Whenever I read Scripture, whether Old Testament or New, I always ask "How does this pertain to me?" and "What are you showing me about yourself today, Lord?" So even if I don't understand very much of what I read, I'm still going to come away having had an encounter with the Lord. My goals of understanding Him more and being more equipped to live for Him are therefore always fulfilled.
One thing that stands out to me when I read the prophets is how much God hates idolatry. This isn't going to touch me much if I keep myself at a distance from these expressions, or put them in the past tense, or aim them in someone else's direction. In the here and now, Christ is passionate about burning away the things that I substitute for Him, the things that I worship that are not Him. The things that I fear and bow down to-- the things that intimidate me-- or the things I try to fill up with other than Him. Even though I know very well that nothing can fill the emptiness that we all feel without Him, I still struggle at times to keep from seeking fulfillment from other sources. We all do.
Accepting God's feelings about idols helps me to lay them down. As I move from being motivated mostly by the fear of the Lord to being motivated by love for Him, I find that I don't want to grieve His heart. Hidden idols in my heart grieve Him, and I want to be rid of them at all cost. I have to ask Him what they are, because it is still part of my sin nature to hide them from myself. Once we're willing to deal with this issue, He gently guides us towards freeing ourselves from all that is contrary to pure heart worship.
When I see how much Ezekiel was willing to go through to demonstrate God's Word to His people I feel pretty wimpy in comparison. God hasn't called me to do the things Ezekiel did (whew!) but He has called me to do some things, which I often find lame excuses for not doing. I wonder if idols have anything to do with this? I think I'll ask Him.
I love the book of Hebrews! What glorious visions of Christ we find here! Today, I'm grateful to be reminded of His loving priesthood and how we can, because of Him, come boldly to the throne for mercy and grace. Every day is my time of need! If I want to do the works He's called me to do, I'll have to enter into (and remain in) that seventh day. This is the place of pure worship that I'm looking for!
Avoiding things I'm called to do is just as much outside of the Rest as doing things I'm not called to do (it's all my own works).
"There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." Hebrews 4:9-10 NKJV
I embrace the sword of His Word, as painful as it sometimes is, because it so clearly shows me where I'm at, as well as vividly revealing the Lord. As His sword cuts away the junk, it makes more room in my life for Him.
Showing posts with label calling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label calling. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
April 16, 2010
I woke up today feeling kind of old, wondering how I was going to ever be able to do all the things the Lord had put before me to do. I was wishing I had done them when I was young, thinner and much more energetic. I'm so glad I read the Scriptures today, for they really spoke to me about all this.
Even though I heard my call when I was 14, in an unmistakeable way (not an audible voice, but one that couldn't be missed), I wasn't in the place to walk it out. In fact, I outright rejected it, more intent on my own way of doing things than worrying about what God wanted. The next seven years was pitiful indeed! Since then, every seven years has brought a new fresh call, a renewal of the very first call, with an increase. God has never given up on His vision for my life. He has never given up on His vision for yours, either.
I was so impressed with Caleb, who went to Joshua and asked for the inheritance that the Lord had promised him. "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” 13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Joshua 14: 6b-13
At first, I was reading that thinking, "That sure doesn't fit me!" But the Lord showed me otherwise, for two reasons. One, I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me-- it's Christ's righteousness and work in me, not my own, that makes me worthy and gives me the ability to carry out God's will. Only faith and obedience is necessary. That is all. I haven't always been so great on the obedience part, and that's the only reason I am still struggling to take my inheritance. But I see now that the faith part has always been there, although many times as good as dead from lack of corresponding action. But I am still believeing. In my spirit, I am more vigorous than ever, and because I know my God more than I did when I was 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 50, and 57 (everything gets refreshed at the 50th year, the Jubilee), I think I am able to say: Now, then, give me this mountain!
We saw Jesus teaching that men ought to pray and not give up. Yet, He wanted to know if, when He showed up, would He find enough faith so that we could receive the answer to our prayer.
Jesus has shown up over and over again to answer my prayers, and yet, I was still not ready enough to keep exercising my faith in His promises to stand firm when the giants came to try and steal it. I am determined to see it though this time, with His help. He's not going to do my life for me, or without me. But when I take my Sword up and my shield of faith, He's going to be right there strengthening me, and fighting for me. I think I even have enough faith in His creative power to get back my youthful vigor!
What about you? What's He promised you? What's your inheritance in Him? Are you just going to stand there and wait another 7 years? I don't think so! It's time to act out our faith and say: NOW, THEN, GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN!
Even though I heard my call when I was 14, in an unmistakeable way (not an audible voice, but one that couldn't be missed), I wasn't in the place to walk it out. In fact, I outright rejected it, more intent on my own way of doing things than worrying about what God wanted. The next seven years was pitiful indeed! Since then, every seven years has brought a new fresh call, a renewal of the very first call, with an increase. God has never given up on His vision for my life. He has never given up on His vision for yours, either.
I was so impressed with Caleb, who went to Joshua and asked for the inheritance that the Lord had promised him. "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” 13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Joshua 14: 6b-13
At first, I was reading that thinking, "That sure doesn't fit me!" But the Lord showed me otherwise, for two reasons. One, I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me-- it's Christ's righteousness and work in me, not my own, that makes me worthy and gives me the ability to carry out God's will. Only faith and obedience is necessary. That is all. I haven't always been so great on the obedience part, and that's the only reason I am still struggling to take my inheritance. But I see now that the faith part has always been there, although many times as good as dead from lack of corresponding action. But I am still believeing. In my spirit, I am more vigorous than ever, and because I know my God more than I did when I was 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 50, and 57 (everything gets refreshed at the 50th year, the Jubilee), I think I am able to say: Now, then, give me this mountain!
We saw Jesus teaching that men ought to pray and not give up. Yet, He wanted to know if, when He showed up, would He find enough faith so that we could receive the answer to our prayer.
Jesus has shown up over and over again to answer my prayers, and yet, I was still not ready enough to keep exercising my faith in His promises to stand firm when the giants came to try and steal it. I am determined to see it though this time, with His help. He's not going to do my life for me, or without me. But when I take my Sword up and my shield of faith, He's going to be right there strengthening me, and fighting for me. I think I even have enough faith in His creative power to get back my youthful vigor!
What about you? What's He promised you? What's your inheritance in Him? Are you just going to stand there and wait another 7 years? I don't think so! It's time to act out our faith and say: NOW, THEN, GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
March 20, 2010
Have you ever been "in the wilderness" experiencing God's spiritual feast while you are distanced from earthly things? I believe it's a necessary place to be in preparation for ministry. Jesus was there, and while He was, Satan came to tempt and test Him. I see three areas He was tempted in: 1) His physical existence, 2) His purpose, and 3) His identity. In any one of these areas, He could have reacted according to the flesh, but He walked in the Spirit and overcame with God's Word. We can all do the same, with His help.
In the area of physical existence, we are constantly challenged to rise above the worldly way of living and follow God's instructions. He is to be our source in every way. The wilderness shows us where we are relying on things other than God to sustain us and meet our needs. As a personal example, when I fasted from shopping I became aware of how I was using it to cope with anxiety.
In the area of purpose, did you notice the theme of "authority" being expanded? That again could be a whole blog in itself! Let's just think about Jesus' purpose. He knew what He was supposed to do, but it was obviously not to be done the way Satan suggested. It looks obvious here to us as we read it, but our enemy tries the same approach on all of us-- it just seems more subtle when we're in the middle of it.
We have to be on our guard, particularly when we feel we are clear on what our calling is and we are headed for it. Satan will try to avert us from the path of truth and get us to accomplish, in our own strength, whatever God has told us to do. If we didn't pass the "physical existence" test, we will be easy prey in this area. Look what happened to Balaam. It seemed that he had repented from his oracle-for-pay lifestyle, but today we read that he was responsible for a despicable plan to bring Israel down. He was slain in the vengence against Midian. What a reminder to maintain the fear of the Lord and not be driven by greed! I'm sure greed is the reason many called prophetic people err, and even become false.
If the enemy can't stop you with the first two assaults, he will aim at the heart of your being. "Who are you, really?" "Why would God ever do that for you?" I have many times, during this kind of test, felt like a delusional person while the enemy taunts me with "you are nobody" and "you're just nacissistic." When my pastor shared that Jesus' last reply was "It is said," Luke 4:12, it revolutionized my understanding of the wilderness experience. It's when the Lord has applied Scripture to you, or given you a vision, etc., and you've received it in your heart ("You are my child." "This is what we're going to do."), that you can use Biblical truth to overcome the lies of the enemy. Just quoting Scripture isn't going to do it if you don't believe the Word in your heart. And it doesn't have to be written word-for-word in the Bible if it's truth from God (you should test everything you hear or see against Scripture to make sure).
Again, you can use whatever God had said to you, or shown you in any way, as part of your warfare. Here's an example. During my second pregnancy, the Lord said to me "Your baby is going to come early, but it's going to be alright." Not long after, I had a dream (or vision) of my son grown up. There were many times, during the course of labor and delivery, two months early, and afterwards while my son was very ill or had problems, I held on to the words and vision from the Lord. Scripture all backed me up in my faith, of course, but it was the strength of direct revelation from the Lord that kept me going in the middle of distress. Many times I had to refuse to follow advice from "experts." Now, my son is grown up and married, and he is a wonderful, talented and successful man of God. And I know that God's not done fulfilling His word. Praise the Lord!
That was a lot of words to say: embrace the wilderness-- because when you come forth, having been tried by fire, you will see the word of the Lord fulfilled.
In the area of physical existence, we are constantly challenged to rise above the worldly way of living and follow God's instructions. He is to be our source in every way. The wilderness shows us where we are relying on things other than God to sustain us and meet our needs. As a personal example, when I fasted from shopping I became aware of how I was using it to cope with anxiety.
In the area of purpose, did you notice the theme of "authority" being expanded? That again could be a whole blog in itself! Let's just think about Jesus' purpose. He knew what He was supposed to do, but it was obviously not to be done the way Satan suggested. It looks obvious here to us as we read it, but our enemy tries the same approach on all of us-- it just seems more subtle when we're in the middle of it.
We have to be on our guard, particularly when we feel we are clear on what our calling is and we are headed for it. Satan will try to avert us from the path of truth and get us to accomplish, in our own strength, whatever God has told us to do. If we didn't pass the "physical existence" test, we will be easy prey in this area. Look what happened to Balaam. It seemed that he had repented from his oracle-for-pay lifestyle, but today we read that he was responsible for a despicable plan to bring Israel down. He was slain in the vengence against Midian. What a reminder to maintain the fear of the Lord and not be driven by greed! I'm sure greed is the reason many called prophetic people err, and even become false.
If the enemy can't stop you with the first two assaults, he will aim at the heart of your being. "Who are you, really?" "Why would God ever do that for you?" I have many times, during this kind of test, felt like a delusional person while the enemy taunts me with "you are nobody" and "you're just nacissistic." When my pastor shared that Jesus' last reply was "It is said," Luke 4:12, it revolutionized my understanding of the wilderness experience. It's when the Lord has applied Scripture to you, or given you a vision, etc., and you've received it in your heart ("You are my child." "This is what we're going to do."), that you can use Biblical truth to overcome the lies of the enemy. Just quoting Scripture isn't going to do it if you don't believe the Word in your heart. And it doesn't have to be written word-for-word in the Bible if it's truth from God (you should test everything you hear or see against Scripture to make sure).
Again, you can use whatever God had said to you, or shown you in any way, as part of your warfare. Here's an example. During my second pregnancy, the Lord said to me "Your baby is going to come early, but it's going to be alright." Not long after, I had a dream (or vision) of my son grown up. There were many times, during the course of labor and delivery, two months early, and afterwards while my son was very ill or had problems, I held on to the words and vision from the Lord. Scripture all backed me up in my faith, of course, but it was the strength of direct revelation from the Lord that kept me going in the middle of distress. Many times I had to refuse to follow advice from "experts." Now, my son is grown up and married, and he is a wonderful, talented and successful man of God. And I know that God's not done fulfilling His word. Praise the Lord!
That was a lot of words to say: embrace the wilderness-- because when you come forth, having been tried by fire, you will see the word of the Lord fulfilled.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
January 27, 2010
Jesus told us to be humble like a child: that is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4. Moses was humble, but he made God angry when he told God to "please send someone else," even after God said He's put the words in his mouth and had given him signs to show. Exodus 4:12-14 (I'm struck by how the Lord didn't recind the call, just made a provision for Moses' weakness.)
I've had the Lord tell me to do many things I just knew I couldn't do, and yet He was there helping me when I stepped out. Of course, there have been many, many times I didn't step out because of fear and unbelief.
Apparently, the greatest humility is to take God at His word and obey, no matter how crazy it seems, and no matter what anyone else thinks of you.
I've had the Lord tell me to do many things I just knew I couldn't do, and yet He was there helping me when I stepped out. Of course, there have been many, many times I didn't step out because of fear and unbelief.
Apparently, the greatest humility is to take God at His word and obey, no matter how crazy it seems, and no matter what anyone else thinks of you.
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