Stones of Remembrance

The Reality of Done

2012-02-15T17:51:00.008-08:00

I've been wanting to write this post for some time but have struggled with where to begin. God has begun to do a new thing within me. I used to spend hours focusing on myself and my need to change. I would compare what I was doing for Him to what others were doing and if I was doing more I would feel prideful but if I was doing less I would feel despondent. My need to justify myself to others and to myself was an indication that I didn't trust in the finished work of Christ. It was my unbelief and idolatry that kept me from experiencing His peace and power. God in his grace and mercy was showing me that although it was pretty easy to change my behavior it was impossible to change my heart. He was beginning to cleanse me from my idol of me. The realization that I can't love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, all my strength unless He enables me to love Him was what brought me to the end of myself. I remember crying out to Him, "I can't muster up enough strength within myself to love you the way you call me to love you but I want more than anything to love you this way." But praise be to God through Jesus Christ, He did. It's Jesus' performance for me that justifies me before God. God came to do for me what I could not do for myself through the life, death and resurrection of His perfect Son. I have nothing to offer except all of me. I lay before Him my law marinaded heart and my flesh that screams, "it's about me". I entrust to Him my inabilities and inadequacies and believe Him to do within me what only He can do and that is change me from within. I've heard it said that if you want to make people angry preach law but if you want to make people furious preach grace. I know this to be true because I used to me one of these people. I didn't understand all Christ had secured for me and I thought I had to go out and get something I didn't already possess. Thank you Tullian Tchividjian for teaching me this profound truth. Also, if it's all about Him and His performance for me than it has nothing to do with me and my ability to do anything for Him apart from Him. My ability to do is only rooted in the reality of done. When my focus is on me and what I'm doing or not doing, instead of, on Him and what He has done, then I make my salvation about what I do instead of what has already been done. This isn't the gospel, it's idolatry. It's self-centered not Christ centered. It's what Satan uses to put my attention on me and my flesh instead of on Christ's supremacy, glory and sufficiency.

The Bible tells us that it was Jesus who created us in our mother's womb, Jesus who spoke creation into being, Jesus who was before all things and in Him all things are held together. Jesus who is the image of the invisible God, by whom and through whom all things were created. This creator became the created. He clothed Himself in humanity to become sin for sinners. He who knew no sin became sin and absorbed the wrath of God to justify sinners to God, for while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Justification by faith alone, by grace alone, in the finished work of Christ alone. This profound truth makes me want to do everything for Him who paid it all for me.

Pictures: Top Garden Tomb in Jerusalem

Bottom: Me and my husband on the Mount of of Precipice in Nazareth. Mount Tabor is to the left of us in the distance.

Crippled

2012-01-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, “There are six days to work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound (deo, to tie, bind, imprison) for eighteen LONG years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing. Luke 12:10-17

Lord, give me your words and your insight into these wonderful verses. These verses you put in your Word for me, to comfort me and to show me your desire to bring freedom to those who are bound. In this moment, pour out your love to those who are bound and reaffirm your love to those who doubt your goodness and love. Open their hearts to receive your powerful proclamation, that you have come to set the oppressed free. Luke 4:18.

What is crippling you? What is the thing that has you bound? What is the moment that threatens to pin you to the floor. What is the image that reoccurs over and over in your mind that Satan has enslaved you to? For eighteen long years this dear woman was enslaved and bound and when Jesus saw her, he called out to her to come to him, He called her to trust him with that which was crippling her. What is it that has you hunched over, limping through life because the load you are carrying is too heavy. What are the moments you have shoved deeper into the depths of your heart that threaten to suffocate you. Precious one, Jesus sees you. He desires to heal you from whatever is crippling you and not because He is obligated to heal you but because he loves you and has the power to free you. His hand is not too short to save nor is he waiting for you to get your act together. Is today your Sabbath day? The day when Jesus words, “Come forward dear one,” resonates within you. Trusting Him to do for you what you can not do for yourself, to set you free from your infirmity. Jesus purchased you for himself with His precious blood so that you will be free. Free from that which enslaves and entangles. He didn’t only come to make sick people better but to make dead people alive! He has raised us to new life, given us a new name along with a new identity, he has proclaimed freedom for the prisoners. He has called us out of the darkness and into His glorious light. Don’t doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light. He is transforming you. His desire is to free you from your past as you continue to lay on the alter that which is crippling you. Trusting that He who has called you is faithful and his words are true. He loves you too much to leave you as you are at this moment. Come to Him, all who are weary and burdened and He will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

A Thirsty Land

2012-01-10T09:57:00.000-08:00

This post was written in 2009 after an intense time of wrestling through a season of unbelief, believing that my acceptance and approval had to do with my performance for God instead of God's performance for me. The irony of this was that during this season of struggle I became further aware of the sin below the service oops surface (funny that I would accidentally type service, I'm just going to leave it there in case it speaks to you. I meant surface but many perform service thinking that service is what justifies us before God.) It was a further realization that the sin that resided in the dark recesses of my heart could not be changed by my behavior. I needed a reawakening. I was praying for more of the Holy Spirit when Christ tenderly reminded me that I have all of Him. I didn't just have some of the Holy Spirit, I have all of Him and He is completely perfect and capable to help me in my times of trouble. What I needed was to take hold of, by faith, in what I already had. It was my unbelief that kept me from taking hold of Him. It was only then that I began to realize that no matter how hard I tried I could not change my heart, only Christ can change the inner man. He also showed me that the more I focused on Me the less I focused on Him and His unfailing love for me. The temptation to make my salvation based on what I do instead of what has already been done for me is the temptation to believe I am saved by what I do instead of what Christ has already done for me so that I can then do. It was His desire to free me from myself so that I might then serve Him from a pure heart out of abundant gratitude for all He has secured for me. In light of what He has done for me, the therefore's of the Bible are not burdensome but an outpouring of my faith and love for Him.

For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants; and they will spring up among the grass like poplars by streams of water. This one will say, 'I am the LORD's', and that one will call on the name of Jacob; and another will write on his hand, 'Belonging to the LORD,' and will name Israel's name with honor. Isaiah 44: 3-5

Jesus, stood and cried out saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.' " But this He spoke of the Spirit. John 7:37-38, 39

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

Are you parched? Is your Spirit in need of refreshment from the only well that never runs dry? So often, I look to the wells of the world to satisfy. I look to what the world offers and wonder why I'm exhausted, run down and discouraged. With my head hung low, I slowly come to the realization I need to look up and realize where my help comes from. I need to look up and see Him as He is and put Him in His rightful place in my life, which is in the forefront of everything. He is everything. His provisions are perfect, His water overflowing, His Spirit within me COMPLETELY PERFECT. His Spirit is more than satisfying and His Word is the means by which He satisfies. He has made provisions for every one of my days and it is up to me to trust in and take hold of these blessings, not for my glory but to be used by Him to bring Him glory and to let the Living Water within me overflow into the lives of others. Particularly my children who are walking in my footsteps and my husband who is leading the way. May my hands not tear down and instead be used to build up my family and those the Lord puts in my path. Living water, which is alive within me and bubbles up to overflowing. A fountain of grace, for no other Name could have set me free and placed my feet on the solid Rock of Jesus. His love never fails, His mercy is new every morning and His grace sufficient in weakness. As the world grows darker may my light shine brighter and the living water within me refresh those He puts in my path. May I declare with boldness all He has done for me to those who have no hope within themselves. Are you barren within, parched? Jesus has the power to satisfy and water the areas within you that are dying. He will pour down his blessing in abundance to all who ask, the blessing of Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit who is alive and active within us and turns our barren desolate souls into lush gardens of grace. He is our Comforter and Helper. The One who was poured out like a drink offering is the only source of life for the barren soul. The One who has declared the end from the beginning, who knew every one of our days, is the same today, yesterday and forever. No matter how dark your life is right now, He is the everlasting light. His glorious light is a beacon in darkness. For you, He has set His sights.

"Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ' I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me. ' Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it; Yes, let him recount it to Me in order, from the time that I established the ancient nation. And let them declare to them the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place. 'Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it? And you are my witnesses. Is there any other Rock? I know of none." Isaiah 44:6-8

In the Dessert of Busyness

2012-01-09T06:00:00.001-08:00

As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God;when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been food day and night. Psalm 42:1-3

My feet are dusty from trudging through the desert of busyness. My mouth is parched by the lack of water found in this valley. Like a cactus, doubt grows and flourishes in this environment. The scorching sun and lack of living water, cause weariness to come upon me and I lose my footing stumbling into a cactus of unbelief, it pricks and leaves a scar.

The snake slithers and hides below the sand, two eyes visible but body hidden. Walking through the valley of busyness, where doubt flourishes and complacency resides, the snake is the most dangerous threat and his lies whisper..."God is not pleased with you."

Where did that thought come from, I wonder, as my feet continue down the path of complacency. Those eyes, they are on me, waiting for me to journey further into his territory. He waits just below the sand, keeping watch as I continue to put one foot in front of the other. His voice slithers..."God will never use you, just give up"

Suddenly, a sand storm comes upon me and I become confused. It is hard for me to see, the sand is swirling all around me, my vision impaired. He comes out of his hiding place, exposing himself ..."You are not forgiven, do you really believe He loves you and died for you, what have you done for Him"

My heart quickens and my mind swirls...."could it be that I missed the call of salvation" I cry out to God for help...

I hear a different voice, one that is quiet, and His words defy logic. At the sound of His voice the sand settles and the wind calms.... "I love you with an everlasting love. Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop doubting and believe, dear one, for it is finished." He looks at me tenderly and I hold onto Him tightly, His grip is strong as He reassures me of His love, I put my head down and rest in His embrace. He shields Me from the deadly bite of the serpent while crushing his head with His heel. He leads me out of this forsaken land to the abundant waters He provides in the wilderness. I drink deeply from the living water He provides in the desolate desert. While the sand still covers me and my eyes still burn from the desert storm, I'm once again reminded that He will always satisfy and yet I yearn to never be satisfied but always ache for more of what He provides. I yearn for more of Him, who splits rocks in the wilderness and gives us abundant drink like the ocean depths. Psalm 78:15

I cry aloud with my voice to the LORD; I make supplication with my voice to the LORD. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path. In the way where I walked, in the desert of busyness(my words)...I cried out to You, O LORD; I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may give thanks to Your name; the righteous will surround me, for You will deal bountifully with me" Psalm 142:1-3,5-7

Saying to those who are bound, 'Go forth,' to those who are in darkness, 'Show yourselves.' Along the roads they will feed, and their pastures will be on all bare heights. "They will not hunger or thirst, nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; for He who has compassion on them will lead them and will guide them to springs of water." Isaiah 49:9-10

Inside the Cup

2011-12-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

The one thing that separates Christianity from every other world religion is that God came down and did for us what we could not do for ourselves. It's a complete dependance on the One who's name is the Word of God. It's a complete turn from ourselves to a mighty God who is able to save us, change us and call us by a new name. When we embrace Jesus we release the things of this world and our purpose and vision will be about glorifying Him in word and deed. When we turn to Him, he changes us from the inside out and the Holy Spirit that comes into our frail and broken bodies starts the amazing process of conforming us into the image of our Savior. When the Holy Spirit comes within us, our desires change. The Spirit begins to wage war against our flesh and our flesh against the Spirit and during these intense times of inner struggle our desire must be to glorify Him no matter how we feel and trust Him as He begins to change us from within.

It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31,32. The gospel of Matthew expounds on this verse with these words, "But go and learn what it means :'I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9:13

The Pharisees' loved their rituals and religious ceremonies, they focused on the outward appearance of their faith and neglected the inward renewal of their heart. They were more concerned with appearances than dealing with the inner secret sins, the sins that put their rituals and religious ceremonies above human compassion. They believed the lie that righteousness was to be acheived by their works and sacrifices alone. Their salvation was all about them. It was an acts of service based religion. It was a religion based on appearances. Jesus, put's it this way, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness. First clean the inside of the cup and the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also " Luke 11:39; Matthew 23:26 The people were more concerned with their outward appearances than with their inward morality.

I have found personally that it is much easier "to do" for the Lord than "to be" in the Lord and in His Holy Word. For when I am in the Word I am reminded of my need for Him to do what only He can do. Change me from within.

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance", What does this mean? This verse is directly linked to those who will likely oppose the message of Salvation. It will be the people, like the religious leaders, who do not recognize their need for a Savior. It will be people who replace their inner need of salvation with acts of service instead of repentance, which is a COMPLETE turn from self to God. Jesus came to save all who would come to repentance. When He stated that He came to save the sick but not the righteous, what He was saying was one has to realize they are sick to be saved. The religious leaders of Christ's day didn't recognize their need for the Savior. They trusted in their abilities and their ways and not in the way of repentance and inner renewal. Therefore, bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 3:8

Post written December 13, 2010

The Finished Work of Christ

2011-12-07T10:04:00.000-08:00

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain-if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Even so Abraham believe God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. Galatians 3:1-6

The Galatians, which were predominately Gentile were being told by the Judaizer's that they must be circumcised to remain in right standing before God. That their faith in Christ did not justify them before God but their works, and to remain in Christ, they most adhere to the Law of Moses. Paul's letter to the Galatians was to counteract this heresy and further explain the finished work of Christ which was sufficient unto salvation.

I, like the Galatians, am guilty of falling for the temptation to make my justification about what I do instead of what Christ has already done for me. I recognized this within myself when the majority of my focus is about what I'm doing or not doing and in turn base my acceptance before God on my performance instead of rejoicing in His performance for me. I do this when I withdraw from God, as I have once again, yelled at my girls or failed to get up at the crack of dawn for a quiet time. I realize this when I become prideful over my accomplishments and despondent when I fail to perform. I do this when I concentrate on the speck in my friend's eye and yet fail to remove the log from my own eye. I do this when my identity is more based on my performance for Christ than on His covenant which has been cut and established by the shed blood of His Son. What do all of these temptations imply? They imply that I believe my SALVATION IS BY FAITH BUT MY PERFECTION IS IN KEEPING THE LAW. I'm saved initially by faith but I must sustain that which I've already been given by keeping the law. It's believing the lie that Christ's death was enough to get me in but not enough to keep me in. This my friend, is not the gospel. The gospel is all about Him, it has nothing to do with us. If we could obtain perfection by keeping the law, then Christ died needlessly and His death wasn't enough to justify us before God. It would also imply that we could be justified by God apart from Christ's finished work on the cross. In essence, we could work the works of God apart from Christ and his finished work. Does God care how I live?? ABSOLUTELY! But I live for Christ because in Him I am already approved before God NOT because I have to gain God's approval. It's out of my sincere gratitude that I want to die to myself so that I might live for Him. It's His Spirit within me that causes me to walk in His ordinances and leads me into a further appreciation for all He has done. I am justified before God because my sinful record became Christ's, and he suffered the punishment I deserved. Christ did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Matthew 5:17

So what was the purpose of the law? The purpose of the law is to lead us to Christ. It shows us our inability to keep perfectly the law and to yearn for the One who would free us from the bondage of sin and the law. It even now redirects us to Christ's finished work on the cross as we become conscience of our inadequacy to keep perfectly every letter of the law. Before Christ, it shows us a holy God and His standard of righteousness. The law focused on the outer man but Christ came to purify the inner man. The law was once written on tablets of stone but has now been placed within our minds and on our hearts as the promised Holy Spirit comes in to take up residency inside our frail and broken bodies. It's to show us that our adequacy before God is based on Christ adequacy for us and not our adequacy in ourselves. 2 Corinthians 3:5, Hebrews 8:10, 2 Corinthians 3:3, Galatians 3:24

But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore, you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4-7

When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. Hebrews 7:13

Our justification before God comes from faith in His Son and not by our works. Romans 3:28

"God doesn't need our good works but our neighbor does." Martin Luther

More on the faith of Abraham in the weeks to come.

Work the Works of God

2011-12-06T08:38:00.000-08:00

"Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal." Therefore, they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him who He has sent." - John 6:26-29

To be honest with you, this verse haunts me. When I was a new believer it was hard for me to study the words of Jesus because it was so contradictory to what my mind had created Him to be. My mind created a loving, pacifist, who catered to the needs of all people. He spoke of things like loving your enemy, turning your cheek and pursuing a life a peace. I imagined Him to be a pushover that I could somehow pacify with my good deeds. You see when I began my walk with the Lord, I wanted all the benefits with none of the cost. I had the attitude of,"what have you done for me lately." I asked Him to come into my heart so I could go to heaven just in case He really was the one He claimed to be. I did this while continuing to worship the god of self. Like the people of Jesus' day, I wanted to make my salvation about something I was doing instead of just believing Him to be who He claimed to be and following Him out of my abundant gratitude for all He secured for me by becoming sin so that I could be declared righteous. What was the work they were to work? The work was to believe in the finished work of Christ that would soon take place on their behalf. Jesus wrapped Himself in humanity so that we could wear His robe of righteousness. He, who was rich in heaven, who spoke creation into being came down to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. Jesus, who was before all things and in him all things hold together and have their being did not consider equality with God something to be grasp but humbled Himself, came down, lived under the same limitations you and I live under and did for us what we could not do for ourselves, kept perfectly every letter of the law. As if this was not enough, He then became sin, his flesh torn in two on the cross where He received and absorbed the wrath of God. The cross where every sin I have ever committed or will commit was placed upon Him. He took upon Himself the the full penalty of sin and the wrath that we deserved was placed upon Him. God poured out His wrath on His perfect Son, who was fully God and fully man.

How then can I make my salvation based on what I do, instead of, what has already been done on my behalf? You see, it was easier for me to trust in my ability to perform for him than to trust in and believe in the finished work of Christ. The root of my problem was unbelief. When he proclaimed in great agony "it is finished" it really was finished because it has everything to do with Him and not me. In the book, Because He Loves Me by Elyse M. Fitpatrick, she makes this amazing declaration. "We are, each one, more sinful and flawed than we ever dared believe, but more loved and welcomed than we ever dared hope. page 57

Why do I reveal this to you? I reveal this to you because we see in the passage above that the people of Jesus' day were doing the same thing. They heard about the miracles He was performing and they pursued Him out of their selfish ambition and to have their earthly needs met, full stomachs. (John 6:26). His miracles left no doubt that He was who he claimed to be and yet they still focused their attention on themselves and their desire to perform the works of God apart from God. They wanted the accolades, the acceptance, the following. They wanted full stomachs and a delectable life. John 6:14, tells us that the people saw the signs which He had performed and believed Him to be the prophet they could make king and deliver them from the oppressive arm of Rome. The chapter goes on to tell us the people believed they could take him by force and declare him king. Because they intended to take him by force, Jesus withdrew from the crowd. The people got in their boats and followed him to Capernaum. Which leads us to the verse above, John 6: 26-29."Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal." Therefore, they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him who He has sent."

They sought him but not because they believed him to be who he claimed to be but because he was meeting their physical needs. I also believe they sought him because they wanted to be entertained by his many miracles. They wanted an earthly political messiah, one who would bring them power, comfort and earthly security. They were looking for the King of Kings in his first coming and not a suffering servant. In the book, Jesus Among Other Gods, Ravi Zacharias states, "Before his record of this conversation, John had already described several miracles that Jesus had done. The first was the conversion of water into wine, in which Jesus revealed His power over the elements. Then John narrated two episodes of healing, in which Jesus showed His power over sickness. Following that, he relates Jesus' multiplication of a young lads's lunch to feed five thousand-His power of provision. Finally, he pens the well-known story of Jesus walking on water-His power over natural law. Capturing the beauty of the conversion of the water into wine, the poet Alexander Pope said, "The conscious water saw its Master and blushed." That sublime description could be reworked to explain each one of these miracles. Was it far-fetched for the Creator of the universe, who fashion matter out of nothing, to multiply bread for the crowd. pg 80. But don't we do the same thing? Jesus was the One who created all things! He was the One who created us in our mother's womb, who spoke and it was, who even now holds everything together and yet we marvel at the miracle and not the Maker, Master and Sustainer.

Also notice, they referred to Jesus as the prophet, merely a man blessed by the power of God, but not God Himself. This reminds me of the discourse between Jesus and His disciples. Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah , or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, " You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus responds, "Blessed are you Simon Peter because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 16:13-17.

So often, we allow the culture to define for us, who God is. We look to the culture to determine what we believe to be true about God. In essence, we look to the world and not the word.

We trust in things we can see and understand rather than the things we can't see and our minds can't comprehend. We get caught up in the current of culture and swept away. I think it is fitting that Jesus asked His disciples first, who do the people say that I am, instead of, who do you say that I am? I think He did this knowing that often times the culture defines for us our beliefs. I also believe He did this to commend Simon Peter for not conforming to the ideas and beliefs of the culture and to explain that unless God reveals to us the truth, we will confirm to the ideas of this world.

Let me ask an uncomfortable question, Are you following Jesus for all of the benefits and none of the cost? Are you following him only when it's convenient or meets some emotional/physical need? Or are you following Him in full assurance that He is who He claims to be, the Son of the Living God, who was and is and is to come? Are you following Him to gain His approval or because you already have His approval? Do you believe that in Him, you are freely loved, accepted, forgiven, made NEW?

It is my hope that as I share with you my inner wrestling to make my salvation all about Him and not about me that you are encouraged to press further into Him and ponder these amazing realities that bring freedom.

As always, please overlook ALL the grammatical errors. A lot of times, I am writing with four kids coming in and out and numerous interruptions.

Come Home

2011-12-01T19:20:00.001-08:00

Post written and posted in February 2009

Then the Lord said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives and I will be with you." Genesis 31:3

Is the Lord calling you to go back? Is he calling you to stop running from your past and the sins of your youth and embrace forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation?

You see, Jacob fled his family because he had deceived his father, Issac, by pretending to be his brother, Esau, in turn receiving his brother's blessing from his blind father.

Jacob fled in fear of his brother's wrath for his brother had vowed to kill him. I believe he also fled out of shame because he deceived his father, Isaac to receive the family blessing. If anyone had reason to run it was Jacob but we see God calling Jacob home.

Can you relate? What are you running from? Is there a moment that comes to mind? A moment God wants to free you from. Is there a relationship the Lord desires to heal? He calls us to a life of reconciliation. A life of forgiveness. A life of total surrender to the One who has the power and the desire to heal us and restore us to Himself. He demonstrated this when he sent his only begotten son to the cross. God was pleased to make all the fullness of himself dwell within Christ and through him to reconcile to himself all things by making peace with us through his blood shed on the cross. Colossians 1: 19, 20

I've heard sermons preached that it was in arrogance that Jacob wrestled. I beg to differ; I believe he wrestled out of desperation. He held on. He pleaded with God to bless him no matter the cost. He wrestled through the pain, all the while, trusting in God for deliverance from his past. He wouldn't let go. My biggest fear is that my life would make no real eternal difference because of my disobedience and fear of going back to the place of pain with my God who has promised to be with me. I fear I could miss out on the blessings God has for me because of complacency. I fear I could fall out of God's favor because of unconfessed sin and inner rebellion. I believe Jacob felt the same way, years after stealing Esau's inheritance he wrestled with God for His blessing. He wanted God to bless the inheritance he already received. Having just his earthly father's blessing wasn't enough for Jacob. He wanted his heavenly Father's blessing.

Why is it important to go back? Why can't we just run from our sins and pretend they never happened? Because Christ desires to free us from our sin. He desires to completely heal us from our past. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

You see un-confessed sin is bondage. It is a root that can become bitter. It is a weed in a garden that will over time choke out all the beautiful flowers the Lord has planted. If not pulled out by the master gardener this weed can take on many forms, bitterness, resentment, anger, jealousy, envy, strife, gossip, fear, self hatred, depression. It is so destructive that it can even cause us physical debilitating pain. But God calls us to a life of freedom. Therefore, whatever hinders a life of freedom must be exposed and pulled out. Are you ready to live a life of freedom? What is holding you back from coming home?

Wherever you go there you are but there is One who has the power to bring you home.

A Dedication

2011-11-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

Gracyn Lane Blalock

O Lord, You have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before ,and laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I can not attain it".

Psalm 139:1-6

Gracyn Lane, It is our prayer that you grow in the knowledge and love of Christ. He has gifted you with His wisdom and the knowledge of His Word, He has given you amazing gifts to be used for His glory and for His purposes. Precious Gray Gray, even at such a young age we have seen the power of the Holy Spirit working in you and through you. We have heard your powerful prayers and we are so honored to be given the gift of raising you according to His Word and for His purposes. You are a special gift given to us by God and we are dedicated to teach you and train you in the Word of God, trusting that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion and you who have been established by God will one day see Him face to face. Gracyn, you are full of Grace and Truth. God has placed within you a heart that is not afraid. You march to the beat of your own drum but you also have the amazing ability to get others to march right alongside of you. May God use this gift to bring many into His eternal Kingdom through the spunky vivacious personality that He has placed within you. We love you and are so honored to be your mommy and daddy. You are truly an amazing gift to our family.

May you continue to grow in what you already possess.

For God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful 1 Corinthians 1:9

Jocelyn Greer Blalock

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes saw my unformed body; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them".
Psalm 139:13-16

Jocelyn Greer, It is my prayer that you will love the LORD your God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength. I pray you will know the love of your Savior and surrender your life to Him, who even now, holds you in the palm of His mighty hand. He is your refuge and your fortress. He spoke creation into being and yet formed you in my womb. He formed you for a specific purpose and is intimately acquainted with all your ways. Before one day came into being, He, who knows all things, knew every day ordained for you. He has gifted you for His purposes and for His glory. Only when you live your life for the eternal will you find significance in the temporal.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you". Jeremiah 1:5
Biblical Meaning of the Name Jocelyn Greer
Jocelyn: Old German
Meaning: Joyous Righteous
Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statues and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

Greer: English
Meaning: Watchful, Vigilant.

Absorption

2011-11-10T07:07:00.001-08:00

The past few months I have been leading a group of ladies through Kay Arthur's Covenant Bible Study. While talking in great detail about the differences between the old covenant and the new covenant, the Lord reminded me of this post I wrote during the winter of 2009. I have been wanting to write a series of posts on the covenants and the implications of covenant but time has not allowed.

Chasing around this little monkey

and preparing for weekly Bible Study has taken up a lot of my time. I look forward to the moments, however fleeting they may be, when I can sit and write, ponder and dive deep with you all. I know this blog tends to be a one way conversation but even as I look at all the visitors some near and some very far away, I long for the day we can converse together in the eternal kingdom.

I wrote this post while Hannah, my middle child, was sick for the fourth time in a year with a high fever. I titled this post, Absorption, due to my overwhelming desire to take her sickness upon myself. This entry is also a fresh reminder of all Christ has done for us and His desire to absorb our sin and depravity. He did this once and for all on the cross where every sin was laid upon Him. He wrapped Himself in the robe of humanity so that we could wear His robe of righteousness and live a life of freedom, for who the Son has set free is free indeed. He not only healed us but he raised us to new life. We have been called, chosen and freely forgiven. We were not only sick but dead in our sin and when He enters into our body through the Holy Spirit we are made alive in Christ and transformed into His image. For we have not been saved by the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood and the veil we enter into the Holy of Holies is through Christ's flesh which was torn in two for us who were dead in our sins and trespasses.

Whenever one of my girls is sick, I'm consumed with wanting to do whatever I can to make them feel better. I was laying beside my Hannah on the couch as she was suffering an extremely high fever. While on the couch stroking her head and feeling the heat radiating from her tiny body all I could think about was wanting to absorb the sickness so she wouldn't have to endure the pain. I didn't only want to cover her and care for her, I wanted to take her sickness upon myself. I wanted to heal her from the pain physically but more than that I wanted to absorb her sickness permanently. While closing my eyes and envisioning this transfer, Christ gently reminded me of why He came and what He accomplished on the cross. Seeing the Israelites sin and depravity He offered a way to cover their sin by sacrifices, burnt offerings and sin offerings. This is referred to as the old order or old covenant. These sacrifices and offerings were never enough to completely take away sin but it was just enough to temporarily cover their sin. The law was to show them their deprivity and the holiness of God. It was to convict their conscience and open their eyes to their need for a Savior. The Law focused on the outer man but Christ came to purify the inner man. The sacrifices performed and required were God's way of reminding them of their inability to keep the law. Jesus stated that He came not to condemn the law but to fulfill it. Matthew 5:17. If we could have kept the Law apart from Christ then Christ's death is nullified. You see at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

Here is what occurred to me, I love Hannah so much that my heart's desire in the midst of her sickness was to absorb her pain and her sickness not just to mask it or cover it temporarily with Tylenol. The giving of the pain reliever was a reminder of her sickness. As soon as the medication would wear off the fever would come back.I wanted a supernatural transfer to occur. I didn't want to take her sickness upon myself because I was obligated as her mom to care for her, I wanted to take it upon myself because of my unbearable love for her.

As she was laying next to me, I wanted to absorb her sickness so I could endure it on her behalf. Although, I held her and comforted her it was not enough to take away her sickness and relieve the consequence of her being sick. But unlike me, Christ has the power to absorb our sin and free us from our depravity.

God referred to Christ in Isaiah as Immanuel, God with us. He provided a way for us to be made perfect through the suffering of His one and only son. The name Jesus means, the One who saves. You see, it was out of His great love for us, He came down to dwell among us to reveal to us the truth, wear the robe of humanity, fulfill the law by living a sinless life and then dying a sinners death as the final atoning sacrifice for sin. His desire was to absorb our sin once and for all, so that we could be made perfect though His suffering. His sacrifice is totally sufficient for our sins. We are not only covered by His blood but transformed into his image. He endured a brutal death where every sin I have ever committed or will commit was placed upon him. He took on the punishment and absorbed the consequence of my sin. He did what I could not do so that by His death I became who I was created to be, a woman made in His image and for His purposes. For before Christ entered into my sin saturated body I was dead. I have been made alive by the power of the Holy Spirit, raised to new life and called a new creation.

For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.' Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired but a body you have prepared for me. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can NEVER take away sins; but He having offered one sacrifice for sins FOR ALL TIME, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting form that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. Hebrews 10:1-4, 5,11-14

Truth Stumbles

2011-11-03T08:27:00.001-07:00

Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the street and the uprightness cannot enter. Yes, truth is lacking; and he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey. Isaiah 59:14-15

Francis Schaeffer states in his book, How Should We Then Live, "There is a flow to history and culture. This flow is rooted and has its wellspring in the thoughts of people. People are unique in the inner life of the mind - what they are in their thought world determines how they act. People have presuppositions, by this we mean the basic way an individual looks at life, his basic world view, the grid through which a person sees the world. Presuppositions rest upon that which a person considers to be the truth of what exists. People's presuppositions lay a grid for all they bring forth into the external world. Their presuppositions also provide the basis for their values and therefore the basis for their decisions."

How can truth stumble or better yet, what is truth? If what we think determines how we act or what we presuppose what if what we believe is wrong or better yet twisted?

If something is true than it's opposite must be false. Both can't be true. Yet in our culture we are seeing this more and more. This idea of relative truth. I'm not sure how this works logically for one idea must be false. Either there is a God or there isn't a God but both ideas can't co-exist as "truth" one idea must be false. Either Jesus is the only way or he is not the only way but both ideas can't co-exist as "truth" one idea must be false. Either the world has evolved or it was created these two ideas can't co-exist as "truth" one idea must be false. That is if you believe there is a higher authority than the human intellect. Here in lies the problem, if there is no moral absolutes nor is there a higher authority to hold man accountable than man becomes his own god and what he thinks becomes his moral compass. Personal pleasures, gratification of the flesh, pursuit of human knowledge and the pursuit of power will over time be the driving force of decline in a culture and freedom will fall. Freedom can not stand if man can not self regulate and self regulation can not happen if there are no moral absolutes. Government will become bigger and man will eventually turn to government as their new god due to the moral corruption of society. Government will limit personal freedoms due to the moral decline and power will be the force to insure peace. We see this when looking at Ancient Rome. Francis Shaffer states, "Ancient Rome was a totalitarian authority or an authoritarian state. No totalitarian authority nor authoritarian state can tolerate those who have an absolute by which to judge that state and its actions. The Christians had that absolute in God's revelation. Because the Christians had an absolute, universal standard by which to judge not only personal morals but the state, they were counted enemies of totalitarian Rome and were thrown to the beasts." We also see this same conclusion when looking at other totalitarian governments.

As moral absolutes become obsolete and man becomes his own god, we must be intentional in our pursuit of truth. Jesus prays this prayer for his disciples and for all believers, "Sanctify them with the truth, your word is truth. I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too be truly sanctified." John 17:17 We must stand firm knowing that God is the authority above every authority and Jesus who said, "I have come to testify to the truth" is in complete control of all things and is working all things according to His perfect plan. But as we wait for the culmination of human history where Christ will one day reign on earth, we must cling to that which we already possess, freedom in Christ, while embracing and holding firm to the truth of God's word.

Wisdom Warns:
Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: "Turn to my reproof, behold, I will pour out my Spirit on you; I will make my words known to you." For the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs: 1:7, 20-21, 23-24.
Post written April, 2010

The Eleventh Hour

2011-10-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches....

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" Revelation 3:20-22

Then the LORD closed the door behind them...Genesis 7:16

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things. At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the One who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.

Revelation 4:1-3

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who have fallen asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all the that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:1-11

And we have the word of prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophets own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:36-39

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ who has gone into heaven and is seated at God's right hand- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. 1 Peter 3: 18-22

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way open for us through the curtain that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the DAY approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Revelation 1:4

Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Revelation 1:3

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Revelation 1:7

Since everything will end in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heavens and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:11-13

Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation. 2 Peter 3:15

"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Revelation 22:12-13

New International Version, Key Word Study Bible

God's Promises to Israel

2011-10-04T06:31:00.001-07:00

The LORD, will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail over His enemies. Isaiah 42:13

But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me." "Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. "Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me." Isaiah 49:14-16 In God's perfect timing He will pour out His Spirit to save Israel. He will reveal Himself, as mighty to save and intimate in His love for His chosen nation. "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn." Zechariah 12:10

The Gospels reveal Jesus in His humiliation and His suffering. After 400 years of silence, and as the nation was occupied by Roman rule, Christ the Messiah, comes to fulfill the prophesies of Suffering Servant, Lamb of God, Faithful Witness, Firstborn among the dead. "Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised, and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our wellbeing fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has tuned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers. Isaiah 53:1-7

God in His Sovereign love for His nation, Israel, is going to reveal Himself as eternally faithful to her. "But now listen, O Jacob, My servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen,: Thus says the LORD, who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you, Do not fear, O Jacob My servant; and you Jeshurum whom I have chosen. 'For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants; and they will spring up among the grass like poplars by streams of water.' " This one will say, ' I am the LORD's'. And that one will call on the name of of Jacob; and another will write on his hand, 'Belonging to the LORD,' and will name Israel's name with honor."Isaiah 44:1-5

And you will know that I am the LORD; those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame. Isaiah 49:23

Nehushtan

2011-09-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

If you haven't read, Be Lifted High, please take a moment to read it before reading this post. This post is a continuation of Be Lifted High.
The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by the snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. Numbers 21:8-9
This snake came to be known as Nehushtan. The Israelites worshiped the image of the bronze snake and burned incense to it. They worshiped what their hands created and the power of the image instead of the One who gave the image it's power. It was King Hezekiah that destroyed the adulterous image for the people burned incense to Nehushtan in the temple of God. For God never intended the image by which men are saved to be worshiped but only the One through whom we are saved. It was God who gave the image it's power and it was His grace that provided the means of escaping death. The image should have been a constant reminder of the Israelites sin in the wilderness and the consequences of their rebellion. But instead the image lured them further into idolatry.
What is idolatry? In the book, Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller gives us this definition of idolatry, An idol is something that we look to for things that only God can give. Idolatry functions widely inside religious communities when doctrinal truth is elevated to the position of a false god. This occurs when people rely on the rightness of doctrine for their standing faith with God rather than on God himself and his grace. It is a subtle but deadly mistake. Page 131. Tim Keller gives us further insight into the meaning of idolatry when he states, "Sin isn't only doing bad things, it is more fundamentally making good things into ultimate things. Sin is building your life and meaning on anything, even a very good thing, more than on God." Talking about Idolatry in a Postmodern Age
We commit idolatry when we burn our incense to religion and moralism instead of to Jesus, who did what we could not do for ourselves. We nullify His death when we base our salvation on what we do, instead of what has been done on our behalf. We bow down to the false god of moralism when we trust in our good deeds and our ability to perform as the means of salvation rather than place our trust in Jesus, who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross! Therefore God exulted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow in heaven, and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11
This truth is what separates Christianity from every other world religion. It is because sinless perfection wrapped himself in humanity and did what we could not do for ourselves, shedding His holy blood for the forgiveness of sin. It was at His death that religion died and with His resurrection, death conquered and grace triumphant. W
hen we burn our incense to lesser things, we are in fact exchanging the truth of God for a lie worshiping and serving created things rather than the Creator, who is forever to be praised. Romans 1:25.

Be Lifted High

2011-08-31T06:58:00.000-07:00

The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by the snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. Numbers 21:8-9

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:14-16

The Israelites became impatient in the wilderness. They spoke against God and against Moses. They complained about everything from food to personal safety. They detested the Lord's provisions and Moses' leadership, and in doing this, the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The Israelites repented of their sin and asked Moses to pray to the LORD asking Him to take the snakes away. Instead of taking the snakes out of the wilderness, the LORD provided the Israelites with a means of escaping death, this means of escape, a bronze snake, lifted high on a pole and anyone who looks upon the snake will be saved from the deadly bite of the serpent.
This takes me back to Genesis to the serpent's first hiss at humanity. "Did God really say, you shall not eat from any tree in the garden?" nay, "You will not surely die" and again " For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be open and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:1,4,5. Subtle whispers, luring promises and partial truths caused Eve to take the first bite and since the the fall, it has been the serpent that has been given the authority to bite the flesh of man and deliver the fatal bite of death. B
efore Eve's bite into the apple, the serpent had no authority to take life. But
because of Eve's unbelief and rebellion against God, the serpent has been given this authority. Eve chose the serpent over God and in doing so the Spirit God breathed within her died and with this death, all men died and were born into sin. 1Corinthians 15:31

But just as God made provisions for Adam and Eve in the form of animal skins, where a sacrifice had to be performed to hide their nakedness, He provided a means of escape in the wilderness from the deadly bite of the viper. The viper He sent because of their grumbling and rebellion. But ultimately God provided humanity with the gift of Christ, the sacrifice of His Son. Christ, the One who spoke creation into being, and through whom all things where made, humbled Himself and came down to dwell among men. He did what we could not do ourselves. Through one man, death came into the world but also through one man, resurrection from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:31 Sinless, perfection lifted up on our behalf where He bore our sins. He was humiliated so that we might become holy and in His humiliation we have been set free from the power of death. When you look upon Him, lifted up on your behalf, and believe upon Him, the One without sin, the bite of the serpent has no venom and death has been conquered. He conquered the grave at the cross and His resurrection ensures the believer's life, for we will not all die but be raised just as He was raised. Look upon Him, the author and perfecter of your faith. Gaze upon His sacrifice and take hold of his provision. Believe in and trust in what He has done for you, for you could not do it on your own. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift from God. Ephesians 2:8 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

More in the weeks to come about the Israelites unbelief and the bronze serpent in the wilderness.

The Idol of Comfort

2011-08-28T18:03:00.000-07:00

Because my comfort would prefer for me to be numb and avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become. C.S. Lewis Song - Brooke Fraser

We live in a culture that pursues the idol of comfort. Comfort at the expense of conformation. Conformation to the only one worth conforming to, Jesus.

We would rather conform to the world than conform to the image of our Savior.

Why is this? I believe conforming to Jesus will ultimately cost us our comfort. Comfort that we pursue and believe is right around the corner if only we had the right circumstances, children, house, husband, job, church, relationships, money, security, accomplishments. But even when we get the things that we've trusted in to bring us comfort we are left hollow, empty and confused.

We conform to the world and the ideas of this world so we can feel comfortable in the world, when in reality, the Lord has told us not to conform any longer to the things of this world but to be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2. We are not to conform to the world because we are to be transformed to be more like Christ. How do we become more like Christ? We become more like Christ by the renewing of our minds in the Word of God. It is by the Word of God we are able to discern what the Lord's will is for our lives. His will takes us out of our comfort zone and ultimately transforms us to be good, acceptable and perfect. When we are in the Word of God our spiritual eyes and ears will be opened and His glorious light will shine into the dark recesses of our heart and reveal within us the things He desires to change. This dear one will bring discomfort. We, as children of God, will have to slay the idol of comfort and press through with full assurance that He who began a good work within us will see it through to completion. Confessing the sin that resides in the dark recesses of our heart and allowing the God of all comfort to comfort us so that we too can comfort others with the same comfort we ourselves have received.

It is the idol of comfort that threatens the process of transformation. It is when we pursue the idol of comfort at the expense of God's transforming work we become threatened by the feeling of being uncomfortable. Instead of being comforted, by the God of all comfort, we retreat and run to avoid the cleansing process that must take place. This cleansing process is also known as repentance. We would rather feel nothing at all than to feel the pain, loss and necessary change which comes from living a life of Godly sorrow and repentance.

If in fact, we allow ourselves to feel and our eyes to be open it will bring an inconvenience to our comfort. It will bring an overwhelming desire and a sense of urgency to reach out to a dying, desolate and lost world. It will make us uncomfortable in this world and the sin that is prevalent. It will cause something within us to stir and will bring us to our knees in prayer for a vision for our life and desperately wanting Him to use us for whatever His purpose. It will bring us to a place where we long to see Him, eagerly anticipating His return, for our eyes will be fixed on things above and not on earthly things. We will become more aware of the eternal and less aware of the temporal. We will see the world as it is, totally depraved without God. We will see ourselves in this same way for conformation to our Savior will bring us to the end of ourselves.

Are you pursing comfort at any cost? Are you bowing down to the idol of comfort at the expense of God's transforming work within you? Are you comfortable or comforted?

Post written October 2009

Abundantly Pardons

2011-08-08T06:13:00.000-07:00

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will ABUNDANTLY PARDON. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways", declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:6-9

For as high as the heavens are above the earth so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:11-14

The verses above are often misquoted and in their misquotation the real meaning and passionate call to salvation is often missed. We use these verses to explain away the things we don't understand about life and God when in reality these verses are about the limitless love of God to a dying and desolate soul. I know it's not popular to use the words dying and desolate to describe the condition of the human soul without God but I can honestly say that during my college years there were moments I would have referred to myself this way. I believed the lie that there was no way the Lord could forgive me and while embracing this lie I covered up my sin and shame by living my life the way I saw fit with no regard to God. Depression has a way of bringing you to your knees and I am thankful that the Lord brought me to the end of myself.

Oftentimes, when we sin we turn away from God. For a long time, I did my best to silence Him because to admit there is a God I must also admit that I was not god. I didn't know what the Bible said but I did know that within myself I wasn't following some higher moral code. I sought answers everywhere but not from the One who was calling me unto Himself. The Bible tells us that He knew every one of our days before ONE of them came to be. Our story was written before the foundations of the world. Psalm 139:16 He knew every sin, every moment and yet He still chose us for Himself and for His purposes. His ability to redeem a desolate soul and His power to change our innermost being is all about Him and not about us and our ability to muster up anything from within ourselves. I have no ability within myself to muster up enough belief, faith or love apart from His precious Son living within me and doing the work for me and through me. For He knows how I was formed, he remembers that I am dust. Psalm 103:14 (More on this verse in a later post).

We see from the verses above that salvation is for everyone who comes to Jesus. God desires to ABUNDANTLY pardon our sins. He calls us, to seek Him, to call upon Him, and to forsake our sinful ways and thoughts and to accept His Son, Jesus as the final sacrifice and atonement for our sins. For it is by His grace that we have been saved not by our works. It is by His death that we receive life. Our minds can't comprehend nor can our human intellect understand a holy infinite God who loves us and desires to pardon everyone who comes to Him, believing that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6. According to the verses above, there is no room for penance or working for our salvation for only God pardons sin and He does so through faith in His son, Jesus. God doesn't pardon sin reluctantly but abundantly.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, who is now at work in in those who are disobedient. ALL OF US also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of the sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us ALIVE with Christ even when were dead in transgressions. Ephesians 2:1-4

I am a girl who is redeemed from the futility of life apart from God and made alive in Christ. I was once far off but have been brought near to God through the blood of Christ, for Christ preached peace to those who were far away and to those who were near. The punishment that brought me peace was upon him and by his wounds I am healed. Ephesians 2:13,17, Isaiah 53:5

Re-post written December of 2009

The Richest of Fare

2011-08-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

"Come, all you who are thirty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. " Isaiah 55:1-3

What costs us nothing cost Him everything. We who have nothing are invited to come to the One who has everything. The One who is King over all creation humbled Himself and became nothing so that we could have everything. Jesus Christ; Who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore, God exulted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11

My self-saturated mind can not grasp God's infinite Grace. The Grace that screams, "it is finished!" And yet if it was anything less then it would be about me and not Him. God eternal, the same God who spoke creation into being, humbled Himself, came and dwelled among men, not as a king but as a servant. Not just a servant but the final atoning sacrifice for our sin. A man who knew no sin became sin for us and not just a man but God. Come, you who have no money, come buy and eat. Isaiah 55:1 What must I do to do the works God requires? Surely, I must do something. "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." John 6:29

Come buy wine and milk without cost. Isaiah 55:1

We try and earn our way to freedom. The struggle within ourselves is to make it all about what we've done and yet Jesus tell us that it's work to believe in and trust in what He's already done on our behalf. Our wrestling is to die to self, to die to that within us that struggles for independence from God. To die to the flesh that screams, "it's about me and what I'm doing," as if what we do justifies us before God.

I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves of bread and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval. John 6:26-27 . The greek word work for is ergazomai; it means in the sense to labor for, to earn one's food. The Complete Word Study Dictionary, Spiros Zodiates. We can't earn our salvation. We can't do enough to be justified before God apart from Christ. Our good deeds are worthless apart from Him. It's His Spirit within us that justifies us before God, we receive His Spirit when we trust in what He has done and ask Him to forgive us and come within us. Human nature never changes. Just as in Jesus' day so it is in our day, we want to work the works of God, independent of Christ. We want to have the benefits of Christ without the cost of belief and trust. We want the credit and the accolades and yet when we receive them, it's never enough to satisfy the deep longing and need within us that only Christ can satisfy. Why do you spend money on what is not bread and labor on what does not satisfy? Isaiah 55:2

Give us this bread that gives life to the world. Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. John 6:35.

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good and your soul will delight on the richest fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. Isaiah 55:2

Lord, forgive me for my unbelief and help me to believe. Help me to take hold of every provision in Christ and strengthen my faith. Strengthen what remains so that I can bring You glory. Forgive me for thinking my salvation is about me and not about you. Forgive me for making it about what I do instead of what has already been done on my behalf. Give me freedom in Christ and save me from my wretched independence. I take hold of your provision, Christ and place my trust in Him. I cling to Him in my need and rest in His provision which has already been made on my behalf. I eagerly await His coming and the culmination of events when I will see Him face to face. Thank you Lord that I do not lack any Spiritual gift as I eagerly wait for my Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep me strong to the end, so that I will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called me into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1Corinthians 1:7,8

The Gate

2011-08-01T06:43:00.000-07:00

"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

A little background, Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath. The blind man was brought before the Pharisees and teachers of the law for questioning. The Sabbath is the Jewish day of rest where no work is to be done. The Pharisees threw the blind man out of the synagogue for telling the truth that Jesus did in fact heal him on the Sabbath and that he was indeed blind from birth. After being thrown out of the synagogue, Jesus found him and asked him, "do you believe in the Son of Man?", to which he replied, "Lord, I believe".

Some of the Pharisees' followed him out of the synagogue, in doing so they ran into, Jesus who was outside waiting to confront their hypocrisy, He states, "For judgement I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." John 9:39. The religious leaders responded,"What? Are we blind too?" Jesus answered,"If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."

He goes on to say in John 10. "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a strangers voice." "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All whoever came before me were thieves and robbers ,but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd . The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. John 10:1-14

You see Jesus' audience was the religious leaders of his day and some of his followers. He was clearly stating who He was by claiming that He was the gate for the sheep. Jesus also states that He is the good shepherd. Jesus' sheep listen to his voice and follow him. They recognize false teaching, in fact, they flee from it! I wanted to mention the audience because Jesus in the above passage is quoting the Book of Ezekiel.

Let's jump back to the Old Testament to the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel lived during the time of the Jewish exile in Babylon. He was deported from Judah and taken captive to Babylon. All the Jews were living in captivity during the time of Ezekiel's prophecies. Ezekiel was written around 571 BC. 500 years before the birth of Christ. I want you to notice the woe of Ezekiel...Woe to the shepherds of Israel that only take care of themselves. Remember Jesus just healed a boy on the Sabbath. In fact most of Jesus' miracles took place on the Sabbath.

You see, Ezekiel, claimed that there would be a shepherd who would care for his flock unlike the religious leaders of his day and the days leading up to Christ. The Pharisees' would have known what Christ was claiming by stating that he was the shepherd of the sheep. They would have realized that He was claiming to be the Messiah. They knew the prophecy spoken but they refused to accept the testimony.

The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherd's take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.

"Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I WILL RESCUE my FLOCK from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them. For I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. He goes on to say, I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. Ezekiel 34:1-11, 16

Are we still refusing to accept the testimony of who Jesus was and is and why He came? Ezekiel's prophecy was about the the coming Messiah the true shepherd who would come and take care of the people. Jesus tells us plainly in His word that He is the only way and that He is the great shepherd of the sheep referred to in Ezekiel.

He shows us His heart in these verses. His desire to care for us. His desire to look for us and to heal us. His desire to hide us in the cleft of the rock to shelter us from the storm. We have a compassionate, Great Shepherd, who yearns to care for us. Jesus is still searching for His sheep. He is still tending His flock. He still comes after those who have wandered off. How are you going to respond to him today? In Hebrews Paul tells us, that "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

One Shepherd, One Flock, One King, All Nations!

"Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to LIFE, and only a few find it."

Jesus' words in Matthew 7: 13-14

Streams on the Dry Ground

2011-07-28T10:45:00.001-07:00

Are you parched? Is your Spirit in need of refreshment from the only well that never runs dry? So often, I look to the wells of the world to satisfy. I look to what the world offers and wonder why I'm exhausted, run down and discouraged. With my head hung low, I slowly come to the realization I need to look up and realize where my help comes from. I need to look up and see Him as He is and put Him in His rightful place in my life, which is in the forefront of everything. He is everything. His provisions are perfect, His water overflowing, His Spirit within me COMPLETELY PERFECT. His Spirit is more than satisfying and His Word is the means by which He satisfies. He has made provisions for every one of my days and it is up to me to trust in and take hold of these blessings, not for my glory but to be used by Him to bring Him glory and to let the Living water within me overflow into the lives of others. Particularly my children who are walking in my footsteps and my husband who is leading the way. May my hands not tear down and instead be used to build up my family and those the Lord puts in my path. Living water, which is alive within me and bubbles up to overflowing. A fountain of grace, for no other Name could have set me free and placed my feet on the solid Rock of Jesus. His love never fails, His mercy is new every morning and His grace sufficient in weakness. As the world grows darker may my light shine brighter and the living water within me refresh those He puts in my path. May I declare with boldness all He has done for me to those who have no hope within themselves. Are you barren within, parched? Jesus has the power to satisfy and water the areas within you that are dying. He will pour down his blessing in abundance to all who ask, the blessing of Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit who is alive and active within us and turns our barren desolate souls into lush gardens of grace. He is our Comforter and Helper. The One who was poured out like a drink offering is the only source of life for the barren soul. The One who has declared the end from the beginning, who knew every one of our days, is the same today, yesterday and forever. No matter how dark your life is right now, He is the everlasting light. His glorious light is a beacon in darkness. For you, He has set His sights.

The Barren Lands

2011-07-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

A sun-scorched land is the way the Lord describes Israel during Isaiah's lifetime. A land that was barren, dying and desolate.

I got to thinking about the term, a sun-scorched land, as it applies to my personal life. When my life fails to bring any real life sustaining water to those around me, it becomes a land that soaks the life out of others.
My life becomes a sun-scorched land when my anger gets in the way of nurturing my girls. When the pressures of keeping up with those around me becomes my priority. When I expect my husband to meet all my emotional needs. When I start chasing after the temporal instead of the eternal. When I fill my time with the pleasures of this world. When my life is about others sacrificing for me instead of me sacrificing for others. When I start to think that this life is all about me. It is at these times that my life becomes a sun-scorched land. A land were the word doesn't overflow from the recesses of my heart. A land that will die if not watered.

Reflection can lead to repentance and change. Reflection puts my life into perspective. It forces my focus to shift from me and unto Him. What is my desire? My desire is to be a woman who walks the road of redemption and doesn't turn around to chase after the former things. A woman that remembers the road she used to frequent and treasures the Lord's redeeming grace. A woman who longs to be comforted by her Savior when the past lures her to turn aside grace and wallow in self pity. A woman who isn't tempted to turn down the road of regret. A woman who walks to bring glory to the Lord alone. A woman who sacrifices her desires and walks the road of bringing life sustaining water to those the Lord puts in her path.

"The Lord will guide me always when I loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free. When I share my food with the hungry. When I cloth the naked and do not turn away my flesh and blood. Then my light will break forth like the dawn and my healing will quickly appear; then my righteousness will go before me and the glory of the LORD will be my rear guard. "If I do away with the yoke of oppression with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if I spend myself in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then my light will rise in the darkness, and my night will be like the noonday. The LORD will guide me always; he will satisfy my needs in this sun-scorched land." Isaiah 58:6,8,11

Cultivate

2011-07-01T08:40:00.001-07:00

Post written January 2009

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for man to be alone I will make him a helper suitable for him."

Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beast of the field. But for Adam there was no suitable helper found. Genesis 2:15, 18-20

How often does the Lord reveal a desire, sense of loss or incompleteness, within our own heart that He desires to satisfy BEFORE satisfying the desire or completing the task? Have you ever wondered why God declared, "it is not good for man to be alone," then gave Adam the task of naming ALL the animals, as if showing him his own incompleteness and need, as there was no suitable helper found? I have been thinking about this lately.

I don't want to presume too much for we do not know the mind of God. This post is purely speculative concerning the fascinating sequence of events documented in Genesis.

I believe sometimes God places within us a desire He is going to cultivate in His time and then opens our eyes to the need or desire before fulfilling it, so we might experience our human depravity and our inability to meet these desires and needs apart from God's divine intervention. I believe He desires for us to lay our hopes and dreams at His feet trusting in His declaration, "it is not good for man to be alone" and realizing that ONLY He has the power to fulfill our needs and desires that He himself has placed within us.

If you are struggling with infertility or a desire to be married. If you are suffering the loss of a beloved. If you are consumed with grief over the plight of the orphan or if God has given you a vision for your life that will not succeed without His divine intervention. God's desire for you is to surrender your needs to Him and wait for Him to take your need and cultivate something beautiful out of it.

God formed Adam out of the dust of the ground. He formed Eve from the rib of Adam. God took Adam's need and desire and turned it into something beautiful when He created Eve. He did all of this while Adam was sleeping. He did what Adam could not do and created something beautiful in His time and for His purpose. God brought completion to His creation by meeting the needs of a man. What needs does God desire to cultivate within you?

Pictures above: Me and my beloved on our wedding day.

The Desert of Busyness

2011-06-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

"Where did that thought come from," I wonder, as my feet continue down the path of complacency? Those eyes, they are on me, waiting for me to journey further into his territory. He waits just below the sand, keeping watch as I continue to put one foot in front of the other. His voice slithers..."God will never use you, just give up"

My heart quickens and my mind swirls...."could it be that I missed the call of salvation" I cry out to God for help...

I hear a different voice, one that is quiet, and His words defy logic. At the sound of His voice the sand settles and the wind calms.... "When I look at you I see my Son" and again, "I love you as I have loved my Son". He looks at me tenderly and says, "Stay close enough to Me to hold onto my garment" I put my head down and hold on tightly to His garment. He shields Me from the deadly bite of the serpent while crushing his head with His heel. I put one foot in front of the other as He leads me out of this forsaken land to the abundant waters He provides in the wilderness. I drink deeply from the living water He provides in the desert. While the sand still covers me and my eyes still burn from the desert storm, I'm once again reminded that He will always satisfy and yet I yearn to never be satisfied but always yearn for more of what He provides. I yearn for more of Him who splits rocks in the wilderness and gives us abundant drink like the ocean depths. Psalm 78:15

The High Tide of Suffering

2011-06-07T10:35:00.001-07:00

This is a re-post of an entry I wrote August 2009. This entry is dedicated to the families wading through the high waters of suffering through sickness, the loss of a child or the fear of the unknown. It is also dedicated to the families that are in the midst of suffering for the sake of Christ, giving up all they have to follow a limitless God who loves them and has set them apart for His purposes and glory.

"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered nor will they come to mind. Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accused. Isaiah 65:17,20

The verse above tells us to look forward to eternal things. To hold fast to the promises of God when we see suffering this side of eternity. Can you image a life where mourning the loss of a love one doesn't threaten to pin you down to the floor of despair. A life where the former things will not be remembered nor will they come to mind. That is our future when we choose Christ and set our minds on eternal things. But before the curtain call, while we are on this side of the eternal stage, we are called to remember.

A Call to Remember was the purpose of this blog. A call to remember the Lord's deliverance. A call to look back and ponder the big questions of life. A call to not only remember our times of joy but also our times of sorrow. In our times of sorrow and weakness, God wants us to remember our intimate moments with Him. He wants us to experience His grace, His power and ultimately His glory. Our weakness, gives Him the opportunity to display His power which we would not have known in our own strength and in return, He receives the glory for doing what only He can do.

When we have waded through the high waters of sorrow we are called to remember the Lord's faithfulness and deliverance. We are called to know He not only parts the waters of sorrow but at times chooses to carry us through them. He picks us up and carries us to the other side so not even our feet get wet. He wades through the waters and tells us to rest a moment. And while He is carrying us through the high waters of suffering we are to remember the promise above and to trust in Him, who is the author of our moments. An eternal perspective in the midst of suffering. Remembering God, our mighty deliver, who can do more than we can ask or imagine. It is in our suffering, we find intimacy with God. We experience fellowship with Him we wouldn't have experienced had we not gone through the high waters. We can say with confidence, God, who is all powerful, loves me and cares about every need this side of eternity. Isaiah tells us that, "Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength." I trust in this promise. I trust, when I am weak I am strong for His power is made perfect in weakness. I'm glad that my Savior can identify with my weakness and sympathize with my heartache. After all, He came and dwelled among us. Paul tells us, "since we, the children of God, have flesh and blood, he too shared in our humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is the devil- and free us who all our lives were held in slavery by our fear of death. The scripture also tells us that He was tempted in every way and is able to sympathize with our weakness. We know that he suffered greatly for our benefit. All of this He came and endured to have a relationship with us. To be made a merciful and faithful high priest. Who can and does sympathize with our human weakness."

Lord, bring peace and comfort to those who are wading through the high waters. Reveal to them, this very moment, your love and power to deliver them through the high waters. Restore their strength. Sustain them with you mighty right hand. Reveal Yourself mighty to save and intimate in your love. Lord, part the waters and carry them through the strong currents. Calm the winds of fear and oppression. To you be the glory, forever and ever. We love you, Lord

Picture above taken by me at Watersound Beach, Florida

A Call to Repentance

2011-06-01T13:37:00.001-07:00

Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore, bear fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our Father '; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew: 3:1-2;7-10

The word repentance in its biblical sense refers to a deeply seated and thorough turning from self to God. It occurs when a radical turning to God takes place, an experience in which God is recognized as the most important fact of one's existence. Holman Bible Dictionary.

You see, the Pharisees depended on human tradition rather than on God and His word resulting in gross hypocrisy. They were legalistic and ritualistic. Unlike the Pharisees, the Sudducees denied legalism, the supernatural, the resurrection of the dead and the existence of angels. They only recognized the first five books of the Bible as authoritative. They were liberal and political opportunist. John McArthur Study Bible.

If repentance means turning from self to God than there is a shift of importance and devotion. Jesus states in Luke 5:32, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." One must realize their sickness to seek healing and to turn from their reliance on self to their reliance and devotion to God. I find it interesting that in some churches today repentance is not preached and sin is minimized. We have seen some churches take a dramatic shift to make God more like man and man more like God. So much so, many churches are now scrutinizing the very fundamentals of the Christian faith. Isaiah tells us, "Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him and to our God, for He will ABUNDANTLY pardon. " For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways declares the LORD. For as I high as the heavens are than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."I wrote a post entitled Abundantly Pardons detailing this verse.

The Lord is gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love, for sinners. He pardons sins abundantly and not reluctantly. When we turn, He hears and restores. There is NOTHING that you have done that is too big for God to forgive. He forgives the worst of sinners and brings healing and restoration to all sin. Do not let anyone tell you, "your sin is too great." Do not let anyone tell you, "there is nothing wrong with partaking in certain sins". For all sin leads to bondage and captivity. Jesus states early on in His ministry, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19 Only Jesus has the authority to forgive sins and bring restoration. To free us from the bondage of sin and give us eyes to see and ears to hear.

It is important for us to realize our depravity so that we will seek out restoration and forgiveness. Turning from self reliance to reliance only on God.

The Darkest Hour of Night

2011-06-01T13:33:00.001-07:00

Post written in the fall of 2009. The post is more applicable today than the day I wrote it. I thought I would re-post my thoughts as I have been again struggling with fear of the unknown. Praise God we worship Him who knows the end from the beginning and promises to be with us. I love the verse in Isaiah that states, He is with the first generation and He will be with the last generation. It brings me comfort when I look at my three precious girls and think what life might be like for them. I love them so much and will do anything to protect them but as much as I love them, He loves them more. They are His, entrusted to me, to raise to the glory of God.

It's been awhile, hasn't it? Life has gotten busy and in the midst of the busyness I have lost my footing and focus. I have allowed everyday life to soak up my creativity and steal away precious moments with my God. Life has gotten louder and in the brief moments of silence my fears have screamed at me.

I have been honest with you in previous posts that I struggle with fear. Fear of things not seen. I have also mentioned in the post, Fear of Things Unseen, that fear is a form of worship, for what I fear will be what I will eventually bow down to. If it is a fear of the spirit world, I will give the enemy power over my life that is not due him. And if I'm fearing all the evil in the world than I am in fact denying, He who lives in me is greater than he who is in the world and I am worshiping and giving power to the enemy of the Living God.
If it is fear of pain, which I also struggle with, then I will keep myself from situations that will result in me feeling uncomfortable or pain. I will build up a wall around my heart to keep from feeling anything at all.

I want to share with you what I have been wrestling with so that you can be encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God in the midst of all we see taking place within our country and in the world. I personally feel a sense of urgency and a call to repentance for our Salvation is about to break forth like the dawn but just as the darkest hour of night is right before dawn, I feel like our darkest hour is yet to come. We need to be praying for strength to endure the night and determine before hand, to fear God not man. Praying our house will not be broken into during this dark hour of night and when the thief comes we will be found faithful and sensible. For Jesus' words in Matthew 24:42-46 are to the expecting and the unsuspecting servants, "Therefore, be on the alert for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes."

What is the coming of Christ compared to? The coming of Christ is compared to as a thief in the night. A thief that comes to the expecting and the unsuspecting. A thief that comes in the darkest hour of night when mockers are mocking and following after their own lusts. 2 Peter 3:3. An hour when the faithful are working and watching for His glorious appearing.

Who is the faithful servant? The faithful servant, according to Jesus, is the servant who is watching, waiting and working. A servant whom is feeding the household of God, the church, with spiritual food and nourishment. The servant who goes into the dark places and allows the Lord's brilliant light of Salvation to break forth like the dawn to people who are walking in darkness. We must have a heart to bring the Light of the world into the dark places of humanity and not be ashamed of the Gospel and of Him who opens eyes that are blind and ears so they can hear. It is only in the name of Jesus that the light breaks forth like the dawn. It is during the darkest hour of night that our light shines the brightest. It is the light of Christ that exposes sin for the sake of freedom and brings people out of the darkness and into His glorious light.

I'm watching, waiting and working.....

Inside of the Cup

2011-05-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

I have found personally that it is much easier "to do" for the Lord than "to be" in the Lord and in His Holy Word. For when I am in the Word I am reminded of my need for Him and the inner sins that are lodged in my heart that He desires to forgive.

Post written December 2010

"I Know That"

2011-05-10T05:02:00.001-07:00

He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back. Isaiah 50:4,5

He awakens me morning by morning. He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple and yet it isn't enough for me to hear the Word of the Lord I must then act on it.

It isn't enough for me to say, "I know that", I must live as though I believe it. What we know is different than what we believe. For most of us know truth but few of us strive to live by the truth. Our actions are the looking glass into what we believe to be true.

I can not say, " I know that", and yet act as though I don't.

My little girl was caught in disobedience. Being her mommy, I said to her, "Please do not do that again." Now she knew what she was doing was wrong and this wasn't the first time she did this particular thing. Her response to me, "I know that". For the record, this response infuriates me, my response, "I didn't ask you if you KNEW that, I told you not to DO that!" Our actions are indicators to what we believe. It isn't enough for me to know it, I must obey and act as if I know it. It isn't enough for me to claim to love and trust Jesus, I must show I trust and love Him through my actions. Jesus, tells us, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." John 14:15 And "He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by my Father." John 14:21

Deeper thought, what do my actions imply that I believe? Who am I listening to? What ideas am I buying into? What school of thought am I living out of? Is the world's lingo and slogans resonating within my heart or am I awakened morning by morning to the sound of the gentle rolling waves of Truth?

It is the Lord who awakens the ear to listen as a disciple BUT am I obeying?

He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back. Isaiah 50:4,5

Weeds in My Garden

2011-05-03T18:40:00.001-07:00

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

One of my favorite things to do in the spring time is to pull the weeds in my garden. There is satisfaction in knowing that every weed removed makes way for the beautiful flowers I have planted to flourish.

One thing I have notice while weeding is the biggest most noticeable weeds are oftentimes the easiest to remove. The reason being, some of the tallest weeds have the most shallow roots.

It is the small weeds that are the hardest to pull up. They are the ones, if left unattended, will grow and eventually overtake the garden. It is these creeping weeds that will choke out the beautiful flowers I have planted.

I find this is the same way with sin. You see the most noticeable sins are oftentimes the easiest sins to identify and turn away from. They are actions that indicate ones heart condition. For example, drunkenness, cussing, wild living, sex outside of marriage, cheating, course joking, fits of rage, lying, stealing, fighting, destructive behavior. Just to name a few.

I have found in my personal life, my behavior is an outpouring of what is in my heart. I have also found, it's much easier for me to change my behavior, than it is for me to change my heart.My Actions are just indicators of my heart condition.

Let's talk about the small weeds. These weeds if left unattended will choke out all the beautiful flowers the Lord has planted in your life. These sins will also strangle your faith and over take your garden. Oftentimes, these small weeds are the reasons we do what we do.

Most of the time, these sins go unnoticed to the outsider. They can easily be explained away by the insider. These weeds are dangerous because they are socially acceptable and often times not recognized for what they are WEEDS (sins)! They go unnoticed and over time wreck our faith and render us useless in the kingdom of God.

What are some examples of these creeping weeds? Fear, anger, jealousy, pride, control, complacency, bitterness, spirit of entitlement, relying on self rather than relying on God, blame shifting, complaining, selfish ambition, gossiping, vanity, greed, just to name a few. These sins reside in the heart and often times effect our behavior.

What are we doing to tend our garden of faith? We need to be diligent in asking the Lord to help us identify and pull up these faith choking weeds. We need to expose the heart conditions behind the sin and bring to light the deep roots of unforgiveness, hurt, disappointment, abandonment, abuse, dejection,rejection and perfection. We need to surrender to an Almighty, All Powerful, All Knowing God.

What weeds in your garden need tending?

Re-posting of Weeds, written Spring of 2009.

The Spirit of Prophecy

2011-04-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? They open wide their mouth at me, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it is melted within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and You lay me in the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced my hands and my feet I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. PSALM 22:1,13-18

The Psalm above was written by David moved by the Spirit of God. It applied to David immediately but ultimately to the Suffering Servant, Jesus. This Psalm is quoted or alluded to in the New Testament 15 times. Psalm 22 was written a thousand years before it's fulfillment. When pondering this fact, I am reminded of some verses in 2 Peter which state, For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 1 Peter 1:16,19-21

When Jesus approached Jerusalem on the donkey, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation. Luke 41-44. The literal fulfillment of this prophecy happened in AD 70, 37 years after this prophesy was spoken. Could the Lord be asking us, why is there no peace in your land? Why is there this restlessness that prevails in your heart? If only you had known this day, what would bring you peace but now it has been hidden from you eyes. Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart as when they provoked me. Hebrews 3:8

Are we failing to recognize the time of our visitation? We have the prophetic word made sure and yet are we still rebelling against His glorious presence? While we are in the favorable year of the Lord, we have the opportunity to surrender to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to be the Lord of our lives. For more on the favorable year of the Lord, see One Vision Two Comings. He is calling us to turn from our self to Himself and to live a life that is pleasing to Him. He is calling us to trust in His sacrifice on our behalf and stop trying to reach Him through hollow and deceptive philosophies. He wants us to surrender to His will rather than our own. As we see the day of reckoning approaching, we will do well to pay attention to the prophesies proclaimed in the Bible and walk in the way of obedience. The prophesies will light the way and prepare us for the things which are coming and strengthen us until the day dawns and the Morning Star arises in our hearts. We are to work the works while it is still day because night is approaching when no man can work.

Jesus' spent His last hours of life in fellowship with His disciples and in prayer. He spent His last day speaking about the things to come and what would be the signs of His second coming. As we celebrate Christ's death and resurrection, may we reflect on His words, they did not recognize the time of their visitation, and respond to His call to repentance and faith in Him, trusting in His perfect provisions and His final atoning sacrifice for our sins. He is the only one who can save us from our sins. He who knew no sin became sin for us. He is our Passover Lamb who is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. Revelation 5:12

A Tale of Two Passovers

2011-04-17T08:57:00.001-07:00

I know this post is lengthy. I wanted to give the background of the Jewish celebration of Passover since it begins tonight at sundown. I hope you will take the time to read this post and see the significance of Jesus as our Passover Lamb. I haven't re-read it so excuse the errors. It is time for me to put up the computer for the night and get my four children to bed:). Thank you for stopping by. I would love to hear from you!

For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, I have the authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father. Jesus words found in John 10:17-18

It was my sin that held Him to the cross, my sin that pierced His beautiful hands and feet but He went willingly because He loves me.

A Tale of Two Passovers

The Israelites were about to be set free from the heavy yoke of slavery. For 400 years Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, oppressed them. Exodus opens up with the king's order to throw all the baby boys into the Nile river. This he used as a form of genocide. Moses spared from death and rescued by the Princess was pulled from a basket in the Nile River. He was raised in the household of Pharaoh. He was God's chosen servant to set the people free and lead them out Egypt. God sent 10 plagues to Egypt. With each plague, Pharaoh's heart was hardened.

1445BC, Egypt

Stephen's account of Moses documented in Acts 7

There arose another king over Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph. It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive. It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father's home. And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh's dauther took him away and nurtured him as her own son. Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered His mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together and he tried to reconcile them in peace saying, ' Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?' But the one who was injuring this neighbor pushed him away, saying ' Who made you ruler and judge over us? You do not mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday, do you?' At this remark, Moses fled and became an alien in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

After fourty years had passed, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning thorn bush. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: 'I am the GOD of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob.' Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. But the LORD said to him, 'Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. I have certainly see the oppression of my people in Egypt and have heard their groans, and I have come down to rescue them; come now, and I will send you to Egypt. Acts 7:17-34

Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. When the the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' then tell them, ' It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.'At Midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt. Exodus 12:21-28,29. During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing.

Passover is the annual remembrance of this divine deliverance. It was also a celebration commemorating the passing over of the angel of death. The blood on the door kept the destroyer from entering the home of the Israelites, sparing their firstborn. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was to last 7 days followed by the the Passover dinner commemorating these events.

What was Israel's response to the deliverance? " This Moses whom they disowned, saying, ' Who made you ruler and a judge' is it the one whom God sent to be both ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush. This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for 40 years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ' God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren.' This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received the living oracles to pass on to you. Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. Acts 7:35-39.

AD33, Jerusalem During the feast of Unleavened Bread

The Triumphal Entry, When the crowd heard that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem to celebrate the feast, they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, Fear not, Daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey's colt. John 12:12-15.

The statement above is a fulfillment to the prophesy found in Zechariah, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

When He approached Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it. Luke 20:41. Jesus spent the week of Unleavened Bread preaching in Jerusalem.

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So they prepared for the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table . And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves, for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes." And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. Luke 22:7,13-21.

After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives and then to the Garden of Gethsemane, which literally means "oil press", Matthew 26:30,36. When he arrived at the place, He said to them, " Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling upon the ground. When He rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and said to them, " Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation." While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came , and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, " Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest. Luke 22:40-48,54

Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward and said, " This man stated, ' I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.' The high priest stood up and said to Him, "Do you not answer What is it that these men are testifying against you?" But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, " I adjure You by the living God, that tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of the God." Jesus said to him, " Y0u have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of Heaven." Then the high priest tore his robes and said, " he has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?" They answered, "He deserves death!" Then they spat on His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, "Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the the one who hit you?"

Isaiah 53 The Suffering Servant, written sometime between 739-686BC

Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the inequity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgement He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgressions of my people, to whom the stroke was due? His grave assigned with wicked me, yet He was a rich man in His death, because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth.

But the LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; BY His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and he will divide the booty with the strong; because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with transgressor; yet He Himself bore the sins of many, and interceded for the transgressors.

Prophesy Revealed in Revelation, written by John sometime between 81-96BC

I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen."Revelation 7:9-12

The Word of God

2011-04-14T06:27:00.001-07:00

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-4

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and he has a name written on Him which no one knows but Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called, The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." Revelation 19:11-16

He is the image of the invisible God the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created both in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was Jesus, He created all things and in Jesus all things hold together. Jesus when He returns will be called the Word of God. Jesus, who is the Word in the flesh, came to earth to dwell among us to reveal to us the truth. What is the Truth? It is the infallible Word of God. The Word that was with God in the beginning. The Word that will be the defeat of the nations when He comes again in great glory. The Word that is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

The Word that no creature is hidden from but exposed to His sight, all things laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13

The Word who is referred to by Jesus and Isaiah as our Comforter, Helper, the Living Water that dwells within us and the Bread of Life that sustains us.

It is no wonder Satan does his best to distract me from God's Word. He tempts me to doubt it and compromise it by not proclaiming all of it. It is no wonder that in some churches today Truth is stumbling for we have turned aside the truth of God's Word and slayed it with the carnal swords of unbelief, indifference, and popularity. It's no wonder that when I read His Holy Word my flesh wages war with the Spirit- for no other word has the power to divide my innermost being and wage a war within myself.

For He who is called Faithful and True is coming again and it is with the Word that He will slay the nations. Jesus is the Word of God. He is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. He is the One who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood- and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father - to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen Revelation 1:2-6

Lord, you are coming again in great glory. Sustain us with your mighty right hand as we eagerly wait for you. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit of the Lord would reveal to us. Revive our hearts with the cooling waters of your Word.

Who is like you, O Lord, for you have called forth the generations from the beginning - You were with the first of them and you will be with the last of them - You are the Great I AM Isaiah 41:4

This post was written July 2009

Abundantly Pardons

2011-04-01T06:05:00.001-07:00

Re-post written December of 2009

With Great Expection:One Vision Two Comings

2011-03-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

A word of warning, my husband read this post and said I was all over the place. If I ever need an honest opinion, I go to my man. He is honest to the core and I love him for it. The purpose of One Vision, Two Comings, is to get you thinking about Old Testament prophesy and how it relates to Revelation. Scripture interprets Scripture and it's incredibly faith-building to see prophesies about Christ's first coming, some of which proclaimed 700 years before His birth and every stroke of the pen, fulfilled. The Lord Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand." Isaiah 14:24.

I mentioned in God's Promises to Israel, that the Holy Prophets saw ONE vision concerning Christ's first and second comings. In Isaiah visions, He saw a Suffering Servant and a reigning King and the two were not separated. Let me explain, In the book of Isaiah, which was written 700 years before Christ, Isaiah prophesies about the coming of the Lord, The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our GOD. Isaiah 61:1-2. As was the custom, Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth to speak in the synagogue. Jesus when speaking in the synagogue in Nazareth, opens up the scroll to Isaiah 61 and reads "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord." And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and all eyes of the synagogue were fixed on Him, Luke 4:18-21. Jesus then proclaims, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." 4:21. Did you notice what Jesus did not proclaim to the people of Nazareth? He did not proclaim the day of vengeance of our God. The verse in Isaiah that Jesus read had one vision of two comings. Jesus, as coming to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, and Jesus coming during the day of vengeance. After 400 years of silence, and as the nation was occupied by Roman rule, Christ the Messiah, comes to fulfill the prophesies of Suffering Servant, Lamb of God, Faithful Witness, and Firstborn among the dead.

Isaiah 53 The Suffering Servant

Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or Majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hid their face He was despised , and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening of our well being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgressions of my people, to whom the stroke was due? His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death, because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth. But the LORD was pleased to crush Hi, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering. He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty with the strong; because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sins of many, and interceded for the transgressors. NASB

Revelation, on the other hand, deals with Isaiah's prophesies of Messiah coming during the day of vengeance, when the favorable year of the Lord comes to a close and a new time is ushered in. The book of Revelation is the revealing of Jesus Christ, who is coming again in great glory and triumph, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is in essence, His Revelation at His Second Coming, the culmination of events that usher in His Eternal Kingdom and fulfill His eternal promises to all the called, chosen and faithful.

Isaiah 11: Righteous Reign of the Branch

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him. The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD, and He will delight in the fear of the LORD, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Also, righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist. And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little boy will lead them. Also, the cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child will put his hand on the vipers den. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. THEN IN THAT DAY, the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, who will stand as a signal for the peoples; and His resting place will be glorious. NASB

Joyful Expectation: God's Promises to His Children

2011-03-09T14:32:00.000-08:00

This post was written December 2010. Normally, I don't re-post an entry written so recently but life has been crazy and this post, being near and dear to my heart, came to mind. As I contemplate all the events we see unfolding in our world and as I see the heartache and injustice within our own country, I am reminded that I'm a stranger and alien in a foreign land. I'm reminded that a world without Him has no meaning and hope. I am reminded that He is coming again to take me to be with Him where He is and my heart aches for Him to come soon...

As I mentioned in the post, God's Promises to Israel, the word Revelation means, to unveil, to uncover, to reveal. Something or someone once hidden becoming more visible. The Book of Revelation is the revealing of Jesus Christ, who is coming again in great glory and triumph, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is in essence, His Revelation at His Second Coming, the culmination of events that usher in His Eternal Kingdom and fulfill His eternal promises to all the called, chosen and faithful.

It is my hope that as I try and describe the days and hours leading up to Jocelyn's birth that the Lord would stir an eager expectation within you.

We do not know the day or the hour of the Lord's return but we are to understand the times in which we live and eagerly anticipate His coming. As a mother eagerly awaits the impending birth of her child with joyful expectation.

Joyful expectation is how I would describe the last few months of pregnancy with Jocelyn. Every kick and contraction brought with it a sense of eager expectation as I anticipated her arrival. I spent my days dreaming of holding her and the moment I would finally meet my little mystery in the making, wondering about her personality and who she would look like. Mourning the thought that she would never again be so close to my heart but wanting her desperately to be in my arms. As the impending arrival approached, so did the reminders of her birth, as my body prepared for her delivery. The pain brought with it joyful expectation and excitement. I would soon behold my precious daughter and for the first time see her as she is, perfectly made. The frame which was once hidden will be made known. The moment of her revelation was at hand. It brought to mind, Jesus' words in Matthew 24, all these are the beginning of birth pains. 24:8 And later on in the chapter, No one knows about that day or hour. 24:36 Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 24:42.

It was during the last few weeks of pregnancy that the thought came to me, as I had eagerly awaited the impending birth of my precious Jocelyn, I should also be joyfully expecting and anticipating the Lord's return.

Revelation comes from the Greek word, Apocalypse, which means to uncover, it would apply to anything which had been covered up so as to be bidden from view, as by a veil of darkness or ignorance. It may also be applied to the disclosing or manifesting of anything which before was obscure or unknown. Barnes Biblical Commentary.

As the birth pains of Christ's arrival draws near my excitement and anticipation should increase. Just as it did with the pain of labor which brought forth joy and completion. As I see the day fast approaching I am...

Anticipating and preparing for Him to come back and take me to be with Him where He is. John: 14:3.

Eagerly awaiting the moment He wipes every tear from my eyes. Revelation 21:4.

Anticipating the moment where He is fully known and I shall behold His face. 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Eagerly anticipating the day where there is no more harm on God's holy mountain, for the whole earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. Isaiah 11:9.

Looking forward to the day where the groaning of creation is silenced for the Lord will liberate creation from it's bondage and the thorn will be removed from the glorious rose and the thistles will no longer accompany the flowers. Romans 8:18, Genesis 3:18.

Eagerly anticipating the day, when the sons of God are revealed and I am adopted as a daughter of the Most High, the redemption of my body and I will look on the outside the way I feel on the inside, as my body will be liberated from the bondage of decay. Romans 8:22.

The day my hope turns into reality as I eagerly await His glorious appearing. The day when the King of Kings is revealed in all His glory and takes His rightful place as Lord over all creation. Revelation 19:16

There will be a day when never again will an infant live but a few days or an old man who does not live out his years. Isaiah 65:20.

Eagerly awaiting for the "Beautiful Exchange" which was completed on the cross, to be fully realized and revealed, as He who was the suffering servant comes back as King of Kings and His kingdom is established here on earth.

Expecting the answer to the prayer, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

For in this hope we are saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25.

God's Promises to Israel

2011-02-24T10:57:00.001-08:00

We wait for You in full expectation of Your glorious appearing, for You were and You are and You are coming again in great glory. You are the Almighty, the Holy One of Israel.

The LORD, will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail over His enemies. Isaiah 42:13

And you will know that I am the LORD; those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame. Isaiah 49:23

Revelation, to unveil, to uncover, to reveal. Something or someone once hidden becoming more visible. The book of Revelation is the revealing of Jesus Christ, who is coming again in great glory and triumph, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is in essence, His Revelation at His Second Coming, the culmination of events that usher in His Eternal Kingdom and fulfill His eternal promises to all the called, chosen and faithful. The Holy Prophets saw ONE vision concerning Christ's coming. In this vision they saw a suffering servant and a reigning King. The Prophets did not prophesy about the times of Gentiles, for they were prophets of Israel. The book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ at His second coming. I want to post more about this inspiring book in the weeks to come. It will be a series of posts entitled, With Great Expectation.

Dissention Within the Church

2011-01-30T09:22:00.000-08:00

This blog post was written January 2009. This issue is near and dear to my heart. By reposting this, it is my desire that we as the Church bring life to one another. That we would be aware of Satan schemes and pray against his efforts to divide and conquer within the church and within the family. Dissention is a spirit used by the enemy to bring division.

My prayer is not for them alone(the disciples), but for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be ONE, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20 – 23

How amazing that the last prayer Jesus prayed that dark night in the garden of Gethsemane was that we, the future believers, would be ONE! That we the future believers would be brought into complete unity. Our relationship with Christ must be so deeply rooted in Him that our lives reflect HIS character. Only when we reflect Christ to others will there be complete unity within the church. Only when we are allowing Christ to use us for His purposes will we be an encouragement to others. God desires us to be in relationships that point us back to life and complete wholeness in Christ. He desires us to love one another with this same love having our needs met by Him and in Him alone.
Why complete unity?? So that the world would know that God has sent his only son Jesus to die and be resurrected out of His great love for us. People will not only hear the gospel but see it lived out in believers. I truly believe that people are searching desperately for the Truth, truth that is life changing, truth that really does make a difference. If we don’t love one another within the church how on earth are we going to love those in the world? If we don’t love one another within the church how on earth are we going to make any real eternal difference for Christ?

You see when we are so focused on inner dissention within the church our focus will be taken away from our real enemy, Satan. I want to read you a passage from Michael Youssef’s book, Know Your Real Enemy, Dr. Youssef calls these sins, socially acceptable sins. Sins that are so widespread among the church that we dismiss them. He goes onto say that these sins have the greatest long range negative impact upon you, your family and the body of Christ. They are sins that express conflict in our ordinary day to day relationships at home and at church, church member and church member. He goes on to list these socially acceptable sins. Listen to these!

· Gossiping and murmuring
· A critical spirit
· An unforgiving heart
· Rebellion against God’s principles in marriage and in the home
· A husband’s relinquishing of power within the role of spiritual responsibility in the home
· A wife’s resentment of her husband’s spiritual leadership
· Spiritual pride and jealousy
· Putting others down
· A desire for self-promotion
· A child’s refusal to obey parents
· Divisiveness and rebellion against spiritual authority

Satan knows dissention within the church will hinder the growth of the church. To be difference makers in the world we MUST be different than the world. The world must see something different in us. Our life the way we live it out must be so deeply rooted in God that it brings hope and LIFE to those around us. You see these sins listed above are life stealers because they are focused on tearing down relationships with other believers and within the family. These socially acceptable sins leave us feeling downcast and insecure.

We hear someone gossip and it breaks down our ability to trust others with the things of our past or the things we hold closest to our heart.

When we are around those with a critical spirit we become weighed down to be perfect in fear that our mistakes will be talked about in attempt to make others feel better about themselves.

When we have an unforgiving heart we live a life of bitterness and resentment. We weigh down those around us with this bitterness.

Life stealers. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. As Michael puts it in his book, the enemy comes to divide and conquer. On page 56 of Know your Real Enemy, Dr. Youssef states, "Watch out for the socially acceptable sins. Satan knows that if he comes out in the open and fights a biblically sound church, he will lose. So he will not even try. Instead he will attack from another direction. He will infiltrate the churches with people with spiritual pride, people who are possessed with critical spirits, people who are seeking self-promotion, people who cannot distinguish between a true angel of light and the fallen angel masquerading as an angel of light. And through them will begin to sow the seed of doubt to sow the seed of discontentment. He will begin to sow the seed of division and partisan spirit. And before you know it, the churches leadership will be running around trying to put fires out, and losing their fire for God and the gospel." These sins listed above are common issues that create conflict within the church.
Continuing to look at Jesus’ prayer in the Garden before his death, My prayer is not that you will take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John 17:15 The Greek word for evil in this verse is the word poneros (pon ay ros) which means full of labors, annoyances, hardships, pressed and harassed by labours, bring toils, annoyances, causing us pain and trouble. Jesus is praying for our protection against the devil who desires for us to be in conflict with one another. He is praying for our effectiveness in this world which is Satan’s domain. Satan desires to give us a life full of hardship, labours, annoyances, He brings us harassment and toils. He causes us pain and trouble. But Jesus has prayed for us and continues to pray for us.

Behind every argument between believers and family is an enemy that desires dissention. An enemy that desires to divide us. An enemy that wants to sabatoge our relationships with each other. An enemy that wants us so focused on our dissention with fellow believers and family members that we aren’t focused on him and his tactics.
Let me explain, Satan is crafty. He is the father of lies. He knows that to make an eternal difference we as believers must be one. After all this was Jesus’ prayer right before his death. Knowing this he does everything in his power to cause dissention within the church. He wants us focused on our differences, He wants us to become prideful in our assessment of scripture, He wants us focused on gossip and the things we don’t like, He wants us believing that we get all our needs met in church and our focus on any of the particular needs that are not being met at that moment, He wants us focused on ourselves and not on others, building ourselves up knowing that in our building of self we are tearing down the foundation of serving others.
Ephesians 6:10-12, 18. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full of armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is NOT against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
You see, Paul, is telling the early believers to be on guard against the devil’s schemes. That their battle is not with each other but with the spiritual forces of evil. Our battle is not against other believers or our husband or our children or even that particular friend. Our battle is with the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. This battle we were not created to fight on our own. We must have the help of the Holy Spirit. He goes on to say and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Sisters in Christ let us not hinder our effectiveness with a spirit of dissention. It is my prayer that our eyes will be open to the ways Satan tries to infiltrate and destroy our relationships. Relationships that God intended to us bring blessing and intimacy. Let's pray for an awareness of the devil's schemes.

Picture above is of Gracyn. I wanted to use this photo of her because her expression reflects how I often feel. So often how I feel is written all over my face.

A Thirsty Land

2011-01-28T07:13:00.000-08:00

Are you parched? Is your Spirit in need of refreshment from the only well that never runs dry? So often, I look to the wells of the world to satisfy. I look to what the world offers and wonder why I'm exhausted, run down and discouraged. With my head hung low, I slowly come to the realization I need to look up and realize where my help comes from. I need to look up and see Him as He is and put Him in His rightful place in my life, which is in the forefront of everything. He is everything. His provisions are perfect, His water overflowing, His Spirit within me COMPLETELY PERFECT. His Spirit is more than satisfying and His Word is the means by which He satisfies. He has made provisions for every one of my days and it is up to me to trust in and take hold of these blessings, not for my glory but to be used by Him to bring Him glory and to let the Living water within me overflow into the lives of others. Particularly my children who are walking in my footsteps and my husband who is leading the way. May my hands not tear down and instead be used to build up my family and those the Lord puts in my path. Living water, which is alive within me and bubbles up to overflowing. A fountain of grace, for no other Name could have set me free and placed my feet on the solid Rock of Jesus. His love never fails, His mercy is new every morning and His grace sufficient in weakness. As the world grows darker may my light shine brighter and the living water within me refresh those He puts in my path. May I declare with boldness all He has done for me to those who have no hope within themselves. Are you barren within, parched? Jesus has the power to satisfy and water the areas within you that are dying. He will pour down his blessing in abundance to all who ask, the blessing of Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit who is alive and active within us and turns our barren desolate souls into lush gardens of grace. He is our Comforter and Helper. The One who was poured out like a drink offering is the only source of life for the barren soul. The One who has declared the end from the beginning, who knew every one of our days, is the same today, yesterday and forever. No matter how dark your life is right now, He is the everlasting light. His glorious light is a beacon in darkness. For you, He has set His sights.

Intimate Prayer for Today

2011-01-18T07:02:00.001-08:00

The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" Behold the Lord GOD will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. Isaiah 40:8-11

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our GOD. Isaiah 61:1-2

The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:5

Jesus is the Word that became flesh and dwelled among us to reveal to us the Truth. John 1:1

Jesus is the One who can set the captive free, proclaim liberty for the one who is a slave to sin. He brings freedom to those who are prisoners to fear and held in bondage to self sufficiency. Right now is the favorable year of the Lord for He has come to bring freedom, hope and life to all who call on His name.

Lord, You are the faithful and true witness, the first born among the dead. The one who was dead but now is alive and seated at the right hand of God, constantly interceding on my behalf. I turn over all my burdens to You. I drop the bags before You that have been weighing me down. These bags were never mine to carry. You are always with me and You are intimately involved in every detail of my life. You are mighty to save and intimate in Your love for me. Fill me with Your peace and this home with your Presence. I ask for Your Word, the Living Water, to rain down on my life and water the areas within me that are parched. May the flowers within me flourish and make for You a beautiful boutique. I acknowledge that I am nothing without You and within me is no good thing apart from You, but Praise be to God, that Your perfection is within me in the form of your Holy Spirit. You are always with me, in me and working through me. May my life be a living testimony to Your grace and Your ability to transform a life, for Your glory. Lord, I have nothing to give You but my heart and I ask for You to take it and mold it and equip me for service. I lay myself before You and ask for You to take all of me and use me to bring glory to Yourself. To love those You put in my path especially those following in my footsteps. I ask for Your Word to come upon me so that I can proclaim the good news to those who are perishing, both physically and mentally. I pray I will get up on a high mountain in my personal life to see past the insignificant and get a broader perspective so I can proclaim all You have done for me. I turn my girls over to You and ask You to give me the wisdom to raise them according to Your Word and for Your glory, trusting in You to do what only You can do, which is transform their little lives with the power of Your Holy Spirit. You, Jesus, who was and who is and who is to come is in complete control of every aspect of my life no matter how out of control it seems. Rain down your eternal Word in my life and water all that you have given me with your grace which is sufficient in my weakness.

The Theif and the Servant

2011-01-15T06:21:00.001-08:00

Not much as changed since I wrote this fall of 2009. Life has gotten busy with my four precious girls. I've been yearning to write for some time now but the quiet moments are few. I've been in Revelation since the fall and it has been hard to find the time to write. I have missed my moments on the blog and hope to have more time to write in the weeks to come.
I've been holding onto every moment with Jocelyn, knowing how fast the infant stage goes by, while managing the lives of an 8, 6, and 4 year old. I'm not organized so this can be quite challenging at times. My girls are fun and loud. The Lord did not bless me with wallflowers.
Our house is loud and more often than I would like to admit, chaotic. We are the family that doesn't sneak in anywhere and most of the time, someone is missing a jacket or a shoe. Thank goodness Jocelyn doesn't wear shoes. Check her out. She looks like an angel but screams like a banshee. She is one spunky monkey, following in the footsteps of our Gray.

I want to re post this due to the continuing signs of His glorious appearing. It brings my heart joy to hear from you and to read your blogs. I can not tell you how my heart swells at the thought of meeting each one of you one day in the eternal Kingdom where our Christ will reign. He Was and Is and Is to come. From Everlasting and to Everlasting, He reigns.

I have been honest with you in previous posts that I struggle with fear. A fear of things unseen. I have also mentioned in the post, Fear of Things Unseen, that fear is a form of worship, for what I fear will be what I will eventually bow down to. If it is a fear of the spirit world, I will give the enemy power over my life that is not due him. And if I'm fearing all the evil in the world than I am in fact denying that, He who lives in me is greater than he who is in the world, I am worshiping and giving power to the enemy of the Living God.
If it is fear of pain, which I also struggle, then I will keep myself from situations that will result in me feeling uncomfortable or pain. I will build up a wall around my heart to keep from feeling anything at all. I am praying about writing more about this in the weeks to come in a post entitled, Tearing Down the Walls.

As believers in Christ, there are three things I believe we need to be praying for as we see the signs of His coming, these signs are recording in Matthew 24.

First of all, we need to be praying for strength to endure the darkest hour of night. Secondly, that we will not fear man but will fear God. Third, for the persecuted church around the world. I personally feel the need to be diligent in praying against the temptation of allowing my spiritual house to be broken into by the philosophies and distractions of the world. The darkest hour of the night will bring with it distractions and temptations. It is my prayer that when the thief comes I will be found faithful and sensible. For Jesus' words in Matthew 24:42-46 are to both the expecting and the unsuspecting servants, "Therefore, be on the alert for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes."

What is the coming of Christ compared to? The coming of Christ is compared to a thief that comes in the night. A thief that comes to the expecting and the unsuspecting. A thief that comes in the darkest hour of night when mockers are mocking and following after their own lusts. 2 Peter 3:3. An hour when the faithful are working and watching for His glorious appearing.

Who is the faithful servant? The faithful servant, according to Jesus, is the servant who is watching and waiting. A servant whom is feeding the household of God with spiritual food and nourishment. It is also the servant who goes into the dark places and allows the Lord's brilliant light of Salvation to break forth like the dawn to people who are walking in darkness. We must have a heart to bring the light of the world into the dark places of humanity and not be ashamed of the gospel and of Him who opens eyes that are blind and ears so that they can hear. It is only in the name of Jesus that the light breaks forth like the dawn. It is during the darkest hour of night that our light shines the brightest. It is the light of Christ that exposes sin for the sake of freedom and brings people out of the darkness and into His glorious light.

I'm watching and waiting...

A Life of Focus

2011-01-04T10:27:00.001-08:00

Living a life of focus requires taking our focus off the temporal things and placing it on the eternal. Making an intentional effort to live a life free of anxiety and worry. Both of which distract us from living a life of purpose. It is my goal to live a life free from worry while pressing on toward the goal of living a life that glorifies God and puts my focus on the vision He has put in front of me.

The picture above was taken by me in Italy. I thought it captured perfectly what it means to have a long term vision. Notice that the focus of the picture is on a far away house. For me, it captures living a life with an eternal perspective. Keeping my mind fixed on eternity while the temporal fades into the background. So often, I live my life the other way around. My vision and focus is on the temporal, what is going on all around me, instead of on the eternal. You see, what we do with the time we have been given will effect our eternity.

The word, worry comes from a German word which means to strangle. Worry is a form of fear. It is a fear that things are not going to turn out as you expect. It is a fear that you are going to be hurt or rejected in the future or that something shameful from your past is going to come to light. It is a fear that God is not going to come through for you to protect you, provide for you or nurture you as you desperately long for him to do. (Discover the Power of One, Dr. Michael Youssef)
Dr. Youssef goes on to give us these statistics. 40% of what we worry about never happens, 30% is in the past and we can’t change it. 12% worry needlessly about their health, 10% petty anxieties and 8% light worries.

Simply put, Worry strangles our faith and yields us powerless to make any real eternal difference. We miss out on so many amazing blessings and opportunities when we spend all our energy worrying about the future.

What would our lives look like if we lived a life of focus? Jesus, tells us to live one day at a time. Focus on today! Do not worry about tomorrow. Do not worry about the things you have no control over. I believe when we live a focused life we will be able to live our life with an eternal perspective. We will not be bogged down with the worries of the world and distracted by earthly things. I believe he is challenging us to live life with an eternal perspective; our minds focused entirely on eternal things. You know what is my greatest fear? It is that I will miss out on what God has created me to do because I am so focus and distracted on temporal things, things that in light of eternity are insignificant. When I focus on heavenly things and live my life with an eternal perspective my life takes on a whole new level of excitement and adventure. The worries of the day no longer matter. A life of focus.

Inside the Cup

2010-12-13T05:37:00.000-08:00

Come Home

2010-12-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

Post written and posted in February 2009

Then the Lord said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives and I will be with you." Genesis 31:3

Is the Lord calling you to go back? Is he calling you to stop running from your past and the sins of your youth and embrace forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation?

You see, Jacob fled his family because he had deceived his father, Issac, by pretending to be his brother, Esau, in turn receiving his brother's blessing from his blind father.

Jacob fled in fear of his brother's wrath for his brother had vowed to kill him. I believe he also fled out of shame because he deceived his father to receive the family blessing. If anyone had reason to run it was Jacob but we see God calling Jacob home.

Jacob wrestled with God and was given the name Israel; which means one who struggled with God and with men and has overcome. Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob's thigh dislocated while he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." But Jacob said, " I will not let you go, unless you bless me." Genesis 32:24-26 I've heard sermons preached that it was in arrogance that Jacob wrestled. I beg to differ; I believe he wrestled out of desperation. He held on. He pleaded with God to bless him no matter the cost. He wrestled through the pain, all the while, trusting in God for deliverance from his past. He wouldn't let go. My biggest fear is that my life would make no real eternal difference because of my disobedience and fear of going back to the place of pain with my God who has promised to be with me. I fear I could miss out on the blessings God has for me because of complacency. I fear I could fall out of God's favor because of unconfessed sin and inner rebellion. I believe Jacob felt the same way, years after stealing Esau's inheritance he wrestled with God for His blessing. He wanted God to bless the inheritance he already received. Having just his earthly father's blessing wasn't enough for Jacob. He wanted his heavenly Father's blessing.

Wherever you go there you are but there is One who has the power to bring you home.

Truth Stumbles

2010-12-02T04:44:00.000-08:00

Francis Schaeffer states in his book, How Should We Then Live, "There is a flow to history and culture. This flow is rooted and has its wellspring in the thoughts of people. People are unique in the inner life of the mind - what they are in their thought world determines how they act. People have presuppositions, by this we mean the basic way an individual looks at life his basic world view, the grid through which a person sees the world. Presuppositions rest upon that which a person considers to be the truth of what exists. People's presuppositions lay a grid for all they bring forth into the external world. Their presuppositions also provide the basis for their values and therefore the basis for their decisions."

Proverbs says it this way, As a man thinks, so he is. Which brings me to the verse above, how can truth stumble or better yet, what is truth? If what we think determines how we act or what we presuppose then what if what we believe is wrong or better yet twisted?

If something is true than it's opposite must be false, both can't be true. Yet in our culture, we are seeing this more and more. This idea of relative truth. I'm not sure how this works logically for one idea must be false. Either there is a God or there isn't a God but both ideas can't co-exist as "truth". One idea must be false. Either Jesus is the only way or he is not the only way but both ideas can't co-exist as "truth". One idea must be false. Either the world has evolved or it was created these two ideas can not co-exist as "truth" one idea must be false. That is if you believe there is a higher authority than the human intellect. Here in lies the problem, if there is no moral absolutes nor is there a higher authority to hold man accountable than man becomes his own god and what he thinks becomes his moral compass. Personal pleasures, gratification of the flesh, pursuit of human knowledge and the pursuit of power will over time be the driving force of decline in a culture and freedom will fall. Freedom can not stand if man can not self regulate. Freedom only exists within a culture if man is held accountable by a higher authority than itself. Government will become bigger and man will eventually turn to government as their new god due to the moral corruption of society. Government will limit personal freedoms due to the moral decline and power will be the force to insure peace. We see this when looking at Ancient Rome. Francis Shaffer states, "Ancient Rome was a totalitarian authority or an authoritarian state. No totalitarian authority nor authoritarian state can tolerate those who have an absolute by which to judge that state and its actions. The Christians had that absolute in God's revelation. Because the Christians had an absolute, universal standard by which to judge not only personal morals but the state, they were counted enemies of totalitarian Rome and were thrown to the beasts." We also see this same conclusion when looking at other totalitarian governments.

As moral absolutes become obsolete and man becomes his own god, we must be intentional in our pursuit of truth. We must stand firm knowing that God is the authority above every authority and He who said, "I have come to testify to the truth" is in complete control of all things and is working all things according to His perfect plan.

Wisdom Warns:

Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: "Turn to my reproof, behold, I will pour out my Spirit on you; I will make my words known to you." For the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs: 1:7, 20-21, 23-24.

Post written April, 2010

The Sword of the Spirit

2010-11-30T05:37:00.001-08:00

Most of us don't like our flesh to be prodded by the sword of the Spirit and our eyes to be opened to the sin that resides below the surface. It has been in my times of discontentment and restlessness that God has prodded me with His Holy Word and has opened my eyes to the sin that resides in my heart, the sin of self reliance and indifference. Sin exposed for the sole purpose of repentance and redemption. What do you do when God gently prods you? If you are like me, you walk around feeling guilty and ashamed. You rationalize the consequences of the hidden sin, which by the way, is never really hidden. You do all of this instead of doing the one thing you should do which is rejoice and repent. Rejoicing that He doesn't leave us as we are but calls us out to be set apart for His glory. When God prods us, it is a gentle nudging in the right direction. This nudging requires movement on our part away from the things of this world. Things which may bring temporary comfort but viewed from a different perspective would be deemed a distraction.

I have been thinking about my eternal home a lot lately. My desire to make a difference for His glory. The idea that my life, this side of eternity, is described by God as a vapor and a mist in comparison to my time spent in eternity. Without Jesus leading my life and the direction of my steps, my goodness and good works are in vain and wretched holding no real eternal significance. May He always prod me to keep me on the path He has prepared for me. May He guard my heart against apathy and self reliance until He comes to take me home.

Is your flesh being prodded by the sword of the Spirit and if so how are you going to respond?

Joyful Expectation

2010-11-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

Anticipating and preparing for Him to come back and take me to be with Him where He is. John: 14:3.

Eagerly awaiting the moment He wipes every tear from my eyes. Revelation 21:4.

Anticipating the moment where He is fully known and I shall behold His face. 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Eagerly anticipating the day where there is no more harm on God's holy mountain, for the whole earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. Isaiah 11:9.

There will be a day when never again will an infant live but a few days or an old man who does not live out his years. Isaiah 65:20.

Expecting the answer to the prayer, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

For in this hope we are saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25.

The Role Prosperity Plays in the Moral Decline of A Country

2010-10-31T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is a re-post with a few added details. This post was written April 2009.

As I sit to write about the role prosperity plays in the moral decline of a county, I am very much aware of the fact that in this area I struggle. Not with morality per se but with apathy. I can be lulled to sleep by prosperity and in turn become complacent and indifferent to the social injustices taking place within our culture.

I don't think that I am the only one.

We are facing unprecedented change on the home front. Democracy is being threatened by immorality, prosperity, globalization and socialism. Policies are being changed daily to be more like the nations around us. We are seeing cultural Marxism in the form of political correctness. We are seeing the beginnings of socialism in the form of Healthcare Reform. We are looking more and more to Europe and a one worldcollective government to fight our financial battles. With the markets falling throughout the world we are seeing a push for a collective plan of action to stimulate the economy. We are hearing more talk of a one world currency. We are seeing the leaders of the nations want more of a universal collective government and Healthcare system.

What disturbs me most about all of this is that people don't seem to notice or care as long as our economy is on the rebound. We are daily watching the stock markets to determine if the policies being promoted are for our good or demise. We are looking at opinion polls and approval numbers most of which are directly affected by the market numbers. We are crossing our fingers and hoping for the best. The sad thing is that behind the curtain of prosperity a social war is waging! A war that threatens to devour the family and our religious freedoms.

I want to begin by looking at the LORD's command to the Israelites in Deuteronomy and then take some time looking at the reasons for this command.

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.You shall teach them DILIGENTLY to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. Then it shall come about when the LORD your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant and you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall fear ONLY the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, for the LORD your God is a jealous God. Deuteronomy 6: 5-7,10-13

God knows that with prosperity comes the temptation to forget the LORD and his commands. He also knows that we were created to worship and if we are not worshiping Him then we are worshiping a lie and a delusion. He knows that anything we worship other than Himself will eventually destroy us. We as a culture have fallen prey to the idol of prosperity. We have forgotten His commands and have turned aside His truths. We have traded the truth of God for a lie.

I know this is a daily battle for me. Looking to the pleasures of this world to keep me comfortable. I have become more focused on temporal things than eternal things. I have become busy with life and my agenda. I look to entertainment for escape and have developed an attitude of not wanting to be bothered.

I don't think that I am the only one. I think our country has developed this same mentality. Secure my finances so that I don't have to be bothered. Go fight the battle for me so that I can pursue my personal pleasures. The end justifies the means. If we ignore it maybe it will go away. What real difference can I make?

Let's go back to the times of the Judges. The Bible tells us that after the courageous generation came a generation that did not KNOW God nor the things He had done for Israel. So, it appears the Israelites did not heed the warning to teach their children TRUTH. It appears that once settled in the promise land, a land of prosperity the Israelites pursued a life of pleasure instead of a life of devotion to the God of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In the end, God's chosen people, the people called by his name, followed after other gods and became like the nations around them.

Is America doing the same?

This very nation was founded by men who loved God with all of their heart, soul, and might. They founded this country and wrote our constitution from the perspective of a Biblical Worldveiw, one that said, the rights of man do not come from the State. Their rights come from their Creator (The Truth Project).

This country was founded on the truth of Isaiah 3:22, The Lord is our judge, lawgiver and king. This truth represents our 3 branches of government.(The Truth Project)

Since, the First Amendment Revisions of the 1960's, we have seen what our forefather's put in the constitution to protect our religious freedoms being reinterpreted to limit our freedoms. We see this most within the school system. Kids are growing up in the age of historical revisionism that takes God out of our heritage. Therefore, generations are growing up not knowing about God nor what he has done for this country.

We have looked to State to teach our children their history and their morality. We are now seeing the repercussions of the 1960's revisions; generations that have grown up with no moral foundation and an obstructive view of history. If, in fact, only a virtuous people can remain free how much longer can freedom last? If there is no absolute truth than what is virtue?

We are living in interesting times!

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Revelation 2:5

High Tide of Suffering

2010-10-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

This is a re-post of an entry I wrote August 2009. This entry is dedicated to the families wading through the high waters of suffering through sickness, the loss of a child or the fear of the unknown . It is also dedicated to the families that are in the midst of suffering for the sake of Christ, giving up all they have to follow a limitless God who loves them and has set them apart for His purposes and glory.

A Call to Remember was the purpose of this blog. A call to remember the Lord's deliverance. A call to look back and ponder the big questions of life. A call to not only remember our times of joy but also our times of sorrow. Why are we called to remember our times of sorrow? Because, God wants us to remember our intimate moments with Him. After all, our story is really His story. Our life is really about His grace and His power to deliver. He wants us to experience His power which is perfected in our weakness.

Picture above taken by me at Watersound Beach, Florida

Yeshua: Our Dwelling Place

2010-10-07T06:41:00.000-07:00

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress my God, in whom I trust." - Psalm 91:1-2
To dwell: is to abide in, to find rest in, to depend upon. A dwelling is also a place. A place where we can find rest in a world that is not our own. It can be a place where we retreat to when weary or afraid. After all, we are strangers and aliens in a foreign land. Have you felt like one lately? That this world just isn't what it's supposed to be? If you have then this promise is for you. If you dwell in Him; you will find rest. He will be your refuge and your stronghold. He will be your strong tower and mighty deliver. To dwell in and on the promises of the One who is called "Faithful and True." He will restore your strength. He will equip you for your divine calling.

If you make the most high your dwelling-even the LORD, who is my refuge-no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. Psalm 91:9
To dwell in and on the promises of God. To abide in and trust in His truths. To find rest in a place that is our temporary dwelling. To rest in moments of chaos and confusion.

To trust is to know for certain that my Lord will not tarry forever but will come back and take me to the dwelling He has prepared for me. John 14:2,3. If He goes, He will come back to take me to this dwelling, where no harm will befall me nor will disaster come near my tent. Psalm 91:10. To trust: is to place all my hope on things not seen, living my life for the eternal instead of focusing on the temporal.
Jesus came the first time to dwell among us to reveal to us the Truth. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John:1:14. The same God that spoke creation into being limited Himself to a single cell in the womb of a woman. He came down from His heavenly throne to live in our world under the same limitations you and I live under. Therefore, we have a high priest who sympathizes with our weakness, for He who has been tempted in all things was without sin. Hebrews: 4:15. He suffered death, so that by the grace of God, He might taste death for everyone. For God Himself was the only one who could redeem us and He did so through His son, who was fully God and fully man.

Paul tells us in Hebrews, "that it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the Author of our salvation perfect through suffering. " Hebrews 2:9,11.

Fitting for God to make US perfect through HIS suffering. Our salvation through His suffering. Our salvation when we put our trust in His provision and sacrifice.

Lord, may I never take your suffering for granted. You died once and for all for the sins of all those who call on your name. Your name is a strong and mighty tower. Your name is a dwelling. Yeshua.

Yeshua is Hebrew for Jesus

Inner Stirrings

2010-10-01T07:04:00.001-07:00

Post written in 2009

This post is dedicated to all that have lost their lives for the sake of Christ and all that are currently suffering around the world for His name sake. If you are currently suffering for Christ. I would love to hear from you and pray for you.

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you don't belong to the world but I have chosen you out of the world that is why the world hates you. Jesus' words in John 15:18

The Greek word for hate in this verse is the word, miseo which means "to hate" by having unjustifiable or malicious feelings toward others, whether towards the innocent or by mutual animosity. His name is so powerful that even if we claim we don't believe in Him the very mention of His name has the power to convict people of their insignificance and their sin. Where does this hate come from? It is this very verse that solidifies the cosmic battle.

I want to share a story with you. Imagine a girl who walked in the ways of the world. A girl who wanted those in the world to love and accept her. This girl wanted the love of the world. Compromising personal morals to obtain significance. A girl who was hollow, empty and desolate. A girl who wanted to be loved by everyone but did not want the love of Jesus. A girl who would become angry when anyone questioned her personal belief.

This prodigal was me.

I vividly remember being so offended and angry at the name of the Jesus. It was at the height of my anger that I heard His still small voice.

"Elizabeth, Why are you so angry? What is it about my Name that causes this inward hostility?"

I'm so grateful that He initiated a relationship with me by pointing out the obvious and asking me this very important question. A question that opened my eyes to my anger and depravity. A question that led me to Him, the Name above all names. The One who has the power to save me from myself and turn me into the person I never dreamed I could become. He brought me out of my slavery to sin and made me free and alive in Him.

If you find yourself angry at the name of Jesus, I want to challenge you to ask yourself this question as well, Why am I so angry? Where does this hate come from? Why is it that at the name of Buddha, Mohammed or other false gods there is no inner stirring or anger within me? If anything within the genuine believer there should be an outpouring of love toward those who don't believe. A compassion that propels us to reach out in love. For if we truly believe what the Bible tells us about heaven and hell that out of compassion we should proclaim the good news of Salvation to those who are perishing. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whomsoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16. This love should be manifested and lived out in the believer of Jesus. For His love abounds within us.Why do we see such a vicious attack against those who believe who are reaching out in love? Jesus tells us in John 16:2-3, the hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering a service to God. These things they do because they have not known the Father or Me.

You see, His name is so powerful that even if we claim we don't believe in Him the very mention of His name has the power to convict people of their insignificance and their sin. His name is so powerful that it causes something within us to stir.

Here is the good news, no matter where you are today, Jesus loves you and wants a relationship with you. If you, like me, have walked in the ways of the world and have denied Him and his offer of salvation but still have breath in your lungs it is not too late to turn to Him and receive forgiveness and restoration. He desires for you to come to know Him. Our salvation requires nothing from us but submission to Him and accepting His sacrifice that is available to all who believe. His blood poured out to bring life to those who walk in darkness.. His name is so powerful that it causes something within us to stir.Yeshua

Picture above taken by me at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

Abundantly Pardons

2010-09-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

We see from the verses above that salvation is for everyone who comes. God desires to ABUNDANTLY pardon our sins. He calls us, to seek Him, to call upon Him, and to forsake our sinful ways and thoughts. In doing all these things He abundantly pardons. Our minds can't comprehend nor can our human intellect understand a holy infinite God who loves us and desires to pardon everyone who comes to Him, believing that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6. According to the verses above, there is no room for penance or working for our salvation for only God pardons sin and He does so through faith in His son, Jesus. God doesn't pardon sin reluctantly but abundantly.

Re-post written December of 2009

Jocelyn Greer Blalock

2010-09-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

Psalm 139:13-16

"O Lord, You have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before ,and laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I can not attain it".

Psalm 139:1-6

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you". Jeremiah 1:5

"Thus says the LORD your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior". Isaiah 43:1-3

"Who has preformed it and accomplished, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, am the first and with the last, I am He". Isaiah 41:4

Jocelyn Greer, It is my prayer that you will love the LORD your God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength. I pray you will know the love of your Savior and surrender your life to Him, who even now, holds you in the palm of His mighty hand. He is your refuge and your fortress. He spoke creation into being and yet formed you in my womb. He formed you for a specific purpose and is intimately acquainted with all your ways. Before one day came into being, He, who knows all things, knew every day ordained for you. He has gifted you for His purposes and for His glory. Only when you live your life for the eternal will you find significance in the temporal.

Biblical Meaning of the Name Jocelyn Greer
Jocelyn: Old German
Meaning: Joyous Righteous
Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statues and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

Greer: English
Meaning: Watchful, Vigilant.

Fear Not: Part 3

2010-08-30T11:04:00.001-07:00

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

In the previous post, Tearing Down the Walls, I mentioned I struggle with the fear of pain. Now I want to ask you, "What are you afraid of"?

We all have unique God given personalities and gifts. All three of my girls have been woven with different and distinct personalities. While each of their personalities is special to me, I have also observed with each personality there is a weakness. Satan knows our weakness! Fear distorts the natural personality traits God has given you and turns them into idols or strongholds! The wall I built around my heart to keep pain out actually was the stronghold that kept God's love from entering in.

Fear becomes a STRONGHOLD when it begins to control our actions. What is a stronghold? It is a fortress or castle. It is anything that set’s itself up against its opponent. In the ancient times a stronghold was the LAST line of defense. So if Fear is a stronghold in our life it is literally putting up a wall or a fortress against Faith. Fear also sets itself up against our dependence on God for deliverance.

According to 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5, A stronghold of fear sets itself up against the knowledge of God. But, the Word of God has the power to demolish strongholds.

Let me ask you a serious question, do you want your strongholds demolished or would you rather have them diminished? Let me explain, a stronghold can become such a fortress in our life that the thought of it being demolished is terrifying. It is then that our stronghold has become our IDENTITY!

Some examples, A man who is afraid of failure at work becomes a work-a-holic. He works hard at his job and in return becomes really good at what he does. His work becomes his identity. God created man to work as for the Lord but Satan distorts this by instilling the fear of failure into the man. Work becomes the place the man retreats to when Satan brings those fears to the service instead of retreating to Almighty God.

Women are all about relationships and spending time with other women. God created us to be in relationship but Satan distorts this when we put our trust, faith and self worth in our relationships instead of in God. It is when we retreat to our friendships to get our emotional needs met INSTEAD of retreating to Almighty God that Satan has distorted what God created for good and turned our relationships into a powerful stronghold. Our relationships; what groups we belong to, what supper clubs or Bible studies we attend become part of our identity. Now, let me clarify, God created us to be in relationship with other women but He never intended for us to get all our emotional needs met by anyone other then Him. He desires to meet our emotional needs. He alone can fill our emotional cup.

Some of us have a fear of rejection but we would tend to think of ourselves as independent or maybe we tend to think of ourselves as trendsetters. We mask our fear of rejection by buying the latest fashions and keeping up appearances. We want and desire nice things so that people will admire us and accept us. In turn, these behaviors protects us from feeling rejected. We become known by others as trendy, hip or self confident but in reality we are so afraid of feeling the pain of rejection that we keep everyone at arms length and put all our attention on how we look or what image we want to portray. God has given each of us unique personalities. He has given most women the desire to be beautiful. He has given us desires to be beautiful for our husbands. But our appearance becomes our idol when our focus and self worth are entirely placed on how we look. It is then that fear distorts what God created for good and turns our appearance into our idol or stronghold.
Some of us have a fear of being alone, this one is a big one for women. What we fear is the feeling of loneliness but we tend to refer to ourselves as people pleasers, extroverts and socialites. Those who fear being alone can also have a tendency to be very controlling. They hold on tightly to those they love in fear of losing them. They develop behaviors that keep them from feeling alone or lonely. This one in particular is a tough one for me.

God wants to be our stronghold. The place we retreat to when life throws us a curve ball. He wants us searching in His is holy Word for encouragement and us finding rest and peace in Him and Him alone.
The Word of God helps us to identify strongholds. We are in a war for our mind and heart. We must fight this war with our weapon, the Word of God. When we identify our stronghold we must confess it and allow the Lord to heal us.
God doesn’t want us living in the past, he wants to FREE US FROM OUR PAST!!! Christ died to set us free. If Jesus sets us free we are free indeed. Listen, I know firsthand how hard it is to take this first step. We might be afraid of the pain we will feel if we go back. But Godly sorrow always leads to repentance and freedom!

Tearing Down the Wall

2010-08-27T06:59:00.001-07:00

Now Jericho was tightly shut because the sons of Israel; no one went out and no one came in. Joshua 6:1

Most of the time the things I write about on this blog are things the Lord has already brought me through. The lessons learned from a particular trial and the healing that is possible when we trust Him. Today is a different post. This post is fueled by raw emotion as I try and sort out all my hidden insecurities that go along with this season of childrearing. Raising three soon to be four girls, all the while trying MY best to be the wife, friend, daughter, Bible study leader, the Lord has created me to be. I've seen the ugly truth that the harder I try to do all this in my own strength the more I seem to fail. These difficult seasons continue to show me my dependence on Him and the importance of taking hold of His grace in my weakness.

Have you ever felt like giving up? Let me be clear when I say I'm not talking about walking away per se but erecting a wall around your heart? Erecting a tall wall as to not feel the sting of pain and rejection. Erecting a wall to keep from feeling failure as once again your six year refuses to listen and simply obey. Erecting a wall around your heart as your husband comes home once again to a dirty house and the kids fighting over who had what first and who is leaving who out. All the while, struggling with just enough energy to get through the rest of the day. Struggling to put on foot in front of the other and walk out the calling He has for you. Erecting a wall so you will not feel the pain of loss or the emotion of sadness as your child chooses to walk away from you in your moments of weakness and despair. As your husband is too busy to listen to the not so importance details of your day but somehow the mundane events seem to be all there is left to talk about.

These are just some examples of how and why we erect walls around our heart. But the Lord has revealed that our insecurities are deeply rooted in fear and fear sets itself up against Faith. Why are you afraid? What is it that you fear? These two questions kept running around in my mind as I laid awake and because I couldn't shake them, I assumed it was the Lord asking me to take inventory of what was taking place within my heart. Sometimes, we forget that the Lord knows us intimately and completely so we must assume when He asks us a question it is for our benefit. He desires to reveal the lie that we have brought into and set us free from our misconceptions. So I thought about it and asked Him for His wisdom. Already knowing I struggle with the fear of pain, I thought deeper to the root of all my insecurities and fears and it came to me, I fear myself without Him. I have brought into the lie that if I continued to mess up He was going to walk away and leave me to myself to teach me some divine lesson and I was one mistake away from Him leaving me to my own devices.

The Spirit He gave me is the exact representation of Himself and yet I was questioning His unconditional love and acceptance by buying into this lie in my heart. I stress in my heart for my mouth would never claim the above lie as truth but my actions and insecurities indicated that my heart believed this lie. I also somehow brought into the lie that all of this (child rearing, marriage, friendships, family) was up to me to do in my own strength and all the things coming my way was due to my incompetence as a wife, mother, friend and daughter. I have always claimed with my mouth the promise, He will never leave me nor forsake me, and the promise that, He who created me knew every single one of my days before one of them came to be. When I am weak He is strong. I claimed that I am saved not by what I do but because of what He has done for me. I have stated time and again, that there is not one good thing within me apart from Him but praise be to God that His perfection is within me and His provisions are perfect. I claimed these truths with my mouth but my heart never accepted it due to the wall that I had erected. The wall that was erected to keep pain out was the stronghold that kept His love from entering in. I have always struggled with accepting His UNCONDITIONAL love for me and believing that no matter what comes my way He is with me and in me and equipping me. I have also realized that even as a young girl, I erected a wall around my heart to keep from feeling pain and rejection but this same wall has also been the stronghold that kept the love of others from penetrating to my heart. I have always struggled with believing and accepting love from others including those within my own family. A wall built to keep pain out but also the stronghold to keep God's unconditional love from entering in. OH how my heart aches. How it grieves God when we fail to accept His love as if the sacrifice of His only beloved Son was not proof enough of His unfailing love. Oh how my heart aches to think that my girls might struggle with accepting and believing in my love for them and on the same note how my failure to receive love from others must hurt those whom I love the most.

Lord, tear down the wall I have erected around my heart with your unfailing love. Just as the walls came tumbling down in Jericho after being encircled for seven days. May the wall built around my heart come tumbling down as I trust You by faith to do only what you can do and that is bring victory for your Name sake and bring down the fortress built around my heart. Only you can conquer the stronghold of fear and with song and shouts I will praise you in my weakness. May I praise you not only with my mouth but also with my heart and turn every insecurity over to you. May you use this struggle of mine to release the bondage of fear in others and bring healing and restoration to all those reading these words.

Reader, please overlook all the errors and forgive me for the rawness of this post. It is my hope that even in my rambling the Lord will use this post to free you from some of the strongholds built around your heart and use all of you to bring glory to His name.

Fear Not: Part 3 will be posted on Monday.

Fear Not: Part 2

2010-08-26T04:43:00.000-07:00

Do not let your hearts be troubled; trust in God trust also in Me. John 14:1

Jesus knows to deal with the mind we must look at the heart. He knows that the heart is the wellspring of life. Jesus, quoting Isaiah, states to the Pharisees, “ The people (speaking of the Pharisees) honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain: their teachings are but rules taught by men". He goes on to say, “Listen and understand. What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth is what makes him unclean.” Matthew 15:8-10 These are what make a man unclean, but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean. Jesus goes on to say in verse 18, “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean. For out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony and slander. Matthew 15:18-20.

Let me pause here for a moment, and give you a little background on the above verses. The Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus in Capernaum from Jerusalem to ask him why His disciples break the elder’s laws by not washing their hands before they eat. Jesus' response in the above verses takes the emphases off of behavior and places the emphasis on the heart behind the behavior. In fact, Jesus states, to follow some of the traditions taught by men, these same men were actually transgressing against God. The Pharisees's traditions had become more important than God's commandments. These verses also imply that essentially all sin resides in the heart. Again, it is much easier for us to obey behavioral commands than it is for us to obey with our hearts and keep our hearts pure before God. We must take a stand to guard our heart. John 14:1 says do not LET your hearts be troubled. The word LET in this verse implies that this fight is active. To guard our hearts is a moment by moment battle that takes an intentional effort not to let the world infiltrate our hearts with all kinds of selfish desires. We must be careful what we allow to penetrate our mind and our heart. This active moment by moment battle takes place in our mind.

Let’s go back one last time to John 14:1, Do not let your hearts be troubled; trust in God trust also in Me. Fear is a trust issue. Who are we putting our trust in when the storms of life are raging war against us? Are we putting our trust in ourselves or are we placing our faith and trust in God. Are we focused on our situation or on God’s Word? Trusting that He is going to work out his purposes within us? Do we believe that God is going to supply us with all we need and give us the strength to get through the darkest night? In the midst of our fears our focus must be entirely on God. Fear set's itself up against Faith but if we put our trust in God than our Faith will conquer fear.

I want you now to take a moment to go to Psalms 69 and read it aloud.Our God is big enough to handle all our fears. We must cry out to Him humbling naming our sin and our condition. Telling Him exactly how we feel and asking Him to lift us up. He already knows every detail but when we cry out it opens up communication between you and a mighty God. It gives Him the opportunity to comfort you through your times of fear and despair. In fact, when you read the Psalms, you discover that what starts out as crying out turns into praise. When we cry out to God in the midst of our troubles, he in-turn, reveals himself to us. Think of it this way, if your child was fearful or sad you would want them to come to you and tell you what’s wrong. You would want them to TRUST you with the things closest to their heart. Most of the time, we already know why our children are sad but we still want them to trust us with their feelings of sadness and with their fears. We want them to want us to comfort them during their times of distress.

Jesus, our mighty comforter longs to comfort you during the most difficult of times. Will you allow Him to come in and minister to you during your darkest of hours? Will you cry out to Him in the midst of your distress?

Re-post: Fear Not written in 2008 for a Bible study entitled Footsteps.

Fear Not: Part 1

2010-08-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

Do not let your hearts be troubled trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1

We as women are so in tune with our feelings and emotions that at times we fall into the trap of believing that our feelings and emotions are truth. How we feel about something becomes our reality. We rely so much on how we “feel” about a situation that our feelings often override God’s truths. For instance, when we say things like, that just doesn’t “feel” right to me; I don’t “feel” like God loves me; I don’t “feel” like I love my husband anymore; I’m “feeling” a little off today; That particular verse doesn't seem fair and doesn't feel right. We are allowing how we feel at that particular moment to define our actions and our reality. It is at these moments that we must remember, God's truths override our feelings. Can I just interject for a moment, God's will for our life very rarely appeals to our flesh therefore, our feelings can not be trusted. For our flesh and the Spirit are constantly at war within us.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1

The Greek word for trouble in this verse is the word Tarasso, which means to agitate, to cause one inward commotion; to take away one’s calmness of mind. It goes on to use words like to disquiet, to strike with fear and dread; to suggest scruples and doubts. When I read this definition I picture someone who is restless, who doubts, someone who is unfocused.

Henceforth, the word Tarasso distracts us from God’s truths and causes our minds to be filled with lies and confusion.
I struggle with fear. Most of the time my fear is unfounded and totally irrational. My husband always says I missed my calling in two areas, 1. As a lawyer because I will argue a point to the ground and not back down and 2.In the C.I.A. in the Preventative Terrorism Division, P.T.D for short, this is my term for my fear disorder. My husband’s term is probably more appropriate, Conspiracy Think Tank Division, C.T.T.D for short.

You see, I struggle with imaginations. I will get silly ideas in my mind and what starts out as this possibly could happen turns into this is going to happen and it is going to happen now. What is my plan of action? I’m telling you if anyone comes in my front door when I am home alone they will be greeted with a golf club in one hand and knife in the other. If anything they might go down in a heap of laughter. Now, I can share this and we can laugh about it but the truth is I have struggled with fear since childhood and I’m sick and tired of being afraid.
The verse in John 14:1 tells us that fear is a heart issue. You and I both know that it is much easier for us to change our behavior than it is for us to change our heart. Heart issues are something we cannot combat on our own. We must have the help of the Holy Spirit. And yet when we look at the word for trouble in the Greek, the word Tarasso, it implies that Jesus is also referring to the mind. Let’s read the definition again, Tarasso, to take away our calmness of mind, to cause one inward commotion, to perplex the mind by suggesting scruples or doubts, to disquiet; to make restless. But Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled. Notice, He didn’t say, Do not let your minds be troubled. He said our hearts not our minds. Jesus did not make the mistake of using the Greek word tarasso when speaking to his disciples. But why did he use a word that seems to appeal to the mind? I believe Jesus knows that to deal with mind we must look at the heart. He knows that our heart is the wellspring of life.

More from Fear Not in days to come.

These messages were written in 2008 for a Bible Study called Footsteps.

The Idol of Comfort

2010-08-16T05:34:00.001-07:00

Because my comfort would prefer for me to be numb and avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become. C.S. Lewis Song - Brooke Fraser

We live in a culture that pursues the idol of comfort.

Comfort at the expense of conformation.

Conformation to the only one worth conforming to, Jesus.

We would rather conform to the world than conform to the image of our Savior.Why is this? I believe conforming to Jesus will ultimately cost us our comfort. Comfort that we pursue and believe is right around the corner if only we had the right circumstances, children, house, husband, job, church, relationships, money, security, accomplishments. But even when we get the things that we have trusted in to bring us comfort we are left hollow, empty and confused.

Let me unpack this verse for a moment. We are not to conform to the world because we are to be transformed to be more like Christ. How do we become more like Christ? We become more like Christ by the renewing of our minds in the Word of God. Only by the Word of God are we able to discern what the Lord's will is for our lives. His will takes us out of our comfort zone and ultimately transforms us to be good, acceptable and perfect. When we are in the Word of God our spiritual eyes and ears will be opened and His glorious light will shine into the dark recesses of our heart and reveal within us the things He desires to change. This dear one will bring discomfort. We, as children of God, will have to slay the idol of comfort and press through with full assurance that, He who began a good work within you will see it through to completion. Confessing the sin that resides in the dark recesses of our heart and allowing the God of all comfort to comfort us so that, we too can comfort others with the same comfort we ourselves have received.

If in fact, we allow ourselves to feel and our spiritual eyes to become open to our need for forgiveness and restoration and then ultimately open to the spiritual condition of those around us in our community and around the world, it just might propel us to do something about it. It will bring an inconvenience to our comfort. It will bring an overwhelming desire and a sense of urgency to reach out to a dying, desolate and lost world. It will make us uncomfortable in this world and the sin that is prevalent. It will cause something within us to stir and will bring us to our knees in prayer for a vision for our life desperate for Him. We will want Him to use us for whatever His purposes regardless of it costing our comfort. It will bring us to a place where we long to see Him, eagerly anticipating His return, for our eyes will be fixed on things above and not on earthly things. We will become more aware of the eternal and less aware of the temporal.

Are you pursing comfort at any cost? Are you bowing down to the idol of comfort at the expense of God's transforming work within you? Are you comfortable or comforted?

Isaiah 58:1-12

2010-07-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

"Cry loudly, do not hold back; raise your voice like a trumpet, and declare to MY people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins. " Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways, as a nation that has done righteousness and has not forsaken the ordinance of their God. They ask Me for just decisions, they delight in the nearness of God. 'Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?' Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire, and drive hard all your workers. "Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high. " Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one's head like a reed and for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this an acceptable day to the Lord? "Is this not the fast I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? " Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor in your house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? " Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. " Then you will cry and I will answer, you will cry and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. "And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell.

The verses in Isaiah 58, convict me and shine a bright light on the sin of apathy residing in my heart.

What is the transgression? What are we to cry loudly? The sin of self importance. The sin of indifference. The sin of chasing after fleeting pleasures. The sin of hiding a lighted lamp under the bed and not allowing it to shine forth. Luke 8:16.

The job we have been given is the job of restoration and renewal. Restoration to the areas where Truth stumbles and the people grope around in darkness during the noonday. Isaiah 59.

We are to bring the Light into the darkness, for it is in the darkness where the Light shines the brightest. The Light that penetrates to the brokenhearted and downcast drives out evil for evil can not stand to be near the Light. Jesus refers to himself as the Light of the world. His light always overtakes darkness. It only takes one candle to penetrate the darkest corner of humanity. If darkness is present it is because the Light has not entered or has been hidden under the bed of tolerance, indifference or self-importance. Another reason for darkness is sin and rebellion against God within the church. In Revelation we see Jesus warning some of the churches to repent or He will take away their lamp stand. Revelation 2:5 Is He calling us to remember the heights from which we have fallen, to repent and do the deeds we did at first? To turn away from ourselves and turn completely toward Him...

Lord, forgive me for being too busy and too focused on myself to go out and be a light in this dark world. Forgive me for downplaying my role as a mom, to the little ones you have entrusted me, to teach my children Truth and raise according to your precious Word. The Word which is profitable to teach, rebuke and train in righteousness. Forgive me for wanting to shelter them from the harsh realities of the world by keeping them from serving You out of fear. Lord, you have commanded us to be light in dark places. May we trust you as we go out into the community to be your hands and feet. May we get our hands dirty meeting the needs of those you put in our path. May I always worship you in Spirit and in Truth, not only meeting the needs of those around me, but worshiping you on your terms. May I find out what pleases you by being in your Word. For what are my deeds but filthy rags if presented to you on my terms while unconfessed sin reigns in my heart.

Darkest Hour of Night

2010-07-24T05:50:00.000-07:00

I'm watching, waiting and working.....