PRESENT yourself = TA DA?

Romans 12:1

 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

     I have read, memorized and taught this scripture for years!  So I would definitely classify it as familiar.  Familiar or not I love that God's word is alive and interactive with us because I have just been blown away by some sweet truth that I have never seen before in this verse.  Here we go! 

     Maybe it's because I grew up doing theater but when I have read this verse in the past and I get the "present yourself" part I automatically do a spiritual "Shave and a Hair Cut, Two Bits!"  If you don't know what that is its OK. Here is another example. Your kids makes some sort of craft runs into the living room glue still dripping excited as all get out an says, "TA DA!"  

I looked up the word present in the original language and guess what it means? 

PRESENT: to stand beside, offer, to be at hand

     What?!  There is nothing showy about that!  To "stand beside" is all about proximity and relationship!  It is not surprising that this is what God desires.  He says this to us over and over in the Bible. In my fallen nature I keep trying to substitute what He wants from me with what I want to give Him.  I would rather give him my holiness and my version of acceptable all wrapped up in a presentable package.  My problem is, not only can I not make myself presentable I can't even find the wrapping paper! 

    This is a classic example of how I often get the gospel inside out.  Its by Christ blood that I am holy (set apart) and acceptable...a work that has already been done that I get to accept not work for.  So what it my part in all of this.  To be near and stay there. When I draw near to God and he draw near to me I am now "at hand."  His hand.  The living sacrifice thing is covered because we all know the times we have stood near (abide in Christ, John 15) we are tuned in.  Ready an willing to fallow the lead of God Spirit.  As we draw near (present ourselves) we are at His hand.  The safest most secure place there is.  No wonder Paul appeals or beseeches us to present or get beside or loving Father.  He knew it was the best!  So then being a living sacrifice doesn't seem like we are giving much up does it? 

Being Thankful

     My Mother and Father in love, Steve and Robin O'Brien, have been a major part of my growth in Jesus this last year. We all experience difficult times together and healing. What they have that I want is maturity and they live it out. They struggle just like any other but at the end of the struggle they always choose Jesus and trusting Him. As a result they have so much of value to pour into others. I love that I get to be one of those others. My Father in love writes these emails that challenge and administer truth. If you want to be put on his list just message me your email. 

Grand Dad and Abi at Old Kentucky Christmas

Here is one of his emails that really encouraged me today. 

     It seems that in the times that we should be most thankful we tend to stress and and think about problems and what we are not able to do. it is in those times that we should be most committed to be thankful for what God not only has done but will be doing for us. I am sharing this thought with all of you to encourage you to approach this season looking at God and not what may be going on around you.

Being thankful when it makes no sense

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

Seems like a strange verse to apply to the topic of being thankful, but in this season of thanksgiving and with the challenges of daily life that we all face,  I believe it is very appropriate. Let’s be honest at times we all may struggle with believing that God is going to meet our needs. Especially when we are faced with financial challenges that are exhausting our resources, all the while being overwhelmed by our circumstances. But the fact is God has promised to meet our needs (Php. 4:19) and to be with us always (Ps.23:4; 118:6; Isa. 43:2).

What I have learned is that trusting God is not a passive state of thinking, but an active and intentional act of our soul to hold onto every promise of God. Living and doing life with the expectations of God following through on His promises to us (which means we need to know His Word).  I make it personal because God is personal to me and I know that I am significant to Him. It is because of the promises that God has given us to hold onto that we can be thankful giving thanks in all things (1 Thess. 5:18). The key thing that I have to remind myself of regularly is that God’s provision is based on His glory, His timing, and His plan not based on what I think nor limited by what I see around me. This means that the economy does not limit God. My bank account doesn’t limit God nor does anything else. If I am surrounded by nothing but rocks God can turn those stones to bread (Ps. 78:20).

We should always give thanks to God in all things, not because of our circumstances, but because God is with us and has a plan to meet our needs.

Live as you are BLESSED, even if you don't feel that way.

--
Steve

THIS LOVE THING

   

     I have been doing a study on my own since Woman's study at my church ended.   I go through different seasons of studying God's word.  Some times I'll do word studies on an area of life that I'm really struggling with or what ever the study is with the Ladies at church (last one was a Beth Moore).  I haven't done and inductive study on my own before and I kind of love it.  This is just a book with simple instructions to study a book of the bible one line at a time. You get to print out a book and then mark it all up with different colors and symbols.  This works really well for me as I remember much more if there is a logo involved!  Might have something to do with growing up as a sign painters daughter.  There are many ways to study God's word, may I encourage you that there is nothing more important in your day.  NOTHING!  In our busy lives if we don't carve out time for connecting with God in His word we wont.  Then we miss out on a vital part of ABIDING in Him. So, on to what I am learning:

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence:  If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.  Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.  And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. 1 John 3:18-23

     I love how the scripture says if our hearts condemn us!  Ah yeah!  I am just now getting grace to the point were my heart condemns me and I am able to say shhhhhh, no I am believing God and what He says about me.  God sums up His desire for us this side of Heaven, to believe on the name of His Son and to love one another.  Sounds simple but that encompasses everything in our everyday life. 

     To believe on the name of Jesus is not just, Jesus I believe you died and rose again is to surrender everything we have learned from this world and become like a child completely dependent on Him for training our thoughts and actions to come in line with His.  To believe on Jesus is to read the world and actually believe if or ourselves. 

     I have been pleasantly shocked at how in my own life as I have started really taking God at His word and this loving others thing has become so much more natural.  I mean real love, the kind that doesn't "love" to get something in return.  I have also noticed that when I BELIEVE on the name of Jesus in the every day nitty gritty instead of functioning in fear or frustration I am starting ask/pray boldly.  There is a difference in the request too.  I still ask for tangible things and we have some pretty major needs right now but its not the first thing on my mind.  I have started asking boldly for life giving things beyond food and housing. Like, healing, increased faith, humility, and harmony.  Guess what?  He is saying YES!  It is so EXCITING! 

     I want to encourage you my reader to BELIEVE on the name of Jesus for more that salvation.  Cast your cares on Him and see how He cares for you.  Then watch how when you believe Him, He works these other things naturally through that avenue of faith you have paved together.  Have a wonderful day. Even though you can't know exactly who is reading your blog. I have a deep care and affection for you my reader.  Thank you for reading what God is teaching me and know that I pray for you that if there is any nugget in here for your that God would highlight it and encouraging you. Have a wonderful day abiding in Him. 

Humility & Rest

     My man works 6 days a week and volunteers at the fire department on top of that.  We have started going to a Saturday night service for church.  It makes for a long Saturday but a glorious one whole day with no commitments. Maybe other stay at home Mom's have run into this.  Hubby just wants to do nothing on his day off and Wife just wants to go do something on the day off. Now my man is amazing  at going on adventures and making them so fun. Every once in a while he asks, "can we just not do anything on Sunday this week."  Just the question sends me spinning with disappointment and dread of the day off.  Its not that he is asking can I keep to myself and not spend time with the family.  He just doesn't want to go on some grand adventure.  He's rather play legos or tea party at home. Not something I should be upset about.  It came to my attention last weekend when the request was made and we stayed home and I acted like a toddler who wasn't getting what she wanted.....I DON'T know how to REST!  Oh man!  That's kind of a big deal and I have always chalked it up to "personality" or "Mom cabin fever."  The truth is I have my own car I can and do get out quite enough (maybe to much).  I struggle with down time.  Feeling like time is always better spent being productive.  On down days I always end up getting a jump on chores for the next week thinking of my self better than my husband who is playing video games for the first time in 6 days or playing with our kids and just being with them!  EEK!!!  Gross!!!  So there is the problem.  A little long winded but I wanted to paint a proper picture of the situation.  The need for rest is build in me weather I like it or not.  Even the God of all rested on the 7 day.  How arrogant for me to think I don't need to or just to not do it because its uncomfortable to just stop.  Since that weekend I have been asking the Lord to show me how to rest.  Of course He has been faithful to do it.  What I didn't expect is that He would show me there are times to rest all through out every day, not just the day off.  Not only that, rest is totally connected to and impossible without humility 

Matthew 11:28-30 AMP

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

³⁰ For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

     What! I totally know this verse by heart because I knew it had to be important but I didn't know how important!  This affects every second of our day!  It takes humility to "come to Him" and not just try to get it done our own way.  He lays it out.  Come to Him and he causes us to rest!  Oh, Lord that coming to You would be more reflexive for us!  I fight the simplest act of submission and humility.  The word Yoke means "beam of balance!"  Don't we all long for balance in our lives?  It starts with a simple act of going to Him.  I believe that this is what God is talking about when He tells us to, do justly love mercy and walk humbly with Him.  One step at a time, one moment at a time though out our day.  Going to him in all things.  This going of course doesn't mean having a quiet time for 4 hours while you ignore your kids.  It's more like in the midst of trying get 3 kids strapped into a tiny car, that you know you should be thankful you even have but its so stinkin hard to strap them in because the car seats are so tight. Everyone is talking or crying at once in your face because the car is so small you have to bend over all of them to strap the middle kid, one is pulling on your necklace that you have already fix 3 times because each child has broken it but you still want to wear it because even though you didn't get a chance to put make up on that morning you feel a little pretty with your favorite necklace on....in that moment in our heart/mind go to Jesus.  Some times all you say is keep me calm and you enjoy the rest He gives to help you address each need one at a time with our yelling at and shaming your kids for being kids. 

Wish I had a better picture, notice the over
lapping of the car seats.  Ps. I really am thankful for my car! 

     That is the kind of rest I have experienced so far.  Rest between me and Jesus, lest frustration with my kids and more power to handle the duties of the day. Cleaning the house is nothing compared to the duty of training up children.  Yet both need to get done in a fairly consistent manner.  There is rest to be had even in the craziest moments and the hardest circumstance.  We need grace for those times.  God gives grace to the humble.  As we go to Him in humility He will give us grace for the need and rest. Yay! 

Side note we have a 3 day weekend coming up and I am excited to put skin in the game on this rest thing. We will see how it goes! 

DANCE WOUNDED

     We have talked about what it looks like to wait with God.  That it is a time to bind together and adhere to each other.  We have talked about how trials of this life are normal and even a healthy part of the human experience because if we go through them bound to Christ we receive much benefit.  The benefit being more intimacy with Jesus.  There is nothing that makes life more enjoyable the being intimate with Christ.  There is one more thing that I found in my study on waiting that I am just bursting to share.  Maybe it is dear to me because of my back round in Musical Theater I don't know but I love the word picture. 
     Jeremiah, wrote the book of Lamentations.  He was a prophet so that just means that God told him what was going to happen before it did.  God told him of judgement but also of redemption.  Many ask how can a God that judges be good.  I would humbly respond to that how can a God that doesn't judge be good.  There has to be a separation between good and evil.  With out it our entire existence is pointless.   Jeremiah laments over the condition of Israel in the Lamentations but there is this sweet spot in the middle of the book where the mercy and grace of God comes into focus. 
Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therfore I hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him, it is good that one should hope and wait for the salvation of the LORD. 
Lamentations 3:24-25

  The word HOPE is used twice in these two verses.  The first time the meaning is what we would most often think of the word hope to mean.  It is to wait, be patient, stay, tarry and to trust.  The second time it's used it means to twist or whirl in a circular or spiral manner, to dance, to writhe in pain, to grieve, to be in pain, trust, to wait carefully and to be wounded! 
     What!  How can one word mean to dance and be wounded at the same time!  That can often be what pressing on in this life looks like. 
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed- always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Cor. 4:7-10
     The encouragement today is to dance wounded. There is usually something that is painful happening. A loss of a dream, a person we love, health we once knew. Still because we have the hope of heaven and the desire for others to join us we dance. Twist and twirl in the hope we have. 

FIRE & WATING

     I often want a perfect life.  Anybody else with me?  Maybe its because we were created for perfection and will one day enter back into it (those who have accepted God's free gift of grace through belief in Christ death and resurrection to take care of the debt we owned for our sin).  I can get distracted by my desire for things to be perfect.  Living life with excellence is one thing, unrealistic expectations is an exhausting other.  When I say perfect I mean trial free.  I want easy.  Peter helps bring perspective to this kind of thinking in 1Peter 4:12, Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's suffering, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 

Huh, not quite what you want to hear if your going for easy.  This verse doesn't give way to easy but it is extremely validating, right?  We are not alone in the fiery trials of this life.  They are supper normal.  Accepting that can in and of itself relieve some serious stress.  It has for me.  So we know that trials are normal and that God's word has much to say about trials, how to handle them and their purpose in our lives.  I would like to just encourage you with a couple of truths on the matter. 
     As we have discovered in the last few days that waiting is not just holding out for relief from unresolved matters, it is a time of actively adhering and binding ourselves to Christ.  It is a time for intimacy and gentle help from God for our moment by moment life.  Waiting in and of itself can be the trial, as it is in our lives right now.  Or as I search the scriptures I find that in every trial there is an element of waiting.  The biblical waiting.  The active abiding in Christ.  It is possible to be tried and come out on the other end rejoicing to suffer with Christ!  Which is still a very new concept for me. 
     The books Isaiah and Lamentations have some pretty dark scenes.  Also woven through our are some bright nuggets of hope. A few that have to do with waiting in the trials are:
But those who wait (Bind together as in twisting) on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Is. 40:31
     A classic bumper sticker but such beautiful truth.  We need renewed strength daily!  For seasons of walking and seasons of running.  We get that renewal in binding ourselves to the Lord! 
The LORD is good to those who wait (bind together) on Him, to the soul who seeks Him.  It is good that one should hope and quietly wait (active waiting) for the salvation of the LORD. Lam. 3:25
     When God's word simply states something is "good," we will always benefit to pay attention.  In the midst of a trial that heats things up as fire does, it is "good" to bind ourselves to Christ. In Him, we will receive the peace and even joy to endure His style. My style involves lots of complaining and trying to figure it all our.  His style has a settle assurance that He is in control and that there is purpose in hard and terrible of this life. 
     There are so many deep truths in these verses I couldn't hope to unpack them all in just a few post. I pray reader you are build up to take one step at a time.  If you are in a season of fiery trial, you are not alone, there is relief in adhering and binding yourself to Christ.  It will always be in His intimate mercy that we find help in our times of need.  He stoops down to handle us gently. Leap into His embrace!  That will always look like spending time in the Bible, prayer and then being attentive to Him through out the very regular daily stuff we all have on our plate.  Press on and press in. 

24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Certainly, O king.”25He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire.27The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king’s high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them. Daniel 3:24-27

WORRY & WAITING

     My natural state of mind when I am waiting on something is to worry.  To think about all the tiny details and "what if's" that go with them.  I have found in my abundant experience with anxiety that nothing paralyzes ones heart for trust like worry.  Corrie Ten Boom said, worry is like a rocking chair, you are always moving and never going anywhere.  So true.  In the last post I touched on Isaiah 30:18.  We found that God desire to adhere to us with His grace and mercy and we can adhere to Him in humility and meekness. Producing a life that pours out His love to others.  Today I want to talk about the benefits of not worrying.
     Worry and Joy will never keep company together.  We know what worry looks like but often I think there is confusion between joy and happiness.  I looked up "happy" in the dictionary and the first definition of it is, delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing.  What do we do when our particular things are not fun or good.  Its the bad, hard and ugly that God gives us the part of Himself that is joy.  Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of your life; the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right; and the determined choice to praise God in all things. 
     To settle in assurance of God being in control can be the tricky part.  I find it helps to know who it is that I am settling into.  Isaiah 30:18 paints such a beautiful picture of some of God's heart towards us. 

Therefore the LORD will wait that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all who wait for Him. 

Isaiah 30:18

     When I study God's word I love to look up the meaning of the words in the original language.  I am not highly educated so I don't like to assume that I know fully what a verse is saying with out doing my research.  I am going to lay out some definitions and then restate this verse. 

Wait: Adhere to, hence to await, long tarry

Gracious: bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior

Mercy: to fondle, love, have compassion

Fondle: to handle or touch lovingly, affectionately or tenderly, caress

Justice: verdict 

Blessed: happy 

     The Lord will adhere Himself to you that He may stoop in kindness to you the inferior, as a result He will be exalted, that He may lovingly and tenderly handle you. He is the God of the verdict; Happy are all who adhere themselves to Him. 

     I can settle into that!  The heart of God towards us is so gentle.  You maybe in a time of waiting and feeling like God is doing this "to you."  We see in Is. 30 that He is in fact having you wait "for you."  To those who are in Christ and waiting on Him for something.  Take heart, settle into Him and remember He is for you not against you.  Lets take this opportunity to practice joy in the waiting.

This is my latest Mother's day gift. It now joins me and Jesus in the mornings. 

Wait: Isaiah 30:18

Therefore the LORD will wait that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all who wait for Him. 

Isaiah 30:18

    This is a fun one!  Often when I am in the middle of something really tough I struggle with my perspective of God's character.  As if bad things happening in life change who He is and His love for me.  I know I am not alone in this struggle.  This is when it is crucial that we go to God's word and remind ourselves who He is because we know from scripture that there is no shadow of turning (James 1) with Him.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He is just, merciful and gracious even in our darkest times. 

     There is one aspect of God's character I want to point out in this scripture. His loyalty.  He never goes anywhere.  Even when we are in a great storm Christ is close at hand.  We are the ones that pull away and believe things about Him that are not true.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8 NL 

     I am not saying there are not times when it seems God is quiet.  Those can be tough times.  We feel like we are coming close and don't walk away from our quiet time feeling like He came close to us.  Its a good thing we have scripture to remind us of the truth beyond our "feelings." 

    In Isaiah 30:18 we find the world wait twice.  In the Hebrew this word means: to adhere to.  We see in vs. 18 that God adheres to us for the purpose of grace and mercy toward us.  When we exalt Him in our lives we are putting ourselves under the flow of that grace and mercy.  Exalting ourselves and our wants and desires only every leaves us dehydrated.  Vs. 18 also tells us that blessed or happy are all who adhere to Him. 

     Back when we lived in San Diego before we had any kids, my parents were putting a pool in their back yard.  One of those rad one that are really small but have a current so you can swim forward and stay in the middle of the pool.  I was helping my mom with the underground piping.  As we connected the pipes that would one day have water flowing through them is was important that we used an adhesive that would keep them secured together. It was a two part adhesive. One wouldn't work with out the other but put them together and the bold was solid. Water could flow through the pipes with out leaking and causing a mess. 

     This scripture makes me think of this to part adhesive.  God adheres to us and we adhere to Him.  In so doing we exalt Him and He is gracious to us. When these to states of being are in proper order the result is a pouring out. We actually become a pipe line of God's love, grace and mercy to others.  God is loyal to wait on us with His half of the adhesive ready to go.  We have to humble ourselves and come close to Him with our half of the adhesive that we might connect and live a life of pouring out.  Often for me coming close or drawing near to God requires a humbling of myself.  Meekness towards the Lord as I accept the trials He has aloud.  Not acting like bad things are good and fun but submitting to God's sovereignty in them and that He has a purpose. Meekness and humility are the make up of our adhesive while grace and mercy make up God's.  What a beautiful bond. 

WAIT

     Paul and I are in a season of waiting right now.  I have wrestle much with the Lord over my desire to know His plan for our lives NOW!  I didn't want to wait, I didn't want to participate in any doing or undoing in my heart that He had planned for this time.  Since that is a rebellious attitude you can just guess how miserable I was.  In the past I viewed waiting as being displaced till God gave you what you wanted.  I would never have said that out loud but deep down that was my perspective.  God had gracious plans to undo that very wrong thinking!  So, I found that I don't wait well and I want to.  I began to study what it looks like to wait God's way.  I have been floored by the things God is teaching me. This human experience is so dynamic and multifaceted that I think it is safe to say that we are in one way or another waiting for something always.  If you are waiting on God for something I would be honored to pass on what He is showing me that you may be encouraged and strengthened in the wait.  I will have to write several post on the matter. A book could be and I am sure is written on this issue.  I am no book writer but here is what I have so far:

The Doing and Undoing in Waiting 

     Psalm 25:5.

"Lead me in Your truth and teach me, 

for You are the God of my salvation; 

on You I wait all the day long. " 

     The most prominent definition of wait that I found in the Old Testament was the Hebrew word Gavah (Kaw-vaw'). A primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), that is, collect; (figuratively) to expect:- gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon). 

     To BIND TOGETHER!  What!?  How John 15 (abide in me and I in you) is that!  So to wait God's way is not a sitting on your hands miserably but it is the action of binding ourselves to Christ.  All day the day long!  When the Holy Spirit seals us and takes residency in us upon salvation that is totally the work of God.  As we walk out our salvation we called to certain spiritual disciplines.  Abiding in Christ being one of them.  An issue that is unresolved in our lives forces us to wait on the solution.  There are some life issues that we are completely out of control of such as health, salvation of loved ones, healing, some aspects of income, and so on.  We do have control over how we wait on those desirable things.  We can bind ourselves to Christ in the unknown or try to handle it on our own.  Binding ourselves to Christ in the times of unresolved issues, doesn't take away the hard, but even in the difficulty God has shown me that there can be an element of fun at times.  Trusting Him is always more fun that not. 

     That's it for today. There is so much more. Be encouraged reader. Today lets bind together with Christ.  That will look a little different for everyone but some basic in binding is to get the things out of the way that get in between us and Christ. That idea of "twisting" will come from time spent with Christ. 

     

DESPERATE

 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me, and He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  

2 Chorinthians 12:7-10

     When we suffer, it is likely that we will have one of two responses.  We seem to either draw near to God or walk away from Him. Having a neutral heart response is not an option. The scripture above has always sounded like something I should memorize, love and live with deep conviction.  In reality,  I have had no idea what in the world Paul (author of 2 Cor.) was talking about!  Paul says he “gladly boasts in the suffering that God allows in his life.”  The word “boast” in the Greek (the New Testament original language), means “to approve and even take pleasure in!”  A far cry from the way I have handled trials in the past. 

     Usually when I get uncomfortable with a very difficult circumstance, I do everything to run from the discomfort (not literally of course, but in my heart.)  I try to find comfort in “something or someone” other than the Lord - my husband, a TV show, food, cleaning my house - you name it - I’ll find it.  We can use anything to try and dull pain - even good things.  I would try and find peace in something I felt I could control since my trial made me feel out of control. 

     As a side note, if we don't yet believe God is good and good towards us (even in allowing pain and suffering), we will never fully grasp the truth found in these verses. God “being good and for us” is a perspective that changes how we endure a trial, it changes our very perspective regarding that trial, it helps us to allow God to be God and to be open to His sovereign work in us.  If you don't yet believe or understand God’s love for you, just ask for the faith to do so.  His love and goodness toward you is something He wants to bless you with daily.

     Once His goodness isn't in question and we get hit with something hard in life, we are able to experience this state of approval about our trial. Not approving of the terrible thing itself, but of where it will take us in our relationship with Jesus. If we would dare to not question our circumstances, but instead draw near to Him (press into Him), we would experience something new and incredible. 

     Over the last two years, I have stumbled through the darkest and most desperate time in my walk with Christ.  As a result of several circumstances, I felt stripped of many of the things I held most dear.  I spent the first portion of this season extremely angry at God. Being angry at God, though we may feel justified at the time, is a most miserable existence for ourselves and those closest to us. Eventually I got sick of being miserable and angry.  I knew there was rebellion in my heart and I was ready to repent.  I was able to embrace the truth that God is good. No news to Him of course!  I told Him that if He never restored the things I held most dear,  I would still worship Him with my every waking breath! 

Our Family During some of the dark time. 

     The darkness of that season felt like it would never pass. but as soon as I repented of trying to get out of my suffering and settled in meekness toward my God, I experienced something new!!!  Desperation!  I know that doesn't sound like a huge victory, but I assure you it was. I am desperate for my Jesus each morning - to get out of bed and into His word.  I am desperate for Jesus as I intentionally strive to be a joyful and fun Mom. I am desperate for Jesus as I love and honor my husband and desperate for Jesus as I put one foot in front of the other for the everyday stuff.  We need something that is sufficient for our troubles - something that raises a barrier of protection, something that is enough! God gives His grace for our need.  His grace is the act of divine influence upon our hearts!  His grace is His acceptance, benefit, favor, gift, and liberation!  This grace saves us from our sin and hell and helps us daily live out our life in Christ.  Once saved by grace, our desperation for Jesus helps us experience this daily gift more fully. 

     I have definitely moved out of that dark and terrible season!  Thank you Jesus!  I have taken with me an approval, pleasure and willingness to endure the “hard” as I know I will enjoy the grace sufficient for me in the trial.  I love nothing more in this life than being “desperate for God” and Him filling my desperation with grace. We are protected even in the worst of times by His grace!  

     We can stand with Paul and say, "Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor. 4:16-18

 

VIDEO STUDY

Col. 1:1-23

11-8-12

EACH ONE

10-20-12

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with GRACE, seasoned with salt that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Col. 4:5-6

     Wow! This about did me in this morning. I was working on pinpointing idols in my heart. (Idol: A person or thing that captures my heart, mind and affections more that God) 

     CONTROL! That was the topic with Jesus and I this morning. God often uses my 3 to frustrate this idol worship in my life. In general i want things to go my way all the time. I manage naturally. As a stay at home Mom this is often a large part of the job if you are to do it with intention. 

     Instead of freaking out when my kids are making it hard for me to get what I want done, I plan to Breath Deep, Say Jesus You manage my day and then speak to, not at my kids. This is my plan of action to replace the sinful behavior with one that would be a blessing to my God and family. 

     I then was looking up scripture about speech and came to this every so familiar passage in Colossians. What was mind blowing is my kids are THOSE OUTSIDE and EACH ONE! Until these precious babies of mine are sealed with God's spirit I am day in and day out speaking to the unsaved! I know that is so basic but very helpful to have at the for font of my thinking. This scripture also calls us to be intentional. Words like : Toward, redeeming the time and answer!

Everything taste better with salt!!! Pour on the GRACE!!!

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BEING HOME

 10-26-12

     Stand fast therefore in the liberty (freedom) by which Christ has made us free, do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 

Gal. 5:1 

       We read on in Galatians to find 2 lists. One list giving us a clear picture of what not to do. A list of the FLESH. The next list would be want we should do a list of the fruit of the SPIRIT. In my natural tendency I would think, "sweet I will do the Spirit and not the flesh." The problem with that thinking is that it is a formula. The problem with formulas is they are an insult to our Lord. The thinking behind a formula is: If i do AB&C i will get a specific out come. If God allowed that to work we would never glorify Him and He is totally worth glorifying. 

Formula = trying to control God. 

     If Galatians 5 is not giving us a check off list for behavior what in the world is the purpose of the 2 lists?

Being Home. 

     Stick with me.

If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit. 

Gal. 5:25

     If walking in the Spirit (a life with, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control all over it!) was automatic then God would not have had Paul tell us to do it. 

• If you live in the Spirit....If you have been saved by God's grace
• Then walk in the Spirit....freedom from the hold of your fleshly desires and passions and live with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control all over your life! 

Ok that sounds great but how!!! 

Are we going to unpack or not?

     Its like moving. God moves you from one house to the another (salvation) but if you never unpack, your new house will be amazing but never feel like home. There is nothing more wonderful than feeling at home in your relationship with God! The move is living in the Spirit the unpacking is walking in the Spirit. 

      I have moved many times as a child and as a married woman! IT IS WORK! Unpacking in your new spiritual home is work as well. But maybe not the work we think. Is it taking the 2 lists in Galatians 5 and doing one and not the other? NO! You will burn out. A state of being spiritually that I have experienced much! The work is SURRENDER! Yep! 

     The lists are simply there to compare your heart to. Notice I said heart not behavior. We can do one thing and be thinking another for a limited time so we want to check our hearts (thinking)  up against the lists of the flesh and Spirit. We can then evaluate our living. Are we living for  Christ surrendered in a specific area or living for ourselves (flesh) in that area. 

     The list are not for behavior modification but surrender modification. This is an issue of relationship. Relationship with Jesus Himself require way more vulnerability than relationship with a list of do's and don'ts. 

     Surrender will produce the fruit of the Spirit with surprising ease. Relationship with the lists will leave you exhausted and thinking you are better than everyone else. I know from experience. Surrender is so much more fun!

      

List of the Flesh: 

•  adultery
• fornication
• uncleanness 
• lewdness
• idolatry
• sorcery
• hatred
• contentions
• jealousies
• outbursts of wrath
• selfish ambitions
• dissensions
• heresies
• envy
• murders
• drunkenness
• revelries
• and the like. 

 Ps. Remember Jesus said if you lust after another, you have committed adultery....so the thought makes you guilty of the act.

List of the Spirit:

• love
• joy
• peace
• patience
• kindness
• goodness
• faithfulness
• gentleness
• self-control 

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