I'm sure I've written on this before, but I get impacted over and over with this reality. "The Word of God is living!"
Truly, there is something Divinely 'magical' about taking in-feeding on the Words of the Bible.
"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby." Drinking into our innermost being what He says, will change our hearts! And when our hearts our changed our behaviors and attitudes also change. We are truly being 'transformed' by the renewing of our mind. By feeding on what HE says, we actually find ourselves feeding on HIM. And in John 6, Jesus said, "He who eats Me shall live because of Me."
And yet...what a battle in the souls of so many who have initially received the Lord Jesus as the wonderful Gift for forgiveness and a brand new life! It's as if the enemy of our soul whispers lies to us: things like, "God's Word is dull...boring...too harsh...being pushed on me...doesn't apply to me...doesn't work for me..."
Added to those lies are others like, "Don't meet this time with the believers...you need your sleep...they don't really care about you...you have something else you need to do...you don't fit in...it's not really that important to fellowship with believers...you'll feel uncomfortable...you've been too rebellious this past week...and so on." I think we call all relate to some or all of these.
If our enemy can not prevent us from receiving Christ--and He can't--He will do his best to keep us from growing up into Christ!
That is too threatening to him because every step of maturing we take...God's Kingdom is advancing on this earth!!!
How many times have we prayed as our precious Savior directed, "Thy Kingdom come." Well...growing in our walk with our Lord is advancing that very Kingdom.
We've heard the words, "tipping point"...perhaps it applies here. God, Who is sitting on His throne sees everything--and HE knows when the harvest is ready1
Will you...will I purpose--settle it in our hearts to steadfastly, day by day seek HIM? Draw near to Him! Let His Words dwell in us richly!
We have a destiny...to be like Him!
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Monday, March 20, 2017
What we Eat is What we Become
This past week we sisters in Christ got together to consider Eve in the book of Genesis, and I was struck by one of the sentences in Gen 3. "...she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate."
Eve was created to be a strong Helper...an 'Ezer' to her husband; and so are we. What I was 'struck' with is how lethal our actions and our words can be when we eat the fruit God forbids. What is that? "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." That tree was in the midst of the garden. It was not tucked 'out of the way' somewhere in a place it would not often be seen, but no! It was right in the middle. Could it be that God was desiring a wise choice from His people?
We also know that the 'tree of life' was available...and so it is to us today.
And each day we also have a choice. We are not robots, pre-programmed to simply obey.
In Deut. 30:19 the Lord actually says, "I have set before you death and life. Therefore choose life that both you and your descendants may live."
From this verse we can see that our choices WILL affect not only us, but also our descendants. THAT has been a great motivator for me. Gal. 6:7 repeats something similar; "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a 'woman' sows, that shall 'she' also reap."
How many times have we been deceived by the thought, "That little wrong eating won't matter." I put in the word 'eating' because that's what Genesis referred to in the first place. Jesus said is John 6, "If you eat Me...you will live because of Me."
It sounds as if HE is now the wonderful, life giving Tree of Life!
So often He encouraged people to simply "Come to HIM." ...and of course we now have the Bible...to feed on and bring us to HIM.
I have noticed, sadly, that many times when I have NOT set my mind on Him and His truth, out of my mouth have come words that hurt, tear down, and discourage not only me, but the others I speak them to!!
How many, many times I have had to repent when the Holy Spirit quickly comes to convict me that death has just come from me. How many times I have had to apologize to my dear husband and others when I let that happen. And...how many, many times my precious Saviour has forgiven and washed me completely clean through the blood that He shed on the cross!! And that reminds me of this verse, "To whom has been forgiven much, the same loves much!" THAT I see is me...He continues to woo and to win my heart!
Eve was created to be a strong Helper...an 'Ezer' to her husband; and so are we. What I was 'struck' with is how lethal our actions and our words can be when we eat the fruit God forbids. What is that? "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." That tree was in the midst of the garden. It was not tucked 'out of the way' somewhere in a place it would not often be seen, but no! It was right in the middle. Could it be that God was desiring a wise choice from His people?
We also know that the 'tree of life' was available...and so it is to us today.
And each day we also have a choice. We are not robots, pre-programmed to simply obey.
In Deut. 30:19 the Lord actually says, "I have set before you death and life. Therefore choose life that both you and your descendants may live."
From this verse we can see that our choices WILL affect not only us, but also our descendants. THAT has been a great motivator for me. Gal. 6:7 repeats something similar; "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a 'woman' sows, that shall 'she' also reap."
How many times have we been deceived by the thought, "That little wrong eating won't matter." I put in the word 'eating' because that's what Genesis referred to in the first place. Jesus said is John 6, "If you eat Me...you will live because of Me."
It sounds as if HE is now the wonderful, life giving Tree of Life!
So often He encouraged people to simply "Come to HIM." ...and of course we now have the Bible...to feed on and bring us to HIM.
I have noticed, sadly, that many times when I have NOT set my mind on Him and His truth, out of my mouth have come words that hurt, tear down, and discourage not only me, but the others I speak them to!!
How many, many times I have had to repent when the Holy Spirit quickly comes to convict me that death has just come from me. How many times I have had to apologize to my dear husband and others when I let that happen. And...how many, many times my precious Saviour has forgiven and washed me completely clean through the blood that He shed on the cross!! And that reminds me of this verse, "To whom has been forgiven much, the same loves much!" THAT I see is me...He continues to woo and to win my heart!
Response-Ability
Lately I've been thinking about the word, "Responsibility" and it occurred to me that it is actually two words! If I simply focus on my part in life...where I am called to fulfill my daily duties; to be responsible, it can often feel overwhelming...and kind of a drudgery. I have heard one highly productive, disciplined woman say, "Do it until you like it." This may not always happen though as there are duties in each of our lives that we may never 'like.' Another advice she gave to get our jobs done was just, "Do the next thing." -- kind of like bringing it all down to 'bite sized' pieces...which was more helpful to me.
There is a verse in the Bible which says, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." This I see, to be a marvellous key. As we receive HIS divine and perfect life into us we experience the miraculous process which the Bible calls being 'born again.' We are born of His Spirit in the deepest part of our being; and in that instant, we become a 'new creation!'
There's a lovely song which says, "I'm a new creation, I'm a brand new man.
Old things are passed away, I am born again!
More than a conqueror, that's what I am.
I'm a new creation-I'm a brand new man!
These are definitely true Bible words...and yet there is also a very real battle within each of us, even after we know we have prayed to receive HIM. In considering this I have discovered two extremes. One side focuses very much on the truth that God will do this work. He is "the Author and Finisher of our faith." "It is God Who operates in us both to will and to do His good pleasure." Surely we can just relax and HE will do it all!
The flip side of this focus recalls verses such as--"He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." and "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." ---"We make it our aim to be well pleasing to Him."
So,,,which is it? "He will do?" or "Work out your salvation?" I would like to say it is both!
And that's where the two words 'response-ability' comes in.
We are responsible beings and we are accountable to obey our Lord in the tiny, seemingly unimportant duties of our daily life BUT at the same time, it is HE Who constantly empowers us from within. Learning how to recognize and to co-operate with this is so very important! He grants the ability...and we respond. And as we do this HE does always cause us to "triumph in Christ" in the seemingly insignificant, small things of our life.
As His follower; to accept continual defeat in our daily life and call it 'normal' is actually to embrace a lie!... and therefore to continue to 'live a lie.' Is this what much of North American Christianity has come to accept? If and when that is the case I would like to suggest therein is extremely serious identity confusion!
Hebrews 12 1,2 also gives us another help. "Run with endurance the race set before you...fixing your eyes on/looking unto Jesus..." and then both the ability and the response will come from Him!
There is a verse in the Bible which says, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." This I see, to be a marvellous key. As we receive HIS divine and perfect life into us we experience the miraculous process which the Bible calls being 'born again.' We are born of His Spirit in the deepest part of our being; and in that instant, we become a 'new creation!'
There's a lovely song which says, "I'm a new creation, I'm a brand new man.
Old things are passed away, I am born again!
More than a conqueror, that's what I am.
I'm a new creation-I'm a brand new man!
These are definitely true Bible words...and yet there is also a very real battle within each of us, even after we know we have prayed to receive HIM. In considering this I have discovered two extremes. One side focuses very much on the truth that God will do this work. He is "the Author and Finisher of our faith." "It is God Who operates in us both to will and to do His good pleasure." Surely we can just relax and HE will do it all!
The flip side of this focus recalls verses such as--"He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." and "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." ---"We make it our aim to be well pleasing to Him."
So,,,which is it? "He will do?" or "Work out your salvation?" I would like to say it is both!
And that's where the two words 'response-ability' comes in.
We are responsible beings and we are accountable to obey our Lord in the tiny, seemingly unimportant duties of our daily life BUT at the same time, it is HE Who constantly empowers us from within. Learning how to recognize and to co-operate with this is so very important! He grants the ability...and we respond. And as we do this HE does always cause us to "triumph in Christ" in the seemingly insignificant, small things of our life.
As His follower; to accept continual defeat in our daily life and call it 'normal' is actually to embrace a lie!... and therefore to continue to 'live a lie.' Is this what much of North American Christianity has come to accept? If and when that is the case I would like to suggest therein is extremely serious identity confusion!
Hebrews 12 1,2 also gives us another help. "Run with endurance the race set before you...fixing your eyes on/looking unto Jesus..." and then both the ability and the response will come from Him!
Friday, March 3, 2017
When Walking Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
Mar. 2017
Over the past month, since my dear mother turned '92'...then fell and broke her hip on the same day, my life has been a series of ups and downs. "Will she or won't she make it this time?" After spending 10 days with her, it seemed she may be here for awhile, so I returned to my home about 1500 miles away from her. However, during my time there I discovered the devotional book, "Words of Comfort & Cheer" by Lettie Cowman. Words cannot convey just how timely and helpful these devotionals have been to me while we walk through this "valley of the shadow of death."
One passage I'll focus on is Matt. 8:22 "Jesus said to him,'Follow Me, and let the dead bury their dead." The author brings out that the Lord is not asking us to deny our sorrow and simply manifest stoicism. No--but she is saying that we can not cure our own sorrow by nursing it too long. If we do, it may grow into a very obstinate, persistent; even habitual attitude of heart. What she brings out here instead is, the antidote of looking on the things of others...and begin to nurse their sorrows...begin to care for them!
And, amazingly, by ministering to them in their tears He is healing ours!
While growing up at home, so many years ago now; my mother used to tell me, "If you feel lonely, look around for someone who may be lonelier or more frightened, and be kind to them." This was wonderful advice! It really did help me many times; to get my mind off of myself! And, the Lord has this written in His Word; "Look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others!" (Phil 2:4) And again it is written in Job 42:10 "And the Lord restored Job's losses (turned his captivity) when he prayed for his friends."
I am finding these days, that I am being marvellously helped by following assignments the Lord is giving me day by day. That is surely much better than sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring...with a report of her current progress. I did not realize how difficult it would be for me, to walk through this valley with my Mother and my siblings. It is extremely painful, but...I KNOW HE is with me! Part of the poem in the devotional is as follows:
"Hearts growing weary, with heavier woe now droop midst the darkness; go comfort them-go!
Go bury your sorrow, let others be blest; go give them the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest."
Monday, January 23, 2017
Let's not be Foolish
Recently I have been going through the book of 1 Samuel again. By writing out my observations, passage by passage; and then the insights and applications the Lord brings to my attention, I am finding the Word coming so freshly alive!
The other day in chapter 13 verse 13 Samuel said something very sobering to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you."
Saul, like we believers today, had been chosen by the Lord to reign in the Kingdom and had done fairly well up to this point, but during this recent test he 'saw his people scattering from him, Samuel, his godly authority didn't come when Saul thought he should, and the enemy was gathering to attack.' With such a focus on outward situations, Saul felt 'compelled' to do something that was not his job to do. Instead of trusting God to come through, he 'took matters into his own hands,' and how often do we do that? Samuel told him that "now your kingdom will not continue." That seems so very harsh!
Yesterday in our morning meeting the passage from Matthew 25 was read, concerning the wise and the foolish virgins. When the Bridegroom returned those who were wise- who took oil in their vessels with their lamps- went in with Him to the wedding, and the door was shut to the foolish ones who were told they needed to "buy for themselves." Again, this even seems shocking!
But what are these passages saying? And, how do we 'buy the oil?' and what do we do if we have failed to do what He commands us?
In Luke 10:38 we are told that Martha welcomed Jesus into her house. This is wonderful but...after receiving Him, she then was distracted with much serving; becoming "worried and troubled about many things." She even developed a very unloving attitude towards her sister, Mary, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? TELL her to help me." Again, if we are honest, we have to confess we have had attitudes like this at times.
And what did Jesus say about Mary who was sitting at His feet, listening to His every Word? "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her."
It seems that the key to carrying out His commands is to spend time in His presence really listening to Him. That will supply us with the awareness to discern wisely what He is asking of us...and the supply to actually do it! Today we have His Word, the Bible, and we can ask Him to speak to our hearts as we read or listen to His Word. This I believe, will enable us to be the wise virgins full of the oil of the Holy Spirit, and ready for the wedding feast!
And what if we have 'taken matters into our own hands' as Saul or Martha did? When the Holy Spirit convicts us (and He does)...let's purpose not to make an excuse; to justify ourselves, or to blame someone else. We can simply confess our sin, agree with whatever He convicts us of. Then He says He is faithful to forgive and to cleanse us again.
Oh may we be awake, alert to guard our hearts in this way! May we truly watch and then we will be ready for the Bridegroom...and we will reign in His Kingdom,
The other day in chapter 13 verse 13 Samuel said something very sobering to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you."
Saul, like we believers today, had been chosen by the Lord to reign in the Kingdom and had done fairly well up to this point, but during this recent test he 'saw his people scattering from him, Samuel, his godly authority didn't come when Saul thought he should, and the enemy was gathering to attack.' With such a focus on outward situations, Saul felt 'compelled' to do something that was not his job to do. Instead of trusting God to come through, he 'took matters into his own hands,' and how often do we do that? Samuel told him that "now your kingdom will not continue." That seems so very harsh!
Yesterday in our morning meeting the passage from Matthew 25 was read, concerning the wise and the foolish virgins. When the Bridegroom returned those who were wise- who took oil in their vessels with their lamps- went in with Him to the wedding, and the door was shut to the foolish ones who were told they needed to "buy for themselves." Again, this even seems shocking!
But what are these passages saying? And, how do we 'buy the oil?' and what do we do if we have failed to do what He commands us?
In Luke 10:38 we are told that Martha welcomed Jesus into her house. This is wonderful but...after receiving Him, she then was distracted with much serving; becoming "worried and troubled about many things." She even developed a very unloving attitude towards her sister, Mary, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? TELL her to help me." Again, if we are honest, we have to confess we have had attitudes like this at times.
And what did Jesus say about Mary who was sitting at His feet, listening to His every Word? "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her."
It seems that the key to carrying out His commands is to spend time in His presence really listening to Him. That will supply us with the awareness to discern wisely what He is asking of us...and the supply to actually do it! Today we have His Word, the Bible, and we can ask Him to speak to our hearts as we read or listen to His Word. This I believe, will enable us to be the wise virgins full of the oil of the Holy Spirit, and ready for the wedding feast!
And what if we have 'taken matters into our own hands' as Saul or Martha did? When the Holy Spirit convicts us (and He does)...let's purpose not to make an excuse; to justify ourselves, or to blame someone else. We can simply confess our sin, agree with whatever He convicts us of. Then He says He is faithful to forgive and to cleanse us again.
Oh may we be awake, alert to guard our hearts in this way! May we truly watch and then we will be ready for the Bridegroom...and we will reign in His Kingdom,
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