Recently, I did a lecture on Worry, Frustration and Discouragement to coordinate with a Bible Study our Women's Ministry is doing on the book: "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges, NavPress. http://bit.ly/8GZLUT
In my research I was saddened to see how devastating anxiety has become in our culture. Twenty five years ago, I worked in marketing communications in health care when the first 'panic attacks' were presenting in Emergency Rooms. I helped some of my colleagues plan clinician-to-clinician educational seminars on how to help patients whose minds were so overwhelmed with anxiety that they couldn't stop their racing, anxious thoughts. In researching anxiety on the internet, including YouTube, it appears that anxiety attacks have become chronic conditions that devastate lives.
The "Respectable Sins" study addresses how readily these sins are accepted and perpetuated in Christians' lives. In that portion of my pre-lecture research, I found several Christian authors who admitted that these have been areas of struggle..... so I didn't feel so alone admitting these have been my areas of weakness as well. In fact, I embraced this assignment thinking, 'well, I have learned a lot about these sins over the course of my life and can share some of what I've learned.' .... and somewhere inside, I thought: 'God has a sense of humor to give me this assignment.....' But, I soon realized God does NOT have a sense of humor about these sins. He hates them. He wants us to rid them from our lives, because of the damage they do to us. He loves us, and offers a much better way of life than to be fettered with worry, frustration and discontentment. Jesus said, "I do not give as the world gives. I give you Peace..." In a culture that coddles, over indulges and feeds materialism, isn't it refreshing that Jesus came to set us free? That's what my teaching is about.... the freedom and peace we can have in Jesus, and I am willing to share it with whomever can use it. (This news is too good to keep to myself!)
But, before I go on, I just have to ask: Do you know Jesus? Perhaps you found your way to this blog while you were looking for relief from your anxiety. If so, I have such good news for you. God loves you so much that He is reaching out to you at this moment. Yes. God. The Creator of the Universe. The Holy One who was in the Beginning and will Be in the End. He sent his son Jesus to live a sinless life in the form of a man. Jesus is all man and all God. And, he lived on this earth 2,000 years ago without ever committing a sin.... no lies, no hate, no pride, no lust and no anxiety... He took the punishment we deserve for refusing to seek and obey God, our Creator. Jesus was crucified on a cross, suffered, and died. BUT, after 3 days, he rose from the dead to overcome sin and death forever. God's word says that when we put our faith in Jesus' payment for our sins, we can become God's child. Here it is in the gospel of John: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."bit.ly/5pjhFp If you are fed up with your lack of peace and meaningless life and are willing to seek God with all your heart, you can become a child of God by praying to Him right now and asking to receive HIS free gift of salvation.... "God, I believe you love me and sent Jesus to pay for my sins. I want to seek you and place my faith in what Jesus did for me. I want to know you and learn your ways. Please LORD give me your peace. Let me receive Jesus the Prince of Peace... I ask you today to let me receive Jesus... Amen."
I will be glad to send you a free copy of the packet entitled: "Attaining to the Fullness of Christ's Peace: a study on Anxiety, Worry and Discontentment." It looks at the these sins from God's perspective, shows the heart issues that are at their root and how to appropriate Christ's peace. Use it for yourself or to help others. I have received positive comments from those, who were new to these topics. To receive your copy, email me at: suetomson@comcast.net. And, I also recommend the Respectable Sins book, which does a great job of opening our hearts to these and many other tolerated sins that the LORD wants to turn from.
Blessings!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
I Love the Unity Diversity Brings
One of the most blessed small group times I have ever had was on one of my earlier days at Harvest Bible Chapel, when I sat with 3 other women from 3 other continents to discuss our Bible lesson. It was a spiritual high for me. Why? because we had so little in common. Having always lived in the NW Suburbs of Chicago - I am kinda 'characteristic' of the culture I grew up in. But sitting that evening with a woman from India, and another from Africa, and a third woman from the Dominican Republic.... whose accents challenged my listening skills.... blessed my heart. Why? Because we had ONE HUGE common denominator... JESUS CHRIST, and HIM ALONE.
But diversity can also be defined by life-season. I have always been involved in multi-generational women's Bible studies.... when I was younger I would listen to the older women talk about their daughters and I would gain insight into my mom's perspective. And as I walked with some of those women over time, I saw them go through seasons that prepared me for what I would face in my future. God has placed us and can use US, TOGETHER, in a unique way.
One of the burdens I always have about women's ministries in churches is that I don't want it to become a 'girls club'. I was at a church oncc where the 'reigning women' had stopped growing in Christ-likeness and instead it became social and political. And, I have to tell you, I think part of the reason the LORD brought me to Harvest is to weed out some of the seeds that had been planted from those days. I think a lot of the problems there had to do with lack of accountability.... everyone figured each woman would get what she needed from the WORD and the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT.... which is true... we didn't want to confront anyone... that gets messy... That's not the case at Harvest. Our elders and leaders take their charge seriously to present us to the LORD as having grown in Holiness. Consider these verses; Heb 10:25 says we need to continue to meet together... and encourage one another on... And Heb. 10:24 says we should CONSIDER how we can SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON toward love and good deeds. and John13:34 says: :A New command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men will know you are my DISCIPLES if you love one another." 1 Corinthians 13 gives a wonderful picture of the love that Jesus pours out on us, including: love is patient, love is kind...It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres... some of you know that I do pray those verses over you throughout the year.
All this to say.... we need to take accountability seriously. I encourage you to get an accountability patner. Then, get a good list of questions for the two of you to use. Then, in humility before the LORD, read through them, and put a dot or a check by those that the Holy Spirit nudges you with. Those are your 'issues' for this year. And, remember, just because you are nudged about, say, lust... doesn't mean that you are having an affair. It could be a condition of the heart.... that the LORD would call you to repent of reading romance novels...or cut down on chick flicks. I'm just sayin... :)
The goal from accountability should be to learn from one another and to challenge one another to grow up into the Beauty of Christ that is meant for women of God.... "who like Sarah clothed herself with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit... and submitted to the (authority figure/s) in her life.... we are her daughters if we do what is right and not give way to fear."
I want to be pleasing in God's sight... clothed with His beauty, don't you?
But diversity can also be defined by life-season. I have always been involved in multi-generational women's Bible studies.... when I was younger I would listen to the older women talk about their daughters and I would gain insight into my mom's perspective. And as I walked with some of those women over time, I saw them go through seasons that prepared me for what I would face in my future. God has placed us and can use US, TOGETHER, in a unique way.
One of the burdens I always have about women's ministries in churches is that I don't want it to become a 'girls club'. I was at a church oncc where the 'reigning women' had stopped growing in Christ-likeness and instead it became social and political. And, I have to tell you, I think part of the reason the LORD brought me to Harvest is to weed out some of the seeds that had been planted from those days. I think a lot of the problems there had to do with lack of accountability.... everyone figured each woman would get what she needed from the WORD and the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT.... which is true... we didn't want to confront anyone... that gets messy... That's not the case at Harvest. Our elders and leaders take their charge seriously to present us to the LORD as having grown in Holiness. Consider these verses; Heb 10:25 says we need to continue to meet together... and encourage one another on... And Heb. 10:24 says we should CONSIDER how we can SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON toward love and good deeds. and John13:34 says: :A New command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men will know you are my DISCIPLES if you love one another." 1 Corinthians 13 gives a wonderful picture of the love that Jesus pours out on us, including: love is patient, love is kind...It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres... some of you know that I do pray those verses over you throughout the year.
All this to say.... we need to take accountability seriously. I encourage you to get an accountability patner. Then, get a good list of questions for the two of you to use. Then, in humility before the LORD, read through them, and put a dot or a check by those that the Holy Spirit nudges you with. Those are your 'issues' for this year. And, remember, just because you are nudged about, say, lust... doesn't mean that you are having an affair. It could be a condition of the heart.... that the LORD would call you to repent of reading romance novels...or cut down on chick flicks. I'm just sayin... :)
The goal from accountability should be to learn from one another and to challenge one another to grow up into the Beauty of Christ that is meant for women of God.... "who like Sarah clothed herself with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit... and submitted to the (authority figure/s) in her life.... we are her daughters if we do what is right and not give way to fear."
I want to be pleasing in God's sight... clothed with His beauty, don't you?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Carrying Other's Burdens
Man looks at the Appearance…
I spent some time with a gal recently who attended church for many years, but in our talk, she admitted she still has trouble understanding the Word. We prayed together, and I came away realizing again… I just can’t presume where someone really is in their heart… because only God Looks at the Heart. God does indeed look at the heart and He has chosen YOU, and this study, and Lina’s teaching, to minister to your gals for this season of your life.
Whatever You Ask in my Name…
Before I met with that gal, I prayed such a simple prayer, but that’s okay… because God wasn’t ministering among us because of a lavishly articulated prayer or fine sounding spiritual argument, He was acting because of our faith in Jesus and what He was doing in her life. In a way, it takes away the pressure…
Carrying others’ burdens…
This is the heavy part of the ministry…. Sometimes all we see is the ashes in their lives. Job’s friends saw ashes too… and health issues, and material loss….and when they didn’t know what to say or do, they said all kinds of wrong things… because their focus was all wrong. It was on themselves, their self righteousness, and on Job and his sins…. Right?
But God set that all straight in Job 40, when God spoke to Job from in a storm and told Job that since he could not figure out the reasons for his suffering…and since Job, himself, was not All Wise, All powerful, Eternal, Great and Perfect, then Job should trust the ONE who is….the Lord God Yahwey, which is the name that implies an intimate relationship with man. (Job 40-41)
And that is the reason it is so important to be in His Word. Because our gals need us to help them trust and BELIEVE in the ONLY ONE who is worth believing in and trusting…. The All Wise, All Powerful, Almighty, Eternal, Great and Perfect GOD and His Son Jesus Christ.
I spent some time with a gal recently who attended church for many years, but in our talk, she admitted she still has trouble understanding the Word. We prayed together, and I came away realizing again… I just can’t presume where someone really is in their heart… because only God Looks at the Heart. God does indeed look at the heart and He has chosen YOU, and this study, and Lina’s teaching, to minister to your gals for this season of your life.
Whatever You Ask in my Name…
Before I met with that gal, I prayed such a simple prayer, but that’s okay… because God wasn’t ministering among us because of a lavishly articulated prayer or fine sounding spiritual argument, He was acting because of our faith in Jesus and what He was doing in her life. In a way, it takes away the pressure…
Carrying others’ burdens…
This is the heavy part of the ministry…. Sometimes all we see is the ashes in their lives. Job’s friends saw ashes too… and health issues, and material loss….and when they didn’t know what to say or do, they said all kinds of wrong things… because their focus was all wrong. It was on themselves, their self righteousness, and on Job and his sins…. Right?
But God set that all straight in Job 40, when God spoke to Job from in a storm and told Job that since he could not figure out the reasons for his suffering…and since Job, himself, was not All Wise, All powerful, Eternal, Great and Perfect, then Job should trust the ONE who is….the Lord God Yahwey, which is the name that implies an intimate relationship with man. (Job 40-41)
And that is the reason it is so important to be in His Word. Because our gals need us to help them trust and BELIEVE in the ONLY ONE who is worth believing in and trusting…. The All Wise, All Powerful, Almighty, Eternal, Great and Perfect GOD and His Son Jesus Christ.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Dealing with Distraction - and why bother
Distraction.
Summer seems to be a time that distraction can pull us away from the Lord. I was thinking about that and the words from the Castling Crown's song were in my head... "its a slow fade".... how easy it is to let distraction creep in as we slowly fade from the freshness of our first love in Christ.
There is a great book about part of the cause of distraction entitled, "The Enemy Within" by Kris Lundgaard. On page 88... the author says a lazy soul realizes he'll never be perfect, so he says "why bother?" It made me reflect on how much of our distraction is rooted in that lazyness of soul.... and how can I encourage myself and others around me to BOTHER!
God's word says we are either moving closer to Jesus or away from him. When we don't engage the flesh in battle, we fall farther and farther from Jesus. The parable Jesus told about the 10 Bridesmaids (Mt. 25) makes a strong case of the need to be aggressive in our pursuit of righteousness. The five maidens who 'did not bother' keeping their lamps trimmed and preparing for their groom's return were called fools and left outside of the banquet. His words to them are chilling: "I tell you the truth, I do not know you." "Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.'
There have been seasons that my flesh was reigning in me to the point that it could be described by Proverbs 26:15 "the sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it to his mouth." why bother....
So, how can we encourage one another to break through that barrier of spiritual slumber? What is the right motivation pull oneself out of a spiritual state where we just can't even lift our hands from the bowl to feed our spiritual souls?
Well, frankly, we cannot do this on our own... we need to start with personal confession to ask Jesus, who even overcame the sins of spiritual laziness, to grant us his gift of repentance and draw us to him. Then, we need to be sober and alert to the battle inside... but there is also a very subtle battle that is going on around us (outside).... and we need to be alert to that as well.
We live in America. It's a free and affluent country....even in recession times, we have so much more than so many in the world. While there are many blessings in the affluence... as believers we should OPEN OUR EYES to the curse of freedom and wealth. It gives us choices that can lead us on paths that put us to sleep! Wealth can distract us so much that we begin to feel like "we don't need a thing"! It numbs our soul like alchohol numbs our body. And, it blinds us to our spiritual condition... instead we want what others have - circumstances and stuff, we think we need to pursue other hobbies, education, postitions.... oh my, we can even pursue "Skinny Cow Deserts" and we can eat as many as we want! We are FREE.... and our freedom can be a CURSE. (not from God, per se, but a curse to our spirits!) We need to be sober and alert to this battle that slowly pulls us from our first love.... But don't just take me at my word... read Rev. 3:15-22 to see what Jesus said to the church of Laodecea below:
Do you see what Jesus counsels that rich church to do? To buy Gold refined in the fire and white clothes to wear and salve to see. There is the motivation I was looking for.... so that i stop the pity party my flesh throws when I am being refined... and embrace the new white clothes of righteousness that the LORD is trying to get me to wear... as I repent from sins.... AND... for the salve he wants to give me to open my eyes so I am focused on the RIGHT things and number my days right... eternal things that will last. THAT IS WHY I NEED TO "BOTHER" hurray! thank you for that answer, Jesus.
But there is more... the most important motivation of all.... our goal and purpose for vehemently battling the flesh.... Jesus said it to Laodecea... he knocks on the door to our heart to wake us up and get us to be earnest and repent BECAUSE HE WANTS TO Dine with us... to take us out on on a date of intimacy with Him.... Your first LOVE and mine, Jesus Christ, shows us our motive to put away the misdeeds of the flesh.... to aggressively castrate the flesh... is LOVE for Him.
There is a quote on page 119 of 'The Enemy Within' that says, "The person who calls himself a Christian, who says he loves God, yet does not seek his company and delight in it, can't be a true lover of God. His own flesh has deceived him. If he doesn't daily give his heart to God and receive God's heart in return, if he doesn't daily renew his hatred of his own sin and his delight in God's mercy, he has no relationship with God."
That's the motive I was looking for.... the real reason to aggressively put my sin nature to death.... intimacy with Jesus! Not religious duties to make us feel good... not necessities that make us feel trapped... or must do's so our white robe is so starched we can't smile... its so we can walk with Him and dine with Him in the garden of his love.... that's what our Creator created us for.
Whew! Are you hungry?
Summer seems to be a time that distraction can pull us away from the Lord. I was thinking about that and the words from the Castling Crown's song were in my head... "its a slow fade".... how easy it is to let distraction creep in as we slowly fade from the freshness of our first love in Christ.
There is a great book about part of the cause of distraction entitled, "The Enemy Within" by Kris Lundgaard. On page 88... the author says a lazy soul realizes he'll never be perfect, so he says "why bother?" It made me reflect on how much of our distraction is rooted in that lazyness of soul.... and how can I encourage myself and others around me to BOTHER!
God's word says we are either moving closer to Jesus or away from him. When we don't engage the flesh in battle, we fall farther and farther from Jesus. The parable Jesus told about the 10 Bridesmaids (Mt. 25) makes a strong case of the need to be aggressive in our pursuit of righteousness. The five maidens who 'did not bother' keeping their lamps trimmed and preparing for their groom's return were called fools and left outside of the banquet. His words to them are chilling: "I tell you the truth, I do not know you." "Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.'
There have been seasons that my flesh was reigning in me to the point that it could be described by Proverbs 26:15 "the sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it to his mouth." why bother....
So, how can we encourage one another to break through that barrier of spiritual slumber? What is the right motivation pull oneself out of a spiritual state where we just can't even lift our hands from the bowl to feed our spiritual souls?
Well, frankly, we cannot do this on our own... we need to start with personal confession to ask Jesus, who even overcame the sins of spiritual laziness, to grant us his gift of repentance and draw us to him. Then, we need to be sober and alert to the battle inside... but there is also a very subtle battle that is going on around us (outside).... and we need to be alert to that as well.
We live in America. It's a free and affluent country....even in recession times, we have so much more than so many in the world. While there are many blessings in the affluence... as believers we should OPEN OUR EYES to the curse of freedom and wealth. It gives us choices that can lead us on paths that put us to sleep! Wealth can distract us so much that we begin to feel like "we don't need a thing"! It numbs our soul like alchohol numbs our body. And, it blinds us to our spiritual condition... instead we want what others have - circumstances and stuff, we think we need to pursue other hobbies, education, postitions.... oh my, we can even pursue "Skinny Cow Deserts" and we can eat as many as we want! We are FREE.... and our freedom can be a CURSE. (not from God, per se, but a curse to our spirits!) We need to be sober and alert to this battle that slowly pulls us from our first love.... But don't just take me at my word... read Rev. 3:15-22 to see what Jesus said to the church of Laodecea below:
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne."
Do you see what Jesus counsels that rich church to do? To buy Gold refined in the fire and white clothes to wear and salve to see. There is the motivation I was looking for.... so that i stop the pity party my flesh throws when I am being refined... and embrace the new white clothes of righteousness that the LORD is trying to get me to wear... as I repent from sins.... AND... for the salve he wants to give me to open my eyes so I am focused on the RIGHT things and number my days right... eternal things that will last. THAT IS WHY I NEED TO "BOTHER" hurray! thank you for that answer, Jesus.
But there is more... the most important motivation of all.... our goal and purpose for vehemently battling the flesh.... Jesus said it to Laodecea... he knocks on the door to our heart to wake us up and get us to be earnest and repent BECAUSE HE WANTS TO Dine with us... to take us out on on a date of intimacy with Him.... Your first LOVE and mine, Jesus Christ, shows us our motive to put away the misdeeds of the flesh.... to aggressively castrate the flesh... is LOVE for Him.
There is a quote on page 119 of 'The Enemy Within' that says, "The person who calls himself a Christian, who says he loves God, yet does not seek his company and delight in it, can't be a true lover of God. His own flesh has deceived him. If he doesn't daily give his heart to God and receive God's heart in return, if he doesn't daily renew his hatred of his own sin and his delight in God's mercy, he has no relationship with God."
That's the motive I was looking for.... the real reason to aggressively put my sin nature to death.... intimacy with Jesus! Not religious duties to make us feel good... not necessities that make us feel trapped... or must do's so our white robe is so starched we can't smile... its so we can walk with Him and dine with Him in the garden of his love.... that's what our Creator created us for.
Whew! Are you hungry?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Ownership!
Ownership
In the business world, the term 'ownership' is an important part of team building and project management. Project managers are taught different ways to engage group members so that they participate in problem solving and gain "ownership" in a task or project. Once they "own" or feel the responsibility for part of the solution, they work harder, smarter and enjoy the success of completion. Those that do not have ownership usually become a problem. They become scoffers, complainers or pose other obstacles to those who are working.
Nehemiah was such a successsful leader that I thought of this principle recently as I finished reading Nehemiah 13. He had spent 12 years praying and leading the people in Jerusalem to rebuild the wall, the temple, set up the Levitical priesthood, reinstate the feasts, and fill Jerusalem, that when he returned to find corruption, he was angry. He even beat some of the men who intermarried with non-believers.
Imagine how he felt. All that hard work. All those prayers. How dare them defile God's city in that way. How dare him allow the enemy to live in the temple! How could they intermarry with non-believers after all those years of living in rubble because of their forefathers' compromises. How dare them!
Can you see his ownership?
Well this reminded me of a woman who is part of a prayer ministry for her church. Almost every week for many years she goes to the prayer room and prays scripture over the people, the pastors and leaders, and ministries.
Her desire? That God would build the church so that the work wouldn't be done in vain. That believers would be rooted in Love and grounded in the Word. That non-believers would be convicted and convinced that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and alone can save them from their sins. And, that believers would grow up into the fullness of Christ, His love, and resurrection power.
Guess What Happened When She Saw Someone Gossip?
She displayed ownership - just like Nehemiah. She was concerned about the corruption of the ministry. She hadn't been in that room praying all those days to let this vile thing happened. So, she dealt with it the way God said to in His word. She prayed beforehand, she met the person privately... and they worked it out.
Her ownership in the church and ministry kept her on the right path.
It occurred to me that Jesus had similar principles in mind in John 15:15. Right after telling the disciples to love, pray in his name, and obey him to the point of laying down their lives, he said: "You are my friends if you do what I say. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
Can you see the ownership he offers us? But something else occurred to me as I pondered these truths.... He is also helping form our identity as His child.... and His heir. We are sharing the family business. We are building his kingdom. Demolishing strongholds. Claiming truths. Spreading light.. and life! And, of the end of this kingdom (that we are laying hold of here on earth) there will be no end! For HE shall reign forever.... and we will reign with him.
Rev. 5:9-10 "And they sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
Rev. 22: 3-5 "No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."
Now that's OWNERSHIP I want to be a part of!
In the business world, the term 'ownership' is an important part of team building and project management. Project managers are taught different ways to engage group members so that they participate in problem solving and gain "ownership" in a task or project. Once they "own" or feel the responsibility for part of the solution, they work harder, smarter and enjoy the success of completion. Those that do not have ownership usually become a problem. They become scoffers, complainers or pose other obstacles to those who are working.
Nehemiah was such a successsful leader that I thought of this principle recently as I finished reading Nehemiah 13. He had spent 12 years praying and leading the people in Jerusalem to rebuild the wall, the temple, set up the Levitical priesthood, reinstate the feasts, and fill Jerusalem, that when he returned to find corruption, he was angry. He even beat some of the men who intermarried with non-believers.
Imagine how he felt. All that hard work. All those prayers. How dare them defile God's city in that way. How dare him allow the enemy to live in the temple! How could they intermarry with non-believers after all those years of living in rubble because of their forefathers' compromises. How dare them!
Can you see his ownership?
Well this reminded me of a woman who is part of a prayer ministry for her church. Almost every week for many years she goes to the prayer room and prays scripture over the people, the pastors and leaders, and ministries.
Her desire? That God would build the church so that the work wouldn't be done in vain. That believers would be rooted in Love and grounded in the Word. That non-believers would be convicted and convinced that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and alone can save them from their sins. And, that believers would grow up into the fullness of Christ, His love, and resurrection power.
Guess What Happened When She Saw Someone Gossip?
She displayed ownership - just like Nehemiah. She was concerned about the corruption of the ministry. She hadn't been in that room praying all those days to let this vile thing happened. So, she dealt with it the way God said to in His word. She prayed beforehand, she met the person privately... and they worked it out.
Her ownership in the church and ministry kept her on the right path.
It occurred to me that Jesus had similar principles in mind in John 15:15. Right after telling the disciples to love, pray in his name, and obey him to the point of laying down their lives, he said: "You are my friends if you do what I say. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
Can you see the ownership he offers us? But something else occurred to me as I pondered these truths.... He is also helping form our identity as His child.... and His heir. We are sharing the family business. We are building his kingdom. Demolishing strongholds. Claiming truths. Spreading light.. and life! And, of the end of this kingdom (that we are laying hold of here on earth) there will be no end! For HE shall reign forever.... and we will reign with him.
Rev. 5:9-10 "And they sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
Rev. 22: 3-5 "No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."
Now that's OWNERSHIP I want to be a part of!
Monday, April 13, 2009
God Loves You... yes even you
I woke up this morning and my heart was all over the place... a little fearful about stuff at work.... and my list can go on. So, I opened my journal and started to write and the Lord reminded me of all he has been talking to me about lately.... and showed me that my fears are all about circumstances. I'm unsettled about the things I see around me... the circumstances in the world.... and He showed me that I'm trying to hold on to the things that are 'seen' and I just need to let go and focus on what He has been telling me lately.... and that is that HE is our Father and HE LOVES US.
I'm one of those people who no matter how many times I heard it, I just couldn't grasp the depths of God's love for me. Not that I'm blind to it, its just something I've had to grow into.... and, I, along with Paul, have prayed "that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power...to grasp how wide and long and wide and deep is the love of Christ and to know the love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:17-19.)
That verse is so rich, isn't it? Well, a dear friend sent me a devotion the other day and said I came to mind as she was reading it. As soon as I saw it, I realized this was the 2nd time I had seen this, and it was a piece of a message that God had been sharing with me, which started with these two verses:
"He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive Him. But to all who received him, to those who believe in His Name, He gave the right to become Children of God." (John 1:11-12)
"The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt--a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, 'Know the Lord', for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31:31-34 -NRSV)
We are His Children! Children of His Covenant. A covenant made by God Almighty... who changes not. Ponder that! I have been grasping afresh the awesome privilege we have to belong to God… as HIS child…. the steadfastness of know him as father... the privilege of approaching Him without having to go through a high priest or someone else....
Now, my friend has 5 children, and she always says a mother is as happy as her most unhappy child. In other words, she always carries the burdens of her children in her heart. And it struck me, how much more God cares about our burdens and sadness. (Even though we who are 'evil (we) know how to give good gifts to (our) children, how much more (does) our Heavenly Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him. Matt. 7:11) And, if our PERFECT Father is a better gift giver than an imperfect parent, isn't he also a better PROTECTOR, PROVIDER and CARETAKER? Of Course he is. I can trust Him.
The devotion that my friend passed along to me had a reference to a video I saw at a women's retreat a few weeks earlier, where Speaker and author Louie Giglio spoke about a molecule in the human body called Laminin. Laminin is actually a protein adhesion molecule, meaning it is responsible for holding you together right now. A scientist told Louie that it’s the 'rebar, the glue, which is literally holding all of your skin on, holding the linings of your organs on, and basically keeping you from being a pile of bones and flesh on the ground." Please watch this video with this verse in mind, and allow the LORD to strengthen you today.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4
Isa. 49:15-16 says, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."
Oh, Lord, help us to grasp it in the depths of our souls…. that we belong to you… that our names are written on the palms of your hands, that you hold our lives together… all the days ordained for us was written in your book before one of them came to be (Psa 139) We can TRUST YOU. Rest in You. Help us to REFLECT you through the depths of our soul, because we truly understand our identity in YOU as YOUR Children. Thank you Jesus, our LORD, for the blood you shed for us on the cross. Thank you for YOUR love, LORD. And Thank you that you hem us in, behind and before (Psalm 139). AMEN.
What does Death Mean to You
I've been thinking a lot about death over the past two weeks. I went to a wake on Friday (coworker's dad) that kept the thoughts about death alive in my meditations.
A friend recently said she likes to challenge believers 'to just act like a Christian.' I don't like to debate semantics, but the problem with telling someone to 'act like a Christian' is that no one can act like a Christian. That's why it's so hard... because to act like a Christian means I need to die to myself and put on Christ. That takes a brokenness, a humbling... and that has to be intentional.... and it can be painful... and sometimes in the depths of our soul it feels treacherous. I am crucifying my flesh....my will....moi.
Unless I humble myself and continually die in my spirit, I cannot partake of Christ, and as long as I remain alive (self sufficient) in that situation, I won't truly act like a Christian. I'll just be acting like ME acting like a Christian.
After I asked for our repentance, I began to see things God still wants to change in me... found myself wrestling through the night about some issues from work where my attitude and fears are not right.... and by yesterday morning, I found myself discouraged .... but the LORD reminded me THE STORY IS NOT OVER! He will bring good out of the hard circumstances AND cleanse me in the process if I allow him to.
My inclination to this truth is to profess a total willingness like Peter did when he said "not just my feet but my hands and head as well" - even though he betrayed Jesus a few hours later. (John 13: 9-11)
John 12:23-25Jesus replied, "...unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
A friend recently said she likes to challenge believers 'to just act like a Christian.' I don't like to debate semantics, but the problem with telling someone to 'act like a Christian' is that no one can act like a Christian. That's why it's so hard... because to act like a Christian means I need to die to myself and put on Christ. That takes a brokenness, a humbling... and that has to be intentional.... and it can be painful... and sometimes in the depths of our soul it feels treacherous. I am crucifying my flesh....my will....moi.
Unless I humble myself and continually die in my spirit, I cannot partake of Christ, and as long as I remain alive (self sufficient) in that situation, I won't truly act like a Christian. I'll just be acting like ME acting like a Christian.
Rom 8:13"For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live..."
After James' sermon on Hell, I prayed that the LORD would cleanse us of the remnant of any sins that were found in the people left outside the city. Rev. 22:15 says, "Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." Oh, I hope your heart is tender to the work of His Spirit in this.... its not easy to see sin in our lives.... but that is what sanctification is all about. That is God's goal for us as long as we are walking on this earth. In fact, compare the list from Revelations with the acts of the sin nature that are in Galatians 5:19 "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like."After I asked for our repentance, I began to see things God still wants to change in me... found myself wrestling through the night about some issues from work where my attitude and fears are not right.... and by yesterday morning, I found myself discouraged .... but the LORD reminded me THE STORY IS NOT OVER! He will bring good out of the hard circumstances AND cleanse me in the process if I allow him to.
My inclination to this truth is to profess a total willingness like Peter did when he said "not just my feet but my hands and head as well" - even though he betrayed Jesus a few hours later. (John 13: 9-11)
This world has no grips on us.... Our situations, heart aches do not define us... Jesus, Defines us... and really, he is not surprised by our sin.... our defeat... and our need to die. I just constantly need to remember the truths that the way to glorify him the most is through death...
John 12:23-25Jesus replied, "...unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
Friday, April 10, 2009
Nothing but the blood of Jesus...
When the kids were young, I had them wear the different colors during Holy Week to help them understand the gospel. Monday and Tuesday was blue/green (creation), Wednesday was gold (God made us for a relationship with Him), and Thursday was Red....to remember the blood of Jesus. That's what's on my heart today.... the precious blood of Jesus.
My previous email spoke of death... the need to die to self.... to allow the LORD to search us, and to continue to bring forth the fruits of repentance. I told you that I have been praying for us that we would be willing to repent of any remnant of sin from the past (like skins on an onion) we may have stopped blatantly lying to others... but is there any falsehood that remains? A book I am reading (Moody Classic) by L.E. Maxwell called, "Born Crucified" discusses Paul's spiritual parenthood to the Corinthian church and the importance for us all to not love and build up other believers' when they are 'in the flesh'... Citing 2 Cor 7, "Paul therefore holds his children in his heart, not to live and die with them, but 'to die and live' with them. He knows them as Christ's. And if Christ's, they have been crucified and raised a new creation. Paul loves the Corinthians, but not 'in the flesh' He loves them through the Cross. He knows 'no man after the flesh."
So, now, having grieved over sin and death... my heart is drawn to consider Christ's blood. Please grasp afresh with me this age-old truth.... the mystery of the ages.... and the privilege that only the elect can comprehend. I'm just going to list select verses...because God's word says it all.... I hope these truths bless you today.
9:6..When everything had been arranged... the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
Heb 9:11-21When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,so that we may serve the living God!
My previous email spoke of death... the need to die to self.... to allow the LORD to search us, and to continue to bring forth the fruits of repentance. I told you that I have been praying for us that we would be willing to repent of any remnant of sin from the past (like skins on an onion) we may have stopped blatantly lying to others... but is there any falsehood that remains? A book I am reading (Moody Classic) by L.E. Maxwell called, "Born Crucified" discusses Paul's spiritual parenthood to the Corinthian church and the importance for us all to not love and build up other believers' when they are 'in the flesh'... Citing 2 Cor 7, "Paul therefore holds his children in his heart, not to live and die with them, but 'to die and live' with them. He knows them as Christ's. And if Christ's, they have been crucified and raised a new creation. Paul loves the Corinthians, but not 'in the flesh' He loves them through the Cross. He knows 'no man after the flesh."
So, now, having grieved over sin and death... my heart is drawn to consider Christ's blood. Please grasp afresh with me this age-old truth.... the mystery of the ages.... and the privilege that only the elect can comprehend. I'm just going to list select verses...because God's word says it all.... I hope these truths bless you today.
We have Redemption through his blood!
Heb. 2:14 "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil"
Romans 3:25"God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.
Eph 1:4-8 ' to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us...
Col. 1:19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
Heb. 9 "1Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary...9:6..When everything had been arranged... the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
Heb 9:11-21When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,so that we may serve the living God!
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Heb 9:22-28In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."
OH. My. I hope you noticed that last verse... and I hope this living WORD... allows you to rejoice in a deeper more profound way... because nothing but the blood of Jesus can take away our sins....
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Facing Down Fear like Nehemiah (Neh 4)
Boy, I feel I could write a book on the fear and discouragement I have faced over the years. I hope the Lord is contending with your spirit on these matters through our lesson this week.
I keep telling the LORD... he can have all my life. But I haven't always realized what that means. For instance, its fine for me to consider being surrendered about certain things that I like and the adventure of how God might play that out.... but what about the 'thorns' in my life.... Remember, James' sermon on the 'thorn in the flesh'? He challenged us to consider what our thorn is right now. I did. And, frankly its the thing that is breaking me. I want to run from it. I'm afraid it will last forever. And, when I recognize it....
I witnessed someone being confronted by sin recently. It was interesting to watch from the outside. They threw a pity-party. A Big one. And, they blamed everyone else. Brought other people into it. Carried on for a week. Then dumped it out. I prayed for them... waited on God... trusted. And, frankly, still don't know what all happened in their heart. I may be seeing some of the fruit of true repentance... but i don't expect to know until eternity.
Then it was my turn... I had to resist the same urges.... I had to remind myself that it is okay to accept the correction... and hold myself back from letting my flesh throw a tantrum. I had to find God's word.... apply it .... and in my thoughts I had to cling to what is good.... and throw off the sin that so easily entangles me. And, I had to remember, the story IS NOT OVER!!!!
Our enemy comes in and shows us our imperfections. He stands at the corner of our lives and mocks us... tells us we are not worthy to call ourselves Christians. He sometimes uses co-workers to also taunt us.... just like Nehemiah's friends. And he tries to get us to think that we won't succeed at glorifying God.... that we are rotten to the core... OR... here's one he got me with (temporarily) recently.... that the sins of my past are still as debillitating as they used to be.... frankly, in my soul I was whimpering in defeat.... until Jesus, by His Holy and most Gracious Spirit, reminded me I am More than a CONQUERER in Christ Jesus. WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERERS in CHRIST JESUS. Amen?
So, how is the enemy taughting you? Don't believe those lies girlfriend! You are an overcomer. You are a child of the Promise. Your life has been redeemed and now you have Christ's Resurrection Power to love others.. even your enemies, to abide in peace, to bear patiently with people, to endure hardship, to see past the tough circumstances and feed on the fountain of Joy that flows from the Throne of GOD.
Will you notice with me the word 'power' that is in the verse below. I've prayed and will continue to pray this verse for you.... and me too... that God will help us to understand HIS resurrection power that is at work in us.
See? We have NO reason to fear or to be discouraged.... if our agenda is that same as God's.... to be conformed to Christ's image.... and the only opinion of ourselves that matters is God's opinion... and he LOVES you tenderly.... then, we just need to walk in the light... and let Him deal with the rest. Chances are you are making a huge impact if you are being tempted towards fear and discouragement.... just like Nehemiah!
I keep telling the LORD... he can have all my life. But I haven't always realized what that means. For instance, its fine for me to consider being surrendered about certain things that I like and the adventure of how God might play that out.... but what about the 'thorns' in my life.... Remember, James' sermon on the 'thorn in the flesh'? He challenged us to consider what our thorn is right now. I did. And, frankly its the thing that is breaking me. I want to run from it. I'm afraid it will last forever. And, when I recognize it....
I witnessed someone being confronted by sin recently. It was interesting to watch from the outside. They threw a pity-party. A Big one. And, they blamed everyone else. Brought other people into it. Carried on for a week. Then dumped it out. I prayed for them... waited on God... trusted. And, frankly, still don't know what all happened in their heart. I may be seeing some of the fruit of true repentance... but i don't expect to know until eternity.
Then it was my turn... I had to resist the same urges.... I had to remind myself that it is okay to accept the correction... and hold myself back from letting my flesh throw a tantrum. I had to find God's word.... apply it .... and in my thoughts I had to cling to what is good.... and throw off the sin that so easily entangles me. And, I had to remember, the story IS NOT OVER!!!!
Our enemy comes in and shows us our imperfections. He stands at the corner of our lives and mocks us... tells us we are not worthy to call ourselves Christians. He sometimes uses co-workers to also taunt us.... just like Nehemiah's friends. And he tries to get us to think that we won't succeed at glorifying God.... that we are rotten to the core... OR... here's one he got me with (temporarily) recently.... that the sins of my past are still as debillitating as they used to be.... frankly, in my soul I was whimpering in defeat.... until Jesus, by His Holy and most Gracious Spirit, reminded me I am More than a CONQUERER in Christ Jesus. WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERERS in CHRIST JESUS. Amen?
So, how is the enemy taughting you? Don't believe those lies girlfriend! You are an overcomer. You are a child of the Promise. Your life has been redeemed and now you have Christ's Resurrection Power to love others.. even your enemies, to abide in peace, to bear patiently with people, to endure hardship, to see past the tough circumstances and feed on the fountain of Joy that flows from the Throne of GOD.
Will you notice with me the word 'power' that is in the verse below. I've prayed and will continue to pray this verse for you.... and me too... that God will help us to understand HIS resurrection power that is at work in us.
Eph 1:18
18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
See? We have NO reason to fear or to be discouraged.... if our agenda is that same as God's.... to be conformed to Christ's image.... and the only opinion of ourselves that matters is God's opinion... and he LOVES you tenderly.... then, we just need to walk in the light... and let Him deal with the rest. Chances are you are making a huge impact if you are being tempted towards fear and discouragement.... just like Nehemiah!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
