The book of Lamentations makes a lot more sense when you read it right after Jeremiah. Considering what had happened to Jerusalem, the siege and the exile to Babylon, it makes total sense to grieve. Most of us are familiar with the "stages of grief" from psychology. Instead of referring to that right now, I am looking solely at what I learned about grieving from what we've read so far in Lamentations. Then we can evaluate the observations as we read the rest of the book and review what we've already read.
There are different points of view expressed in this long poem of grief. It's not so confusing when you read it this way. However, strong feelings of confusion are natural when experiencing grief, especially something so deeply affecting as what Jeremiah is writing about. As we see Jerusalem personified as a grieving widow, and then enter in to her experience and the expression of her grief, we can learn a lot.
There's Jeremiah's personal grief expressed here, too; and sometimes it even seems that God is expressing His own grief through Jeremiah. I came to the conclusion that God grieved as much as anyone for having to put His people through the stuff. If you're a parent, you most likely know how painful it is for parents to do the needed discipline at times. It is obvious that God did not enjoy the destruction and the resulting grief of His people. He's a compassionate God.
So, my first conclusion is this: if you've suffered loss, no matter what type, tell the story and express the grief as thoroughly and honestly as you can (and a creative medium such as journaling or poetry can help you do this). At first, you don't have to think through the feelings, make sense of them, dissect them or judge them (they may seem irrational to you or others). Just get them out in reviewable form.
If we are around someone who is grieving, being able to hear/see, etc. the feelings helps us share the grief with them-- helps us understand. Reading this book, along with some of the Psalms and other people's expressions, can help us understand someone in extreme grief even if we haven't been there ourselves. Being open to sharing our grief expressions with intimate others can open us up to sharing our grief with God, and to experiencing His comfort as well. We understand from Lamentations that God does not hold Himself aloof from our grief, even if we have brought a loss onto ourselves (yes, I have been there).
IMPORTANT: I want to note that we must not apply the discipline reason for loss to someone (even to ourselves, as in the throes of grief, we may become self-condemning) unless it is our own child we ourselves are disciplining. It is up to the Holy Spirit to reveal the "whys" for things happening to people, and He may not always do so. It can be so terribly wounding to people for us to try to interpret their losses for them, even if we are correct-- and we most likely are not. Please refrain from doing so (unless you're the prophet Jeremiah--and remember, he warned them in advance by God's orders).
Second, in the midst of the grieving process, it is paramount to remember what we know about God, review things He's done for us, and praise Him for His goodness and steadfast love. Making ourselves read or listen to the Word is essential in this process. If we have journaled about His work in our lives, this is a good time to go back to it and read it again. We may be feeling really angry at God, and maybe we're blaming Him for stuff. He can handle it, and He is OK with us expressing these thoughts and feelings. But He also wants us to draw away from the feelings and the grief sometimes, and just meditate on Him. Sometimes others can remind us of His love and goodness, and His good plans for us-- this must be done gently and with love. Look how Jeremiah did this so tenderly in the middle of Lamentations. Such a good example!
The third part is a melding process of the first two. The Holy Spirit begins to work in us to compare and contrast our experience and feelings of grief with the realities of God. The more we are able to immerse ourselves in Him and His Word, including fellowship with wise and loving believers, the quicker we are able to integrate what we've experienced and feel with our knowledge of Him and the truth He reveals to us. Slowly, (and it's different for everyone in timing and the way the process looks), things start to clear up. We see where we need to repent, and we are able to do so. We see what God is doing in our life, and we are able to hear and accept His promises for the future. He imparts His peace to us as we hold on in faith to what we believe about Him.
The more solidly we are rooted into the Rock that is God, and the more thoroughly we have allowed His Word to change our thinking, the more equipped we will be to endure hardship, loss, and even disaster, and the more effectively we will be able to work through our grief and help others to do so as well. Even if we find ourselves being disciplined for something, we will be secure in the love and goodness of our Father. Perhaps we will even avoid said discipline by having experienced vicariously the loss and grief, repentance and restoration of another. I believe this is God's hope for us all.
Showing posts with label instruction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label instruction. Show all posts
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
October 16, 2010 The Merciful Conscience
It's the insights we receive in our quiet study of the Word of God, and the applications we see as we internally meditate on that Word during our day, that prepare us for the things we face, day in and day out. We don't suddenly decide what we believe and how to react when someone accuses us falsely to our face, or when our child throws a temper tantrum in the middle of Walmart. We don't have time to think then-- we just react. Or better yet, respond. Responses we'll be happy with, and that will please the Lord, will be determined in the quiet times we spend with the Lord, not on the fly.
Reading Paul's instructions to Timothy today sounded so much like a loving father getting his son ready for dealing with people-- maybe some really obnoxious people-- getting him ready for times he'd more likely react than respond. It's like he was saying to him, "Son, when you're studying the Word, make sure you study how to be merciful." Paul gives us some tips.
He was telling Timothy that as much as we hate evil and want to teach people the right way, we first must be patient and merciful. The key to this is to remember how we've been in the past. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief," said Paul, who went on to express his appreciation for the mercy that Christ had shown him. I know we can all relate. The Lord expects us to take this mercy and pass it on. Without mercy, we are not instructing people, we are setting ourselves up as their judge. "Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith," Paul explains. Without mercy, we will not have any of these, for we will not even forgive ourselves.
Our biggest incentive to be merciful, rather than legalistic and vengeful, is that God is: "O God, the proud have risen against me, and a mob of violent men have sought my life, and have not set You before them. But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth." Psalm 86: 14-15 NKJV
As hard as it is to swallow sometimes, we must be merciful with sinners, because if we're not, we're "rejecting conscience." God will eventually punish the wicked. For now, it is our job to instruct in righteousness and to offer the saving grace of Christ.
Reading Paul's instructions to Timothy today sounded so much like a loving father getting his son ready for dealing with people-- maybe some really obnoxious people-- getting him ready for times he'd more likely react than respond. It's like he was saying to him, "Son, when you're studying the Word, make sure you study how to be merciful." Paul gives us some tips.
He was telling Timothy that as much as we hate evil and want to teach people the right way, we first must be patient and merciful. The key to this is to remember how we've been in the past. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief," said Paul, who went on to express his appreciation for the mercy that Christ had shown him. I know we can all relate. The Lord expects us to take this mercy and pass it on. Without mercy, we are not instructing people, we are setting ourselves up as their judge. "Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith," Paul explains. Without mercy, we will not have any of these, for we will not even forgive ourselves.
Our biggest incentive to be merciful, rather than legalistic and vengeful, is that God is: "O God, the proud have risen against me, and a mob of violent men have sought my life, and have not set You before them. But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth." Psalm 86: 14-15 NKJV
As hard as it is to swallow sometimes, we must be merciful with sinners, because if we're not, we're "rejecting conscience." God will eventually punish the wicked. For now, it is our job to instruct in righteousness and to offer the saving grace of Christ.
Friday, October 15, 2010
October 15, 2010 Don't Grow Weary?
A verse really grabbed my attention today: the apostle Paul saying "do not grow weary in doing good." Since I tend to do that on a somewhat regular basis, I wondered if there were any readily available answers as to how to avoid that. This is what I saw, just in the passages for today:
From Jeremiah:
Do and say what God tells you, no matter how strange and unexpected, and don't follow the crowd. For one thing, this is not boring enough to get weary of, and for another, He strengthens and protects those who obey Him.
From Paul's letter to the Thessalonians:
The Word of God runs swiftly, so if we let it live in us, it will empower us. We tend to get weary when we get opposition from those without faith, but here we are again assured that God will protect us and deliver us, because He is faithful. We're warned not to hang around lazy leeches (I suppose that doesn't mean don't minister to such). This was partly to be a warning to the "disorderly" people, but I think it's also an intelligent precaution on our own part, so it doesn't rub off on us. If we hang around God, and His people who allow Him to move through them, we'll get motivated by Him. Although His atmosphere and attitude is established and peaceful, His glory is not idle.
From the Psalms:
Since we all do get weary sometimes (and even burned-out), we can turn to the Lord for help. He will forgive us, restore us, and revive us. His peace is an important factor in maintaining a steady and faithful lifestyle of service. Over-stress, worry, and improper burden-bearing wear us down and steal our health and our joy, eventually leading us into sinful coping behaviors.
I especially love verses 10-13 of Psalm 85, It is such a great picture!
"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ." 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NKJV
From Jeremiah:
Do and say what God tells you, no matter how strange and unexpected, and don't follow the crowd. For one thing, this is not boring enough to get weary of, and for another, He strengthens and protects those who obey Him.
From Paul's letter to the Thessalonians:
The Word of God runs swiftly, so if we let it live in us, it will empower us. We tend to get weary when we get opposition from those without faith, but here we are again assured that God will protect us and deliver us, because He is faithful. We're warned not to hang around lazy leeches (I suppose that doesn't mean don't minister to such). This was partly to be a warning to the "disorderly" people, but I think it's also an intelligent precaution on our own part, so it doesn't rub off on us. If we hang around God, and His people who allow Him to move through them, we'll get motivated by Him. Although His atmosphere and attitude is established and peaceful, His glory is not idle.
From the Psalms:
Since we all do get weary sometimes (and even burned-out), we can turn to the Lord for help. He will forgive us, restore us, and revive us. His peace is an important factor in maintaining a steady and faithful lifestyle of service. Over-stress, worry, and improper burden-bearing wear us down and steal our health and our joy, eventually leading us into sinful coping behaviors.
I especially love verses 10-13 of Psalm 85, It is such a great picture!
"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ." 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NKJV
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monday, April 12, 2010
April 12, 2010
As I read today in the Joshua passage, I saw something that simply took my breath away! It's possible that I may have heard it taught before, but I don't remember it, and I certainly never "got it" with such impact. What I saw in the story about Jericho was intercession and spiritual warfare over individuals and cities. I'm not saying that we should do literally what the Israelites did, but that it is a symbolic word picture through and through, as well as the historical account.
The Lord brought a Scripture to my mind that upheld what He was saying to me (He is always so kind, isn't He, to help us understand). "A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city." Proverbs 18:19 [Many people are offended with God-- I think it's true of anyone who won't receive Him or others.]
When I read of Joshua encountering the Captain of the Hosts (He was Jesus, the Word, wasn't He!), it absolutely gave me chills. It is His battle-- we are fighting with Him as part of the army of God, and it's a spiritual one, not fought with flesh and blood, but with effective weapons against spiritual enemies-- and He is victorious! Only, we must bow before Him and obey His commands.
Rather than try to pick the story apart for an exact strategy, I will share the things that became energized to me today. I saw the seven days, seven times, seven priests, seven trumpets, as God's perfect and complete plan of redemption and restoration, the trumpets as praise of God and announcing His presence, and the circling in silence as forgiveness. What did Jesus say, "seventy times seven?"
Oh, I could write a long essay on this! Have we ever been able to win a person who has a hardened heart-- or with walls of defense built up around them-- by trying to batter the walls down? No! And yet, it has been done to me, and I have done it to others. I have learned the hard way that if I haven't interceeded for a person, coming before God with a humble heart (to be circumcised of the selfishness, or to have the log removed from my own eye), the Lord will not allow me to speak. If I do it without His permission and in His timing, the walls will not fall down, they will only be fortified, and often I will be the one attacked. Most of the time, a confrontation is not needed when intercession is done, declaring the Word over a person (in private, as the Spirit dictates only), and declaring the truth of their deliverance to the enemies who hold them captive-- until their enemies melt with fear. And at the proper time, we can shout the praises of God for the victory, and the walls come down without ever having attacked the person.
Rahab, a prostitute who had come to fear God and believe His Word, was saved along with her family, and everything else was devoted to destruction! There was a heavy penalty for anyone who would take something that was supposed to be destroyed. It is so important to let the Lord deal with anything in us that would hold a person to their sin, especially someone we are close to, such as a spouse,child, or close friend. It is too easy to become attached to the one we used to know, or out of some unmet need, to try to save the very things that God is burning. You could call that co-dependency. I know by experience that it is painful to go through the process of having the walls fall down, and the sinful nature burned up-- when I'm there myself, or when I'm around another who is going through the process. But we must allow the Captain of the Host to do His work.
Salvation rarely looks the way we think it should. So often it offends our proud and self-righteous spirits (religious). Just when we think the process is done within ourselves or in another, something else begins to burn or fall down. Don't forget the picture we saw of the loving Father, who forgives, receives, restores and rejoices over the one who had gone astray-- or the Good Shepherd, who leaves the 99 and goes after the one.
Now, take this picture and see how the Spirit of Wisdom might apply this to winning cities for the Kingdom of God!
The Lord brought a Scripture to my mind that upheld what He was saying to me (He is always so kind, isn't He, to help us understand). "A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city." Proverbs 18:19 [Many people are offended with God-- I think it's true of anyone who won't receive Him or others.]
When I read of Joshua encountering the Captain of the Hosts (He was Jesus, the Word, wasn't He!), it absolutely gave me chills. It is His battle-- we are fighting with Him as part of the army of God, and it's a spiritual one, not fought with flesh and blood, but with effective weapons against spiritual enemies-- and He is victorious! Only, we must bow before Him and obey His commands.
Rather than try to pick the story apart for an exact strategy, I will share the things that became energized to me today. I saw the seven days, seven times, seven priests, seven trumpets, as God's perfect and complete plan of redemption and restoration, the trumpets as praise of God and announcing His presence, and the circling in silence as forgiveness. What did Jesus say, "seventy times seven?"
Oh, I could write a long essay on this! Have we ever been able to win a person who has a hardened heart-- or with walls of defense built up around them-- by trying to batter the walls down? No! And yet, it has been done to me, and I have done it to others. I have learned the hard way that if I haven't interceeded for a person, coming before God with a humble heart (to be circumcised of the selfishness, or to have the log removed from my own eye), the Lord will not allow me to speak. If I do it without His permission and in His timing, the walls will not fall down, they will only be fortified, and often I will be the one attacked. Most of the time, a confrontation is not needed when intercession is done, declaring the Word over a person (in private, as the Spirit dictates only), and declaring the truth of their deliverance to the enemies who hold them captive-- until their enemies melt with fear. And at the proper time, we can shout the praises of God for the victory, and the walls come down without ever having attacked the person.
Rahab, a prostitute who had come to fear God and believe His Word, was saved along with her family, and everything else was devoted to destruction! There was a heavy penalty for anyone who would take something that was supposed to be destroyed. It is so important to let the Lord deal with anything in us that would hold a person to their sin, especially someone we are close to, such as a spouse,child, or close friend. It is too easy to become attached to the one we used to know, or out of some unmet need, to try to save the very things that God is burning. You could call that co-dependency. I know by experience that it is painful to go through the process of having the walls fall down, and the sinful nature burned up-- when I'm there myself, or when I'm around another who is going through the process. But we must allow the Captain of the Host to do His work.
Salvation rarely looks the way we think it should. So often it offends our proud and self-righteous spirits (religious). Just when we think the process is done within ourselves or in another, something else begins to burn or fall down. Don't forget the picture we saw of the loving Father, who forgives, receives, restores and rejoices over the one who had gone astray-- or the Good Shepherd, who leaves the 99 and goes after the one.
Now, take this picture and see how the Spirit of Wisdom might apply this to winning cities for the Kingdom of God!
Friday, March 12, 2010
March 12, 2010
Do you ever wake up in the morning with a sense of dread? I do sometimes. I learned a long time ago, from Joyce Meyer, that dread is just another form of fear. Fear is a core issue in my life, as I am sure it is with many of you. It stems from my temperament and from past experiences. These, of course, are no excuse for allowing fear to torment me and hold me back. Fear is an internal enemy, and it must be overcome.
The Psalmist had some fear to deal with as well. In Psalm 55 you can see a progression of feelings: troubled, distraught, anguished of heart, terrors of death, fear and trembling, overwhelming horror. vs. 1-5 At this point, he no longer has any fight in him, and just wants to flee. I can totally relate to these things, having suffered for many years from chronic anxiety and panic disorder. I could end up there again, but I have learned to deal with fear when it's still in its "dread" stage. When I sense dread becoming a dark cloud in my life, I go to the Lord and ask Him to shed some light on its causes.
Continuing in Psalm 55, David lists some causes for the fear he is experiencing. We all have different things we fear-- things we're dealing with internally and externally. It's good to face the things we fear, and to face the fact that we're fearful, but the cause is not really the issue. The cure is what matters.
"But I call upon God, and the Lord will save me. . . cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you. . . I will trust in [God]." vs 16, 22
Dread can lead to avoidance of the very things we love and need the most, and doing that can easily lead to depression. If for some reason you begin to feel a dread of going to the Lord for help or just to be with Him, determine in yourself now that you will resist that dread with determination to overcome. If we give in to dread on a regular basis, the subtle fear will eventually become an overwhelming phobia. Satan would love for you to have a "God-phobia" so you would avoid Him at all costs. This is not the holy "fear of the Lord," but a deadly deception. Cry out to the Lord for help whenever you begin to feel dread concerning Him or His Word.
The Psalmist had some fear to deal with as well. In Psalm 55 you can see a progression of feelings: troubled, distraught, anguished of heart, terrors of death, fear and trembling, overwhelming horror. vs. 1-5 At this point, he no longer has any fight in him, and just wants to flee. I can totally relate to these things, having suffered for many years from chronic anxiety and panic disorder. I could end up there again, but I have learned to deal with fear when it's still in its "dread" stage. When I sense dread becoming a dark cloud in my life, I go to the Lord and ask Him to shed some light on its causes.
Continuing in Psalm 55, David lists some causes for the fear he is experiencing. We all have different things we fear-- things we're dealing with internally and externally. It's good to face the things we fear, and to face the fact that we're fearful, but the cause is not really the issue. The cure is what matters.
"But I call upon God, and the Lord will save me. . . cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you. . . I will trust in [God]." vs 16, 22
Dread can lead to avoidance of the very things we love and need the most, and doing that can easily lead to depression. If for some reason you begin to feel a dread of going to the Lord for help or just to be with Him, determine in yourself now that you will resist that dread with determination to overcome. If we give in to dread on a regular basis, the subtle fear will eventually become an overwhelming phobia. Satan would love for you to have a "God-phobia" so you would avoid Him at all costs. This is not the holy "fear of the Lord," but a deadly deception. Cry out to the Lord for help whenever you begin to feel dread concerning Him or His Word.
Monday, March 8, 2010
March 8, 2010
It seems I have to be reminded on a regular basis not to grumble and complain! How many times have I read these scriptures and still forget? It is so easy to get disgruntled when what I see for the future doesn't match up to what seems to be taking place in the present. I tire of the suffering, or just the long waiting, and forget that through these things, Christ is preparing me for what is to come.
The Israelites grumbled at the Lord in the wilderness, lacking in faith. Even Moses doubted God's ability to provide meat for more than 600,000 people! God's answer: "Is the Lord's hand too short? (Is His power limited?)." God proved again that it was not, even though He had proven Himself many times over.
I learned from the lesson in Mark that Jesus already has a plan of provision for us-- even if we are only in the preparation stage-- and He will give us detailed intructions, if we will listen. Wouldn't you agree that following His instructions would be good preparation? "So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal." Mark 14:16 He prepared them for preparation of a meal that would prepare them further for more preparation!
Sometimes I get lost in the preparations, forgetting that there is a destination. Or I get tired of the preparations and quit, despairing of ever getting to my goal. If we quit, we'll never get there! But if we'll remember that He Himself is our true destination, we will keep our eyes on Him and abide in Him. Thus we are already there and getting there all at once!
I believe that Mark also shows us a key for continuing in perseverance with faith, hope and love, instead of grumbling and complaining: worship! The woman with the alabaster jar of ointment is a wonderful example of what to do in a confusing time of preparation. She obviously had an understanding of who Jesus was and what was going to happen. She knew they were all going to go through an extremely trying time, and yet she gave sacrificially in an extravagant expression of heartfelt devotion, thanksgiving and trust for the future. Jesus commended her for it with great enthusiasm, for it obviously pleased Him.
If the Israelites had remembered God's former deliverances and provisions rather than call to mind their former life and complain about the present, and if they had kept their eyes on "the prize"-- the Promised Land and the Giver of the Promise-- they would have remained in a place of thanksgiving and worship, trusting in the Lord and His goodness. We have the same choices everyday, do we not? I am reminded again to choose the attitudes and behaviors that please Him.
The Israelites grumbled at the Lord in the wilderness, lacking in faith. Even Moses doubted God's ability to provide meat for more than 600,000 people! God's answer: "Is the Lord's hand too short? (Is His power limited?)." God proved again that it was not, even though He had proven Himself many times over.
I learned from the lesson in Mark that Jesus already has a plan of provision for us-- even if we are only in the preparation stage-- and He will give us detailed intructions, if we will listen. Wouldn't you agree that following His instructions would be good preparation? "So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal." Mark 14:16 He prepared them for preparation of a meal that would prepare them further for more preparation!
Sometimes I get lost in the preparations, forgetting that there is a destination. Or I get tired of the preparations and quit, despairing of ever getting to my goal. If we quit, we'll never get there! But if we'll remember that He Himself is our true destination, we will keep our eyes on Him and abide in Him. Thus we are already there and getting there all at once!
I believe that Mark also shows us a key for continuing in perseverance with faith, hope and love, instead of grumbling and complaining: worship! The woman with the alabaster jar of ointment is a wonderful example of what to do in a confusing time of preparation. She obviously had an understanding of who Jesus was and what was going to happen. She knew they were all going to go through an extremely trying time, and yet she gave sacrificially in an extravagant expression of heartfelt devotion, thanksgiving and trust for the future. Jesus commended her for it with great enthusiasm, for it obviously pleased Him.
If the Israelites had remembered God's former deliverances and provisions rather than call to mind their former life and complain about the present, and if they had kept their eyes on "the prize"-- the Promised Land and the Giver of the Promise-- they would have remained in a place of thanksgiving and worship, trusting in the Lord and His goodness. We have the same choices everyday, do we not? I am reminded again to choose the attitudes and behaviors that please Him.
Friday, February 5, 2010
February 5, 2010
When Jesus talked about the signs of the end of the age in Matthew 24, it definitely seems to speak of these times. I see some instructions for us:
1) Don't be led astray by false prophets.
2) Don't be alarmed.
3) Don't let your love grow cold.
4) Endure until the end.
5) Preach the gospel of the Kingdom.
No matter what happens, we have the promise of the return of Christ! In the midst of all the calamity, the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven to the earth is truly "good news"!
1) Don't be led astray by false prophets.
2) Don't be alarmed.
3) Don't let your love grow cold.
4) Endure until the end.
5) Preach the gospel of the Kingdom.
No matter what happens, we have the promise of the return of Christ! In the midst of all the calamity, the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven to the earth is truly "good news"!
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