Saturday, July 31, 2010

July 31, 2010 Suddenly

One of the reasons we're told not to judge others on "doubtful matters"-- things that aren't stated outright in Scripture-- is that we don't know what God is working on with someone else.  We don't even know that about ourselves so often.  Because Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith, it is His job to decide what needs to be changed when.  Our job is receive one another, accept one another, and live according to the law of love in order not to trouble others with our mode of life.  That is hard enough without trying to fix others.
If any correction needs to happen, let it be done by those with the authority to do so, and let it be on the clear doctrines of Christ, such as fornication.

When King Hezekiah-- grieved by the spiritual adulteries perpetrated by his predecessor-- desired to bring the nation back to a right relationship with God and reinstate the temple worship, he didn't seem to dictate exactly how that was to be done.  He exhorted the priests and Levites to consecrate themselves and to cleanse out the temple.  He told them to take out the rubbish, but he left it to them to do the work.  Since we each are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and each of us kings and priests unto the Lord, it is the Holy Spirit's task to lead each one of us as to how to cleanse ourselves from dead works.  Some of the rubbish in our souls might be obvious to others, but some of it might look OK to someone else, but the Lord reveals to us that it's not OK for us.  "Whatever is not of faith is sin."  This is a basic key to walking in holiness (wholeness), but it really comes down to the individual working out their salvation with Christ's leading.  We are all in different stages of our growth and development.

The mysterious thing is how the Spirit works in each of us, deep inside our hearts, to prepare us for the next stage.  Sometimes we observe a brother or sister who seems to be wandering around in darkness, and then, voila!  All of a sudden they seem to have snapped out of it, moving forward in a level of glory that might even pass us by temporarily.  We should rejoice when that happens.  It gives me hope to know that if I'm struggling in life, God's got it under control, and He's leading me step by step out of the maze of confusion and darkness that I might be in.

I think we can anticipate a sudden "coming round the bend" for the Church in general.  God is doing a work in His people, much of it unseen.  Christ is still the head of His body.  He is still in charge of each individual's salvation process, and of the building of His Kingdom, living stone by living stone.  Maybe at this moment some of the trash is being taken out of the temple in one person's life, and another is getting their instrument of praise polished up and ready to go.  At the proper time, all will be in order and the glory of God will be seen in a unity, joy and love that is greater than has ever been seen before.  This verse will again be very relevant:  "All the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly." 
2 Chronicles 29:36   

Friday, July 30, 2010

July 30, 2010 Wearing The Armor of Light

I never noticed before that the passage which says to "put on Christ" is the same passage that says to "put on the armor of light."  I think that's awesome!  In order to wear this armor, we have to put off the works of darkness.  These works are related to being asleep, as the world is.  When we're awake, we're walking in love, and this isn't compatible with the works of the flesh, which is the self-centeredness of the fallen nature.  Once we've awakened to the reality of our salvation, and we get dressed with the brilliant glory of Christ, what darkness can overcome us? 

Again, I'm struck with the prophetic vision of David.  He had a relationship with Christ even then, and understood the armor of light.  He had no need to fear when he found himself in a dark valley shadowed with evil, enemies, and death.  "Dwelling in the house of the Lord forever" takes on a deeper meaning when we understand that it's not necessary to get rid of our natural bodies in order to live in a divine tent of perpetual light that goes wherever we go. 

"You are with me" becomes a little more intimate when we're thinking of wearing Christ!  It also becomes more public.  There's no hiding our salvation or our relationship with the Savior when we're wearing the armor of light!  The days of "my faith is personal" (meaning "I don't share it with anyone") are over!  When you're dressed in light, can you help but be noticed by people who are in the dark?  They might be afraid and run away, but many will be drawn to the light that covers you.

Jesus lives in us by His Word and Spirit when we're born again.  But salvation has to be more than just an inner belief, as we have discussed earlier.  Having light than shines out from the inside and covers us from the outside is the only effective way to be a witness for Christ.  If you're dark, you stay hidden in darkness and nobody notices you.  Not to mention how Jesus feels about that!  The times we walk around incognito are basically times we're denying that we know Him.  I'm not saying we have to be religious about our witnessing!  I've known people who talked a lot about the Lord, but were essentially walking in darkness.  I've been there myself-- and as "easy" as it is to be asleep, being in the dark is torment when you're a child a God. 

The devil feeds on "dust" (Genesis 3:14) which is our self-nature; when we don't put off the works of darkness, he can get us even more entangled in webs of deception, addiction and bitterness than we were before we got "saved."  When he's prowling around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), he's looking for someone who's not defended, not wearing their armor of light.  When we're walking in love, and therefore in the light, we're well defended and have nothing to fear.

Putting our armor on is much more than a morning ritual!  Just declaring that we have put on our helmet of salvation, etc., isn't what gets us clothed in light!  It's waking up to what salvation really is, and making a command decision to leave the darkness behind.  It's called repentance.

We are the children of light!  The true light lives in us.  Christ's love is shiny and wonderfully resistant to attack.  Let's start a fashion trend and wear the light!  Shine, shine, shine! 

Thursday, July 29, 2010

July 29, 2010 The Rechargeable Sacrifice

Reading Paul's exhortations today was like getting a Christian checklist; on the top of the list to me was "get recharged."  If we're to be effective witnesses in the world-- who overcome evil with good and don't conform to the world-- we have to function first as members of Christ's body.  We won't be living sacrifices for long if we don't get recharged!  This checklist is all about staying in proper connection with the body of Christ.  Giving and receiving of all things in the Lord is what recharges us.  A loner in the Kingdom won't make it for long.  It's a joy to be a living sacrifice, as long as we are full of life, and that takes replenishment.  Just as a cell phone will only be useful so long without getting plugged into its base, a Christian will only be an effective witness if he or she gets plugged into the body for recharge.  We're made that way.

Monday, July 26, 2010

July 26, 2010 Bridge Over the Chasm of Doubt

I often have to be reminded of what I already know.  Although I may feel ashamed for having "forgotten" something I had revelation on, and really felt I understood, I am grateful for the prodding I get from the Holy Spirit.  He gently reminds me, and somehow gets across His desire that I do what He's saying.

Today He used this passage to do that kind of prodding with me:
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:8-11 NKJV

I'm not suggesting that I used to be saved but now I'm backslidden and need to be reinstated.  No, there's more to salvation than becoming born-again.  We tend to use the term "backslidden" to mean "become unsaved," and that's a debatable concept anyway.  Just because I might get close to a slippery slope of sin doesn't mean I've lost my salvation!  But that's not what I'm talking about here.  What I mean is: I'm not walking in total salvation because I forget to cross the bridge from believing to overcoming.  What is that bridge anyway?  We see the chasm, if we're honest, but we can't see the bridge.

Perhaps we don't see the bridge because whenever we reach that chasm, there is no bridge.  We are put in the position of having to build it.  We build the bridge over the chasm of doubt by speaking the word of truth that we believe and walking on it until we reach the actuality of our faith.

I'll use myself as an example.  Through faith in Christ, I've overcome many obstacles in my life.  Depression is one of them.  Even though I was a born-again child of God, I still had chronic depression and bouts of severe and debillitating depression-- as I had suffered throughout my life-- until the last several years, where it has diminshed to only an occasional temptation.  Quite a process and lots of help from others helped me understand how to overcome the depression.  But I had to overcome it myself by walking on the bridge over the chasm of doubt. 

All the Word and faith about who I was in Christ, His love for me, His purposes in my life,  knowledge of the fruit of the Spirit, etc., wasn't going to defeat the darkness of depression if that truth stayed locked inside my heart.  Only by speaking out loud the truth I believed in my heart, and walking upon the bridge it created, would I be able to exit the gross darkness I lived in and into God's glorious light.  Declaring what I believed inside my born-again heart was the only thing that could dispel the lying reality that colored my mental and physical existence.  Every time I did this, I was able to take another step into freedom from depression.  Believing alone could not do it; faith demands action, and speaking is the first action we take.

Sometimes our cultural adages steer us away from believing the word of God.  All our life we hear "actions speak louder than words," and so we believe we don't have to speak, only act.  This is like saying "the car engine revving is louder than the turn of the key."  Well, of course it is, but try getting the engine to rev without turning the key in the ignition switch!  And just because the engine is revving doesn't mean we're getting anywhere.  We do have to shift gears, release the brake, and put our foot on the gas.  Our declared words of faith are like the key that gets it all going.

I'm saying all this to help you, as well as myself, so we can get our heart beliefs out where they can activate our salvation.  I'm believing God for healing and restructuring of some physical problems that are hindering my life progress.  The things I'm wanting to receive from God are stated clearly in the Word-- they are not gray or cloudy.  I have complete faith in their truth, and in God's will for me.  So why am I not getting saved in those areas?  Because I forget to declare the truth out of my mouth.  I forget to put the key into the ignition and turn it.  I forget to build the bridge and walk on it.

Understanding and practicing this concept can save us a lot of frustration, disappointment, shame and even anger with God.  The above Scripture tips us off as to how to get saved, and keep on getting saved.  We believed the truth, and we confessed our faith when we were born again.  We have to keep practicing that to get to where we're walking in all that Christ bought for us by His death and resurrection.  Christ is the Word, and He is the Salvation.  We unveil Him once again in our lives at every point of decision whenever we speak the truth we heard and believed.

What hinders you from confessing your faith?  Ask the Lord to show you the things that keep you from speaking the word that's in your heart, so that you can walk on the bridge of faith until you own salvation in that area of your life.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

July 17, 2010 The Robe of Righteousness

God's ideas about righteousness are very different from the ones we come up with as human beings.  God says righteousness can only be received, by believing Him.  He says there's nothing we can do, even from the Mosaic law, to make us righteous.  If we want to be accepted by God, we're going to have to come to Him on His terms.  We can't go before His throne of grace in filthy rags (our own efforts to be righteous).  We have to go before Him in a robe of righteousness.  We are given this robe when we receive Christ as our savior.  His righteousness is placed on us, and then we are clothed properly. 

When we are in right standing with the Father based on our faith in Christ, we can then come before Him in our time of need (which is all the time, isn't it?).  Now that we have been given a right relationship with the Father God through Christ our Brother, we are going to have the opportunity to grow up in Him.  The end result is people who are just like Jesus, walking in righteousness that flows from the inside out because He lives in us.  This delights the Father, but it is never what makes us right with Him.   

Friday, July 16, 2010

July 16, 2010 The Prince of Peace Builds His House

There is a generation that does great warfare in the spirit and subdues their enemies all around.  They gather the foundation stones and all the materials needed to build the temple-- a temple for God's name.  These great stones are foundational truths from the Word of God.  These they quarry and hew and dress with great labors.  They gather the knowledge (trees) and the tested, pure testimony of God (gold tried in the fire).  They dig deep for rubies and diamonds and sapphires and emeralds of revelation and bequeath these treasures to their children.  All these things they prepare for the next generation, imparting to them a great love and value of the truth, until the children become the stones and the trees and the gold.  The children become the jewels for the King's crown.  The parents prepare all:  they impart the vision: they lay down their lives so the children can be built into the house for God's name. 

The Prince of Peace spares no expense in building His habitation, which must be glorious.  He is a man of rest, for He has subdued His enemies all around.  His name is Peaceful.  His children rest in Him and are assured of peace, for they are secure in Him.  There is no more intimidation or striving in war, for just a word and the enemies all around cower and flee.  The house is built quietly and with a noble order so reverent that no voice is heard except that of the Prince.  He places His stones with great care, for they are living, breathing beings who are equally at home in the heavenly realm as in the earthly realm.  Nothing can shake them because they are being built together in peace. 

The house for the name of God is exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries.  There the name of God is revealed in all its facets, and the worship of Him creates such splendor that the nations are drawn to its boundless wisdom, beauty, holiness and power.   

Thursday, July 15, 2010

July 15, 2010 When Kings Go Out To Battle

What jumped out at me today was a phrase I'd noticed before, but never thought to wonder about: in the spring of the year, at the time kings go out to battle.(1 Chronicles 20:1).  I wondered what the spiritual significance of this was, and I asked the Lord about it.  I was expecting to read about David's affair with Bathsheba, since the same phrase was used in that story.  I looked it up: it is 2 Samuel 11:1, but this was a different account of David.  In both accounts, it says that Joab went out against Ammon and besieged Rabbah, but that David stayed in Jerusalem in the spring of the year, at the time kings go out to battle.  Whether both accounts are the same period of time, I do not know.  It is not in the boundaries of this devotional that I do external research.  I will leave this mystery for later, and you can go study it for yourself if you wish.

One thing is clear, there are seasons when we should be battling the enemy, and if we're not, then we'll surely end up devastated.  Going from historical ignorance here, but not spiritual ignorance, I'd say it is quite possible that this was one particular time period in David's life.  It seems, from the way he took and wore the defeated king's crown instead of dedicating the gold to the Lord-- as he had always done before-- that he was falling into pride.  When we're prosperous and feel powerful and undefeatable, luxury and a feeling of complacency certainly have a way of leading us away from humility and hard work and into pride and laziness.  "Let other people do it; this is my due."

In our reading, although there is great time-compression in this chronicle, it is revealing to see what happened over the census David decided to do.  Pride again seems to be the open door here for the sinful choice he made.  "Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel." 1 Chroncles 21:1  The consequences for this were devastating, and God's judgment brought David to a place of humility again.  Pride and not fearing the Lord go hand in hand.  Pride is iniquity of the spirit, and it was Satan's downfall, remember-- he is particularly attuned to it and empowered by it.

In our individual lives, pride opens the door for the devil to steal, kill and destroy.  Resisting the devil requires submitting to God, and that requires humility.  (James 4:7) Humility is one of the best of our weapons of warfare.  In a nation's life, pride in the hearts of those in leadership (government) opens the door for satanic attack, and also God's judgment-- which falls on the people the government was supposed to bless and protect.  Rather than lash out in anger, it is wise for the people in a nation to humble themselves and pray for their leadership.  I've been convicted many times of not doing this seriously enough.  What I read in the Word today gives me strong incentive.

I still want more revelation about the time kings go out to battle.  It was in the spring.  To me that says it's the time when things that have already been planted and established are beginning to bud (spiritual or natural, and it's a different time for everyone).  That means that another harvest is on its way, and each harvest should be greater than the last (for a natural example-- a harvest from an apple orchard).  Satan wants to keep us and our life efforts from bearing any fruit;  if there's something established in our life that he hasn't been able to destoy, he's going to want to keep the harvest from happening:  "nip it in the bud."  Every spring, it's the same.  The bully wants to create a famine for us if he can.  If we're proud and lazy-- or simply don't have a clue --  we'll lose the fruit of our labors.  This was to be our provision, our offering to the Lord, and a blessing to the poor. 

You know spring is a reality, therefore you need to understand the season and go out to battle.  The person who has the initiative can take the high ground, or choose the most strategic battlefront.  Why wait for the devil to barge in and take what's yours (by the blessing of God and the work of your hands)?  You know he's just going to keep doing the same thing until he realizes it's futile.  So don't be proud, lazy or stupid!  Pick up your Sword and go out against him. 

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

July 13, 2010 The Earth Trembles, The Trees Rejoice

King David and the Apostle Paul seemed to both have the understanding that the natural creation has an awareness of God and proclaims Him in a way that is unmistakable to man.  When the earth's quaking and the seas are roaring, it's because the presence of God is near-- He's getting closer.  Our response should be in accordance with this: acknowledge His mighty awesomeness, worship Him in the beauty of holiness, glorify Him and make thank offerings, and pray for deliverance from evil.  In the midst of all the shaking, we should be able to discern His nearness and rejoice along with the trees!  Nature is telling us something-- our salvation is at hand!

Nature also informs us of what is righteous and what is not.  Built into us is the knowledge of how God created us and how He created things to be.  He reveals His will in nature, and in our own being: spirit, soul and body.  As Paul states so powerfully, nobody has any excuse for doing things against nature and against God.  What people are doing these days truly follows the description in Romans 2, and it makes nature want to vomit.  

When humans "suppress truth in unrighteousness," they are given over to evil in a progression: a darkened mind, then a darkened heart, then darkened physical behavior.  It all starts with "exchanging the truth for a lie" and "worshipping and serving the creature instead of the Creator." Romans 1:25

If God gave people up to uncleanness and vile passions, I'd say that's part of His judgment.  Verse 18 says the "wrath of God is revealed from heaven."  I'm reminded of a a few others verses:  "the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" James 1:20; and "If I whet My glittering sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me." Deuteronomy 32:41 and  "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord." Romans 12: 9 NASB  (caps were in the translation).  Paul said in prelude to that verse (I'm jumping ahead from our reading, I realize): "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:17-18

Jesus talked about cities that would have repented if they had seen His works (Luke 10).  Jonah's preaching brought the gigantic city of Ninevah to repentance in sackcloth and ashes (even though he was relishing the thought of their destruction).  That destruction is coming-- has already started in the people who reject God-- but it is up to us right now to shine forth the glory of God in a way that shows Who He Is.  Since God is enthroned in the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3) -- and true praise and worship makes way for the visible, brilliant presence of God-- then our proclaiming His praise would be one way of preaching the truth, and a way that darkened lives could possibly be enlightened again-- before it is too late.  

Monday, July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010 What We're All About

This simple statement is so powerful on its own that I really don't feel the need to say much about it:  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 NKJV  It was the Apostle Paul's mission statement in a way, if I remember rightly what that term means.  It was what he was all about, in a nutshell.

After reading in Acts about the conversion and ministry of Paul, I am quite ready to learn from him (via the Holy Spirit) about the power and righteousness of God, the walk of faith, and the message of the gospel of Christ.  I want to have his heart, for truth and for souls, imparted to me-- you? 

I think I enjoyed, more than ever before,  vicariously going on those mission trips as I imagined sailing on the numerous ships to various places, seeing the miracles and rejoicing in the people who received Christ.  Now I am looking forward to sitting at that preacher's feet, in a way, and letting the things that motivated him to so lay down his own life get into me and motivate me.  There is no time barrier in the Kingdom of God.  It's just as real and alive now as it was then.  With this attitude, then, I plan on diving into the letters and coming out changed.  Want to join me?    

Saturday, July 10, 2010

July 10, 2010 A Little Lower Than God

A big difference, you'll notice, between godly people and the ungodly, is the people of God honor people; the ungodly do not.  Although people who don't fear God will idolize others, they'll just as soon tear them down with ridicule.  God's people will honor others, whether they deserve it or not, even after they're dead.  A key reason for this is that people were made by God in His image, and are His property.  If we dishonor others, we dishonor God.

Psalm 8 is one of the most "incredibly" edifying Scripture passages I know.  It really does seem incredible to us to think that God would think of us at all, much less visit us, speak to us, and crown us with honor and glory.  It is so difficult for fallen humans to accept that He made us "a little lower than God," that the word elohim is often translated here as "angels," even though it's the same Hebrew word used in Genesis 1:1-- God created the heavens and the earth.  Yes, we had fallen below the angels, but Jesus Christ has been raised up above all, and we are part of His body, even if we are only His feet.

God has always given honor to even the lowliest of positions in service to Him.  I hadn't really taken notice of this verse before:  "Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office over the things that were baked in the pans." 1 Chronicles 9:31 NKJV  Whatever we do, God sees and rewards faithfulness when we're doing it as unto the Lord.  Giving others appreciation and affirmation is a way of thanking and praising the Lord.  When we consider that each of His children are part of His body, it is easier to honor and affirm them. 

Even the ungodly carry the image of God in them, no matter how sullied and twisted, and they might still become part of God's kingdom.  It is extremely unbecoming of God's people to put others down in a disgusted fashion, but I see this happening so much in the name of "righteousness."  How are we ever to win the lost to Christ if we do not treat people with respect, even if they are sinners?  Hating sin is not the same as despising people.  God so loved the world. . .

The Apostle Paul was a faithful watcher, even on a tempest-tossed ship.  He apparently interceded for everyone, not only to save his own skin.  He was visited by an angel to bring the answer to his request-- everyone's life would be spared.  There were sailors, soldiers, prisoners, a Roman centurion-- 276 people in all.  Many of these must have given their lives to the Lord after that. To me, now, this number will always signify that God values life, even the life of unbelievers. 

It is up to us, His people, to watch and pray.  The world system is a sinking ship: but God already has a plan in place to save as many souls as will cling to His saving grace. 

Friday, July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010 Trusting God In Someone Else's Ship

Have you ever felt frustrated when you feel the person in charge is making a serious mistake?  I have.  I've been a "voyager in someone else's ship" most of my life-- as a child dependent on parents in a troubled marriage, as a teenager in a ultra-restrictive boarding school, as a college student on scholarships trying to please a demanding professor, as a young new-Christian wife struggling to submit to her less-than-wise husband, as an employee attempting to do good work under a corrupt boss, and even as a church member trying her best to follow a confused pastor.  I'm sure there are as many tales like this as there are people.  The challenge is to stay true to our faith and keep our trust in the Lord.

Once we come of age, we often have choices about what we will do about a "captain" who is sailing off into a seemingly life-threatening storm.  I've had to make some difficult decisions, but the Lord was always with me through it all.  The Apostle Paul had a word from God to keep him staying on with a ship that was sure to sink. That takes some strong faith!  Sometimes marriage feels like a sinking ship, and if you're a wife, you may feel like jumping!  (Fortunately, we're not prisoners as Paul was, although it may feel like it sometimes.  Reminding ourselves of our desire to make the commitment can help us weather the storm.) Guys have a different problem: they are the ones who have to decide where to take that ship.  I'm glad I don't have to take the helm!  However, sometimes we have to say what we see, whether it's believed or not.  Paul did.  Then he just had to hold on to his vision and trust in God for the outcome.  I have to wonder what was going on in Dr. Luke's mind during all this, since he was on the ship too!

Prayer is always the first action we should take-- it should be automatic.  That's when we get our directions, and peace.  So often, things just seem to straighten themselves out when we pray.  Staying in the Word, too, keeps our eyes focused on the Lord:  isn't He really the Captain of our life anyway?  He knows exactly what's going on, and He's committed to our well-being.  He is the manager of our trials.  Even though being under the leadership of, or even being dependent on, another human being is probably one of the most difficult trials we undergo, we can be assured that the Lord is still watching over us for our benefit-- and for the other person's as well.

There are times we feel we must confront.  Emotional pleas just do not work!  I've tried it many times, and I simply give up.  My overwrought emotional state doesn't convince anyone of my ability to think clearly!  I will not be listened to, no matter how right I am.  Getting my focus on the Lord and seeking Him for peace is top priority.  Then, I may be heard by the "captain" if I present the information I have with calm and clarity.  It's up to him, then, to decide what to do with my intelligence (it's called intelligence for a reason-- you'd better know what you're talking about if you want to be listened to).  I must maintain in faith.

Even if you end up having to go through a shipwreck, know this: God is able to preserve you.  His ways are always redemptive, never forget.  He may be working with the "captain" of the ship you're in, to bring some level of change or repentance or growth; but even if it's mostly about them, guess what?  God's going to bring you to another level of faith, trust, backbone, maturity-- whatever it is you need to grow in.  He uses all things for our good, even shipwrecks.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

July 7, 2010 Sticks, Stones and Word-Grenades

I remember learning a sort of proverb when I was a kid: "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."  Children try to believe what their elders tell them-- it's in their basic make-up to do so.  But when their own sense of right and wrong contradicts what they've been told, it's very confusing.  The old adage wasn't true, of course; it was a terrible type of denial, that instead of protecting me, left me very vulnerable to the injury of other people's words.  Lying statements about a person, when undetected or undefused, go deep down into a person's psyche and erode like acid, or they can later go off like bombs, debilitating and even destroying them.

Today we came across the very short, and somewhat hidden statement about Jabez (if you don't at least skim the geneologies and other parts of the Bible you consider boring, you miss important nuggets, or even a best-selling book!).  Here was an innocent kid being told over and over, simply by hearing his name, that he was a pain! (and possibly other words of a mother who had a bad attitude): "Come here, YouCausePain, and do these dishes for me.  That's the least you can do to make up for the suffering you've caused!"  Ouch! 

As Christians, we tend to name our children truthful and empowering things, and for a good reason!  God didn't change people's names for kicks--  He knew what names can do to people.  Names, when well-chosen, can help a child reach his or her full potential in God.  Parents should continue in that vein, speaking the truth in love over their children, as well as nurturing them in other ways.  We're going to make mistakes, obviously, but if we discover we've said something hurtful or untrue,  it is "best practice" to immediately ask a child's forgiveness and replace the untruth with the word of God.  Children also need to be taught what to do when they are ridiculed and picked on, since everyone is at one time or another. Sensitive children, especially, can really be hurt by this and need reinforcement.  The earlier we learn to receive God's comfort and allow Him to build us up with truth, the better.

We're not told how Jabez managed to become "more honorable than his brothers"-- God may have sent someone along to help him.  Since we're told about his prayer, he must have early turned to God in his disappointment.   
I wish this happened more often, but I have listened to the stories of many adults whose personalities were twisted and whose minds were warped by the things they were called as a child (along with other problems of their environment).  We see, however, that if a person will call out to God in faith, He will take up their case, deliver them from evil, restore their personhood, and bless them in their life with His favor.  Jabez even asked for a greater platform in which to testify of God's goodness.  God was able to use for good what the enemy meant for evil.  This is true for anyone who will turn to the Lord rather than remain in bitterness. 

God was able to use the lying statements of the Jews about Paul to get him to an even higher platform.  This could not have happened if Paul had buckled under the barrage of accusations being flung at him for years.  It is extremely important that we learn to hear God's words over us, over our life and person.  We have to believe Him and not the rest of the world, abusive or flattering as it may be.  If there's ever a time of "tearing down" in our life, it probably has a lot to do with tearing down the ways we operate based on lies we've believed about ourselves.  We can only reach our full potential if we are standing on the truth.  God says of you:   
"Rejoice, you who put your trust in Me;
You will shout for joy, because I defend you;
You will be joyful in Me, because you love My name.
I the LORD, will bless You, because you are the righteous in Christ;
I will surround you with My favor as with a shield." from Psalm 5: 11-12 

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

July 6, 2010 Reaching Your Highest Platform

Thinking about Paul today, pondering the events that led up to where he is now in our readings, made me think about how a person gains "a platform," or influence with a certain audience.  The Proverb passage was, again, wonderfully relevant and light-shedding. 

"A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men." Proverbs 18:16 NKJV  This seems like a top-tier platform of influence, and the Apostle Paul certainly reached it.  He had a gift for explaining God's message in a way that was life-changing and relevant to the people he was speaking to.  He obviously had a calling from God to reach many people in many nations, and even powerful men in government. 

Paul had to put his faith in action, however, or he never would have reached this platform.  Not only did he have to work up to the envisioned platform, he had to take great risks to get there.  He was willing to accept imprisonment and even death in order to reach the people he had seen himself speaking to.  God gave him the vision, but he had to do what it took to reach it.  He did it God's way, and not the world's way, and we're told of many instances of God's direct leading. 

We are not all called to stand and speak to the president, or to sing and dance before a multitude.  But I think we could interpret the above proverb to mean "a person's gift will make room for him or her and take them where they are meant to go."  My understanding is that each of us has God-given gifts (spiritual and natural), that have a potential built into them that matches our God-given capacity to represent Him on a platform that is optimized for us.

We each have an area of influence of some kind.  People are interdependent; we cannot help affecting or influencing someone at some time, even when we're children.  Relationship and influence are part of God's nature and character, and He is growing us up to be influential in our world. What we do with our influence is, of course, greatly related to our growth and development.  Influence and an actual "platform" are two different things, even though they are related. 

We are prepared throughout life to use our influence on a platform of wider influence, when we are ready.  I'll use myself as an example: as a child, I was practicing all the things I do now that have become platforms of a somewhat wider influence.  I drew pictures, wrote poems, made up stories for my sisters and I to play (make-believe), and made up songs on the piano.  I do the same things now, just with more skill and with more to "show and tell."  There were training platforms, such as talent shows and school leadership, that taught me the need to rely on God's strength instead of my own (this is an ongoing lesson!).  I've learned, over the years, that God moves through my spiritual gifts and shines through my natural ones. 

Whatever I do now is also practice for the future.  Only God knows completely what my potential and capacity really are, and to what platforms He is leading me to in the future.  I can only be faithful on the platform He has given me now, and take the next steps towards the future vision He has given.  What I see in the future motivates me to keep growing.  He knows how much I need to see right now, and He gives me that and no more.  He always seems to give me things to do that are right on the edge of what I am capable of at present.  I enjoy the things I do, as long as I am leaning on Him and relating to Him constantly as I do them.  Allowing Him to move and shine through my gifts, on the platforms He gives me, gives me a sense of purpose and a feeling of satisfaction in my daily life.

Think about your own life and see how you've developed into a person with greater influence.  Do you feel satisfaction as well as a desire to grow into the next phase?  Or do you feel disappointed at the loss of your dreams?  Are you doing the things you are gifted in, or are you stuck doing things you dislike just to make ends meet?

I have been, more than once, stuck and disappointed with my life.  But God has always been there for me and redeemed my darkest hours.  He is faithful, and He has a plan to get you into a more hopeful, creative, fulfilling place in life.  He is greater than any of your circumstances or problems, even ones you've created yourself.  If you're lost, He's already found you.  If you're floundering, He's already made a way.  Call out to Him and listen for His reply.  If you come to Him in humility, and you are willing to take risks at His direction, you will eventually find yourself in a place of joy and wider influence. Maybe you will even reach your greatest potential and your highest platform.   

Monday, July 5, 2010

July 5, 2010 Strengthening The Spiritual Immune System

Psalm 3 showed up at a good time for me; it must have been on Paul's mind too when 40 men had vowed to kill him.  I don't have people vowing to kill me, (that I know of), but all it takes is one to throw a spiritual javelin at you and take you out (if you don't have your shield of faith up).  When an angry person shows up at my door with no good intentions, I have to be reminded that it's "not against flesh and blood" that we fight against, but against "principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12, KJV and NKJV combined). 

When we're threatened in any way, we tend to go into our natural "fight or flight" reaction, don't we?  I haven't overcome that yet, and I'm not sure we're supposed to.  The best thing to do, I think, is to train ourselves to "fly" to God, and then, if we're going to have to fight, we'll do it in His strength and wisdom, and inside His protective shield.  I would like to be found in Him to the point where I'm invulnerable to enemy penetration, and always have the Spirit-led response to an attack-- but unfortunately I'm not always where I should be at every given moment. 

God uses any attacks from the evil one (and yes, they often come through people who allow themselves to be used) to show us our weak places, or wrong states of being.  He heals us right up when we go to Him, so it's not the end of the world when we take a hit.  However, when we're not in the place of safety, we are at risk unnecessarily.  We waste time when we're knocked out for a while.  And the devil plays dirty and likes to kick us when we're down.

One of the worse things about getting wounded by a spiritual attack is that we tend to further injure ourselves with our unhealthy habitual responses to pain.  I do better than I used to, but I have to admit I still tend to fall into fleshly "self-medicating" when I am deeply hurt.  Our spiritual enemy studies how to hit us where he knows we're vulnerable: we advertise our vulnerabilities all the time, don't we?  Most of us have trouble facing what "open books" we are to all who care to observe.  Someone who hates you and wants to hurt you will go right for the jugular!  All he has to do, then, is watch our behavior afterward to know the attack was effective.  He doesn't have to do anything more, knowing we'll finish off the destruction all by ourselves. 

I've learned that I will recover much more slowly from a spiritual attack, and even end up getting sick, sometimes depressed, when I take refuge in fleshly things.  I thought the Proverb today was such an appropriate reminder:  "The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?  The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." Proverbs 18:14-15  If our response to spiritual attack isn't to immediately seek out the Lord-- His word, His comfort, His healing and His wisdom-- we will lower our physical and our spiritual immune systems, becoming even that more vulnerable to whatever would like to destroy us.  Even our own weaknesses, then-- things we may have begun to have some victory in-- become greater enemies.  The world's lies have more access into us if we take refuge in worldly media when we are down.  Do you see why it is so important to go to the Lord first of all, no matter how we feel--even if we are angry with Him for some reason?

My immune systems are pretty strong right now, because I've been spending time in the Word, and I'm generally in a place of closeness with the Lord.  But I can still clearly remember times when I was not.  I don't want to get there again!  I can see the enemy would like to break my spirit so that I will succumb to sickness and sin and not be able to recover.  I am grateful to be shown that I am not where I need to be, and that I can improve my level of immunity.  I hope my experience, and these Scriptures today, will encourage you to stay close to the Lord, and run to Him first whenever you are challenged.   He is your shield, your defender, your sustenance, and the One who lifts your head.

Extra credit:  If the devil shows contempt for Christ by trying to thwart His purposes of redemption, can we be witnesses of the Gospel and gain great personal victories over the devil by overcoming sin, sickness and emotional disorders?  See Isaiah 53, Psalm 103, Luke 4:18, 2 Corinthians10:5

Saturday, July 3, 2010

July 3, 2010 Turn At the Light

God's word testifies today of the power that His light and truth have to turn a person, or even a nation to Himself.  God had mercy on Josiah because he turned to the Lord, but the nation still had major consequences to deal with because of their great idolatry.  Paul the Apostle had a magnificent conversion when he encountered the glorious Christ on the road to Damascus.  He had a lot of suffering to deal with in his life, but the Lord used him to reach many souls for Him-- his letters minister to us so much even today.

I remember many years ago-- as a backslidden young woman lost in darkness-- coming to myself just like the progidal son did.  The description in today's 2 Kings reading reminds me so much of how I felt back then.  Suddenly, my eyes were opened, and I was overwhelmed when the Lord showed me how every area of my life was sin!  But because I turned to Him when He revealed himself to me, He cleansed me and healed me, and is in the process of restoring all that was lost through my rebelliousness and idolatry.  God is so good!  He will do the same for anyone that turns to Jesus as their Lord and Savior in true repentance, and He will lead them in the Way, the Truth and the Life.

I pray, on the anniversary of our "independence," that our nation will likewise have a great conversion.  We may still have to accept hard consequences for our mistakes, rebellions and idolatries.  But God will have mercy on any one who comes to Him humbly.  If enough of us turn to Him with our whole heart, perhaps this country may again shine His light as we are called to do.  As a nation, as well as individually, we must not trust in our wealth or our power to save us; we must humble ourselves before God and rely on Him alone.

"The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility." Proverbs 18:11-12 NKJV  

Friday, July 2, 2010

July 2, 2010 Life in the Strong Tower

Did you feel the refreshment in the Psalm today?  After such dark histories of human failings and selfishness, idol worship, the shedding of innocent blood, the uproar of a sea of humanity fighting against God-- we're thrilled by the pure, brilliant excellence of a simple call to praise God instead of rail against Him!  This is the atmosphere of heaven, which we can bring to earth through our faith: by words, songs, actions, attitudes.  Light and life overcome darkness and death.  They are in God.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10  I've always loved this verse, and I like how it dovetails with the meaning of the Psalm.  Since the name stands for His character, nature and authority, a great way to "run into" the name of God is to meditate on His goodness and His mighty acts, and to speak, sing or shout them out in praise and thanksgiving.  This praise brings us into a strong tower of His presence--an awareness of who He is and that He is there all around us.  It brings us into the place of remembering to love and trust Him, and in this place of remembrance, we enter into a deep place of worship.  It is here we know that there is no place like God.  Here we are safe.  What evil could ever harm us in heaven?

Once we discover that we may live in this tower always-- we never have to leave it, that it goes with us everywhere when we are in communion with God-- we gain the courage to live a meaningful and selfless life. 

Thursday, July 1, 2010

July 1, 2010 Don't Listen To the Trash Talk

I don't know about you, but I've heard the same type of trash talk in my head that Sennacherib was laying on Hezekiah.  Whatever voice it is, any words that lie about God are trash.  You don't have to believe them, or even listen to them.  God will put down the enemy that exalts itself above the knowledge of God, or He will give us the strength to do so.  Remember David and Goliath?  Same situation.

Todays readings all seemed to be about words!  Words are powerful.  Gossip's got hidden poison in it, as we saw in the Proverbs.  Praise and the declaration of God's word are weapons that can take out Satanic control of nations, as we read in Psalms.  We saw what the Assyrian king got for his efforts to defame God (crazy that he would go back after the decimation of his army and worship his loser god, isn't it?).  We saw how the prophetic word annulled the evil pronouncement against God's people.  We read about how people can truly see future events and declare them to you, but you have to hear God about your response to it, as did Paul about what would happen to him in Jerusalem (all prophesy needs to be interpreted and applied properly, which takes seeking God).

Knowing God's word and learning to know His voice, in whatever form it comes, are two of the greatest pursuits in life, and I am dedicated to them.  I am grateful to every teacher, pastor and prophetic communicator that has ever helped me to recognize God's word, who has given me tools to help me walk in obedience to God and to overcome the devil's trash talk. 

God's word is your defense.  When you stand in the truth of Christ, nothing can ever defeat you.