Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Experiencing His presence!



He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him was dark waters And thick clouds of the skies.                 Psalm 18:11 (NKJV)
 
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name YAH, And rejoice before Him.
                                                                            Psalm 68:4 (NKJV)
 
Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne                                   Psalm 97:2 (NKJV)

He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind.
                                                                            Psalm 104:3 (NKJV)

 

 
My daughter was recently wed to a wonderful young man!  Many preparations and expense went into the day.  Both the wedding ceremony and the reception were planned as outdoor events, which seemed to be a great decision as all of the weather forecasts predicted a warm (hot even), clear, sunny day.  Yet 2 days before the event, predictions of rain came.  Oh no!
 
Many had prayed for a wonderful marriage celebration and that the Lord would be present throughout.  On the day of, as my daughter and I reached the venue, the skies were darkening and small sprinklings of rain began to fall.  “Lord, why?  You’ve blessed all of our preparations to this point.  Why must it rain now and if it must, please don’t let it rain on us!”  Well, only small sprinklings, for a short period of time, fell on us that day.  And I watched dark clouds pass over us without a down-pour of rain.  What I didn’t know, and was informed of later, is that it had rained all around us. 
 
Days later, something occurred this me…..in scripture, the Lord said that He dwells amidst the clouds, dark clouds even.  Hmmm? “Lord, was I asking for your presence, and praying against Your presence at the same time?”  And how many times have I asked Him to show himself strong and not understood the manner in which He moved.  Just wondering.......
 
I will never forget that day.  And not just because of the joyous celebration, but moreso because of the magnificent presence of the Lord.  So many people commented later about being affected by the event in ways that they hadn’t expected.  I know what was felt was His presence!
 
I've learned my lesson.
 
"Lord, I trust you and your ways are higher than the heavens.  You answer the prayers of your people. And you grace us with your presence!  Though storm clouds may enter my life, you’re a God who rides among the clouds and I never need fear in your presence!  Forgive me, Lord and move freely throughout my life.  May I smile at each cloud (literal and figurative ones) that I see from this day forward!"
 
Loved ones, be blessed.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Humble Obedience!


For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them, until the LORD removed Israel out of His sight, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away from their own land to Assyria, as it is to this day.                  2 Kings 17:22-23 (NKJV)


It’s very disheartening when God’s people willfully reject Him.  It’s sad to consider the hardness of heart of those who rebel against a merciful, patient and forgiving Lord.  And who can withstand His righteous judgement?

David understood something of the Lord that subsequent generations had forgotten…the significance of humble obedience.

LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.                                                                                                           Psalm 15 (NKJV)


Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.                                                                Psalm 24:3-5 (NKJV)


As Israel entered the land from which they were many years later dispossessed, the Lord said to them –

"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?                                                        
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NKJV)

Nevertheless, Israel rejected His commands and suffered the consequences.

Dear Ones, the Lord’s love language has always been humble obedience.  Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep My commandments”. 

My encouragement to you today, Loved One – Keep it simple!  Love the Lord your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and follow His commands – not your commands, not the world’s commands or demands, but His J !  It is for YOUR good.

Be blessed!


Friday, February 6, 2015

The Hard Work of Believing

I recently came across a beautiful definition of faith –

Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind (believing) that a certain statement
is true. Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust.*

I’ve rephrased this definition to say, ‘faith = belief + trust’.  Ephesians 1:11-13 speaks of the marvelous inheritance obtained by those, who trusted and believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Over the years, from the opportunities I’ve had to speak with women, I find that many believe Jesus to be all that He proclaims, but they struggle in trusting that He will be ‘all’ in their lives.  And I must admit, that it’s so much easier to believe and trust what God says that He’ll do for someone else, than it is to believe and trust His promises to you.  You can clearly see His hand moving and orchestrating blessing for another, but when it comes to yourself – not so clear!  There are many reasons that it’s harder to have faith (trust and belief) in His personal promises.

(1)   Some have been greatly disappointed by friends and/or loved ones and have, in turn, improperly imposed those hurts, fears and doubts upon the Lord. The response of the Word is,

 "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19

(2)   Some feel unworthy of the magnificent promises made to those who believe, corporately and individually. To this I agree, on our own merit, we are unworthy.  It is because of Jesus that we are made worthy.  And the Word replies -

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.  But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. – Titus 3:3-7

(3)   And, some don’t know of the fullness of their inheritance in Christ.  This is gained through the knowledge of His Word and the growing personal relationship with Christ.  Take to heart Paul’s prayer for those in the church of Ephesus.

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,  that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.   Ephesians 3:14-21

Pray this prayer over your life.  Substitute the words, ‘you’ and ‘your’ to make this prayer personal, ie. ‘that He would grant me, according….’!

Through many of our reasons for not trusting God, the Adversary of our souls is vigorously making a case to support that lack of trust.  Yet, the important truth is that my faith-walk will only be as effective as my ability to trust and believe.  So there’s work to be done – hard work!

Today, I find myself saying, quite often, “Lord, I trust you!  I may not understand my circumstances, but I trust that You are good AND that You are good to me.  I may not like my circumstances, but I trust that You are good AND that You are good to me.  I believe and trust that you see me, right now at this very moment and I believe and trust, that when it’s all said and done, I will be victorious!”

The hard work is knowing (studying the Word) and then choosing (based on your abiding relationship with Him) to repeat what He says regarding the circumstances of your life versus repeating ‘filthy words of doubt and fear’ that so easily come to take residence in our hearts and minds.  It’s easy to be untrusting, so are you willing to do the work?

My heart’s desire is that my faith-walk will reflect the greatness of the God that I serve.  I don’t at all expect to accomplish this in my own strength, so I believe and trust the power of His Spirit working in me!  I agree with Philippians 4:13.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Amen and amen!


* Illustrated Bible Dictionary: And Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature.


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

'I in them, and You in Me'

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."                                   John 17:20-26

Jesus was never interested in a casual relationship with those of us who are called by His name.  The relationship that He desires, that which He asks of the Father, is much more than a once a week connection.  It’s much more than a monthly communion remembrance.  And it’s much more than the fulfillment of an annual obligation.  Jesus desires a deep abiding relationship…us in Him and Him in us.  The key word of His prayer is so simple and yet so significant.  It’s the word, ‘in’.  So easy to overlook, this ‘in’ speaks of oneness and intimacy.  His desire to be ‘in’ us explains why we’re instructed to consume the elements that represent His body and blood.  We remember what He accomplished on the cross by taking Him ‘in’ us.
This idea of oneness and intimacy is also displayed through the relationship between a husband and his wife.  Ephesians 5:31-32 says, ‘“and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.’

In so many ways, our Lord expresses His love for us and His desire to be one with us, to be ‘in’ us.  His love for us is above and beyond what we could ever deserve.  This love amazes me!  John goes on to say in 1 John 4:13 that we can know if we’re rightly related to Christ by the evidence of His Spirit.

By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit’.

The oneness that we could never accomplish on our own, He does in us!  Again, this love amazes me!

My faith, as small as it sometimes seems, is what makes me accepted into this beloved relationship.  To simply believe (John 6:29) in One who so readily gives evidence of Himself, is such a small step that yields such a great reward.  And by my faith and through my life, He reveals Himself to others who are in need of this great love.

Beloved, you are greatly loved.  You are, have been, and will be the ‘apple of His eye’.  It’s not something you deserve, it’s something He desires!  Walk in this love in such a way that others may know Him.  That they may walk together with us in Him and Him in us!

Be blessed!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Some Things Don't Change



Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.    
                                                                                                            Proverbs 22:6



Each generation has a language of its day.  I’m speaking of what many would refer to as ‘slang’.  When properly used, slang terms are the identifiers which state that you belong to a particular group.  These terms distinguish you from your elders and from those too young for the terms to have relevance or meaning.  Some of the terms of old were ‘hip’ or ‘cool’ or even ‘groovy’.

Today, there are phrases like,

            Turn up                        - - -      To get excited or an encouragement to do something
            Ratchet                         - - -      Ghetto, something without class
            Dope                              - - -      Really cool
            Tight                              - - -      Cool, together
            Get Snatched              - - -      Getting in good physical shape
            Get Yoked                   - - -      Getting buff, muscular physical shape
            Giving Me Life           - - -      A compliment, ie – Your outfit is ‘giving me life’
            Lies you Tell               - - -      A declaration that the person speaking is not telling
                                                                        the truth           
            Go Ham                       - - -      Going hard for something, using a lot of energy to
                                                                        obtain something

As I write this, I’m amused by the slang terms of old used to define the slang terms of today. 

And if this were not enough to keep up with, our children have another language.  I call it ‘Tech Talk’.  Our children have multiple venues for keeping in touch with others.  It's called Social Media.  There’s Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Tumblr, Vine and Pheed.  I have no idea what most of these are and have not used any of them.  I guess I’ve just dated myself.

Some Tech Talk terms,

            LOL     - - -      Laugh Out Loud
            WYL   - - -      Whatever You Like
            ROFL  - - -      Roll on the Floor Laughing
            JK        - - -      Just Kidding
            TTYL   - - -      Talk to You Later
            BRB     - - -      Be Right Back
            FRFR   - - -      For Real, For Real , which in it’s further translation is an
                                    expression of sincerity about that which is being discussed
            ARD    - - -      Aii Ight, which stands for ‘all right’

And the simple one which confused me,

            GM      - - -      Good Morning!

It’s fun learning the language of the young.  And it’s amazing that if you’re not in their age range, no matter how appropriate your usage of the term, it’s not correct if You say it.  I guess after a certain age the tones of our voice change making it impossible to be ‘Dope’ with our kids.

For all that’s changing in our world, I do have confidence in what has not, and will not change and that is God’s Word. Proverbs 22:6 gives instruction for raising our children.  The Hebrew translation of this passage is to, ‘Initiate the child at the opening (the mouth) of his path’.  This speaks of training, beginning at the point when a child is able to choose (between right and wrong), providing direction and instruction consistent with the make-up of the child.  The Hebrew word defined as ‘train up’ also signifies dedicating or consecrating something to the Lord.  We are to teach, guide and direct our children from their very beginnings, enabling them to distinguish good from evil, right from wrong and giving them incentive and motivation to choose what is good and right.  We are to teach our children that there is a God who loves and cares for them as Father.  We are to teach our children the Word, which will serve as a ‘lighted path’ for their lifetime.  Of all the things that change from generation to generation, I am glad for the Solid Rock foundation of the Word which doesn’t change.  Now that’s ‘tight’! 

Be Blessed.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Christ, Our High Priest



I don’t know about you, but I love hearing the Christmas story.  It’s a joy to hear the awesome words of the prophet Isaiah, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.”  And in Luke’s gospel, to read the beauty of the words spoken to Mary, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you. You will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.”  These stories are majestic proclamations of the coming of a King….our King!  And we, experience the timeless wonder that God, the Father would send God, the Son, as a babe.  The Redeemer of mankind sovereignly placed in the arms of a young couple.  His ways are undoubtedly superior to our ways.

The image of the babe in the manger has literally and figuratively captured our world.  Nativity scenes appear globally in this season.  But this year, for me, it isn’t the presentation of the babe in the manger that has captured my attention, but it’s the presentation of Christ, Our High Priest that has impressed my heart.  The words that leave me awestruck in this season are from Hebrews 10:5 - 7 –
 
     Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did
   not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.  In burnt offerings and sacrifices
   for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come-- In the volume of the
   book it is written of Me - To do Your will, O God.' "                               

When I consider that Jesus came as High Priest, not attired in costly robes, linens, headdress or ephod, but that He came bare into the world and accomplished His priestly duties bare upon a cross, I’m struck by the perfection of God’s ways.  I sense the magnificence of His deep love and wisdom.  His love expressed in the fact that Christ came to earth for mankind.  His wisdom expressed in the fact that Christ came to serve.  Through Christ, the foreshadows of the Old Testament received new light and our pattern for life was set forth!  Our High Priest has made us to be priests, accepted into the beloved.  And we are a priesthood who serve of the Most High !

     Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler 
     over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins 
     in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father.                   
                                                                                                Revelation 1:5-6

I rejoice in this Christmas season that I have been cleansed from a sinful hopeless life.  I rejoice in knowing that my life has purpose and meaning. Christ has made me a priest who serves a holy God.  Amazing Grace!  I’m grateful to serve as He did!  My service is an opportunity, not an obligation.  I’m thankful to understand that service is the pathway by which we are matured, conformed into His image and prepared for eternity!

      And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be 
      in it, and His servants shall serve Him.                                         Revelation 22:3

Oh, come let us adore Him!

Merry Christmas Beloved!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Don’t Shrink Back

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.                            
                                                                                                                      Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)

Years ago my husband and I were introduced to a book written by Steve Farrar entitled, Finishing Strong.  The book was written primarily for men and it contains an alarmingly high estimate for the number of Christian men who do not ‘finish strong’.  The purpose of the book is to motivate men to live each day faithfully with the goal of reaching the end of their lives with long-standing, healthy relationships with God, spouse and family intact. After reading this book, my husband and I began a tradition with our children.  Whenever they would come to the end of a project, a school year, a work experience, any type of closure, we would always remind and encourage them with this phrase, ‘Now Remember…..Finish Strong!’  From our own personal experiences, we know how easy it is to start off strong.  It’s a time when you’re riding on the wings of excitement and adrenaline.  But can you press through until the end?

In Philippians 3: 12-14, the Apostle Paul gives us the formula for finishing strong.  He states,

Forgetting those things which are behind!  The failures of our past are the weapons that the adversary uses to make us ineffective in our present.  The dominions of darkness are constantly reminding us of past failures.  This tactic diverts attention and energy from ‘today’.  A healthy response to failure is to learn from our mistakes, adjust and move forward. A constant dwelling upon the past makes you a slave to what was or should have been. Remaining unavailable for the demands of ‘today’ and the promises of ‘tomorrow’ leads to a vicious cycle of ineffectiveness which can last a lifetime.  Our God is a forward looking, forward-moving God.  Spending too much time looking back makes us susceptible to getting out of step with Him.  And let us not forget the lessons to be learned from Lot’s wife.

Reaching forward to those things which are ahead.  Our hope, our faith in Christ Jesus should keep us always forward looking.  We serve a God who can change what “was meant for evil” to good.  Our Lord can restore the eaten away areas of our lives.  We serve a God who turns our mourning into dancing and give us beauty for ashes.  Our God is truly amazing and our ‘today’ should always be energized by the hope of our ‘tomorrows’.  And that hope should manifest in action.  James said, “ I will show you my faith by my works.”  The activities of our day-to-day should reflect a ‘reaching’ forward, a ‘pressing’ forward.  Be very careful of any voice that suggests that you give up or give in.  I have found in my lifetime that that voice belongs to the same one who tried to deter Jesus from His mission, asking Him to turn stones into bread.

I press toward the goal.  Paul had one goal and that was to be identified fully with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Our lives today are filled with so many distractions.  This information age with its technological advancements offer so many avenues of diversion.  Paul had one goal and his attention and efforts were focused upon reaching that goal.   That meant that his daily decisions and actions were sifted through the grid of his future goal.  We too must remain focused and consistent in our Christian walk.  Anything that works against our hope should be tossed out.  Our hope, our faith for tomorrow requires a ‘press’ within our today and Jesus encourages us along the way in this daily pursuit.  He has filled us with His Spirit for all wisdom, power and strength.  Because we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, who makes us able, our Lord says,


          Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
                                                                                                          Hebrews 10:37-38 (NKJV)

Loved ones, let us not be naïve about the warfare that’s been waged against us.  Let us live with the goal of hearing the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’!  May I encourage you  to always  Finish Strong!

Be Blessed.