Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Saturday, October 13, 2012
How did it get to Oct???
Oh my sisters, sorry I have been so negligent on here... mercy me!! May to October?? Well, better late than never?
So much has happened since May. I have been working a lot, my oldest daughter turned 21 (not months but YEARS!!!), my youngest turned 19 (also in years), and I'm sure there's more but for now, thats a lot for me. The dynamics have definitely changed in my life. When this (retired) homeschooling mom went back to working, things kind of got dropped, missed, overlooked, etc. It's amazing how UN Superwoman I am... seriously. Do you remember the commercial where the amazing woman on the screen struts to this tune, "I can bring home the bacon. Fry it up in a pan. And never, never let you forget you're a man cause I'm a woman, Enjoli." Um, well I practically forgot my husband was a man but that had nothing to do with the fact that I was a woman! Working retail, I sometimes get home after he's already in bed! Then he gets up and leaves before I'm awake. But we do have cell phones so we enjoy a virtual relationship daily! Haha!
So UN Superwoman me has also failed to keep up with housework, reading, quilting, this blog, getting together with friends. Enter God's abundant grace, His grace is truly sufficient. Let me encourage you today that whatever you are facing in this crazy, sometimes break neck speed life, that God is a constant, faithful, sovereign Lord. He never leaves you nor forsakes you and He is a strength when you are weak (trust me I know about me being weak when He is strong!).
Let's you and I rest in His grace, be saturated by it, be conduits of it. Take some time today to meditate on the instruments of His grace in your life. You will be amazed at His love for you.
Bless you my sisters <3 Let's chat again soon <3
Friday, March 4, 2011
Evidence of Grace
"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."
II Corinthians 12:9
Again and again, I am humbled by the truth of this scripture. God's grace is truly sufficient and it is only by His power that I am able to do or be anything of worth. As I look back at my life, the challenging circumstances, the numerous failures, the fits and starts... I see evidence of God's grace just as I see the snow that covers our mountains after a good storm. It is unmistakeable and beautiful; it inspires awe and humility.
One of the greatest evidences of grace in my life is in the area of anger. Anger was my constant companion for years, it was a burden that seemed impossible to unload. Daily my family suffered from it, I crumbled under it, the enemy triumphed through it - hopeless and life draining, I felt deep in a pit that had no escape. Everyday I felt angry, everyday I struggled to cope with normal things. I knew in my head that it was destructive, it threatened to destroy me. That could be borne more than the destruction and damage to my family.
The evidence of God's grace starts here... BUT God did not leave me there. He rescued me! Not overnight, but by His sovereign will, over a period of a few years. I'm not sure if the sin was so deeply wrought in my heart or if I was just a really slow learner but God is sovereign. Plus the lesson learned slowly and painfully is not easily (or quickly) forgotten. It truly was one bloody battle at a time, one bible verse wielded like a sword at each strike of the enemy. Oh and the battles raged!
God brought into my life a battle companion, the woman who discipled me through those years. Yet another evidence of grace, my Bonnie said yes to meet with me not knowing the years of diligence and toil it would take. Yes God is good to keep these things from our view!! Think of the things we would never do if we knew. Bless her heart- she was my angel of mercy.
Drawing near to God's word and His people was key to turning the battle around. Like a giant ship trying turn against a powerful tide, at times it seemed as though the ocean and waves were too overwhelming for me to turn the ship around. Even if I didn't explode and yell, my heart still raged yet God poured out His grace abundantly, covering my sins again and again, forgiving me, giving my family patience and grace to endure. It was as though I crawled through those years on my knees begging for God's mercy and asking for forgiveness.
In spite of myself, God has redeemed those years and given us a home of peace, love and grace. Not a week goes by that I am not overwhelmed by that amazing work of grace in my life. That fire was hotter and harder to endure than I could've imagined BUT to have not gone through it would have been hell on earth for me and those around me. God's grace is abundantly sufficient, He is my strength, He deserves all the glory. Hallelujah!
II Corinthians 12:9
Again and again, I am humbled by the truth of this scripture. God's grace is truly sufficient and it is only by His power that I am able to do or be anything of worth. As I look back at my life, the challenging circumstances, the numerous failures, the fits and starts... I see evidence of God's grace just as I see the snow that covers our mountains after a good storm. It is unmistakeable and beautiful; it inspires awe and humility.
One of the greatest evidences of grace in my life is in the area of anger. Anger was my constant companion for years, it was a burden that seemed impossible to unload. Daily my family suffered from it, I crumbled under it, the enemy triumphed through it - hopeless and life draining, I felt deep in a pit that had no escape. Everyday I felt angry, everyday I struggled to cope with normal things. I knew in my head that it was destructive, it threatened to destroy me. That could be borne more than the destruction and damage to my family.
The evidence of God's grace starts here... BUT God did not leave me there. He rescued me! Not overnight, but by His sovereign will, over a period of a few years. I'm not sure if the sin was so deeply wrought in my heart or if I was just a really slow learner but God is sovereign. Plus the lesson learned slowly and painfully is not easily (or quickly) forgotten. It truly was one bloody battle at a time, one bible verse wielded like a sword at each strike of the enemy. Oh and the battles raged!
God brought into my life a battle companion, the woman who discipled me through those years. Yet another evidence of grace, my Bonnie said yes to meet with me not knowing the years of diligence and toil it would take. Yes God is good to keep these things from our view!! Think of the things we would never do if we knew. Bless her heart- she was my angel of mercy.
Drawing near to God's word and His people was key to turning the battle around. Like a giant ship trying turn against a powerful tide, at times it seemed as though the ocean and waves were too overwhelming for me to turn the ship around. Even if I didn't explode and yell, my heart still raged yet God poured out His grace abundantly, covering my sins again and again, forgiving me, giving my family patience and grace to endure. It was as though I crawled through those years on my knees begging for God's mercy and asking for forgiveness.
In spite of myself, God has redeemed those years and given us a home of peace, love and grace. Not a week goes by that I am not overwhelmed by that amazing work of grace in my life. That fire was hotter and harder to endure than I could've imagined BUT to have not gone through it would have been hell on earth for me and those around me. God's grace is abundantly sufficient, He is my strength, He deserves all the glory. Hallelujah!
Monday, February 28, 2011
God Grew Tired of Us
God grew tired of us... Powerful documentary about the lost boys of Sudan. What horrors they endured at such a young age. They lost parents, siblings, extended family, friends, and endured it all together. What is miraculous is the attitudes of the 3 young men that were followed on their journey from a refugee camp to living in the United States.
I am grateful for community- those who love me and endure the good, the bad, and the ugly with me. Those who don't listen to other's opinions of me but know me for themselves and love me anyway. Those who I can laugh and cry with me. Those who really listen and really care- those that I listen to and care about.
On the other hand, I am also grateful for the bad and the ugly in life. Situations that hurt and the people who hurt me. Why you may ask? Frankly because those situations and people when viewed as coming from the sovereign hand of God produce perseverance and faith. They also give me perspective that I would not otherwise have. Appreciation for true friends and times of peace are greatly enhanced through enduring the bad and the ugly of life. Experiencing God and His great grace, mercy, and faithfulness deepens my relationship with Him in ways I could not have imagined.
I am grateful for community- those who love me and endure the good, the bad, and the ugly with me. Those who don't listen to other's opinions of me but know me for themselves and love me anyway. Those who I can laugh and cry with me. Those who really listen and really care- those that I listen to and care about.
On the other hand, I am also grateful for the bad and the ugly in life. Situations that hurt and the people who hurt me. Why you may ask? Frankly because those situations and people when viewed as coming from the sovereign hand of God produce perseverance and faith. They also give me perspective that I would not otherwise have. Appreciation for true friends and times of peace are greatly enhanced through enduring the bad and the ugly of life. Experiencing God and His great grace, mercy, and faithfulness deepens my relationship with Him in ways I could not have imagined.
Friday, February 11, 2011
A Mirror With a View
Musings from my (ever so slowly) growing gratitude journal.
#36: Glorious golden sunsets in my rear view mirror....
What do you see in your rear view mirror? Do you see your children laughing? Do you see sunsets? Do you see mountains?
#42: Being slowed down whether I want to be or not....
What do you see in hind sight? God's providence? Perfect timing? Divine appointments? Mercy and grace?
It's amazing what the world will reveal about our Heavenly Father if we are willing to see. How many times do I miss it?
Things like:
Mercy
Laughter
Grace
Beauty
Providence
Joy
Ordered moments
Perseverance
Abiding love
What do you see?
#36: Glorious golden sunsets in my rear view mirror....
What do you see in your rear view mirror? Do you see your children laughing? Do you see sunsets? Do you see mountains?
#42: Being slowed down whether I want to be or not....
What do you see in hind sight? God's providence? Perfect timing? Divine appointments? Mercy and grace?
It's amazing what the world will reveal about our Heavenly Father if we are willing to see. How many times do I miss it?
Things like:
Mercy
Laughter
Grace
Beauty
Providence
Joy
Ordered moments
Perseverance
Abiding love
What do you see?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Count Your Blessings
"...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
I Thessalonians 5:18
Do you ever grumble or complain? Do you ever pity yourself for not having the life you dreamed you would have ? Do you ever wish for different circumstances?
I believe we all do.... but I also believe we must be careful what you wish for. Everything can change in an instant. Those things or people that may seem so displeasing to you today could be taken away suddenly.
I would wager that our attitudes (our hearts) are actually the issue and not the people or things that we are grumbling about. How can I make such a bold statement? Because I know the sinfulness of my own heart and how it discolors my world when I give way to it's deceptions.
Sometimes I play a little game when I am in a discolored state of mind. I stop and imagine the reality of life without that person. Stopping to take stock of all the little everyday ways my life is connected to theirs and how very different it would be with them. Things like laughter, the sound of a voice, a shared place or experience, just knowing they are in the world somewhere and you can call them.
This exercise may sound very self centered but it is really an attempt to change my mindframe from grumbling to gratitude in the here and now. To realize the blessings and gifts God has given me moment by moment especially in the little things.
An example might be cleaning the kitchen for the fifth time today and grumbling about the people who keep causing the mess...again! Count your blessings: you are not alone, your family is still here on this earth sharing life with you (whatever the state of cleanliness might be). Is there laughter and love in your home? Do you have food in your cupboards and a roof over your head? Be thankful you have a kitchen... Imagine losing your house to fire, you'd wish you had that dirty kitchen back.
To be thankful in the mess and irritations of life is to be aware that God's grace is in every moment of life if we would but just be willing to see it.
Help me Lord to see Your sovereign and gracious hand even in the messiness of life. Grant me the ability to be thankful in every circumstance, to be obedient to Your will. Amen.
I Thessalonians 5:18
Do you ever grumble or complain? Do you ever pity yourself for not having the life you dreamed you would have ? Do you ever wish for different circumstances?
I believe we all do.... but I also believe we must be careful what you wish for. Everything can change in an instant. Those things or people that may seem so displeasing to you today could be taken away suddenly.
I would wager that our attitudes (our hearts) are actually the issue and not the people or things that we are grumbling about. How can I make such a bold statement? Because I know the sinfulness of my own heart and how it discolors my world when I give way to it's deceptions.
Sometimes I play a little game when I am in a discolored state of mind. I stop and imagine the reality of life without that person. Stopping to take stock of all the little everyday ways my life is connected to theirs and how very different it would be with them. Things like laughter, the sound of a voice, a shared place or experience, just knowing they are in the world somewhere and you can call them.
This exercise may sound very self centered but it is really an attempt to change my mindframe from grumbling to gratitude in the here and now. To realize the blessings and gifts God has given me moment by moment especially in the little things.
An example might be cleaning the kitchen for the fifth time today and grumbling about the people who keep causing the mess...again! Count your blessings: you are not alone, your family is still here on this earth sharing life with you (whatever the state of cleanliness might be). Is there laughter and love in your home? Do you have food in your cupboards and a roof over your head? Be thankful you have a kitchen... Imagine losing your house to fire, you'd wish you had that dirty kitchen back.
To be thankful in the mess and irritations of life is to be aware that God's grace is in every moment of life if we would but just be willing to see it.
Help me Lord to see Your sovereign and gracious hand even in the messiness of life. Grant me the ability to be thankful in every circumstance, to be obedient to Your will. Amen.
Monday, January 24, 2011
And then there was one...
Leprosy was and still is a devastating disease, one that separates you from society. Lepers are outcasts, people fear being near them, they suffer physically and emotionally every day. Imagine losing all of your day to day relationships, even the seemingly insignificant ones like the grocery clerk or bank teller. Imagine seeing fear in the eyes of everyone who sees you, feeling the rejection of people you know and those you don't know, to be unable to touch another human being for the rest of your life. Devastating and hopeless.
In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus encounters 10 lepers along the road to Jerusalem. This story is both extraordinary and sobering. These 10 men called to Jesus from a distance to have pity on them... to see their physical condition and restore them to wholeness.
Christ simply tells them to show themselves to the priest - he is the one man who can declare them cleansed so they can return to normal life. The remarkable sentence here is this one (v. 14), "And as they went, they were cleansed."
AS THEY WENT... they heard a simple command, they simply obeyed and as they obeyed they were cleansed! Absolutely amazing isn't it? That phrase struck me for the first time although I have read this account many times before.
Yet this isn't the most remarkable part... verse 15-16:
"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan."
ONE.... one of them came back. One of them praised God. One of them threw himself at Jesus' feet. One of them thanked Him. ONE. Wow. Sobering.
Ten men followed Jesus' directive but only ONE acknowledged the life altering change that took place. The restoration of life, relationships, wholeness. Each one of those men was given physical life back.... physical life.
But ONE. One returned to Jesus, Who asked where the other nine were. Had this one man been the only one to return with gratitude and praise on his lips? Not only was he one man but he was a Samaritan man - a man despised by the Jews for his split nationality: a Jewish Gentile, unclean to the Jews.
This Samaritan man returned with a heart full of gratitude at the physical miracle his body had experienced and Christ healed him even deeper than that...
"Then He said to him, 'Rise and go; your faith has made you well.' ” (v. 19)
The ONE: he believed, he was grateful, he fell at Jesus' feet, he had faith and it made him well. He was whole again, completely whole, not just physically but spiritually as well. Spiritual life. Extraordinary.
There is the greater miracle... faith.
Hebrews 11: 1-2, 6 tells us, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.... And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Do I live my faith? Do I live a life of gratitude? Do I return to the feet of Jesus in humble, wholehearted worship and thankfulness when He heals? When He provides? When He restores?
In what ways am I like the nine lepers who took the good from Christ and never thought to say thank you? Who only thought of themselves?
In what areas do I need to repent because I have not acknowledged God's grace and mercy in my life?
How can I make gratitude an active practice of my living faith in Christ? Every single day?
Lord, enable me to be like the one who returned before he saw the priest to praise You with boldness, to fall at Your feet, to thank You... in ALL things, every moment of every day.
In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus encounters 10 lepers along the road to Jerusalem. This story is both extraordinary and sobering. These 10 men called to Jesus from a distance to have pity on them... to see their physical condition and restore them to wholeness.
Christ simply tells them to show themselves to the priest - he is the one man who can declare them cleansed so they can return to normal life. The remarkable sentence here is this one (v. 14), "And as they went, they were cleansed."
AS THEY WENT... they heard a simple command, they simply obeyed and as they obeyed they were cleansed! Absolutely amazing isn't it? That phrase struck me for the first time although I have read this account many times before.
Yet this isn't the most remarkable part... verse 15-16:
"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan."
ONE.... one of them came back. One of them praised God. One of them threw himself at Jesus' feet. One of them thanked Him. ONE. Wow. Sobering.
Ten men followed Jesus' directive but only ONE acknowledged the life altering change that took place. The restoration of life, relationships, wholeness. Each one of those men was given physical life back.... physical life.
But ONE. One returned to Jesus, Who asked where the other nine were. Had this one man been the only one to return with gratitude and praise on his lips? Not only was he one man but he was a Samaritan man - a man despised by the Jews for his split nationality: a Jewish Gentile, unclean to the Jews.
This Samaritan man returned with a heart full of gratitude at the physical miracle his body had experienced and Christ healed him even deeper than that...
"Then He said to him, 'Rise and go; your faith has made you well.' ” (v. 19)
The ONE: he believed, he was grateful, he fell at Jesus' feet, he had faith and it made him well. He was whole again, completely whole, not just physically but spiritually as well. Spiritual life. Extraordinary.
There is the greater miracle... faith.
Hebrews 11: 1-2, 6 tells us, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.... And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Do I live my faith? Do I live a life of gratitude? Do I return to the feet of Jesus in humble, wholehearted worship and thankfulness when He heals? When He provides? When He restores?
In what ways am I like the nine lepers who took the good from Christ and never thought to say thank you? Who only thought of themselves?
In what areas do I need to repent because I have not acknowledged God's grace and mercy in my life?
How can I make gratitude an active practice of my living faith in Christ? Every single day?
Lord, enable me to be like the one who returned before he saw the priest to praise You with boldness, to fall at Your feet, to thank You... in ALL things, every moment of every day.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Got Endurance?
"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
There it is, the challenge to consider ALL joy, various trials, testing of faith, the need for endurance. (Note to self...This journey of eucharisteo appears to be uphill- put on your hiking boots and take lots of water!)
Groan... endurance? You mean the act of bearing or suffering; a continuing under pain or distress without resistance, or without being overcome; sufferance; patience? Yes My child
O Lord, without being overcome? Yes My child
I am often overcome, impatient, and resisting Your sovereign hand through various trials. Had you set the bar lower I would have hit the mark at least once in a while.... Let endurance have it's perfect result My child
{Scripture rings so true that we do not think the thoughts that God thinks, we do not operate the way God operates. (Isaiah 55:8-9) }
Endure even when others exclude, accuse, reject, purposefully hurt me? Yes My child
Endure even when the oven breaks, the car dies, the window cracks, the furniture falls apart? Yes My child
Endure when there are interruptions at every turn, distractions, hindrances to progress, setbacks? Yes My child
Endure.... continue under pain or distress without resistance. Yes My child
Wow... do I ever do that? Not on my own.
Oh Lord, You and You only can enable me to endure.
There is one of the greatest graces I can find in this world, add that to my One Thousand Gifts list... not having to endure alone.
I run to Your Word- You are my refuge. (Psalm 5:11; 16:1; 18:2; 18:30; 25:20; 31:19)
I found another grace to add to my list! Firmly in His grip.
Thank You Lord that You are the source of my endurance and the source of my rest. Enable me Lord to count it ALL joy.
Pressing in and pressing on by His grace for another day.
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1: 2-4
There it is, the challenge to consider ALL joy, various trials, testing of faith, the need for endurance. (Note to self...This journey of eucharisteo appears to be uphill- put on your hiking boots and take lots of water!)
Groan... endurance? You mean the act of bearing or suffering; a continuing under pain or distress without resistance, or without being overcome; sufferance; patience? Yes My child
O Lord, without being overcome? Yes My child
I am often overcome, impatient, and resisting Your sovereign hand through various trials. Had you set the bar lower I would have hit the mark at least once in a while.... Let endurance have it's perfect result My child
{Scripture rings so true that we do not think the thoughts that God thinks, we do not operate the way God operates. (Isaiah 55:8-9) }
Endure even when others exclude, accuse, reject, purposefully hurt me? Yes My child
Endure even when the oven breaks, the car dies, the window cracks, the furniture falls apart? Yes My child
Endure when there are interruptions at every turn, distractions, hindrances to progress, setbacks? Yes My child
Endure.... continue under pain or distress without resistance. Yes My child
Wow... do I ever do that? Not on my own.
Oh Lord, You and You only can enable me to endure.
There is one of the greatest graces I can find in this world, add that to my One Thousand Gifts list... not having to endure alone.
I run to Your Word- You are my refuge. (Psalm 5:11; 16:1; 18:2; 18:30; 25:20; 31:19)
I found another grace to add to my list! Firmly in His grip.
Thank You Lord that You are the source of my endurance and the source of my rest. Enable me Lord to count it ALL joy.
Pressing in and pressing on by His grace for another day.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Eucharisteo
Eucharisteo - a Greek verb meaning to be grateful, to feel thankful, to give thanks.
I am on a journey this year to practice eucharisteo in everything. In the latter part of 2010 I realized my desperate need to grow in gratefulness - not just in the good (that's the easier part) but in the difficult, frustrating, disappointing and hurtful things. To be sure I am not alone in struggling to be thankful for these seemingly undesireable things.
Yet I wonder, are they "undesireable"? At first glance yes but upon further investigation the undesireables are actually necessary and even good.
Have you ever considered what it would be like to be blind like the men in Matthew 9:27-31? To have the faith to be healed and then to see for the very first time? Can you imagine how overwhelming that experience must have been?
Or how about Saul (in Acts 9) who was on the road to Damascus fully able to see being struck blind for a time? As he obeyed the word of the Lord he received his sight again.
In both of these cases, the blindness was physical and faith was the key to the cure. I can only imagine how these men were forever changed by the power of receiving their sight. Greater than that, they met with Christ. Their healing was greater than physical, it reached into the depths of their souls.
Blindness is not limited to the physical realm, it is a very real malady in the spiritual realm. Blindness ranges from limited vision to completely eliminating vision. It impairs perspective and our ability to interact with the world around us properly.
On the "undesireable" side we are blind and in need of a Savior, a Healer - yet because of that "undesireable" state we are brought to the "good"- the recognition that we need a Savior, a Healer. Without blindness we risk missing the beauty, the gift of seeing. This brings us to the good side, being given sight and healing to our broken, bleeding hearts and souls. So you see that it is really just 2 sides to the same coin, the "undesireable" and the "good" working together to give us more perfect sight.
What undesireable am I facing today?
How can I "see" the good in it, the healing, the grace, the purpose in it?
For what good is God working all of those difficult, frustrating, disappointing and hurtful things in my life? (Romans 8:27-29)
Am I willing to completely trust Him that He is good and the He will be faithful to complete the work which He has begun in me? (Philippians 1:5-7)
Will I yield to His perfect plan for my life and all that the plan might require? Even (or especially) the "undesireables" ?
I agree wholeheartedly with the apostle Paul when he says:
"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:12-14
I am on a journey this year to practice eucharisteo in everything. In the latter part of 2010 I realized my desperate need to grow in gratefulness - not just in the good (that's the easier part) but in the difficult, frustrating, disappointing and hurtful things. To be sure I am not alone in struggling to be thankful for these seemingly undesireable things.
Yet I wonder, are they "undesireable"? At first glance yes but upon further investigation the undesireables are actually necessary and even good.
Have you ever considered what it would be like to be blind like the men in Matthew 9:27-31? To have the faith to be healed and then to see for the very first time? Can you imagine how overwhelming that experience must have been?
Or how about Saul (in Acts 9) who was on the road to Damascus fully able to see being struck blind for a time? As he obeyed the word of the Lord he received his sight again.
In both of these cases, the blindness was physical and faith was the key to the cure. I can only imagine how these men were forever changed by the power of receiving their sight. Greater than that, they met with Christ. Their healing was greater than physical, it reached into the depths of their souls.
Blindness is not limited to the physical realm, it is a very real malady in the spiritual realm. Blindness ranges from limited vision to completely eliminating vision. It impairs perspective and our ability to interact with the world around us properly.
On the "undesireable" side we are blind and in need of a Savior, a Healer - yet because of that "undesireable" state we are brought to the "good"- the recognition that we need a Savior, a Healer. Without blindness we risk missing the beauty, the gift of seeing. This brings us to the good side, being given sight and healing to our broken, bleeding hearts and souls. So you see that it is really just 2 sides to the same coin, the "undesireable" and the "good" working together to give us more perfect sight.
What undesireable am I facing today?
How can I "see" the good in it, the healing, the grace, the purpose in it?
For what good is God working all of those difficult, frustrating, disappointing and hurtful things in my life? (Romans 8:27-29)
Am I willing to completely trust Him that He is good and the He will be faithful to complete the work which He has begun in me? (Philippians 1:5-7)
Will I yield to His perfect plan for my life and all that the plan might require? Even (or especially) the "undesireables" ?
I agree wholeheartedly with the apostle Paul when he says:
"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:12-14
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
New Years = New Perspectives
It's another new year and everyone is asking... what is your New Year's resolution?
For some it's to lose weight (again), to finish a project (not accomplished since last New Year's), to be smarter, richer, kinder... more generous, philanthropic, successful... change strengths to weaknesses, failures to successes, losses to gains.
Resolutions are hard to nail down, hard to accomplish, hard to even remember at times... they are like that perpetual carrot before the horse; it may be driving us forward but never really satisfying us.
This year I have resolved not to have resolutions... I am determined not to choose that same goal and forget about it by March another year. Not that I have struggled with that ... or anything like it ... or... well you get what I'm saying.
In place of a resolution, I am working on a new perspective (or two or three). Lately a recurring theme has arisen in my life in the midst of a string of challenging set backs and frustrations. You know they say things happen in three's - don't believe them!{Maybe someday I'll list them so we can look back and laugh about it... someday}
Anyway, this string of things crippled me in a soul killing sort of way. As things kept happening, I began to struggle, cry, and crumble. My vision became clouded and dim, day to day my heart grew darker. One week I lashed out - I cried and vented - I surrendered hope and saw nothing but what was unlovely, unhappy, unsatisfying. One long week going where I hadn't been before, where I shouldn't have been. BUT GOD.
But God, in His unfailing mercy and longsuffering and infinite grace, patiently endured my sinful behavior then He began to whisper gracious words into my wicked heart - one small message at a time, each from a different source. Do you know what I am talking about? A quick comment by a Christian DJ on the radio, a line from a "randomly chosen" devotional, a shared thought by a friend who doesn't know where your heart is at, a song that cuts right to the point, a verse you've read a hundred times strikes a bullseye.
As I began to repent of my sin and the scales began to be removed from my sin blinded eyes, the theme that was woven through those messages so skillfully began to emerge clearly... gratefulness, thankfulness. Yes, being grateful no matter what the circumstance. Giving thanks in everything.
Yesterday I read in Job 2:10 these words, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job spoke this AFTER he lost all of his livestock, servants and children. OK, my situation isn't nearly that bad and I had to search my heart with that question... Am I willing to accept good from God and not trouble?
First perspective that I need to renew and live out is trust in God's sovereignty in EVERYTHING.
Second perspective I need to practice and become proficient at is gratitude... true thankfulness in all situations, at all times (I Thessalonians 5:18).
Simply stated: If I can truly live out that first perspective change then the second one will easily follow because they go hand in hand. God is sovereign, I am His child; He's got me, my life, my family, my world firmly in His grip and I am grateful that the God of the universe is at the helm.
You see, God knows exactly what He is doing and how to perfectly work all things together for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). The God Who spoke the heavens into place (Genesis 1)never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121:3). I can trust His sovereignty and I am grateful.
For some it's to lose weight (again), to finish a project (not accomplished since last New Year's), to be smarter, richer, kinder... more generous, philanthropic, successful... change strengths to weaknesses, failures to successes, losses to gains.
Resolutions are hard to nail down, hard to accomplish, hard to even remember at times... they are like that perpetual carrot before the horse; it may be driving us forward but never really satisfying us.
This year I have resolved not to have resolutions... I am determined not to choose that same goal and forget about it by March another year. Not that I have struggled with that ... or anything like it ... or... well you get what I'm saying.
In place of a resolution, I am working on a new perspective (or two or three). Lately a recurring theme has arisen in my life in the midst of a string of challenging set backs and frustrations. You know they say things happen in three's - don't believe them!{Maybe someday I'll list them so we can look back and laugh about it... someday}
Anyway, this string of things crippled me in a soul killing sort of way. As things kept happening, I began to struggle, cry, and crumble. My vision became clouded and dim, day to day my heart grew darker. One week I lashed out - I cried and vented - I surrendered hope and saw nothing but what was unlovely, unhappy, unsatisfying. One long week going where I hadn't been before, where I shouldn't have been. BUT GOD.
But God, in His unfailing mercy and longsuffering and infinite grace, patiently endured my sinful behavior then He began to whisper gracious words into my wicked heart - one small message at a time, each from a different source. Do you know what I am talking about? A quick comment by a Christian DJ on the radio, a line from a "randomly chosen" devotional, a shared thought by a friend who doesn't know where your heart is at, a song that cuts right to the point, a verse you've read a hundred times strikes a bullseye.
As I began to repent of my sin and the scales began to be removed from my sin blinded eyes, the theme that was woven through those messages so skillfully began to emerge clearly... gratefulness, thankfulness. Yes, being grateful no matter what the circumstance. Giving thanks in everything.
Yesterday I read in Job 2:10 these words, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job spoke this AFTER he lost all of his livestock, servants and children. OK, my situation isn't nearly that bad and I had to search my heart with that question... Am I willing to accept good from God and not trouble?
First perspective that I need to renew and live out is trust in God's sovereignty in EVERYTHING.
Second perspective I need to practice and become proficient at is gratitude... true thankfulness in all situations, at all times (I Thessalonians 5:18).
Simply stated: If I can truly live out that first perspective change then the second one will easily follow because they go hand in hand. God is sovereign, I am His child; He's got me, my life, my family, my world firmly in His grip and I am grateful that the God of the universe is at the helm.
You see, God knows exactly what He is doing and how to perfectly work all things together for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). The God Who spoke the heavens into place (Genesis 1)never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121:3). I can trust His sovereignty and I am grateful.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
A Great Exercise in Praise
When I lay down to sleep and the thoughts in my mind are tumbling around like old shoes in a dryer I need something to bring my mind to rest. Here's one of my favorite things to do:
Think on the attributes and names of God and Christ in alphabetical order! (You know, I don't usually get past M before I fall asleep.) Here are just a few ideas that come to mind.... hopefully I won't fall asleep!
I'd love to hear other attributes that you come up or even other "slow your mind" exercises :)
A- awesome, Alpha, Adonai, Abba, author (of our salvation)
B - beautiful, benevolent, blessed
C- Creator, counselor, cornerstone
D - deliverer
E - everlasting, eternal, Elohim, El Elyon
F - Father, faithful, fortress, forgiving, friend
G - gracious, good, God
H- holy,
I - indescribable, infinite, invisible, immutable
J - just, justifier, judge, jealous, Jehovah
K - King of Kings
L- Lord of Lords, loving, living, longsuffering, Lamb of God, lovely
M - Master, majestic, magnificent, merciful, Messiah
N - near (to those who are His)
O - Omega, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent
P - perfect, patient, powerful, Prince of Peace, protector
Q - Qedosh Yisrael (had to look this one up)
R - (El) Roi, Rock of Ages, restorer, righteous
S - Savior, sovereign, self-existent, Shepherd
T - trustworthy
U - undeniable, unchanging
V - victorious
W - wonderful, wise
X - Xcellent ;)
Y - Yahweh
Z - zzzzz zzzzz.......
Think on the attributes and names of God and Christ in alphabetical order! (You know, I don't usually get past M before I fall asleep.) Here are just a few ideas that come to mind.... hopefully I won't fall asleep!
I'd love to hear other attributes that you come up or even other "slow your mind" exercises :)
A- awesome, Alpha, Adonai, Abba, author (of our salvation)
B - beautiful, benevolent, blessed
C- Creator, counselor, cornerstone
D - deliverer
E - everlasting, eternal, Elohim, El Elyon
F - Father, faithful, fortress, forgiving, friend
G - gracious, good, God
H- holy,
I - indescribable, infinite, invisible, immutable
J - just, justifier, judge, jealous, Jehovah
K - King of Kings
L- Lord of Lords, loving, living, longsuffering, Lamb of God, lovely
M - Master, majestic, magnificent, merciful, Messiah
N - near (to those who are His)
O - Omega, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent
P - perfect, patient, powerful, Prince of Peace, protector
Q - Qedosh Yisrael (had to look this one up)
R - (El) Roi, Rock of Ages, restorer, righteous
S - Savior, sovereign, self-existent, Shepherd
T - trustworthy
U - undeniable, unchanging
V - victorious
W - wonderful, wise
X - Xcellent ;)
Y - Yahweh
Z - zzzzz zzzzz.......
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Forgiven much?
Today I read the parable of the king and the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18. As I took my jog I thought hard about forgiveness and unforgiveness. Somehow although I have read this many times before, this time I saw it with more clarity. Maybe this is because I have been thinking about forgiveness a lot lately: what true forgiveness looks like, how to know you've truly forgiven someone, when do we need to ask for forgiveness, why forgiveness is so critical to our christian growth.
While reading the parable I pictured the king calling each of his servants to recover what they owed him. When he got to one servant who owed him a lifetime worth of money, the king realized the servant could not pay. As a result he ordered the servant's family and all that he owned to be sold in order to settle the debt.
At this point, I'm thinking that while the king probably doesn't need the money, it is his absolute right (and even fair) that he receive back what had been taken or borrowed from him. He was the sovereign owner of the money to begin with.
Back to the scene before us...The servant must have been overwhelmed at the thought of losing all he had, seeing his family sold away from him, and never having a chance to recover. The servant fell down before the king begging him to be patient until he could find a way to pay. The king in a move of great grace, shows compassion on the servant and instead of giving him TIME to repay, he releases the servant from his huge debt. Complete forgiveness, no strings attached.
Wow.
Had the story ended there it would be a pretty fantastic end. Instead it continues with an amazing twist. Here is where my mind stayed turning over and over the events that unfolded next.
The forgiven servant, who has received grace he did not deserve, turns around and goes in search of another servant. Did he go to share the joy of his forgiveness? Unfortunately we will find that is not the case. The forgiven servant finds a fellow servant who owed him a small debt. Upon finding him, he takes him by the throat and threatens him to pay what he owes! His fellow servant falls down at his feet and begs him for patience, he promises to pay all.
Again I pause and think to myself...Certainly here the forgiven servant will share a little bit of the great grace he just received. I mean, he has no debt to pay anymore so he must be willing to share that experience with a fellow debtor.
As it turns out, the forgiven servant tightly grips the grace he has receives, tucks it away, and pronounces judgement on his fellow servant- to debtors prison for you! Not until he received the pittance owed him would he release his fellow servant.
Really? REALLY? How did he so quickly forget the huge debt forgiven him? Why did it not free him to extend that grace to another?
Well, as things played out, news must have traveled fast. The other servants observed the unforgiving behavior of the servant who had been forgiven much and they felt very grieved. In their grief they shared the encounter with the king. The king in turn called in the forgiven servant and said, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" (v.32-33)
As a result of this encounter, the offending servant went from debt free and forgiven to being given to the torturers until he could repay his original debt. Can you imagine? From debt to freedom to debt again... was it worth it?
Was it worth it? Is it worth it to not forgive? It seems to me that I can't afford NOT to forgive. I can't afford it because I have been forgiven a debt I cannot repay... a holy God has required perfection and I am a wretched sinner, unable to reach His standard. I am deserving of death. Romans 6:23 confirms this, "But the wages of sin is death..." All of my sin is a lifetime of debt just like the original servant. The king, God, has the right to expect full payment of my debt. Fortunately Romans 6:23 doesn't stop with the wages of sin, it finishes, "BUT the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
He has extended amazingly great grace to me by sending His Son to die on the cross for my debt, my sin. How can I, an undeserving servant who has been forgiven much and received such great grace not extend a little grace to another? What they owe me is so little compared to the immense debt I owe to my Lord and Savior. Not only that but my debt was so graciously paid for by Christ's blood. I do not deserve it, I cannot repay it.
To withhold forgiveness is to tightly grip the grace I've received, tuck it away, and pronounce judgement on others. To withhold forgiveness is to place the debt I perceive another person owes me as greater than the overwhelming debt I have been forgiven.
Bottom line, no one could ever "owe" me what I owe my Lord... what another owes me in comparison to what I owe my Lord is like comparing a cheap blow up dingy to the Queen Mary.
Bottom line: Forgiveness is not an option, it is an absolute requirement. One I cannot afford to withhold because I owe so much.
While reading the parable I pictured the king calling each of his servants to recover what they owed him. When he got to one servant who owed him a lifetime worth of money, the king realized the servant could not pay. As a result he ordered the servant's family and all that he owned to be sold in order to settle the debt.
At this point, I'm thinking that while the king probably doesn't need the money, it is his absolute right (and even fair) that he receive back what had been taken or borrowed from him. He was the sovereign owner of the money to begin with.
Back to the scene before us...The servant must have been overwhelmed at the thought of losing all he had, seeing his family sold away from him, and never having a chance to recover. The servant fell down before the king begging him to be patient until he could find a way to pay. The king in a move of great grace, shows compassion on the servant and instead of giving him TIME to repay, he releases the servant from his huge debt. Complete forgiveness, no strings attached.
Wow.
Had the story ended there it would be a pretty fantastic end. Instead it continues with an amazing twist. Here is where my mind stayed turning over and over the events that unfolded next.
The forgiven servant, who has received grace he did not deserve, turns around and goes in search of another servant. Did he go to share the joy of his forgiveness? Unfortunately we will find that is not the case. The forgiven servant finds a fellow servant who owed him a small debt. Upon finding him, he takes him by the throat and threatens him to pay what he owes! His fellow servant falls down at his feet and begs him for patience, he promises to pay all.
Again I pause and think to myself...Certainly here the forgiven servant will share a little bit of the great grace he just received. I mean, he has no debt to pay anymore so he must be willing to share that experience with a fellow debtor.
As it turns out, the forgiven servant tightly grips the grace he has receives, tucks it away, and pronounces judgement on his fellow servant- to debtors prison for you! Not until he received the pittance owed him would he release his fellow servant.
Really? REALLY? How did he so quickly forget the huge debt forgiven him? Why did it not free him to extend that grace to another?
Well, as things played out, news must have traveled fast. The other servants observed the unforgiving behavior of the servant who had been forgiven much and they felt very grieved. In their grief they shared the encounter with the king. The king in turn called in the forgiven servant and said, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" (v.32-33)
As a result of this encounter, the offending servant went from debt free and forgiven to being given to the torturers until he could repay his original debt. Can you imagine? From debt to freedom to debt again... was it worth it?
Was it worth it? Is it worth it to not forgive? It seems to me that I can't afford NOT to forgive. I can't afford it because I have been forgiven a debt I cannot repay... a holy God has required perfection and I am a wretched sinner, unable to reach His standard. I am deserving of death. Romans 6:23 confirms this, "But the wages of sin is death..." All of my sin is a lifetime of debt just like the original servant. The king, God, has the right to expect full payment of my debt. Fortunately Romans 6:23 doesn't stop with the wages of sin, it finishes, "BUT the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
He has extended amazingly great grace to me by sending His Son to die on the cross for my debt, my sin. How can I, an undeserving servant who has been forgiven much and received such great grace not extend a little grace to another? What they owe me is so little compared to the immense debt I owe to my Lord and Savior. Not only that but my debt was so graciously paid for by Christ's blood. I do not deserve it, I cannot repay it.
To withhold forgiveness is to tightly grip the grace I've received, tuck it away, and pronounce judgement on others. To withhold forgiveness is to place the debt I perceive another person owes me as greater than the overwhelming debt I have been forgiven.
Bottom line, no one could ever "owe" me what I owe my Lord... what another owes me in comparison to what I owe my Lord is like comparing a cheap blow up dingy to the Queen Mary.
Bottom line: Forgiveness is not an option, it is an absolute requirement. One I cannot afford to withhold because I owe so much.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Weddings
" Then the LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.' " Genesis 2:18
Good godly weddings are good for marriages :) They are like little pep talks along the way that keep our feet firmly on the right path.
I happen to love weddings... especially at our church. I'm biased I know but somehow I just seem to be so blessed by those weddings. Here are just a few reasons why {and some really great ideas in case you need them :) } .
Our pastor is so practical, encouraging, and straightforward with his messages. He always exhorts the couple getting married as well as reminding us "already marrieds" what a godly marriage is supposed to be like.
Many of the couples have waited until their wedding day for their first kiss - so sweet and so rare.
A few have had a band of our own young adults play worship music to begin the ceremony- how perfect of a start is that?
The level of joy and rejoicing is always so high - it's a celebration!
And the number one reason I love weddings at our church... Christ is exalted. With Christ at the center of marriage from the ceremony forward, that marriage will succeed by His grace. Now there's a reason to rejoice!
Good godly weddings are good for marriages :) They are like little pep talks along the way that keep our feet firmly on the right path.
I happen to love weddings... especially at our church. I'm biased I know but somehow I just seem to be so blessed by those weddings. Here are just a few reasons why {and some really great ideas in case you need them :) } .
Our pastor is so practical, encouraging, and straightforward with his messages. He always exhorts the couple getting married as well as reminding us "already marrieds" what a godly marriage is supposed to be like.
Many of the couples have waited until their wedding day for their first kiss - so sweet and so rare.
A few have had a band of our own young adults play worship music to begin the ceremony- how perfect of a start is that?
The level of joy and rejoicing is always so high - it's a celebration!
And the number one reason I love weddings at our church... Christ is exalted. With Christ at the center of marriage from the ceremony forward, that marriage will succeed by His grace. Now there's a reason to rejoice!
Monday, October 4, 2010
"When in doubt.... Don't"
Romans 14:22-23
"The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin."
This past Sunday in church we talked about not violating your conscience. The sermon, based on the passage above, was very practical and thought provoking... and convicting - all of which are good things especially for me.
One of the most thought provoking things Pastor shared was that one behavior can be right and wrong at the same time. How? Because of two people with a different conscience in regard to the same issue. Interesting isn't it? Of course this refers to those things that are not explicitly stated in scripture as sin (Rom. 13:12-14; I Cor. 6: 9-10; Gal. 5: 19-21; Eph. 5:3-5). For example dancing, playing cards, having a glass of wine, full frontal hugging, music preference, appropriate dress lengths and necklines, etc.
These "gray areas" are hot spots that can easily become points of division. In regard to Christian liberty, while it is true that we have freedom in Christ (Gal. 5:1) AND all things are lawful for me... not all things are profitable (I Cor. 6:12) - we do have our brethren to consider.
Christian liberty is a blessing from God and should we choose to restrain it, the motivation should be to demonstrate love toward a weaker brother or sister. How is that demonstrating love? Because it is an expression of agape love to restrain our liberty in order to do what is best for our weaker brethren. The weaker brethren are those who may be stumbled by our actions because their conscience tells them that our action is sin.
Where does the conviction come in for me? Being a person who tends to be principle driven, it is easy for me to be dogmatic and very black and white. While God has created me this way, He has also called me to live a life full of grace and mercy toward my fellow man. So when our pastor reminded us to not go around trying to bring people around to our own personal convictions in any of these areas... I was convicted. Whether or not I intended to or purposed in my heart to force my convictions on others, I was and have been guilty of that very thing. Ouch.
Practically speaking, the basic take away thought is this: If you violate your own moral code, you are guilty of sin. When your conscience is clear you can exercise your liberty without feeling badly. So "When in doubt... Don't."
"The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin."
This past Sunday in church we talked about not violating your conscience. The sermon, based on the passage above, was very practical and thought provoking... and convicting - all of which are good things especially for me.
One of the most thought provoking things Pastor shared was that one behavior can be right and wrong at the same time. How? Because of two people with a different conscience in regard to the same issue. Interesting isn't it? Of course this refers to those things that are not explicitly stated in scripture as sin (Rom. 13:12-14; I Cor. 6: 9-10; Gal. 5: 19-21; Eph. 5:3-5). For example dancing, playing cards, having a glass of wine, full frontal hugging, music preference, appropriate dress lengths and necklines, etc.
These "gray areas" are hot spots that can easily become points of division. In regard to Christian liberty, while it is true that we have freedom in Christ (Gal. 5:1) AND all things are lawful for me... not all things are profitable (I Cor. 6:12) - we do have our brethren to consider.
Christian liberty is a blessing from God and should we choose to restrain it, the motivation should be to demonstrate love toward a weaker brother or sister. How is that demonstrating love? Because it is an expression of agape love to restrain our liberty in order to do what is best for our weaker brethren. The weaker brethren are those who may be stumbled by our actions because their conscience tells them that our action is sin.
Where does the conviction come in for me? Being a person who tends to be principle driven, it is easy for me to be dogmatic and very black and white. While God has created me this way, He has also called me to live a life full of grace and mercy toward my fellow man. So when our pastor reminded us to not go around trying to bring people around to our own personal convictions in any of these areas... I was convicted. Whether or not I intended to or purposed in my heart to force my convictions on others, I was and have been guilty of that very thing. Ouch.
Practically speaking, the basic take away thought is this: If you violate your own moral code, you are guilty of sin. When your conscience is clear you can exercise your liberty without feeling badly. So "When in doubt... Don't."
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Our Great Salvation
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
"to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
"who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
I Peter 1: 3-5
Recently I have been working my way through I Peter, trying to really dig in and grow in my understanding of what it is God wants me to learn from it. I sat down, prayed then broke down the above verses as best I could using a Greek Word Study New Testament (please keep in mind that I am no Greek scholar). After having read and reread the passage several times here is what I observed about our great salvation from this passage of scripture:
1) We have been born again according to God's great mercy.
It is by His grace and mercy alone that we can stand before a holy God because we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. God has shown great compassion on those who are born again as we see in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
2) We have been born again to a LIVING hope.
Our hope is not vain, dead, or wasted... our hope is a living hope, a vivifying (life giving) hope. That life comes through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness!" (Hymn: The Solid Rock by Edward Mote)
3) We have been born again to an inheritance which is:
~~imperishable- cannot be corrupted
~~undefiled- cannot be soiled or debased
~~will not decay- unfading as in in cannot ever wear out
~~reserved in heaven-kept, watched over
Our inheritance is not one that can be lost, stolen, squandered, eaten by moths or burned by fire.
It is like nothing on earth, it is eternal, perfect, it's beauty will never fade! It cannot be corrupted, soiled or debased... isn't that wonderful? God has reserved it in heaven FOR YOU. Wow!
4) We are protected by the power of God through faith.
The word protected in this verse has the imagery of a person mounting guard as sentinel, it is being watched in advance, it is completed safe. Why is it safe? Because it is protected by the power of God Almighty- the wind and the waves obey His voice, He spoke the universe into place, He calls all the stars by name, He is God of very God (Psalm 104)! HE is the one who protects those who have placed their faith in Him. Hallelujah!
5) Our salvation will be revealed in the last time.
As we walk through this life by faith we are looking forward to the blessed living hope, our inheritance reserved for us. Why do we do this? Because we have eternity in our hearts, we are not meant to stay here, we are pilgrims, sojourners heading for our heavenly home. In the last time God will literally remove the veil to expose that which was previously hidden... our great salvation. It will not be just a living hope anymore but a glorious reality. We will no longer vaguely see Him but we will see Him face to face! We will take hold of that which has been reserved in heaven for us - our imperishable inheritance!
Maranatha - Lord Come Quickly!
Oh Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed by the glories of Your word! So little can I comprehend and how great that little bit is! Help me Lord to continually live in the reality of this great salvation You have given to me. Enable me to understand Your word and apply it to my life in such a way that I become more and more like You. Thank You, thank You for the cross and the living hope it gives. Amen.
"to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
"who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
I Peter 1: 3-5
Recently I have been working my way through I Peter, trying to really dig in and grow in my understanding of what it is God wants me to learn from it. I sat down, prayed then broke down the above verses as best I could using a Greek Word Study New Testament (please keep in mind that I am no Greek scholar). After having read and reread the passage several times here is what I observed about our great salvation from this passage of scripture:
1) We have been born again according to God's great mercy.
It is by His grace and mercy alone that we can stand before a holy God because we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. God has shown great compassion on those who are born again as we see in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
2) We have been born again to a LIVING hope.
Our hope is not vain, dead, or wasted... our hope is a living hope, a vivifying (life giving) hope. That life comes through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness!" (Hymn: The Solid Rock by Edward Mote)
3) We have been born again to an inheritance which is:
~~imperishable- cannot be corrupted
~~undefiled- cannot be soiled or debased
~~will not decay- unfading as in in cannot ever wear out
~~reserved in heaven-kept, watched over
Our inheritance is not one that can be lost, stolen, squandered, eaten by moths or burned by fire.
It is like nothing on earth, it is eternal, perfect, it's beauty will never fade! It cannot be corrupted, soiled or debased... isn't that wonderful? God has reserved it in heaven FOR YOU. Wow!
4) We are protected by the power of God through faith.
The word protected in this verse has the imagery of a person mounting guard as sentinel, it is being watched in advance, it is completed safe. Why is it safe? Because it is protected by the power of God Almighty- the wind and the waves obey His voice, He spoke the universe into place, He calls all the stars by name, He is God of very God (Psalm 104)! HE is the one who protects those who have placed their faith in Him. Hallelujah!
5) Our salvation will be revealed in the last time.
As we walk through this life by faith we are looking forward to the blessed living hope, our inheritance reserved for us. Why do we do this? Because we have eternity in our hearts, we are not meant to stay here, we are pilgrims, sojourners heading for our heavenly home. In the last time God will literally remove the veil to expose that which was previously hidden... our great salvation. It will not be just a living hope anymore but a glorious reality. We will no longer vaguely see Him but we will see Him face to face! We will take hold of that which has been reserved in heaven for us - our imperishable inheritance!
Maranatha - Lord Come Quickly!
Oh Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed by the glories of Your word! So little can I comprehend and how great that little bit is! Help me Lord to continually live in the reality of this great salvation You have given to me. Enable me to understand Your word and apply it to my life in such a way that I become more and more like You. Thank You, thank You for the cross and the living hope it gives. Amen.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Preparation and Purpose
I Peter 1: 13
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
"Gird up" (prepare):
a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt."
I like this word picture, it illustrates very well how we are to remove or put aside any encumbrances so we can we take action or work. One interesting thing to note is that the ancients did this at the beginning... not once they had begun but in preparation for what lay ahead of them. That required forethought and a sense of purpose.
"keep sober in spirit":
We are to be discreet and keep watch. Our minds are to be occupied with things that pertain to our calling as believers. Now does that mean we are fuddy duddies that have no sense of humor without any sort of interesting personality? No! It does mean that we are serious about our calling as believers and that brings a sense of purpose to all we do (Romans 14:17). We are not to be senseless but loving, joyful, patient, kind, among other things (Eph. 5:22-23).
"fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"
Completely means perfectly, entirely, to the end, in the sense of accomplishment of hope. We are to fix (set) our hope perfectly, entirely on the grace that will be brought to us at Christ's revelation. He is our source, our motivation, our reason for preparing for action in the first place. We are to wait for our salvation with joy and full confidence that He who promised is faithful to complete that which He has begun (I Thes 5:23-24).
As we look forward to Christ's return and He will enable us to prepare, act, keep watch, and hope in His abundant grace.
Thank You Lord for the grace which You so freely bestow on me every day. Forgive me for losing sight of my purpose and falling short. Enable me to live a life that is honoring to You in my thoughts, emotions, words, and actions. In Jesus' name - Amen.
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
"Gird up" (prepare):
a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt."
I like this word picture, it illustrates very well how we are to remove or put aside any encumbrances so we can we take action or work. One interesting thing to note is that the ancients did this at the beginning... not once they had begun but in preparation for what lay ahead of them. That required forethought and a sense of purpose.
"keep sober in spirit":
We are to be discreet and keep watch. Our minds are to be occupied with things that pertain to our calling as believers. Now does that mean we are fuddy duddies that have no sense of humor without any sort of interesting personality? No! It does mean that we are serious about our calling as believers and that brings a sense of purpose to all we do (Romans 14:17). We are not to be senseless but loving, joyful, patient, kind, among other things (Eph. 5:22-23).
"fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"
Completely means perfectly, entirely, to the end, in the sense of accomplishment of hope. We are to fix (set) our hope perfectly, entirely on the grace that will be brought to us at Christ's revelation. He is our source, our motivation, our reason for preparing for action in the first place. We are to wait for our salvation with joy and full confidence that He who promised is faithful to complete that which He has begun (I Thes 5:23-24).
As we look forward to Christ's return and He will enable us to prepare, act, keep watch, and hope in His abundant grace.
Thank You Lord for the grace which You so freely bestow on me every day. Forgive me for losing sight of my purpose and falling short. Enable me to live a life that is honoring to You in my thoughts, emotions, words, and actions. In Jesus' name - Amen.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Cracked Pot
Today I opened an email and found this story by an unknown author. I was greatly encouraged by it because I feel so cracked sometimes that I am sure that I am more of a stumbling block than an asset to my Lord. Praise God He can use anyone for His purposes and His glory. Enjoy!
THE CRACKED POT
Author unknown
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of that it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."
The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?"
"That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them."
"For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them. So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
THE CRACKED POT
Author unknown
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of that it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."
The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?"
"That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them."
"For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them. So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
Friday, April 10, 2009
No Cross, No Crown
Tonight at our Good Friday service, the choir sang several songs. One of those songs really struck me - "No Cross, No Crown" (lyrics below).
Such amazing grace and love... how can it be? Christ the Lord, He died for me. He died for you. Praise be to God!
"From robes to rags, bettered and torn,
From heaven's praise to earth's dark scorn.
Alone He stands, clothed in my shame,
He knew the price, He took the blame.
No corss, no crown, no debt repaid,
No thorns, no throne, no sentence stiad.
No death, no life, no grace come down.
His loss, our gain, no cross, no crown.
His Father's will, a higher call,
He gives His life to save us all.
Yet death has failed the Crucified,
The Lamb still lives, the tomb denied.
His cross, our srown, all debts are paid,
Before the throne, all riches laid.
His love endures, His grace comes down,
His loss our gain, His cross our crown."
(I do not know the composer - if you do, please send me a note- thanks)
Such amazing grace and love... how can it be? Christ the Lord, He died for me. He died for you. Praise be to God!
"From robes to rags, bettered and torn,
From heaven's praise to earth's dark scorn.
Alone He stands, clothed in my shame,
He knew the price, He took the blame.
No corss, no crown, no debt repaid,
No thorns, no throne, no sentence stiad.
No death, no life, no grace come down.
His loss, our gain, no cross, no crown.
His Father's will, a higher call,
He gives His life to save us all.
Yet death has failed the Crucified,
The Lamb still lives, the tomb denied.
His cross, our srown, all debts are paid,
Before the throne, all riches laid.
His love endures, His grace comes down,
His loss our gain, His cross our crown."
(I do not know the composer - if you do, please send me a note- thanks)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Grace - God's gift
Ephesians 4:31-32
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
It seems that God wants me to learn more about grace... it keeps coming up from different sources. Has God ever done that in your life? He surrounds you with a message or a verse from totally unrelated sources? It's kind of like layers of an onion, He just keeps peeling back the layers to reveal the next one. This seems to be one BIG onion!
Anyway, that has been the case with grace for me lately. The most recent source (layer) came this week in our Sunday adult fellowship class. I am so glad I was there to get the message, Lord knows I have a long way to grow to become a conduit of His grace. Will you walk through this lesson with me? Here we go...
Briefly our teacher pointed out that in verse 31 there was a negative progression.
Step One: attitude = bitterness (resentment) which we allow to fester in our hearts and minds.
Step Two: disposition = anger/wrath here is the first visible evidence of our inward festering.
Step Three: speech = clamor/slander, now the inward issue bursts out like a volcano erupting.
Step Four: action = malice/evil, finally what is in our hearts pours out in a sinful manner.
Next he pointed out that the first word in that same verse is "let". He said that in the Greek it is a passive word meaning that it is done to us, that it is a work of the Spirit to be done to us. Our part is to let it be swept away from us. We must quit clutching to our bitterness which is at the root of the problem.
The encouragement and application came next. He showed our class the godly replacement in verse 32. The most enlightening thing was that the word translated "forgiving" is from the root word grace, he pointed out that "being gracious" was a better translation. The idea being gracious includes forgiveness but is broader. Graciousness is the antithesis of bitterness.
Here are the replacements he listed for us.
1) In place of bitterness display a graciousness of attitude.
2) In place of anger cultivate a gracious disposition.
3) In place of shouting and abusive speech develop a habit of gracious speech.
The reason for this change?
~We are recipients of the lavish grace God manifested toward us in Christ (Eph. 1:7-8)
~We are bought with a price and we are not our own (I Cor. 6:20; 7:23)
~While we were yet sinners, enemies of God, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8)
~We are to be gracious toward others because God through Christ has been gracious to us (Eph. 4:32)
You see, it is HIS grace given to us in order to pour it out on others in His name and... He requires it of us.
Oh that I would become a free flowing conduit of His grace to those around me, not just to those I love but especially to those who are hard to love. Unfortunately I think I must also fall in the "hard to love" category too which means I need God's grace to be demonstrated toward me by you too. Praise be to God that although with men many things are impossible, with God all things are possible! (Matt. 19:26; Mark 10:27)
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
It seems that God wants me to learn more about grace... it keeps coming up from different sources. Has God ever done that in your life? He surrounds you with a message or a verse from totally unrelated sources? It's kind of like layers of an onion, He just keeps peeling back the layers to reveal the next one. This seems to be one BIG onion!
Anyway, that has been the case with grace for me lately. The most recent source (layer) came this week in our Sunday adult fellowship class. I am so glad I was there to get the message, Lord knows I have a long way to grow to become a conduit of His grace. Will you walk through this lesson with me? Here we go...
Briefly our teacher pointed out that in verse 31 there was a negative progression.
Step One: attitude = bitterness (resentment) which we allow to fester in our hearts and minds.
Step Two: disposition = anger/wrath here is the first visible evidence of our inward festering.
Step Three: speech = clamor/slander, now the inward issue bursts out like a volcano erupting.
Step Four: action = malice/evil, finally what is in our hearts pours out in a sinful manner.
Next he pointed out that the first word in that same verse is "let". He said that in the Greek it is a passive word meaning that it is done to us, that it is a work of the Spirit to be done to us. Our part is to let it be swept away from us. We must quit clutching to our bitterness which is at the root of the problem.
The encouragement and application came next. He showed our class the godly replacement in verse 32. The most enlightening thing was that the word translated "forgiving" is from the root word grace, he pointed out that "being gracious" was a better translation. The idea being gracious includes forgiveness but is broader. Graciousness is the antithesis of bitterness.
Here are the replacements he listed for us.
1) In place of bitterness display a graciousness of attitude.
2) In place of anger cultivate a gracious disposition.
3) In place of shouting and abusive speech develop a habit of gracious speech.
The reason for this change?
~We are recipients of the lavish grace God manifested toward us in Christ (Eph. 1:7-8)
~We are bought with a price and we are not our own (I Cor. 6:20; 7:23)
~While we were yet sinners, enemies of God, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8)
~We are to be gracious toward others because God through Christ has been gracious to us (Eph. 4:32)
You see, it is HIS grace given to us in order to pour it out on others in His name and... He requires it of us.
Oh that I would become a free flowing conduit of His grace to those around me, not just to those I love but especially to those who are hard to love. Unfortunately I think I must also fall in the "hard to love" category too which means I need God's grace to be demonstrated toward me by you too. Praise be to God that although with men many things are impossible, with God all things are possible! (Matt. 19:26; Mark 10:27)
Friday, April 3, 2009
There is no Condemnation
Romans 8:1-2
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
As believers we are no longer separated by judgement from God because we are IN Christ Jesus. We are to actively walk - a continuous, ongoing habit - according to our new life in Christ not according to the corrupt nature of man and it's fleshly lusts.
Our freedom comes through the law of the the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life is the exact opposite of the law, that is the power, dominion of sin and death. We have been liberated as a result of redemption.
Since we have been freed from the law, there is no condemnatory judgement against those who are positionally in Christ Jesus. Those who do not continuously, repeatedly walk in the manner of fleshly lusts (habitual sin) but continuously, repeatedly walk in the manner of their new life in Christ are those freed from the law.
We must choose by God's grace to habitually walk in our new life - that liberation from the power of sin and death. We must live what we are positionally - Christ's own and free from the power of sin.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
As believers we are no longer separated by judgement from God because we are IN Christ Jesus. We are to actively walk - a continuous, ongoing habit - according to our new life in Christ not according to the corrupt nature of man and it's fleshly lusts.
Our freedom comes through the law of the the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life is the exact opposite of the law, that is the power, dominion of sin and death. We have been liberated as a result of redemption.
Since we have been freed from the law, there is no condemnatory judgement against those who are positionally in Christ Jesus. Those who do not continuously, repeatedly walk in the manner of fleshly lusts (habitual sin) but continuously, repeatedly walk in the manner of their new life in Christ are those freed from the law.
We must choose by God's grace to habitually walk in our new life - that liberation from the power of sin and death. We must live what we are positionally - Christ's own and free from the power of sin.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Humility and Grace
I Corinthians 15:10
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
Grace is the divine influence upon our hearts and it's reflection in our life. God has bestowed His grace upon us and it is not in vain- not hidden and neglected but stirred up and worked out through spiritual disciplines. This grace, then, is not from within ourselves but from "without" - God must apply His grace to our lives. That grace is freely given as a gift in order that it would be demonstrated in our lives for His glory.
Because grace is a gift from God, it is His work in our lives as we walk in obedience to His will. This is not of ourselves - humility is necessary in order to walk in grace. Humbly acknowledging that we cannot do it without Him, we need His grace to pour into our hearts so we can then in turn pour it out on others.
Extending grace to others is a humbling experience, we must lay down our rights and our expectations. We are unworthy of His grace yet He abundantly bestows it upon us, we have no grounds to withhold grace from those around us. If we are willing to be humbled then grace will begin to flow more freely out of our lives and God will be able to use us for His glory.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
Grace is the divine influence upon our hearts and it's reflection in our life. God has bestowed His grace upon us and it is not in vain- not hidden and neglected but stirred up and worked out through spiritual disciplines. This grace, then, is not from within ourselves but from "without" - God must apply His grace to our lives. That grace is freely given as a gift in order that it would be demonstrated in our lives for His glory.
Because grace is a gift from God, it is His work in our lives as we walk in obedience to His will. This is not of ourselves - humility is necessary in order to walk in grace. Humbly acknowledging that we cannot do it without Him, we need His grace to pour into our hearts so we can then in turn pour it out on others.
Extending grace to others is a humbling experience, we must lay down our rights and our expectations. We are unworthy of His grace yet He abundantly bestows it upon us, we have no grounds to withhold grace from those around us. If we are willing to be humbled then grace will begin to flow more freely out of our lives and God will be able to use us for His glory.
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