February 1, 2014 · Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 1 ~ Blessed
I have been blessed...I really have been blessed. Even when married life has been hard...okay, really hard...try devastating, actually...my husband has been a blessing to me, especially the last year, when I haven't deserved it. Blessed. Oh, that we could all see blessings from God, even during the times when we can't see through the fog -and every one of you who has been married For awhile knows exactly what I'm talking about- or someday you will. God gives trials (especially in marriage) to refine us, mature us, help us die to sin and self and live for Christ, help us learn to lay our life down for another, help us learn to bless someone who doesn't deserve it, teach us to forgive, help us learn to accept blessings when WE don't deserve them, and to make our marriage a picture of Christ and the church. In marriage we face the hardest challenges. We live with an imperfect person who often times sees life differently, in some areas, than we do. That person lives with an imperfect you, too!
We need these: Refinement....the blood of Christ...a little more refinement...the grace of The Lord Jesus Christ...even more refinement...forgiveness from the Chief Shepherd...so much refinement, until we are like pure gold, with all the impurities skimmed off the top...Until we are a lump of clay, fashioned by the Potter's hands, into a pot that can be put on display for all to see. Marriage is the quickest way for God to do these things. But God can't do it with hard hearts...unwilling and selfish hearts...with clenched fists. He can only refine the lives of people with open hands...with soft, pliable hearts...with broken, cracked, hearts...open hearts. Hearts that find the blessings, even in the fog...the lighthouses in the storms...the candles in the blackout....the gifts tied with scarlet threads, offered in the dark corners of a place called 'I don't understand'...the heart that finds the blessings even when it is grappling with the cold 'whys?'
Blessings like: An affectionate hand brushing stray hair away from your face ~ a whisper of 'I love you' in the dark ~ him pacing the room with your newborn baby, whispering 'shh' at 4:39 am ~ full trash cans rattling to the road on Awana night ~ a knee-kicker grabbing at new carpet, pushing it into corners of an old room ~ red, white, and tan paint and wood made into childs' play things ~ sawdust covering an MCC jacket speaking of tables, and beds, and wood creations made with love ~ little blond and brown and red haired American girls on shelves, paid for with too much money ~ him leaving the last bit of Blue Bell for you and taking none for himself ~ diapers in the trash not changed by you, size one and size four, not paid for by you either ~ not letting you have a natural labor because he can't bear to see you in more pain than he's already caused in the past ~ paying too much money for technology for directionally challenged people whose phones find themselves in liquid such as coffee ~ gazebos that hit dining room windows because he's too busy doing labors of love that are more important ~ fish on 4 hooks and four smiling faces and him knowing how important it is that he make sure 'no one drowns' like they've all tried to do ~ flowers for no reason ~ trips out of the way for essential oils when he was 'just at that store-out of the way- last week' ~ him knowing not to go to walmart and waste gas because I forgot to tell him we needed cat food...they can eat tuna...just don't waste gas --without me having to say anything ~ Oneness. Knowing the other person's mind. Marriage.
See the little blessings, when they are little, when you can't see through the fog; someday you'll see the big blessings....just the little blessings all heaped up into one long life together, because you "chose" to see them.
http://youtu.be/ZACkRe_W4Gg
Showing posts with label Spirituality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spirituality. Show all posts
Monday, April 25, 2016
Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 2 ~ Provision
February 2, 2014 · Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 2 ~ Provision
Are you married to a Boaz? A man who is a wonderful provider? This is who Boaz was. All through the book of Ruth you see his character. You see amazing character traits that every man should try to emulate, but mostly you see his provision for Naomi and Ruth. I love Boaz. I love his history, which is where his character was really born. Far before the events of the book of Ruth took place, a story was being weaved; a story that is quite silent but also not silent....it just takes some digging and some bible knowledge, but it's there. ....his history began with his mother; the beautiful soul mentioned in Hebrews 11, but found in Joshua....a scarlet cord in her hand...a foreigner....a prostitute. Do you feel the weight of that? His mother....a foreign prostitute....a history no one would really want...a woman no good Israelite would want....except there was this one Israelite who did want this woman named Rahab. Nothing but his name is mentioned in scripture but nothing need be mentioned of him; this man named Salmon. His son Boaz reveals all that Salmon was. Salmon redeemed a prostitute, for his wife. He loved and cherished her; provided for her needs. He washed her stains and made her clean because he rescued her, just as Christ wants to do for you. Are you the Rahab in your marriage relationship? The shameful, rebellious one, whose character and history is very colorful? Her faith took her all the way to Hebrews 11 and Matthew 1...the great great great.....grandmother of our Lord Jesus Christ. His great great great....grandmother??? That is a story only God can weave. A story of grace, forgiveness, redemption. A story like you could have. A story you could have if you have a Salmon in your life and The Lord Jesus in your heart.
Are you the Salmon of your marriage relationship?...not much flare...nothing to really tell about you except your name in a genealogy? Sometimes a name says it all. Sometimes that is all that is needed. Sometimes just your name is mentioned because your story is so special it's reserved for heaven alone. To be told to the Saints....To be told to the curious believers who love a great story....a precious testimony. Are you called to be Salmon? The quiet one who loves, forgives, provides a sacred place of rest and acceptance to the colorful one? To the one no one wants? Will you be the Salmon who becomes such an example to his children that people associate your name with your offspring? Will you raise little Boaz boys and girls, who redeem the foreigners, provide for the widows and even their mother-in-laws...with tangible provision and emotional provision? The beacon babies? Maybe God calls you to raise a Rahab child. You can raise all your children the same and you still might get one or two who despite your care, your prayers, and your teaching, is a Rahab child. This is when it's out of your hands and it's where God weaves the tapestry....the story. The beautiful redemption story. This is where the little Salmon's of the world become the bearers of Christ's image to a dying world. A world that needs their love and care...their forgiveness and acceptance...their grace and affection. These things that Rahabs need to make it to Hebrews 11. If you are a Salmon, keep going, keep digging into God's word and tapping into his power. If you are a Rahab, you have responsibilities, too. Rahab had to change. She had to turn her back on her sinful ways. She had to take every thought captive so she wouldn't live in life-long shame. She couldn't go to the places she used to go. She couldn't see the people she used to see. She couldn't listen to things she used to listen to. After all, she had a little boy now. She had to be an example to Boaz. She had to provide also, but in a different way than her husband. She provided stability, ability to teach from her past mistakes, ability to extend what Salmon had given her, and she taught Boaz gratefulness, contentment, and faith. Her boy grew into such a man that he deserved a whole book of the Bible. In the book of Ruth you see the character traits he learned from his mom and from his dad. Read it with new eyes! No matter if you are the Rahab or the Salmon, or a mixture of the two, make sure you provide well, from what God has given you! References: Joshua 1 and 6 Ruth 1-4 Matthew 1 Hebrews 11
Are you married to a Boaz? A man who is a wonderful provider? This is who Boaz was. All through the book of Ruth you see his character. You see amazing character traits that every man should try to emulate, but mostly you see his provision for Naomi and Ruth. I love Boaz. I love his history, which is where his character was really born. Far before the events of the book of Ruth took place, a story was being weaved; a story that is quite silent but also not silent....it just takes some digging and some bible knowledge, but it's there. ....his history began with his mother; the beautiful soul mentioned in Hebrews 11, but found in Joshua....a scarlet cord in her hand...a foreigner....a prostitute. Do you feel the weight of that? His mother....a foreign prostitute....a history no one would really want...a woman no good Israelite would want....except there was this one Israelite who did want this woman named Rahab. Nothing but his name is mentioned in scripture but nothing need be mentioned of him; this man named Salmon. His son Boaz reveals all that Salmon was. Salmon redeemed a prostitute, for his wife. He loved and cherished her; provided for her needs. He washed her stains and made her clean because he rescued her, just as Christ wants to do for you. Are you the Rahab in your marriage relationship? The shameful, rebellious one, whose character and history is very colorful? Her faith took her all the way to Hebrews 11 and Matthew 1...the great great great.....grandmother of our Lord Jesus Christ. His great great great....grandmother??? That is a story only God can weave. A story of grace, forgiveness, redemption. A story like you could have. A story you could have if you have a Salmon in your life and The Lord Jesus in your heart.
Are you the Salmon of your marriage relationship?...not much flare...nothing to really tell about you except your name in a genealogy? Sometimes a name says it all. Sometimes that is all that is needed. Sometimes just your name is mentioned because your story is so special it's reserved for heaven alone. To be told to the Saints....To be told to the curious believers who love a great story....a precious testimony. Are you called to be Salmon? The quiet one who loves, forgives, provides a sacred place of rest and acceptance to the colorful one? To the one no one wants? Will you be the Salmon who becomes such an example to his children that people associate your name with your offspring? Will you raise little Boaz boys and girls, who redeem the foreigners, provide for the widows and even their mother-in-laws...with tangible provision and emotional provision? The beacon babies? Maybe God calls you to raise a Rahab child. You can raise all your children the same and you still might get one or two who despite your care, your prayers, and your teaching, is a Rahab child. This is when it's out of your hands and it's where God weaves the tapestry....the story. The beautiful redemption story. This is where the little Salmon's of the world become the bearers of Christ's image to a dying world. A world that needs their love and care...their forgiveness and acceptance...their grace and affection. These things that Rahabs need to make it to Hebrews 11. If you are a Salmon, keep going, keep digging into God's word and tapping into his power. If you are a Rahab, you have responsibilities, too. Rahab had to change. She had to turn her back on her sinful ways. She had to take every thought captive so she wouldn't live in life-long shame. She couldn't go to the places she used to go. She couldn't see the people she used to see. She couldn't listen to things she used to listen to. After all, she had a little boy now. She had to be an example to Boaz. She had to provide also, but in a different way than her husband. She provided stability, ability to teach from her past mistakes, ability to extend what Salmon had given her, and she taught Boaz gratefulness, contentment, and faith. Her boy grew into such a man that he deserved a whole book of the Bible. In the book of Ruth you see the character traits he learned from his mom and from his dad. Read it with new eyes! No matter if you are the Rahab or the Salmon, or a mixture of the two, make sure you provide well, from what God has given you! References: Joshua 1 and 6 Ruth 1-4 Matthew 1 Hebrews 11
Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 3 ~ Of Him Who Loves Children (And She Who Is Grateful)
February 3, 2014 · Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 3 ~ Of Him Who Loves Children (And She Who Is Grateful)
12:53 pm, a hot summer day, a squawking cry is heard. A boy is born. A father is born. 5:01 am, 8:42 am, 2:02am, 1:02 am...a father is increasingly being perfected. Time. God makes all things beautiful in His time, the wise king said. What truth. But how much easier when God begins, from the beginning, with a man who loves and wants children. Such a joy to a mom like me who always dreamed of a large family. When a man loves his children, a woman can forgive a lot. When his children run to him when he returns from work, crawling, clawing, and jumping all over him, especially the toddler, there is a safety there, where a woman knows her precious children are secure, happy, and safe. Think of every woman friend you know. I'm sure you can think of many whose husbands don't love the children, don't know how to, don't care to. Most of these women probably live alone with their children, and a broken heart. Some abandoned; some alone by choice. All sad. Where are the men? Where are the women who are content and grateful; thankful and appreciative of the men who live out Jesus's words of "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them..."?
See with fresh eyes, your man, who is loving and tender with the children. Forgive him of his failings in other areas, whether great or small. Live in gratitude for the strengths he does have, the weaknesses he is trying to overcome by God's grace, and build a beautiful family with him. <3 Are you a barren woman? You can have a house full of children and still be barren. Read the definition:
1 : not reproducing
a : incapable of producing offspring
b : not yet or not recently pregnant
c : habitually failing to bear fruit
2 : not productive: as
a : producing little or no vegetation : desolate
b : producing inferior crops
c : unproductive of results or gain : fruitless
3 : devoid, lacking
4 : lacking interest or charm
5 : lacking inspiration or ideas
A barren mother of children is devoid of joy, happiness, and strength. She lives life with no purpose, lacking gain, and frittering away her life. She doesn't better herself or her family with learning, growing, and graceful living. She doesn't open her hands, her heart, or her mind to new ideas, to the will of God, to opportunities, to others, to her husband. Don't worry; I'm guilty of it, too. But what does the scripture say? What is the answer to the ungrateful, maybe hateful, maybe bitter wife who lives in the desolate places? Who lives in the barren places? Scripture says the answer is The Lord: "He makes the barren woman abide in the house As a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!"(Psalms 113:9 NASB) How? I believe The Lord does it through a grateful heart...the heart that, here again, chooses to see the blessings from her husband and her God!
12:53 pm, a hot summer day, a squawking cry is heard. A boy is born. A father is born. 5:01 am, 8:42 am, 2:02am, 1:02 am...a father is increasingly being perfected. Time. God makes all things beautiful in His time, the wise king said. What truth. But how much easier when God begins, from the beginning, with a man who loves and wants children. Such a joy to a mom like me who always dreamed of a large family. When a man loves his children, a woman can forgive a lot. When his children run to him when he returns from work, crawling, clawing, and jumping all over him, especially the toddler, there is a safety there, where a woman knows her precious children are secure, happy, and safe. Think of every woman friend you know. I'm sure you can think of many whose husbands don't love the children, don't know how to, don't care to. Most of these women probably live alone with their children, and a broken heart. Some abandoned; some alone by choice. All sad. Where are the men? Where are the women who are content and grateful; thankful and appreciative of the men who live out Jesus's words of "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them..."?
See with fresh eyes, your man, who is loving and tender with the children. Forgive him of his failings in other areas, whether great or small. Live in gratitude for the strengths he does have, the weaknesses he is trying to overcome by God's grace, and build a beautiful family with him. <3 Are you a barren woman? You can have a house full of children and still be barren. Read the definition:
1 : not reproducing
a : incapable of producing offspring
b : not yet or not recently pregnant
c : habitually failing to bear fruit
2 : not productive: as
a : producing little or no vegetation : desolate
b : producing inferior crops
c : unproductive of results or gain : fruitless
3 : devoid, lacking
4 : lacking interest or charm
5 : lacking inspiration or ideas
A barren mother of children is devoid of joy, happiness, and strength. She lives life with no purpose, lacking gain, and frittering away her life. She doesn't better herself or her family with learning, growing, and graceful living. She doesn't open her hands, her heart, or her mind to new ideas, to the will of God, to opportunities, to others, to her husband. Don't worry; I'm guilty of it, too. But what does the scripture say? What is the answer to the ungrateful, maybe hateful, maybe bitter wife who lives in the desolate places? Who lives in the barren places? Scripture says the answer is The Lord: "He makes the barren woman abide in the house As a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!"(Psalms 113:9 NASB) How? I believe The Lord does it through a grateful heart...the heart that, here again, chooses to see the blessings from her husband and her God!
Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 4 ~ Fullness of Grace and Forgiveness
February 4, 2014 · Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 4 ~ Fullness of Grace and Forgiveness
The little page...always hard to find...tucked between the giants of Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews...you flip around trying to find it, when you are asked to find it, which is rare...no one really preaches on it...does anyone even read it?...Philemon. The book that's been wet with my tears....a little wrinkled and worn...words journaled around it's edges...the book I can always find because it saved(s) my heart from bitterness. Many times have I replaced Paul's words to Philemon, as words from God to me. No matter who you are, there is always someone you need to forgive.
Onesimus (if you can't say it, it's pronounced 'Oh-ness-uh-miss'), a thieving slave of Philemon...a run- away...scared and useless, finds Paul...or should we say, "God weaves the tapestry again, working through Onesimus's sin, unto his salvation (because that's what God does)...and leads him to Paul." Glory. God saves people for His glory. "God saves people in his timing, when it brings HIM the most glory", says my friend, Tammy. Paul asks Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, who is now his brother in Christ. Saved. Forgiven by God. Blameless. Righteous. Paul asks to be charged himself, with whatever Onesimus owes. Do you need to forgive your husband or wife? Imagine God speaking all the words of the book of Philemon to you...such as, "welcome your spouse, as you would welcome me...if he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me". Charge the offense to God. Something I've found: People who have been forgiven much by God or others, are able to forgive much. The ones who receive a great and abundant grace are able to extend it easier to others. It is truly a wonderful gift from God, to be able to do this. For this I am thankful. My man forgives me and extends grace far easier than I am able to, even when I am extremely difficult. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 NIV)
The little page...always hard to find...tucked between the giants of Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews...you flip around trying to find it, when you are asked to find it, which is rare...no one really preaches on it...does anyone even read it?...Philemon. The book that's been wet with my tears....a little wrinkled and worn...words journaled around it's edges...the book I can always find because it saved(s) my heart from bitterness. Many times have I replaced Paul's words to Philemon, as words from God to me. No matter who you are, there is always someone you need to forgive.
Onesimus (if you can't say it, it's pronounced 'Oh-ness-uh-miss'), a thieving slave of Philemon...a run- away...scared and useless, finds Paul...or should we say, "God weaves the tapestry again, working through Onesimus's sin, unto his salvation (because that's what God does)...and leads him to Paul." Glory. God saves people for His glory. "God saves people in his timing, when it brings HIM the most glory", says my friend, Tammy. Paul asks Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, who is now his brother in Christ. Saved. Forgiven by God. Blameless. Righteous. Paul asks to be charged himself, with whatever Onesimus owes. Do you need to forgive your husband or wife? Imagine God speaking all the words of the book of Philemon to you...such as, "welcome your spouse, as you would welcome me...if he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me". Charge the offense to God. Something I've found: People who have been forgiven much by God or others, are able to forgive much. The ones who receive a great and abundant grace are able to extend it easier to others. It is truly a wonderful gift from God, to be able to do this. For this I am thankful. My man forgives me and extends grace far easier than I am able to, even when I am extremely difficult. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 NIV)
Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 5 ~ Gentile Soldier
February 5, 2014 · Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 5 ~ Gentile Soldier
We are all Gentiles unless born as Israelites, but there is a uniqueness in the Gentile Soldier. Even more-so the believing, washed-in-the-blood, redeemed, righteous, Gentile Soldier. Rewind 2000 odd years...imagine a brown and green sandy shore, palm trees and ugly olive trees scattered around, walled houses of the town in front of you, fishermen, boats and nets, and the Sea of Galilee behind you. Capernaum. An Israelite man, the Word wrapped in flesh, wearing sandals and a robe, enters the town. He's greeted by Jewish elders sent by the Roman soldier. The Centurion. The one said later, to be the greatest in faith in Israel. The Gentile. The Jews hate him. He only has a few Jewish friends....the ones he sent to Jesus, even though he's done much for the Jews. He's a delegator. He has a hundred men under him. He's busy. Plus, he has this problem that's stressing him out. His servant, who he regards highly (listen...he respects those lower than he...he respects a slave), is sick and close to death. He sends his Jewish friends to Jesus. Why didn't he go himself? There's three reasons, plus a bonus reason. They unlock why he was the greatest in faith in Israel, but not only that: the reason any soldier is great, or becomes great....
Number 1: the soldier knew that he had to multitask. He needed to use his time wisely. He needed to maximize what had been given him. So he delegated. He shows wisdom, commitment, maturity, stewardship of his resources, responsibility, and fore-thought. All Of these qualities make up a great soldier.
Number two: He sent his Jewish friends, so that it would not cause a ruckus in the presence of Jesus, since Jesus was likely on his way to the Jewish synagogue...if he had gone himself, it would have caused an uproar because he was hated by most of the Jews. This would have prolonged the healing of his slave-friend. Again, the soldier shows tactful thinking, logical reasoning. He's smart. More great qualities in a soldier.
And number three, the exact reason (if you've ever wondered) why this soldier was said to have the greatest faith in all of Israel: this man knew that he didn't need to be present to have his orders carried out, JUST LIKE Jesus didn't need to be present to heal his slave. It only took faith. And not just plain ole faith. This was faith from a roman gentile who had no religious or Christian upbringing. He was just like many of us.
If these things aren't enough to blow your mind, there's also this tidbit tucked away in Luke 7: he didn't come to Jesus himself, because he felt he didn't deserve to be in the presence of his Lord. He demonstrated a humility not often seen in soldiers. Even though he had a hundred men UNDER him, he knew there was still authority OVER him. He lived humbly under the Lordship of Christ. He carried out his duties with honor. He surrounded himself with men (the Jewish elders that he had befriended) who could teach him. He wasn't above being taught. He wasn't below giving orders. He led with competence but lived under Lordship. Not only this but think about it: why would any of us feel we don't deserve to be in the presence of Christ? Maybe there was some shame behind him. Maybe there was some sin behind him that made him feel he didn't deserve to be near his savior. Maybe he didn't quite know his identity yet, but I can guarantee you that if he had been Moses, I doubt he'd need to be asked to remove his sandals at the burning bush. Just saying.
And one last quality of this great man: He HAD a servant but he WAS ONE! He served Christ by helping to build the synagogue in Capernaum. We don't know if he literally helped build it with his hands or if he donated money for it to be built. If he donated money it was probably anonymously done. Wow! No wonder Jesus said in the hearing of self-righteous Jews and hypocritical Pharisees, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." While he likely mopped the brow of his servant-friend fretting over his life, and dare we imagine: probably changing his bedpan and bedding, he lived out Jesus's words without even knowing it...."Whoever does something for the least of these, does it for me", said Jesus. 'Last will be first'...'Least will be greatest'... 'God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud'.... ........God gives grace to the humble...... I daresay.....God in human flesh probably gave a lot of grace that day in Capernaum. He healed a soldier's servant-friend....AND....told him he had the greatest faith in all of Israel.... And maybe....just maybe that Centurion had killed Christians in the past....maybe he had been a carouser.....a drunkard....greedy.....an idol worshipper....HE WAS SOMETHING....SOME KIND OF SINNER LIKE WE ALL ARE..... God gives grace to the humble.... <3 References: Luke 7:1-10 Note: The story is also told in Matthew 8:5-13, to which it is written that the Centurion did go to Christ himself. This is not a contradiction but a difference in how it was written and why, by each author: In dealing with the messengers Jesus was dealing with the centurion. Matthew wrote to Jews, so he emphasized the gentile man's faith. Luke wrote to Gentiles so he emphasized the good relationship between the Jewish friends and the Centurion, trying to highlight the need for barriers to be broken down (racial, ethnic, and social barriers). It's also good to remember that Luke is known for his more detailed writing than any of the other gospel writers. Hope that makes sense. :)
We are all Gentiles unless born as Israelites, but there is a uniqueness in the Gentile Soldier. Even more-so the believing, washed-in-the-blood, redeemed, righteous, Gentile Soldier. Rewind 2000 odd years...imagine a brown and green sandy shore, palm trees and ugly olive trees scattered around, walled houses of the town in front of you, fishermen, boats and nets, and the Sea of Galilee behind you. Capernaum. An Israelite man, the Word wrapped in flesh, wearing sandals and a robe, enters the town. He's greeted by Jewish elders sent by the Roman soldier. The Centurion. The one said later, to be the greatest in faith in Israel. The Gentile. The Jews hate him. He only has a few Jewish friends....the ones he sent to Jesus, even though he's done much for the Jews. He's a delegator. He has a hundred men under him. He's busy. Plus, he has this problem that's stressing him out. His servant, who he regards highly (listen...he respects those lower than he...he respects a slave), is sick and close to death. He sends his Jewish friends to Jesus. Why didn't he go himself? There's three reasons, plus a bonus reason. They unlock why he was the greatest in faith in Israel, but not only that: the reason any soldier is great, or becomes great....
Number 1: the soldier knew that he had to multitask. He needed to use his time wisely. He needed to maximize what had been given him. So he delegated. He shows wisdom, commitment, maturity, stewardship of his resources, responsibility, and fore-thought. All Of these qualities make up a great soldier.
Number two: He sent his Jewish friends, so that it would not cause a ruckus in the presence of Jesus, since Jesus was likely on his way to the Jewish synagogue...if he had gone himself, it would have caused an uproar because he was hated by most of the Jews. This would have prolonged the healing of his slave-friend. Again, the soldier shows tactful thinking, logical reasoning. He's smart. More great qualities in a soldier.
And number three, the exact reason (if you've ever wondered) why this soldier was said to have the greatest faith in all of Israel: this man knew that he didn't need to be present to have his orders carried out, JUST LIKE Jesus didn't need to be present to heal his slave. It only took faith. And not just plain ole faith. This was faith from a roman gentile who had no religious or Christian upbringing. He was just like many of us.
If these things aren't enough to blow your mind, there's also this tidbit tucked away in Luke 7: he didn't come to Jesus himself, because he felt he didn't deserve to be in the presence of his Lord. He demonstrated a humility not often seen in soldiers. Even though he had a hundred men UNDER him, he knew there was still authority OVER him. He lived humbly under the Lordship of Christ. He carried out his duties with honor. He surrounded himself with men (the Jewish elders that he had befriended) who could teach him. He wasn't above being taught. He wasn't below giving orders. He led with competence but lived under Lordship. Not only this but think about it: why would any of us feel we don't deserve to be in the presence of Christ? Maybe there was some shame behind him. Maybe there was some sin behind him that made him feel he didn't deserve to be near his savior. Maybe he didn't quite know his identity yet, but I can guarantee you that if he had been Moses, I doubt he'd need to be asked to remove his sandals at the burning bush. Just saying.
And one last quality of this great man: He HAD a servant but he WAS ONE! He served Christ by helping to build the synagogue in Capernaum. We don't know if he literally helped build it with his hands or if he donated money for it to be built. If he donated money it was probably anonymously done. Wow! No wonder Jesus said in the hearing of self-righteous Jews and hypocritical Pharisees, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." While he likely mopped the brow of his servant-friend fretting over his life, and dare we imagine: probably changing his bedpan and bedding, he lived out Jesus's words without even knowing it...."Whoever does something for the least of these, does it for me", said Jesus. 'Last will be first'...'Least will be greatest'... 'God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud'.... ........God gives grace to the humble...... I daresay.....God in human flesh probably gave a lot of grace that day in Capernaum. He healed a soldier's servant-friend....AND....told him he had the greatest faith in all of Israel.... And maybe....just maybe that Centurion had killed Christians in the past....maybe he had been a carouser.....a drunkard....greedy.....an idol worshipper....HE WAS SOMETHING....SOME KIND OF SINNER LIKE WE ALL ARE..... God gives grace to the humble.... <3 References: Luke 7:1-10 Note: The story is also told in Matthew 8:5-13, to which it is written that the Centurion did go to Christ himself. This is not a contradiction but a difference in how it was written and why, by each author: In dealing with the messengers Jesus was dealing with the centurion. Matthew wrote to Jews, so he emphasized the gentile man's faith. Luke wrote to Gentiles so he emphasized the good relationship between the Jewish friends and the Centurion, trying to highlight the need for barriers to be broken down (racial, ethnic, and social barriers). It's also good to remember that Luke is known for his more detailed writing than any of the other gospel writers. Hope that makes sense. :)
Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 6 ~ The Good Gift Giver
February 6, 2014 ·
Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 6 ~ The Good Gift Giver
I've never been very good at gift-giving, especially for adults. With my children it's pretty simple; they each have their unique interests, and I'm with them all day and know what they enjoy. I try to remember things that adults say they like, or want, but either I forget by Christmas, or the person is notorious for buying what they want before I get the chance.
God isn't like that. He knows how to give good gifts to his children. In fact, he knows what you need before you do and before you ask him. He also knows what you would want and what you would like before you were even born. He plans your life with the desires of your heart in his mind. He uses your desires to fulfill his plan, and bring glory to himself, at the same time. Only our One True God would care about our wants and desires, as well as our needs, and at the same time, weave our lives intricately around those things.
Other gods deceive us and don't truly deliver. Many of the things people worship like pleasure, money, sex, food, beauty, power....they all make us feel good at first....but afterward we are left hollow, searching for more, or harming ourselves or others. None of the things I mentioned are bad things, but if they are not brought under the Lordship of Christ, they will leave us feeling like a brick, because we haven't submitted our will and life to God. Only when we submit, do the things we like and enjoy, take their proper place, and enable us to enjoy them fully, in their rightful place. When we learn to enjoy the 'Gift Giver' first, then we appreciate and enjoy His gifts, more. If you worship your husband, you will eventually expect him to deliver what only Christ can deliver for you. As time goes on, your husband will disappoint you, but most of all, you will end up hurting him. He is a good thing. He was given to you by God, but if you worship him and put him above God, you will want him to be God for you. He can't be. You must learn to enjoy God as He is. Just as He is....which is infinitely more than you could ever imagine. Taste and see that The Lord is good.
Something I have found that happens when we submit our lives to Christ and bring all areas of our lives under his Lordship, is that he fine-tunes our desires and turns what was, in the beginning a basic desire, into a glorious gift (to ourselves and to others). We all have the basic desire for sex. When we bring that under the Lordship of Christ, sex becomes more beautiful, your spouse becomes your standard of beauty, and your union becomes pure. Sex becomes a gift that you give rather than one you selfishly take from your spouse or others. As you learn to enjoy giving that gift, it makes it more enjoyable for yourself at the same time.
If you enjoy or are good at writing, art, photography, hobbies, etc, and you have brought these giftings under submission, perhaps your gift will reach others for Christ. God can use any gift for His glory. On the contrary, any gift can be used to further Satan's kingdom. If you let any area of your life further Satan's kingdom, you will eventually not enjoy the things you were born to enjoy....the things God meant for you to enjoy. You will ruin them.
So choose this day, who you will serve. Figure out what idols are enslaving you, before it's too late. Learn to let God reign, even in the small things. Use your fine-tuned, submitted gifts, to bless your spouse and others. Use them for God's glory, and watch Him use them in his ultimate plan for your life. Become a good gift giver, because you've learned to love the real gift giver with all of your heart, soul, and mind. <3
•So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (Matthew 7:11 NLT)
•So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:8 NASB)
•You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalms 16:11 NASB)
•Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 9:9 NASB)
•He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 18:22 NASB)
•O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (Psalms 34:8 NASB)
http://youtu.be/BGkmPeVpBbI
Valentines Day All Month ~Day 7 ~ Laughs and Smiles, Giggles and Guffaws
Rachelle Phipps
February 7, 2014 ·
Valentines Day All Month ~Day 7 ~ Laughs and Smiles, Giggles and Guffaws
*I wasn't feeling well, when I wrote this yesterday, so it's pretty lighthearted and very 'me-ish'! *
Just as I am not very good at giving gifts...at least to adults, anyway...I'm also not very funny and am kind of a boring person. I like dry humor like what you'd find on Napoleon Dynamite or with Brant Hanson from Air 1. I like puns, irony, hyperbole, and sarcasm, too. :). My husband likes these things as well, but he is so much better at remembering funny stories, telling them without forgetting parts, and being generally, more humorous. He is a very fun person and definitely not serious like I am. But we balance each other out very well. If it wasn't for me he'd never get anything done, would lose everything, and wouldn't remember to pay his bills. If it wasn't for him, I'd be a recluse, staying home reading and writing in my journal, and not spending much money. My checkbook would always be perfectly balanced, the budget would never get "ruined", and if I didn't have kids I'd be extremely happy going to church on Sunday, some retail therapy on Thursday and nothing else! :) Very boring, indeed. My husband has always supported me in breaking out of illusiveness, but it hasn't been an easy road. I didn't mention that I love Big Foot? Lol! ;)
Our old church really helped me to use my gifts, or at least pushed me out of my comfort zone, and it made me a more confident person. I still lack funniness, unless I've had too much to drink, and then I am said to be pretty funny and will quote passages of scripture or witness to people, or tell them all about the Song of Solomon. :)
God makes all of us different and he especially makes husbands and wives to compliment each other. So I am who I am. I will probably never be much fun, but if I was, I wouldn't compliment my husband very well. We'd never get anything important done and we'd be completely broke. :)
However, just as God makes each of us different, he also calls us ALL to obey the same things. So, a funny, exciting, exuberant person, still must steward his money well and be a person of honor and moral integrity. A boring, organized person, still must bring cheer to others. They still must bring joy to others. They still must be "out in the world" being lights for Christ. Paul himself even said that he would be one way for one group of people, and another way for another group of people, to make Christ appealing to whoever he met. He wasn't being dishonest or two-faced. He was simply being social, accommodating, and flexible, but was vigilant against sin, wherever he went.
Laughter, smiling, outward joy, and cheerfulness are all healthy and needed in marriage. I'm so thankful that my husband is a very happy person. He constantly makes me laugh out loud. I, however, can be very much like Martin Luther or Charles Spurgeon, prone to depression, or at least being unsocial.
Where do you find yourself? Are you the naturally happy one or the naturally melancholy one? If you're like me, maybe you need to focus more on de-stressing, so you can smile more, being more lighthearted, and letting some things go. There are a few things you can do.
•I've slowly been able to develop my sense of humor, so if I can do it, I know you can too! Joining funny pages on Facebook has helped me to de-compress and laugh!
•Timothy was in the stressful position of pastoring a church at a young age. Paul told him to drink some wine, to help his stomach. I can really relate. When I get stressed out, my stomach starts to hurt, too. A little wine (if you don't have problems with addiction) could be very beneficial to you and your marriage, just as it was likely beneficial for Timothy.
•Games have also helped me to be more fun. A rowdy round of Shanghai or Pit is my favorite!
•Putting together a puzzle with my kids or husband helps me to let things go and converse more.
• I use my cooking skills to make life more fun for my kids, especially during holidays and birthdays, when I let them help make their favorite dinner, and keep the suspense up in regards to their birthday cake and gifts.
•A slow adoption of advent activities over the last three years has made Christmas delightful and memorable, instead of stressful. •Letting the cleaning or organization go a little and putting a smile on my face when casserole dishes and mixing bowls almost fall out of the cabinet when I open it, helps a lot. It's the proof that I let my children help! :)
•Letting the kids clean has been an opportunity for me to grow spiritually. It still irks me sometimes when something isn't done right, but there's LOTS of times that I let it go! That's such a miracle and is only from God. :)
•Learn to laugh through your spouse's quirks and not take their differences so seriously. Learn to joke around with your spouse and be playful! When bad things happen don't let them get you down but instead try to laugh or at least find the good in them. After me mentioning all this, however, I think my marriage would be a lot better if I could let the "top of his dresser" go! Lol! I still haven't mastered that. :). At least I can laugh about it now!
If you are like me, pay closer attention to bible passages that speak of cheerfulness, joy, laughter, and sweet words! I pray you can thank God for who you are as an individual, can learn to identify your special giftings and use them, and can fully know your identity in Christ, but I also pray that you learn to develop other areas in your life that might need attention! <3
Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. (Ecclesiastes 9:7 NASB)
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:13 NIV)
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22 NIV)
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. (Ecclesiastes 3:12 NIV)
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24 NIV)
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV)
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (Proverbs 31:25 NIV)
Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 8 ~ Irreconcilably Different?
Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 8 ~ Irreconcilably Different?
You marry three people, they say: the person you think they are, the person they really are, and the person they become because they married you. That is so opposite of what we think when we are young and in love. We think about the common interests we have. We think about how compatible we are. We overlook things we shouldn't overlook. We don't even see red flags. It's like we are color-blind. But maybe that's how God plans it, when he writes stories. God can work around it, and makes something beautiful from the messiness of two people who become one flesh. I think he can make something beautiful from two people who are vastly different (or become vastly different as time goes on), and realize a little late, that they are incompatible. My husband and I are as incompatible as water and oil. Trust me; we took the compatibility tests. I think most couples are this way for awhile, even if it's just for a season. No differences are really irreconcilable, and if you believe so, you are not trusting God to make the changes in you and in your spouse, to put you on the same page, together. The book of Ephesians has the best description of how God breaks down barriers and differences in people and unites them. Chapter two in Ephesians can give a struggling marriage much hope for unity and new life, and it is a passage much marked and cherished in my Bible.
"Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands- remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:11-22 NASB)
So you see, two people who are different (and will be until they die) can become unified in purpose, through Christ, building upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets and held up by the Cornerstone, Christ Jesus.
If there is an unequal yoking, it may take time, trial, and much prayer and patience on your part, for your spouse to come to the Lord, in repentance.
If there is much pain from the past, scripture says that the Lord is the Great Physician. Scripture also says that there is a time for everything...a time to mourn and weep, included. Eventually, God makes all things beautiful in his perfect timing, and we must believe that.
If there is much shame from the past, scripture says that we are new creations in Christ and that there is no condemnation in Him. Every thought must be taken captive to the obedience of Christ and serious steps taken to avoid the pitfalls of whatever sin has caused the shame.
There is a time to tear down and there is a time to rebuild, and sometimes marriages which have what seems to be irreconcilable differences, must go through a process of tearing down walls, barriers, and sin which have creeped into the relationship. Small cracks which happened so slowly that they were unnoticeable, oftentimes give Satan a foothold. When this happens, many marriages have to start over and rebuild from the, hopefully, new and solid foundation of Christ alone and whatever "good" is left in the marriage. In repentance and rest, and quietness of soul and in trust, there is oftentimes salvation for the marriage (Isaiah 30:15). If one spouse is stiff-necked and unrepentant, even then it is not hopeless, and I would say to you, to keep pressing on. Nothing is irreconcilable with God. And unless there is danger in the marriage relationship, or continual behaviors which are repeated with no remorse or repentance, than I would suggest to you, to remove the word divorce from your vocabulary....for nothing is impossible with God!
http://youtu.be/bpphtclh7Ko
You marry three people, they say: the person you think they are, the person they really are, and the person they become because they married you. That is so opposite of what we think when we are young and in love. We think about the common interests we have. We think about how compatible we are. We overlook things we shouldn't overlook. We don't even see red flags. It's like we are color-blind. But maybe that's how God plans it, when he writes stories. God can work around it, and makes something beautiful from the messiness of two people who become one flesh. I think he can make something beautiful from two people who are vastly different (or become vastly different as time goes on), and realize a little late, that they are incompatible. My husband and I are as incompatible as water and oil. Trust me; we took the compatibility tests. I think most couples are this way for awhile, even if it's just for a season. No differences are really irreconcilable, and if you believe so, you are not trusting God to make the changes in you and in your spouse, to put you on the same page, together. The book of Ephesians has the best description of how God breaks down barriers and differences in people and unites them. Chapter two in Ephesians can give a struggling marriage much hope for unity and new life, and it is a passage much marked and cherished in my Bible.
"Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands- remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:11-22 NASB)
So you see, two people who are different (and will be until they die) can become unified in purpose, through Christ, building upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets and held up by the Cornerstone, Christ Jesus.
If there is an unequal yoking, it may take time, trial, and much prayer and patience on your part, for your spouse to come to the Lord, in repentance.
If there is much pain from the past, scripture says that the Lord is the Great Physician. Scripture also says that there is a time for everything...a time to mourn and weep, included. Eventually, God makes all things beautiful in his perfect timing, and we must believe that.
If there is much shame from the past, scripture says that we are new creations in Christ and that there is no condemnation in Him. Every thought must be taken captive to the obedience of Christ and serious steps taken to avoid the pitfalls of whatever sin has caused the shame.
There is a time to tear down and there is a time to rebuild, and sometimes marriages which have what seems to be irreconcilable differences, must go through a process of tearing down walls, barriers, and sin which have creeped into the relationship. Small cracks which happened so slowly that they were unnoticeable, oftentimes give Satan a foothold. When this happens, many marriages have to start over and rebuild from the, hopefully, new and solid foundation of Christ alone and whatever "good" is left in the marriage. In repentance and rest, and quietness of soul and in trust, there is oftentimes salvation for the marriage (Isaiah 30:15). If one spouse is stiff-necked and unrepentant, even then it is not hopeless, and I would say to you, to keep pressing on. Nothing is irreconcilable with God. And unless there is danger in the marriage relationship, or continual behaviors which are repeated with no remorse or repentance, than I would suggest to you, to remove the word divorce from your vocabulary....for nothing is impossible with God!
http://youtu.be/bpphtclh7Ko
Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 10 ~ The Hard Workers and the Appreciative Ones (and Other Things People Don't Want to Hear)
February 10, 2014 ·
Valentines Day All Month ~ Day 10 ~ The Hard Workers and the Appreciative Ones (and Other Things People Don't Want to Hear)
It's the stress I know nothing about, that happens from 6am to usually 6pm...the early mornings that he's had more of than I have....the sunrises he's seen that I haven't because I'm in bed feeding, whichever of the five newborns it was at the time....starting the truck in the cold while I'm snuggled under a goosedown with a baby with downy hair....him having to go to work even when he's sick....putting in the long hours and putting up with the demands of soldiering. All things I know nothing about. Yes, I work hard at home. When I don't have a newborn I am up at the same time as him, making his breakfast and packing his lunch but I have the luxury of resting at home when I need to and the relaxation of drinking my coffee on the couch if I've gotten up early enough to beat the children. I do work hard, but it isn't the same.
I am not met with the same challenge and struggle that a man faces in providing for a family. With Adam's curse, the husband received the challenge and struggle of laboring in a fallen world, dealing with the thorns of fallen people, the weeds of fallen superiors, the rocks of fallen organizations. I know it's very hard. But I don't know it intimately. I'm not acquainted with it, because I haven't had to work outside the home. I will never be able to adequately show my appreciation to my husband, but I try.
If I worked we *might* be out of debt, faster, but likely not. The money we save by me staying home, plus the blessings it creates, probably would outweigh anything I would contribute by working. With extra gas, food, and childcare expenses, I probably wouldn't make enough to make much difference, but I would add stress to our home life, and the lives of our children. For this reason, I try to live my life joyfully under the Curse of Eve (Genesis 3) which states, "...and your desire will be towards your husband and he will rule over you". Somewhere in us women, is an inner battle of will, which is there because of Eve. Our desire is towards our husbands but it's not a good desire. We desire to rule over him, but this is not God's way. God's way is for the husband to rule over his wife.
Thankfully, Jesus Christ relieved much of the oppression over women of the past. In fact, even before Christ, Israel was the most enlightened nation where women were concerned, and most Israelite women had it much easier than women in surrounding nations. This, I like to think, was a foreshadowing of Christ, and likely a draw for women like Ruth and Rahab!
Now, because of Christ our savior, and New Testament grace, us women have it much easier. Men are commanded to love their wives but we are not let off the hook. We are still called to submit to and respect our husbands.
The husband faces the same inner battle, tempting him to go against his curse. He naturally desires to be lazy, and passive towards his wife. If he will desire to live joyfully under his curse, he will find the beauty in his curse. He will seek to master his laziness and passivity, and add obedience to his New Testament command to love his wife, and he will find a great harmony. A beautiful circle begins to form. The man works hard to provide, and he leads and loves his wife, adequately. The woman seeks to submit to her husband, and respect to him and his authority. When both seek to simultaneously live out marriage God's way, a peace is created. If either one or both of them, do not live out God's design, there is struggle, strife, pain, and hardship. If both husband and wife cannot, or do not, simultaneously obey, then one of them must begin the circle somewhere and take on the challenge of living rightly under his or her curse. You may have to live a long time doing the right thing before you get to see any results. Maybe you will never get results, but you will be rewarded greatly in heaven for your obedience to your Heavenly Father.
If you do have a hardworking husband but he doesn't know how to love, then I would suggest to you, to be equally hardworking in two ways. Number one: work equally hard in your home. Make his home a haven of rest to come home to, not a chaotic place where the children and dog have reeked havoc. Let the house be a mess during the day, but be sure it's clean when he gets home. Make your best attempt at having a nourishing, healthy, and hearty meal waiting for him. Try to have yourself and your kids cleaned up by the time he gets home. I'm not suggesting these things for any other reason, except for the simple fact that he has worked hard in a stressful environment and probably doesn't desire to come home to a worse environment. If he is hardworking but comes home to a place where it *appears* that you've done nothing ----now I know you've not done nothing, but he may not know this---- it may cause some bitterness to form in him. He may feel you are not his teammate in life, or that you are lazy all day, while he has been working hard for you and the children. Maybe you are lazy, so if the shoe fits, I'm sorry. :/
Trust me: if you will seek to fulfill number one, EVENTUALLY your husband will see the jewel he has taken for granted all these years. Don't give up!
Number two: be equally hard-working in showing your appreciation for his hard work. What this looks like exactly, will depend on the person your husband is. Whatever his love language is, is what will show him you appreciate and love him. It will either be: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Physical Touch, Receiving Gifts, or Acts of Service. And I will tell you, almost 100% of the time, his love language will not be your love language. I made a five-year mistake of loving my husband with my love language. I simply didn't know he didn't feel love the same way that I did. What I thought would make him feel loved, had no effect on him. The other five years I spent trying to figure out what his love language was, because he didn't know either (pretty common), and also by then, it was a little too late. His love tank was depleted. Mine was depleted. Both of us were bitter towards one another. Neither of us really felt loved by the other. This was the crack that almost ruined our marriage. So work hard to show your love and appreciation to your hardworking man! And just a side-note....his love language will almost always be the one you least want to do. I think God plans it this way and probably laughs a little when he puts husbands and wives together with their "work cut out for them". :)
To come full circle with this for men and for women: seek to balance the negative effects of your curse with the positive commands in the New Testament, and live joyfully under both because neither one are changing anytime soon. For men: working is hard, not being lazy is hard, not being passive is hard and loving a woman like Christ loves her is hard. For women: bearing children is hard, keeping the home is hard, submitting to your husband is hard, and respecting your husband is hard. All are very satisfying and fulfilling, when taken seriously and cultivated properly. Anytime God commands something, it is for our ultimate good, these commands included! When both spouses learn to do these things very well and ALSO show appreciation when the other one does them, a peace and tranquility can be your new norm! <3
Just for fun:
http://youtu.be/N5E34pxzPlQ
Valentines Day 12 ~ The Mysterious Lady and the Patient Man
Valentines Day 12: The Mysterious Lady and The Patient Man
*Disclsimer: this devotional contains some dramatization*
She isn't named in scripture. She's one of the only women in scripture who is part of a huge story and isn't named. She and her husband's story take up four whole chapters in Genesis...Genesis 5:28-9:29...the story of Noah and the flood. Remember I mentioned in day two that some people's stories are so special that maybe only their name is recorded in scripture? Their special story is reserved for "storytime" in heaven, and we are left to wonder. Noah's wife's story must be extra special, then, because we aren't even given her name, or any details about her. The only thing we know about her was that she was Noah's wife and she was one of the only 8 people saved from the worldwide flood. Or is it?
It's really not. She was a mother to three sons, who were righteous, hard-working, faithful men. Answers in Genesis, says that the maximum years it took to build the ark was 75 years. For possibly 75 YEARS, Shem, Ham, and Japheth worked faithfully alongside their father building an ark...an ark that was nowhere near water....an ark that likely caused much ridicule from others. And yet, they built, and God saved them and their wives. Noah's wife HELPED RAISE STRONG, COMMITTED SONS!
Noah was the only one to find favor with God. Scripture says he walked with God and was righteous. He is in Hebrews 11, because he was full of faith in God. He very likely led his wife and sons well. Noah's wife was "led". Let's put it this way: Noah's wife allowed herself to be led. She was probably submissive and respectful. While other wives likely be-rated and teased her for "following her crazy husband", she respectfully obeyed him! She didn't leave, so it shows that she also trusted her husband, and that takes respect. Noah's wife was RESPECTFUL AND SUBMISSIVE!
Noah's wife likely gathered food and preserved it for the time they would be in the ark, helped bring tools and nails for Noah, and she very likely brought her husband water and his meals every day for 75 years, while he built the ark. She helped him build a humongous ship. The path from their house to the ship was likely worn into ruts! Noah's wife was HELPFUL, THOUGHTFUL, and STRONG! She was his perfect helpmate.
Only the 8 people who God initially said could be saved in the ark, were saved. This means that for 75 years, Noah and his family probably begged and pleaded for people to listen to them, and no one did. On the flip side, for 75 years, people likely ridiculed, teased, and spoke badly of Noah's family, persecuting them with their words. Imagine Noah's wife, working in her garden and being approached by other women, and being told such things as this, "Why are you wasting your time? How can you follow your weird husband's ideas? Don't you think you could use your talents in a better way? What if the flood never comes, won't you feel like an idiot? ...you ARE an idiot!" Noah's wife KNEW HER IDENTITY, and showed FORTITUDE, and strength of CHARACTER. She was full of DETERMINATION and PERSEVERANCE.
Three other women were saved in the ark. Surprisingly, (but actually NOT surprisingly) their names are not listed either. They were much younger than Noah's wife. I can imagine them all in the garden together and Noah's wife saying, "Girls, don't listen to them...we are following our husband's lead and we are trusting God. Don't let anything they say, cause you to take your eyes off The Lord. We are going to work hard and we will learn many lessons through this. It will be worth it." Think a little deeper...these three women had parents...they had sisters and brothers...they had friends. They all DIED in the flood. Without Noah's wife, those women would have likely caved under the pressure of their families and friends. Noah's wife was a ROLE-MODEL, a MENTOR, a GODLY OLDER WOMAN!!
Imagine the day that the flood started coming. First a little rain. No big deal. But by the second or third day there are hundreds of people who are getting concerned. God has shut the door of the ark. Inside, four women huddle up. Four men are there with them. The men look at each other as they hold their sobbing wives. Outside people are pounding on the door. Some of them are the families of the three women. Some of them are friends of the eight people in the ark. The women are crying, but they know they cannot open the door. The people must die because of their choices. As the tears and sobbing begin to subside, an elderly man and woman are the ones who guide and comfort the other 6 people. They allow everyone to grieve. They set their chins, and keep their eyes on God. They pray. And in time, those 6 people realize the wisdom of Noah and his wife. Noah's wife COULD CONTROL HER EMOTIONS AND WAS LOOKED UP TO AS A TEACHER. SHE WAS LIKELY RESPECTED BY ALL.
The 8 people spend over 190 days in the ark (some bible believing scientists say it's possible that they were in the ark for a total of 370 days). They shovel manure out of a back window. They feed and water animals (these are just my thoughts and I could be wrong, as God could have supernaturally cared for all of them in miraculous ways ---no feeding and watering and manure shoveling, necessary). They make meals in a smelly boat. They get irritated with each other. They get "ark fever". With time they learn to live with one another in peace. Noah's wife NEVER STOPPED GROWING. She never stopped LEARNING.
But all this, however great it makes Noah's wife look, isn't all I want to share. Noah's wife wasn't perfect, just like each of us aren't perfect. Think of some things she may have struggled with. Maybe she struggled with doubt, great fear, and likely weariness, exhaustion, and impatience. "How long is this boat going to take...how many more meals must I bring for these men...how many more snide remarks must I hear from other women....? I'm going crazy....Lord, please help me!!"
But there was this man. A good man. A righteous man. A man who walked with God. And lucky for Noah's wife, she got the blessing of being married to him. If Noah's wife showed any of the qualities I listed above, Noah showed them in greater measure. If there's a man in scripture that I would label as a "husband who sanctified his wife, and cleansed her with the washing of water (no pun intended!) with the Word, and presented his wife spotless and blameless (Ephesians 5:25-33) it would be Noah. No woman could have done what Noah's wife did, without a man like Noah must have been. But his greatest quality, I believe, is shown when the flood waters started receding. It is the quality I believe, that nurtured and cultivated the greatness of Noah's wife. Noah opened the window and sent out a raven and dove. There was nowhere for the dove to land so she came back (the raven never came back into the ark. He continually flew back and forth, likely resting on the ark---there is likely much symbolism with the raven and dove but I don't have time to research it). Noah WAITED seven days, then sent her out again. Then Noah WAITED seven more days and sent her out again. And this was after WAITING 40 days and nights while the earth flooded and 150 more days while the water stayed on the earth (and could have possible waited a total of 370). If it had been me, I would have been opening the window daily, and very impatiently! Noah was patient and I believe this is why his wife became excellent.
Carefully, precisely, accurately, and patiently, Noah spent 75 years of his life building a boat, perfectly. Patiently, he oversaw the work of his three sons. Patiently, he encouraged his wife to keep going EVERY. GRUELING. DAY. for 75 long years. Quietly, calmly, faithfully Noah led a family in a boat for many, many days. Patiently, Noah told them, "we will wait seven more days and then open the window...occupy your minds, find something to do, and stop complaining". And then one day, 8 weary survivors stepped out onto dry land, alive....but also wiser, with many life lessons under their belts.
Noah walked with God. Noah BUILT with God. Noah BUILT not only a boat, but a family, a legacy, an example for us, and he sanctified his wife. She was excellent because of him. He was excellent because of her. He was patient with her and led her rightly. She helped him, supported him, encouraged him, fed him. At the end of the day, maybe he hauled and heated her some bath water. Maybe at the end of the day she massaged his weary muscles.
http://youtu.be/i6X71sXagUY
Valentines Day 14 ~ House of Cedar, Rafters of Fir
February 14, 2014 ·
Happy Valentine's Day ~Day 14~ House of Cedar, Rafters of Fir
***warning: this devotional contains sexual content :)***
There are hundreds of beautiful and provocative word pictures in the Song of Solomon, that average people miss, including myself. I understand some of the word pictures because I've studied the bible quite a bit, but I'm sure that I miss all kinds of things. The average American would read the Song of Solomon and scratch his head when he reads such phrases as, "Strengthen me with Raisin cakes", "The mandrakes send out their fragrance", or "His body is like polished ivory decorated with sapphires". The imagery is very interesting, poetic, and beautiful when you understand the culture. Raisin cakes were thought to increase fertility and were considered Aphrodisiacs, so when you read chapter 2, verses 3-6, you might raise your eyebrows a bit, now that you know why raisins were considered so special. Mandrakes are a very poisonous plant from the nightshade family but they are mentioned in 7:13, because their aroma has 55 odiferous constituents which create bizarre chemical aromas, which heighten sexuality, indicating that even in that culture certain scents were used and enjoyed to enhance sex. Some of the descriptions used when the Shulammite or Solomon compliment each other's body, don't mean what we think they mean. In the original and/or poetic language, it actually means something different. In 5:14 where Solomon's body is mentioned as polished ivory, it's not talking about his body. This is a reference pulled from where ivory comes from (the elephant's tusk), thus she is complimenting his male genitalia. She adds that his polished ivory is decorated with sapphires (which are almost always blue), clearly referencing his testicles. Many prudish commentators dismiss these references saying that Solomon wore a white garment with jewels on it. Umm...I highly doubt clothes were even on the radar when Solomon wrote this. Chapter 5, verses 10-16, clearly progress from his head all the way down to his feet, and back up to his mouth. If Solomon was writing about clothes, he would have stated so. The Shulammite is clearly complimenting every part of his unclothed body.
God meant sex to be beautiful, erotic, and provocative. That's why he included the Song of Solomon in His Word. God created sex and designed it to be just how Solomon described it. It should be enjoyable, passionate, satisfying for both, interesting, creative, sometimes spontaneous, and there should be variety, quality, and sufficient quantity. Sex is one wall of the protective fence around your marriage, meant to help protect the marriage from outside influences.
My most favorite word picture in the Song of Solomon is found in chapter 1, verse 17..."The beams of our house are cedars, our rafters are fir." In the original language, fir would be translated as Cypress, the strongest wood available at that time. Cedar trees are humongous trees, with pleasant-smelling wood, bark, and needles. If you have ever been to North Idaho, you know the absolute pleasure of resting under a huge cedar tree. The smell is intoxicating, the size absolutely breath-taking, and the protection, perfectly adequate. Animals consistently seek out Cedar trees in rainy and snowy weather, for shelter. The feathery leaves of the cedar tree and the thickness of the foliage creates a wonderful canopy and umbrella-like shelter. We always fed our animals their hay under the cedar trees, and I remember on more than one occasion running under cedar trees when an unexpected rain storm hit. You can stay completely dry under a cedar tree. Cedar trees are also highly resistant to rot. Sex in marriage is meant to be like a home made of the strongest wood available, and like the protection of a cedar tree. Sex in marriage should strengthen the relationship but also be as intoxicating and protective as the cedar tree. The sexual relationship should be one area that helps weather storms in life, not an area that creates storms. Pornography, extra-marital affairs, sex-trafficking, and abuse create storms in the sexual relationship, in the view of sex, and in the marriage relationship. Sex is meant to be an oasis in the marriage; the shelter we can run to when we are sad, stressed, and weary....where we can find refreshment, rest, and love. The sexual relationship should be protected at all costs. Sex is the gift God gives at marriage. Sex is the avenue that a husband and wife become one flesh. Sex is how God chose to seal the covenant of marriage, through consummation. Sex is to be taken very seriously, not treated as a casual pleasure.
The beauty of this gift from God is absolutely astounding. Only a creative, loving, caring, fun-loving God could create a male and a female, with body parts that perfectly suit each other. Only a God who desires intimacy with his creation could create this kind of intimacy available to man and wife. Only a God who loves children could give us this most pleasurable means of having them. If God looked at everything he had created, including sex, and said it was good, then it is truly good. If God can create funny animals like kangaroos, the platypus, and walruses, then he must have thoroughly enjoyed making them and laughing at them, as we do. God enjoyed creating this world and all that is in it, thus he enjoyed creating sex, and we should enjoy it, too. If God is pure and holy, then his creation of sex is pure and holy. Please don't ruin it. Solomon ruined it (see day 13), and regretted it the rest of his life.
I pray that this Valentine's Day you would come to have a right view of sex, and enjoy it fully, the way God intended. I pray that you would protect it's sacredness, and cultivate it in your marriage just like you would cultivate a garden, if you want to get something out of it...with care, diligence, and attention.
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When Valentine's Day rolls around, don't approach it with dread, casualness, or apathy. In doing a brief study of St Valentine, I discovered three things we can apply to sex and marriage and can actually celebrate and remember in February!
1: Sex and marriage is holy, pure, and right.
2: Sex is one way that helps protect our marriage
3: We will be persecuted for our correct and biblical view of sex and marriage, but God will be with us.
Legend has it, that St. Valentine was sought after by soldiers because he would perform Christian marriages for them. Soldiers were prohibited from marrying in Valentine's time, because people thought marriage would distract them from their job. But somewhere deep inside all of us, including those soldiers, is the desire to be holy, pure, and right. St. Valentine gave them a way to enjoy marriage and sex in the way that made them holy, pure, and right.
Another legend says, that St. Valentine wore an amethyst ring, and the soldiers would look for the man who wore that ring, so he could perform their marriages, secretly. Amethyst was thought to be a protection against intoxication, but not only that; a protection in battle. Marriage is a battle and is under attack. Sex is one way that helps protect our marriages from the enemy, people, or things that wage war against it. There's no mystery in why Amethyst is the birthstone for February; the month we celebrate St. Valentine.
St. Valentine helped persecuted Christians. We will be persecuted and made fun of, for our biblical worldview and biblical view of marriage. St. Valentine was martyred for his faith. Would you be willing to be martyred for yours? Would you lay down your life for Christ, the one who gave you life? You can begin by laying down your life for your spouse....by making marriage a picture of Christ....by treating sex as holy, and protecting it. These things could change the world.
<3 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! <3
Valentines Day 15 ~ Extra Portions
February 15, 2014 ·
Day 15: Extra Portions
*I wrote this devotion with husbands in mind, but every part can be applied to wives, as well*
When I think of some of the wonderful husbands of the Bible, the one who comes to mind first, is usually Elkanah. There are many other good husbands in the Bible, like Boaz (see Day 2), Hosea (to be featured on Day 28), Noah (see Day 12), both Josephs, and a few others, but Elkanah has always stood out to me. I don't know his size but his name makes me think of a gentle giant. He was also a man who seemed to have impeccable integrity; always fulfilling his vows, and bringing the yearly sacrifice. What hits me the most though, every time I read First Samuel chapters 1 and 2, is his obvious love and care for Hannah. He is always gentle with her, especially in his speech. It's very endearing and sweet! I love that God gave us this story of Hannah and included Elkanah so often, in it. It gives us an intimate view into their life and marriage that is absent in some of the other stories in the Bible, of married couples. The intimate life of Noah and his wife, for example, is very silent. The dialog that is recorded in Hannah and Elkanah's story is very brief (it's really only in verses 1:8 and 1:22-23), but it's very revealing. The other information given about Hannah and Elkanah, give much evidence of their sweet and loving relationship.
As we read their story, we see several statements made about Elkanah, or statements of things he said.
#1: He was generous to Peninnah, but he was exceedingly generous and gave double portions to Hannah
#2: He loved Hannah, even though God had closed her womb (a disgrace in those times).
#3: Verse 1:8 shows his obvious care and earnest concern for Hannah, as he asks her questions about her physical and emotional health.
#4: He cares about Hannah's precise wishes (verse 1:23), and wants her to be happy
#5: Elkanah and Hannah made decisions together and did things together, as stated in 1:19, 23, 25, and 2:19.
Only to a woman whom a man truly loves will he give more than is required of him. This man goes the extra mile for the woman he truly loves. He gives double portions of his time, money, dedication, help, etc. Elkanah did this for Hannah.
A man who truly loves a woman sees beyond her faults, her blemishes, her physical limitations, or her "weak" areas. He loves her as she is. Elkanah loved Hannah even though she was barren and could not give him a son.
A man who truly loves a woman and wants to show her that he does, asks the hard questions with honest concern, and deals with her answers patiently and with grace. Elkanah didn't berate Hannah for her depression and her physical and mental limitations. He was simply there for her and didn't try to fix it. In his statement, "Aren't I better to you, than ten sons?", it reveals that he wasn't trying to "fix" her. He was simply offering his presence to her. Sometimes that's all that's needed for a depressed person who lives in insecurity....true presence.
Not many men in biblical times cared much for "their wives wishes" but Elkanah did. He wanted to please Hannah and make her happy. A man who truly loves a woman, wants to do all in his power to meet her needs and help her to be happy. True happiness is only from The Lord, but the caring love of a man who wants to meet a woman's needs goes a long way for her earthly happiness and security.
Decisions in every detail of life, should be made together. No secret purchases, no secret life, no secret activities. Complete honesty and accountability is a cornerstone in the marriage relationship, and without it, the marriage is a prison, a scary place, a place where fear lives. It's not a relationship anymore; it's a tyranny. Elkanah made decisions with his wife and it is evident that Hannah went with him on a lot of his journeys. They did things together; not on their own.
Husbands and wives, give extra portions of your gentleness, care, concern, provision, acceptance, honesty and integrity to each other, as Elkanah and Hannah did. Blessings!
Valentine's Day 17 ~ Bitter Unto Death
February 17, 2014 ·
Day 17: Bitter Unto Death
There's a story in scripture which has the potential of resonating with all of us, if we took the time to really see it. It's a scary story. It's a story that is like a lot of other people's stories. It's a story that is a warning, and to be honest, I need this story. I need the woman, Michal (it's actually pronounced like our modern-day name, Michael) and her story. You need her story. We all need her story. I need her story to be on my mind more often. I understand it. I get it. I hear it. I see it. I read it. I re-read it when I fall into the same harmful trap that she fell into. Unfortunately, I keep falling into it. Satan knows he can trap me like he did Michal. It is one of the only stories in the Bible that really tells the story of a bitter woman...a hateful woman. All of us have the potential of being bitter and hateful when life throws us unfortunate events and circumstances. Michal had a calloused heart. The thing with callous, is that it can always come back. Physically speaking, we can have calloused hands and feet from working hard, but we can lose callous when we stop working. The thing is, if we start working again, our hands will harden again. So it is, with our heart, in life. Bad circumstances can cause callous on our hearts. God can remove it and we can go for days, weeks, months, years with a soft, open, and pliable heart, but with more circumstances, it's easy to get built up callous again. Michal didn't deal with her callous, just as we are prone to do.
Michal was Saul's younger daughter (1 Samuel 14:49) and she was also naive. Saul heartlessly used her as a pawn (the beginning of her calloused and bitter life), to try and kill David (1Samuel 18:20). Michal loved David and Saul used this against her. Scripture never says that David loved her, but it's likely that he did WANT her, because he took Saul's challenge, in order to win her. Saul didn't think David would succeed in killing 100 Philistines, to win Michal, and hoped he'd be killed. Instead, David killed 200 Philistines and Saul was forced to give Michal to David (1 Samuel 18: 20-29). Michal was stuck in this ugly triangle, but it ended up working out for her....or so she thought. In chapter 19, she risks her life to save her love, from her own father. She lies and helps David escape. Apparently, Saul in his anger, gives poor Michal to another man, Paltiel (pronounced Pal-tee-uhl) whom she probably did not love (1Samuel 25:44). David has since fled to hide from Saul. Time passes, and eventually David gets an opportunity to make an advantageous agreement, with Abner (another crazy story all in itself). Abner agrees to the conditions (David had asked him to go get Michal, who has now been married to Paltiel for probably quite some time--2 Samuel 3:12-16). Enough time had passed for Paltiel to clearly love Michal with all of his heart, because he followed her and Abner, as he led her away, weeping behind her for quite some time. Paltiel; another victim of tragic circumstance, stuck in another love triangle. It's likely, after all that time, that Michal probably loved him too. :(. Finally, the bitter story, in which Michal has been used, forced here, forced there, and treated kindly by David at times, but mostly by Paltiel, ends with Michal biting the dust (2 Samuel 6:12-23). It's the same dust we've all had in our mouth. Dust that gets there, just like it got there for Michal: by circumstances out of her/our control. Michal had no choice in any of these matters. She was caught between a rock and a hard place, most of her life. The tragedies she faced seemed never-ending. The only choice she did have, was how she handled herself, during these awful circumstances of being pulled here and there, a victim of storms that were not her fault. And she chose to handle all this very badly. She ended up hating David and despising him in her heart. She hated God. She disrespected David. She had no fear of God. God punished her with a life of barrenness and the shame that went with it, the rest of her life. By this time, David has two other wives, and Michal likely had to live in the palace with them. She likely witnessed all of the events with David's fourth wife, Bathsheba, which happened soon after Chapter 6. Remember that Michal was David's first wife, and she had loved David, in the beginning. Now she lives in the palace with all three of his other wives, the beautiful Bathsheba, included, AND she is barren. Who can blame her for how she acted? Poor Michal. None of us would want her life. We've all been there....been through trial, and if you haven't, you haven't lived long enough. Trial comes to all. But to all, a choice in how we will respond. And honestly, I've never been very good at responding. I've not gotten this "down" yet. The answer is, honestly, patience. James tells us this. It's pretty clear:
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 NASB)
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12 NASB)
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. (James 5:7, 8 NASB)
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It comes down to this choice: Will we be patient in affliction like Job and reap blessings, or will be bitter like Michal and reap the fruit of bitterness, which is actually fruitless ness...barrenness. Both are hard in their own ways. But one makes a better story....with a better, happier ending!
A Man Like Josiah
March 11, 2014 ·
A Man Like Josiah
Is your heart soft like King Josiah's heart was? Josiah was eight years old when he became King of Judah. His grandfather Manasseh was the most evil king that Israel had ever had. Josiah's father, Amon, was also so evil that his own servants conspired together and actually killed him. I wonder if Josiah was such a good and humble king because he decided in his heart to try to change his family tree? Even before Josiah found the lost book (part of the bible), he was said to be a great king who walked with God. When he was 26, his scribe found the lost book. And from there, Josiah became an even greater King (2 Kings 22 and 23). Unfortunately, his son was evil and did not follow God. The moral of this story is this: You can have a horrible upbringing, yet still be a man like Josiah. There may be many mistakes your father and mother made, but you have no excuse if you walk in their ways. Personal integrity, honor, loyalty, and following God is YOUR choice and your decision. Josiah DECIDED not to be like his fathers. You can do this, too. Just because you did something, doesn't mean your son will do it. Just because you walk with God, doesn't mean your son will. You have to choose. Your son must choose. You are accountable to God for your own life. Fortunately, we have a God who saves, redeems, forgives, and changes mans' hearts
(I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 HCSB)
(But what does it say? "T he word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart "-that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "W hoever believes in H im will not be disappointed." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "W hoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:8-13 NASB)
Will you choose today, to follow God as Josiah did??? Will you ask God to forgive you and ask him to come into your life and change you? Will you learn more about him, so you can walk in integrity and honor? God is waiting for you to give him your heart. Right now you have idols in your heart just like Israel had physical man made idols. You worship power, sex, money, acceptance, comfort, food, etc. Are these things really getting you what you really want? Did you know there is an empty space in your heart that is God-shaped? Think of God being like a puzzle piece. Only one piece can fit in this space in your heart. Only God can satisfy. He will complete your life. Will you follow him?? This is what God had to say about Josiah:
"Before him there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him. (2 Kings 23:25 NASB)"
Without God you will never be the man or woman you could be....the father or mother you could be....the wife or husband you could be....
God's Word: His Message to You
March 24, 2014 ·
God's Word; His Message to You
It's 3:20 (my time) but there's still time for you to see what message God has for you, today. Run your fingers over your Bible and open it and see what you might find! :). I did that today, because I've been busy with Spring cleaning. I turned to Romans chapter 4, and in there I have this section underlined:
Without becoming weak in faith he (Abraham) contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. (Romans 4:19-22 NASB)
Do you know that the only way you will be strengthened in your faith is to see God work? Do you know that the only way you will see God work is to ask him in prayer, to do the impossible things, the big changes in you and others, and the little things? These things add up, into a life of faithfulness TO God and faith IN God.
In 2007, as I struggled with wanting to have more children but not being able to, I asked God to take away the desire for children since it was impossible for us to have more. When you pray, you also have to sit quietly to hear God's answers. I sat quietly and God told me that he would not take away that desire because we would have another child. This was impossible at the time. We thought the army didn't do reversals. We had obligations to pay debt, not save money for a reversal. I didn't really believe God, but I stepped out in faith and do you know what I did? I cultivated further, my love for my own children. I asked God everyday to reveal to me what the next step was, and often it was to wait and to keep having faith. I wrote in my journal everyday; never giving up on God. I cried. We paid off debt. God gave me promises in his word, including the one in Romans above, and Luke 1:45, and Isaiah 30:18, which I meditated on. As the years went by, having a baby became an idol. God corrected me and I learned to love God more than anything else, even a baby. Once this happened, the doors opened for a reversal and then more waiting happened. It was a sweet time for James and I. We became a little closer as we waited for God, we started to communicate and forgive a little better. I learned to keep loving God with all my heart and soul and mind. And then God answered my prayer, after 4 1/2 years, and we were going to have another baby, only to lose it through miscarriage. We did not know if it would take a long time to get pregnant again, or if we even would. I wondered if that was the baby God had promised me. I learned very quickly that God wanted me to see that He is the promise keeper but his promises are on his terms, not mine. I am to have faith, and be faithful to Him. He showed me that He definitely has the power to fulfill his promises, but he also has the power to give and take away, and he wanted to see if I would still praise him in the hard times....if I would still believe that he is good. And then the next month we were pregnant with Quintin and finally, after five years, we got to hold a new baby! :)
God is good and he gives us his word, as his message to us. Please don't take it casually. He speaks through his word and through the quiet moments you spend with him. He hears you. He answers you. He longs for you to place your life, your dreams, and your desires in his hands. If you haven't read his word today, there's still time. ;). There's still time to pray and ask him for the things you need and want. The only way you will have a story to write like the example I've given when I saw Romans 4, is to ask and see God work. Let God write your story! <3
http://youtu.be/ecV1NHmELuA
The Gospel in LOST
The Gospel in LOST?.
May 13, 2014 at 11:52am
We recently watched all six seasons of Lost. If you haven't watched this tv show, in our opinion, you are really missing out; it's one of our favorites. There are several scenes that are not appropriate for children, but all in all, there is much spiritual application, which I think about often. This was our second time watching all six seasons, and when you watch it the second time, it's very easy to understand. Since you aren't wasting mental energy trying to understand it, the second time, you are able to see more symbolism and meaning, that you didn't see the first time.
My favorite character is Jack, the doctor, who exudes manliness, bravery, and a gentle, caring, spirit, which gets him into trouble quite often, because he either overthinks things, or he underthinks things. His character is much like a lot of our lives, where we are seeking a balance. He is sacrificial, though, which makes him irresistable. He also doesn't show his feelings very much, so he gets passed over a lot. When he does give you a glimpse into his heart, mind, or feelings, it is a special treat, because you go through the whole show just wishing you could understand him. I think a lot of men are this way, and that's why he is my favorite. When I think of Jack I always think of this verse in the Bible : "A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man (or woman) of understanding draws it out. (Proverbs 20:5 NASB). Fortunately, for Jack, a woman named Kate, slowly and patiently seeks to draw him out. He's frustrating and easy to misunderstand, but her forbearance and "don't quit" attitude eventually pays off! When I think of Jack and Kate, I am reminded to never give up. There were times when Kate wanted to give up, thought Jack was crazy, acted in jealousy, or was just flustered, but she never gave up. Jack easily gets frustrated, depressed, and remorseful, and you can see him inwardly almost quit, many times. However, he just takes the next step, does the next good thing, and accepts what God puts in front of him. This "frustrated-leader-trying-to-be-tender" is so endearing, that you can't help but love him, and neither could Kate.
I love Miles, who is sarcastic, practical, hilarious, and takes one thing at a time, doing what seems best at the moment. You just never know what he's going to do next, which side he will be on, or who he will agree with, but his care-free attitude is a lesson for us all. He never worries, or seems to care about his circumstances. He's happy enjoying the moment, not caring about "getting off the island", but finding joy in the little things. If he was a Christian, his life verse would be 1 Peter 5:8 "Cast all your anxiety on God, because he cares for you." Despite his apparent disregard for his "so called (by other people), plight", nothing bad ever really happens to him. He's also humble about his supernatural power, and learns to use his power for the good of others, and not just his selfish gain.
I actually came to love Benjamin Linus. Through the whole show he is a liar, manipulator, deceiver, and power-seeker, but you can't help but feel sorry for him. In the end, it's hard for him to forgive himself, and accept forgiveness, have some grace for himself and accept grace from others. And if you were to only watch the last episode in season 6, you'd be left to believe that that's how he ended his life, but it's not. He follows through with "his new life" if you watch the five minute clip titled "New Man in Charge", available on the DVDs. He finally accepts his past, forgiveness from others and the grace freely extended to him. If he were a real person his life verses would be: "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."(Romans 8:1 NASB) and "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB).
I was most hit by the character of Hugo Reyes. From episode one, to the end of season six, he is generally the one seen as "worthless", "just there", "always in trouble", or "always teased". He is overweight, hardly athletic, incredibly insecure, and usually fearful. He is what I like to call "the least of them". He is weak, a little passive, and very unsure of himself. His mental state is hardly stable. But within these character traits, I believe lies the secret and wonder, of Lost. If you want to know what Lost is all about, it is through the character of Hugo. His love and care for others, is a huge lesson for us all. He may not be mentally stable, but he understands everyone, even Jack. He has empathy for even Ben. He finds the good in everyone....the good in every circumstance. For these reasons, and for what Hugo eventually becomes, lies my love for Lost. Ultimately, we ARE ALL ON THIS EARTH, for the very reason that Hugo was on that island. Hugo was the least of those on the island...least likely to succeed, lead, make something of himself, etc. Hugo was the weakest physically, mentally, and emotionally. Hugo went from the least to the greatest, the weakest to the strongest, and from the last to the first. Jack is basically the FIRST person you see on Lost, but he becomes the LAST sacrifice. Jack is the LAST one to understand the sideways flashes (his "meant to be" life)! The one who was always the leader (Jack), becomes the one who gives his life as a sacrifice for others. HE BECAME THE LOWEST BY HIS OWN CHOICE. Hugo is one of the FIRST to understand the sideways flashes, he becomes the most important person on the island and he chooses Ben to be at his right hand. Ben. Of all people. Hugo's love, care, weakness, and "last ness" made him the greatest, the first, the best character of the entire show. I don't know if the writers meant to apply biblical truth, but they did. They could have written the entire show off of these verses:
"But many who are first will be last; and the last, first." (Matthew 19:30 NASB)
"I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." (Luke 7:28 NASB)
"Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4 NASB)
"Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB)
This is proof that God uses even things of this world, to show His Glory. Lost will always be my favorite tv show. We are all Lost at one point in life, but not all of us will be found, or will find our way. For God's word is always true. His Word says:
"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10 NASB)
All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. (Isaiah 53:6 NASB)
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:14 NASB)
The gospel can be found in many places; even in the most unlikely of places. One of those unlikely places, is in this tv show. You must have the eyes of your heart, open. You must be willing to see things from a different perspective. You must be willing to dig deep. God puts the gospel where you can find it, but you must be willing to look....willing to see. God even uses the ungodly to spread his Word, and his glory, even when they have no idea that they are doing it. This is because, whether you like it or not, God is sovereign. God is in control. God's purposes and desires stand. One of his desires, is that you come to him with your heart and with your burdens, and give him your life. God desires to save you, so that you can finally have joy, and find what you're looking for. Your sin has brought you pain, regret, and unfulfilled desires that only God can meet. You must trust Christ with your life, giving him your sin, and turning away from it. You need to ask him for forgiveness, confess your sins, and turn to Him. Accept the sacrifice of his life, for yours. Believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Once you are saved, you can begin living a life of obedience, as Christ helps you and strengthens you. You can't do anything in your own power. You are just like Hugo Reyes, in one way or another...weak, insecure, passive, and unstable. You can be like Miles, who had joy in all circumstances. You can be strengthened by the joy of your salvation, if you will just choose Christ. Christ will use your sin, your failures, yours fears, and your weaknesses, to make you great in His Kingdom....and not the greatness, you always see as great...but greatness like that of Hugo's. Hugo was great because he could forgive. Hugo was great because he loved unconditionally. Hugo was great because he focused on the good in people. Hugo was great because he was empowered by something he couldn't generate himself. Hugo was great because he relied on other people, made friends, was loyal, and committed. Yes, any of us can do these things on our own, but can we do them well? Can we do them as well as we could if we were empowered by the Holy Spirit? No. Hugo was ultimately great because he was humble. When we admit our sins, confess them to God and to people, we become humble and we submit to the authority of God in our life. The book of Proverbs always rings true and it says in Proverbs 22:4 that the rewards of humility and the fear of The Lord, is riches and honor and life. Choose humility. Choose to fear God and put yourself under his authority. Choose life!
Day 2 of Thanksgiving ~ Thanksgiving in Absence
Thanksgiving in Absence
1 Thessalonians 3
Have you ever led someone to the Lord, or heard or seen someone profess Christ, and then within a few months, something happens and they stop going to church, or they are no longer interested in being involved. Worse yet, they go back to their old way of life, or they do something that makes everyone question if they really became a new creation in Christ? I'm not writing this to question their salvation or make a statement like, "Well, that just proves they weren't truly saved in the first place". Read 'When Godly People do Ungodly Things' by Beth Moore, if you are the type of person who has ever made this type of statement. Instead, the question I want to focus on is, "Wasn't it disheartening?" Because truly, what hurts in our hearts the most, is our concern for the person. It's heartbreaking to see people go back to their old ways and to wonder if they didn't receive the proper discipleship, enough prayer, enough encouragement, enough training in spiritual warfare...the list goes on. We can beat ourselves up all day about this issue. There is only so much the church can do for these people; only so much you can do for these people. In fact, it's inevitable that this happens because we are human, and there is only so much of one person to go around. In First Thessalonians, Paul worried that the new believers in Thessalonica, had done exactly what I'm talking about. Back then, the only means of communication was through letter-writing. Paul had no idea how the new believers were doing. They had heard the gospel from Paul and then Paul was chased out of the city. The Thessalonians received no discipleship; only the prayers of Paul, Timothy, and Silas. In verse one, of Chapter 3, Paul couldn't stand the suspense any longer. Paul had to know how they were doing, so he sent young Timothy to check on them. They were doing fine.
Have you ever led someone to Christ, or seen or heard of someone professing Christ, and then maybe they move, or you move? You wonder how they are doing. Maybe you worry yourself sick. I know I have. I worry that Satan will come and destroy, or take, anything he can. But then, you hear word of this person, or you see on social media, that the person is blooming and growing, and living each day for Christ. It is the single most wonderful feeling of relief you will ever feel, to know that someone you know and love, is persevering in the faith. I know exactly how Paul felt. Maybe you do, too. In fact, both situations (the good and the bad) have happened to me.
In verses 7-9, Paul refers to this feeling of relief over others and knowing that they are standing firm in the faith, as "REALLY LIVING"! Even while Paul had a difficult life (he wrote Thessalonians while in Corinth trying to reason with the Jews - Acts 18: 5-6), he still found so much to be thankful for. The life that others were living became what Paul rejoiced and thanked God for, even while enduring hardship in his own life (Second Corinthians 11).
Maybe your own life isn't going so well, either. Is there even one person you know, who is persevering? Is there even one who is walking with God? Is this enough for you? It was enough for Paul.
Today, thank God for people you know who are standing firm, especially if you are absent from them. Pray for those ones who aren't doing so well, knowing that your prayers can bear fruit in their life. God bless you!
Day 1 of Thankfulness ~ Thanksgiving in the Muck
Thanksgiving in the Muck
Thanksgiving Day 1
Jonah 1-4
One of my favorite books of the Bible is Jonah. This probably seems very odd, but I have tons of journaled notes in my Bible, in the book of Jonah. When I am angry I read it. When I am sad I read it. It's a short book of the Bible and it's simple and entertaining to read. It's easy to understand, too. The reason I love it so much is because I identify with Jonah. I identify with Jonah a little too much, unfortunately. I encourage you to read it; it will only take ten minutes. You might find yourself in Jonah, just like I do. You'll see your own disobedience, your bitterness, your anger, your unforgiving spirit, your rebelliousness, and other negative personality traits, in the person of Jonah. However, I hope that you will also see in Jonah, his teachable spirit, his humility, his repentance, and his thanksgiving. I hope you will be able to see yourself in this light, as well.
If you'd like, please read Jonah 1-4, and then join me here, when you're done.
Throughout the years, I've learned more than I care to admit from Jonah, but today I want to focus on the thankfulness (or lack thereof) of Jonah.
Rather than being thankful for the job God had given Jonah, he rebelled and disobeyed God, and even ran in the opposite direction. Jonah had no heart for the Ninevites and no thankfulness for the privilege of doing God's work in Nineveh. Once he came to his senses, Jonah proclaimed the Word of the Lord to the Ninevites but in reality, his heart really wasn't in it. He was not thankful that God had relented from sending the calamity, once Nineveh repented. Jonah sat outside the city, angry and perturbed, and hot. He was thankful when God provided shade for him to ease his physical discomfort, but God will not relieve spiritual discomfort, when the purpose is discipline. Jonah became angry when the shade was destroyed, not realizing that the shade was an object lesson, meant to teach him something about himself, and others. I encourage you to dig deep into Jonah chapter 4. Discover for yourself the meaning that God may have in it, for YOU. Draw some of your own conclusions, about the ending. I promise you, God will show you something. There are so many points to the book of Jonah that I can't choose just one to emphasize. But, what I do want to emphasize today, is true thankfulness, even in the murky, mucky, messy areas of life. We get to peek into Jonah's life when he is at his lowest point (no pun intended) in Chapter 2. The whole chapter shows his repentance, sorrow, and his thanksgiving (in verse 9). He is so grateful to God that he realizes he must keep his vows. We don't know what they were, but I believe they were vows to serve the Lord. How quickly Jonah went back to his despondency, though, and how like him we are. It's so easy to call upon God in times of trouble, stating all manner of things which we seriously mean, only to forget about them when times are good. Let's be honest and admit that when times are hard and life is messy it's hard to be thankful. It took being swallowed by a fish for Jonah to be thankful. Let's also be honest and admit that when life is good, we get busy, and we forget to be thankful. In order to reconcile these two extremes, we must come to the point where we 'look' for things to be thankful for if times aren't going so well, and we remember the Lord's grace and goodness when times are good, and we don't forget to be thankful then, either.
So look around today, no matter where you find yourself, and find one thing to be thankful for! Even Jonah found many things to be thankful for when he found himself in the belly of a fish, surrounded by muck. I think we can, too! <3
Day 30 of Thankfulness ~ My Testimony
Day 30: My Testimony
Today is the last day of my Thankful posts. I've had so much fun writing them everyday and sharing my life with you all. I saved a lot of the best things for last, like marriage, my husband, my life. Today, I want to share my testimony, for those who haven't heard it--lots have, but maybe you haven't. It's a simple testimony, nothing flashy, except that it's mine! ;).
I was raised in a Christian home, where, until 2000 (when my dad started trucking) my family was altogether, every night, except when my dad was TDY. We went to church every Sunday, and small group on Wednesdays. My mom homeschooled us, and we were quite sheltered, which I am so VERY thankful for. They imparted values into my life, taught me what God's Word says and what it means, and they taught me to apply it to my life. But, growing up that way has some spiritual disadvantages. You think you are a Christian (by this I mean, saved), because "you grew up that way". You tend to become self-righteous, too. You don't mean to do it. It just happens because you learn to "not be of this world in actions, and words, and deeds". You are taught morality, grace, consequences of sin, etc. So, being raised this way, generally, you don't go along with the crowd, sinning, partying, and getting into trouble. You're not perfect, but you're not doing what the other kids are doing either; at least to the level that they are. And so, you grow up being self-righteous. You don't really see your personal sin as "that bad". So while I'm thankful for my upbringing and the instruction I received, I'm also sad to say that I was not saved!
God didn't show me this until January of 2002. I had been progressively dealing with a lot of doubts concerning God's Word. Satan planted little seeds in my heart, such as, "Do you really believe that Jonah is a true story?...maybe it's just an allegory". Or, "Do you really believe God created the world?" Satan used my biblical knowledge and my parents' instruction against me. Slowly, I started to doubt small things, until I doubted the big things, too. This went on for years, until 2002.
By January of 2002, I'd had enough of the yo-yo Satan had me on. Tired of the uncertainty, I started to give up, and give in, to the inner voice inside me and the voices of my parents, pastors, and friends. One night I decided to look in my concordance for scriptures on doubt. The first one that caught my eye was a strange verse in Romans....so far from the salvation verses used and taught, as "The Romans Road", and John 3:16. There tucked in Romans 14, is the inconspicuous verse 23, "But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23 ESV)!
In that moment, even though Paul wasn't even talking about salvation, but something totally different, I realized I was a sinner, because I lived a life of doubt. I repented, turned to Christ for forgiveness, and never doubted God's Word or truth, again. Today, my spiritual gifting is the gift of Faith. THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT SATAN WANTED! Isn't that amazing, how God does divine reversals? Today, when I'm under what seems like impossible circumstances, impossible people, or my own "impossible-ness", that gift of faith bubbles up. It's always there. Now there may be times that I don't understand God's way, his timing, or his will, and my trust in him may waiver, a volcano of Faith usually takes it's place, and I usually don't stay in that hopelessness, for very long. ;)
So, today, I am thankful that even the strangest parts of God's Word, are all used:
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)"
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)"
So for God's Word, His Grace and His Forgiveness, and for my little testimony, I am SO THANKFUL!!!
I leave you with these words from Jesus:
John 17:17 "Sanctify them by the truth, your Word is Truth"
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