reneehibma

DISCONNECTED

2010-06-17T12:02:00.001-04:00

On TV a few months ago, I heard someone say "you need feedback from others to get in touch with your reality". Another way of saying that is, if you stay disconnected from others, you will not be in touch with reality. I know that's hard for some people to hear because they think they don't need anyone and they're doing just fine. It is a very dangerous place to be on so many levels.

It is in our connectedness with people where we are filled and healed (James 5:16). We need to PRACTICE connection. It's not always the natural thing to do, so we have to work at it. We have to do it “on purpose”. Because we’re gun-shy from all the disappointments in life and all the hurts we've encountered along the way, disconnection seems the best thing to do to prevent further disappointment. It's the wrong way to go. Disconnection hurts you in so many ways. You can't be the person you were meant to be from the foundations of this world. Without allowing others to invest in your life, you won't learn and grow as it was intended when you were formed in your mother's womb.

So, if you know someone who doesn’t “connect” with many people, they are very out of touch with reality. They have been wounded and don’t want to hear what anyone has to say. They don’t want to hurt anymore, so they disconnect. Disconnection is losing your lifeline. God put us on this earth for each other. We are created to be relational. Get connected to others and stay connected.

THE POTTERY

2010-06-17T11:01:00.006-04:00

One day I was sitting in my house, minding my own business, when I heard this horrible smash with multiple clanging sounds. My washer had been overloaded, and the spin cycle shook things up more than usual. Apparently it vibrated the refrigerator enough to cause a nice piece of glazed pottery to walk right off the top. That was only possible because the refrigerator wasn’t level.

As I was cleaning it up, I couldn’t believe how far pieces scattered and how much of it there was! In my mind, there was no way that piece of pottery could have taken that much material to make it! But, my mind knows that all the sum of the parts equal the whole. So, it all had to be from the same piece of pottery.

I was able to clean it up without help, but it took some time to find those small splintered chards. It didn't happen all in one day either. I kept finding little chards throughout the next few weeks. I was aware they were probably there and would see something glistening in the light. It was easy to spot them when the light reflected off them. It was very important to cover a large area to pick up the tiniest chard, because those are the ones that can hurt and go in so deeply to the bottom of your feet. Even worse, the chards may get into the feet of your friends. When your feet are in pain, you can't walk, you can't accomplish what you had intended to accomplish. That's a good reason to have someone else help you clean up the mess. Another pair of eyes is always better, because they can see things that we sometimes can't see. You really want to prevent those chards from imbedding in your feet or the feet of your friends.

This all brought to mind how we sometimes look at things in our lives. Many times things fall apart in our lives and look so big and seem to spread so far into other areas of our lives and the lives of others. It can be very painful if we don't clean it up properly. We can easily see the big pieces and take care of them, but those tiny chards....those small “foxes that spoil the vine” (Song of Solomon 2:15“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”) are sometimes hard to see without another pair of eyes. Because we weren't able to get all the chards, we step on a few here and there and cause ourselves or our friends some hurt. Then, we definitely need another pair of eyes to find that chard that is causing so much pain. When we expose things to the Light, it is easier to spot.

Things shatter because we're not level or balanced. The vibrations of life...the trials and adversities... are able to shake some things up in our lives to the point of causing us to crash. When we “crash”, it seems overwhelming. We have to reach out for help when we're hurting (“Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another's burdens...”)

When we can't seem to accomplish what we intended to accomplish, it's our pain that keeps us from walking where we need to walk. We are more focused on the “why” we can't get where we're going than to the “how” can we get where we're going. The “why” is because we're wounded and need healing to walk properly before God and man. The “how” is to reach out to our brothers and sisters to be healed so we can walk the narrow path as God has intended.

James 5:16 tells us that we need to
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
The healing comes with facing the situation and having prayer. As long as that chard stays buried and you don't tell anyone it's there, it will remain buried and fester, causing more pain and then infection. Sometimes it will works it's way out with the festering...do you want to have everyone see that festering. It's at that point you will HAVE to have antibiotics...some kind of care from someone else other than yourself. Why let it go that far?

You think you can walk this life alone? Not a chance. We desperately need each other.

A SUTTLE SIN

2010-06-17T11:00:00.000-04:00

1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.

Sinning by ceasing to pray? …………………………………hmmmmmmm

THE LION OF JUDAH

2010-06-17T10:59:00.000-04:00

I was watching a program about African animals the other day. Have you noticed how all the animals scatter when the lion comes around? Even if he is not hungry at the time. Maybe he’s just going to the watering hole. Doesn’t matter. All other animals scatter except, of course, those in his den.

The lion is the king of the jungle. It’s just something the other animals know. It was born in them to fear the king of the jungle.

Then I started thinking about The Lion of Judah. Judah means “praise”. Remember the lion causes anything in its way to scatter. So, doesn’t it bless you to know that our “Judah”,our “praises”, cause those things in our way to scatter and dissappear. He makes a path for our provision.

Psalm 68:1 Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate Him flee before Him.

FLIGHT FEATHERS

2010-04-07T15:35:00.003-04:00

In Psalm 91:4, we are told that God will “cover us with His feathers (or pinions) and under His wings we may seek refuge”.

So many times I’ve pictured that Scripture like the mother hen covering her chicks during the storms or other dangers. They are all cozy and protected, unaware of what is going on around them.

But, when I read the whole of Psalm 91, I get another scenario that makes more sense.
Psalm 91 (AMP)
1HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
2I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
3For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
4[Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.
5You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,
6Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.
7A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.
8Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.
9Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, 10There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.
11For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].
12They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.(B)
13You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.
14Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness--trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].
15He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

I decided to check out the function of feathers and pinions. I noted there was a slight difference in what feathers do and what pinions do.

The flight feathers or wings are symmetrically paired and their primary function is to aid in the generation of thrust and lift, thereby enabling flight. Flight feathers can perform other functions: territorial displays, courtship rituals, feeding methods. The primaries are connected to the bird’s manus or “hand”. They can be rotated individually. These feathers are especially important for flapping flight, as they are the principal source of thrust. On the upstroke, when the bird often draws its wing in close to the body, the primaries are separated and rotated, reducing air resistance while still providing some thrust. The flexibility on the wingtips of large soaring birds allows for the spreading of the feathers which helps to reduce the creation of wingtip vortices, thereby reducing drag. The pinion is the outermost part of the primary wing. The pinion is connected to the phalanges. (That’s like our fingertips.) (Wikipedia 2010).

If the Scripture truly does mean He is covering us with His “pinions”, then we can look at this in quite a different way. Pinions are the most flexible parts of the wings. They help maneuver the bird wherever he wants to go. It’s not possible to “hide” from view under them. They were meant to keep the bird moving, which also “protects” the bird by getting him out of harm's way.

Could it be that when we are “under His wings” we are soaring? We are soaring above all those things: the terror of night, the arrow, the pestilence, the destruction. When we lean on Him and rely on Him, we are protected from the negative effects of the things that happen. Protected in the sense expressed by the Apostle Paul… “and none of these things move me”. No matter what the circumstances are, I will keep soaring. I will keep moving. I will let nothing distract me from what I am to do and where I am to go.

In my minds eye, I see a tandem hang-glider, soaring up and down the currents of air. You are “fixed and stable” under him. You are depending on him to steer and trusting him that he knows what he is doing. You are under his wings and guidance. He is moving the apparatus to maneuver where he wants to go. You’re under the wings and have refuge from all the earthly things below. I know I sure need refuge under His Wings. I need help to soar above it all.

ARE WE SKATING BY?

2010-02-20T08:55:00.002-05:00

As I watch the skaters in the Winter Olympics, I’m amazed at their strength and stamina. What amazes me even more is how they get back up when they fall (Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.) (Psalm 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.),
and they keep going to finish their course. (1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.) They know that even though they’ve made mistakes, they get credit if they keep going.

Someone is keeping score of each individual performance. They aren’t getting compared to another skater. They are being compared to the qualifications and standards of the sport (2 Timothy 2:5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.).

They don’t get high scores for just “skating” and not doing anything of “value”. To get the high scores and the great reward, they have to “do” feats that seem impossible to many of us. (James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.) They train and train and try and try again and again to accomplish those great leaps and spins and stretches. They don’t give up. They have faith that their practice will pay off in the end. (Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.) They push themselves beyond their limits it seems. They have to keep going. They’re headed for the GOLD (Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.) They are focused on one thing: finishing the course to obtain the award (2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.)

It’s not enough to be on skates. You have to build up strength and stamina to qualify to be a contender in the sport and skate according to the rules. It is constant pushing the flesh beyond limits (Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.) and doing warfare (Ephesians 6:11-18 - 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;). Again, it’s not just about us, it’s doing it for our brothers and sisters. Just like the athletes represent their country, we are a part of each other. What we do affects the honor of the whole.

You are still a skater (still in the family of God), but will not receive the reward and will not please the Father. You say, “why do I need a reward or win the prize?” It’s not about you! It’s all for the Glory of God. Not for your glory. It’s all about bringing honor to Him, not to yourself. It’s about expressing your love for the One Who loved you beyond measure.

Revelation 4: 10-11 - 10The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on The Throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before The Throne, saying, 11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.

COMMUNICATING IS SUCH A SACRIFICE!

2010-02-17T11:51:00.002-05:00

Hebrews 13:15-16
15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

So, what are the sacrifices here? Praising, doing good, and communicating. Let’s focus on “communicating” as a sacrifice to God. I think of communicating as an investment of time and energy, and sometimes a hassle. God’s Words tells us we need to do this to please Him. Yet, we’re reluctant to take the time and energy many times.

Communicate in the Greek for this particular verse is “koinonia” which means to communicate, fellowship, communion, partnership, participation, distribution.

Communicate: www.thefreedictionary.com
1) to convey information about; make known; impart knowledge or exchange thoughts, feelings, or ideas
2) to spread to others; transmit as in an infectious disease/virus; to transfer
3) to have an interchange, as of ideas
4) to express oneself in such a way that one is readily and clearly understood
5) to be connected with one another; to make or have a connecting passage or route; to connect or join

Aren’t there people that you have cut off communicating with because it’s way too much work?...way too much hassle?...way too much energy?...you’re too tired to take time for someone? …too busy to keep up relationships? ...too tired or busy to attend or plan times of fellowship?

Maybe we’ve been hurt, so we avoid communication. We think it saves us from more hurt, yet, because we’re God’s creations, created for relationship, we’re shooting ourselves in the foot on this one. We are His family. We cannot live without communion, fellowship, communication, and relationship with one another and Him and expect to be healthy in body, soul, and spirit.

God brings people across our paths on purpose that He wants us to “communicate” with for some reason. We need to embrace the opportunities to “please” God. And, “communicating” pleases Him well.

Definition of “sacrifice”: www.thefreedictionary.com
noun:
1) the act of offering, losing, surrendering something to a deity in propitiation or homage
2) forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a great value or claim
3) relinquishment of something at less than its presumed value
4) a loss entailed by giving up
5) the act of killing
6) in baseball, an “out” that advances the base runners
verb:
1) to forfeit one thing for another thing considered to be of great value
2) to endure the loss of
3) to give away for the sake of something or someone else
4) to dedicate, to give thought to, to give priority to, to pay attention to
5) kill or destroy
6) sell at a loss
7) in baseball, make a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly
8) in chess, to permit or force one’s opponent to capture a piece freely

As I pondered this Scripture and each definition of the key words, sacrifice and communication, it opened my mind and heart to a new realm of understanding.

The definition of sacrifice that stood out like a bolt to me was: in baseball, an “out” that advances the base runners. If we put ourselves “out” or “sacrifice”, it would advance the runners! Aren’t we all runners is the race? The sacrifice to honor God by obeying His Word, advances the runners. Wow!
1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

The definition of communicate that stood out was: to spread to others; transmit as in an infectious disease/virus; to transfer. Aren’t we supposed to spread God’s love? Shouldn’t we be infectious to all those around us? Can’t do that without communicating.

Does the schedule you keep please God? If you aren’t fitting in the communication, fellowship, participation, relationships, etc., how can you be pleasing God? He asks us to praise Him, do good, and communicate. That’s what pleases Him.

Pleasing the Father: Heb. 11:6; Heb. 13:16; Prov. 16:7; Rom. 8:8; 2 Tim. 2:4

DEN OF THIEVES

2010-02-05T14:13:00.005-05:00

I recently got a new perspective on the following Scripture:

Matthew 21: 12-13
12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

There are two phrases in this Scripture passage that I’ve never heard anyone address: “…and cast out ALL them that sold and BOUGHT in the temple” and “…YE have made it a DEN OF THIEVES”.

Why those who BOUGHT in the temple? I’m thinking Christ was disgusted with those who were lazy worshipers. By the Law of Moses (given by God) and tradition, they were expected to BRING a sacrifice TO the temple to have the priest make a sacrifice for their sins. Instead of making preparation and bringing God their best, they were settling for whatever was available at the last minute. They weren’t taking this seriously. It was very “routine” for them. They weren’t prepared in their hearts for true repentance. They weren’t prepared to worship Him as a Holy God deserved. They were ROBBING God of His deserved honor and worship…therein, the “den of thieves”. They were disrespecting His provision for them…forgiveness of sin…and so much more.

When you honor someone else in this life, don’t you shop for just the right card? Don’t you shop for just the right gift? Don’t you make effort to think and prepare to do something to honor them, to bless them? The Bible tells us “to give honor to whom honor” is due (Romans 13:7). When someone has been a great blessing in many lives, don’t they hold big celebrations of honor? Doesn’t God deserve our honor more than any man? When we gather together, isn’t that what we’re supposed to do? Isn’t that what “church” is about?...to bring God honor as His Body…to celebrate Him…to offer Him our sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15) and worship?

Romans 12:1 – “I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Since we no longer bring animals for sacrifice, because Jesus was the Ultimate Sacrifice, we are instructed to be LIVING SACRIFICES. Since we no longer need an earthly priest to stand between us and God, because Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 3-7) and Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), don’t we need to prepare our hearts? Everything in the Old Testament was a shadow of things to come. Didn’t the priests of old have a high price to pay for not preparing as instructed? Their lives were required of them when they did not prepare and honor God as instructed. We are priests and kings in His Kingdom here on earth. Much is required of us as well. This has been very sobering to me.

I’m thinking He’s not very happy with lazy worshippers. And, I’m thinking there is a price to pay for not preparing our hearts and worshiping Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

PAIN

2010-01-17T09:42:00.001-05:00

If you hear a gut-wrenching scream in the hospital...it makes a difference if it's coming from the cancer ward or the maternity ward: one is life and one is death.

In our pain, we can't tell the difference. The enemy of our souls wants us to think it's the cancer ward, but the Holy Spirit wants us to know it's the maternity ward.

Read Romans 8.

Remember Noah

2010-01-12T11:44:00.002-05:00

After many of the past events in my life, I was discouraged about many things. As I brought them before the Lord as Psalm 142:2 says..." I poured my complaint out before the Lord"...He just said, "Remember Noah".

So, I'm passing it on to you. Noah just obeyed God. No one "heard" what he had to say. No one was changed by what he preached or taught. No one encouraged him. No one helped him. He preached a tough message. He continued on in his mission. He was obedient through it all. No matter what it looked like to other people. No matter who came against him. No matter who gossiped about him. No matter who slandered him. No matter who or what opposed him, Noah didn't let it deter him from what God had instructed. He kept plugging along day after day for 120 years! But, the day came...the destiny of that mission came to fruition.

Be encouraged.

The Race

2009-11-08T10:43:00.000-05:00

In “A Tale of Two Cities”, Charles Dickens has this to say:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way."

That is how I would describe the last eighteen months of my life. I know there are many of you who can relate to that as well. Along with the bad came all the good. Along with the foolishness came all the wisdom. Along with the faithlessness came all the faith. Along with the darkness came all the Light. With the discouragement came all the hope.

Through it all, there came a greater understanding of self …for that pain…I am grateful. Through all the discouragement…a new hope…a new direction. As God’s Word says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Everyday is a new adventure and has new potential to impact this world for the better. I want to be a good steward and a good servant to our God in Heaven with the time I have left on this earth. Phillipians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 9:24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain”.
Hebrews 12:1 “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”. We have to focus on this race…

Winter

2009-10-27T20:15:00.000-04:00

I know many of you can relate to what I’m going to say. The last eighteen months have been the worst and best. The best because I grew in understanding and the love of God. The worst because I had to go through a lot of heartache to get there. But….God is faithful.

Many of you have heard that some friends are for a lifetime, some for a season, and some for a reason. The last eighteen months, I learned that I sure didn’t have that one figured out. God knows who we need and when we need them. God is Sovereign and knows what will cause us to grow into the image of His Son. Sometimes it’s painful, sometimes it’s joyful. It all comes together…….for our good and His glory.

I heard a great man talk about the seasons in our lives. He said we need to be thankful for the cold spiritual winters we have to endure. It is during winter that the bugs that damage our crops and parasites that drain the life from living forms are killed. It’s during those times that the flowers or “friends” in our lives are proven: “annuals” die and “perennials” endure. The “annuals” are for the “season” and for a “reason”. The “perennials” are for a lifetime.

Thank God for those times. It’s a purging, strengthening, resting time. It’s okay to be in the winter season. It may be lonely, but it is a necessary season set aside to rest from our labors and rest in Him. A season to increase communication with Him. A season of preparation for the Spring season. A season to get direction from Him, to get instruction from Him, to let Him prune us. It all takes time. Enjoy that winter blast. It has purpose. You have purpose.

Fruit and Roots

2009-10-14T15:41:00.001-04:00

Just because a tree in the orchard isn’t bearing fruit, doesn’t mean it’s not part of the orchard. It could mean the tree hasn’t been planted long enough for roots to grow deep enough to bring nourishment to the branches to bear fruit. It could be it was just transplanted from another orchard, a greenhouse, or maybe a tree hospital…or whatever they may call it. We have to be patient with these trees. We may not see the fruit for a while. But, they’re still part of the orchard.

When the tree is big and older and not bearing fruit, something is wrong and needs to be investigated by those in charge of the orchard. There could be damage to the roots. There may not be enough sunlight. There may not be enough water. There may need to be some fertilizer for the roots. There could be something blocking the growth underground. There could be things that need to be removed from the ground and from the branches. A good pruning helps new life to come to the branches many times. Again, only the One in charge of the orchard can assign someone to prune the branches.

We are of the same orchard. We need to be patient. We need to pray. We need to help set each other free. As part of the orchard, we need to share our sunshine, water, and fertilize…even when fertilizer isn’t wanted. I believe that’s called correction and instruction in righteousness. But, there are some things another tree can’t do. The One in charge of the orchard has to handle certain things. He has certain assignments He gives to His helpers. He’s the Only One that can dig deep at the roots and remove what is causing the stunted growth. He’s the Only One that can dig below and find what damage may have been done to the root. Be led of the Spirit of God. Love endures all things. Love is patient and kind.

Roots

2009-10-13T11:27:00.004-04:00

We’ve all heard that for a tree to be strong and stand against the elements, the roots have to be deep and strong. The roots have to get nourishment from the soil, the water, and the sunshine from the tree above. We’ve heard this so many times in parallel to our walk with the Lord.

This week as they tore up my driveway and are repaving it, I was observing some things related to tree roots and strength.

The reason I’m getting a new driveway is because the roots of this old fir tree literally raised tons of concrete about 6 inches in some areas as it continued to grow its roots. The roots broke all that heavy weight gradually over time and ended up cracking the whole driveway in many smaller sections. Now, the big root didn't reach all the way through the driveway. Because the one large root was grew so strong, the other concrete around it was broken up without much effort at the point of pressure.

1) As we grow stronger in the Word, we will be “rooted and grounded” in this life and, as the Apostle Paul said, “none of these things move me”. The storms will come, but we will stand strong because our roots are strong.
2) Because the roots are strong and continue to grow, they will remove “those weights that so easily beset us”. It will take time, but those pressing and weighty things in our lives, can be broken by our strong roots…the power of His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit operating in our lives.
3) We are told to “break up that fallow ground” in our lives. At the area of the strong root growth, there was much resistance and weight on it. Once the root broke through that, the other areas were easily broken up around it. That weight had to be removed to get the other areas broken up as well. As we grow stronger, the job or breaking other areas up gets easier. We gain momentum.
4) And, just like the new driveway, “all things become new”. Remember, it’s all about process.

What Are You Listening To?

2009-09-26T08:09:00.003-04:00

Critical self-evaluation. Our Enemy's accusation. Others' critical speculation. God's Word about our justification.

There should only be one of these we listen to and agree with. The only measuring stick is God's Word. He said we are justified through faith through His Son, Jesus Christ. He said our sins are covered. He said we are His kids...a royal priesthood. He said we are His workmanship. He said He has a plan, a future, and a hope for us. He said we are more than conquerors. He said we can come boldly to His throne of grace.........oh ya! GRACE! That's something we forget to tell ourselves in our evaluation. That's something other's forget to mention in their speculation. That's something the enemy doesn't include in his accusation. God's GRACE.....greater than all our sin! "Where sin does abound, GRACE does much more abound." It's not about deserving His grace. It's His gift just because He loves us. You can't earn it. His grace just abounds...whether we believe it or not...His grace abounds toward us.

We have to stop beating ourselves up. We have to stop wasting time. We have to stop walking in agreement with our Enemy. We have to stop thinking on critical self-evaluation, our enemy's accusations, other's speculation and start thinking about what God says about our justification. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. So think on whatsoever things that are pure, just, and of good report.....His Word about us is the "good report".

The Shed

2009-09-21T06:30:00.002-04:00

I was cleaning out my shed the other day to reorganize, scale down, and get ready to move other things in for storage before winter. When I was compacting things, I had to organize tightly and to the ceiling. There were a few items that couldn't stand alone, or fit in some places because they were made of weaker material or were not in a convenient shape to store as organized as the other items. When I found little open areas, I was able to shove certain items into the holes and they were supported, able to stand up without leaning or falling.

The thought: this is supposed to be the Church. We are supposed to be so close to each other that we support each other no matter what shape we're in. There is no way the one that is weaker or of an inconvient shape should fall. If they are closely supported by all those around, they will not fall.

Of course, support means being there and available to support. Many "stronger" Christians don't sacrifice the time to be the support they should be. It's a sacrifice, but God has called us to "encourage each other in the Lord while it is called today". To stand, there needs to be support, i.e. encouragement and admonishment.

1 Thessalonians 5:
11Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.
12Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.
13And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper].

Hebrews 13:3
13But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him].

Black Top

2009-09-13T11:56:00.008-04:00

Did you know that the road commission doesn't order new black top down just because someone complained of a problem? They first get an official report stating there is repair needed or actually see the damage themselves and then investigate all areas that are in disrepair for that particular stretch of road. Sometimes the area can be fixed without laying down all new road, but many times, because of wear and tear of that stretch of road, many areas need repair. These areas have to be fixed before the new black top can be applied, otherwise, what looked so nice at first, will wear down into the old areas of disrepair. The new black top would look like the old road rather quickly because of continued use and "weight of traffic". They have to put down a good foundation before they can put the black top down.

Did you notice that "all" areas of disrepair are investigated for that stretch of road? And, did you notice that "they" investigate? This speaks to me of the ministry of the Body of Christ ..."they". This speaks to me of the wisdom and safety we find in a multitude of counselors ..."they". This speaks to me of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The road commission wants to make sure the road is stable before they invest all the money and time needed to put down the new black top. What if there was a sinkhole? Black top sure wouldn't do the trick there.

Sounds just like us. We want to do so much for the Lord and work in the Kingdom of God but we keep getting hung up. It seems we take one step forward and two steps backward. Many times we want the quick fix for our issues by covering them up and burying them so no one can see them. We don't want to let the Body of Christ help us heal. We don't want to get wisdom and counsel because it would reveal our "disrepair". We are content many times to go on with the familiar so no attention is drawn to the disrepair.

We all have areas that need repair. Sometimes we haven't allowed the Holy Spirit to heal us because it may be too deep and wide...too painful. Or, it may be pride in the way of asking for help. James 5:16 states: "Confess your faults (sins, hurts, etc.) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." Healing comes through confessing and then praying for each other.

God wants to do many new things in our lives. He wants to do abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). We may have learned more, grown deeper in our walk with the Lord, been used in a new area of ministry, but if we don't allow the Holy Spirit heal us, it won't be long before we're looking just like we did before. The same issues keep coming up and up and up. Those "weights" that so easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us), will cause the disrepair to show through again. Let the Holy Spirit dig deep to heal those areas of woundedness so you will have a firm foundation for God to build you up for His Kingdom purposes and His glory.

Tastefulness

2009-09-10T11:01:00.002-04:00

There are four basic tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty. In the right combination, there can be great flavor. In the wrong combination, there can be bad flavor.

Taste very much depends on the taste buds of the taster. There are tastes that are more pleasing to some than others because of exposure to certain flavors while growing up. Some tastes are definitely acquired through experience. What one thinks palatable, another may not. Where there has been damage to taste buds, things don't taste as intended. So, no matter what you do to season it, they won't taste it as intended.

Haven't we all experienced this? No matter what you say or do for some people, they can't "taste" your words or giving gestures in the way intended? What you think is palatable, they may not? You haven't been exposed to things they have been exposed to, so you don't "taste" things the same way?

It may be “no taste” or it may be “sour taste” or “bitter taste” or “savory taste” or “sweet taste” or “salty taste” that overpowers the “real” taste. Some pleasant and some unpleasant. When something isn’t received in the way we intended it, remember that person’s “taste buds” have been damaged.

We are the salt of the earth and here to savour it. Let’s season our speech with grace and love.

Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

A PRESSURE WASHER

2009-09-10T10:44:00.004-04:00

How does a pressure washer work? The water comes in full running force from the faucet to the end of the regular-sized hose. The first part of the attachment for a pressure washer has a smaller diameter tube to build up pressure. There is a pressure valve after that tube which releases the built-up pressure through yet another much smaller diameter and longer tube, so it can force the water out even at a higher pressure to clean up where you are aiming the spray.

My spirit did a little leap within me when I heard the information about how a pressure washer worked. I thought about our narrow path and how much narrower it is getting as time marches on to the prize that is set before us and the glory that awaits us. I thought about the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives…..that He came to give us POWER to do His work.

We have control of that valve. The force and speed at which the Holy Spirit will flow from us we obviously cannot comprehend. God’s Spirit (the faucet) is flowing to us (the big hose) and through us at all times. He says that we should have springs of Living Water within our souls (the narrow attachment) that should flood out over all those around us.

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

We have control of that valve. Are we letting the cares of this world keep that valve shut? Are we letting the pride of life keep that valve shut? Open that valve to the Holy Spirit everyday so we can affect everyone and everything we come in contact with. It’s about His power flowing through us. It’s about us opening that valve to let His power flow. We are responsible for affecting those around us. Let the River flow.

A Planting of the Lord

2009-07-04T15:45:00.003-04:00

Several years ago, as I was going through some very deep struggles, the Word of the Lord came so alive to me in my circumstances. There are no words that can described the healing and refreshing that I felt as the Holy Spirit applied the Word to my life. I wanted to share this special Word with you. I hope it blesses your life.

Hosea 2:13-24
“13 And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the Lord.”
God will help me forgive myself for my past sins when I let the lust of the flesh, the lust of eyes, and the pride of life take over my life.

“14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.”
He will lead me to the wilderness to be there with Him. He will take me away from the distractions and take the distractions away from me so I can focus on Him. He will speak tenderly and lovingly to me.

“15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.”
It is there, in the wilderness, that I will get the harvest of my soul…transformation. It is there, in the wilderness, that I will get deliverance from the past, have hope renewed, and joy restored.

“16 And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.”
He will be my Husband. He will fulfill my heart. He will fulfill my needs. I will look at Him, not as a taskmaster, but as a loving Husband. He doesn’t want me to “perform” good deeds to get His love. He wants to just love and and bless me.

“17 For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.”
Those things that were holding me for so many years are going to be removed from my heart, so my lips will not speak the curses to myself, over my life, any longer.

“18 And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.”
He has a covenant with His creatures and creation for me. He is always working on my behalf. He is working things out for His glory and my good. He is my husband. He will keep me safe in the midst of the battles.

“19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.”
“HE” is betrothed to “me”. That means that He has committed Himself to me with everything He “IS” and everything He “HAS”. That’s His part in this marriage. With or without my commitment. HE IS His covenant.

“20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.”
Because of His love and faithfulness to me, I will acknowledge Him at every opportunity. I will draw closer and closer to Him. I will share His love and compassion with those around me…those He brings into my path for His purposes. I will have many divine appointments.

“21 And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the Lord, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth.”
He WILL respond to me. He will hear “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”. He will hear what comes to His Throne and Heaven will respond.

“22 And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.”
Jezreel means “the sowing of the Lord”. What “HE” has sown…I will reap the benefits. The earth and all that is in it will hear and respond to His sowing…they will see and receive His provision (corn), they will hear and see the moving of His Holy Spirit (the wine), and they will see and feel the anointing of the Holy Spirit(the oil) through me ..."the sowing of the Lord".

“23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
He sowed me in this earth. He planted me for Himself in the land. I am “the sowing of the Lord”. I am what He wants to bloom and grow and flourish. He planted me because He knew I would produce a good crop. I am His and He is mine.

Applying God's Word

2009-06-27T17:48:00.001-04:00

I was looking through some old papers the other day and ran across something I’d written over 30 years ago. I remember that my heart was moved by the Holy Spirit one day when I was at school at Trinity Bible Institute in Ellendale, ND. Genesis chapter 1 just bounced off the page for me that day…January 5, 1977. I began to write His Word as it applied to what I was going through at the time. Put yourself into this reading and let it minister to you. I hope it blesses you.

And my life was without form and void.
And darkness and despair was upon me.
And the Spirit of God moved upon my empty life.
And God said, “Let there be Light and hope once again in her life”.
And, with no effort of my own, there was Light.
And God saw the hope that it was good.
And God divided the hope from the despair.

And God said, “Let there be a solid foundation in the center of her life of struggles and tests”.

And God said, “Let her life be gathered unto one place – Jesus Christ, and let the life of victory be hers”.

And God said, “Let this victorious Christian grow and bring forth fruit, yielding fruit after its own kind”.
And the life grew and brought forth fruit, yielding fruit, whose seed is in itself.
And God saw that it was good.

And God said, “Let there be hope in the dark times of her life and let them be for signs and give hope to the heart of my child”.

And God said, “Let the trials and testings bring forth abundant lessons to learn”.
And God allowed many great trials and small trials in my life, and each trial brought forth another trial after its own kind.
And God saw that it was good for me.
And God blessed them to my life.

Now that I’ve reread this several times, I see God’s wisdom and faithfulness to me over the years. Amazing. I didn’t like trials then and still don’t. But, now, thirty years later, have a better understanding of how the process of changing me into the image of His Son comes through these trials.

Thanks for letting me share this with you.

FLAVOR

2009-06-14T17:53:00.003-04:00

The wild salmon that live in the North Pacific Ocean have to fight those waters for years to get back to their spawning grounds. According to the “foodies”, it is the wild salmon that have the best "flavor". They attribute that flavor to all the fighting they have to do to survive and the struggle to get back to where they were born.

Flavor is the quality of anything which affects the taste. When someone remarks on the flavor of something they are trying to describe the specific way something tastes. Flavor can also be used to describe the act of adding a taste alteration to change the taste to something. This is usually done by adding. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

You wonder why you go through so much struggling in your life? God wants you to have the best flavor for this world! He is conforming us into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son”), and it takes a lot of work for some of us. He has to “add” His flavoring all the way through our journey to get us to be tasteful and flavor “full”.

Only God knows what circumstances and situations in our lives will cause us to swim upstream. Only He knows what will make us stronger and what will cause us to search for Him with all our hearts.

Acts 17:26-28 tells us that:
“26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.”

He allows circumstances in our lives to cause us to “grope” for Him; groping as a man in total darkness for a way to the light. He knows where we need to be to draw closer to Him. He knows what will bring out our full flavor to this world! He knows what will cause us to reflect the image of His Son to this lost and dying world.

We have that inborn nature, just like the salmon. The salmon have to get back to where they came from to fulfill their purpose in life. No matter how far away they have gone, that innate motivation causes them to swim against the hardest waves and tides to get back to where they belong. During the “process”, something wonderful happens to them. During that fight to get back, they become very strong and full of flavor for someone else.

We have that innate motivation inside of us as well. We have a void to fill. We have someplace we have to be. Nothing else will fulfill that void but getting back to where we belong. No matter what we try as alternatives, nothing will fill His spot. We strive all of our lives to get back to that place, the place of communion with God, the place of our beginning. "He also has planted Eternity in men's heart and mind (a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun, but only God can satisfy). Ecclesiastes 3:11 Amplified.

We’re always swimming upstream to find our way back to God, whether we realize it or not. People take many different routes, but are all innately trying to “full fill”. Only He can fill His place. Just as the salmon, only when we arrive at our destination, is their life complete….our desitnation of communion with God. Only then are they the best flavor they can be for others.

Hard Lesson

2009-06-05T18:09:00.002-04:00

One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn this last year is that you can’t help someone who doesn’t want help. You can’t give love to someone who won’t receive love. You can’t feed someone who won’t eat. The old saying, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink”, was shown to me in full force. If someone doesn’t hunger and thirst after righteousness, you can’t make it happen. It’s all about choice.

They “say” they want help, but their actions aren’t showing they are really hungry and thirsty for righteousness. They want their "lives" to change, but they don’t want to change. They want their "circumstances" to change, but they don’t want to change. They aren’t devouring the Word and hearing those that God has sent into their lives to help them. They won’t “receive” encouragement. They won’t “receive” love. They definitely won’t “receive” correction and instruction in righteousness.

My Bible tells me the only way to change or be transformed is by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2), by the washing of the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26). When you see transformation in someone’s life, you know that they are washing with the Word. Their mind is being transformed. Therefore, their lives are being transformed.

Matthew 25:34-40 tells us we are to clothe, feed, and house those who need help. He will bless us for that. But He also tells us, if they claim to be His child, there are expectations of behavior. They must show His fruit and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. There comes a time to release.

The Holy Spirit showed me in the Word how Jesus handled these situations. The Prodigal Son wasn’t chased down by the Father. The Father had to wait for him to return after “he came to himself”. Had someone been there all the time to rescue that boy out of the pigpen and kept bailing him out, he would have remained too comfortable to make a change. Sometimes we get in God’s way and do the same.

Acts 17:26-27 says: 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
God knows the “place” or what the bounds of our habitation needs to be that will cause us to seek after Him. One version says He puts us in a place, or land, or boundary to cause us to “grope” for Him as in desperation. Let’s stay out of God’s way.

Jesus shared His love and truth. If they didn’t “hear” Him, He shook the dust from His feet and went on. People who came “to” Him because they wanted healing and deliverance were healed and delivered. If someone says they want it but don’t come to Him, don’t grope for Him, aren’t hungry for Him, aren’t desperate for Him………it won’t happen.

It’s very heartbreaking when you can see the potential in someone, yet they desire to stay in that place of comfort and complacency. It’s very heartbreaking when you see the pain that Jesus wants to heal, and they won’t let you in to help. It’s so difficult to watch someone self-destruct by the words of their mouth, knowing that they will have to reap what they are sowing. It’s so difficult to know they are rebelling against God’s authority and those He put in authority, because they have to reap what they sowed. Galatians 6:7 – “Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap”.

There comes a time that you have to let them go. They have to learn hard lessons. We get in the way of God’s work so many times. There are so many times that Christians “rescue”, thinking they are doing the right thing. However, many times the “mercy” gift isn’t really in operation. It is compassion, but not Spirit-led. Many times mercy and compassion doesn’t “look like” mercy and compassion. Real mercy is shown by letting God bring them to a place that will cause them to seek after Him and become desperate for Him. If we step in and give them comfort and solve all their problems, their comfort will negate the desperateness for Him.

Pray before you act. Wait to hear direction before you act. Get wise, Godly counsel before you act. If you really care, you will get out of God’s way. It brings us back to the Jonah situation. Sometimes someone has to be thrown overboard to save the ship. (Read my blog on Jonah).

SALT

2008-12-11T14:30:00.002-05:00

Mark 9:50 "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."

Matthew 5:13 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."

Salt can be used in several different ways. I’ve been thinking about all the properties of salt and can see spiritual implications in every one of them. And, no matter what the property is, if the salt has lost it’s “saltness”, chemically it will not work in that property.

Mark tells us to “have salt in yourselves”. …hmmmmmm. What is salt? It could be several things. If we are to have salt within us, let’s see what the Word says about being filled.

Ephesians 3:19 "And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"

Colossians 1:9 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;"

2 Timothy 1:4 "Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy."

So “saltness” must be, in short, being filled with the fullness of God by the power of the Holy Spirit by studying, praying, praising, so our joy might be full. In His presence is fullness of joy, and His joy is my strength, so I must have to be in His presence and fellowship with Him and His Word to keep full. Open your spirit to see where this applies in your life and the lives of others around you.

Salt gives flavor.
Did you know that salting something helps bring out its natural flavor? That’s why even a little salt is better than no salt.
Did you know that too much salt ruins it and the true flavor can’t be tasted?

If you keep “salt”’ in yourself, your natural flavor will come out. The person God has called you to be will be available to Him and to others. If you get too salty…no one can tolerate you. You have to communicate in this world with real people who are on this earth. Don’t go overboard.

If you keep “salting” others, their natural flavor will come out. You will see them through the eyes of Jesus and be able to minister appropriately. If you salt them too much, they will be overwhelmed. Other properties of salt will take over.

Salt preserves.
Did you know that a salty brine helps preserve things for years? That’s why something good tasting can be expected even after years of preservation.

If you keep “salt” in yourself, you will have the strength to run the race, strength to endure. After all, this is an endurance race. We must be preserved to be able to fulfill His purposes for us.

If we “salt” others, we will help preserve them as well. Encouraging each other daily in the Lord is a form of preserving each other…salting each other.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

1 Thessalonians 5:14 "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."

Salt causes thirst.
Did you know that salt, even in small amounts can cause thirst? Everybody is different. Everybody needs a different amount of salt to become thirsty. Only God knows the level of salt intake a person needs to cause thirst. So you may have to keep adding salt. Only those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Let’s help them by salting them.

Salt stops odor.
Did you know if you are cooking raw meat and that less than favorable raw meat mixed with blood smell permeates the air…salt it…the smell will go away? Interesting, huh?

Jesus tells us to love the unlovely. Luke 6:32 says “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” Matthew 5:44 says: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”. Many of us would rather not, but how then are we different from the world? Salt them!

Salt burns.
Did you know that salt on delicate skin or on an abrasion or cut can cause burning?
Did you know the burning doesn’t last long? There are also healing properties in the salt. Again, everybody can tolerate different levels of salt. Be led by the Holy Spirit with your salt shaker.

Salt is abrasive.
Did you know that salt can be used as a cleansing agent because of its abrasive property?

Clean-up in aisle 6 !!! Sometimes we are called upon to clean up a mess. There are different assignments for everyone. And, some have to clean up more messes than others.
Galatians 6:1 tells us: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted”. Remember that “apart from me, you can do nothing”. He will give you the wisdom to operate in this manner.

Salt causes buoyancy.
Did you know that you can’t sink in really salty water? You float.

As long as you keep enough salt in, on, around and through you, you will not sink! You, however, are the one who has to intake enough salt, envelope yourself in the saltiness of others, and spread the salt around. When you feel like you are sinking in the overwhelming circumstances of life, check the salt level.

Salt melts ice.
Did you know that when you throw salt on ice, it melts?
Did you also know that there is a temperature that is too cold for salt to melt ice?

There are different ways to use salt. Sometimes melting ice is the only way to someone’s heart. God knows who these people are. He also knows whose heart is too cold. The salt may need to be applied in a different manner. Listen to Him.

In Summary:

God knows each individual. He knows our hearts. He knows our circumstances. He loves us so much. Only He knows how the salt will be used in our lives. Only He knows what “saltness” we will need. Our purpose is to be filled with salt and saltness. Let Him use your salt.

Progression to Destruction

2008-12-09T10:43:00.009-05:00

I was meditating on the story of the Prodigal Son one day and believe I had some revelation. I want to share with you the progressive steps to destruction so you can be on guard in your own life. Each step is progressive, but you will not have one step without the other. It is very intertwined.

1) Broken Fellowship
2) Broken Relationship
3) Ungrateful
4) Unteachable
5) Isolation
6) Resentment
7) Bitterness

When a person decides they know best for their life.....the destruction begins. We make our own plans and succumb to our desires for what we want and think is best for us. 1 John 2:15-17 tells us to "15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever".

Are we fulfilling the lust of our flesh, the lust of our eyes, or our pride of life? Be on guard. The Bible tells us to "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:23). If you don't guard your heart, the world will creep in and our focus will be off. When our focus gets off fellowship with the Father and His saints, the destruction begins. It's very subtle. The fellowship with the Father doesn't just break overnight. The fellowship with our brothers and sisters doesn't just break suddenly...unless we get offended and walk away.

We withdraw from the normal fellowship for many reasons. We get offended and cut off relationships. We get too busy....even doing good. If the enemy gets us too busy for fellowship and relationships, he knows it will weaken us. He knows that as we encourage each other in "our most holy faith", we will be stronger. We get sidetracked..."distraction"...one of the enemy's favorite tactics. Our earthly "circumstances" distract us from our focus on God's power and Truth. We surround ourselves with things and/or people that are "easy" to be around so no "Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose]" (Proverbs 27:17). We decide not to love the "unlovely" and make our lives as comfortable as possible. After all, we're tired of the battling, right?

If the fellowship doesn't grow, the relationship weakens. When the fellowship is broken the relationships weaken or are broken as well. We withdraw from our fellowship with God and those who He has placed in our lives to strengthen us. It then doesn't take much to have broken relationships, because other works of the flesh have the open door to creep into our lives full force.

We then get resentful, bitter, ungrateful. Someone didn't treat us right. Someone hurt us. We resent their authority. We resent their behavior. We judge them. That root of bitterness begins to grow the minute any resentment is present. We complain about "their" behavior or our circumstances, etc. That is ungratefulness. We become ungrateful for the things God has done through other people and even become ungrateful to Him for all He has done for us. We withdraw even more and go further away from our "source" of strength...our Father and the people in our lives.

When a person has reached this point, they are unteachable. There is nothing "humanly" possible you can do. You pray and love them unconditionally, but the Holy Spirit has to break them. So, you might as well shut your mouth. Whatever you say, will bring up more judgment and resentment in them. They will not "receive" your words into their spirit. If you open your mouth, be sure you are being used as an instrument of the Holy Spirit.

They will isolate themselves, maybe not physically, but they are behind their walls nonetheless....insulating. They have become the "Prodigal Son". And this isolation, as you can see, isn't always a bad thing.

I'm reminded of a phrase in 1 Kings 12:
"24Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD".

“For this thing is from me”……This division? This isolation? Yes! It’s for His purposes. He is the only One Who knows what it will take for some people to turn around. He is the only One Who knows what it will take to form them into the image of His Son.

In this isolation, the Prodigal Son, “came to himself” or “came to the end of him self”. That’s where we all need to be. Only when we come to the end of “self”, do we go back to the Father and stop trying to do it ourselves. No amount of counseling or deliverance can ever crucify our flesh. That is a decision we have to make on our own on a regular basis. We must “daily” crucify the flesh so we won't get off course by the pride of life, lust of the eyes, and lust of the flesh...down the road to destruction.

Hearing God

2008-12-06T13:15:00.005-05:00

There are several things that God’s Word instructs us to do to make sure we are hearing “HIS” voice and not the voice of the enemy of our souls, the world, or our own voice. Is there a litmus test? Yes. Did we really hear God? He tells us that “my sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27). He gave us safeguards to make sure we heard correctly. He knows we are but flesh.

The Bible tells us that “our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it”? (Jeremiah 17:9). I don’t trust myself to hear God’s voice perfectly on all things. God already told me I would hear many voices and that my heart gets in the way. 1 John 4:1 states: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” My mind and emotions and experiences many times get in the way of hearing clearly to make proper decisions. We need to follow the safeguards laid out in God’s Word.

PRAY. That is number one. When I need direction from God and I hear something I believe is His direction, it has to line up with His Word.

Did He give me an answer for what I was praying for? Luke 11:11-13 says, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” The Bible tells us that “…He will guide you into all Truth” (John 16:13). If you believe you heard Him correctly, follow His other directions in the Word.

Did I pray in faith? Hebrews 11:6 tells us: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Did I pray in agreement with someone? “Where two agree as touching any one thing it shall be done” (Matthew 18:19). The Bible says that “one puts a thousand to flight, but two puts 10,000 to flight” (Deuteronomy 32:30). Praying in agreement is ten times stronger.

Did I let someone “bear my burden and so fulfill the law of Christ” with me? (Galatians 6:2).

Did I seek wise, godly counsel?
Proverbs 15:22 - “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
Proverbs 1:5 - “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”.
Proverbs 12:15 -“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
Proverbs 20:18 - “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.”
Proverbs 11:14 - “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

Did I seek confirmation? The Scripture tells us that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1).

Is there peace? Follow peace. 2 Timothy 2:22 states: “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart”. Hebrews 12:14 tells us to: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”.

In the times we are living, with all the voices, even though we hear His voice, the Bible tells us that even the very elect will be deceived. Matthew 24:24 tells us “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” The Word has given us these safety nets so we can know His voice in decisions we make.

So, for example, if someone tells me they spent the weekend alone with God, and God gave them direction, I want to hear what God has said to them. But I also want to know if they followed His safeguards in their decisions as well. Because, they were also alone with their own thoughts with plenty of time to think and dwell on situations, people, circumstances, etc. His Word is His Word…verbal, written, or by spiritual impressions. His Word is alive inside of us. Let’s confirm His Word to make sure we are walking in His Word.

If someone has to give reasons and excuses along with “hearing His voice”, are they looking at circumstances? Circumstances are not the litmus test of God’s voice. Did they really hear Him? Or are they following experiences, feelings or heart?...that deceitful thing…that desperately wicked thing.

Just remember, whatever the situation is in your life, you can’t take a misstep in direction that He can’t fix. He will get us back on the narrow path if we submit to Him and let “His Word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” (Psalm 119:105). Let His "Word" lead you.

How Vital Are You in the Kingdom of God?

2008-11-08T05:03:00.001-05:00

2 Kings 5:1-3 tells us about a great commander of the armies named Naaman. He was a high ranking official, a general in the army. And then, there was his wife’s little maid. Read the rest of the chapter to get the whole story.

His wife’s maid was a “servant”. This was actually a promotion in God’s Kingdom, because God had an assignment for her to do. She didn’t get into this “position” by chance. She was good at her job, no matter how menial it may have seemed to those on the outside looking in. If she hadn’t been there to do her “assignment” by using her gifts and abilities, things may have turned out quite differently. God knew she was the one who would be obedient and fulfill this task for Him.

Psalm 37:23 states that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way”. Her steps were ordered of the Lord. She had an assignment.

Sometimes we are in “positions” that we resist. You tell yourself it’s too menial. I have more to offer…blah, blah, blah. I could actually be a promotion in the Kingdom of God. Does God have an assignment for you? Has He given you this position to accomplish a mission for the Kingdom? There are no mistakes when He has ordered your steps.

My favorite Scripture tells it like no other. Acts 17:26-27:
“And He made from one common origin, one source, one blood, all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined their allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation, their settlements, lands, and abodes, so that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.”

It’s my favorite Scripture because it has been an encouragement to me for years. When I felt lost and out of place, I read that verse. When things didn’t fit in my life, I read that verse. When nothing fell in line, I read that verse. He was placing me in position to seek after Him. The circumstances of my life caused me to seek after Him.

We are in the “place” and “time” where He has placed us. God assigns you your residence. You don’t choose where to live. He knows where you will seek Him the most. One translation says that we would “grope” after Him as in desperately groping for something in the dark. He places us in time, place, and circumstances so that we will “grope” after Him, to seek after Him. He wants us dependent on Him. He wants to give us direction and assignments where we are, in the midst of sometimes overwhelming circumstances.

So, no matter where you are and what you are doing, God has an assignment. It may seem small, but may accomplish much. Naaman was used by God to win battles. He was a mighty warrior and was gifted of God as a leader. Had he not been healed, what good would he have been to God’s army? Had the little maid not obeyed God, Naaman would have lost position and ultimately died. Israel would have lost battles and suffered great loss. You tell me the little maid didn’t have a big assignment? Her obedience saved the nation. How important are you to God’s Kingdom? You never know………just be obedient where you are.

Who Guards the Shepherd?

2008-11-08T04:34:00.002-05:00

1 Samuel 26:1-16 shows us a principle that applies to our lives today, but many feel free to ignore or don’t have spiritual understanding in the matter. It is very important to understand that honoring authority is high on God’s priority list.

The statement that is the center of this whole passage is in verse 16: “What you have done is not good. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed”. Wow! You deserve to die!!?!! Sounds like serious business to me. Sounds like serious business to God.

We are held accountable to God to guard those in authority over us. Romans chapter 13 is clear on the matter of authority:
“1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment…give honor to whom honor is due”.

Honor: high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor

Resisting authority here in Romans 13 doesn’t mean that you do everything no matter what. Our examples are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. You honor God number one. All others authorities fall into place after honoring God and His Word. You can “respectfully” honor them without agreeing with them. That is the same as with our parents. The Word tells us to “honor” our parents in Deuteronomy 5:16 and Ephesians 6:2. That’s the only verse with such a great promise. The Word tells us that “our days will be long and things will go well with us”. We don’t have to agree with everything, but honor their position as God has chosen them to give you a place in this earth and His Kingdom.

Leadership and authority are flesh as we are. We all “sin and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The onslaught of the enemy is many times harder on those in leadership. They need us in their corner.

Have we dishonored God’s appointed and anointed? Have we disrespected the one God put in authority over us? What have we done to protect them spiritually even when we haven’t agreed with them? Have we encouraged them in the Lord? Have we prayed for them? I Timothy 2:1-4 even tells us why we need to pray for those in authority. Have we loved them and treated them also as a brother or sister in Christ? Have we borne their burdens? (Galatians 6:2). Have we been Aaron and Hur to them? Have we lifted their arms up in battle? (Ephesians 6:10-18). Have we stood in their corner through their failures? (James 5:16) or have we deserted them? Have we helped to restore?

David is our example. He did his best to honor God’s authority over him. He didn’t cross that line of disrespect. AND, in the natural or flesh, we would agree he deserved to take revenge. Saul was evil to him on so many levels. Yet, David fought battles for Saul. He killed Saul’s enemies. He sang and played music for Saul to calm his spirit. David used all his gifts and talents to honor the King. He also knew when he had to leave. That is the reality in many of our lives. There is a time to leave…without dishonoring the other person’s authority.

There were many times after “leaving” that David had to stay in a stronghold for protection. But there was a time that he left the stronghold to go into the land of Judah (1 Samuel 22:5). The Prophet Gad came to him to tell him to go. God’s timing is everything. He knows that sometimes we need protection. Sometimes we need to be out of the way for a while. But, He sends those along side of us to give direction. The best thing the Prophet Gad did was tell him to leave the bondage and go into PRAISE…from the stronghold to Judah. That’s the place we need to be in the midst of it all as well.

God holds us accountable to “guard the shepherd”. We may have to do it from a distance, but let us honor God by doing so.

1 Samuel 26
9David said to Abishai, Do not destroy him; for who can raise his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?

Difficult Relationships

2008-11-06T10:07:00.002-05:00

1 Samuel 24 tells the story of David confronting Saul about their relationship. He practiced the New Testament Scriptures in Matthew 5 and 18 before they were in ink. He knew his brother had ought against him, so he went to him. He finally had the safe opportunity to confront Saul. It is about “timing” in these situations.

Saul made an oath to David and David made an oath to Saul not to forget his lineage………yet David went back to the stronghold. Hmmmmm…….David knew he still wasn’t to have relationship with Saul even though Saul still was anointed of God and was David’s father-in-law. He knew Saul’s character. He knew God’s voice. He knew that we have to be careful to fellowship with those who don’t practice the works of the flesh.

You are responsible to obey God’s Word. You are not responsible for the other person’s reactions, actions, thoughts, deeds. They are accountable to God. No matter what you “do”, you cannot make some things right. You can only obey God’s Word and pray. It doesn’t seem like enough sometimes, but it is. The other person has to be left in God’s hands for recovery, restoration, and discipline. Hear the Holy Spirit’s voice and walk on. It may mean shaking the dust from your feet in some situations. It may mean sitting quietly in the background of the other person’s life…..being there to help if needed, but not giving of the secrets of your heart. We can’t have a “special” relationship with everyone. We are to love no matter what happens. It’s not easy to have broken relationships, but if you’ve done what you’ve known to do according to God’s Word, love, and pray, “YOU” can’t do any more. Leave it in God’s hands. David was our example for difficult relationships.

Leadership

2008-11-02T16:28:00.002-05:00

1 Samuel 18:1-2, 5
“1 WHEN DAVID had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own life. 2 Saul took David that day and would not let him return to his father's house… 5 And David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he prospered and behaved himself wisely; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was satisfactory both to the people and to Saul's servants.”

David had just killed Goliath and presented himself to King Saul. Verse 2 tells us that his acts of faith and obedience “brought him before great men” and that “his gift made room for him” (Proverbs 18:16). He was entering a level of training to become the man he needed to be to fulfill his destiny…..King.

David was under Saul’s leadership – even though Saul was a bad leader: That’s where God placed him for a time of training and internship. In Matthew, Jesus told the people to listen and learn from the Scribes and Pharisees. What they were teaching was right and they should do what the Scribes and Pharisees SAY...BUT, don’t DO what they DO. Wouldn’t it be nice to be under the leadership of a good king, a man of great character, a man with a heart after God? Well it doesn’t always happen that way. Because of this, we should look at this example in God’s Word carefully.

David learned a great deal of what he needed for future kingship, even under poor leadership – a rebellious, self-centered King Saul. David followed the Lord’s leading on a daily basis in obedience to the king, even though he knew he was anointed to be king. He “behaved himself wisely” and waited on the Lord by “actively serving” until his place in history would be settled. He honored the Kingship, even though he knew that King Saul wasn’t a man of honor. God placed him in that role, and we are blessed when we give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7). David knew that principle and practiced it at every level of his journey and at every opportunity.

So, no matter what is happening in the “head”, we still can learn so many valuable lessons and get valuable training for the days ahead. Bless God for where you are. Be full of thanksgiving and praise Him for your situation. Only God knows what the blessings and outflow from your life will be for enduring these situations.

Saul treated David badly…..yet he trusted him to do things he didn’t trust anybody else to do. He knew David’s character was good and stable. 1 Samuel 18:12-16 tells us that:
"12 Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. 13 So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. 14 And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him. 15 And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them."

Saul’s fear of David’s anointing didn’t stop Saul from trying to destroy this good man. You may run into the same situation in your own life or may have already seen it in the lives or your friends.

The works of the flesh were very evident in Saul’s life. He was very jealous of David. The Bible tells us that when envy and jealousy are present, so are all the other works of the flesh (James 3:16). It’s not a pretty picture. It must have seemed like his problems were never going to end, but David remained steadfast in following God’s ways. He went through physical and personal attacks. He had to go into hiding. It wasn’t easy for David. It was it was a very hard seven years before he became King and then he wasn’t fully king at that point. More had to transpire to get him into full position. But, God had someone in his corner….Jonathon.

Through this difficult time in David’s life, he had an armor-bearer and friend. God sends those along side of us in life to help us. We in turn help them. We are to be by each others’ side to help each other along, especially in difficult times. We are to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) and to “encourage each other daily in the Lord” (Hebrews 3:13)…..that’s the only way we will make it to the fulfillment of God’s purpose for us on this planet. Are you holding up the progress of someone else by not being the armor-bearer God called you to be? Is someone going through unnecessary battles alone because you are failing to lift them up?

Just like David, there may not be very many at our side at times, but numbers don’t matter. Here is where the “quality” vs. “quantity” factor really applies. It’s the quality of the relationships, not the quantity that help us stand and not fall. Every one needs an “Aaron and a Hur” to hold us up in battle.

Just as in David’s situation, the time comes when the ministry relationship has to end. The grace for the time under that leadership lifts, and we must take our destiny position and/or sometimes move on to instruction under another leader, prophet, pastor, teacher, etc. Sometimes it’s a situation where we have to “shake the dust” from our feet. Listen to God carefully. He will bring you out into that purpose as you walk with integrity and “behave yourself wisely”.

Trust

2008-09-28T11:31:00.004-04:00

I’m sure, since the beginning of time, we have had certain Scriptures backwards in our practice of living a Christian life. There is one practice on which I would like to place my focus. It’s the matter of TRUST.

How many times in our lives have we trusted a friend, only to be hurt because they didn’t “come through for us”. What we are really saying is that they didn’t fulfill our need or want. They didn’t fulfill our expectation. They didn’t “prefer” us above themselves or somebody else. They didn’t do what we assumed they should do for us or somebody else. Sounds a little self-absorbed and self-centered.

Because we “trusted” them or had “expectations” of them, we were let down, it affected our relationship. We had to go through all sorts of emotional ups and downs, hurt feelings, separations, healing of emotions, etc. The worst part is that we “judged” them and became critical of them and their walk with God.

The Scripture tells us “not to judge, lest we be judged” (Matthew 7:1) (Also check out Luke 6). When we see a brother “overtaken in a fault (or sin)……restore such a one in the spirit of meekness” ( have the authority and power to rip them up, but not doing it) (Galatians 6:1).

Now the above two Scriptures are very different. If you see someone in a dangerous place, you’re not judging. You try to restore. Judging is being critical because they didn’t fulfill your expectations of them. I don’t see in the Word of God where I’m supposed to expect YOU to fulfill my desires, needs, wants.

Proverbs 11:13 implies we are to be "trustworthy": "He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden." BUT,
NO where in the Bible does it say to TRUST man. In fact, there are Scriptures that tell us NOT to trust in man or things made by man (i.e. “don’t trust in horses or chariots”).

Jeremiah 9:4
Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders.

Micah 7:5
Trust not in a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Keep the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom.

Jeremiah 17:9 tells us:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Now we can’t even trust in our own heart?! None of us can say our heart has never tricked us. None of us can say we never had a fleshy desire or an expectation of another. God made us with emotions, but emotions can be handled in the right way or wrong way. He knows we are flesh. He knows the flesh is hard to overcome, but He has made a way of escape. He tells us to crucify the flesh, take our thoughts captive, get wise godly counsel, confess our faults one to another, pray without ceasing, etc. All of these practices keep that deceitful, wicked heart in check. When we don’t keep it in check, things get out of order in our lives.

Psalm 37:3
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

There are many Scriptures that tell us to TRUST God:

Hebrews 2:13; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 18:30; Psalm 31:14;
Psalm 4:5; Psalm 37:3-5; Psalm 71:1; Psalm 91:2;
Psalm 5:11; Psalm 118:8; Proverbs 3:5; Proverbs 22:19;
Isaiah 36:7; Isaiah 50:10
(Not an exhaustive list.)

I didn’t find a Scripture to tell me to TRUST man. BUT, I did find plenty of Scriptures to tell me to LOVE man:

I John 3:14-17; I John 4:7-21; Colossians 2:2; I Timothy 1:5;
Hebrews 13:1; Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 10:12; Matthew 5:44;
John 13:35; John 15:12; Romans 12:9; Romans 13:10;
I Peter 4:8; I Peter 2:17
(Not an exhaustive list.)

We, as the Body of Christ, have gotten this backwards. We have tended to TRUST in man, and LOVE God, when God told us to TRUST GOD, and LOVE PEOPLE. Of course, we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength also, but God has made a very strong point in His Word to LOVE people. If we can get that in the right order, there will be a lot less of the works of the flesh operating in the Church.

Let’s use the Scripture as a measuring stick, not each other. I Corinthians 13 tells us exactly what we need to expect from ourselves as we surrender to Him and let God’s love flow through us. If we can’t see it, we need more surrender. It’s not about “feeling” it. It’s about “doing” it. He tells us that “apart from Me, you can do nothing”. We can’t “do” this on our own. It flows out of relationship with Him.

"4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8 Love never fails."

God wants us to love unconditionally as He does. If our emotions get in the way of doing that, then we have put our trust in flesh.

Remember to TRUST GOD and LOVE MAN.

Servanthood

2008-09-26T08:13:00.000-04:00

Jesus said He came to be “servant of all”. We are to follow His example in all things. To serve one another in love……………that’s the missing part…… “love”.

So many times we “do” things out of obligation to others or out of guilt or to cover our tracks in some way. That’s not what God has called us to do. He said to serve one another in love………preferring the other person above ourselves.

Through observation you can obtain a lot of knowledge, but better yet, a lot of understanding. When you see people who really love each other and have “relationship”, they have joy in giving of their time and energy. It’s a pleasure for them to serve one another.

That’s the example for the Body of Christ. When you see others “serving” but with “attitude”, that shows the lack of the “intimacy” of love. It shows lack of “relationship”……not “relationship” with that person, but “relationship” with the Lover of our souls. It’s a sure-fire way to check your “love” tank level. If you don’t enjoy “doing” for others, or a particular “other”, then you have a “love” issue. You’re too self-absorbed, self-focused, and selfish. It’s not “what about me”, it’s about “what about others”. How can I bless God and bless others? That’s the servant’s heart. A heart we are all supposed to have.

Jonah

2008-09-26T07:56:00.000-04:00

I heard a new twist to the story of Jonah that I’d like to share. It’s from the viewpoint of the mariners of the ship. It really struck a chord in my heart and gave me new revelation of what I was going through in my life.

The Story:

Jonah hopped on board a boat that was on a mission, they had a destination and the supplies they needed to reach that destination. They already had the plan of action and the cargo they needed to carry out their mission. They were not a passenger boat, but thought they would be kind to Jonah and let him ride along since they thought they were going the same direction.

When the storm came up, the mariners thought to go back to the shore from which they came to save everyone and everything. It wasn’t the direction they were supposed to be going. But, going back to the shore wasn’t an option. The storm was too rough no matter what direction they went.

Jonah told them to throw him overboard. He knew he was running from God. They still wanted to help him. So, they started throwing their supplies and other cargo overboard……things they needed to accomplish their mission. They thought they would help the situation. Jonah knew he was the cause of it all.

The Point:

They both were on a mission. They both were valuable to what they were called to do.

The Revelation:

Isn’t it interesting……the people we let “onboard” our lives? We think they are going the same direction. When, in fact, they have a complete different agenda and are supposed to be going the complete opposite direction. They know it, but they play along to get a ride to “somewhere”. Then the raging storms come up, things have to be confronted. Drastic measures have to take place at that point.

Sometimes God allows the storms to keep us from going back the wrong direction. Sometimes we have to be held steady in the middle of things until we can go forward again. It’s painful to lose the supplies and cargo needed for your mission, but it’s more painful to have to throw your Jonah overboard. But, in the end, it’s best for all involved. Jonah is just as valuable in what he’s supposed to do, but causes storms in others’ lives because of disobedience.

Jonah finally obeyed God, but had an attitude problem even after God showed Himself as Saviour to him and the people of Ninevah. The mariners weren’t the problem. They had nothing to do with the issue of his running or his attitude. Those were problems he had to work out with God. He made his problems himself. He chose to run from God. He chose to deceive those around him. He stirred up the storms in the mariners lives.

The mariners were no doubt more careful the next time they decided to let someone onboard. They couldn’t afford to compromise their mission or risk their lives and the lives of others for the sake of a Jonah.

The Practical Side:

God wants us to be kind and loving, to show mercy and compassion to others. But, sometimes that compassion and mercy is best served by spurring them on to repentance and responsibility. Too many people have an idea of compassion and mercy as “Oh, you poor baby. Let’s not let anyone hurt you again” type attitude. That’s not God’s mercy and compassion. Mercy isn’t stopping pain from happening in someone’s life. Mercy is helping someone to get on with their mission, no matter how painful it may seem. Tell the Truth in love. Support one another in prayer. But for the sake of all those around and the Kingdom purposes, don’t “baby” the children of God forever. It’s time to grow up into Him and take a stand for His Kingdom.

Wisdom

2008-09-23T08:06:00.007-04:00

I've been dealing with some issues over the last few weeks and observing God's Word "active" and "inactive" in people. Very interesting.

Proverbs tells us many times to get KNOWLEDGE and with all your getting, get UNDERSTANDING. In the book of James, we are admonished to ask for WISDOM. In John's gospel, the Words of Jesus tell us that "apart from Me, you can do nothing". So, since apart from Him we can do nothing..........nothing that will impact His Kingdom, we NEED to ask for WISDOM in even our everyday tasks and situations.

To live in His Kingdom and do the work of The Kingdom, we have to assume we need all three things in our lives: KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM. These are very distinct, different things, yet all work together to bring about the best for us and His Kingdom...........for our good and His glory.......just as we are all very distinct, different individuals.......we all need to work together to bring about the best for others and for the Kingdom of God on this earth.

I've observed those who have just KNOWLEDGE. They talk about things, yet have not real UNDERSTANDING of what they are talking about. It's all in HEAD KNOWLEDGE, but they have no HEART KNOWLEDGE. UNDERSTANDING is just that......HEART KNOWLEDGE......the Rhema Word or Revelation.

Then you have people with KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING, yet they have no WISDOM in how to use that knowledge and understanding. Because they do have a heart after God and desire to see things work out well for other people, they get in the way of the Holy Spirit. He can't do His job the way God intended because the well-meaning people try to do His job for Him. Good intentions with poor results. If they had just asked for WISDOM before they tried to solve problems or deal with situations, the Holy Spirit would have guided them into ALL TRUTH.

Then there are those who have all three: KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM. From observation, it appears the # 1 and # 2 type people throw a monkey wrench into situations and mess things up. However, # 3 type people understand they can't do anything about the monkey wrenches..................the Holy Spirit will do what needs to be done. Number 3 people know they have to wait on the Lord, be patient, and because they have asked for GOD'S WISDOM, they, "having done all"......."stand"........"stand and see the salvation of the Lord in the land of the living".

Just know that God will work things all out for our good because He loves us so much..............no matter what other people do to us or say about us or whatever fiery darts the devil throws at us.

You can't help what goes through another person's mind. You can't "work out their salvation with fear and trembling". You can't "tear down their vain imaginations that come against the knowledge of God". You can't "take their thoughts captive". You can't "think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely and of good report" for them. They have to take on those responsibilities. When they don't take on the responsibility for their own lives, they hurt many people around them, yet blame it on other people. In their mind, other people failed them. They don't see where they failed to obey God's Word. If they had been practicing obedience in His Word, so much of what they walk through wouldn't have even taken place. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal that to them.

If you're walking through a similar situation with someone or have observed that with someone in your life, just remember that PRAYER is the most important thing. They will not have "ears to hear" and you can't do anything about that. It is the Holy Spirit who can do something about it.

Be at peace and remember to ask for WISDOM everyday and in every situation.

Relay Race

2008-09-17T20:07:00.002-04:00

Many changes are happening all around. God is shaking anything that can be shaken in this world and in His Kingdom to separate the goats from the sheep.... .to get everyone in proper position for the endtime harvest. This is such a great time to be alive.

When I watched the Olympics, I was reminded of the day in which we live. The relay races were sometimes disappointing for the Americans (both the men's and women's teams dropped the baton in the "TRIALS"), but were a real visual for the Kingdom of God. We each have the baton to carry to finish our course to win the prize. We have taken the baton from the generation before us and have it in hand. I don't want to drop it. I want to carry it all the way to the end for the prize and finish the race God has set before me. God has granted us to be alive in such a time as this. Let's keep our grip on what we have to grip and shake loose what we have to shake loose, run the race, not looking to the left or right, looking straight ahead, a forehead like flint, looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Warfare

2008-09-17T17:07:00.003-04:00

Judges 3
"1Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
2Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof; "

There are many Christians who don't believe they have warfare to fight or refuse to do warfare or haven't had good teaching about the warfare we, as Christians, encounter. It looks to me by this Scripture in Judges 3 that it's in the plan for all of us to "prove us". God is no respecter of persons. We need to be proved through war. If the Israelites had to do warfare to take their territory, we do too. If they needed to do war to be "proved", to build God's character in them, we need to be proved through war. Or, in other words, we need to be in the furnace to be purified.

The interesting thing is that "the generations of children" had to experience it too. No matter how much parents want to protect their children............the children..........the generations of children have to go through their own warfare for their territory. You can fight warfare "for" many things in their lives, but you can't fight the warfare "for" their territory. You can fight "with" them just as the children of Israel fought "with" each other to help each tribe claim their territory. Your children still have to do battle to conquer their land, their territory. They have to be transformed into the image of Christ as much as we do. The pressure of tribulation, trials, and warfare transform us. It is our choice which way we are transformed. We can go "with" God's purpose or "against" God's purpose.

Remember that this Kingdom living is a "together" thing. We are a Body. One Body. If we warfare "together", it is less painful and less work for each person. The job is done quicker and one person doesn't take the total hit. We must be proved......a vessel meet for the Master's use.