Wow. That title made it sound like a chore. Like I am excited to be done with it. Like it is a horrific thing I am finishing and moving on. It wasn't anything like that. It was so far from that I can't even explain it. What we did wasn't extraordinary. It wasn't remarkable or amazing. But in 2014 we did something in our family that I honestly did not believe we could do.
We read the Bible all the way through as a family.
Was the first paragraph some un-fancy build-up then you thought "THAT is what she is excited about?" We didn't go deep sea diving. We didn't climb the tallest mountain (or with my knee, even the smallest of hills). We didn't go zip lining through a rain forest. We didn't go on a mission trip to help save orphans or feed families. But...
we read the Bible all the way through as a family.
I am not tooting our own horns. I'm really not. Other families have done far more amazing things for humanity and the planet. This really shouldn't be that big of a deal, but it is to me.
This is what I learned.
1) We can do it! I had no doubt that the hubs or I could do it. We have both read through the Bible before a couple of times. We just never have together.
2) If we put our minds to it and it is important enough to us, we can do something long-term. Sometimes we have these brilliant ideas and they last two weeks. Sometimes we say we will do it but it never gets farther than the discussion. Like organization. Or Bible study together. Or cleaning and organization.
3) It is important. Not only did it carve a few minutes of time every night to family only time, we were focusing on God's word during that time. It wasn't a selfish time, or a time to just spend together because we have to. It was time well spent. A quiet time with family and God.
4) My kids heard the Word. Sure, they hear it often throughout the week, at Sunday School and church or in books we read at home. They also heard it every single night. This ensured it. (Disclaimer: it wasn't every single night for 365 nights, but it was probably at LEAST 350+ of those nights. If we missed a night we made it up next day, except the week of Hayley's wedding - we might have missed 3-4 nights then, but we made it up.)
5) My kids not only heard the Word, they WANTED to hear the Word. I thought we would have to practically pull teeth to get them to sit through it every night. NO. Not even the 18/19 year old complained. He may not have always wanted to sit there, but not one complaint came from his mouth. Even the littles waited for that time. They looked forward to that time to sit down and cuddle with mama and dad and big bro before going to bed. If I ever said "time for bed" and we hadn't read yet, they were quick to say "after the Bible, right?".
6) Reading this Book all the way through from start to finish gave us a broader picture. In Sunday School, you hear the "important" stories. Adam and Eve; Moses; Samson; Kings Saul, David, & Solomon; Jesus; Paul. They are all important stories, don't get me wrong. But they don't give you the big picture. They don't help you see that since the fall of man, we have a God who is lovingly and painstakingly trying to woo us back to Him. You don't see that throughout history, He has been building up, story by story and brick by brick, to our redemption and restoration. Reading it page by page, story by story, my kids have a better understanding of what the Word is, who God is, and who they are in His story.
7) Hearing the Word of God out of your children's mouths is amazing. A was a good reader. She has been since the moment the reading light bulb came on. However, reading from the Bible, I honestly believe, has helped her become an even better reader. What is more precious than hearing your 7/8 year old read Scripture? Or how about that 5 year old who can't read yet, or is barely reading now, but wants so badly to "read it" that you take the extra time to read a half sentence and have him say it back? P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S.
Sure, there was a LOT they didn't understand. Shoot, there is a LOT I don't understand. But they have heard it. They craved it. They have hidden it in their hearts. I pray that this first reading was the first tiny seed of many seeds in years to come that fall on good soil and produce a great crop (Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop - some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown." Mark 4:20). I pray that it was a foundation for their daily reading of the Word in many days and years to come.
Sure, reading the Bible all the way through in a year isn't something that people are amazed by and that some would even call foolish. However, it honestly was the best thing we have ever done. I didn't write this post so people would think "YAY Traver fam!" I didn't writ it so people can be amazed at our feat (and for us it was a feat!!). I wrote it so you can know that with small children it IS possible if you really want to do it AND So I can remember in years to come why I felt so blessed at the end of this year.
A truth quote has been floating around Facebook. I believe this wholeheartedly so I am going to end this post with this anonymous thought:
"If we don't teach our children to follow Christ, the world will teach them not to."
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Friday, November 29, 2013
Minimally and Missionally
Over the last two years I have really been desiring to downsize and the last two months desiring to even go as far as living minimalistically (is it a word??) as I can. I am doing a Bible study by Jen Hatmaker called Interrupted and in it are some incredibly horrifying statistics. Ones I knew, but never really thought about deeply. Ones that I am embarrassed by. Not in a "I hate America" kind of way, because I don't. I love my country. I know that God blessed us abundantly. I am eternally grateful for that. However I am personally embarrassed to be contributing to the consumerism, materialism, and overabundance while there are people struggling to survive the day.
In her study, Jen noted:
How can I say I am a Christ follower if 1) I can't honestly say I do in every instance where He says "follow Me", 2) I don't feed his sheep spiritually and physically, and 3) I don't, on a daily basis, practice the religion that God accepts as pure and faultless {Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27} (NIV).
I am also in the final weeks of a study, also by Jen Hatmaker, called "7: an experimental mutiny against excess." In it, you do a "fast" of sorts against the excess of 7 different topics - clothes, shopping, waste, stress, media, possessions, and food. I can tell you that I have been impacted greatly by this study. It has just reinforced my desire to live more simply with fewer things. I know that people come on hard times. I know of the Great Depression, I know of the bad recession in the 80s, I know that we have been living in a recession now. We tend to put away or store up for ourselves after we come through something like that, for future times. However, God tells us in His Word: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21(NIV)
I believe that if able, a savings account is a good thing. One that allows you to weather small emergencies and provides a little peace of mind. What I don't think we should do is store up in abundance, whether it be money or material items, when there are people all around us in our country or overseas who could benefit from what we have stored up. And if we invest in ourselves by storing up large amounts of money or material goods, then our heart lies in those goods. It also means that we don't trust God to provide what we need. If we save a little but give the rest away to those are needing it, we have invested in God's people and are storing up treasures in heaven.
I don't believe it is easy to be able to invest in others and give what they need if I continue to fill my home with trinkets and gadgets and watchamadoohippies.
I wrote the first five paragraphs yesterday, then had to save it and come back later. Last night I was tired and while Hayley and the girls watched Despicable Me 2 downstairs I came up and fell asleep fairly early. The unfortunate thing is that I woke up just before 1:00 a.m. and was awake for the day. God took that time that I should have been sleeping and used it to get me thinking. How does living minimally look for me? What changes do I need to make? If I make these changes, will it allow me to then live more missionally? To invest more in others; to give what they need. I believe that God used this time this morning to show me that it can be done, that I can start down this path and make a difference. He put dreams in my heart and thoughts in my mind. I brainstormed and studied His word and Jen's word. I started brainstorming what living minimally and missionally meant in my life. When the sun was starting to come out I went on the back patio to watch the clouds and the sun and the mountains and I studied some more.
This time in Thailand has been good for me so far (other than a few small issues). I have been able to see what Hayley has been doing here and that has been a great privilege. I also feel this week has been sort of a retreat. With the holiday, we have had quite a bit of down time Wednesday afternoon, most of Thursday, and basically all of today. I have had time to sit and think, to brainstorm ideas for what God has laid upon my heart, and to just spend more time studying His word. It doesn't hurt at all that part of that time I am doing that, I am staring up into some of His beautiful creation. I feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready to jump back into life as we know it when I get back home.
I am excited to start some of the things I have been planning. I am excited to share these with my kiddos and the hubs. I imagine it will be hard for them to comprehend at first - it will seem crazy - but I believe that in the long run we will be more fulfilled and more Christ-like in our living.
_______________________________________________________________
Hatmaker, Jen. Interrupted. Nashville, TN.: Lifeway Press. 2012. Print
Holy Bible, New International Version. www.biblegateway.com. Web. November 28-29, 2013.
In her study, Jen noted:
- 40% of the world lacks basic water sanitation, resulting in disease, death, waste water for drinking, and loss of immunity; Americans spent $16 BILLION on bottled water in 2008.
- We spend more annually on trash bags than nearly half the world spends on all goods combined.
- 1/3 of all American families own three cars; 8% of the REST OF THE WORLD owns a car.
- Roughly 40 million people die annually from starvation, disease, and malnutrition; 65% of US adults and 15% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese.
- The US makes up 5% of the global population, but we consume 25% of the world's oil, 20 million barrels of oil a day; next is China at just 6.9 million a day.
- When a group of leaders from developing nations begged US government leaders to explore intervention options for their countries in crisis, a US official was quoted as saying: "The American lifestyle is not up for negotiation." (Hatmaker, p 23)
How can I say I am a Christ follower if 1) I can't honestly say I do in every instance where He says "follow Me", 2) I don't feed his sheep spiritually and physically, and 3) I don't, on a daily basis, practice the religion that God accepts as pure and faultless {Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27} (NIV).
I am also in the final weeks of a study, also by Jen Hatmaker, called "7: an experimental mutiny against excess." In it, you do a "fast" of sorts against the excess of 7 different topics - clothes, shopping, waste, stress, media, possessions, and food. I can tell you that I have been impacted greatly by this study. It has just reinforced my desire to live more simply with fewer things. I know that people come on hard times. I know of the Great Depression, I know of the bad recession in the 80s, I know that we have been living in a recession now. We tend to put away or store up for ourselves after we come through something like that, for future times. However, God tells us in His Word: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21(NIV)
I believe that if able, a savings account is a good thing. One that allows you to weather small emergencies and provides a little peace of mind. What I don't think we should do is store up in abundance, whether it be money or material items, when there are people all around us in our country or overseas who could benefit from what we have stored up. And if we invest in ourselves by storing up large amounts of money or material goods, then our heart lies in those goods. It also means that we don't trust God to provide what we need. If we save a little but give the rest away to those are needing it, we have invested in God's people and are storing up treasures in heaven.
I don't believe it is easy to be able to invest in others and give what they need if I continue to fill my home with trinkets and gadgets and watchamadoohippies.
I wrote the first five paragraphs yesterday, then had to save it and come back later. Last night I was tired and while Hayley and the girls watched Despicable Me 2 downstairs I came up and fell asleep fairly early. The unfortunate thing is that I woke up just before 1:00 a.m. and was awake for the day. God took that time that I should have been sleeping and used it to get me thinking. How does living minimally look for me? What changes do I need to make? If I make these changes, will it allow me to then live more missionally? To invest more in others; to give what they need. I believe that God used this time this morning to show me that it can be done, that I can start down this path and make a difference. He put dreams in my heart and thoughts in my mind. I brainstormed and studied His word and Jen's word. I started brainstorming what living minimally and missionally meant in my life. When the sun was starting to come out I went on the back patio to watch the clouds and the sun and the mountains and I studied some more.
This time in Thailand has been good for me so far (other than a few small issues). I have been able to see what Hayley has been doing here and that has been a great privilege. I also feel this week has been sort of a retreat. With the holiday, we have had quite a bit of down time Wednesday afternoon, most of Thursday, and basically all of today. I have had time to sit and think, to brainstorm ideas for what God has laid upon my heart, and to just spend more time studying His word. It doesn't hurt at all that part of that time I am doing that, I am staring up into some of His beautiful creation. I feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready to jump back into life as we know it when I get back home.
I am excited to start some of the things I have been planning. I am excited to share these with my kiddos and the hubs. I imagine it will be hard for them to comprehend at first - it will seem crazy - but I believe that in the long run we will be more fulfilled and more Christ-like in our living.
_______________________________________________________________
Hatmaker, Jen. Interrupted. Nashville, TN.: Lifeway Press. 2012. Print
Holy Bible, New International Version. www.biblegateway.com. Web. November 28-29, 2013.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
For the first time ever
For the first time ever I had someone slam Christians to my ear (conference call) while "at work". I have other friends who have slammed them on Facebook or elsewhere, but never during work was I subject to it, and never in a conversation to which I was party.
I'd like to say that I did the right thing, that I stood up for Christians and Christianity, or that I calmly acted like I should. To be honest, I don't know what the right thing was. I can tell you in that moment, I felt as if I had been sucker punched. I felt angry, enough that my head started pounding and so did my heart. They weren't criticizing me, but just slammed them in general. This person, who I really like and get on with just fine, knows I am a Christian and we have discussed briefly my beliefs.
No, I didn't yell; I didn't have a witty comeback. I didn't slam down the phone. I took a deep breath, and in the instant I should have prayed, I didn't. I just calmly asked if we were done with the purpose for which I called in on the conference call. I said, "Are we done talking about the system? If so, and we are going to talk about politics, I am going to go ahead and go and take care of the boys." A hurried apology and back to the subject for four more minutes was the reply I received, then we all hung up.
So yet again, I'm not sure what my reaction should have been. Has Christ measured me and found me wanting in my behavior? I just don't know. I felt as if it would have gotten me nowhere to defend Christians, because in this instance, I'm not sure the behavior and attitudes that were being criticized were Christian-like. I did not know these people, I don't know how they act(ed). If I had defended them but they were in the wrong, would that hurt God's kingdom more than my silence?
I guess I will never know the answer to that. I can only pray for wisdom as these instances will be coming more and more as time passes. I know this is something so small in the scheme of things, but it was my first test. There will be many more.
I want so much to be that person or part of a group of people that cause unbelievers to WANT to be a Christ follower, rather than one who causes them to make disparaging remarks. My heart is broken for those who do not know Christ and have such contempt for Christianity that their eyes, ears, hearts, and minds are closed to the beauty of Christ. Pray that I will stay steadfast in His will and will have the courage and discernment to do and say what glorifies Him.
1 Peter 5
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
James 1
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
I'd like to say that I did the right thing, that I stood up for Christians and Christianity, or that I calmly acted like I should. To be honest, I don't know what the right thing was. I can tell you in that moment, I felt as if I had been sucker punched. I felt angry, enough that my head started pounding and so did my heart. They weren't criticizing me, but just slammed them in general. This person, who I really like and get on with just fine, knows I am a Christian and we have discussed briefly my beliefs.
No, I didn't yell; I didn't have a witty comeback. I didn't slam down the phone. I took a deep breath, and in the instant I should have prayed, I didn't. I just calmly asked if we were done with the purpose for which I called in on the conference call. I said, "Are we done talking about the system? If so, and we are going to talk about politics, I am going to go ahead and go and take care of the boys." A hurried apology and back to the subject for four more minutes was the reply I received, then we all hung up.
So yet again, I'm not sure what my reaction should have been. Has Christ measured me and found me wanting in my behavior? I just don't know. I felt as if it would have gotten me nowhere to defend Christians, because in this instance, I'm not sure the behavior and attitudes that were being criticized were Christian-like. I did not know these people, I don't know how they act(ed). If I had defended them but they were in the wrong, would that hurt God's kingdom more than my silence?
I guess I will never know the answer to that. I can only pray for wisdom as these instances will be coming more and more as time passes. I know this is something so small in the scheme of things, but it was my first test. There will be many more.
I want so much to be that person or part of a group of people that cause unbelievers to WANT to be a Christ follower, rather than one who causes them to make disparaging remarks. My heart is broken for those who do not know Christ and have such contempt for Christianity that their eyes, ears, hearts, and minds are closed to the beauty of Christ. Pray that I will stay steadfast in His will and will have the courage and discernment to do and say what glorifies Him.
1 Peter 5
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
James 1
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Spiritual Warfare
It is real. It isn't some made up Hollywood trick to make a movie scarier. It isn't something someone made up to make a story seem wilder. Spiritual warfare can take on many forms. I don't even know how many. It can be dark spirits, rustling around in the trees near an African orphanage. It can be that voice in your head that tells you to hurt yourself. It can be that thought you have that you are not good enough, that you don't measure up, that you might as well give up. It can be that unclean thought about your neighbor, a friend, a stranger. It can be a voice telling you that you cannot win.
Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
But I tell you right now, that regardless of the hold spiritual warfare has on your life, on my life, that God can defeat it.
I have been suffering from attacks from Satan on my mind since August. I have briefly written about it in the past. I am not proud of them; I don't really want to talk about them. But I feel like writing this out helps vanquish them. For a while, Satan was getting the best of me. I let him tell me that I didn't measure up. I wasn't good enough to do Women's Ministry (and I am not, but through Christ I can do all things). I chose the wrong path to stay home with my kids. That I was a bad mother, a bad wife, a bad daughter, a bad friend. In fact I have no friends. I have no one on my side. I'm surrounded by people in this house, but I am all alone. I'm surrounded by people in this town, but I am all alone. My kids aren't safe. I'm ruining them. They could be hurt or worse. My life is a lie.
Can you see the funk I was in? Can you see where I allowed Satan to deceive me with lies, and I accepted it as truth? It didn't start out this way. How did it get so far? Because I accepted one lie as truth. When Satan saw he could deceive me like this, and I wouldn't fight back, he fed me another. And another. And another. Until all I was having for breakfast was lies. He attacked me in my most vulnerable places ~ my self-worth and my children.
1 Peter 5:8 - Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
John 8:44 - ...He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
I have been trying to battle my way out and it is getting better. Because I do know these are all lies that Satan ~ the father of lies ~ tells me. I KNOW THAT. But I was doing nothing to take control of my mind back.
I woke up at 3:30 this morning and could not go back to sleep. So after watching one and a half episodes of Monk and still not sleeping, I decided to get up and do my Bible Study. I am currently working on The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian. I started working on this because I know my prayer life is not what it should be. I want so much to be a prayer warrior, someone who can just easily slip in and out of conversation with God, so much so that it is one day long conversation like I would with a friend or family member that was hanging out all day.
Guess what today's topic was?? "Lord, She Me How to Take Control of My Mind". Not kidding. She talks about a weekend she had all to herself that she was planning to have some quiet time and get writing done. Sounds like a heavenly weekend to me! But Satan ruined her weekend by attacking her mind in such a way that she was literally paralyzed to do anything about it.
Have you been there? I have. Recently.
She fasted, waiting for God to speak to her, and very early on Sunday morning such a great anxiety laid on her that she began to pray and read her Bible. In Isaiah 61:3, she read "...the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness..." NIV reads Isaiah 61:1-3 as:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
At that moment she began praising God and spoke His word out loud. She rebuked the enemy and thanked God. She said, "Then, as clearly as I have ever felt anything, I sensed the dark, heavy blanket of spiritual oppression lift."
So it is possible to defeat the war being waged in our minds. It is possible to overcome Satan's lies with God's truth. God has given us His word ~ His promise ~ that He will defeat Satan in our lives for us if we let Him. He gives us power and authority to overcome the enemy.
Luke 10:19 - I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
1 Corinthians 10:3-5 - For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Hebrews 4:12 - 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.
2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Isaiah 26:3 - You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Ephesians 4:22-24 - You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
There are so many other scriptures that speak of how God gives us what we need to defeat Satan. We cannot do it alone; only through God and His word can we be set free. If you are hearing or believing Satan's lies ~ claim God's promises for you. Renew your mind. Take captive every thought, every lie. Put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18). And pray. Pray that God will vanquish the lies from your life. Pray that God will vanquish the lies from someone else's life.
And if you will, pray for Megan. Pray for Hayley. Pray for me. We are beautiful in God's sight. We will win, because Christ has already won.
Father - I ask that you help Megan, Hayley, and so many others, including me, see Satan's lies for what they are. Help us not to conform to the pattern of this world but help us be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We have been taught to put off our old selves and that we are new in Christ. Help us see others and ourselves as you see us. You know our thoughts Lord. I ask that you break the pattern of worthless thinking and you set us free from the evil one's lies. Help us fight with the divine power you have given us to demolish the devil's strongholds in our minds. Help us take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. Your word is alive and active and is sharper than any double-edged sword. Keep our minds focused on You and Your Word. Place a hedge of protection around Megan, please guard her heart and mind from the enemy. Place a hedge of protection around Hayley. She is about to do great things in Your kingdom's work and the enemy is trying to attack her and tell her she cannot win. But she has already won, because You have already won. Lord, guard my heart and my mind so that I rebuke Satan's lies in my life. And God there are others who are listening to Satan's lies and don't even know it. Lord, give them the discernment to know they are his lies and help them defeat the stronghold in their lives. In Your holy power and name I give you praise this morning. Amen.
Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
But I tell you right now, that regardless of the hold spiritual warfare has on your life, on my life, that God can defeat it.
I have been suffering from attacks from Satan on my mind since August. I have briefly written about it in the past. I am not proud of them; I don't really want to talk about them. But I feel like writing this out helps vanquish them. For a while, Satan was getting the best of me. I let him tell me that I didn't measure up. I wasn't good enough to do Women's Ministry (and I am not, but through Christ I can do all things). I chose the wrong path to stay home with my kids. That I was a bad mother, a bad wife, a bad daughter, a bad friend. In fact I have no friends. I have no one on my side. I'm surrounded by people in this house, but I am all alone. I'm surrounded by people in this town, but I am all alone. My kids aren't safe. I'm ruining them. They could be hurt or worse. My life is a lie.
Can you see the funk I was in? Can you see where I allowed Satan to deceive me with lies, and I accepted it as truth? It didn't start out this way. How did it get so far? Because I accepted one lie as truth. When Satan saw he could deceive me like this, and I wouldn't fight back, he fed me another. And another. And another. Until all I was having for breakfast was lies. He attacked me in my most vulnerable places ~ my self-worth and my children.
1 Peter 5:8 - Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
John 8:44 - ...He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
I have been trying to battle my way out and it is getting better. Because I do know these are all lies that Satan ~ the father of lies ~ tells me. I KNOW THAT. But I was doing nothing to take control of my mind back.
I woke up at 3:30 this morning and could not go back to sleep. So after watching one and a half episodes of Monk and still not sleeping, I decided to get up and do my Bible Study. I am currently working on The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian. I started working on this because I know my prayer life is not what it should be. I want so much to be a prayer warrior, someone who can just easily slip in and out of conversation with God, so much so that it is one day long conversation like I would with a friend or family member that was hanging out all day.
Guess what today's topic was?? "Lord, She Me How to Take Control of My Mind". Not kidding. She talks about a weekend she had all to herself that she was planning to have some quiet time and get writing done. Sounds like a heavenly weekend to me! But Satan ruined her weekend by attacking her mind in such a way that she was literally paralyzed to do anything about it.
Have you been there? I have. Recently.
She fasted, waiting for God to speak to her, and very early on Sunday morning such a great anxiety laid on her that she began to pray and read her Bible. In Isaiah 61:3, she read "...the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness..." NIV reads Isaiah 61:1-3 as:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
At that moment she began praising God and spoke His word out loud. She rebuked the enemy and thanked God. She said, "Then, as clearly as I have ever felt anything, I sensed the dark, heavy blanket of spiritual oppression lift."
So it is possible to defeat the war being waged in our minds. It is possible to overcome Satan's lies with God's truth. God has given us His word ~ His promise ~ that He will defeat Satan in our lives for us if we let Him. He gives us power and authority to overcome the enemy.
Luke 10:19 - I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
1 Corinthians 10:3-5 - For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Hebrews 4:12 - 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.
2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Isaiah 26:3 - You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Ephesians 4:22-24 - You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
There are so many other scriptures that speak of how God gives us what we need to defeat Satan. We cannot do it alone; only through God and His word can we be set free. If you are hearing or believing Satan's lies ~ claim God's promises for you. Renew your mind. Take captive every thought, every lie. Put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18). And pray. Pray that God will vanquish the lies from your life. Pray that God will vanquish the lies from someone else's life.
And if you will, pray for Megan. Pray for Hayley. Pray for me. We are beautiful in God's sight. We will win, because Christ has already won.
Father - I ask that you help Megan, Hayley, and so many others, including me, see Satan's lies for what they are. Help us not to conform to the pattern of this world but help us be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We have been taught to put off our old selves and that we are new in Christ. Help us see others and ourselves as you see us. You know our thoughts Lord. I ask that you break the pattern of worthless thinking and you set us free from the evil one's lies. Help us fight with the divine power you have given us to demolish the devil's strongholds in our minds. Help us take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. Your word is alive and active and is sharper than any double-edged sword. Keep our minds focused on You and Your Word. Place a hedge of protection around Megan, please guard her heart and mind from the enemy. Place a hedge of protection around Hayley. She is about to do great things in Your kingdom's work and the enemy is trying to attack her and tell her she cannot win. But she has already won, because You have already won. Lord, guard my heart and my mind so that I rebuke Satan's lies in my life. And God there are others who are listening to Satan's lies and don't even know it. Lord, give them the discernment to know they are his lies and help them defeat the stronghold in their lives. In Your holy power and name I give you praise this morning. Amen.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
I AM VAREE BAD I SHOOD GO TO JALL
These precious words were written on my front porch today in beautiful pink chalk. I AM VAREE BAD I SHOOD GO TO JALL (I am very bad. I should go to jail.)
"Why did you write that, Amberlie?"
"Because I am sometimes mean to my brother."
Thus started the most precious 30 minute conversation I have had with my six year old blonde haired, blue eyed beauty. We talked about when we do bad (sin) and that we can ask God to forgive us. We talked about Jesus and His life and His death. Then I went inside to get the Bible my granddaddy and grandma gave me less than a month before he died. Inside it my grandmother wrote the plan of salvation:
Plan of salvation
Turn to John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (We discussed what this means - Amberlie, do you believe in Jesus? Yes!)
At the bottom of the page, another note:
Turn to 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (This means if we tell Jesus about our sins and we are truly sorry for them that He will ALWAYS forgive us and make us clean. Do you understand what that means? Yes!)
Another note:
Turn to Romans 10:9-10
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Amberlie, do you believe God raised Him? Do you want to be saved? Yes! Then let's tell Him!)
Another note:
Turn to Acts 8:35-39
Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
On the last page, grandma wrote one last note, "Rachel, I love you. Grandma." I read it to Amberlie then we discussed all the major points of the gospel.
Jesus is the Son of God, born to Mary. He lived a perfect, sinless life. He healed others, spread God's word, and raised people from the dead. Then according to God's plan, He was crucified and died for our sins. God raised Him up, victorious over death, so that those of us who confess Him as our Lord and Savior will be with Him forever and always. Jesus took our punishment.
I asked her if she had any questions. "Are there fun games in heaven?"
"Yes, Amberlie I am sure there are. Haven't you heard the song Big House?"
"No. Can I see pictures of your grandma?"
"Do you have questions about Jesus or God? Do you believe in Jesus or are you confused?"
"No! I believe in Him!"
"Do you want to pray and ask Jesus to come live in your life and your heart?"
"Yes."
So we bowed our heads and held each others' hands as I prayed over her. That her tiny life will be precious to Him and that she will live in His will. That He will help her during the hard times but teach her each day as she lives as a child of God. Then I had her repeat after me and ask Jesus to come into her life. She confessed she was a sinner and asked for forgiveness and guidance.
Amen.
(obviously it was more than this, but these are the highlights.)
So to my sweet precious grandma, you are still changing lives. 8 years after you walked into eternity.
Love you Grams, Love you Ams.
Peace.
"Why did you write that, Amberlie?"
"Because I am sometimes mean to my brother."
Thus started the most precious 30 minute conversation I have had with my six year old blonde haired, blue eyed beauty. We talked about when we do bad (sin) and that we can ask God to forgive us. We talked about Jesus and His life and His death. Then I went inside to get the Bible my granddaddy and grandma gave me less than a month before he died. Inside it my grandmother wrote the plan of salvation:
Plan of salvation
Turn to John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (We discussed what this means - Amberlie, do you believe in Jesus? Yes!)
At the bottom of the page, another note:
Turn to 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (This means if we tell Jesus about our sins and we are truly sorry for them that He will ALWAYS forgive us and make us clean. Do you understand what that means? Yes!)
Another note:
Turn to Romans 10:9-10
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Amberlie, do you believe God raised Him? Do you want to be saved? Yes! Then let's tell Him!)
Another note:
Turn to Acts 8:35-39
Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
On the last page, grandma wrote one last note, "Rachel, I love you. Grandma." I read it to Amberlie then we discussed all the major points of the gospel.
Jesus is the Son of God, born to Mary. He lived a perfect, sinless life. He healed others, spread God's word, and raised people from the dead. Then according to God's plan, He was crucified and died for our sins. God raised Him up, victorious over death, so that those of us who confess Him as our Lord and Savior will be with Him forever and always. Jesus took our punishment.
I asked her if she had any questions. "Are there fun games in heaven?"
"Yes, Amberlie I am sure there are. Haven't you heard the song Big House?"
"No. Can I see pictures of your grandma?"
"Do you have questions about Jesus or God? Do you believe in Jesus or are you confused?"
"No! I believe in Him!"
"Do you want to pray and ask Jesus to come live in your life and your heart?"
"Yes."
So we bowed our heads and held each others' hands as I prayed over her. That her tiny life will be precious to Him and that she will live in His will. That He will help her during the hard times but teach her each day as she lives as a child of God. Then I had her repeat after me and ask Jesus to come into her life. She confessed she was a sinner and asked for forgiveness and guidance.
Amen.
(obviously it was more than this, but these are the highlights.)
So to my sweet precious grandma, you are still changing lives. 8 years after you walked into eternity.
Love you Grams, Love you Ams.
Peace.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Is it enough? pt 2
Is it enough was too loaded for it to just have one post. There are two aspects ~ am I doing enough? And even if I am, are my "good works" alone enough? No.
My first notes for this blog were written on August 2, with this scripture found in James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
That seems simple enough, but yet those four simple words "Do what it says" might be the four hardest words ever. Love God. Love one another. Be a servant.
We know that no act by a human can be enough to fully render us worthy of God's grace. But by faith, we can receive God's grace which will save us. What does that mean we should do?
Is it enough that I am kind to others?
Is it enough that I go to church?
Is it enough that I try not to sin?
Is it enough that while I am at church, I am fully worshipping Him?
Is it enough that I try to be a good example?
Is it enough that I am trying to forgive when others break my heart?
The answer is still no.
Once salvation has changed your life, there is still much to do. It isn't enough to just be saved and do nothing. Are you truly saved if your life is unchanged and you do nothing for your neighbor?
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
In John 21:17, Jesus tells Peter to "Feed my sheep."
Matthew 28:18-20 reads: "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40
I have to stand for His name. I have to reach out to those who are hurting, who are lost, who need hope. I must not only love Him and believe in Him, I must put my words into actions. If people cannot see Him through me, I am not doing enough.
Jesus asked, "Do you love me? Feed my sheep."
Anyone can do any of those things I wrote above. But only those truly committed to His ways can feed His sheep. We have to reach all people, those of all walks of life, of all nationalities, of all religions. We can't just walk around obeying laws and going to church on Sunday (although we need to do that also!!) You can't be half in. You gotta go All. The. Way. I want to be one of those people that when I die, there is no question of which master I served.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21
<and as a side note, a really awesome song by one of my fave Christian groups MAYWOOD is "So-called Savior" - if you don't know them, FIND THEM!!You will be blessed!!>
My first notes for this blog were written on August 2, with this scripture found in James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
That seems simple enough, but yet those four simple words "Do what it says" might be the four hardest words ever. Love God. Love one another. Be a servant.
We know that no act by a human can be enough to fully render us worthy of God's grace. But by faith, we can receive God's grace which will save us. What does that mean we should do?
Is it enough that I am kind to others?
Is it enough that I go to church?
Is it enough that I try not to sin?
Is it enough that while I am at church, I am fully worshipping Him?
Is it enough that I try to be a good example?
Is it enough that I am trying to forgive when others break my heart?
The answer is still no.
Once salvation has changed your life, there is still much to do. It isn't enough to just be saved and do nothing. Are you truly saved if your life is unchanged and you do nothing for your neighbor?
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
In John 21:17, Jesus tells Peter to "Feed my sheep."
Matthew 28:18-20 reads: "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40
I have to stand for His name. I have to reach out to those who are hurting, who are lost, who need hope. I must not only love Him and believe in Him, I must put my words into actions. If people cannot see Him through me, I am not doing enough.
Jesus asked, "Do you love me? Feed my sheep."
Anyone can do any of those things I wrote above. But only those truly committed to His ways can feed His sheep. We have to reach all people, those of all walks of life, of all nationalities, of all religions. We can't just walk around obeying laws and going to church on Sunday (although we need to do that also!!) You can't be half in. You gotta go All. The. Way. I want to be one of those people that when I die, there is no question of which master I served.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21
<and as a side note, a really awesome song by one of my fave Christian groups MAYWOOD is "So-called Savior" - if you don't know them, FIND THEM!!You will be blessed!!>
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Is it enough? pt 1
I have been pondering over the last month what to write in this blog. I have had my heart set on the question of "Is it enough?" for at least that long, if not longer. I don't know what the question does for you, but it opens a myriad of doubts and deeper questions and dilemmas for me.
Is it enough that I believe He is God?
Is it enough that I believe He created the universe and everything in it?
Is it enough that I go to church?
Is it enough that I care for a friend when s/he needs help?
Is it enough that I mention church or God or salvation around lost friends?
Is it enough that I don't cuss (or often anyway) and that I don't drink?
Is it enough that I love my children more than my own life?
Is it enough that I gave up my job for my children, hoping that I can teach them the right ways?
No.
It isn't enough. It will never be enough.
Every single one of those things is what I ought to be doing because I call myself by His name. But those good works alone are not sufficient; they are not enough.
Romans 3:23-25: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.
No matter what I do, it is not enough to save myself. Only Christ, through His blood and sacrifice, can grant me enough mercy to save me.
Hebrews 10:10 says, "10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
Not through our sacrifice, but through His.
It is not enough that I believe in God and that He created all things. James 2:19 reminds us: "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."
The plan for eternity is recorded from the first page to the last page of God's Holy Word. Not everyone can or will read it from start to finish and no one will ever comprehend its every word. However, the plan of salvation is simple.
1. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2. 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
3. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord, " and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with you mouth that you confess and are saved.
4. Mark 16:15-16 - He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
If you aren't already saved by Jesus' atoning sacrifice, what are you waiting for? We have not been promised tomorrow. Our lives are but a flash and then they are over. And He is coming again. It isn't enough to believe He is Lord. You must give your life to Him and follow the plan of salvation. He is waiting.
Is it enough that I believe He is God?
Is it enough that I believe He created the universe and everything in it?
Is it enough that I go to church?
Is it enough that I care for a friend when s/he needs help?
Is it enough that I mention church or God or salvation around lost friends?
Is it enough that I don't cuss (or often anyway) and that I don't drink?
Is it enough that I love my children more than my own life?
Is it enough that I gave up my job for my children, hoping that I can teach them the right ways?
No.
It isn't enough. It will never be enough.
Every single one of those things is what I ought to be doing because I call myself by His name. But those good works alone are not sufficient; they are not enough.
Romans 3:23-25: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.
No matter what I do, it is not enough to save myself. Only Christ, through His blood and sacrifice, can grant me enough mercy to save me.
Hebrews 10:10 says, "10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
Not through our sacrifice, but through His.
It is not enough that I believe in God and that He created all things. James 2:19 reminds us: "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."
The plan for eternity is recorded from the first page to the last page of God's Holy Word. Not everyone can or will read it from start to finish and no one will ever comprehend its every word. However, the plan of salvation is simple.
1. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2. 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
3. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord, " and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with you mouth that you confess and are saved.
4. Mark 16:15-16 - He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
If you aren't already saved by Jesus' atoning sacrifice, what are you waiting for? We have not been promised tomorrow. Our lives are but a flash and then they are over. And He is coming again. It isn't enough to believe He is Lord. You must give your life to Him and follow the plan of salvation. He is waiting.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Friendships
I truly believe that God brings friends into our lives for a season and for a reason. With some friends, the season is longer. I have a few such friends; those that were there when I was 7 or 16 and are still friends today. We aren't as tight as we once had been - I don't rush to the phone to tell them what exciting thing just happened or who broke my heart. But they knew who I was and remind me where I came from and still they are my friend.
Then there are those friends who God brings in for a season - maybe just a few years, maybe less. These friends don't mean any less to me just because the friendship is short. He knew I needed that person at that time.
Regardless of the time these people have been my friends, obstacles have come our way and from time to time, and my focus wasn't always on nurturing those relationships.
No matter what the season or the reason, friends can make us laugh or cause us tears. They can lift us up or break our hearts. A true friend, though, shows loyalty and love, even if it seems crazy to others. One of the greatest examples of that kind of loyalty and love was found in my Bible Study this morning in 1 Samuel 18:1-4. Jonathon was the son of the king (Saul), who I am sure most assumed would be the next king. As we know, God had already chosen David to succeed Saul. Rather than be bitter and resent David, he became his friend.
(1, 3-4) After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Jonathon made a covenant with David. The Complete Word Study Old Testament book defines a covenant as a "treaty, alliance of friendship, a pledge, an obligation between a monarch and his subjects, a constitution. It was a contract which was accompanied by signs, sacrifices, and a solemn oath which sealed the relationship with promises of blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience."
Jonathon's sign and sacrifice were given as Jonathon removed his royal robe and tunic and gave them to David. He gave to David what was rightfully his, per the king's wishes, but clearly Jonathon wanted to follow God's will. He offered them as a sign of his covenant, but also as a sacrifice of what could have been for the fulfillment of what should be.
Jonathon also provided a solemn oath. We don't know what his words were, but I find it highly unlikely that Jonathon handed over all his princely items, including his sword, bow, and belt and then had nothing to say.
What an amazing example of friendship. One person sees God's will in another's life and humbly sets himself aside for the good of the other. I can only hope to start acting as Jonathon did - to be humbly loyal to and love each of my friends so that God's will can be done in their lives.
As time ticks down for another change in one of my friendships, I wait with bated breath to see all God has planned for her and for me. It breaks my heart to know this change is coming, yet I know it is in God's will. So, I will do my best to be loyal and to show love to her and all my friends. And I will wait to see if God has plans to bring a new friend into my life or reinforce one of my current friendships, not to replace a friendship, but to fill the void of one that is changing.
Then there are those friends who God brings in for a season - maybe just a few years, maybe less. These friends don't mean any less to me just because the friendship is short. He knew I needed that person at that time.
Regardless of the time these people have been my friends, obstacles have come our way and from time to time, and my focus wasn't always on nurturing those relationships.
No matter what the season or the reason, friends can make us laugh or cause us tears. They can lift us up or break our hearts. A true friend, though, shows loyalty and love, even if it seems crazy to others. One of the greatest examples of that kind of loyalty and love was found in my Bible Study this morning in 1 Samuel 18:1-4. Jonathon was the son of the king (Saul), who I am sure most assumed would be the next king. As we know, God had already chosen David to succeed Saul. Rather than be bitter and resent David, he became his friend.
(1, 3-4) After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Jonathon made a covenant with David. The Complete Word Study Old Testament book defines a covenant as a "treaty, alliance of friendship, a pledge, an obligation between a monarch and his subjects, a constitution. It was a contract which was accompanied by signs, sacrifices, and a solemn oath which sealed the relationship with promises of blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience."
Jonathon's sign and sacrifice were given as Jonathon removed his royal robe and tunic and gave them to David. He gave to David what was rightfully his, per the king's wishes, but clearly Jonathon wanted to follow God's will. He offered them as a sign of his covenant, but also as a sacrifice of what could have been for the fulfillment of what should be.
Jonathon also provided a solemn oath. We don't know what his words were, but I find it highly unlikely that Jonathon handed over all his princely items, including his sword, bow, and belt and then had nothing to say.
What an amazing example of friendship. One person sees God's will in another's life and humbly sets himself aside for the good of the other. I can only hope to start acting as Jonathon did - to be humbly loyal to and love each of my friends so that God's will can be done in their lives.
As time ticks down for another change in one of my friendships, I wait with bated breath to see all God has planned for her and for me. It breaks my heart to know this change is coming, yet I know it is in God's will. So, I will do my best to be loyal and to show love to her and all my friends. And I will wait to see if God has plans to bring a new friend into my life or reinforce one of my current friendships, not to replace a friendship, but to fill the void of one that is changing.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
When God is Behind Us
In my Bible reading today, 1 Samuel 14:1-14, I read about Jonathon, son of Saul. He had such faith in God that without his father's knowledge, he and his armor-bearer went to the Philistine camp. He told his armor-bearer that if the Philistines told him to stay where he was that he would, but if they said to come up to the camp, he would go up to them and defeat them. Jonathon was such a fabulous person that his armor-bearer said, "Do all that you have in mind. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” What kind of loyalty is that? Awesome loyalty. One single man told another single man that he would essentially walk to his death for him, he had that much trust and faith in Jonathon. Jonathon had that much faith and trust in God.
That is an awesome picture. But what struck me most of all is the verse following Jonathon's defeat of the Philistines (and oh yes, he gave them defeat). After Jonathon went up and defeated the Philistines, verse 15 says, "Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God." Jonathon did as God told him and he defeated the enemy. Then God caused the enemy to panic. Then God sent an earthquake.
That is so true for us even today. When we are following God's will in our lives, when we seek him for His truth and His way, he can help us defeat our enemy. He can cause our enemy to panic. And while we may not literally feel the cold, hard ground shake as they did the day Jonathon defeated the Philistines, it doesn't mean he isn't sending an earthquake. He may be shaking up the enemy in other ways. God is behind us when we follow His will. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
That is an awesome picture. But what struck me most of all is the verse following Jonathon's defeat of the Philistines (and oh yes, he gave them defeat). After Jonathon went up and defeated the Philistines, verse 15 says, "Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God." Jonathon did as God told him and he defeated the enemy. Then God caused the enemy to panic. Then God sent an earthquake.
That is so true for us even today. When we are following God's will in our lives, when we seek him for His truth and His way, he can help us defeat our enemy. He can cause our enemy to panic. And while we may not literally feel the cold, hard ground shake as they did the day Jonathon defeated the Philistines, it doesn't mean he isn't sending an earthquake. He may be shaking up the enemy in other ways. God is behind us when we follow His will. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
A Mother's Sacrifice
I cried this morning when I read my Bible study. That isn't normal for me. I mean I can cry at a good movie, or even a bad movie. I can be moved by a Bible story. But I am not sure I have ever actually been moved to tears by the lesson alone.
1 Samuel 1:19-28 reads:
Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him.”
When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow, Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always."
“Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the LORD make good his word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him. After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.
I can understand wanting something so badly that I attempt to bargain with God. God doesn't bargain with us. He doesn't have to. But when he reads our hearts and our desires, sometimes He grants us those things we desire so much. Hannah had been provoked repeatedly by Elkanah's other wife. Hannah so desperately wanted a child that she vowed that if God gave her a child, she would give the child back.
I can imagine making a promise like that when it seems there is no hope. But God looked into her heart and knew that she would be faithful to her vow. After God blessed her with a child, the one dream that had seemed so out of reach, she trained him in the ways of the Lord.
Then when he turned three years old, she took him to Eli and left Samuel there at the house of the Lord, just as she had promised.
I have read this passage many times. It took my study this morning and the book I am reading to really slow it down for me and let the words jump off the page. I hurt for her. I hurt for the child. That is my weakness showing through. Hannah was BLESSED by this child. Samuel was BLESSED by the life he was going to live. Yet my mind and heart grieved for them. I cannot even begin to comprehend leaving my three year old child. If I had been Hannah and made a vow such as she did, would I have been strong enough and faithful enough to follow through? I thought of Breckin. I can't even think of taking him somewhere and leaving him. He is almost the age Samuel was when Hannah left him with Eli.
So while I grieved for Hannah and Samuel, I also grieved for myself and my own children. Do I love God enough and trust Him enough to give them to God in whichever way He sees fit?
I don't know the answer to this. I would like to think the answer is yes. I trust that He and His plans our sovereign. What I don't trust is my humanity and my weakness. So with tears in my eyes I ask myself, "What stands in the way of me giving my children totally over to God?"
So until we know how God will use them, I will vow to teach them about God, to teach them His word, and attempt to live my life in such a way that when it is over someone might say that I had faith, that I sought God, and that I fulfilled my vow with a mother's sacrifice.
1 Samuel 1:19-28 reads:
Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him.”
When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow, Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always."
“Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the LORD make good his word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him. After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.
I can understand wanting something so badly that I attempt to bargain with God. God doesn't bargain with us. He doesn't have to. But when he reads our hearts and our desires, sometimes He grants us those things we desire so much. Hannah had been provoked repeatedly by Elkanah's other wife. Hannah so desperately wanted a child that she vowed that if God gave her a child, she would give the child back.
I can imagine making a promise like that when it seems there is no hope. But God looked into her heart and knew that she would be faithful to her vow. After God blessed her with a child, the one dream that had seemed so out of reach, she trained him in the ways of the Lord.
Then when he turned three years old, she took him to Eli and left Samuel there at the house of the Lord, just as she had promised.
I have read this passage many times. It took my study this morning and the book I am reading to really slow it down for me and let the words jump off the page. I hurt for her. I hurt for the child. That is my weakness showing through. Hannah was BLESSED by this child. Samuel was BLESSED by the life he was going to live. Yet my mind and heart grieved for them. I cannot even begin to comprehend leaving my three year old child. If I had been Hannah and made a vow such as she did, would I have been strong enough and faithful enough to follow through? I thought of Breckin. I can't even think of taking him somewhere and leaving him. He is almost the age Samuel was when Hannah left him with Eli.
How poor is my faith? So shallow, so poor. But Hannah had faith. And God had a plan. He gave Hannah a child who she raised and trained faithfully. She prepared Samuel for the life he was going to live. When Samuel was three years old and his mother left him with Eli, how did Samuel react? He WORSHIPPED the Lord.
God asked Abraham to sacrifice his beloved Isaac, then later provided a ram. Hannah sacrificed her three year old child to God's service. Beth Moore states, " God does not ask of us that we take our children to the temple and leave them there to be reared by priests, but we must give them to God in other, equally important ways."
So while I grieved for Hannah and Samuel, I also grieved for myself and my own children. Do I love God enough and trust Him enough to give them to God in whichever way He sees fit?
I don't know the answer to this. I would like to think the answer is yes. I trust that He and His plans our sovereign. What I don't trust is my humanity and my weakness. So with tears in my eyes I ask myself, "What stands in the way of me giving my children totally over to God?"
So until we know how God will use them, I will vow to teach them about God, to teach them His word, and attempt to live my life in such a way that when it is over someone might say that I had faith, that I sought God, and that I fulfilled my vow with a mother's sacrifice.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
The Spirit of Joplin
(written 6/10/2011)
I'm sitting on my hotel bed, bags packed, heart swollen with sadness. I am leaving Joplin this morning after spending most of the last 10 days watching the people of this city pick up pieces of their lives and put them back together. I have seen what the worst of nature has left behind. But I have seen the best of what nature could not destroy.
As we sat in a little closet of a room at the MSSU campus, with more in that little room than some people have in total after the storms, we watched as people broke down with tears of joy when we handed out their EBT cards loaded with $200 or more in food assistance. They cried, they thanked us, and they walked away to continue putting their lives back together. I didn't do anything spectacular. It wasn't my money to give away. Some people weren't eligible for assistance, but rather than scream or yell or throw a fit, they just said, "that is okay, I have more than other people, I will be okay."
These last 10 days have been amazing. I have heard their stories, I have shed tears while they cried, I have handed out assistance. But most importantly, I have witnessed the spirit which will carry this city to greater heights. Their buildings may be destroyed, their lives may be disrupted, their hearts may be broken from those they lost, but no tornado can completely devastate or destroy the city of Joplin. Yesterday, as we were preparing for the last day of taking applications for assistance, someone brought us an entire sheet cake which said "Thank You, You're awesome, You're great, etc.". Individuals who had been devastated by the storms offered to get us Sonic drinks, etc.
No, Joplin friends, do not thank me. THANK YOU for opening your lives to me, for allowing me to glimpse what makes this city so special. Thank you for allowing me to spend these days with you. I am walking away today, going back home. But you will remain in my heart. You have taught me so much in the last few days. You have taught what it is to be devastated, yet rise from the ashes. The spirit of Joplin.
Isaiah 61:4
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
I'm sitting on my hotel bed, bags packed, heart swollen with sadness. I am leaving Joplin this morning after spending most of the last 10 days watching the people of this city pick up pieces of their lives and put them back together. I have seen what the worst of nature has left behind. But I have seen the best of what nature could not destroy.
As we sat in a little closet of a room at the MSSU campus, with more in that little room than some people have in total after the storms, we watched as people broke down with tears of joy when we handed out their EBT cards loaded with $200 or more in food assistance. They cried, they thanked us, and they walked away to continue putting their lives back together. I didn't do anything spectacular. It wasn't my money to give away. Some people weren't eligible for assistance, but rather than scream or yell or throw a fit, they just said, "that is okay, I have more than other people, I will be okay."
These last 10 days have been amazing. I have heard their stories, I have shed tears while they cried, I have handed out assistance. But most importantly, I have witnessed the spirit which will carry this city to greater heights. Their buildings may be destroyed, their lives may be disrupted, their hearts may be broken from those they lost, but no tornado can completely devastate or destroy the city of Joplin. Yesterday, as we were preparing for the last day of taking applications for assistance, someone brought us an entire sheet cake which said "Thank You, You're awesome, You're great, etc.". Individuals who had been devastated by the storms offered to get us Sonic drinks, etc.
No, Joplin friends, do not thank me. THANK YOU for opening your lives to me, for allowing me to glimpse what makes this city so special. Thank you for allowing me to spend these days with you. I am walking away today, going back home. But you will remain in my heart. You have taught me so much in the last few days. You have taught what it is to be devastated, yet rise from the ashes. The spirit of Joplin.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Display of His splendor
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
I sit here in Joplin and my heart breaks for these families. The stories are horrific, the brokenness is overwhelming. But in Isaiah comes the promise that those who mourn, those in despair, and those who are brokenhearted will be restored. They will be crowned in beauty, they will have joy, and they will praise God. We don't see it now, but through all this devastation, God's glory will shine through. He reigned in the past, He reigns in the present, He will reign forevermore. When there is no more tears, no more pain, no more loss. He will heal and He will restore. And throughout everything, His splendor will be displayed. He is on His throne.
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
I sit here in Joplin and my heart breaks for these families. The stories are horrific, the brokenness is overwhelming. But in Isaiah comes the promise that those who mourn, those in despair, and those who are brokenhearted will be restored. They will be crowned in beauty, they will have joy, and they will praise God. We don't see it now, but through all this devastation, God's glory will shine through. He reigned in the past, He reigns in the present, He will reign forevermore. When there is no more tears, no more pain, no more loss. He will heal and He will restore. And throughout everything, His splendor will be displayed. He is on His throne.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)