God loves us so much! He is daily sending out His messages of love and hope, if we just had ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to understand. Jeremiah received a message of hope in a mundane transaction of real estate. How often we miss these things because we're not expecting them.
Are you in the midst of disaster? Turn to God. He is the God of restoration.
Are you suffering from depression? I am your hope, says the Lord.
Are you being disciplined? "For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:34
In Christ we have a new covenant, the promise of God's goodness forever. Even if you feel like you are at the bottom of the ocean. . . weighed down by impossible circumstances and crushed by unbearable heaviness. . . God is with you, and nothing is too hard for Him. Do you feel separated from God's love? There are bubbles all around you! Take these to your heart, for they contain the oxygen of hope that will sustain you until He comes and lifts you up.
"And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good" Jeremiah 31: 40-41a NKJV
Showing posts with label comfort. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comfort. Show all posts
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
October 14, 2010 I Choose The Temple Of Truth
Since we are created to be God's temple, individually and corporately, we have a responsibility to remain faithful to Him. There is an unholy temple, and I don't want to be it. In that temple, the self is set up as god, and lawlessness "rules." Unrighteousness is its condition. According to our reading today, it is the work of Satan. It is the result of not loving the truth, and those who live there are given over to a lying delusion, and eventually to destruction.
On the other hand, we have the choice to live in, and be, God's holy temple. In this temple, Christ Jesus is King, and because of His grace, we serve the living God. This temple is full of the praise of God, and His truth rules. The condition of those who live here is blessing and strength, grace and glory!
Even though the world seems to be, more and more, embracing the spirit of antichrist, rushing headlong into insanity, we who are in Christ Jesus may be always joyful and hopeful in Him. As we patiently wait for His return, we have the awesome privilege to daily serve Him in whatever He has given us to do, whether small or great.
"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."
2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17 NKJV
On the other hand, we have the choice to live in, and be, God's holy temple. In this temple, Christ Jesus is King, and because of His grace, we serve the living God. This temple is full of the praise of God, and His truth rules. The condition of those who live here is blessing and strength, grace and glory!
Even though the world seems to be, more and more, embracing the spirit of antichrist, rushing headlong into insanity, we who are in Christ Jesus may be always joyful and hopeful in Him. As we patiently wait for His return, we have the awesome privilege to daily serve Him in whatever He has given us to do, whether small or great.
"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."
2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17 NKJV
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
August 11, 2010 The Secret Pavilion
I will share something about the book of Nehemiah that will revolutionize it for you, in case you've never seen it before. I learned it while doing my degree work in Christian Biblical Psychology. It's all about restoration, and it is pertinent to the rebuilding of a broken person, as well as the entire Church. As are all the histories of the Jewish people, they are all written for our instruction.
Today I saw something a little different that I hadn't noticed (maybe I was taught it before, but I don't remember). All the different people who worked on the wall are like all the different people we come in contact with when we are "under construction." The Lord will use various people to be His hands in our life when we need help. A great many people have been devastated emotionally and spiritually, and even physically (often as a result of those) and are in need of being healed and put back together. God doesn't use any one person (such as a counselor or pastor) to "fix" someone; otherwise I think we would take credit for "building" someone or for making them who they are to become. God uses teams, and He gets all the glory for it. The teams are organized by the Holy Spirit, and not necessarily in a way we can see. I can testify that while I was going through the greatest part of my restoration, that many people had a part to play in different areas in my life. Sometimes they didn't even realize that God was working through them for the purpose of healing and restoration. Others didn't realize they were getting in the way.
Notice that first Nehemiah assessed the damage, and then they began to work on the wall. Most people who have been through life traumas don't have anything in the way of proper defenses. This might be noticed in the lack of good boundaries, in behavior lacking in any kind of normal sense about what is healthy, and in the tendency to be overrun by harmful agents. The picture of a war-ravaged city, burned down and with the walls in ruins, is a powerful image to help us understand how damaged people can be. If you haven't been there yourself, I guarantee you know someone who is. Likely, you are one of the people who is working on your little section of the wall. When everyone does their part, a person is able to be restored to functioning more quickly. The deeper issues of healing then, are dealt with in a safer environment.
While all this work is going on, God nurtures us in the Secret Pavilion. It's the secret place of His presence, and it's there for all who fear God and trust Him. It's for the workers and well as those "under construction." Sometimes it takes a person a while to learn to trust God, as well as have the right kind of reverent awe of the Lord. When those around them are living in this place, it's a lot easier for them to be led to into it. No matter who's trying to do you in, or who's speaking evil against you, you're hidden from it in the Secret Pavilion. Even plaguing inner voices are shut down in this tent of peace, where the love of God surrounds you and protects you.
In the Secret Pavilion, you can also receive a vision of the Heavenly City, the New Jerusalem. "Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!" Psalm 31:21 This vision of the wholeness, holiness, and oneness of the finished product of God's people-- what Jesus is working on and will finish-- is what gives the workers and the people being restored, hope enough to continue. It's what gives us courage, strengthening our hearts. And Satan will be just as surprised about the results as he was when Jesus was resurrected!
Questions to ponder:
Have you ever noticed how many loud and opposing voices there are all around you all the time? Have you ever experienced the peace and quiet of God's secret pavilion?
Who do you know that is in a broken and ruined condition? How is God moving through you to help rebuild the wall?
What was your impression of how Nehemiah communicated with the king? What kind of instruction does this give you for your own life?
Today I saw something a little different that I hadn't noticed (maybe I was taught it before, but I don't remember). All the different people who worked on the wall are like all the different people we come in contact with when we are "under construction." The Lord will use various people to be His hands in our life when we need help. A great many people have been devastated emotionally and spiritually, and even physically (often as a result of those) and are in need of being healed and put back together. God doesn't use any one person (such as a counselor or pastor) to "fix" someone; otherwise I think we would take credit for "building" someone or for making them who they are to become. God uses teams, and He gets all the glory for it. The teams are organized by the Holy Spirit, and not necessarily in a way we can see. I can testify that while I was going through the greatest part of my restoration, that many people had a part to play in different areas in my life. Sometimes they didn't even realize that God was working through them for the purpose of healing and restoration. Others didn't realize they were getting in the way.
Notice that first Nehemiah assessed the damage, and then they began to work on the wall. Most people who have been through life traumas don't have anything in the way of proper defenses. This might be noticed in the lack of good boundaries, in behavior lacking in any kind of normal sense about what is healthy, and in the tendency to be overrun by harmful agents. The picture of a war-ravaged city, burned down and with the walls in ruins, is a powerful image to help us understand how damaged people can be. If you haven't been there yourself, I guarantee you know someone who is. Likely, you are one of the people who is working on your little section of the wall. When everyone does their part, a person is able to be restored to functioning more quickly. The deeper issues of healing then, are dealt with in a safer environment.
While all this work is going on, God nurtures us in the Secret Pavilion. It's the secret place of His presence, and it's there for all who fear God and trust Him. It's for the workers and well as those "under construction." Sometimes it takes a person a while to learn to trust God, as well as have the right kind of reverent awe of the Lord. When those around them are living in this place, it's a lot easier for them to be led to into it. No matter who's trying to do you in, or who's speaking evil against you, you're hidden from it in the Secret Pavilion. Even plaguing inner voices are shut down in this tent of peace, where the love of God surrounds you and protects you.
In the Secret Pavilion, you can also receive a vision of the Heavenly City, the New Jerusalem. "Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!" Psalm 31:21 This vision of the wholeness, holiness, and oneness of the finished product of God's people-- what Jesus is working on and will finish-- is what gives the workers and the people being restored, hope enough to continue. It's what gives us courage, strengthening our hearts. And Satan will be just as surprised about the results as he was when Jesus was resurrected!
Questions to ponder:
Have you ever noticed how many loud and opposing voices there are all around you all the time? Have you ever experienced the peace and quiet of God's secret pavilion?
Who do you know that is in a broken and ruined condition? How is God moving through you to help rebuild the wall?
What was your impression of how Nehemiah communicated with the king? What kind of instruction does this give you for your own life?
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
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
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
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
Friday, June 25, 2010
June 25, 2010 Earth-Shaking Praise
Our trials and tribulations always have redemptive purposes! We can be assured of this because, when we belong to God, He uses everything for good. We have our share of responsibility, I think, in releasing God's redemptive purpose into our sphere of influence. From reading about Paul and Silas in prison, I realize that praising and glorifying God in the midst of trouble and persecution can be the sign that points people to Christ.
Even when our sufferings are entirely private, praising God with abandon is a key to victory. If we're practicing this when no one is looking, we'll be prepared for action when someone actually is. To me, having victory over my difficult circumstances is a good incentive to do what I know: praise God with my whole heart-- which is a pleasing sacrifice. The thought that I might be practicing for the future-- that other people might be brought into the Kingdom because I glorified God while I suffered-- gives my present trials even more meaning. I might even be able to embrace them with gusto!
Even when our sufferings are entirely private, praising God with abandon is a key to victory. If we're practicing this when no one is looking, we'll be prepared for action when someone actually is. To me, having victory over my difficult circumstances is a good incentive to do what I know: praise God with my whole heart-- which is a pleasing sacrifice. The thought that I might be practicing for the future-- that other people might be brought into the Kingdom because I glorified God while I suffered-- gives my present trials even more meaning. I might even be able to embrace them with gusto!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
May 27, 2010 The Overcomer's Cheer
Could there be a more impacting statement than Jesus' saying, "I have overcome the world"? The outcome of believing His statement is "good cheer." I had to look that word up in the Greek-- it's tharseo: the root is "courage, confidence." Tharseo can also be translated "be of good comfort."
So, the sense I get from this is not a "cheer" that ignores all what's going on (the end of that path is a drunken "ignorance is bliss" mentality), but a joy and comfort that comes from having courage. Our courage comes from our knowledge that He is in control, He wins, and He is with us, and in us, to help us and strengthen us. His goal is for us to be overcomers in Him, Who has already overcome. We can go through whatever we have to with this assurance, with peace, joy, and confidence.
So, the sense I get from this is not a "cheer" that ignores all what's going on (the end of that path is a drunken "ignorance is bliss" mentality), but a joy and comfort that comes from having courage. Our courage comes from our knowledge that He is in control, He wins, and He is with us, and in us, to help us and strengthen us. His goal is for us to be overcomers in Him, Who has already overcome. We can go through whatever we have to with this assurance, with peace, joy, and confidence.
Friday, May 14, 2010
May 14, 2010 God Looks on the Heart
“Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 I am so very glad that God looks at the heart, and that when He looks at me, He sees Jesus, and me in Him. After reading this part of Saul's sad, sad story, I was very grateful to read of Jesus' mercy with the woman caught in adultery. He saw a heart of repentance. If there had been true repentance in Saul, he would have been accepted.
No amount of bargaining with God can bring about a truce with Him; only accepting His way, and that Way is Christ. But His love covers a multitude of sins-- things that couldn't be wiped out with any amount of tears or efforts at restitution. We need Him. We need to fear Him and obey Him, which can be hard until we know Him better. Once we know His love, we would go through flames of utter destruction to get close to His heart.
Samuel was still learning lessons about discernment and seeing the heart, not just hearing words or seeing masks. Jesus quoted what the Lord said to him, too, about not judging by appearances. We need to know that God sees our heart: there's nothing we can hide from Him, but there's also nothing that God is hiding from us. If we want to know Him, He is more than willing to reveal Himself to us.
I have never been the person the world would choose (funny, but I was really the proverbial person no one wanted on their sports team, at least until later on in highschool), and you probably aren't either. But that's OK, because God chooses us. He loved us before we knew Him, called us and accepted us. I don't want to be unchosen for the things He's called me to do. That keeps me on the straight and narrow. He's not going to entrust anything to me if I'm untrustworthy. I'm glad though, that He's not going to "unchoose me" from being His child, or "unfriend me" because I mess up. He knows my weaknesses, and He helps me (and disciplines me sometimes). Jesus said He'd never leave us or forsake us. We would have to totally reject Him and leave Him completely to end up like Saul, which is, I guess, what Saul did. I'd much rather be the one on the healing end of the harp than the one with a tormenting spirit because I rejected the Spirit of God.
No amount of bargaining with God can bring about a truce with Him; only accepting His way, and that Way is Christ. But His love covers a multitude of sins-- things that couldn't be wiped out with any amount of tears or efforts at restitution. We need Him. We need to fear Him and obey Him, which can be hard until we know Him better. Once we know His love, we would go through flames of utter destruction to get close to His heart.
Samuel was still learning lessons about discernment and seeing the heart, not just hearing words or seeing masks. Jesus quoted what the Lord said to him, too, about not judging by appearances. We need to know that God sees our heart: there's nothing we can hide from Him, but there's also nothing that God is hiding from us. If we want to know Him, He is more than willing to reveal Himself to us.
I have never been the person the world would choose (funny, but I was really the proverbial person no one wanted on their sports team, at least until later on in highschool), and you probably aren't either. But that's OK, because God chooses us. He loved us before we knew Him, called us and accepted us. I don't want to be unchosen for the things He's called me to do. That keeps me on the straight and narrow. He's not going to entrust anything to me if I'm untrustworthy. I'm glad though, that He's not going to "unchoose me" from being His child, or "unfriend me" because I mess up. He knows my weaknesses, and He helps me (and disciplines me sometimes). Jesus said He'd never leave us or forsake us. We would have to totally reject Him and leave Him completely to end up like Saul, which is, I guess, what Saul did. I'd much rather be the one on the healing end of the harp than the one with a tormenting spirit because I rejected the Spirit of God.
Friday, April 23, 2010
April 23, 2010
As much as I wanted to get into a less weighted topic than yesterday's, I couldn't help honing in on this verse, as it seemed to deserve our focused attention: “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21: 34-38
[It is a very good study to look up the words in this verse in the Greek--I did.]
I was brought up believing in the Rapture (the doctrine that says Christians will be taken off of Earth while the unbelievers suffer through the tribulation and God's wrath). When I began to see that Jesus' exhortations and prophecies were meant to help us "endure until the end," I then had a big question about the above verse-- Jesus telling us to pray we'd be counted worthy to escape. I've never heard a Rapture doctrine about being worthy, only about being a Christian, and then, of course, about people getting saved afterward, such as in the "Left Behind" series. As as good friend of mine used to say, "The only way to get out of here is to die."
I wish that there was such a thing as being Christlike enough to get lifted off the world and out of trouble. I think of Enoch as an example. But as that leaves little hope for me, and probably for you either, I'm searching for a better answer. What does Jesus mean-- counted worthy to escape? Are people like Enoch and Elijah the only ones who get to escape? I hope not, because "all these things that will come to pass" don't sound too pretty. I seriously want to escape! You?
Jesus was well aware of this desire to escape, and addressed it in the above verses. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life." Most of us avoid the carousing and drunkenness, don't we? But most of us are certainly weighed down with the cares of this life. Negative thoughts swirl about our heads, things like "it was sure nice when life was good." The temptation of escapism is greater than it has ever been. And the modes of practicing escapism are grand and varied indeed. It's hard to resist getting lost in whatever form of entertainment appeals to us at the moment.
It is easy for me to imagine staying lost in some awesome BluRay movie, cool video game, or fantasy novel for the rest of my life. Then what: I couldn't stand before the Lord: I'd be covered in shame, with what excuse-- I didn't have the strength to watch and pray, and to get His help in staying mentally, emotionally and spiritually sober. No difference whatsoever, from when I was lost in drug-land long ago. The motivation would have been the same: I couldn't handle life. (I still enjoy movies, games, and books in moderation, don't get me wrong. I still have to be careful I don't use them wrongly. God ministers to our hearts, each on the things we need to deal with. I use myself as an example.)
I've come a long way from my drug-using days, and yet, I still feel intense pressure to escape. Things in the world are hard to face-- I can't fix them. I sometimes feel at a loss to even deal with things in my own firsthand world. It would be nice not to think about them. And yet the Lord challenges us to stay awake, watch for Him, live for Him. The Holy Spirit is our constant helper.
There is a great Harvest of souls to come out of the world and into God's Kingdom, and I want to be here to work in that field. People are frightened and hurting, dazed and confused. Jesus Christ Himself is what we have to give them, and if we keep our eyes open in the spirit, we will be able to do "whatever I see my Father doing." We have to live on the Earth in order to do that. How will we survive in such a dangerous time as this? I'm so glad you asked.
Psalm 91 showed up right when I needed it! This Psalm has been such a comfort for me ever since I was first born-again. It speaks to me of how we can escape the evil and dangers of the last days and keep our wits about us too. We are to dwell in God: "Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways." Psalm 91: 9-11 We can dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High!
Jesus is our secret place, and we know that we are in Him and He is in us-- we are seated in the heavenlies. We enter into this reality by faith, by spending time with Him and allowing Him to establish this reality in us, so that we can experience it. It takes focus on heavenly things, laying aside everything that keeps us weighed down. Once we realize that we can be empowered to overcome, here on Earth, for His purposes, it makes it a lot easier to watch for Him, trust Him and do His will.
If we're listening, we won't be surprised, or ashamed, at His coming!
For further study-- people and situations in Scripture who escaped the judgments of God without leaving Earth:
Israel in Goshen and at Passover
Lot and his family from Sodom [his wife didn't "stand"]
Noah and his family when God flooded the earth
(There are more, I'm sure, but these are what I thought of right away.)
Jesus is the Refuge we run to.
Jesus is our Hope for our future.
Jesus is our Safe Home.
[It is a very good study to look up the words in this verse in the Greek--I did.]
I was brought up believing in the Rapture (the doctrine that says Christians will be taken off of Earth while the unbelievers suffer through the tribulation and God's wrath). When I began to see that Jesus' exhortations and prophecies were meant to help us "endure until the end," I then had a big question about the above verse-- Jesus telling us to pray we'd be counted worthy to escape. I've never heard a Rapture doctrine about being worthy, only about being a Christian, and then, of course, about people getting saved afterward, such as in the "Left Behind" series. As as good friend of mine used to say, "The only way to get out of here is to die."
I wish that there was such a thing as being Christlike enough to get lifted off the world and out of trouble. I think of Enoch as an example. But as that leaves little hope for me, and probably for you either, I'm searching for a better answer. What does Jesus mean-- counted worthy to escape? Are people like Enoch and Elijah the only ones who get to escape? I hope not, because "all these things that will come to pass" don't sound too pretty. I seriously want to escape! You?
Jesus was well aware of this desire to escape, and addressed it in the above verses. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life." Most of us avoid the carousing and drunkenness, don't we? But most of us are certainly weighed down with the cares of this life. Negative thoughts swirl about our heads, things like "it was sure nice when life was good." The temptation of escapism is greater than it has ever been. And the modes of practicing escapism are grand and varied indeed. It's hard to resist getting lost in whatever form of entertainment appeals to us at the moment.
It is easy for me to imagine staying lost in some awesome BluRay movie, cool video game, or fantasy novel for the rest of my life. Then what: I couldn't stand before the Lord: I'd be covered in shame, with what excuse-- I didn't have the strength to watch and pray, and to get His help in staying mentally, emotionally and spiritually sober. No difference whatsoever, from when I was lost in drug-land long ago. The motivation would have been the same: I couldn't handle life. (I still enjoy movies, games, and books in moderation, don't get me wrong. I still have to be careful I don't use them wrongly. God ministers to our hearts, each on the things we need to deal with. I use myself as an example.)
I've come a long way from my drug-using days, and yet, I still feel intense pressure to escape. Things in the world are hard to face-- I can't fix them. I sometimes feel at a loss to even deal with things in my own firsthand world. It would be nice not to think about them. And yet the Lord challenges us to stay awake, watch for Him, live for Him. The Holy Spirit is our constant helper.
There is a great Harvest of souls to come out of the world and into God's Kingdom, and I want to be here to work in that field. People are frightened and hurting, dazed and confused. Jesus Christ Himself is what we have to give them, and if we keep our eyes open in the spirit, we will be able to do "whatever I see my Father doing." We have to live on the Earth in order to do that. How will we survive in such a dangerous time as this? I'm so glad you asked.
Psalm 91 showed up right when I needed it! This Psalm has been such a comfort for me ever since I was first born-again. It speaks to me of how we can escape the evil and dangers of the last days and keep our wits about us too. We are to dwell in God: "Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways." Psalm 91: 9-11 We can dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High!
Jesus is our secret place, and we know that we are in Him and He is in us-- we are seated in the heavenlies. We enter into this reality by faith, by spending time with Him and allowing Him to establish this reality in us, so that we can experience it. It takes focus on heavenly things, laying aside everything that keeps us weighed down. Once we realize that we can be empowered to overcome, here on Earth, for His purposes, it makes it a lot easier to watch for Him, trust Him and do His will.
If we're listening, we won't be surprised, or ashamed, at His coming!
For further study-- people and situations in Scripture who escaped the judgments of God without leaving Earth:
Israel in Goshen and at Passover
Lot and his family from Sodom [his wife didn't "stand"]
Noah and his family when God flooded the earth
(There are more, I'm sure, but these are what I thought of right away.)
Jesus is the Refuge we run to.
Jesus is our Hope for our future.
Jesus is our Safe Home.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
April 22, 2010
The Scriptures in which Jesus talks about the end times are, to me, some of the most important ones we can study, and hear His voice in, for NOW. He tells us these things not to frighten us, but to prepare us and comfort us. All these "dreadful portents" are indications that the Kingdom of Heaven is soon to be Christ's reign on Earth! How could these things be our doom? They are only foreboding to those who reject Christ, and to the rebellious kingdoms of the earth. If we endure, we very well could be among the generation to see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" !
Jesus made it clear that these terrible signs and events should give us a sense of expectation, not the fear and confusion that would be characteristic of the nations of the earth. "Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28 Our response should be to get ready and be watchful-- keeping our eyes on heavenly things and our focus on Jesus Christ. It is time to renew our commitment to serving the Lord, putting aside all the idols that distract us and take our attention away from Him. It is time to lay down all the things in the past that keep us focused on ourselves and that hinder us by causing us to have a victim mentality.
It is time to rise up and show the world that there is an unshakeable Kingdom, with a glorious King who reigns with love and wisdom, and to call people into it. We are in this Kingdom already, because we are in Christ who is the King. We will have righteousness, peace and joy if we will actually live in the Kingdom we are part of. We are, in truth, high above all that is happening on this earth.
I believe we have physicalized the concept of the "Rapture" because we took the things in Scripture and interpreted them the only way we knew how, naturally. But if we can see things according to the Spirit, we will realize that we are ALREADY "seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus". "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2: 4-7
Oh, how the Spirit of the Lord is singing over us right now, desiring with fervor for us to get a hold of this REALITY!
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" Colossians 1:13 KJV
"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" NKJV
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" NIV
"For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son" NLT
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ESV
"el cual nos ha librado de la potestad de las tinieblas, y trasladado al reino de su amado Hijo" RVR
"He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" RSV
"who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate us into the reign of the Son of His love" ASV
"who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love" HNV
It has already been done! Can you hear the music? Will you sing it with Him?
P.S.
The sudden switch of tone and perspective in the second half of Psalm 89 reminds me of the way we think and feel when we do not realize what God has already accomplished in Christ, for us.
P.P.S PLEASE READ THIS!
So you don't get the wrong idea from what I'm saying:
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
2 Thessalonians 2: 1-2
Jesus is still returning in person to reign on Earth, and we will reign with Him!
I suggest reading this chapter, as well as chapter 1. Paul is encouraging the brethren who are enduring persecutions and tribulations. Jesus said we would have these things, and that is why we must endure. But our endurance and patient perseverance is going to be dictated by our internal outlook and perspective.
"that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. . . when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. " 2 Thessalonians 1: 5a-7,10
Jesus made it clear that these terrible signs and events should give us a sense of expectation, not the fear and confusion that would be characteristic of the nations of the earth. "Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28 Our response should be to get ready and be watchful-- keeping our eyes on heavenly things and our focus on Jesus Christ. It is time to renew our commitment to serving the Lord, putting aside all the idols that distract us and take our attention away from Him. It is time to lay down all the things in the past that keep us focused on ourselves and that hinder us by causing us to have a victim mentality.
It is time to rise up and show the world that there is an unshakeable Kingdom, with a glorious King who reigns with love and wisdom, and to call people into it. We are in this Kingdom already, because we are in Christ who is the King. We will have righteousness, peace and joy if we will actually live in the Kingdom we are part of. We are, in truth, high above all that is happening on this earth.
I believe we have physicalized the concept of the "Rapture" because we took the things in Scripture and interpreted them the only way we knew how, naturally. But if we can see things according to the Spirit, we will realize that we are ALREADY "seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus". "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2: 4-7
Oh, how the Spirit of the Lord is singing over us right now, desiring with fervor for us to get a hold of this REALITY!
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" Colossians 1:13 KJV
"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" NKJV
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" NIV
"For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son" NLT
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ESV
"el cual nos ha librado de la potestad de las tinieblas, y trasladado al reino de su amado Hijo" RVR
"He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" RSV
"who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate us into the reign of the Son of His love" ASV
"who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love" HNV
It has already been done! Can you hear the music? Will you sing it with Him?
P.S.
The sudden switch of tone and perspective in the second half of Psalm 89 reminds me of the way we think and feel when we do not realize what God has already accomplished in Christ, for us.
P.P.S PLEASE READ THIS!
So you don't get the wrong idea from what I'm saying:
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
2 Thessalonians 2: 1-2
Jesus is still returning in person to reign on Earth, and we will reign with Him!
I suggest reading this chapter, as well as chapter 1. Paul is encouraging the brethren who are enduring persecutions and tribulations. Jesus said we would have these things, and that is why we must endure. But our endurance and patient perseverance is going to be dictated by our internal outlook and perspective.
"that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. . . when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. " 2 Thessalonians 1: 5a-7,10
Friday, January 8, 2010
January 8, 2010
I am always impressed with Abraham's conversation with God. I'm sure Abraham was aware of the great evil in that place and was habitually interceding for Lot and his family. I always thought "how could Lot offer his daughters to those evil men?" but today I realized that the ladies weren't in danger from those guys. He included it to let us know clearly what those men were up to and what the Lord thinks about it.
I found myself comforted and warned by the Scripture selections today. Warned, because I saw how easy it is to become compromised in righteousness when we're in close contact with and influenced by the world, judging our own condition by comparison with what's going on around us. Comforted, as I also noticed the reference again in Proverbs 2:7 to the Lord being our SHIELD, and the references to God's justice.
It's also like Wisdom and Prudence, verses 10 and 11, are guarding us in the Way, and they will lead us out if need be, to protect us--like the two "men" did (I'm assuming they're angels)--from judgments to come. If I'm seeking the Kingdom and His righteousness first, Matthew 6:33, I will have my eyes on God and won't look back. Genesis 19:36
I found myself comforted and warned by the Scripture selections today. Warned, because I saw how easy it is to become compromised in righteousness when we're in close contact with and influenced by the world, judging our own condition by comparison with what's going on around us. Comforted, as I also noticed the reference again in Proverbs 2:7 to the Lord being our SHIELD, and the references to God's justice.
It's also like Wisdom and Prudence, verses 10 and 11, are guarding us in the Way, and they will lead us out if need be, to protect us--like the two "men" did (I'm assuming they're angels)--from judgments to come. If I'm seeking the Kingdom and His righteousness first, Matthew 6:33, I will have my eyes on God and won't look back. Genesis 19:36
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
