcends earthly understanding and makes an imprisoned man free. It is the PEACE OF GOD. The world cannot offer this peace, even if no war was happening there isn’t peace. However my God gives peace in the midst of war, in terror, in prison, in sickness in persecution, even unto death! He gives peace that cannot be attained by this world. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7)
The peace of God surpasses ALL comprehension; we cannot lay hold of understanding this kind of peace. It guards you heart and mind IN CHRIST JESUS. It is only if you are in Him that you can know this peace. So all the scrambling and human effort will never truly understand or offer peace. He told us that in HIM we may have peace but we would have tribulation in the world but cheer up because HE has overcome the world. He tells us "And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once. Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21:9-11)
Only the Lord can tell us to not be afraid when we see these things happening because HIS peace is not comprehendible.
So why doesn’t everyone understand this peace? Jesus answered, My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world. Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice. (John 18:36-37)
Jesus declares HIS kingship isn’t of this world, it’s not earthly…if it were His servants would fight (fight to not hand Him over to those who would crucify Him)! Then He goes on to say that everyone who is of the truth (In Jesus, saved) hears His voice. So those who are not in Him, cannot hear His voice. They cannot understand the things He teaches, their eyes are blind to it unless they become saved and their eyes become open to the truth. This is why the world cannot grasp peace; because it’s only in Him they can have peace.
Thank you Lord that the peace you offer is unlike the world’s ideas, that it isn’t dependant on our surroundings, that instead it is a gift that only You can give and something that can make us stand in the face of terror, fear, hardship, sickness, war, financial ruin, persecution and even death. Thank you Lord, for Your peace. In Jesus, Amen.
Recently I have had several conversations on “peace”. I think on these conversations and am grateful for the hopes of peace and that people still believe in peace. But as I pondered more and more I realize my views on peace are much different than those that possess worldly or secular views.
Over and over in the Bible the Lord is called the God of Peace. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace and so on. Several references being made to peace in Christian life, yet we also see and know that there will be wars and nation rising against nation. So how do these fit together?
The Jesus that some perceive in worldly view, is one that is peaceful and desires for us to be in peace. He stated that, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”. (John 14:27)
As this is true we also see that Jesus Himself says, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's foes will be those of his own household.” (Matthew 10:33-36)
So how can the two views be seen as one? How does the peace teaching Jesus, also say this? It is because true peace will never be on this Earth. Jesus knew that. We see the world trying to strive toward unity and peace and yet it will never happen. Wars will go on, fightings and killing will persist. He tells us the key, “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
It is only IN HIM that we can have true peace. Peace is not “no war”, it is a state of being IN HIM. Peace is not dependant on circumstances, health and financial prosperity. It is not dependant on war or no war. It transcends earthly understanding and makes an imprisoned man free. It is the PEACE OF GOD. The world cannot offer this peace, even if no war was happening there isn’t peace. However my God gives peace in the midst of war, in terror, in prison, in sickness in persecution, even unto death! He gives peace that cannot be attained by this world. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7)
The peace of God surpasses ALL comprehension; we cannot lay hold of understanding this kind of peace. It guards you heart and mind IN CHRIST JESUS. It is only if you are in Him that you can know this peace. So all the scrambling and human effort will never truly understand or offer peace. He told us that in HIM we may have peace but we would have tribulation in the world but cheer up because HE has overcome the world. He tells us "And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once. Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21:9-11)
Only the Lord can tell us to not be afraid when we see these things happening because HIS peace is not comprehendible.
So why doesn’t everyone understand this peace? Jesus answered, My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world. Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice. (John 18:36-37)
Jesus declares HIS kingship isn’t of this world, it’s not earthly…if it were His servants would fight (fight to not hand Him over to those who would crucify Him)! Then He goes on to say that everyone who is of the truth (In Jesus, saved) hears His voice. So those who are not in Him, cannot hear His voice. They cannot understand the things He teaches, their eyes are blind to it unless they become saved and their eyes become open to the truth. This is why the world cannot grasp peace; because it’s only in Him they can have peace.
Thank you Lord that the peace you offer is unlike the world’s ideas, that it isn’t dependant on our surroundings, that instead it is a gift that only You can give and something that can make us stand in the face of terror, fear, hardship, sickness, war, financial ruin, persecution and even death. Thank you Lord, for Your peace. In Jesus, Amen.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Disciple and Discipline
7/31/2010
I’ve been praying and thinking of some words used often but wonder if I really know the meanings of them, or have they simply become another “Christianese” phrase used?
Disciple and discipline; what do these words really mean to me. To study this out I first apply the scripture to itself, as we know scripture will verify itself. My thoughts are first in the natural then in the spiritual. (1 Corinthians 15:46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.) We are shown many things but first understanding them in the natural, then can apply to the spiritual. But we cannot understand the spiritual things unless our eyes are opened to them by God. In saying that, these words I will first look at in the natural setting.
Disciple: (from Websters): one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as a : one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts b : a convinced adherent of a school or individual
Disciple as we know is in the word discipline.
Discipline: (from Websters): training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
Those are pretty straight forward. A disciple is someone who accepts AND assists in spreading a doctrine of another; a convinced individual. If you claim to be a Christian, are you first convinced? Do you accept the doctrine of Jesus Christ the way we hear in the Bible or do you add to the scripture to justify your lifestyle? Do you take away from scripture what offends, or isn’t “politically correct”? Do you add your own teaching/opinions? Do you assist in spreading or do you simply know for yourself that you are saved and that’s good enough? I was talking to my Christian doctor the other day while I was there for an appt. and we were discussing ministry and being Christians. I stated/posed the question, that if someone were to hang out with me w/o knowing me would they leave knowing I was a Christian? He then posed/stated that what would be worse is if someone who knows you found out you were Christian and were surprised.
I think we have become so pushed into having to accept everyone/everybody mindset that we have compromised the Word of God, the teachings of the scripture. We have become so afraid to be seen as a narrow minded Christian that we curb anything that might offend someone. Do you realize it’s not YOUR teachings that bring salvation? The Word of God, the truth of the blood of Jesus being accepted is. We are to be convinced ourselves of the teaching, accept them and then assist in spreading the doctrine. I suppose now I can see a difference in simply being a “believer” and being a disciple of Christ. What are you?
In understanding now what a disciple is, we can see that there must be a discipline; “a training that corrects and molds!” When we come to Christ we come with all our ideas of how something needs to be. We see a broad spectrum of thoughts; from the legalistic/judgmental condemning, afraid God’s ready to whack you if you mess up mindset, to the everything is acceptable, just love, love, love and accept mindset. The balanced mindset is realizing that God is a God of order, righteoueness, and is Holy. We ourselves are made clean by the blood of the lamb and as we are called to love, being compassionate we have never been called to close our eyes to sin and being compassionate of the sin, thus compromising the Word of God.
We see people in the world, and non-believers beginning to use the WWJD question to apply to excusing sin. It’s an almost mocking phrase when they use it. Well the answer is that Jesus absolutely showed compassion and mercy. He dined with the “scum” tax collectors, he defended the woman caught in the act of adultery, but He also said to them “Go and sin no more.” That’s the balance we need. So how does that fit in with discipline?
Prov 3:11-12 (NIV) My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Prov 15:5 (NIV) A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
Heb 12:5-8 (NIV) And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Heb 12:9-11 (NIV) Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Job 5:17-18 (NIV) "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal."
1 Cor 11:32 (Phi) But when God does judge us, he disciplines us as his own sons, that we may not be involved in the general condemnation of the world.
Rev 3:19 (NIV) [Jesus] "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent."
So we can see from these verses that discipline is from God, He does it because He loves us, we should see it as a blessing, and that we may share in His holiness. It’s not pleasant, but painful but produces righteousness and peace FOR THOSE TRAINED BY IT. This means that the two-fold or “if then” implied statement is, IF we are disciplined THEN we will produce righteousness, peace, and be His sons. Do you accept the discipline, or do you find yourself in correction only to plant your feet in deeper, trying to be right in your own eyes; justifying why you do what you do? It is possible to be corrected and not take the correction. I have witnessed many lives (including my own), where God has pointed His finger on an area in that person’s life that He wants to correct and mold, and the person rejects it. What happens is they may find an escape route, weasel out of another situation, only to find themselves once again in the same situation; only different people, different job, different setting, SAME PROBLEM!
Here’s how that might look in a practical scenario:
1. Why do I always end up with all the bad guys/girls/relationships?
2. Why can’t I hold a job down or lose a job?
3. Why am I in debt, to recover only to be in debt again?
4. Why do I have constant conflict with others?
5. Why do I struggle in feeling rejected all the time?
These are only SOME of the questions people ask themselves. They find themselves constantly in cycles of these questions. They search and think they found the answer in some new job, some new person, some new scenario, only to have some time go by and they are asking themselves that same question. Do you not recognize the finger pointing in that area? Get rid of the “victim mentality” and repent and become a victor by overcoming; accepting the unpleasant discipline and lining up with what the Word of God truly says.
Now in closing I would like to say a disclaimer. We endure times of testing our faith that might bring about situations that are unpleasant (read James chapter 1) but as we grow and mature we won’t continue to see the exact same testing. But if it is an area that God is putting His finger on you will see that scenario over and over again. And if you have questions, ask, email, comment, call.
I pray today that your hearts are not hardened, that you are not stiff-necked, that instead you get before the Lord and ask honestly if there is an area in your life that the Lord has been putting His finger on to bring healing and discipline. I pray that you allow the Holy Spirit to reveal that to you and that the Lord would give you wisdom, that you’d feel the love of the Lord even in His discipline! In Jesus name, Amen.
“Change my heart oh God,
Make it ever true.
Change my heart oh God,
May I be like You.
You are the potter,
I am the clay,
Mold me and make me,
This is what I pray.”
I’ve been praying and thinking of some words used often but wonder if I really know the meanings of them, or have they simply become another “Christianese” phrase used?
Disciple and discipline; what do these words really mean to me. To study this out I first apply the scripture to itself, as we know scripture will verify itself. My thoughts are first in the natural then in the spiritual. (1 Corinthians 15:46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.) We are shown many things but first understanding them in the natural, then can apply to the spiritual. But we cannot understand the spiritual things unless our eyes are opened to them by God. In saying that, these words I will first look at in the natural setting.
Disciple: (from Websters): one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as a : one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts b : a convinced adherent of a school or individual
Disciple as we know is in the word discipline.
Discipline: (from Websters): training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
Those are pretty straight forward. A disciple is someone who accepts AND assists in spreading a doctrine of another; a convinced individual. If you claim to be a Christian, are you first convinced? Do you accept the doctrine of Jesus Christ the way we hear in the Bible or do you add to the scripture to justify your lifestyle? Do you take away from scripture what offends, or isn’t “politically correct”? Do you add your own teaching/opinions? Do you assist in spreading or do you simply know for yourself that you are saved and that’s good enough? I was talking to my Christian doctor the other day while I was there for an appt. and we were discussing ministry and being Christians. I stated/posed the question, that if someone were to hang out with me w/o knowing me would they leave knowing I was a Christian? He then posed/stated that what would be worse is if someone who knows you found out you were Christian and were surprised.
I think we have become so pushed into having to accept everyone/everybody mindset that we have compromised the Word of God, the teachings of the scripture. We have become so afraid to be seen as a narrow minded Christian that we curb anything that might offend someone. Do you realize it’s not YOUR teachings that bring salvation? The Word of God, the truth of the blood of Jesus being accepted is. We are to be convinced ourselves of the teaching, accept them and then assist in spreading the doctrine. I suppose now I can see a difference in simply being a “believer” and being a disciple of Christ. What are you?
In understanding now what a disciple is, we can see that there must be a discipline; “a training that corrects and molds!” When we come to Christ we come with all our ideas of how something needs to be. We see a broad spectrum of thoughts; from the legalistic/judgmental condemning, afraid God’s ready to whack you if you mess up mindset, to the everything is acceptable, just love, love, love and accept mindset. The balanced mindset is realizing that God is a God of order, righteoueness, and is Holy. We ourselves are made clean by the blood of the lamb and as we are called to love, being compassionate we have never been called to close our eyes to sin and being compassionate of the sin, thus compromising the Word of God.
We see people in the world, and non-believers beginning to use the WWJD question to apply to excusing sin. It’s an almost mocking phrase when they use it. Well the answer is that Jesus absolutely showed compassion and mercy. He dined with the “scum” tax collectors, he defended the woman caught in the act of adultery, but He also said to them “Go and sin no more.” That’s the balance we need. So how does that fit in with discipline?
Prov 3:11-12 (NIV) My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Prov 15:5 (NIV) A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
Heb 12:5-8 (NIV) And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Heb 12:9-11 (NIV) Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Job 5:17-18 (NIV) "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal."
1 Cor 11:32 (Phi) But when God does judge us, he disciplines us as his own sons, that we may not be involved in the general condemnation of the world.
Rev 3:19 (NIV) [Jesus] "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent."
So we can see from these verses that discipline is from God, He does it because He loves us, we should see it as a blessing, and that we may share in His holiness. It’s not pleasant, but painful but produces righteousness and peace FOR THOSE TRAINED BY IT. This means that the two-fold or “if then” implied statement is, IF we are disciplined THEN we will produce righteousness, peace, and be His sons. Do you accept the discipline, or do you find yourself in correction only to plant your feet in deeper, trying to be right in your own eyes; justifying why you do what you do? It is possible to be corrected and not take the correction. I have witnessed many lives (including my own), where God has pointed His finger on an area in that person’s life that He wants to correct and mold, and the person rejects it. What happens is they may find an escape route, weasel out of another situation, only to find themselves once again in the same situation; only different people, different job, different setting, SAME PROBLEM!
Here’s how that might look in a practical scenario:
1. Why do I always end up with all the bad guys/girls/relationships?
2. Why can’t I hold a job down or lose a job?
3. Why am I in debt, to recover only to be in debt again?
4. Why do I have constant conflict with others?
5. Why do I struggle in feeling rejected all the time?
These are only SOME of the questions people ask themselves. They find themselves constantly in cycles of these questions. They search and think they found the answer in some new job, some new person, some new scenario, only to have some time go by and they are asking themselves that same question. Do you not recognize the finger pointing in that area? Get rid of the “victim mentality” and repent and become a victor by overcoming; accepting the unpleasant discipline and lining up with what the Word of God truly says.
Now in closing I would like to say a disclaimer. We endure times of testing our faith that might bring about situations that are unpleasant (read James chapter 1) but as we grow and mature we won’t continue to see the exact same testing. But if it is an area that God is putting His finger on you will see that scenario over and over again. And if you have questions, ask, email, comment, call.
I pray today that your hearts are not hardened, that you are not stiff-necked, that instead you get before the Lord and ask honestly if there is an area in your life that the Lord has been putting His finger on to bring healing and discipline. I pray that you allow the Holy Spirit to reveal that to you and that the Lord would give you wisdom, that you’d feel the love of the Lord even in His discipline! In Jesus name, Amen.
“Change my heart oh God,
Make it ever true.
Change my heart oh God,
May I be like You.
You are the potter,
I am the clay,
Mold me and make me,
This is what I pray.”
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
STUMBLING BLOCKS
Stumbling Blocks
The last week or so I have been thinking a lot about stumbling blocks in our Christian walks. In reading scriptures it appears that the stumbling blocks are those that are stronger in faith! Those that cause the little ones or weak ones or young ones to stumble because of their example. I suppose if we are known as Christians and we profess that, we are examples of who and what Christ is about. When we are known as Christians yet practice sin or lawlessness this causes others to stumble. My guess is this is the very reason the world has such a problem w/Christians. They see on one hand the professing and preaching and the other they see the acts of the flesh; which Galatians 5 makes clear are:
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Our lives are examples of Christ, as Christians we represent Him whether we think we do or not. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
This verse tells me that people are watching so be a good example! If we ourselves are entangled in sin, we are hindered, and that can hinder others. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. So this verse is giving instruction, where the apostle is “begging” you on Christ’s behalf! He is telling us to be reconciled to God. We are a representation of Christ, His ambassadors!
We will all fail, all Christians sin but I believe there is a difference between “practicing” sin and sinning. Practicing sin means to knowingly continue in it, refining the skill! Think of manipulation and how one can practice this, getting better at it each time there is an opportunity to do so. Then there are those times when we are weak, we fail and we sin; it may be an area we struggle in but it is something that is given over to God, is repented of, turned away from and hated! That is very different than practicing a sin.
How do we cause one to stumble then? By living in and practicing sin; most likely justifying it. So how does a stumbling block look? I have been watching my youngest son learn to walk. Knowing he is my last I am savoring the last baby moments; really taking them in. Since he was 9 months he’s been standing up alone and unsupported in the middle of the floor, it takes a lot of concentration. You can see this is hard; he’s wiggly and trying to catch his balance. He is very cautious and has been taking a few steps but falls and eventually tries again. He is now 11 months and walking all over, but its new and awkward looking. Sometimes he walks faster than he is ready for and boom; hits the ground. But as I noticed even the smallest things can make him fall. A change on texture on the floor from tile to carpet, a tiny toy, or a wanting to go one direction but his feet are not pointed correctly…will all make him fall. As a parent I try and clear all possible stumbling blocks out of his way to make his path clear, but it seems there is always something at some point that will make him fall. Sometimes it’s his own eagerness of reaching for something that is out of reach that catches him off balance. He is bound to fall, that is how he will learn but I certainly try to make it so he doesn’t stumble on something I am leaving around! Much like a walk of young or weak Christians, we need to not become their stumbling blocks. It would be strange for me to have such a hard time walking and the carpet changing wouldn’t trip me up, but I have been walking a long time.
I think the hardest area to work on is our relationships with those closest to us; especially in marriages. One spouse might be a younger Christian and we may have expectations of them to be a certain way. We may fall into a cycle of being critical of them; husbands leadership or lack thereof apathy or laziness, wives overbearing or unsubmissive hearts or lack of gentleness. We can point the finger expecting different results all the while we are the ones that are their very stumbling block! It could be my need for my spouse to grow into a role they are not yet walking in could be the reason we become critical, which in turn causes dissension, factions and the result is the spouse stumbling over the hypocrisy.
It is not just for myself that I do not “practice” sin, it is for others as well. Today I ask the Holy Spirit to search my heart and reveal to me areas where I may be practicing sin; becoming a stumbling block for others. Do I have fits of rage? Do I gossip? Do I practice a sinful lifestyle that doesn’t line up with that of what is instructed in the Bible? Do I justify this lifestyle?
The last week or so I have been thinking a lot about stumbling blocks in our Christian walks. In reading scriptures it appears that the stumbling blocks are those that are stronger in faith! Those that cause the little ones or weak ones or young ones to stumble because of their example. I suppose if we are known as Christians and we profess that, we are examples of who and what Christ is about. When we are known as Christians yet practice sin or lawlessness this causes others to stumble. My guess is this is the very reason the world has such a problem w/Christians. They see on one hand the professing and preaching and the other they see the acts of the flesh; which Galatians 5 makes clear are:
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Our lives are examples of Christ, as Christians we represent Him whether we think we do or not. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
This verse tells me that people are watching so be a good example! If we ourselves are entangled in sin, we are hindered, and that can hinder others. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. So this verse is giving instruction, where the apostle is “begging” you on Christ’s behalf! He is telling us to be reconciled to God. We are a representation of Christ, His ambassadors!
We will all fail, all Christians sin but I believe there is a difference between “practicing” sin and sinning. Practicing sin means to knowingly continue in it, refining the skill! Think of manipulation and how one can practice this, getting better at it each time there is an opportunity to do so. Then there are those times when we are weak, we fail and we sin; it may be an area we struggle in but it is something that is given over to God, is repented of, turned away from and hated! That is very different than practicing a sin.
How do we cause one to stumble then? By living in and practicing sin; most likely justifying it. So how does a stumbling block look? I have been watching my youngest son learn to walk. Knowing he is my last I am savoring the last baby moments; really taking them in. Since he was 9 months he’s been standing up alone and unsupported in the middle of the floor, it takes a lot of concentration. You can see this is hard; he’s wiggly and trying to catch his balance. He is very cautious and has been taking a few steps but falls and eventually tries again. He is now 11 months and walking all over, but its new and awkward looking. Sometimes he walks faster than he is ready for and boom; hits the ground. But as I noticed even the smallest things can make him fall. A change on texture on the floor from tile to carpet, a tiny toy, or a wanting to go one direction but his feet are not pointed correctly…will all make him fall. As a parent I try and clear all possible stumbling blocks out of his way to make his path clear, but it seems there is always something at some point that will make him fall. Sometimes it’s his own eagerness of reaching for something that is out of reach that catches him off balance. He is bound to fall, that is how he will learn but I certainly try to make it so he doesn’t stumble on something I am leaving around! Much like a walk of young or weak Christians, we need to not become their stumbling blocks. It would be strange for me to have such a hard time walking and the carpet changing wouldn’t trip me up, but I have been walking a long time.
I think the hardest area to work on is our relationships with those closest to us; especially in marriages. One spouse might be a younger Christian and we may have expectations of them to be a certain way. We may fall into a cycle of being critical of them; husbands leadership or lack thereof apathy or laziness, wives overbearing or unsubmissive hearts or lack of gentleness. We can point the finger expecting different results all the while we are the ones that are their very stumbling block! It could be my need for my spouse to grow into a role they are not yet walking in could be the reason we become critical, which in turn causes dissension, factions and the result is the spouse stumbling over the hypocrisy.
It is not just for myself that I do not “practice” sin, it is for others as well. Today I ask the Holy Spirit to search my heart and reveal to me areas where I may be practicing sin; becoming a stumbling block for others. Do I have fits of rage? Do I gossip? Do I practice a sinful lifestyle that doesn’t line up with that of what is instructed in the Bible? Do I justify this lifestyle?
Friday, April 23, 2010
WHATS IN YOUR CUP?
April 23, 2010
I have spoken on this in small group and thought I would just share real fast. What's in your cup? If you were to be walking with a cup of OJ and someone bumped you, or you tripped or just lost balance, what would fall out? Would Pepsi come out? Chocolate milk? Juice? Gasoline? You get the point. No, OJ would come out. It's the same with our own lives. We can walk around with some really ugly stuff inside of us and as we trip in life or get bumped, that is what is going to come out. You can be the sweetest, most generous, loving person....when all is going your way but what happens when you get bumped? Does that love come out or does anger, selfishness, greed, manipulation, self pity spill out? It would be easy to have a very lovely cup of poison carried around, not harming anyone as long as it is never bumped, and doesn't spill out. But it's only when those things do spill out when you see what you are filled with and a change is required.
That might be the hardest part. How do you change it? You can vow you will never do it again, tell yourself you have more will power, etc but when we try to do it on our won we can only do it so long before we erupt again. It will happen again. So the change is a process. Its a process of responding to the Holy Spirit conviction IN the problem. A little mini victory, and then over and over these responses that are mini victories turn into battles and wars being won. Picture a brick wall. The wall sin't one whole slab, rather it's made up of small bricks. The small bricks together make a strong wall. Don't ever look at your mini victory as too insignificant but rather a piece of something bigger and stronger. We will fail again and again but as we respond we will eventually win the war.
I have spoken on this in small group and thought I would just share real fast. What's in your cup? If you were to be walking with a cup of OJ and someone bumped you, or you tripped or just lost balance, what would fall out? Would Pepsi come out? Chocolate milk? Juice? Gasoline? You get the point. No, OJ would come out. It's the same with our own lives. We can walk around with some really ugly stuff inside of us and as we trip in life or get bumped, that is what is going to come out. You can be the sweetest, most generous, loving person....when all is going your way but what happens when you get bumped? Does that love come out or does anger, selfishness, greed, manipulation, self pity spill out? It would be easy to have a very lovely cup of poison carried around, not harming anyone as long as it is never bumped, and doesn't spill out. But it's only when those things do spill out when you see what you are filled with and a change is required.
That might be the hardest part. How do you change it? You can vow you will never do it again, tell yourself you have more will power, etc but when we try to do it on our won we can only do it so long before we erupt again. It will happen again. So the change is a process. Its a process of responding to the Holy Spirit conviction IN the problem. A little mini victory, and then over and over these responses that are mini victories turn into battles and wars being won. Picture a brick wall. The wall sin't one whole slab, rather it's made up of small bricks. The small bricks together make a strong wall. Don't ever look at your mini victory as too insignificant but rather a piece of something bigger and stronger. We will fail again and again but as we respond we will eventually win the war.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The move of the Lord (march 2006)
March 17, 2006
Last night during a time of worship and prayer, I felt like the Lord showed me a picture of how He moves. I saw a mist like cloud moving over the people. Because it was a mist we could still feel a light sprinkle of moisture over us but the ones that actually reached up and got up were the ones that were wet all over and actually felt the full impact. I saw this as the Holy Spirit moves we will feel the affects one way or the other but the ones that never reach up for Him will not get the fullness of the moving cloud. It was also as if I got the impression that the Lord is moving constantly and that is why we feel the misting over us but it is only when we choose to receive the gift, revelation, discipline or correction He is calling us to and wholly submerge in that movement is when we get the full effect. God is love and He will move in our lives and on our behalves anyway, but because of our choices we miss out on what He fully had for us. I feel like the Lord is bringing opportunities into our lives, ones of healing, release, forgiveness, freedom, understanding, maturity, wisdom etc...He is telling us to get up, stand in the midst of moving Spirit, and you will see it wasn’t just a mist it was a rain cloud, one that will drench you. If the Lord is calling you to repentance, go, repent, if He is calling you to forgive another, forgive, if He is calling you to be healed, then be healed, if He is given you orders, don’t delay stand up take hold of His words and flow with the moving of the Spirit. The Lord doesn’t stop moving just because we did, be courageous and getup and move WITH Him. Be faithful in these smaller steps because He is calling you to bigger steps! Don’t settle with the light mist that simply makes things tolerable, NO stand up, stand up…the battle belongs to the Lord and He goes ahead of us, behind us, on the sides, just like when you submerge yourself into a moving river it doesn’t just get your feet wet, it doesn’t just get your head wet, it doesn’t just cover your front or back, it covers all of you. Also the river moves you, you don’t control the river. The key here is to line yourself up, your thoughts with the Lords. He will not line up with yours. The Lord will move you with the flow as you begin to love His truths. Or you can swim against His move and tire and struggle. Be bold enough to humble yourself and yield your will to whatever it is the Lord is telling you to do. Dont't despise the chastening of the Lord. Don't quench the Holy Spirit.
Lord, we come before your throne humbly and say we surrender our thoughts and our ways to You, give us the strength and the faith to jump into Your movement. I lay aside my own thoughts and preconceived ideas of how things are going to turn out, I trust You. Amen
Psa 139:1 &5 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Last night during a time of worship and prayer, I felt like the Lord showed me a picture of how He moves. I saw a mist like cloud moving over the people. Because it was a mist we could still feel a light sprinkle of moisture over us but the ones that actually reached up and got up were the ones that were wet all over and actually felt the full impact. I saw this as the Holy Spirit moves we will feel the affects one way or the other but the ones that never reach up for Him will not get the fullness of the moving cloud. It was also as if I got the impression that the Lord is moving constantly and that is why we feel the misting over us but it is only when we choose to receive the gift, revelation, discipline or correction He is calling us to and wholly submerge in that movement is when we get the full effect. God is love and He will move in our lives and on our behalves anyway, but because of our choices we miss out on what He fully had for us. I feel like the Lord is bringing opportunities into our lives, ones of healing, release, forgiveness, freedom, understanding, maturity, wisdom etc...He is telling us to get up, stand in the midst of moving Spirit, and you will see it wasn’t just a mist it was a rain cloud, one that will drench you. If the Lord is calling you to repentance, go, repent, if He is calling you to forgive another, forgive, if He is calling you to be healed, then be healed, if He is given you orders, don’t delay stand up take hold of His words and flow with the moving of the Spirit. The Lord doesn’t stop moving just because we did, be courageous and getup and move WITH Him. Be faithful in these smaller steps because He is calling you to bigger steps! Don’t settle with the light mist that simply makes things tolerable, NO stand up, stand up…the battle belongs to the Lord and He goes ahead of us, behind us, on the sides, just like when you submerge yourself into a moving river it doesn’t just get your feet wet, it doesn’t just get your head wet, it doesn’t just cover your front or back, it covers all of you. Also the river moves you, you don’t control the river. The key here is to line yourself up, your thoughts with the Lords. He will not line up with yours. The Lord will move you with the flow as you begin to love His truths. Or you can swim against His move and tire and struggle. Be bold enough to humble yourself and yield your will to whatever it is the Lord is telling you to do. Dont't despise the chastening of the Lord. Don't quench the Holy Spirit.
Lord, we come before your throne humbly and say we surrender our thoughts and our ways to You, give us the strength and the faith to jump into Your movement. I lay aside my own thoughts and preconceived ideas of how things are going to turn out, I trust You. Amen
Psa 139:1 &5 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Don't Give Up!
Feb. 20, 2006 5:45pm (added to March 1, 2010)
How much would you pay if God told you that He would make your marriage wonderful, your kids full of His love, broken relationships healed, and whatever you put your hands to would be fruitful? $10,000? $20,000? A million?
It has been on my mind that it is so easy to put a price tag (value) on something we want. If the Lord came to me with this kind of question I would know it would come with a guarantee. I would scrape and borrow and do whatever I could to get the money. We would trust it because it would have the price tag on it clearly marked and we know if we pay for something then we“own” it; we would make the sacrifice if we knew the outcome.
Well I want to tell you that God has offered this proposition to us, however He doesn’t want our money He wants us. (Don’t mistake me, I am aware that He wants us to be givers, and not have hearts that are tied to money, I am making a different point) He wants our humbleness, our time, our sacrifice of praise, our obedience. How many hours of “work” is this worth to me? How many hours of being on my face before the Lord petitioning Him would this be worth? How many days of fasting would this be worth? How many nights of being someone “who stands by night, in the House of the Lord” would this be worth. Now what if He were to phrase it this way, “I will restore to you what has been lost, I will intervene on your behalf, I will fix your family issues, I will heal brokenness and sickness, I will do what I have promised, but it will cost you. It will cost you your time, your prayers, your tears and praise, it will cost your pride, and it cost laying down your ideas, fears and submitting yourselves wholly; it still comes with a guarantee but the down payment is your faith in Me.”
Would we still pay? Is this price tag to high? Is it too hard?
Think about what King David said
(1Chronicles 21:24) Then King David said to Ornan, "No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing."
This is one of my favorite verses, this is so profound! There was no way He would offer something to God that didn’t cost Him anything, in fact he said he needed to pay the “full” price, basically if there was not a sacrifice in it, he knew it wouldn’t be an acceptable offering.
I am not speaking of needless suffering here. I know that the Word of God says that to obey is better than sacrifice. And I most assuredly am not talking about your salvation!! As Christians we know we can not work for our salvation or sacrifice enough to save ourselves; that is only through the blood of Jesus that was poured out for us on that cross. We cannot put a price upon His head! Instead I am speaking of when we ask for God to intervene in our lives, other’s lives, and situations and then we don’t see the answers to the prayers. One of two things is happening here; either we are not listening to the instruction that He gives because we don’t like His answer, or we are not hearing Him (or recognizing). Either way we can press into Him more. If you can’t hear God, keep petitioning Him, but make sure you are also having your ears ready to hear an answer. This is the tricky part; what if your answer isn’t what you wanted? I had a friend who the Lord spoke to once and she was in prayer for people and the heart attitude of the people was they didn’t like the answer; either rejecting it or not recognizing God in it. She continued in prayer and the Lord spoke to her and said. “If you don’t like the answer, change the question.” You see often times we ask and ask and when we don’t see it happening OUR way we assume God isn’t answering. God is unchanging and His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are high above.
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
So what if His answer to you is, seek Me, pray for this person, wake up early and spend time with Me, or instead of watching TV for 3 hours at night take some time with Me. Too many times our rebellious heart rises up and we push down the gentle urgings of our Father. We don’t like that He says spend time with Me, yet we want to see things change in our lives. What if the answer to our prayers is He wants to change YOUR heart. What if your prayer is, I want to hear Your voice more clearly, and then you don’t talk to Him again for a week? I am not talking about religiousness here; I am talking about obedience and seeking the Lord, loving the Lord. What if you don't see the change for years? Will you give up because it's not YOUR timing? Will you trust the Lord in His timing, in His will, in His ways?
Mark 12:30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Matthew 6:33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Thank you Lord for the sacrifice you made in sending your Son. Thank you for opening our eyes to the value of obedience of what You tell us to do. Thank you for your training and for molding us. Lord continue to teach us Your ways, not just Your works but Your ways! We want to know You, the Living God. Change my thinking to line up with Yours. We cry Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, have Your way with me!
So be it! In the name of Yeshua
How much would you pay if God told you that He would make your marriage wonderful, your kids full of His love, broken relationships healed, and whatever you put your hands to would be fruitful? $10,000? $20,000? A million?
It has been on my mind that it is so easy to put a price tag (value) on something we want. If the Lord came to me with this kind of question I would know it would come with a guarantee. I would scrape and borrow and do whatever I could to get the money. We would trust it because it would have the price tag on it clearly marked and we know if we pay for something then we“own” it; we would make the sacrifice if we knew the outcome.
Well I want to tell you that God has offered this proposition to us, however He doesn’t want our money He wants us. (Don’t mistake me, I am aware that He wants us to be givers, and not have hearts that are tied to money, I am making a different point) He wants our humbleness, our time, our sacrifice of praise, our obedience. How many hours of “work” is this worth to me? How many hours of being on my face before the Lord petitioning Him would this be worth? How many days of fasting would this be worth? How many nights of being someone “who stands by night, in the House of the Lord” would this be worth. Now what if He were to phrase it this way, “I will restore to you what has been lost, I will intervene on your behalf, I will fix your family issues, I will heal brokenness and sickness, I will do what I have promised, but it will cost you. It will cost you your time, your prayers, your tears and praise, it will cost your pride, and it cost laying down your ideas, fears and submitting yourselves wholly; it still comes with a guarantee but the down payment is your faith in Me.”
Would we still pay? Is this price tag to high? Is it too hard?
Think about what King David said
(1Chronicles 21:24) Then King David said to Ornan, "No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing."
This is one of my favorite verses, this is so profound! There was no way He would offer something to God that didn’t cost Him anything, in fact he said he needed to pay the “full” price, basically if there was not a sacrifice in it, he knew it wouldn’t be an acceptable offering.
I am not speaking of needless suffering here. I know that the Word of God says that to obey is better than sacrifice. And I most assuredly am not talking about your salvation!! As Christians we know we can not work for our salvation or sacrifice enough to save ourselves; that is only through the blood of Jesus that was poured out for us on that cross. We cannot put a price upon His head! Instead I am speaking of when we ask for God to intervene in our lives, other’s lives, and situations and then we don’t see the answers to the prayers. One of two things is happening here; either we are not listening to the instruction that He gives because we don’t like His answer, or we are not hearing Him (or recognizing). Either way we can press into Him more. If you can’t hear God, keep petitioning Him, but make sure you are also having your ears ready to hear an answer. This is the tricky part; what if your answer isn’t what you wanted? I had a friend who the Lord spoke to once and she was in prayer for people and the heart attitude of the people was they didn’t like the answer; either rejecting it or not recognizing God in it. She continued in prayer and the Lord spoke to her and said. “If you don’t like the answer, change the question.” You see often times we ask and ask and when we don’t see it happening OUR way we assume God isn’t answering. God is unchanging and His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are high above.
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
So what if His answer to you is, seek Me, pray for this person, wake up early and spend time with Me, or instead of watching TV for 3 hours at night take some time with Me. Too many times our rebellious heart rises up and we push down the gentle urgings of our Father. We don’t like that He says spend time with Me, yet we want to see things change in our lives. What if the answer to our prayers is He wants to change YOUR heart. What if your prayer is, I want to hear Your voice more clearly, and then you don’t talk to Him again for a week? I am not talking about religiousness here; I am talking about obedience and seeking the Lord, loving the Lord. What if you don't see the change for years? Will you give up because it's not YOUR timing? Will you trust the Lord in His timing, in His will, in His ways?
Mark 12:30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Matthew 6:33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Thank you Lord for the sacrifice you made in sending your Son. Thank you for opening our eyes to the value of obedience of what You tell us to do. Thank you for your training and for molding us. Lord continue to teach us Your ways, not just Your works but Your ways! We want to know You, the Living God. Change my thinking to line up with Yours. We cry Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, have Your way with me!
So be it! In the name of Yeshua
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Preserve: It means more than you know!
I woke this morning early, couldn't really sleep. I decided to get up, make some coffee and pray. As a mother of 5, homeschooling, babies, errands, chores and life tends to leave me with little bits of pieces to get some undisturbed time with God. I know it's a season and it can become so constant and routine that is can become easy to just "get by" spiritually. I love when I have those moments when the house is quiet and it's just me and God. It's those times that I can hear more clearly what the Spirit is saying, intercede for those placed on my heart and petition the Lord. It's during that time I can really let my gratitude flow for all He has done, all He is doing and all He is going to do.
As I was praying this morning the Holy Spirit kept prompting me to pray the word "preserve" over people; whether individual, my children, myself or marriages. I almost felt like someone who didn't know what else to pray so I kept saying the same word and almost surpised myself when I did. It came with the sense and even spoken, 'Lord preserve __________, in these days as they are shortened. The days aren't what they were."
The mood of the prayer was asking Lord to preserve in these days because they are different than they were, they are shorter.
When I finished I got up to look up the word preserve. I use the word, I know what it means but wanted to see exactly what the word meant.
Webster's defintion gives 4 defintions (basically to protect, maintain, save, and reserve for special use). I was amazed and encouraged as to what the Lord was saying.
1 : to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction : protect
2 a : to keep alive, intact, or free from decay b : maintain
3 a : to keep or save from decomposition b : to can, pickle, or similarly prepare for future use
4 : to keep up and reserve for personal or special use
I will go through each one and expound on what I feel the Lord was saying in this. The word preserve in the Bible is "natsar" and means to keep, watch, guard, preserve, keep close, hidden things...
1. The Lord will keep safe from injury, harm or destruction. He is your protector. Even as things may come against you, He will be your protector.
Psalms 140
1Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men,
2 Who plan evil things in their hearts;
They continually gather together for war.
3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent;
The poison of asps is under their lips. Selah
4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men,
Who have purposed to make my steps stumble.
5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set traps for me. Selah
6 I said to the LORD: “You are my God;
Hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
Do not further his wicked scheme,
Lest they be exalted. Selah
9 “As for the head of those who surround me,
Let the evil of their lips cover them;
10 Let burning coals fall upon them;
Let them be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
11 Let not a slanderer be established in the earth;
Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.”
12 I know that the LORD will maintain
The cause of the afflicted,
And justice for the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name;
The upright shall dwell in Your presence.
2. The Lord will keep you alive, intact and free from decay, only He can maintain you. The world will try and tear you down, discourage you, the problems in life may eat at you but if you walk and abide in the Lord, He will maintain you. This verse shows that we can run to Him, that He is our refuge, He alone will maintain us.
Psalms 61
1Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah
5 For You, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
6 You will prolong the king’s life,
His years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God forever.
Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!
8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever,
That I may daily perform my vows.
3. To keep or save from decomposition. This is similar to the above definition but the difference here to me is that not only will He keep you from this decay and maintain you, He will also save you from it. We no doubt get ourselves in places where we look back and think, how did I get here, where did I turn off the road. As you come back to Him, He can save you. The verse below is the condition of the world we live in now, but the Lord will save you.
Psalms 12
1Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases to be,
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
2They speak falsehood to one another;
With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.
3May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,
The tongue that speaks great things;
4Who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
5"Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy,
Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs."
6The words of the LORD are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
7You, O LORD, will keep them;
You will preserve him from this generation forever.
8The wicked strut about on every side
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
4. To keep up and reserve for personal or special use. I love this one. He is reserving you for His personal and special use!! How awesome. This passage was a prophecy about Jesus, and as partakes with Him the Lord will use us in His will, for His special purposes!
Isaiah 42:1-9
1“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.
4 He will not fail nor be discouraged,
Till He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”
5 Thus says God the LORD,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who gives breath to the people on it,
And spirit to those who walk on it:
6 “ I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles,
7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the prison,
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.
8 I am the LORD, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Oh Lord! Preserve us. We thank You for Your care, Your watchful eye and Your shielding hand. You love us, You will keep us, protect us, save us, mainatain us and as we yield to You, You will use us for Your special purposes! In Jesus name, Amen.
As I was praying this morning the Holy Spirit kept prompting me to pray the word "preserve" over people; whether individual, my children, myself or marriages. I almost felt like someone who didn't know what else to pray so I kept saying the same word and almost surpised myself when I did. It came with the sense and even spoken, 'Lord preserve __________, in these days as they are shortened. The days aren't what they were."
The mood of the prayer was asking Lord to preserve in these days because they are different than they were, they are shorter.
When I finished I got up to look up the word preserve. I use the word, I know what it means but wanted to see exactly what the word meant.
Webster's defintion gives 4 defintions (basically to protect, maintain, save, and reserve for special use). I was amazed and encouraged as to what the Lord was saying.
1 : to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction : protect
2 a : to keep alive, intact, or free from decay b : maintain
3 a : to keep or save from decomposition b : to can, pickle, or similarly prepare for future use
4 : to keep up and reserve for personal or special use
I will go through each one and expound on what I feel the Lord was saying in this. The word preserve in the Bible is "natsar" and means to keep, watch, guard, preserve, keep close, hidden things...
1. The Lord will keep safe from injury, harm or destruction. He is your protector. Even as things may come against you, He will be your protector.
Psalms 140
1Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men,
2 Who plan evil things in their hearts;
They continually gather together for war.
3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent;
The poison of asps is under their lips. Selah
4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men,
Who have purposed to make my steps stumble.
5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set traps for me. Selah
6 I said to the LORD: “You are my God;
Hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
Do not further his wicked scheme,
Lest they be exalted. Selah
9 “As for the head of those who surround me,
Let the evil of their lips cover them;
10 Let burning coals fall upon them;
Let them be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
11 Let not a slanderer be established in the earth;
Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.”
12 I know that the LORD will maintain
The cause of the afflicted,
And justice for the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name;
The upright shall dwell in Your presence.
2. The Lord will keep you alive, intact and free from decay, only He can maintain you. The world will try and tear you down, discourage you, the problems in life may eat at you but if you walk and abide in the Lord, He will maintain you. This verse shows that we can run to Him, that He is our refuge, He alone will maintain us.
Psalms 61
1Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah
5 For You, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
6 You will prolong the king’s life,
His years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God forever.
Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!
8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever,
That I may daily perform my vows.
3. To keep or save from decomposition. This is similar to the above definition but the difference here to me is that not only will He keep you from this decay and maintain you, He will also save you from it. We no doubt get ourselves in places where we look back and think, how did I get here, where did I turn off the road. As you come back to Him, He can save you. The verse below is the condition of the world we live in now, but the Lord will save you.
Psalms 12
1Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases to be,
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
2They speak falsehood to one another;
With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.
3May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,
The tongue that speaks great things;
4Who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
5"Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy,
Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs."
6The words of the LORD are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
7You, O LORD, will keep them;
You will preserve him from this generation forever.
8The wicked strut about on every side
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
4. To keep up and reserve for personal or special use. I love this one. He is reserving you for His personal and special use!! How awesome. This passage was a prophecy about Jesus, and as partakes with Him the Lord will use us in His will, for His special purposes!
Isaiah 42:1-9
1“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.
4 He will not fail nor be discouraged,
Till He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”
5 Thus says God the LORD,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who gives breath to the people on it,
And spirit to those who walk on it:
6 “ I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles,
7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the prison,
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.
8 I am the LORD, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Oh Lord! Preserve us. We thank You for Your care, Your watchful eye and Your shielding hand. You love us, You will keep us, protect us, save us, mainatain us and as we yield to You, You will use us for Your special purposes! In Jesus name, Amen.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Being Right versus Righteousness
May 2007
Over the years the Lord has been trying to work this into my spirit. I say trying because my flesh so struggles against the spirit. Nevertheless, I can see the discipline and the fruit there of.
Being right: Oooh what a good feeling! Knowing you're right in an argument gives satisfaction; it builds up your ego and makes your adversary seem foolish! But take a closer look at what was just accomplished in the argument and how you went about to "prove" yourself? Did you tear someone else down? Did you embarrass or shame someone? Did you lose self-restraint and become full of rage? Did you break a relationship, or offend a brother? Did you turn a non-believer off, leaving them to wonder what this whole "Christian" thing is about? Did you harm your witness of Jesus for the sake of being "RIGHT?" Hey...well, at least you were right....right? Okay I know that I have done 100% of the above at one time or another. This is why I am still a work in progress and as Paul says, Romans 7:14-25 "For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
Oh how I can relate...the very thing I want to do I don't do and the thing I don't want to do, I do! But as you read that passage you also see that as Christians we are at war with our carnal nature and that we don't need to take on the identity of the sin nature, of course we will sin but as Christians it doesn't need to be what identifies us.
At any rate moving on:
1. What is self righteousness? The dictionary defines it as this:
self-right•eous (s lf r ch s)
adj.
1. Piously sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic.
2. Exhibiting pious self-assurance: self-righteous remarks
I Must point out here that it is a bit ironic and as Christians we are stereotyped as being self righteous, that term has been thrown around so much it’s almost as if it just has stuck but the TRUE definition as self righteous is “Piously sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic” Often times when we bring up the Bible they will accuse us of being self righteous. But really the Bible and the commands, and the directions and the instruction is the Lords righteousness; not what we established as righteous. Being self righteous then is really you deciding for yourself what is righteous and correct….isn’t this the very thing that keeps the unsaved from the Lord; the attitude of I don’t need the Bible or God or Jesus…I got this, I say abortion is right so therefore it must be, I say homosexual lifestyles are right, so they must be, I say euthanasia is fine, so it must be. I say lying on my taxes is ok because (insert excuse) so it must be. I say having sex before marriage and with multiple people is fine, so it must be. What then is this righteousness except for SELF?
Now let me be VERY CLEAR here, YES, YES and YES can Christians be self righteous but it’s the same acts/attitudes of self righteousness the world practices NOT what is falsely accused of lining up with the Word of God…which is true RIGHTEOUSNESS! I hope that can set some people free, maybe will allow you as a Christian to understand your identity a bit better?
2. So then how do we define righteousness? We don’t need to look too far; just at Webster’s dictionary:
: righ•teous
Pronunciation: \ˈrī-chəs\
Function: adjective
Date: 1530
1 : acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin
2 a : morally right or justifiable b : arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality
So even in a secular sense the word righteous/righteousness is lining up with divine or moral LAW.
Interesting that ones that are saved know this as being in right standing with God, and even if you’re not saved the Lord says this:
Romans 1:18-20
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
So the unsaved are without excuse, WHY?
Romans 2:14-16
14For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
15in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
16on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
Basically God wrote HIS laws on the hearts of ALL people, so that even if you never heard the gospel there is a universal understanding and way to which all humans live. All people know its wrong to murder, to lie, to steal, to cheat etc. We call this our conscience, and its God; whether we acknowledge Him or not. When we go against our conscience we have accused ourselves; making us guilty. Nobody is born with the ideals that abortion is good and ok, it is something learned and compromised.
Okay I felt that lengthy explanation was necessary to build the foundation to understand right and righteousness. Back to it!
Too many times I have traded being right with being in right standing with my Lord. I have wanted it so bad I stepped out of the right standing and in the process lost my peace and joy; sure I was happy for a moment but really the aftermath wasn’t worth it, yet I traded it for a “feel good” moment, stroking my ego.
Now in NO way am I suggesting you cannot debate, reasonably argue, defend etc yourself, your loved ones, or your faith. On the contrary we are supposed to be ready to defend our faith:
1 Peter 3:15
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence
That last part might be the key…gentleness and reverence. There are so many places in the Bible we can see as Christians we are to rid ourselves of the fleshly things of malice, anger, rage, pride, etc (Colossians 3:8, Ephesians 4:31) and be filled with the fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. But far too often we throw these things out the window when an argument arises, even if we were right.
Case in point: (True and humbling story)
Several years ago my husband and I got into a fight. I honestly cannot remember what about but I know it started off as one of those dumb arguments that are ridiculous that turn into a snowball. Well in that argument I was right, really I was. I was correct on what I was saying but as the bickering turned into arguing and arguing turned into fighting and fighting turned into insulting and disrespecting I dug my feet in and was even more indignant and even surer of how right I was. So the smart man he was went downstairs; forcing me (haha) to rant and rave even louder so he could hear me down there. No response. Argh! I took a deep breath and decided to pray, I went on and on to the Lord, basically tattling on my hubby, telling Him how wrong he is and could he please tell Him, you know strike him (just kidding, but you get the picture). I wanted him to know how bad he hurt me, what horrible things he said how they damaged me and I wanted him to give a really good apology, to see the light in the error of his ways! So as I am praying the Lord begins to speak to my heart, went like this:
God: “Janette, Go downstairs and apologize.”
Me: (not believing He actually meant me apologize to him, I repented to God for maybe getting too mad (but really I had a reason, right?) “God forgive me for yelling at my husband.”
God: “Now go downstairs and apologize”
Me: (indignant) “He was the one that was wrong!!!” but as I sat there with no response I wanted to obey God and quite honestly knew that if I said I was sorry surely I would receive my well deserved groveling.
So I went downstairs and it went a little something like this:
Me: I am sorry for fighting with you.
Him: I DON’T forgive you!!!
Me: Are you kidding me??!! You’re the one that is wrong and you (insert verbal vomiting and rants and raving here)
Him: (with a very satisfied and cocky smile), “Yeah…I don’t forgive you”
I gave him burning with rage daggers and stormed back upstairs.
Me: “God, you see what he did??!! Well I did what You wanted, You just need to deal with him!”
God: “Janette, go downstairs and apologize.”
Me: “ Are you kidding me?! You saw him, he’s so wrong!
God: “ That is between him and I, what you have done is disrespected your husband, and sinned against him and I.”
Ouch, the conviction of the Holy Spirit flooded over me and there I realized. I then truly repented to God, humbly acknowledging my sin to Him and to my husband.
Back downstairs, this time the walk was a lot harder, a bit slower and humbling. Before I could even get to him, I heard a big exasperated sigh. I knew he didn’t want to even talk to me. That made it even worse.
Me: Dhyan, I am sorry. I am sorry for completely disrespecting you, dishonoring you. I am sorry and I love you, would you please forgive me?
Him: No
I understood, I left and just took a drive, I prayed for him, but this time from a different perspective and view. I prayed that he would be able to find forgiveness in his heart, that he would see the situation the way God saw it. Within minutes he called me up and apologized.
I learned a lot that day. I learned that even if I am right doesn’t necessarily mean I am righteous and that there is a way to deal with conflict and most certainly it is not a smart or wise trade-off; being right and losing or trading my righteousness was not worth it. I learned that the character of Jesus was the example of righteousness that I needed to conform to. At times Jesus didn’t defend Himself, even while being hurled false accusations, insults etc. But He also defended the scripture, showed righteous anger at the religious and legalistic leaders, He defended the weak, the outcast and hurt. He was bold and gentle, He was aggressive and passive. There are times to stay silent, times to speak up and in all those times we can remain in right standing with God. We can apply this to all areas of our lives; with our spouses, with believers and also non-believers. I am not saying be a doormat I am saying use wisdom and don’t trade your standing before God for simply winning an argument.
Ephesians 4:26 “BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,”
This is speaking of a righteous anger (pertaining to the things of God), not being angry because someone cut you in line or you’re jealous of someone getting the job you wanted. Please don’t confuse our fleshly anger with godly anger. Don’t trade being right for being in right standing with our Lord. If even now you are thinking of an instance you damaged relationships for the sake of being right, pray, repent, be in right standing with God and He may even lead you to restore yourself to someone.
Over the years the Lord has been trying to work this into my spirit. I say trying because my flesh so struggles against the spirit. Nevertheless, I can see the discipline and the fruit there of.
Being right: Oooh what a good feeling! Knowing you're right in an argument gives satisfaction; it builds up your ego and makes your adversary seem foolish! But take a closer look at what was just accomplished in the argument and how you went about to "prove" yourself? Did you tear someone else down? Did you embarrass or shame someone? Did you lose self-restraint and become full of rage? Did you break a relationship, or offend a brother? Did you turn a non-believer off, leaving them to wonder what this whole "Christian" thing is about? Did you harm your witness of Jesus for the sake of being "RIGHT?" Hey...well, at least you were right....right? Okay I know that I have done 100% of the above at one time or another. This is why I am still a work in progress and as Paul says, Romans 7:14-25 "For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
Oh how I can relate...the very thing I want to do I don't do and the thing I don't want to do, I do! But as you read that passage you also see that as Christians we are at war with our carnal nature and that we don't need to take on the identity of the sin nature, of course we will sin but as Christians it doesn't need to be what identifies us.
At any rate moving on:
1. What is self righteousness? The dictionary defines it as this:
self-right•eous (s lf r ch s)
adj.
1. Piously sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic.
2. Exhibiting pious self-assurance: self-righteous remarks
I Must point out here that it is a bit ironic and as Christians we are stereotyped as being self righteous, that term has been thrown around so much it’s almost as if it just has stuck but the TRUE definition as self righteous is “Piously sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic” Often times when we bring up the Bible they will accuse us of being self righteous. But really the Bible and the commands, and the directions and the instruction is the Lords righteousness; not what we established as righteous. Being self righteous then is really you deciding for yourself what is righteous and correct….isn’t this the very thing that keeps the unsaved from the Lord; the attitude of I don’t need the Bible or God or Jesus…I got this, I say abortion is right so therefore it must be, I say homosexual lifestyles are right, so they must be, I say euthanasia is fine, so it must be. I say lying on my taxes is ok because (insert excuse) so it must be. I say having sex before marriage and with multiple people is fine, so it must be. What then is this righteousness except for SELF?
Now let me be VERY CLEAR here, YES, YES and YES can Christians be self righteous but it’s the same acts/attitudes of self righteousness the world practices NOT what is falsely accused of lining up with the Word of God…which is true RIGHTEOUSNESS! I hope that can set some people free, maybe will allow you as a Christian to understand your identity a bit better?
2. So then how do we define righteousness? We don’t need to look too far; just at Webster’s dictionary:
: righ•teous
Pronunciation: \ˈrī-chəs\
Function: adjective
Date: 1530
1 : acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin
2 a : morally right or justifiable b : arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality
So even in a secular sense the word righteous/righteousness is lining up with divine or moral LAW.
Interesting that ones that are saved know this as being in right standing with God, and even if you’re not saved the Lord says this:
Romans 1:18-20
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
So the unsaved are without excuse, WHY?
Romans 2:14-16
14For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
15in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
16on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
Basically God wrote HIS laws on the hearts of ALL people, so that even if you never heard the gospel there is a universal understanding and way to which all humans live. All people know its wrong to murder, to lie, to steal, to cheat etc. We call this our conscience, and its God; whether we acknowledge Him or not. When we go against our conscience we have accused ourselves; making us guilty. Nobody is born with the ideals that abortion is good and ok, it is something learned and compromised.
Okay I felt that lengthy explanation was necessary to build the foundation to understand right and righteousness. Back to it!
Too many times I have traded being right with being in right standing with my Lord. I have wanted it so bad I stepped out of the right standing and in the process lost my peace and joy; sure I was happy for a moment but really the aftermath wasn’t worth it, yet I traded it for a “feel good” moment, stroking my ego.
Now in NO way am I suggesting you cannot debate, reasonably argue, defend etc yourself, your loved ones, or your faith. On the contrary we are supposed to be ready to defend our faith:
1 Peter 3:15
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence
That last part might be the key…gentleness and reverence. There are so many places in the Bible we can see as Christians we are to rid ourselves of the fleshly things of malice, anger, rage, pride, etc (Colossians 3:8, Ephesians 4:31) and be filled with the fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. But far too often we throw these things out the window when an argument arises, even if we were right.
Case in point: (True and humbling story)
Several years ago my husband and I got into a fight. I honestly cannot remember what about but I know it started off as one of those dumb arguments that are ridiculous that turn into a snowball. Well in that argument I was right, really I was. I was correct on what I was saying but as the bickering turned into arguing and arguing turned into fighting and fighting turned into insulting and disrespecting I dug my feet in and was even more indignant and even surer of how right I was. So the smart man he was went downstairs; forcing me (haha) to rant and rave even louder so he could hear me down there. No response. Argh! I took a deep breath and decided to pray, I went on and on to the Lord, basically tattling on my hubby, telling Him how wrong he is and could he please tell Him, you know strike him (just kidding, but you get the picture). I wanted him to know how bad he hurt me, what horrible things he said how they damaged me and I wanted him to give a really good apology, to see the light in the error of his ways! So as I am praying the Lord begins to speak to my heart, went like this:
God: “Janette, Go downstairs and apologize.”
Me: (not believing He actually meant me apologize to him, I repented to God for maybe getting too mad (but really I had a reason, right?) “God forgive me for yelling at my husband.”
God: “Now go downstairs and apologize”
Me: (indignant) “He was the one that was wrong!!!” but as I sat there with no response I wanted to obey God and quite honestly knew that if I said I was sorry surely I would receive my well deserved groveling.
So I went downstairs and it went a little something like this:
Me: I am sorry for fighting with you.
Him: I DON’T forgive you!!!
Me: Are you kidding me??!! You’re the one that is wrong and you (insert verbal vomiting and rants and raving here)
Him: (with a very satisfied and cocky smile), “Yeah…I don’t forgive you”
I gave him burning with rage daggers and stormed back upstairs.
Me: “God, you see what he did??!! Well I did what You wanted, You just need to deal with him!”
God: “Janette, go downstairs and apologize.”
Me: “ Are you kidding me?! You saw him, he’s so wrong!
God: “ That is between him and I, what you have done is disrespected your husband, and sinned against him and I.”
Ouch, the conviction of the Holy Spirit flooded over me and there I realized. I then truly repented to God, humbly acknowledging my sin to Him and to my husband.
Back downstairs, this time the walk was a lot harder, a bit slower and humbling. Before I could even get to him, I heard a big exasperated sigh. I knew he didn’t want to even talk to me. That made it even worse.
Me: Dhyan, I am sorry. I am sorry for completely disrespecting you, dishonoring you. I am sorry and I love you, would you please forgive me?
Him: No
I understood, I left and just took a drive, I prayed for him, but this time from a different perspective and view. I prayed that he would be able to find forgiveness in his heart, that he would see the situation the way God saw it. Within minutes he called me up and apologized.
I learned a lot that day. I learned that even if I am right doesn’t necessarily mean I am righteous and that there is a way to deal with conflict and most certainly it is not a smart or wise trade-off; being right and losing or trading my righteousness was not worth it. I learned that the character of Jesus was the example of righteousness that I needed to conform to. At times Jesus didn’t defend Himself, even while being hurled false accusations, insults etc. But He also defended the scripture, showed righteous anger at the religious and legalistic leaders, He defended the weak, the outcast and hurt. He was bold and gentle, He was aggressive and passive. There are times to stay silent, times to speak up and in all those times we can remain in right standing with God. We can apply this to all areas of our lives; with our spouses, with believers and also non-believers. I am not saying be a doormat I am saying use wisdom and don’t trade your standing before God for simply winning an argument.
Ephesians 4:26 “BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,”
This is speaking of a righteous anger (pertaining to the things of God), not being angry because someone cut you in line or you’re jealous of someone getting the job you wanted. Please don’t confuse our fleshly anger with godly anger. Don’t trade being right for being in right standing with our Lord. If even now you are thinking of an instance you damaged relationships for the sake of being right, pray, repent, be in right standing with God and He may even lead you to restore yourself to someone.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
First post
So i sat here thinking of the many different directions I could make this blog go and how I don't want to come across a certain way or whatever. But then I realized I have just got 2 babies asleep, have to finish homeschool, need to make turkey enchilada casserole for dinner, make sure the house is presentable before the youth come over for the first junior high youth night, so in short I cannot ponder all the directions to go, maybe I will just start by saying what my intentions are.
Well that should be easy enough. I hope and pray that I can effectivley communicate what it is the Lord has put on my heart. I have over the years written down things He has spoken to me and really I just have them sitting around, folded nicely for nobody to see. But as I start to see some of these things unfolding; coming to pass, I am reminded of a verse He clearly spoke to me several years ago: Habakuk 2:1-4 "I will stand on my guard post And station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, And how I may reply when I am reproved. Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.
At times I didn't know why I needed to write the things down but now as I go back through them I see He was giving me that so that I may see that He is speaking to me and that I am able to share these things. So I pray that these things will either encourage you; maybe God has been speaking the same thing and it is confiramtion. Or maybe this will stir your heart to seek out what does the Bible say about this.
Well that should be easy enough. I hope and pray that I can effectivley communicate what it is the Lord has put on my heart. I have over the years written down things He has spoken to me and really I just have them sitting around, folded nicely for nobody to see. But as I start to see some of these things unfolding; coming to pass, I am reminded of a verse He clearly spoke to me several years ago: Habakuk 2:1-4 "I will stand on my guard post And station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, And how I may reply when I am reproved. Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.
At times I didn't know why I needed to write the things down but now as I go back through them I see He was giving me that so that I may see that He is speaking to me and that I am able to share these things. So I pray that these things will either encourage you; maybe God has been speaking the same thing and it is confiramtion. Or maybe this will stir your heart to seek out what does the Bible say about this.
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