Great and Unsearchable Things

Things the Lord gives me, and then I write them.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Your Power

 
 
 
You could stop oceans in it's path, if you choose,
And lions mouths, as you did,
And the sun held back for a day,
And demons you can slay.
 
 
Your power is all powerful,
Your strength none can compare,
It surrenders to nothing,
It reigns supreme.
 
 
It causes the dead to rise,
It sets the captives free.
It opens up blind eyes,
Not only physical, but spiritual,
And rescues from delusional thinking.
 
 
If only we would partake and trust,
The power that You have,
We'd rest secure; we'd hope supreme,
And lay ours down instead.
 
 


Thursday, May 30, 2013

Your Feet

       
 
 
Your feet are bronze,
 
Trampling the  wicked nations,
 
Judging them for yourself,
 
Wherever your feet shall trod.
 
They are beautiful too, as your laborers spread good news,
 
On the mountaintops and the plains,
 
Heralding Your own salvation,
 
For all mankind.
 
Pierced for our transgressions,
 
Your feet nailed to the wood,
 
Suffering brokeness and crushing,
 
For us, your feet were made lame. (But you were never defeated.)
 
Conquering feet and lowly feet,
 
All at the same time,
 
You washed our feet,
 
You served us well,
 
So ours could be clean, as Thine.
 
Resurrected feet,
 
Walking on glory clouds,
 
Serving our Father above,
 
Divine feet, surrendered feet,
 
Going wherever He leads.
 
Beautiful feet, perfumed feet,
 
Washed by the woman's oil,
 
Nothing too costly for Your loving feet,
 
Nothing, nothing, nothing.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Lean In

 
 
Your Arms
 
Strong arms, gentle arms, rescuing arms of grace,
Saving arms, loving arms,
Filled with embrace.
 
Open arms, snatching arms,
From danger and from harm,
Caressing arms, soothing arms,
Comforting from alarms.
 
Soft arms, mighty arms,
Escorting arms to Life,
Guiding arms, lifting arms,
Above all of the strife.
 
Peaceful arms, embracing arms,
Arms that hug and heal,
Arms that bring me discipline,
Arms that stroke and fill.
 
Saving arms, Arms that build,
Eternal things above,
Arms that welcome prodigals,
Arms that we have not.
 
Only You, and Your blessed Arms
Around me will secure,
I'm safe, I'm loved in Your embrace,
Your arms are ever pure.
 
I'm leaning there today.
 
 


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

You by Me

 



     His vastness is like the ocean,
     His expansiveness like the star-lit sky,
     His heart is ever beating
     As eternal love pulses through His veins.
 
     He can't, He won't stop loving,
     For He alone is love.
     If His heart would stop it's beating,
     All hope would be gone.
 
     Let me hear Your heartbeat,
     Let me swim in You,
     Let me get lost in your big sky,
     Let me be contained in You.
    
     You are only Hopeful,
     You are only True,
     You are only Loving,
     Let me get lost in You.
 
     Swimming in Your goodness,
     Swimming in Your Love,
     In the deep, blue ocean,
     In the stars above.
 
     You are never ending,
     You are never gone.
     You are ever near us,
     You are ever Love.
 
     What would we do without You?
     How would we really live?
     We would die forever,
     We would not forgive.
 
     No swimming in your ocean,
     No gazing at your sky,
     No living and no loving,
     Nothing without You.
 
    
 

Monday, May 27, 2013

Delighting our Souls In Him

     "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Rev. 1:8.

     God is telling us something about who He is in this passage, and it's deep. At first it may seem like He is saying that since He is the beginning (Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet) and the end (Omega is the last letter), that there is an end to Him, but when you think about it, if He is both, than He is saying He just keeps going on and on and on; that He has no beginning and no end. That reality in itself is beyond our human understanding. The very concept of eternal (without beginning and without end) cannot be grasped with our finite minds.
     So, it is with our spirits that we must tap into the very essence of who God is, and we can do that by our spirits only. Is it possible to use our spirits, and not our minds while we are yet still in our earthly bodies? I believe we can, but it takes some practice to do so.
     Back to the perpetual God who has decided to have connection with us, His creation. How does the reality that He is eternal impact our being? For one thing, it suggests that we can't touch Him, as He is elusive and beyond us on one hand, and then the fact that He makes Himself available to us to touch and know, is both astounding, endearing, and awe-inspiring. By being eternal, (without beginning and without ending) makes Him so big in comparison to us, yet He, lives in us, if we have chosen to accept His Son Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf.
     That in itself, should confirm to us that we too, are eternal; that eternal life is ours. Christ in us, is the hope of glory. As He lives, so will we live eternally.
     Also, being eternal means we can never get to the end of God because He has no end. He just keeps going on and on and on, so plumbing the depths of His glorious being can never end. Discovery of Him can be a daily adventure. If we seek Him, we will continue to find Him.
     Setting our spirit as a compass in search of Him and who He really is, can enrapture and enrich our souls' delight. Let's purpose to set sail to discover the riches He offers in Himself. We are made to connect with Him in this way, and be filled.



 "Why spend your money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in rich food. "-Isaiah 55:2.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Gazing Together

     In Bible Study yesterday, my sister-in-law and I together began to see something as we opened up a certain Scripture. In Heb. 6: 1,2. it says:


6 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

     We began to really look at this verse, and saw in it,  how when groups of people, like these Christians, and those today, remain stuck on fixed doctrines, as these listed here, or any other denominational tenets of faith, even on certain "revelations" received in non-denominational circles, and "park it there," it prevents them from "going on to perfection"or maturity. In other words, our dogmatic doctrinal statements of faith, belief systems, or "new teachings", are the very stumbling blocks that keep us from growing in Christ. We believe we have "found the light" and go no further.
     ***It's not about knowing all the "right" ways to look at things from His Word, or even by revelation, but it's about knowing Him, and there is no end in Him. As we look upon His face, or into who He is, we are changed (or matured or made into His image) from glory to glory:

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD."-2 Cor.3:18.

     So, it's not about knowing in our head, but knowing Him in our hearts. Our doctrine, if we must, needs to be Christ , and Him crucified. Being under His headship, and gazing into who He is, not only causes us to grow personally, but also is the joint factor, that makes us one with each other. It's all those other belief systems of thought that alienates the Body of Christ. We are simply, one in Him.

    Another thing that seperates His Body, is when we look unto man, and not God, whether it be a particular pastor, teacher, author, or even someone on the internet. It is so telling when, Paul, rebukes the people who desired to identify themselves by the person they were following and not identifying themselves as being "in Christ." I Cor. 1:10-13. To the ones who were arguing over the one they were following, Paul, reminds them that they are to be "perfectly united in heart and mind," and says, "Is Christ divided?" When we aligned ourselves with man, institutions, denominations,etc, the Body becomes divided. I believe the world sees this, and this becomes but one deterrant of them wanting to align themselves with us, even with Christ, because of it.

     One time, I was led to give someone some money, and I guess he considered it a substantial amount, and remarked, "What church are you from?" to which I replied (as inspired by His Spirit), "I just try and follow Jesus"

     He must be our only Head, and we must begin to start "looking unto Him" and "gaze into His face" to mature. As we change into His image, the world will begin to see Him in us.

     As God showed me and my sister-in-law this reality, I am inspired to suggest to her next week, that we start having our study be about Him, and all the many things He is. I wonder where we will start? May God lead us, as we gaze into His face.

_______________________________________

***-I am not minimizing the importance of understanding the written Word of God here, but I am just saying that alot of the understanding we think we have, has been handed down to us by men, instead of by us letting the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, bring us understanding. Many times we filter the Word through our own carnal minds, which are polluted and biased. So we must pray that the Lord give us His understanding when reading His Word.

 

Thursday, May 23, 2013

All Hope is in Christ

     It seems like I have lost so much since I have been following Jesus. I have lost relationships, either permanently it seems, or in  just knowing me and someone else are not as close as we used to be; that there is something between us. Is this the loss I am to count as gain, or is this due to me reaping what I have sown? I really don't know. I wish I did.
     If the losses are because I am following Him and that I am setting my face as a flint, and because of this I am feeling and seeing the dissonance spiritually, than all is good, but if it is because I have sown to the flesh, and I am of the flesh reaping corruption, than things are not good. Then, I need dire help.
     Let's assume possiblity # 1. Let's say people around me are leaving me either physically or getting more distant, because I refuse to give into their standards or belief sytems because I believe they against God, and I can't join them in those. I am willing to lose relationships, if that is what must happen, although it brings much pain and suffering to my soul.
     "Though none go with me" is my theme song, coupled with "I must obey God rather than man." I'm also reminded of what Jesus had told us about the last days, and that there would be members of our own family "against each other," because of His Name's sake. Add to that the truth of the Word that says, "If we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we will have fellowship one with another." When considering the above possibility (# 1), if I am in Christ, and another is not (meaning not walking in His ways) there is no way we can have fellowship, or feel the bond that is felt when two people are following Him simultaneously. Sometimes, we just have to accept this. We can try to restore relationships ourselves, but it just won't work, if the other person is not abiding in Christ.
     O.K., now, let's assume possibilty # 2. I am reaping what I've sown. If what I am experiencing with relationships is due to what I have sown in them in the past, than I don't know what to do. I remember many years ago, whenever my family was living in a hellacious condition, and I did know that alot of it was because of the bad crops I had sown, and that they were coming to harvest, and I ran away to not have to experience the fallout. It was too heart rending, and seemingly without hope, and I couldn't bare it. I am getting that same feeling now, but this time, I'm not sure where it is coming from. If I am still reaping what I've sown in the past, than it feels like there is no hope for improvement for the future.
     Another possibility just became apparent. Possibility # 3-satan is trying to tell me I am reaping what I have sown, and trying to condemn me because of that. When I wrote "no hope" above, I realized that is not from God. Christ is our Hope.
     It seems like the longer I walk with the Lord, the more intense the attacks get on my mind, which, in turn, affect my emotions. It seems like, at times, that he targets my own value as a human being by attempting to tear me apart "limb by limb." He seems to gain entrance through my insecurities and pours in all the venom he can, through thoughts of condemnation and hopelessness. My negative thought processes provide a welcome path for him to do so. And, I don't know how to reverse these. My only hope is for God to continue to do His work in me, as He promises. Knowing He will is the only hope to having these thought processes reversed for good.

 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Hoping for His Peace

     How does one cope well when bad things are happening all around them? We all have to process our thoughts and feelings somehow. With all the murder, destruction, and fears of the future based on what we see happening in our government and world, can a person really not be anxious and unsettled, at the least? Add to that our own problems with relationships, our worldly cares, and perhaps our physical/mental or emotional sicknesses, or those of our loved-ones, and can we really remain unmoved, or unemotional? When we see the suffering of innocent people around us, killed or harmed by either sin-filled others, or by storms or buildings collapsing, or any other unsuspecting occurence, are we to just whistle a happy tune, and go about our business, cold to the world around us with our head in the sand? Just asking. Can we really escape not being saddened and fearful in the midst of all of this?
     Now, I know since we are in Christ, things are supposed to be different with us, and ultimately they are, but whenever I see the destruction of that tornado that hurt and killed people, including young children, in Oklahoma yesterday, add that to my own fears of it possibly hitting here today, I experience the feeling of fear. 
     I found out a few years ago, when I was dealing with Post Tramatic Stress Syndrome, due to an unsuspecting, and scary thing that happened to me, that our bodies are made to release adrenaline whenever it feels threatened, so that we can either fight or take flight. (Run!) If we don't do either of those things, adrenaline is still released, but it stays in our system, and is not burned up, and overtime, will have a harmful affect on our organs. Not good.
     The release we feel of adrenaline is the same thing as the feeling of fear we get. There is nothing we can do about it, once it's released in our bodies, and that is what I experience sometimes, and I do not like it. I don't want it, and even when I call out to the Lord to remove the fear, or  help me not to fear, it is still there.
     He says we are to cast our cares upon Him, and in prayer I do that, but my feelings still remain stirred over things. I guess what I am trying to get to the bottom of and understand, is if it is truly possible to have peace in all things, even as we are made aware of the many "enemies" out there, if we find that place in Him? Or is that just a pipe dream in this world?
     I know in His Word He says that if we have fear, it shows we have not been made perfect in Love. Well, I guess I haven't then, which, once again, just encourages me even more to draw even closer to that Love He offers me, and to open up and receive it.
     So, again this proves the reality that "all things work to the good for those of them who love the Lord,", even fear. He can use our fears to draw us closer to Him, so He can bring us His comfort and peace and security in His blessed arms. Oh Lord, draw me nearer.



Monday, May 20, 2013

A Rescuing Love

      I am beginning to feel the effects of God healing me from damaging guilt which has negatively affected me for a large part of my life. In the past, whenever I acted or reacted in what I felt was a wrong way, guilt would permeate my soul. It was as if, it was an invading, and definately, an unwanted enemy. It really made me feel sick in body and mind.
     Because I, perhaps, had pushed forgiveness away unconsciously, thinking that I deserved punishment, than this left me open to the devil's attack of pouring guilt in me. As I began to hear, believe and then dare to receive God's forgiveness, which has been a process over time, this gap has begun to close. I am feeling much better now.
     Even though I knew in my head, that Jesus did indeed die for my sins and offered me forgiveness, I could not (for lack of a better term) "access" it, nor allow it to flood my soul. There was just something in there preventing it from happening.
     I'm thankful that He loves my soul enough to not allow what is in there to remain, if it is blocking the flood of His grace, particularly if it is something I didn't know about, or couldn't control because it was under the surface. Many times, He will allow it to be jolted upwards due to something that happens, so that it is seen and dealt with.
     I believe what He showed me, in my case, is that somehow, I falsely believed that I really needed to pay for what I had done. Self-blame and even rejection, which had developed from my condemning past, would not let me receive His forgiveness. So, I went around feeling guilty, even believing under the surface, that was what needed to happen for me to "learn my lesson, so I wouldn't do it again." (As I type this, I see how sick that thinking really was.)
     When I didn't feel guilty, I would worry that I would do it again. Somehow, my mind never made the connection, that my guilt was not working as a rehabilitation tool. After so many years, it just became an automatic reaction, or should I say, an invitation for the enemy of my soul, to keep pouring guilt on me, with my subconscious permission. So, the poison of guilt, beat me down to a pulp.
     Never really seeing how mercy worked, because I don't recall it being something I ever experienced, whenever I would do wrong, I didn't know what it looked like or how it felt, or even how to experience it by receiving it, so I didn't know how it could help empower and cleanse me. My unforgiven sins, due to my accepting guilt, I carried around with me, accompanied by the shame that went with them.
     BUT GOD WOULDN'T LET ME STAY THAT WAY! The Scripture that I am experiencing in living color today is, "When your heart condemns you, God is greater than your heart." (I John 3:20) I am so glad He is! It seems He will overide our hearts self-condemnation, if things were put in there, that we were not aware of in order to rescue us from their power, as He 's done, and is doing, in me.
     Now, learning to embrace His love and mercy towards myself whenever I act out, is what He is showing me now. Instead of expecting guilt to be there, I am instead opening up to His forgiveness, with His mercy and unconditional love flooding my soul. And it is this, which will help me be cleansed and walk in newness of life, not guilt. (Romans 2:4) His goodness (or mercy) is the strength and confidence we need to be able to change. It encourages our faith in Him and His love for us.
     I am still feeling a little cautious of it, because I am so used to having negative feelings after, and my mind and the enemy try to talk me out of it, but I am resisting their suggestions more and more, and turning to what God wants for me, and to what I am learning is the healing balm that I need.  I also count on the fact that He is at work in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:15) and that He will get me where He wants me, as I continue to trust in Him, and as I work out what He is working in me.  

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Blocking His Blessings

     Our negative and fleshly attitudes can sabotage the blessings God has for us. The blessings I'm talking about are things He intended to bring our way, knowing that we would get enjoyment out of them such as good fellowship with others. When we let our fears rule us and we act out of them is when His blessings take wings and fly away, much to our chagrin and loss.
     Sounds like I know what I'm talking about, doesn't it? Yes, sadly so. I am writing from personal experience, even as close as a few hours ago. I won't go into the gory details, but I suffered and so did a loved one because of my behavior. And as I was processing all of this by myself before God, He began to show me that He had had something for me that I wouldn't experience due to what I had done. It's not that He had with held anything from me, but it was that I was too upset internally to put myself in the position to receive it in kind.
     So, how was this resolved? By trusting in His forgiveness continually for my life, and trusting in His work in me, which will progressively deliver me from all my fears, and which will put me in a better position to receive these special blessings from His heart to mine.

Flesh and Spirit Don't Mix

     As I was walking through a store yesterday, gazing at all the products and items available for sale, and even admiring the ingenuity of the inventors who had come up with designing those items, I realized a truth about myself, and, I think, about people in general. It's as if we have two people inside of us.
     One person (which is actually "the flesh" in us) wants everything it sees. The other person (or our spirit) wants what God wants. The first one is attuned to this physical world and it's values and material things and pursuits, and the second one is attuned to His Spirit and Kingdom pursuits. Which one gets fed the most wins! The prosperity "gospel" trys to blend the two, but the truth is that the flesh then infects the growth of the spirit, when that happens, and spiritual blindness occurs as a result.
     It is akin to God offering us life, and not death, and to Him telling us that we can't serve Him and Money. If one is constantly being unrestrained in buying whatever he wants (if he has money) he is fulfilling his own lusts. What of the fruit of self-control? Why does God give us that? To be able to say "no" to those lusts and temptations of the flesh.
     Of course, it is not only about buying things, but basically involves all things our flesh wants, such as eating too much without restraint, saying whatever we feel like saying no matter who it hurts, looking at, reading or listening to anything our flesh wants to, heaping on confort upon comfort, or even doing whatever pleases "me" at the expense of everyone else. In a few words, it is being self-indulgent.
     It's not about being legalistic, as some who are being self-indulgent would say. It's about realizing which person we are feeding (the flesh or the spirit) and the effect it has on growing into Christ likeness. If we feed the flesh, (or sow to the flesh) we will of the flesh reap destruction. If we feed the spirit (or sow to the spirit) we will reap everlasting life. (Gal. 6:8) Here it is again- Life (His food and ways) of Death (The flesh's food and ways)
     Those of you who were unknowingly lured into the prosperity gospel, drop it and run for your life. I know how appealing it can be. I was snagged briefly when I first came to the Lord, as the TV was all I had  for my instruction, but the Lord rescued me out of it, by opening my eyes.
     Perhaps He is having me write this post, to use it to rescue you too. In a nutshell, it is serving the god of self, instead of the true and living God, while believing it has His endorsement. Ask God for His truth and He will show it to you, if you are truly opened to hearing Him.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

The Body of Christ is Sick

     The Body of  Christ in America is severely disjointed, dysfunctional, and is headed for the cliff.  Why is this? My belief is that, although many of the gifts that God has put in His Body have had limited exposure and functionality, one gift has been grossly ignored, and even discarded. That gift is the gift of discernment. Because of this, the Body of Christ in America is all over the map in belief systems, which has resulted in wrong thinking and living, to the point of representing Christ in a dishonoring way.
     People with the gift of discernment, could be co-named "watchmen on the walls" as they discern who or what is coming towards the Body, and whether the proclamations they have to share are truth or error. They have a keen gift of "seeing" what spirit things are from.
     The problem is that our own independent spirit in this country, coupled by the relativism which swept in during the 80's, has infected the Body of Christ. This many-membered Body has negated anyone who says anything they don't want to hear, and discards any discernment which trys to warn of destructive error, as being "negative."
     One of the current doctrines which was allowed to develop, despite many discerning warnings, is the prosperity "gospel" and it is this one with it's rose garden beliefs, which recoils at the discerning warnings. The people who adhere to these beliefs, only listen to what they consider positive, so their fantasy world, which they call "their inheritance in Christ" is not shattered.
     So, which came first? Did the prosperity "gospel" throw out the prophets, or were people's hearts so closed to trusting and responding to the protection this gift can bring, that this prideful attitude helped herald in this false gospel? 
     Regardless, this gift and those who have it, has been rejected, with dire consequences to the Body of Christ. It is plainly, trying to function wholly, bypassing the cross, which is impossible.  Each member of the Body must go through the cleansing process of God, which is our inheritance won by Jesus' dying, so that we can be conformed to His image, and bring Him glory. By refusing to go through this process, the flesh is left to it's own devices and lusts, and is captivated by these "feel good" doctrines, which are the very ones that are deceiving the Body and making it terminally ill, if they don't turn from them, and unto the living Christ.
    
    
          

Friday, May 17, 2013

Our Short Life

      "Like sands through an hour glass, so are the days of our lives,"-whenever I first heard this statement from a soap opera on TV, I understood the truth of what it was saying.  I realized through it's meaning, the urgency and the brevity of my own life, and, because of that, have sought to fulfill it with meaning in what I have felt are it's important values.
     These values were further entrenched and somewhat changed whenever I came to know the Lord, and include improving marital and family relationships, helping those who are disadvantaged, and finally, sharing Christ with the lost world. Living these values has taken many forms in my life.
     God says, "Occupy til' I come." I am finding out that there are as many interpretations of this directive, as there are people of God who know about it. The words of truth to work out our own salvation, can help solve this dissonance in the Body of Christ.
     We must continue to walk as He tells each one of us to walk in our own lives, as it is to Him only that our lives will be accountable to. And for that, we will, most likely be chided, even sometimes by our own family, who is in the Lord.
     The perspective God has given me about "occupying" is a picture of "holding down the fort," or of guarding and defending His ways and truths, and living with salt and light so that all can see Him through me. The first involves writing and/or speaking what He has shown me, by the Spirit, is His truth according to His Word, and the second is a result of His work in me. Only as I "let Him" work in me can His salt and light remain. If I try and do it without Him, or if I don't let Him do it at all, I will die on the vine.
     I have many dead branches on the pear tree in my yard, which currently need pruning, even though the tree is alive with many little pears on it. I don't want to be a dead branch on God's tree. I want to flourish and be a beautiful and delicious piece of fruit for His Kingdom, so that He, the Vine, will get all the glory!!! The only way that will happen is for me to continue to "let" Him do that most painful and heart rendering work of "dying to self."
     So, with our lives being short and decreasing in length daily (like sands in an hour glass) how are we to live today? If we live surrendered lives, (letting  go of what we want, and of agreeing to do what He wants), our lives will be useful to the Master, as we let Him continue to work on the inside of us.
     Some say we are on this earth to enjoy ourselves. God has shown me that I am to live according to His purposes, and not my own. Although hard, because "self" and "the world" beckon daily, I march on in His strength, and am "occupying until He comes." It is my joy and honor to do so.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

     Sometimes whenever I read the Bible, it seems that God is so mad and it scares me. Today I opened up to the book of Hosea, and God was talking about how His people are always "prostituting" themselves, and how He is going to punish them. These proclaimed punishments included "wombs that miscarry and breasts that are dry," "I will drive them out of my house," "I will slay their cherished offspring," "Ephraim will be disgraced," "nations will be gathered against them," "all your fortresses will be destroyed," and  the most fearful and terrifying ones, "my God will reject them," "I will no longer love them," and "I hated them there." (Gilgal)
     Of course, all of this is a result of the people's choices of turning from God, the one who led them, healed them and  loved them, to other god's instead of Him, time after time.
     But then, as I am reading further, all of a sudden, it seems God's heart of love for His people can not be contained no matter what they have done. In Hosea 11:8-11, He says, "My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man-the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath." The desire of His heart is suggested in Hosea 4:16. He wants to pasture them like lambs in a meadow, but because of their stubborness, He cannot.
     It suggests in other parts of Hosea and other Scriptures, that they will return to Him, but it will be in "the last days," not now. God says, "For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days."
     I don't know if He carried out what He had threatened or not at the time, as I haven't studied this, but ultimately it is His love for them (and for us, His own) that prevails.
     I'm still not sure if God is saying, prophetically, that His original chosen people,  will someday turn to Christ, and thereby be saved, and that is yet to come. But, what else could He mean, as "there is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved"? (Acts 4:12)
     Love, through the sacrifice of God's perfect Lamb in Christ, has been offered to all of mankind, the Jews and the Gentiles. Anyone who will turn to Him, can receive His blessings of being reconciled to Him, and not have to suffer His wrath. So,  yes, His wrath is scary because our God is a consuming fire, (Heb. 12:29) but He provides a way for all to not have to suffer it, when they accept His sacrifice. Love never fails.
    

    

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Walking in the Light of His Mercy; Forgiven!

     "His mercies are new every morning"-what a declaration of His love and grace! Would it be so liberal to say that this reality includes covering and forgiving the sins we committed yesterday, and upon the rising of the sun, that we have a clean slate? Could it also mean that during this new day, His mercy is there also for anything we do that violates His holy standards? Taking it a step further, if we are "in Christ", we now live in the morning, or light, instead of in the night, or darkness, and that forgiveness is now  a part of that reality, and that there is no forgiveness necessary, as we already are now and forever?

     If this is so, the Scripture,  "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning," (Psalm 30:5) takes on a new and multi-dimensional meaning. "The night" could represent our lives before Christ, and "our morning" could mean when we step into the light, or "in Him." Then when we are "in Him" everything He purchased on the cross for us is now ours. He died, and then as we receive Him, He hands us His inheritance. Forgiveness is part of the inheritance that we can walk in.

     I am beginning to see this. If this is not true, than as we seek to confess our sins to Him, and try to make sure we've covered all the bases, then our confession becomes a religious act that we hope we did well or often enough, in hopes we will receive  His forgiveness. Something about this thinking is all wrong.

     "I will be merciful toward their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more."-Heb. 8:12, 10:17. In Hebrews, He is talking about the new covenant which God made to us through Christ and what He did for us on the cross. He has already died for our sins, and as the Scripture goes on to say, "there is no longer any sacrifice for sin." He can't do more than He's already done on our behalf, and we certainly can't by our confessions. What I'm trying to say is that it is not our confession, but His sacrifice that made our forgiveness possible.

     This is not "cheap grace," but truly accepting what He has done on our behalf, and walking in it humbly, freely and gratefully. Forgiveness is ours!

 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Giving Up Control

     Have you ever had a decision that needed to be made, but any way you would go with it,  seemed not to be the one you needed to make? I have been in this situation for weeks now, with seemingly no resolve. It's been said that when you make a decision, letting the Lord lead you, that you will have peace. Well, peace is definately alluding me. What is the problem?
     It occured to me yesterday that the problem could possibly be, and probably is, that it was not my decision to make, but my husbands. Even though he has opened up the decision to share with me, as it is a decision about something both of us have been involved in and have invested our hearts and souls in, it is too difficult for me to even be a part of. Is God telling me to submit unto him completely, and let him make it on his own, and to abide in whatever he decides, letting his headship fully reign in this case? Does it sometimes happen that the wife can't cope with the emotional weight of making certain decisions, and that is one reason why God has named man as "head"?
     If God is saying this to me, and I believe He is, then before I talk to my husband about this, I need to be sure that I will not argue, complain, or try to change his mind, when he does decide. Does God give husbands special wisdom that he doesn't give wives so that they can more easily make decisons which have emotional implications attached to them?
     The bottom line is whether or not I can trust God if I release control to my husband. When I am not trying to influence my husband, maybe that is when he can truly hear from God, and respond to Him, as God would have him respond. Hmmmm........a thought.
     Giving up control in general is hard, especially when there is a fear attached to it. I fear that if I do give it up, then somehow my significance will diminish, or I will be  pushed aside, or that I will be taken advantage of. But, in this situation, it seems, I have come to the end of my abilities to make this decision, and I am ready to hand it off, and I know the one God wants me to hand it to is my husband. 
     So, in that sense, one could say that "the die has been cast." It's God's will, and so I will follow it, as He is my ultimate Head. I will need His help to give up control though. I'll need help to trust Him, and to trust that what my husband decides is from Him. I will need help to have the courage to tell my husband.  I will need His help to remain humble as I give this to him, and I will need His help to honor my husband's decison whatever that might be, even if I vehmently oppose it. Oh God, help me.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

"Soul" Praying

      Many years ago, I attended a meeting at a church, whose purpose was to pass out names of high officials to each person, so that they would pray for them to be saved. I prayed for the woman, whose name was typed on a piece of paper before me.                 
     According to natural reasoning,  she would seem like a hard case to be won by the Lord, if that is possible. I am saying that because she is of another faith already and because her views are anti-christ. She would be someone, not many would want to get to pray for. But I got her, and really, I did not mind because I kind of like the hard cases, knowing truly, that the power of the Holy Spirit is greater.
     Many years ago I experienced seeing His power captivate someone who had chosen the darkness. He spoke to my spirit: "They cannot go too far from Me, that my Blood cannot go further still."  In other words, He was assuring me that they could be rescued, "out of the darkness, and into His marvelous light," because the shedding of His blood on the cross, had already provided for them no matter how far away they had gone.  And they were rescued and saved, after their actions reached a pinnacle, and a spiritual war was waged for their soul. In the end though, God won them to His heart as He pulled them from the fire. It was a glorious sight to behold!
     Back to this woman: On and off, as she came to my mind, I would lift her up to God, asking for her soul to be saved. Now, today, I see her picture on the news, and was reminded once again to pray for her. It was actually an encouragement to me, personally.
     God is using this to remind me that He can still use me. Last night, as I lay in bed restless and hurting physically, I told Him that I felt He had abandoned us (my husband and I) because our lives felt like we were not being used by Him, and I so desperately want to be. We have lost many things and people the past few years. Many of these were people we used to fellowship with, in the Lord, and so this added to feeling abandoned by God, too. It has seemed like our lives were going no where.
     Seeing this woman sparked in me how I can be used in His Kingdom without going anywhere or doing anything. He is showing me that I can pray for souls to be saved daily anywhere that I am. I can go to the far corners of the earth, praying for souls in other nations, or stay right here at home, praying for those around me. I had forgotten the power of prayer; or should I say, the God of power, and how He responds to these prayers, which are in according to His Will.
    I'm reminded, once again, that to stand in the gap on behalf of people's souls, is of great value and purpose to the Lord and His Kingdom. It is what He came for: to destroy the works of the devil, and to save people from their sins. He already accomplished that on the cross. Now, as soul intercessors, ask Him to draw people by name, unto Himself, He begins to perform His will. As I did this with my son, He spoke to my spirit and said, "Stand back and watch the glory of God!" And I did, and He did the work. I got to pray for, and see a soul being saved before my eyes.
     This most powerful "act" of praying for souls is not of any great acclaim in this world, but of the world to come. It is to enter into a place with the God of the universe in such as way as to be in a sort of symbiotic relationship with Him. It is a priveleged place, which is humbling and beautiful; a "oneness" with God and His Will that is beyond description. Praying "evangelistically" will take your own soul to new heights, as you join with God's will in this way.
    
        

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Courage to Speak

     Do you ever feel like it's "your job" to rescue people from something they are doing or involved in which you believe will be harmful to them, or will lead them down the wrong path? I do.
     Where is the line in helping others, especially those who are in the Body of Christ? We all have blinders on for some reason or another. We see what is not there at times, and we refuse to see what is in front of us for various reasons. So, isn't it love to help each other see, what perhaps we don't or won't see?
     I think one reason we draw back from approaching each other in this way, is because we are afraid that the other person will get angry. We self-protect, which is self-love. Another reason we draw back, could be that we don't want people to think we are controlling or nosy, or a busy-body. Again, this is centered on self, and not the other person.
    Are there any Scripture to help us answer this question?

1) "He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins."-James 5:20.

2) "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." II Timothy 4:2

3) but exhort ye one another every day, while the To-day is called, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of the sin,-Heb. 3:13.

and then the dreaded:

4) "But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. 7So you, O son of man, I have set you a watchman to the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8When I say to the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die; if you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand."-Ezekiel 33:7-10.
 

     I'm not sure if only Ezekiel, as a prophet, was to be a "watchmen" when he was alive, only, or if we, God's people, are to be "as Ezekiel" to one another presently. This is definately something we should seek God about.
     If we are to be watchmen for each other and we don't speak up when we see someone doing "wickedness", according to this Scripture, God is saying that we will be held responsible for that, and even blamed for our silence. More pointedly, He says, "the blood will I require at your hand."

     These are enough Scriptures given that suggest that God wants us to watch out for each other, checking behavior, actions, and even sin, and speaking to each other about it.
     What if we had done that with all the Christian women today who are showing cleavage?  I am still grieved about this immodesty, which is no different than the women of the world. 
     If other women in the Body of Christ, had talked to these women in love, showing them the Scriptures about immodesty, maybe some of them, who were opened, and not defensive and prideful, and who didn't know what God has said about this, would have turned. Instead, the world sees who God's people say they are, and I think, "their witness" is turning many from even wanting to receive Him. I believe that is how serious He is about us abiding in His truth and ways. When we don't, it has dire, eternal consequences.  
     This is only an example of how, if we don't speak to each other, sin and destruction will take over in our lives, and, as the last part of the verse in Hebrews says, "we will become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Scary stuff, when we consider how the ignored leaven among us can infect the whole batch, and "we lose our saltiness."

Oh God, I want to speak when you tell me to speak. Forgive me, O Lord, when I have failed to do so because I was afraid, and didn't rely on the boldness and strength that you promise me. I turned aside to my own ways. I am sorry. Empower me now to go forward in Your Name, risking it all for Your Name's sake. Amen.

    

    

    

 

Friday, May 10, 2013

The Precious Word of God

       My sister-in-law made a statement yesterday that I am chewing on. She said that she believes the reason Christians aren't growing in Christ, and are in fact going backwards, is that they are not continuing to study the Word of God. I can agree to that based on the Word itself which says that we are to renew our minds by the Word of God. The Word is truth, and it replaces our old mindsets and false beliefs which have been planted there by the world's view, and our own carnal thinking. When we bathe our minds with the "new" truths of the Word, our mind becomes aligned with His mind, making us of "one mind" with Him. So, feeding on God's Word is very important. "You are what you eat" as the saying goes. Or another adage is "garbage in; garbage out."
     Of course, as we read the Word and let it renew our minds, our actions should also change according to the new truths. This next step of letting the Word have it's way in and through us brings life, as we carry it out in daily living. To let it die inside us, by not living it, is to render it ineffective. As God says in the book of James: "Faith without works is dead."
     Looking at what Jesus said about this, we again look at the written Word. He told the disciples that He had food they knew nothing about, and then He identified that food as DOING the will of His Father. So, washing our minds with the written Word, and doing the will of the Father, after we know His will by reading His Word, is the most satisfying thing of all. It fills our souls, and renews our minds!!!
    


        

Thursday, May 09, 2013

Eliminating Distractions

     "Set your face like a flint," (Isaiah 50:7)  and "do not turn to the right or the left," (Psalm 4:27) God tells us in His Word. Each person in the Kingdom of God has been called for a purpose in that Kingdom. And, many do not answer that call, sadly.
     According the Mark 4, in the Parable of the Sower, it tells of people who first come to the Lord, and then because of "the cares of this world," fall away. Their face was not set like a flint, and they turned away either to the right or the left. The many distractions in their world lured them away from God, and from His call.
     Once someone realizes their call without doubt and fear, eliminating other distractions are necessary. Several years ago, God told me that to say "yes" to Him, I would have to say "no" to many other things. God gives us a focus in the call, and if we run around doing this and that, we will not be efffective in it. We will give alot of things time and attention, and the call, will be our diluted best, but nothing of what it could have been or could be.
     One of the most wonderful things about God is that His mercies are new every morning! That also applies to the call on our lives. If we have spent all our lives on other things, or in not answering the call we know we have, today is still the day of salvation! Trusting in God's forgiveness, we can pick it up now, no matter how old we are. That is awesome! It is not too late! (Don't believe the devil's lies, and have "a dropped call." He knows you will suffer, if you do.)
     So, if you are at this place in your life, turn now! Begin to eliminate those things that occupy your life which could be used in fulfilling your call. Ex.-I had subscribed to be part of a prayer group for a very good ministry, but today since God has been reminding me of my call lately, I unsubscribed from it because the focus of the ministry is not the focus of the call God has on my life. He wants me to focus my prayers differently.
     There are so many other ways to free up time to hone in on our focus such as on eliminating entertainments, obligations, material objects which require care and time, frivolous activities, and other self-indulgent ways. The Holy Spirit will show you what to do, as you seek His path in the call.
     God wants our lives to use in getting done what He wants done. His purposes fulfilled through us, not ours, are what He desires. Let His precious will be done in our lives, to the praise of His glory!!!

 
 
The first part of that Scripture is actually the most important part: "Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,  I will not be disgraced; therefore I will set my face like a flint......." 


Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Go Immediately to Jesus

     It's awesome how God can move in a person and make something good out of something not so good. This happened to me last night.
    I received a phone call last night which caused me mental and emotional disturbance. The disturbance was over someone in our family who is not doing well, and in their unrest, they are causing innocent children, who we love and care about, to be distressed.
     When I was given the information on the phone, my first reaction was one of judgement and accusation. I was angry at the person who made a bad decision, and I was in fear of them going down a wrong path, which could lead to further bad decisions and distress for not only them, but for their marriage and their children.
     Because of this, I verbally attacked them in front of my husband. He, too, was distressed by the information we were given for the same reasons. When I am in fear and feeling helpless, I attack. I haven't been able to conquer that one, especially when it involves loved-ones.  
     Soon after my verbal dress down of this person I love, who I want to stop doing these things for their own good and the good of the children, I realized that it was the wrong way to deal with it. I regretted my first reaction, and then switched gears.
     When my husband got in bed with me,  after we had turned out the lights, he led us in prayer for all concerned. I was so thankful for him at this moment. I needed him to lead it at this time, as I was too upset emotionally. I couldn't even think to voice a prayer, and he was turning us in the right direction.
    After this, I was thinking about all the single women out there who had children in severe trouble who had no one to pray with them or no one to talk about things with, in the dark night. Compassion filled me, and so I lifted those women up to the Lord that they would experience His "husband" comfort and care for them, and that they would be given assurance by Him that He was watching over their children, too.  
     I so want my emotions NOT to rule the day. I want to be able to turn to God first in any and all situations. In the Bible Study I am doing with 2 other women, we have learned that even our reactions can be sinful, as mine were.
      As I judged, so was I, as Romans 2:1 more/less says. When I reacted as I did, didn't I too, hurt my marriage, myself and my children, as I accused the other person of doing? Yes. I did.
     "It's the mercy of God that leads sinners to repentance," God says in His Word. Does this mean that when I know God's mercy will be there for me when I sin, that it is that very thing, that will help me to not do it anymore? Hmmmm...........And could it also mean that when I don't accuse and judge others also, when they sin, that could aid in them turning from their sin? It certainly is something to seek God about.
     I just had a thought. When we sin, many times, we wallow in our guilt. In that guilt, we feel stuck, and don't approach the throne of grace to receive forgiveness, the very thing we need. Then , our guilt remains and we repeat our sin. A vicious cycle.
     When we have a heart of forgiveness already available to others sin, I think helps them come to God more freely. "If this is how His people are," they may think, "then that's how He must be. I want to know that God!!! I want to know His love!!!"
     This once again shows how important our own need to continue to let God work in us is. When we are cleansed more and more, it does affect everyone around us. Like the ripple effect-it keeps going and going and going, and once again, He is glorified.
    
 
      
    

Waiting and Rising

     "Out with the old; in with the new"-when we turn a corner with God, He opens up new horizons and visions to us. Rocking along for many years in a fixed position, as one knows physically, can create achy joints and muscles. So it is spiritually.
     Sometimes we don't even know we are fixed; we just think we are comfortable. Thank God He sees and knows all, and whenever we, as His children who are bent on following His will only in our lives, get stuck unknowingly, He comes along and shakes up the status quo. Many times this feels like pain and heartache, because we were set on things continuing at their present pace and place.
     When the shake-down happens, we feel dis-oriented and confused and misplaced. Where do we go from here becomes the question of the day.
     We are finding, however, that when we do surrender to "laying something down" at His leading, that He soon begins to bring things into focus. It doesn't take long to see where He is taking us after surrendering.
     We are being launched into a new beginning with the Lord and how He would use our resources and our lives. New excitement is beginning to pulse through our veins, even in older age.
     I decided a long time ago that I was not going to get old in the traditional sense. What I mean by that is that I will always look for the ways the Lord is leading me in my life to be used for His glory! I will look for the adventures He has for me around the corner.
     We were given a word of the Lord from a couple a few years ago. They said that when the tethers on our hot air balloon were severed, we would soar for Jesus! I think this might be our time to soar, unhindered by the routines of the past, our preconceived ideas, and our doubts and fears. Freedom to soar with the eagles!
    

Sunday, May 05, 2013

Dominate Me, Lord

     What does love look like? Most of what I do is not love. It is self-love, and it's discouraging. To be discouraged at myself for not being loving is self-centered also. "Everywhere I go, there I am." (Sigh)
     Many of us are trapped in the maze of self. I think when Paul said that he "poured himself out" for others, gets close in describing what love is. Of course, it was Christ in him that made that possible, as it is for us.
     How love plays itself out in daily life is the real bump and grind of it all. We don't need to look any further than our own homes and the relationships in it, to see if we have love or not.
     We tend to think of others we want to show love to, such as the outcasts of society, to "prove" we are loving, but to have occasional contact with them, and, be loving (or appear that way) is not hard. We go home, feeling proud of ourselves, then don't show that same behavior to our own spouses or children.
     My husband said a truth many years ago to another man, which was-"How you treat your wife is a good measure of how Christ-like you truly are." And I might add, "And don't measure that yourself-ask her if she feels loved by you." That would be a truer assessment of things. (And visa-versa. Wife asking husband.)
     How do we get beyond ourselves? Do we just "let" the other one in a relationship always have their way? Is that love? Or do we remind the other of their selfishness, thereby risking their anger towards us, but truly doing it in order to help them?
     It's obvious that "love" cannot be defined as it is played out in daily life one way or the other, but only as we let the Spirit take control of our being. It is only by his Spirit that pure and true love is released. We, within ourselves, have no such love. It is always laced with impure motives and hooks of one kind or  another.
     The only way to release the Spirit in us is to ask God to remove the dams which block His flow. This process is the one of  "making all things new", or in giving Him access to our souls, as He conforms us to the image of Christ.
     I say it again and again and again, "even so, come Lord Jesus come." By that I am telling God to continue His process in me, despite the confusion, the pain, the doubt, the fear, the restlessness and the feelings of despair, loneliness and of even of feeling  unloved by Him that this process may invoke. In this way, His name and love will be magnified through me. And it will be His love only and not mine which will heal the world-even the world in our own homes; that is, if we open up to it.

 
 
(I recommend watching this when you are undistracted and truly take into your spirit the prayer and messages portrayed by the images. It will stir you, and increase your desire for His coming back in victory.)

    

Saturday, May 04, 2013

Returning to the Word of Truth

     My daughter was talking to a young woman the other day and somehow the conversation was brought to a point where the girl, who professed to be a Christian, relayed to my daughter that she was having sex with her boyfriend, and said that God was good with that. Amazed and stunned to hear this, my daughter remained silent. She said the only Scripture she could think of was that "fornicators would have their part in the lake of fire," and she didn't feel led to share that one at the time.
     It's one thing to live under the law, thinking that our good deeds will earn us salvation. It's another thing to say you are His, and then practice sin, even justifying it and think God has, in a sense, "blessed it."
     My daughter and I discussed this briefly. She said we have all justified our sin at one time or another, to which I agreed. On the other hand, though, if we are truly His and love the truth, we won't stay there long. The Holy Spirit in us will quicken the lies we are believing, and we will turn from our sin.
     And what do we owe one another in relaying the truth to dispel the lies we are believing? I am referring to the love we, as members of Christ's body are to have for each other.  All lies lead to destruction in one way or another; to ourselves, and in our relationship with God. David knew this surely, when he cried out, "It is to you God, only, that I have sinned."
      Should we not caution each other, out of love, if danger is ahead? Is this being intrusive, or is this being loving? Even if someone gets angry at us, the truth must be proclaimed! It is by this truth that we are set free.  Afterall, the angry reactions is from the flesh being caught doing what it loves to do, and that is basically whatever it wants to do without limitations. That is called, "licentiousness," which is another name for "lawlessness" which will, and is ,sadly, ruling the day as time goes on.
     Our "hands off" policy is not being loving. It is being complacent, uncaring,  and self-protective, which, if examined closely is really self-centered, or self loving. There is always risk involved in love. Even though another may get mad at us or even reject us, love is willing "to die" for the other, and put the other person's well-being before our own. That is Christ's love in us extended.
     I'm not saying my daughter should have done anything different than she did, but the incident she relayed to me, brought up the reality of why, perhaps, the young woman thought "God was good" with her sin. Could it be that we have remained aloof for so long, not using Scripture for "reproof and correction" to not interfer with other's lives, even our brothers and sisters in Christ, that the truths of His Word and Kingdom have been lost?
    I'm reminded of the debauchery going on,  and sin filled lives in Jeremiah's time, when the scrolls had been lost, and people were going about doing their own thing, and thinking "God was good" with that. Jeremiah was amazed and dumb struck as his eyes were opened to the truth, when the scrolls were found. He preached returning to the Lord, our God, but it was too late for the corruption had gone too far, and the people wouldn't listen to him. Have we, too, gotten to this point? Would things have been different if we hadn't remained silent in sharing the Word of God with each other?
     Oh God, help us return to your precious Word, eating it and sharing it, to help turn many from unrighteousness. You said, in your Word, that the only thing we owe each other is a debt of love. Help us see that love includes putting ourselves on the line for one another, even risking our lives. You said that the world will know we are Yours if we have love one for another in Your Body. Your truth must be proclaimed and followed, so that our unrighteous ways will not block the light of your own righteousness in us. Turn us, once again, unto You, so that we won't live blindly and falsely, but so we will truly be Your followers. Help us to desire the meat that you did, and that was to "do the will of the Father," to the praise of His and Your glory. Forgive us for thinking of ourselves, more than others and ultimately more than You, and in doing so, hiding Your truth. Help us, be empowered by Your Spirit once again to speak Your truth with boldness, relying on You to protect and defend us. In Your Name. 
    

Friday, May 03, 2013

Opening Up to His Love

     Sometimes I am so desperate to hear from God that I can take anything and believe that it is Him, when perhaps it is just me imagining it's Him. I think it might be due to wanting to really believe and know that He loves me, and by believing He is speaking, communicates to my insecure heart and mind, that He is still there with me.
     Yesterday I had a conversation with a sister in the Lord, and she was sharing what someone had shared with her about really knowing that God loves every part of us. When we believe that, than we will love our own selves in that same way because He does; not selfishly or in a self-centered way, but out of the wholeness that He brings to us.
     I'll admit that I am desperate for God. I need His love, time and attention. I need Him to nurture and comfort me; to know that He really cares and will protect and keep me. I need to know that in my heart, and not to just repeat it to myself in my head.
     Is this to be poor in spirit? If so, the Word says I am blessed, because it is only those poor ones, who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In the Greek, the word "poor" means to be completely empty.
     Knowing that I cannot supply my own needs, or even get them filled by others, I look to Him. I want to know this love He has for me, and truly receive it. I need it.
     A few months ago, I went on a trip and met some people for the first time. They had several sessions of teaching with me. During the course of time, my own lack became apparent to them, as they came to know me. One of the women made a comment that keeps sounding in my ear, even presently. She said (referring to what she was observing in me) ,"The sadness."
     I have realized that I do carry around much sadness. Other people are not comfortable with sadness, and certainly do not equate it with knowing Jesus, afterall, one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy, so they want me to be "healed" from it. I do too.
     I think I now truly do know where this sadness came from. It is something that I was fundamentally deprived of as a child; something so vital to life and growth that the sadness entered me then. So, it is impossible for this to be recovered, in the sense of going back. There is no "rewinds" in life. It is apparent to me that He Alone can impart this to me.
     And so I sit at His feet, poor, wanting and waiting for Him to give it to me. I don't know if there is something in me that is afraid of His love, nurturing and attention because I've learned to live without it, or if He knows something I don't about me, and so He's waiting a little longer to give it to me.  I need, and I wait. Until then, my sadness remains, but I wait in hope. "I need that everlasting water you speak of."



Thursday, May 02, 2013

Respect the Restraining

     Have you ever felt paralyzed? By this, I mean you feel unable to move forward in a certain area in which a decision needs to be made. It's as if God's hand is actually stopping you for a purpose that only He knows about. I'm not talking about Him removing one's will, but perhaps restraining it. A person could go against this restraining, but it would take effort and great resistance to do so, and all peace would go.
     At what times might God do something like this? And for what reasons? Using  parents and their adopted adult daughter as an analogy who thinks she wants to meet her birth mother: the parents know that the mother is a drug addict and a prostitute, but has kept this upsetting information from her. By meeting her, they know their daughter would be disturbed, maybe even depressed or worse, to find out the truth. Because they know their daughter's sensitivities, they don't want her to have this meeting, but she is an adult and it is her decision to make.
     When the child asks their opinion, the parents caution her not to go, but won't say why. They tell her there are things about the mother that would upset her, and strongly advise against it. The daughter has learned to trust her parents, and because she knows they are sharing these cautions out of their love for her, she respects them, and decides not to have this meeting. On one hand, she "thinks" she wants to, but on the other hand, she listens to and "obeys" the advice of her trusting parents who she loves very much.
     There are things only God knows about the circumstances of our lives that we don't. Whenever we feel "paralyzed" to go forward in a situation, it may be because of a "grace barrier" of God on our behalf. Letting this barrier have it's way in our lives, even though sometimes we don't know the what and the why of it, can save us from being hurt. If we learn to heed to this resistance of God on our behalf, and don't try and go against it for our own reasons, it will protect us. This is but another way of trusting and respecting God's love and care for us, and of walking by faith.
     Sometimes, we are not yet mature enough to know the truth. Later, though, in God's maturing process of us, we then become able to know it. If so, (and only God knows this about us) He may show us what He had formerly protected us from. We then see why He had "paralyzed" us, and will thank Him for it, with our eyes now being opened.
     The unseen Hand of God on the inside of us is mysterious and wonderful. He restrains us in ways we don't even know at times. If our heart's desire is to follow Him truly, when we sense this restraining, we will be wise and respect it by not resisting it. That may mean not making a decision, until we feel it's release.

"For in Him we live and move and have our being."-Acts 17:28a


    

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Freedom from Soul-Ties-Part II


      Whenever a person gains this freedom from another person, they will then begin to operate with that person differently. The control one had over the other is broken gradually, and new ways to relate begin. The person who is experiencing the new found freedom may begin to draw boundary lines with the other one. Angry reactions may be the result. They are used to being able to control and manipulate, and now they can't, and it makes their flesh mad!!
     This shows the former relationship in all it's ugliness. Before it was bonded by control, fear, flattery or never saying "no." When one person gains some degree of health, and isn't afraid to express themselves, the other has to adjust too, if the relationship is to go on. There will probably be numerous uncomfortable situations that will happen, if both people truly want to continue the relationship, but each time, if the freed person will stand their ground, without wavering, it can successfully happen.
     God only wants us to be connected in this dependent way with Him, and no one else. Even with God, though, He doesn't want us to expect Him to protect us if we will not listen to His voice and "do" what He says. He tells us we aren't to tempt Him. Satan tried to convince Jesus to do this whenever he quoted Scripture to Him on the temple mount. He told Jesus that if he would just jump off the roof than God would send angels to catch him, and Jesus told him that would be testing Him.
     So, in that sense, God has boundaries too. If we only want a relationship with God if we get our own way, and He does what we want Him to do, He says that we can't call Him our Lord. He doesn't want temper tantrum self-centered babies. He wants us to know who He is, trusting in His unconditonal love for us, and be willing to follow Him in faith.
     Letting God identify our soul-ties with people and things, and agreeing with Him in confession, is necessary to be free of them. Then He will empower us to walk in  a new way in that relationship, but remember, the devil won't like it. You have been operating in his ways of dysfunction, and he wants you to continue to do so. He doesn't want you free to love God with your whole heart, and receive His love fully. He likes those blockages in us, and more than likely put them there in our ignorance. But we must go on in these new ways, empowered by His Spirit, if we are to be overcomers in His Name.