We talk so much about not putting God on the box. Don't reduce Him to only how we can reasonably and logically see Him.
We know in the Old Testament that God shows how big he is multiple times. Even in those descriptions we can't get the whole picture of who and how big he really is.
God shows us how large He is in Exodus but a beautiful picture of His sacrifice is hidden among the fear and scariness.
This story starts in Exodus. God wants the Israelites to come up the mountain to be with Him. He comes down on Mount Sinai in lightening, fire, the mountain shakes and smokes, trumpets blare. He speaks to Moses in thunder and Moses answers Him. This is very intimidating for the people.
God tells Moses to bring the people up to Mt. Sinai and Moses said they can't come because of all the barriers He's placed on them approaching Him.
We have a problem, Houston.
The people don't want to have anything to do with God. They're so scared they can't approach Him or have anything to do with Him. They are so afraid they would die so they send Moses to talk to God.
Moses told them not to be scared. He tells them that God is testing them so they would fear Him and so that they wouldn't sin.
But they wouldn't go. Their fear was too much.
The Israelites stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. (Exodus 20:21)
The story above is contained in Exodus 19-20.
In chapter 24 of Exodus, Moses and a group of over 70 elders are invited up the mountain. They eat and drink with God and, amazingly, they don't die.
When they see God, under His feet are like sapphire stone pavement, as clear as heaven. What a beautiful picture of a piece of our God! Not the scary, fiery, smoking, loud God He showed them earlier.
This is where the story gets interesting. God doesn't write off the remaining Israelites who are afraid to come up. He comes down the mountain and has an bizarre request.
God asks Moses and the people to make a sanctuary for him so He can be with them.
What?! After all that drama with the fire, smoke, noise, now He wants to make a safe place for them to access Him?
And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell in their midst. Exodus 25:8
Wow!
This is how much God loves us! He is willing to put himself in a box to be with us. The creator of the universe loves us so much He contains Himself. He wants so badly to have a relationship with His chosen people He reduces himself to a non-scary place they can access.
He doesn't want us to be scared. He wants to be close to us. This is the love our sweet Father.
He just wants to love us and for us to trust Him.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Room transformation
We
moved into our current home a year ago. It's a wonderful and beautiful
house but when you move into a home owned by someone there are always
things you want to change.
I loved the windows of our family room but everything in the room was the same color: beige. I didn't enjoy going into the room, it was just blah.
The cabinets are beautiful oak but color differential was needed in the room.
Here's a sideways picture of the cabinets with a little paint (I forgot to take a before picture and for some reason this picture won't rotate.)
This paint brush is awesome! Highly recommended for large projects.
They say you can tell how good a painter is by how much paint she has on her clothes. Less paint is supposed to be better. I think I just get into my projects.
I waxed the cabinets with clear wax after the paint dried. After waxing I let the wax dry then distressed with sandpaper. I waxed again with with two more coats of clear wax. Waxing the finished product is important to protect it and finish it.
I loved the windows of our family room but everything in the room was the same color: beige. I didn't enjoy going into the room, it was just blah.
The cabinets are beautiful oak but color differential was needed in the room.
Here's a sideways picture of the cabinets with a little paint (I forgot to take a before picture and for some reason this picture won't rotate.)
First coat.
The brand of paint I used. It is so good! No sanding before painting. I used six parts Florence and 1/2 part Pure White.
They say you can tell how good a painter is by how much paint she has on her clothes. Less paint is supposed to be better. I think I just get into my projects.
The left cabinet has a second coat of paint. The right has one coat.
I waxed the cabinets with clear wax after the paint dried. After waxing I let the wax dry then distressed with sandpaper. I waxed again with with two more coats of clear wax. Waxing the finished product is important to protect it and finish it.
Finished product!
Final picture during the day...
...and night.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Is faith enough?
I have a friend whose nephew passed away today.
He fell at the doctors office and cracked his skull.
He was life flighted and in the hospital for almost a month.
He was 25.
There were pastors and a priest praying over his bed. There were people all over the U.S. praying for healing.
He died anyway.
When I prayed for him I had a sense of peace that he would make it.
So why did he die? Was there a lack of faith involved?
Does this change who I know God to be? What about Jesus?
This boy did not die a martyr, he died by a strange turn if events. He didn't lay his life down for Jesus, it was taken from him.
Jesus said that we have the same authority He had while walking on Earth. He took the keys of death and handed them to us so we can carry that authority. When Jesus died, death was defeated.
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:18-19
... and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Ephesians 2:6
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Colossians 1:13
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
Luke 10:19
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57
So, what about this boy? Why is the authority Jesus gave us not enough every time?
I can see how people would feel better thinking that the signs, wonders, headings and miracles died when the apostles died. The pain is more when we're disappointed. We don't get our hopes up when we can point to 'Gods will'. We say "If it's your will to take a 25 year-old man." Then when the impossible doesn't come through, it doesn't disappoint as much.
How do we pick ourselves up and believe the next time that God will do what He promised? How do we stand on the certainty that it will happen the way he intended next time? How do we gather our faith back up to maybe be disappointed again?
Or do we just play it safe and ask for things that may be possible, but don't cross over into the impossible? Ask Him to do something that can only be accomplished with medicine, doctors, or hospitals. Don't ask him to do something we've never seen. Don't expect Him to show up and be disappointed, again.
The truth is, I don't know why impossible prayers happen sometimes and sometimes they don't. I've read a lot of theories, I agree with some, some I don't.
I know what I know though. I have witnessed enough miraculous things to know our God still works. That He wants nothing but the best and life for us and those we love.
I'm still putting all my eggs in His basket and betting He will come through.
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
I will continue to pray and expect the miraculous. I will still love and expect Him to break through hard hearts. I will still reach out and expect Him to deliver people from mental and physical illness.
I'm standing on the rock that He is and expecting Him to go as far as He says he will, which is all the way.
We can expect the miraculous. But we have to expect it, even if we're disappointed sometimes.
He fell at the doctors office and cracked his skull.
He was life flighted and in the hospital for almost a month.
He was 25.
There were pastors and a priest praying over his bed. There were people all over the U.S. praying for healing.
He died anyway.
When I prayed for him I had a sense of peace that he would make it.
So why did he die? Was there a lack of faith involved?
Does this change who I know God to be? What about Jesus?
This boy did not die a martyr, he died by a strange turn if events. He didn't lay his life down for Jesus, it was taken from him.
Jesus said that we have the same authority He had while walking on Earth. He took the keys of death and handed them to us so we can carry that authority. When Jesus died, death was defeated.
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:18-19
... and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Ephesians 2:6
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Colossians 1:13
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
Luke 10:19
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57
So, what about this boy? Why is the authority Jesus gave us not enough every time?
I can see how people would feel better thinking that the signs, wonders, headings and miracles died when the apostles died. The pain is more when we're disappointed. We don't get our hopes up when we can point to 'Gods will'. We say "If it's your will to take a 25 year-old man." Then when the impossible doesn't come through, it doesn't disappoint as much.
How do we pick ourselves up and believe the next time that God will do what He promised? How do we stand on the certainty that it will happen the way he intended next time? How do we gather our faith back up to maybe be disappointed again?
Or do we just play it safe and ask for things that may be possible, but don't cross over into the impossible? Ask Him to do something that can only be accomplished with medicine, doctors, or hospitals. Don't ask him to do something we've never seen. Don't expect Him to show up and be disappointed, again.
The truth is, I don't know why impossible prayers happen sometimes and sometimes they don't. I've read a lot of theories, I agree with some, some I don't.
I know what I know though. I have witnessed enough miraculous things to know our God still works. That He wants nothing but the best and life for us and those we love.
I'm still putting all my eggs in His basket and betting He will come through.
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
I will continue to pray and expect the miraculous. I will still love and expect Him to break through hard hearts. I will still reach out and expect Him to deliver people from mental and physical illness.
I'm standing on the rock that He is and expecting Him to go as far as He says he will, which is all the way.
We can expect the miraculous. But we have to expect it, even if we're disappointed sometimes.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Authentic
We've all met people who morph or change personalities according to whom their around. If they're in a group of Christians, they claim to love the Lord. If they go to a bar, they are entrenched in that scene. I know those people well because that is who I was for a really, really long time. I was a chameleon, changing according to whoever I was around. It was great because I fit in with everyone but I was miserable. Changing to fit whoever you're around is hard and exhausting. I was constantly trying to guess their next move and anticipate how to respond. I really didn't know who I was because I was always changing. The worst part is leaving a scene and wondering if I played the part well enough. Did they like me? Will they want to spend time with me? I wonder if I will get asked back?
I've grown in my identity in Christ. I don't worry about changing to my environment anymore but I've noticed something else. When I watch people whom I'm around now, they sometime mimic me, my words, my actions. These are grown people. Shouldn't they know who they are?
This looks inauthentic but I want to propose that this could also be morphing process, a chrysalis, a time of change.
When Jesus came he called the disciples to follow him. Before the Holy Spirit fell during Pentacost they only had him and an occasional releasing of the Holy Spirit. They spent three years watching, mimicking and copying his behavior. He was the ultimate teacher. He came so we could copy him, watch how he treated others and lived the ultimate surrender. He showed us how to truly love our neighbors and our enemies. When he left they were never the same. He made his mark on their life.
Elijah and Elisha are a good example of a mimicking relationship. Elijah had walked with the Lord for a long time before the Lord told him to find Elisha. When he did Elisha not only stayed with him to the end but wanted "a double portion of your spirit on me" (2 Kings 2:9) He wanted what Elijah had and more. This is what we should be wanting from those around us and others should want from us. They want not only what we have but more. This is not an earthly wanting, though. It is a spiritual desire.
People who don't know Christ intimately but desire that piece will watch and copy those that do have a close relationship with him. This turns most people off but I propose that we should embrace this as mature Christians. Some people will come to Him quickly with no inhibitions in their conversion but others have a difficult time trusting God. When we exhibit true surrender and trust in Him it provides a safe place for others to try.
Don't be turned off by those that haven't mastered their identity in Christ. They're on their way. They may just need to know the water's warm before they submerge themselves in Him.
I've grown in my identity in Christ. I don't worry about changing to my environment anymore but I've noticed something else. When I watch people whom I'm around now, they sometime mimic me, my words, my actions. These are grown people. Shouldn't they know who they are?
This looks inauthentic but I want to propose that this could also be morphing process, a chrysalis, a time of change.
When Jesus came he called the disciples to follow him. Before the Holy Spirit fell during Pentacost they only had him and an occasional releasing of the Holy Spirit. They spent three years watching, mimicking and copying his behavior. He was the ultimate teacher. He came so we could copy him, watch how he treated others and lived the ultimate surrender. He showed us how to truly love our neighbors and our enemies. When he left they were never the same. He made his mark on their life.
Elijah and Elisha are a good example of a mimicking relationship. Elijah had walked with the Lord for a long time before the Lord told him to find Elisha. When he did Elisha not only stayed with him to the end but wanted "a double portion of your spirit on me" (2 Kings 2:9) He wanted what Elijah had and more. This is what we should be wanting from those around us and others should want from us. They want not only what we have but more. This is not an earthly wanting, though. It is a spiritual desire.
People who don't know Christ intimately but desire that piece will watch and copy those that do have a close relationship with him. This turns most people off but I propose that we should embrace this as mature Christians. Some people will come to Him quickly with no inhibitions in their conversion but others have a difficult time trusting God. When we exhibit true surrender and trust in Him it provides a safe place for others to try.
Don't be turned off by those that haven't mastered their identity in Christ. They're on their way. They may just need to know the water's warm before they submerge themselves in Him.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Push through or give up
One of the most difficult decisions in life is deciding to give up on a dream or persevere. On one hand, there are times we need to let go to of something so we can work toward something bigger/better, etc. On the other, the question is are we giving up on THE dream, something that would make the sacrifice worthwhile. This is so hard!
For example, I have a lot of dreams I would like to see come true. But I also have four kids, a husband, a dog, four cats, and three horses to care for and nurture. The kids are in quite a few activities and my husband works hard to provide for all of us. It's really busy. How do dreams fit in? Do we let go of the things we really want in life or do we find a way to pursue them within the business?
I've found it's a balancing act. I have to be intentional about the activities I'm involved in and say 'no' a lot, even though I would have said 'yes' without blinking a few years ago. I pray before I answer if I'm not sure about something. Even with all the precautions, protection and time I may give to a goal, I'm rarely satisfied. I'm easily frustrated at times that it's not moving fast enough and am afraid I'm going to die before I see the fruit of what I'm dreaming about. I guess that's okay, though, because once you're dead you won't know what you haven't achieved or finished. : )
The really hard part is when you come to a crossroad, such as do I go alone or continue with a partner in this? Can I give up a week with my kids and miss the first few days of school to attend a conference? Do I start a job knowing it will take time and energy away from my family? Do I serve people outside my immediate family? If I do, how do I choose who that will and won't be?
The problem really isn't finding something to do or serving people, the issue really is what should I be doing. We can make ourselves super busy doing all kinds of things for people and/or missions but is this where I'm called to be and where I'm most useful?
Knowing where I'm supposed to be and who I need to be serving is the most important thing. It's also one of the most difficult at times. There are moments I know for sure I'm where I need to be but other times it's not really clear.
The knowing that we are in the right place without a doubt is how we accomplish our dreams, though. This is critical to coming into what we were created.
So, pushing through or giving up is still something I struggle with almost everyday. The answer fortunately doesn't come from me, it comes from the Lord. He lets me know if and when I need to pull back or go forward. The more we commune with Him the more we will come into the fullness of what he desires for us.
We are like a train that needs a track. Once we find the track and get on, it's full speed ahead.
For example, I have a lot of dreams I would like to see come true. But I also have four kids, a husband, a dog, four cats, and three horses to care for and nurture. The kids are in quite a few activities and my husband works hard to provide for all of us. It's really busy. How do dreams fit in? Do we let go of the things we really want in life or do we find a way to pursue them within the business?
I've found it's a balancing act. I have to be intentional about the activities I'm involved in and say 'no' a lot, even though I would have said 'yes' without blinking a few years ago. I pray before I answer if I'm not sure about something. Even with all the precautions, protection and time I may give to a goal, I'm rarely satisfied. I'm easily frustrated at times that it's not moving fast enough and am afraid I'm going to die before I see the fruit of what I'm dreaming about. I guess that's okay, though, because once you're dead you won't know what you haven't achieved or finished. : )
The really hard part is when you come to a crossroad, such as do I go alone or continue with a partner in this? Can I give up a week with my kids and miss the first few days of school to attend a conference? Do I start a job knowing it will take time and energy away from my family? Do I serve people outside my immediate family? If I do, how do I choose who that will and won't be?
The problem really isn't finding something to do or serving people, the issue really is what should I be doing. We can make ourselves super busy doing all kinds of things for people and/or missions but is this where I'm called to be and where I'm most useful?
Knowing where I'm supposed to be and who I need to be serving is the most important thing. It's also one of the most difficult at times. There are moments I know for sure I'm where I need to be but other times it's not really clear.
The knowing that we are in the right place without a doubt is how we accomplish our dreams, though. This is critical to coming into what we were created.
So, pushing through or giving up is still something I struggle with almost everyday. The answer fortunately doesn't come from me, it comes from the Lord. He lets me know if and when I need to pull back or go forward. The more we commune with Him the more we will come into the fullness of what he desires for us.
We are like a train that needs a track. Once we find the track and get on, it's full speed ahead.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Being born
I hear the word 'born again' thrown out in different Christian circles. It's never been a word I've used because it didn't make sense to me.
In fact, it almost turned me off. I had attended churches that made you feel bad if you hadn't 'accomplished' this, even though I didn't know what 'it' was.
How can a person be reborn? And why that image? I couldn't grasp this idea.
One piece of the puzzle is when Jesus appeared here in human form, he didn't just show up. He was born, again. Because Jesus was already in existence at the beginning of time, he was physically born again. He didn't have to be born from a woman, he's God and could have chosen a different way to present himself.
He humbled himself to come here, of course, but the other message he gives is about being born again. He is leading us into what's coming down the road. The message of being born again.
Jesus makes this statement in Matthew 13:19.
"While anyone is hearing the Word of the kingdom and does not grasp and comprehend it, the evil on comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart."
Nothing can be taken away from someone if it isn't there from the beginning. So, God plants a piece himself in and through us (all of us) at conception. He sows Himself in our hearts from the beginning of our life. Satan comes through suggestion and takes away what God has placed there (i.e. Adam and Eve.)
Because we are all born with God sown into our DNA, even when we are not taught the Word or know him through others teachings, when we have an encounter with Jesus and experience His love, it resets us to how we were originally created. We are 'reborn' in the way that God intended.
Jesus came to be the cure for the curse. He came to reconnect us with the Lord, to be the go-between between us and God. Because of Jesus coming, dying, and rising, this is what allows us to be 'born again'.
Jesus answered him (Nicodemus), "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:3
He created us in His image and through rebirth in Jesus this is still possible. To be 'born again' we die to what we were so we can be recreated in the image of God, the way he originally intended.
"So God created man in his own image, in the image and likeness of God he created him;"
Genesis 1:27
Because we live in a sinful, fallen world, we need Jesus to be born again.
This message is necessary for salvation but is also a tool to freedom for those who have believed the subtle but dangerous message that Satan has suggested. People who are locked up inside themselves, isolated, paralyzed, can't connect with themselves or others, or suicidal. The torment is so much they would rather believe the lie because they can't see any other way. It's like water that keeps rising around them and they feel like they are drowning. A fence that just keeps getting taller and blocking out everything they love.
We have to know to our core that God loves us from the time we are conceived.
I have struggled with this idea because the message I heard and received at church was that we are all born sinful, enemies of God. My thought then was, how could he love something created so badly.
The truth is because of the fallen world we are born sinful but we are created in God's image and He loves us so much. He was so happy the day you and I were born. Jesus came to take on all sin of the world so being reborn would be possible.
The truth is God only creates good things. See Genesis 1.
The truth is He wants us to love people. Love is the most powerful tool to unlock messed up messages and lies.
The Lords prayer is powerful.
Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done
On Earth as it is in HEAVEN
He wants restoration here and now.
We are all called to bring hope to the hopeless.
In fact, it almost turned me off. I had attended churches that made you feel bad if you hadn't 'accomplished' this, even though I didn't know what 'it' was.
How can a person be reborn? And why that image? I couldn't grasp this idea.
One piece of the puzzle is when Jesus appeared here in human form, he didn't just show up. He was born, again. Because Jesus was already in existence at the beginning of time, he was physically born again. He didn't have to be born from a woman, he's God and could have chosen a different way to present himself.
He humbled himself to come here, of course, but the other message he gives is about being born again. He is leading us into what's coming down the road. The message of being born again.
Jesus makes this statement in Matthew 13:19.
"While anyone is hearing the Word of the kingdom and does not grasp and comprehend it, the evil on comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart."
Nothing can be taken away from someone if it isn't there from the beginning. So, God plants a piece himself in and through us (all of us) at conception. He sows Himself in our hearts from the beginning of our life. Satan comes through suggestion and takes away what God has placed there (i.e. Adam and Eve.)
Because we are all born with God sown into our DNA, even when we are not taught the Word or know him through others teachings, when we have an encounter with Jesus and experience His love, it resets us to how we were originally created. We are 'reborn' in the way that God intended.
Jesus came to be the cure for the curse. He came to reconnect us with the Lord, to be the go-between between us and God. Because of Jesus coming, dying, and rising, this is what allows us to be 'born again'.
Jesus answered him (Nicodemus), "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:3
He created us in His image and through rebirth in Jesus this is still possible. To be 'born again' we die to what we were so we can be recreated in the image of God, the way he originally intended.
"So God created man in his own image, in the image and likeness of God he created him;"
Genesis 1:27
Because we live in a sinful, fallen world, we need Jesus to be born again.
This message is necessary for salvation but is also a tool to freedom for those who have believed the subtle but dangerous message that Satan has suggested. People who are locked up inside themselves, isolated, paralyzed, can't connect with themselves or others, or suicidal. The torment is so much they would rather believe the lie because they can't see any other way. It's like water that keeps rising around them and they feel like they are drowning. A fence that just keeps getting taller and blocking out everything they love.
We have to know to our core that God loves us from the time we are conceived.
I have struggled with this idea because the message I heard and received at church was that we are all born sinful, enemies of God. My thought then was, how could he love something created so badly.
The truth is because of the fallen world we are born sinful but we are created in God's image and He loves us so much. He was so happy the day you and I were born. Jesus came to take on all sin of the world so being reborn would be possible.
The truth is God only creates good things. See Genesis 1.
The truth is He wants us to love people. Love is the most powerful tool to unlock messed up messages and lies.
The Lords prayer is powerful.
Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done
On Earth as it is in HEAVEN
He wants restoration here and now.
We are all called to bring hope to the hopeless.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Unfree
Bondage. Captured. Handcuffed. Words that describe unfreedom (which is probably not a real word.)
How can we live in a country that is known for freedom and feel so bound at times by other influences?
Many things can cause a person to feel bondage or suffocated: spouse, job, children, government, finances. The list is really endless.
But what's the truth about freedom? (Italics added in all the verses.)
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
Satan wants us to believe in bondage and that the situation we're in is unbreakable and hopeless. We know with Jesus this is a lie. He came to free us.
I pray today that whatever hill your facing, whatever obstacle is standing in the way, whoever is telling you it's too difficult, the barrier is removed in the name of Jesus. If the Lord doesn't remove it, I pray you have increased faith to pull through.
Hang in there a little longer. Sometimes we give up right before a breakthrough. Also, the things we want freedom from aren't always the root of the problem. Ask The Lord to show you the base of the issue; sometimes it's shocking what we find. : ) I have a tendency to blame everyone and everything else around me instead of looking at myself. I have a part in this, always.
Stay encouraged. We can't always measure the progress by what we see on the outside. The process that is going on inside doesn't always give us the outward results we are looking for. It's a process and sometimes a battle. Thank Him for the process even though we may not currently see outward progress.
Giving Him continuous gratitude is really critical when in the fight. Also, continuing the connection with The Lord is always crucial.
One more thing, if you don't know how to pray or can't find the strength, just repeat the name 'Jesus' over and over (I do this a lot.) The strength and peace will come.
Jesus came to take death and sin and to release us from bondage. Satan only has as much freedom as we allow.
Jesus wants us to live in freedom and peace. We just have to let Him in.
How can we live in a country that is known for freedom and feel so bound at times by other influences?
Many things can cause a person to feel bondage or suffocated: spouse, job, children, government, finances. The list is really endless.
But what's the truth about freedom? (Italics added in all the verses.)
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
Satan wants us to believe in bondage and that the situation we're in is unbreakable and hopeless. We know with Jesus this is a lie. He came to free us.
I pray today that whatever hill your facing, whatever obstacle is standing in the way, whoever is telling you it's too difficult, the barrier is removed in the name of Jesus. If the Lord doesn't remove it, I pray you have increased faith to pull through.
Hang in there a little longer. Sometimes we give up right before a breakthrough. Also, the things we want freedom from aren't always the root of the problem. Ask The Lord to show you the base of the issue; sometimes it's shocking what we find. : ) I have a tendency to blame everyone and everything else around me instead of looking at myself. I have a part in this, always.
Stay encouraged. We can't always measure the progress by what we see on the outside. The process that is going on inside doesn't always give us the outward results we are looking for. It's a process and sometimes a battle. Thank Him for the process even though we may not currently see outward progress.
Giving Him continuous gratitude is really critical when in the fight. Also, continuing the connection with The Lord is always crucial.
One more thing, if you don't know how to pray or can't find the strength, just repeat the name 'Jesus' over and over (I do this a lot.) The strength and peace will come.
Jesus came to take death and sin and to release us from bondage. Satan only has as much freedom as we allow.
Jesus wants us to live in freedom and peace. We just have to let Him in.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Relevance
The older we get, the more we may question our relevance. Our relevance in society, to our children, our work. Is what we know still relevant for today? Is our only relevant role now to pass the torch to the younger generation as a mentor?
When we look in the mirror, we cannot help but see gray hair, wrinkles, sagging skin. Or maybe that's just me.
Companies make millions of dollars on products so we can appear youthful. We work out at gyms, take 'magic' pills, go on strange diets all in the name of youth. Some even go under the knife to take a few years off.
This is not a message of condemnation about the efforts to restore our youth, though. I've done my fair share and I'm sure I'll do more.
But how does God see me?
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 bold added)
Because the Lord does not see the outward appearance he does not see our aging faces. He doesn't see our bodies sag. He doesn't see us in the same way we see ourselves or the way we see others.
If we know this, then it has to be the heart and the mind that are His measure of youth. He measure youth in a completely different way then we do. He looks at the inside.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:2-5 bold added)
According to this scripture, it's possible the our youth can be renewed. We know because time doesn't stand still here on earth that can't infer we can turn back the clock on our physical bodies. This is referring to our spiritual renewal. The Psalmist says we do this by remembering his benefits. That's the only thing we have to do. The rest is up to Him. How wonderful! We just have to receive forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, mercy, good. An amazing gift. We receive renewing youth BY receiving the gifts he has for us. No striving or performing requested or required.
Do not be conformed by this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 bold added)
Again the word renew is the focus. Above we explored how our youth can be renewed by Him. Here our mind is renewed. Our mind has to work differently than the world says. The subjects and information that the world says is important will not renew our minds. This is only by the Holy Spirit that can be accomplished.
I'm not suggesting we should be ignorant to worldly events and subjects. But they will not transform us. They will not renew our minds. Only the Holy Spirit can do this. He is the guide for discerning what is good, acceptable and perfect.
I believe that the way we 'look' at one another, as old or young, is changing. The wise are now as the young and the young revivalist are as the wise, and vice versa.
The relationship of mentor and mentee (or protege) is changing. We are all mentees and the Holy Spirit is the Mentor.
And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. Hebrews 8:11
The young, on-fire relevant person is you! No matter what age you are or how worn-out your physical body. Because God does not see our outside covering, it's the inside that He values.
The renewing of our minds is the measuring stick for youth. Our hearts filled with a new compassion for those in our path transforms us.
It is imperative that we meditate on His word and we allow the Holy Spirit to transform our heart and mind daily. This is the only way the new and fresh ideas that the Lord wants us to implement and understand will resonate. This is the only way we truly remain relevant.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Reflection
The moon reflects the light of the sun. The position of the sun is what determines the reflected 'shape' of the moon that night. For example, a crescent, full moon, etc. all depends on where the sun is in relation to the moon.
The moon has no light itself. It's not like a star, which has the capability to shine on it's on.
The parable of this is, just like the moon, we do not have any light on our own. We are only a reflection of God, if we believe in Jesus.
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him." Genesis 1:27
On our own we are only dark cratered beings. With the Holy Spirit we come to life, lit beings when we are filled.
This does not make us God, only what he created us to be.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
The moon has no light itself. It's not like a star, which has the capability to shine on it's on.
The parable of this is, just like the moon, we do not have any light on our own. We are only a reflection of God, if we believe in Jesus.
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him." Genesis 1:27
On our own we are only dark cratered beings. With the Holy Spirit we come to life, lit beings when we are filled.
This does not make us God, only what he created us to be.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
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