I was suicidal once, years back; for a month or more, I struggled with thoughts of how I could end my life because chronic depression had left me hopeless, and my circumstances seemed unchangeable. I had lost connection with my faith in God, although I would not have denied it consciously. The only thing that kept me going was that I needed to take care of my children. I thank God for a dad who heard God, comprehended where I was at, and offered to pay for therapy. This was the beginning of a long journey of healing and restoration for me. That I now have abiding peace and joy in my life, and a stable environment and relationships, is a great example of the power of the cross of Christ. It is in Him alone that I have found reality, sanity and purpose.
I share this because it is the first thing I thought of when I saw the heading for today's reading in Ezra: End of the Babylonian Captivity. What I saw in the passage was that if God could stir up the spirit of Cyrus, He can do whatever needs to be done to rescue us from our distresses. He did do that for me. When I thought no good could come from my life (that was of course, a deception), God broke through my darkness and brought me out. My sinful choices had gotten me into captivity in the first place. God used it for good in my life anyway.
When humanity had fallen into the depths of depravity, God made a way. When Jesus went to the cross to die, He took upon Himself the whole of mankind's mess. He came back from the depths of death bringing our deliverance with Him. As Paul said, it sounds like foolishness to a lot of people, but I say, foolishness or not, it's wisdom and life. I can testify first hand-- I'm only alive because of Him.
The Corinthians passages are some of the most powerful and hopeful I know of: I love them! When you put them together with the Ezra account, the Psalms and the Proverbs, today's reading packs a powerfully hopeful punch! I completely embrace being a "foolish thing"! It means I'm chosen to put to shame the "high and mighty" things of the world. I just said to my husband this morning, that I didn't belong in the big, bad world-- that I just wanted to hide out "in a cave" and be a little girl. The fact is, I am God's little girl! I don't have to fit in with, or be accepted by, the world (that's perishing anyway); I don't belong! I belong to the Kingdom! I'm in Christ and Christ is in God. I can be strong in the power of His might! I can glory in Him! I don't have to be anything, because He is everything. However, as I keep pressing into Him, the foolishness that is me gives way to the wisdom that is Him. I begin to realize that in the Kingdom I have substance, significance, sustainability.
If you are lost, Jesus is the Way. If you have been found by Him, Jesus is still the Way. Along the Way you find Truth and Life. These things are worth living for! Whether you know it or not, Jesus already died for you and proclaimed you "forgiven." Your future love relationship with God began at that moment. Whenever you awake to this reality and say "yes," the adventure begins. Never give up on your life! You will be totally surprised at the wondrous things He has in store for you, even if you feel like a foolish thing right now.
Bonus: Negativity is the beginning of the suicidal road; here's how not to get there, ever:
"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD."
Psalm 27:13-14
Questions to ponder:
Have you ever struggled with despair or suicidal thoughts? How did you get out from under them?
If you have had victory in this area, have you ever shared it with others?
Do you know anyone who struggles with depression or suicidal thoughts?
How do you deal with that?
Even if these things are far from your own experience, what have you learned that is applicable to you?
Truth: Whatever you've overcome in your life is what the Lord will use to minister life to others through you.
Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
July 26, 2010 Bridge Over the Chasm of Doubt
I often have to be reminded of what I already know. Although I may feel ashamed for having "forgotten" something I had revelation on, and really felt I understood, I am grateful for the prodding I get from the Holy Spirit. He gently reminds me, and somehow gets across His desire that I do what He's saying.
Today He used this passage to do that kind of prodding with me:
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:8-11 NKJV
I'm not suggesting that I used to be saved but now I'm backslidden and need to be reinstated. No, there's more to salvation than becoming born-again. We tend to use the term "backslidden" to mean "become unsaved," and that's a debatable concept anyway. Just because I might get close to a slippery slope of sin doesn't mean I've lost my salvation! But that's not what I'm talking about here. What I mean is: I'm not walking in total salvation because I forget to cross the bridge from believing to overcoming. What is that bridge anyway? We see the chasm, if we're honest, but we can't see the bridge.
Perhaps we don't see the bridge because whenever we reach that chasm, there is no bridge. We are put in the position of having to build it. We build the bridge over the chasm of doubt by speaking the word of truth that we believe and walking on it until we reach the actuality of our faith.
I'll use myself as an example. Through faith in Christ, I've overcome many obstacles in my life. Depression is one of them. Even though I was a born-again child of God, I still had chronic depression and bouts of severe and debillitating depression-- as I had suffered throughout my life-- until the last several years, where it has diminshed to only an occasional temptation. Quite a process and lots of help from others helped me understand how to overcome the depression. But I had to overcome it myself by walking on the bridge over the chasm of doubt.
All the Word and faith about who I was in Christ, His love for me, His purposes in my life, knowledge of the fruit of the Spirit, etc., wasn't going to defeat the darkness of depression if that truth stayed locked inside my heart. Only by speaking out loud the truth I believed in my heart, and walking upon the bridge it created, would I be able to exit the gross darkness I lived in and into God's glorious light. Declaring what I believed inside my born-again heart was the only thing that could dispel the lying reality that colored my mental and physical existence. Every time I did this, I was able to take another step into freedom from depression. Believing alone could not do it; faith demands action, and speaking is the first action we take.
Sometimes our cultural adages steer us away from believing the word of God. All our life we hear "actions speak louder than words," and so we believe we don't have to speak, only act. This is like saying "the car engine revving is louder than the turn of the key." Well, of course it is, but try getting the engine to rev without turning the key in the ignition switch! And just because the engine is revving doesn't mean we're getting anywhere. We do have to shift gears, release the brake, and put our foot on the gas. Our declared words of faith are like the key that gets it all going.
I'm saying all this to help you, as well as myself, so we can get our heart beliefs out where they can activate our salvation. I'm believing God for healing and restructuring of some physical problems that are hindering my life progress. The things I'm wanting to receive from God are stated clearly in the Word-- they are not gray or cloudy. I have complete faith in their truth, and in God's will for me. So why am I not getting saved in those areas? Because I forget to declare the truth out of my mouth. I forget to put the key into the ignition and turn it. I forget to build the bridge and walk on it.
Understanding and practicing this concept can save us a lot of frustration, disappointment, shame and even anger with God. The above Scripture tips us off as to how to get saved, and keep on getting saved. We believed the truth, and we confessed our faith when we were born again. We have to keep practicing that to get to where we're walking in all that Christ bought for us by His death and resurrection. Christ is the Word, and He is the Salvation. We unveil Him once again in our lives at every point of decision whenever we speak the truth we heard and believed.
What hinders you from confessing your faith? Ask the Lord to show you the things that keep you from speaking the word that's in your heart, so that you can walk on the bridge of faith until you own salvation in that area of your life.
Today He used this passage to do that kind of prodding with me:
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:8-11 NKJV
I'm not suggesting that I used to be saved but now I'm backslidden and need to be reinstated. No, there's more to salvation than becoming born-again. We tend to use the term "backslidden" to mean "become unsaved," and that's a debatable concept anyway. Just because I might get close to a slippery slope of sin doesn't mean I've lost my salvation! But that's not what I'm talking about here. What I mean is: I'm not walking in total salvation because I forget to cross the bridge from believing to overcoming. What is that bridge anyway? We see the chasm, if we're honest, but we can't see the bridge.
Perhaps we don't see the bridge because whenever we reach that chasm, there is no bridge. We are put in the position of having to build it. We build the bridge over the chasm of doubt by speaking the word of truth that we believe and walking on it until we reach the actuality of our faith.
I'll use myself as an example. Through faith in Christ, I've overcome many obstacles in my life. Depression is one of them. Even though I was a born-again child of God, I still had chronic depression and bouts of severe and debillitating depression-- as I had suffered throughout my life-- until the last several years, where it has diminshed to only an occasional temptation. Quite a process and lots of help from others helped me understand how to overcome the depression. But I had to overcome it myself by walking on the bridge over the chasm of doubt.
All the Word and faith about who I was in Christ, His love for me, His purposes in my life, knowledge of the fruit of the Spirit, etc., wasn't going to defeat the darkness of depression if that truth stayed locked inside my heart. Only by speaking out loud the truth I believed in my heart, and walking upon the bridge it created, would I be able to exit the gross darkness I lived in and into God's glorious light. Declaring what I believed inside my born-again heart was the only thing that could dispel the lying reality that colored my mental and physical existence. Every time I did this, I was able to take another step into freedom from depression. Believing alone could not do it; faith demands action, and speaking is the first action we take.
Sometimes our cultural adages steer us away from believing the word of God. All our life we hear "actions speak louder than words," and so we believe we don't have to speak, only act. This is like saying "the car engine revving is louder than the turn of the key." Well, of course it is, but try getting the engine to rev without turning the key in the ignition switch! And just because the engine is revving doesn't mean we're getting anywhere. We do have to shift gears, release the brake, and put our foot on the gas. Our declared words of faith are like the key that gets it all going.
I'm saying all this to help you, as well as myself, so we can get our heart beliefs out where they can activate our salvation. I'm believing God for healing and restructuring of some physical problems that are hindering my life progress. The things I'm wanting to receive from God are stated clearly in the Word-- they are not gray or cloudy. I have complete faith in their truth, and in God's will for me. So why am I not getting saved in those areas? Because I forget to declare the truth out of my mouth. I forget to put the key into the ignition and turn it. I forget to build the bridge and walk on it.
Understanding and practicing this concept can save us a lot of frustration, disappointment, shame and even anger with God. The above Scripture tips us off as to how to get saved, and keep on getting saved. We believed the truth, and we confessed our faith when we were born again. We have to keep practicing that to get to where we're walking in all that Christ bought for us by His death and resurrection. Christ is the Word, and He is the Salvation. We unveil Him once again in our lives at every point of decision whenever we speak the truth we heard and believed.
What hinders you from confessing your faith? Ask the Lord to show you the things that keep you from speaking the word that's in your heart, so that you can walk on the bridge of faith until you own salvation in that area of your life.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
July 3, 2010 Turn At the Light
God's word testifies today of the power that His light and truth have to turn a person, or even a nation to Himself. God had mercy on Josiah because he turned to the Lord, but the nation still had major consequences to deal with because of their great idolatry. Paul the Apostle had a magnificent conversion when he encountered the glorious Christ on the road to Damascus. He had a lot of suffering to deal with in his life, but the Lord used him to reach many souls for Him-- his letters minister to us so much even today.
I remember many years ago-- as a backslidden young woman lost in darkness-- coming to myself just like the progidal son did. The description in today's 2 Kings reading reminds me so much of how I felt back then. Suddenly, my eyes were opened, and I was overwhelmed when the Lord showed me how every area of my life was sin! But because I turned to Him when He revealed himself to me, He cleansed me and healed me, and is in the process of restoring all that was lost through my rebelliousness and idolatry. God is so good! He will do the same for anyone that turns to Jesus as their Lord and Savior in true repentance, and He will lead them in the Way, the Truth and the Life.
I pray, on the anniversary of our "independence," that our nation will likewise have a great conversion. We may still have to accept hard consequences for our mistakes, rebellions and idolatries. But God will have mercy on any one who comes to Him humbly. If enough of us turn to Him with our whole heart, perhaps this country may again shine His light as we are called to do. As a nation, as well as individually, we must not trust in our wealth or our power to save us; we must humble ourselves before God and rely on Him alone.
"The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility." Proverbs 18:11-12 NKJV
I remember many years ago-- as a backslidden young woman lost in darkness-- coming to myself just like the progidal son did. The description in today's 2 Kings reading reminds me so much of how I felt back then. Suddenly, my eyes were opened, and I was overwhelmed when the Lord showed me how every area of my life was sin! But because I turned to Him when He revealed himself to me, He cleansed me and healed me, and is in the process of restoring all that was lost through my rebelliousness and idolatry. God is so good! He will do the same for anyone that turns to Jesus as their Lord and Savior in true repentance, and He will lead them in the Way, the Truth and the Life.
I pray, on the anniversary of our "independence," that our nation will likewise have a great conversion. We may still have to accept hard consequences for our mistakes, rebellions and idolatries. But God will have mercy on any one who comes to Him humbly. If enough of us turn to Him with our whole heart, perhaps this country may again shine His light as we are called to do. As a nation, as well as individually, we must not trust in our wealth or our power to save us; we must humble ourselves before God and rely on Him alone.
"The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility." Proverbs 18:11-12 NKJV
Thursday, June 10, 2010
June 10, 2010 Why Does Beauty Exist?
Stephen's mention of Solomon's temple in his sermon (we're still in that!), and his quote from Isaiah, are nicely juxtaposed in our One Year Bible reading today. "But Solomon built Him a house. However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: ‘ Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?' " Acts 7:47-50 NKJV (Isaiah 66:1,2).
As I contemplate the beauty of the temple and furnishings that Solomon designed, I am quite certain that he created them as an act of worship. I remembered that Solomon himself mentioned that God doesn't live in a physical building, so I decided to look it up (we're coming up to it in just a few days): "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!" I Kings 8:27 There is so much more to be said about the dwelling-place of God, and I'm sure that topic will unfold as we continue reading throughout the year.
We read in previous chapters that Solomon was quite a naturalist (botanist/biologist). He appreciated how God expressed Himself through the intricacies of nature, and responded to that by echoing the beauty and excellence in his own creations. He wanted the temple surroundings to remind people that God was the creator of the world, and that He should be called upon and worshipped. Solomon knew the language of beauty.
As Stephen also pointed out, the creation itself is not to be worshipped-- when the people made idols and worshipped them, the end result was captivity. There is an obvious difference in decorating things beautifully with images from nature and making a golden calf and worshipping it. It's what's behind the image-making-- the purpose and spirit of it-- that makes artistic expression what it is. I may be stepping into a spiritual hornet's nest here, but the Muslim aesthetic is all about trying to avoid such idolatry (geometric adornment only; hide women's faces and bodies), but it does nothing to change the idolatrous heart of humankind. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Western culture of idolizing beauty in general, and beautiful people particularly. This is where all of our hearts go when we are not letting the Spirit of Truth give our sinful hearts an overhaul.
God is beautiful, but beauty is not god! Beauty is an intrinsic quality of God-- you can't have God without getting extravagant beauty in the bargain! It springs forth from Him. Just look around! And God created human beings with an appreciation of, and an ability to create, astounding beauty. I am very thankful for that! I am a great fan of God's beauty, His artistic ability, and His awe-inspiring creations.
I believe that beauty on this earth exists to testify of God's Beauty, of Him. Getting religious about our attitudes about beauty just doesn't help anything-- it only spoils what God has given. But if we can see beauty as a interface of communion-- back and forth, giving and receiving-- we will enter into a greater realm of Heavenly worship and glory than we have ever been in before.
As I contemplate the beauty of the temple and furnishings that Solomon designed, I am quite certain that he created them as an act of worship. I remembered that Solomon himself mentioned that God doesn't live in a physical building, so I decided to look it up (we're coming up to it in just a few days): "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!" I Kings 8:27 There is so much more to be said about the dwelling-place of God, and I'm sure that topic will unfold as we continue reading throughout the year.
We read in previous chapters that Solomon was quite a naturalist (botanist/biologist). He appreciated how God expressed Himself through the intricacies of nature, and responded to that by echoing the beauty and excellence in his own creations. He wanted the temple surroundings to remind people that God was the creator of the world, and that He should be called upon and worshipped. Solomon knew the language of beauty.
As Stephen also pointed out, the creation itself is not to be worshipped-- when the people made idols and worshipped them, the end result was captivity. There is an obvious difference in decorating things beautifully with images from nature and making a golden calf and worshipping it. It's what's behind the image-making-- the purpose and spirit of it-- that makes artistic expression what it is. I may be stepping into a spiritual hornet's nest here, but the Muslim aesthetic is all about trying to avoid such idolatry (geometric adornment only; hide women's faces and bodies), but it does nothing to change the idolatrous heart of humankind. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Western culture of idolizing beauty in general, and beautiful people particularly. This is where all of our hearts go when we are not letting the Spirit of Truth give our sinful hearts an overhaul.
God is beautiful, but beauty is not god! Beauty is an intrinsic quality of God-- you can't have God without getting extravagant beauty in the bargain! It springs forth from Him. Just look around! And God created human beings with an appreciation of, and an ability to create, astounding beauty. I am very thankful for that! I am a great fan of God's beauty, His artistic ability, and His awe-inspiring creations.
I believe that beauty on this earth exists to testify of God's Beauty, of Him. Getting religious about our attitudes about beauty just doesn't help anything-- it only spoils what God has given. But if we can see beauty as a interface of communion-- back and forth, giving and receiving-- we will enter into a greater realm of Heavenly worship and glory than we have ever been in before.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
May 4, 2010
What a good role-model is John the Baptist! He faithfully and passionately carried out his mission from God: to prepare the people for the Messiah. He was a great preacher, and got results. Lots of people followed him. But when the Messiah was indeed revealed to him, just as God had told him, John the Baptist gave way to him. "He must increase, but I must decrease." He had joy, not resentment when the fulfillment of his calling had brought his ministry to an end. His testimony about Christ is one of the most clearly articulated in Scripture: he left no doubt as to who Jesus was and what He was here to accomplish. It would be good for us to meditate on John the Baptist's words and get them deep into our hearts.
There is plenty of practical application of John the Baptist's gracious giving-way to Christ. Parents' ministry is to raise children to grow up and have their own life. Ministers are preparing the saints to mature and carry out their own callings. If we do our job well, we will come to an obvious place of having to release that which we birthed, for it has a life of its own.
I came to the Lord as a broken and dysfunctional person who had no idea who she was. My personhood had been stolen from me. The Lord Jesus, by His Spirit and Word, and through His godly ministers, nursed me back to health, restored me to healthy functioning, and gave me a sense of worth, identity and purpose. He gave me back myself! It was so awesome to finally feel good about myself and about being alive. Then I truly had the opportunity to "lay down my life" for Him. Before that, I had little to offer, only a "broken and contrite heart", which we know He does not despise. Now I'm in a different place of making way for Christ.
I think it is important to note that John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." The Lord certainly increased in me, building me up from the inside out, starting from a below-basement level of destruction. As I learned who I was, I discovered my weaknesses and how He could fill them. I discovered my empty places and how He could fill those too. He revealed my wrong thinking and replaced it with His truth. He showed me my strengths and how He could empower them for His glory. There's much, much more to do, (I'm far from being Christlike) but at least now, I know how to let Him live in me.
At a certain point in my life, however, I became aware that He was "letting go." He again gave me a choice to follow and serve Him. Now that He had restored me, He was setting me free! Is this amazing or what? Of course, it wasn't a difficult choice for me. I was like that Old Testament picture of the slave who didn't want to be set free because of love for the master, choosing to become a bondservant for life. My ear has been pierced! I totally belong to Him! He chose me first, but then He gave me a chance to choose Him back. I chose Him, and I have never regretted it.
Now, as I live for Him, study His Word and get more revelation of Him, He continues to grow in me; it gets very uncomfortable for my "self" and I have to make more room for Him by letting go of pride, an agenda, or anything else that doesn't fit with Him. I don't just try to get rid of something about myself or "kill myself off". Picking up your cross and following Him daily is not the same as trying to crucify yourself! That just doesn't work. It leaves holes in us that can be filled with something other than Him if we're not very careful. I think it's dangerous to try to decrease yourself so that He can increase. The Lord will expose deeper holes in you that need to be filled with Him (He's done this to me more than once lately, through some trials). He will also discipline us if we're resisting Him. Seek the Lord with as much of your heart as you can, being as pliable as you are able, and let Him increase. Present yourself to Him, obey Him, and He will take care of the rest.
Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith. I have total confidence in His ability to finish the work He started in me, and in you too. He knows what He's doing. He is the Author and Finisher of the Church too, and He is in charge (the Head). We should trust Him in forming us, and in forming the Church. He's going to present us to the Father without spot or blemish. What a glorious day that will be!
There is plenty of practical application of John the Baptist's gracious giving-way to Christ. Parents' ministry is to raise children to grow up and have their own life. Ministers are preparing the saints to mature and carry out their own callings. If we do our job well, we will come to an obvious place of having to release that which we birthed, for it has a life of its own.
I came to the Lord as a broken and dysfunctional person who had no idea who she was. My personhood had been stolen from me. The Lord Jesus, by His Spirit and Word, and through His godly ministers, nursed me back to health, restored me to healthy functioning, and gave me a sense of worth, identity and purpose. He gave me back myself! It was so awesome to finally feel good about myself and about being alive. Then I truly had the opportunity to "lay down my life" for Him. Before that, I had little to offer, only a "broken and contrite heart", which we know He does not despise. Now I'm in a different place of making way for Christ.
I think it is important to note that John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." The Lord certainly increased in me, building me up from the inside out, starting from a below-basement level of destruction. As I learned who I was, I discovered my weaknesses and how He could fill them. I discovered my empty places and how He could fill those too. He revealed my wrong thinking and replaced it with His truth. He showed me my strengths and how He could empower them for His glory. There's much, much more to do, (I'm far from being Christlike) but at least now, I know how to let Him live in me.
At a certain point in my life, however, I became aware that He was "letting go." He again gave me a choice to follow and serve Him. Now that He had restored me, He was setting me free! Is this amazing or what? Of course, it wasn't a difficult choice for me. I was like that Old Testament picture of the slave who didn't want to be set free because of love for the master, choosing to become a bondservant for life. My ear has been pierced! I totally belong to Him! He chose me first, but then He gave me a chance to choose Him back. I chose Him, and I have never regretted it.
Now, as I live for Him, study His Word and get more revelation of Him, He continues to grow in me; it gets very uncomfortable for my "self" and I have to make more room for Him by letting go of pride, an agenda, or anything else that doesn't fit with Him. I don't just try to get rid of something about myself or "kill myself off". Picking up your cross and following Him daily is not the same as trying to crucify yourself! That just doesn't work. It leaves holes in us that can be filled with something other than Him if we're not very careful. I think it's dangerous to try to decrease yourself so that He can increase. The Lord will expose deeper holes in you that need to be filled with Him (He's done this to me more than once lately, through some trials). He will also discipline us if we're resisting Him. Seek the Lord with as much of your heart as you can, being as pliable as you are able, and let Him increase. Present yourself to Him, obey Him, and He will take care of the rest.
Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith. I have total confidence in His ability to finish the work He started in me, and in you too. He knows what He's doing. He is the Author and Finisher of the Church too, and He is in charge (the Head). We should trust Him in forming us, and in forming the Church. He's going to present us to the Father without spot or blemish. What a glorious day that will be!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
May 1, 2010
The essence of evangelism: "We have found the Messiah. Come and see." First of all, we have to have a revelation of the Lord. It helps to tell people how we got that revelation. Next, we introduce them to Jesus. Telling about Him is never enough-- people have to meet Him themselves. Then, in His presence, they experience Him-- He looks at them and speaks into their heart. Then they know He is God. After that, it is between them and God. People have to make their own choice, but trying to convince them without introducing them to a REAL PERSON is of little value. Once you've done that, though, you've done your part, except to pray for them and be a good example of a person who maintains a real relationship with Christ.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
March 20, 2010
Have you ever been "in the wilderness" experiencing God's spiritual feast while you are distanced from earthly things? I believe it's a necessary place to be in preparation for ministry. Jesus was there, and while He was, Satan came to tempt and test Him. I see three areas He was tempted in: 1) His physical existence, 2) His purpose, and 3) His identity. In any one of these areas, He could have reacted according to the flesh, but He walked in the Spirit and overcame with God's Word. We can all do the same, with His help.
In the area of physical existence, we are constantly challenged to rise above the worldly way of living and follow God's instructions. He is to be our source in every way. The wilderness shows us where we are relying on things other than God to sustain us and meet our needs. As a personal example, when I fasted from shopping I became aware of how I was using it to cope with anxiety.
In the area of purpose, did you notice the theme of "authority" being expanded? That again could be a whole blog in itself! Let's just think about Jesus' purpose. He knew what He was supposed to do, but it was obviously not to be done the way Satan suggested. It looks obvious here to us as we read it, but our enemy tries the same approach on all of us-- it just seems more subtle when we're in the middle of it.
We have to be on our guard, particularly when we feel we are clear on what our calling is and we are headed for it. Satan will try to avert us from the path of truth and get us to accomplish, in our own strength, whatever God has told us to do. If we didn't pass the "physical existence" test, we will be easy prey in this area. Look what happened to Balaam. It seemed that he had repented from his oracle-for-pay lifestyle, but today we read that he was responsible for a despicable plan to bring Israel down. He was slain in the vengence against Midian. What a reminder to maintain the fear of the Lord and not be driven by greed! I'm sure greed is the reason many called prophetic people err, and even become false.
If the enemy can't stop you with the first two assaults, he will aim at the heart of your being. "Who are you, really?" "Why would God ever do that for you?" I have many times, during this kind of test, felt like a delusional person while the enemy taunts me with "you are nobody" and "you're just nacissistic." When my pastor shared that Jesus' last reply was "It is said," Luke 4:12, it revolutionized my understanding of the wilderness experience. It's when the Lord has applied Scripture to you, or given you a vision, etc., and you've received it in your heart ("You are my child." "This is what we're going to do."), that you can use Biblical truth to overcome the lies of the enemy. Just quoting Scripture isn't going to do it if you don't believe the Word in your heart. And it doesn't have to be written word-for-word in the Bible if it's truth from God (you should test everything you hear or see against Scripture to make sure).
Again, you can use whatever God had said to you, or shown you in any way, as part of your warfare. Here's an example. During my second pregnancy, the Lord said to me "Your baby is going to come early, but it's going to be alright." Not long after, I had a dream (or vision) of my son grown up. There were many times, during the course of labor and delivery, two months early, and afterwards while my son was very ill or had problems, I held on to the words and vision from the Lord. Scripture all backed me up in my faith, of course, but it was the strength of direct revelation from the Lord that kept me going in the middle of distress. Many times I had to refuse to follow advice from "experts." Now, my son is grown up and married, and he is a wonderful, talented and successful man of God. And I know that God's not done fulfilling His word. Praise the Lord!
That was a lot of words to say: embrace the wilderness-- because when you come forth, having been tried by fire, you will see the word of the Lord fulfilled.
In the area of physical existence, we are constantly challenged to rise above the worldly way of living and follow God's instructions. He is to be our source in every way. The wilderness shows us where we are relying on things other than God to sustain us and meet our needs. As a personal example, when I fasted from shopping I became aware of how I was using it to cope with anxiety.
In the area of purpose, did you notice the theme of "authority" being expanded? That again could be a whole blog in itself! Let's just think about Jesus' purpose. He knew what He was supposed to do, but it was obviously not to be done the way Satan suggested. It looks obvious here to us as we read it, but our enemy tries the same approach on all of us-- it just seems more subtle when we're in the middle of it.
We have to be on our guard, particularly when we feel we are clear on what our calling is and we are headed for it. Satan will try to avert us from the path of truth and get us to accomplish, in our own strength, whatever God has told us to do. If we didn't pass the "physical existence" test, we will be easy prey in this area. Look what happened to Balaam. It seemed that he had repented from his oracle-for-pay lifestyle, but today we read that he was responsible for a despicable plan to bring Israel down. He was slain in the vengence against Midian. What a reminder to maintain the fear of the Lord and not be driven by greed! I'm sure greed is the reason many called prophetic people err, and even become false.
If the enemy can't stop you with the first two assaults, he will aim at the heart of your being. "Who are you, really?" "Why would God ever do that for you?" I have many times, during this kind of test, felt like a delusional person while the enemy taunts me with "you are nobody" and "you're just nacissistic." When my pastor shared that Jesus' last reply was "It is said," Luke 4:12, it revolutionized my understanding of the wilderness experience. It's when the Lord has applied Scripture to you, or given you a vision, etc., and you've received it in your heart ("You are my child." "This is what we're going to do."), that you can use Biblical truth to overcome the lies of the enemy. Just quoting Scripture isn't going to do it if you don't believe the Word in your heart. And it doesn't have to be written word-for-word in the Bible if it's truth from God (you should test everything you hear or see against Scripture to make sure).
Again, you can use whatever God had said to you, or shown you in any way, as part of your warfare. Here's an example. During my second pregnancy, the Lord said to me "Your baby is going to come early, but it's going to be alright." Not long after, I had a dream (or vision) of my son grown up. There were many times, during the course of labor and delivery, two months early, and afterwards while my son was very ill or had problems, I held on to the words and vision from the Lord. Scripture all backed me up in my faith, of course, but it was the strength of direct revelation from the Lord that kept me going in the middle of distress. Many times I had to refuse to follow advice from "experts." Now, my son is grown up and married, and he is a wonderful, talented and successful man of God. And I know that God's not done fulfilling His word. Praise the Lord!
That was a lot of words to say: embrace the wilderness-- because when you come forth, having been tried by fire, you will see the word of the Lord fulfilled.
Friday, February 12, 2010
February 12, 2010
"All the people among whom you live shall see the work of the Lord; for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you." Exodus 34: 11 This is a promise I'd like to claim-- how about you? I see some stipulations here: don't make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land (the Promised Land) where God is sending you. Tear down the altars, pillars and sacred poles and don't worship their gods. What does that mean to you?
Of course God gave them other commandments, but I just wanted to focus on the fact that God called Himself "Jealous." Ex. 34:14 I avoid going into study for this devotional, but I couldn't help looking up this Hebrew word: it's "qanna," meaning "not bearing any rival; the severe avenger of departure from Himself." This is a name of God that I don't recall having learned before. We usually focus on names like Jehovah Jireh and Jehovah Rapha! He is still that, so while I'm on it, I'll drop this verse: 2 Corinthians 11:2. Look it up!
My One Year Bible is in the New Revised Standard. In the Matthew reading, it says that they handed Jesus over to be crucified out of "jealousy." I looked that up too, and the word is translated "envy" everywhere else. We get those words mixed up a lot and tend to use them interchangeably, when they are really different. I suppose the religious leaders of the day were "jealous" over their position rather than "jealousy guarding the things of God." They were also "envious" of Jesus popularity, power and whatever else.
The message for me is, don't get envious of the world and try to get what it seems they have, or I will end up compromising and making covenants with the world, which would make my God very Jealous! He wants us a "chaste bride" not "prostituting ourselves to other gods."
That is the reason, for example, that I have chosen not to pursue contracts for publication or recording, and I don't take commercial art commissions. I don't want to get entangled with the world and have it dictate to me what I should do. A desire for riches or fame are things the Lord has taken years to burn out of me, to keep me from falling away. He still runs regular "virus scans" on the motives of my heart to keep it pure.
I will not always be popular when I start to "tear down altars and break pillars and sacred poles" on the mountains where the Lord has called me to have influence. Even when I'm doing God's will, and perhaps displaying the favor of the Lord while working in the world, it is possible that some religious types will get all up in arms to try and discredit me. But I can rely on the fact that "the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine." Psalm 33:18-19
Whether I prosper in all that I do or I become a martyr for the testimony of Christ, one thing I know: Jesus took my death on the cross and prevailed!
Of course God gave them other commandments, but I just wanted to focus on the fact that God called Himself "Jealous." Ex. 34:14 I avoid going into study for this devotional, but I couldn't help looking up this Hebrew word: it's "qanna," meaning "not bearing any rival; the severe avenger of departure from Himself." This is a name of God that I don't recall having learned before. We usually focus on names like Jehovah Jireh and Jehovah Rapha! He is still that, so while I'm on it, I'll drop this verse: 2 Corinthians 11:2. Look it up!
My One Year Bible is in the New Revised Standard. In the Matthew reading, it says that they handed Jesus over to be crucified out of "jealousy." I looked that up too, and the word is translated "envy" everywhere else. We get those words mixed up a lot and tend to use them interchangeably, when they are really different. I suppose the religious leaders of the day were "jealous" over their position rather than "jealousy guarding the things of God." They were also "envious" of Jesus popularity, power and whatever else.
The message for me is, don't get envious of the world and try to get what it seems they have, or I will end up compromising and making covenants with the world, which would make my God very Jealous! He wants us a "chaste bride" not "prostituting ourselves to other gods."
That is the reason, for example, that I have chosen not to pursue contracts for publication or recording, and I don't take commercial art commissions. I don't want to get entangled with the world and have it dictate to me what I should do. A desire for riches or fame are things the Lord has taken years to burn out of me, to keep me from falling away. He still runs regular "virus scans" on the motives of my heart to keep it pure.
I will not always be popular when I start to "tear down altars and break pillars and sacred poles" on the mountains where the Lord has called me to have influence. Even when I'm doing God's will, and perhaps displaying the favor of the Lord while working in the world, it is possible that some religious types will get all up in arms to try and discredit me. But I can rely on the fact that "the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine." Psalm 33:18-19
Whether I prosper in all that I do or I become a martyr for the testimony of Christ, one thing I know: Jesus took my death on the cross and prevailed!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
January 10, 2010
OYB: As I was reading, I was struck by how Abraham was respected by the people among whom he resided. They considered him "a mighty prince among us" Genesis 23:6. Abraham treated the Hittites with respect-- related to them and did business with them according to their current customs. He lived "in the world and not of it." And he had favor.
When Jesus healed the leper, He told him to "show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them". He was demonstrating New Covenant truth while maintaining a respectful attitude to those of the Old Covenant who did not yet believe. Matthew 8:4
If we want to have a good witness in the world and favor with the people, we have to behave in a manner that is respectful, understandable, and unoffensive. Culture and customs are a language, and it is possible to communicate effectively with them without compromising truth and uprightness.
I was extra pleased, then, when I got to the Proverbs selection: "Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you. . . so you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and of people." Proverbs 3:3,4
Respectful manners go a long way to bring you favor.
When Jesus healed the leper, He told him to "show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them". He was demonstrating New Covenant truth while maintaining a respectful attitude to those of the Old Covenant who did not yet believe. Matthew 8:4
If we want to have a good witness in the world and favor with the people, we have to behave in a manner that is respectful, understandable, and unoffensive. Culture and customs are a language, and it is possible to communicate effectively with them without compromising truth and uprightness.
I was extra pleased, then, when I got to the Proverbs selection: "Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you. . . so you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and of people." Proverbs 3:3,4
Respectful manners go a long way to bring you favor.
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