Until nothing is left but You.

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:15-18 NKJV

And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 

Observation: It didn't matter what lengths had to be gone to--the work would go on. Can you imagine one-handed bricklaying or masonry work? Yeah.

Application: Our day and culture prizes optimization highly.  Highly. We want to do things in the easiest, most smooth, effortless ways.  There should be machines to do nearly everything we need, right? And then there's God's way. The way that gets so, soooo much messier before it gets cleaner. The way that strips everything away until nothing is left but Him, and He sets us free.

Prayer: Lord, let me work for You, in Your way. Not in mine. I'm pretty fond of my own ideas (as I'm sure You've noticed!), but Yours are so, so much better. Over and over lately, I've watched the wreckage of my plans for my day become the most perfect fulfillment of Yours--and I rejoice in it. :o) Glory to You, Father, and to Jesus . . . and let peace reign in my heart as I practice the exuberant art of loving You, and the peace-filled discipline of resting in your joy. In Jesus' most glorious and wonderful name, amen. :o)

Heiress of The King

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You! (Psalms 84:10-12 NKJV)

I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the Lord will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway. (Psalms 85:8-13 NKJV)

When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Luke 7:20, 22, 23 NKJV)

Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:47, 48, 50 NKJV)

God is good. He is not anything else--cannot be anything else--nor can He be the source of anything not-good. He loves completely and generously, and is so eager to forgive. 

I truly would choose one incredibly love-wrapped day as a lowly servant in the House of God than a thousand years of being without Him. I feel so eager to continually lay things down so I make room in my life for the awesomeness that comes from Him. When I make space for Jesus, He always comes into my life and overflows the spaces I've cleared, simultaneously filling them and washing them clean. And as I told a good friend Sunday evening who cautioned me to be careful what I ask for: "I have a Good God. I'm not afraid of Him."

God, You ARE good! There isn't anything good that doesn't add to Your glory, drawing Your children toward You. I praise You for Your kindness, for the absolute trust I can place in You, and the knowledge that I truly need never fear. The battle IS WON. I am more than a conqueror in Christ--I am His daughter, purchased and saved by His blood, and heir with Him to the throne*. How can I not rejoice and praise and live in wonder all my days? I love You, my God. Always!

*Rev 3:20-21

Grace: the Ultimate Antidote

Today, I left a comment over at The Perfect Day, in answer to a reader question.  Below is the question, and my answer.  I wanted to keep a copy of my answer, because I was reminded of some deeply important things that I had forgotten over the last couple of days.

"One of my own personal difficulties, in relating to prayer, esp. evening prayers, is that it's so hard for me to get into the frame of mind to pray in a way that I really feel close to Heavenly Father in closing out my day. I think it has to do mostly with 'well...I set out this morning with all these great ambitions and look how I didn't achieve it, again.' Is there anything you do to 'prep' yourself for prayer? I've tried reading my scriptures and singing hymns before I pray but for some reason those nightly prayers -- reporting back when I always have something that I've messed up on (even though there's good stuff in there too) -- are always harder to feel the closeness for me.

Just wondering what you think. How can I let go and prepare myself better to pray when every night I just feel disappointed in all the things I've done wrong?

Thanks,

M"

M, it sounds like you're judging your performance each evening.  But you're in luck: these are things I've struggled with, as well! ;o)  Two thoughts:

1) Christ is the only judge.  And He has told us, over and over and over in scripture, that He isn't going to condemn us.  Our God isn't one to shake His finger in our faces, or alienate us from His presence.  Judgement, consignment to a certain distance from God, doesn't happen until Judgement Day.  So you can let go of that judgemental spirit. (Or cast it out, if you prefer.)  Self-condemnation (which includes disappointment in ourselves!) is one of the adversary's biggest, beefiest, most steel-studded bludgeons . . . and we take it from him and use it on ourselves with a will, thinking we're being good Saints as we do so.  But I have GREAT news!  Anything (and I mean ANYTHING) that keeps you from drawing closer to God is NOT of Him.  And if something isn't of God, then it's either of men or of the devil.  And we all know how effective those latter two are at bringing about salvation. ;o)

2) Performance.  This is a tough one, because it's so insidious, especially if you're a Latter-day Saint, or a member of another works-focused church.  The Law of Moses was a law of performances and ordinances.  And that law was fulfilled, down to the tiniest detail, by the sacrifice Jesus made: His perfect life, His atonement, His death, and His resurrection.  He has broken the bands of death and SIN . . . and freed us from them.  Period.  End.  It is done!!!  And whenever I think of that, I want to jump and shout and sing, because I don't have to EARN my salvation.  I don't have to perform to a certain standard in order to have the help of my Savior and Friend in this life.  I have to have a willing heart, and then He will walk me through whatever comes next.  It takes NO level of righteousness to "earn" access to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Who did He hang out with, and often, during His life?  Hated tax collectors for the oppressive government.  Women who were sold to whoever wanted them. Sinners.  He let all who wanted to come unto Him to come.  He BID them come.  "Come unto Me, all ye who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!"  And He still calls us today.  Constantly.  Every one of us. All the time.

The grace of Jesus Christ means that He will be close to us AS we mess up, fall down, bloody our knees and noses, and blunder around through this life.  He will heal our hurts, the injuries of those who we've hurt through our own actions, and help us give it another go.

The next time you feel distant from God, for whatever reason, just stop.  Stop and quiet your mind.  Even if you're in the middle of a crowd, or there's a lot of distraction going on, you can quiet the inside of your own head, making stillness there.  And listen.  Listen with your spiritual ears for the sound of your name.  Because Jesus is calling you.  He's calling me.  Every one of us, every second of every day, He's calling us back to Him.  All we have to do is answer with a willing heart, and suddenly, He will be there.  You can talk to Him, and share with Him, and He'll feel closer and closer as you continue to praise and thank Him for all you have.  Then you can talk over what you need to work on, and He will take your hand, or gather you up into His amazing arms, and love you through whatever it is that you're going through.

Don't give up.  Just listen . . . He's there, waiting for you to turn your mind to Him!!!

Covenants: Old vs. New

Scripture: Nahum 1:2-8, John 5:1-3, 5-7, 8-12 NLT

The Lord  is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies! The Lord  is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet. At his command the oceans dry up, and the rivers disappear. The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade, and the green forests of Lebanon wither. In his presence the mountains quake, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles, and its people are destroyed. Who can stand before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury? His rage blazes forth like fire, and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence. The Lord  is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night.

**********

Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days.  Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda,  with five covered porches.  Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.  

One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him,  “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

Jesus told him,  “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!

**********

But this miracle happened on the Sabbath,  so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!” But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded.

Observation:

These first two passages highlight, starkly, the difference between the Works- & Law-based covenant of the Old Testament, and the Covenant of the New Testament through the blood of Christ.  Nahum wrote about the power of a vengeful God over those who live without Christ in the world.  And John shows us the freedom and mercy and grace of Jesus in the miracle performed.  (Oh, He is SO GOOD! If you ever see me grinning from ear to ear, laughing, shouting, or jumping up and down, it's usually because I'm remembering just how amazingly Good our God is.  I'll do my best not to disrupt any meetings.) ;o)

But what really jumped out at me was the last passage: the collision of these two covenants.  Jesus freed that man, and then the Pharisees jumped all over him for having the audacity to break a rule they had made . . . quite possibly a rule that this man suddenly realized was as futile as the rest of the rules they had made.  When we're set free in Jesus, those still living in the old covenant, under the law, don't like it.  Not one single bit. Whether they're members or leaders in the body of Christ, they have a really hard time with it because it terrifies them.  When you see salvation as a matter of works, seeing someone else abandon the works you hold sacred (whether it's not carrying things on the Sabbath, what is worn to church, or the type of language used in prayer--not that I know *anything* about the last two ;oP), your gut reaction is to squash the deviant behavior, because you see that person as sliding into sin, flirting with losing their soul.

But that's the crazy part.  Now that I'm free, when I backslide, it's not this HUGE DEAL.  (Granted, I'm not falling back into heavy, destructive sin. It's mostly too much time on the computer and not getting enough sleep, or not spending enough time in the word & prayer. But is there any difference, really? Something tells me that there isn't . . . ) When I realize I'm regressing, I feel the spirit of confusion that traps me in those things leave immediately, and Jesus comes back and walks with me as I return to His path for me.  There's no recrimination. No guilt. No "Now, I told you . . . "  Just His love coming back in to wash over me and make me deeply hungry for more of Him.  And that's HUGE, people.  SO HUGE.  I hung my everything on the law for my entire adult life. It was such a prison--a salt mine--with the occasional glimpse of glorious light that just made me knuckle down and work all the harder.  And now, NOW I'M FREE!!!!  Can you wrap your minds around that? Imagine, for just a minute, what astounding, night and day, life and death, difference I feel.  Is it any wonder that I regularly make a goof of myself, getting all giddy over Jesus?  Yeah.  I thought you'd understand. ;o)

John 5:39-40 says “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!  Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life."

I was that person.  I came not unto Jesus because I thought I was already Doing It Right.  God blessed me for my efforts, and did not leave me entirely comfortless . . . I had the consequences of my works, which were good things.  But I chose the reward of my works, instead of the reward of Jesus.  I was missing out on all of the best stuff.  Of carrying the Holy Spirit with me, in joy and rejoicing, anytime I turn my heart to Jesus.  Of everything I do being worth it here, and now.  Of letting the price Jesus already paid settle my debt.

Prayer:

Father in Heaven, I THANK YOU, over and over and infinitely over again, for the mind-blowing gift of Jesus.  Please . . . show me when and how to bring others to Him . . . and fill me with Your love so completely that all they see is You.  I can hardly bear to think that others, especially others I know and love, might never know You like this; might never feel this lasting joy and light and continuous love that changes them, radically.  In Jesus' most glorious and liberating name, AMEN!

Be Truly Glad!

Scripture: 

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:6-9, 13, 15, 16, 18-20, 22-25 NLT)

Observation:

When we're living in Christ the way we should, we WILL run afoul of those who aren't.  Not always, but it's just gonna happen.

Application:

It happened again, yesterday.

Once again, for whatever reasons, Vern and I were treated (very) poorly by someone in whom we should be able to trust completely.  (Well, as much as you can ever completely trust another human being.  Only God merits truly complete trust.)  It made for a difficult afternoon, and I praise God for His love that flows from and around those of His people we spent time with that evening.  The feeling of compressive stress, the knots in my stomach that plagued me from 2:20 on completely disappeared as we approached the building, and not a single thought of the trouble bothered me for the rest of the evening.  My whole family was blessed, and Vern and I were comforted by being there. And the trauma hasn't returned.  Praise be to God.

Prayer:

Lord, show us further to do.  Paul's letter this morning was sweet balm to my soul, and strengthened me so much--showing me what I need in this moment.  I praise You for the glorious freedom and peace and rejoicing I have in Christ Jesus, for the injunction to be holy, for the ransom Jesus paid so I could.  Free from the drama and turmoil of those I see floundering without You.  Free from the fear that motivates them.  Lord, strengthen me in Your Spirit.  Pour it out upon me and mine, and continue to show us Your will.  That's all I want to live. All Vern and I want to live.  Thank you for a companion who loves You as much as I do.  Who listens and obeys Your voice.  I cherish him.  And Lord, today I choose to be glad!  Though some things in life might tempt me otherwise, they are as ants under my feet! :o) In Jesus' name, amen!

Life Underwater: Isaiah's Vision

Translation from The Literary Message of Isaiah, by Avraham Gileadi. (I highly recommend this version.  Read side-by-side with the NLT, it's a great reference, as Gileadi has gone through an immersive Judaic education, and has as close to an understanding of Isaiah's context & education as I think possible.)

I had so many beautiful insights this morning as I read, I didn't make it past Isaiah 9 before my time was gone; but I can't wait to spend extra time tomorrow morning reading the rest. :o)

Hopefully you'll remember my Life Underwater post.  If you don't, go read it real quick.  It'll come in handy in a few minutes; and if you don't, you won't get one of the coolest parts of my study this morning.

Isaiah 8:6-8, 12-17

Because these people have rejected
   the waters of Shiloah, which flow gently,
   and rejoice in Rezin and the son of Remaliah,
therefore will my Lord
   cause to come up over them
the great and mighty waters of the River--
   the king of Assyria in all his glory.
He will rise up over all his channels
   and overflow all his banks.
He will sweep into Judea like a flood
   and, passing through, reach the very neck;
his outspread wings will span
   the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.
(8:6-8)

Do not call a conspiracy all that these people
   call a conspiracy;
be not afraid or awed
   by the thing they fear.
But sanctify the Lord of Hosts,
   making him your fear, him your awe.
And to you he will be a sanctuary,
   but to the two houses of Israel
a stumbling block or obstructing rock,
   and a snare, catching unawares
   the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Many will stumble into them,
   and when they fall shall be broken,
and when they become ensnared
   shall be taken captive.
(8:12-17)

Observation: God tells Isaiah that Assyria is going to invade Jerusalem like a flood . . . and we can all picture the incredible destruction of flooding. (Remember video clips from Hurricane Katrina? Yeah. Like that.) And flooding goes everywhere. And yet, Isaiah is told not to be afraid. Not to worry about the things that everyone around him is having a total freak-out session over. He is to worship and love God and trust Him . . . God will be his sanctuary from the destruction. But the rest of Israel will be dashed in pieces, as they're swept along by the flood, upon the very rock that shelters Isaiah.

Application: And here's the coolest part to me . . . not only does all of this apply to us, spiritually today, as we live in a world that seems permeated to the very core with darkness, but what God taught me about submission in Life Underwater comes powerfully into play here, too. As Isaiah lives in faith, he doesn't strive along with everyone else against the overwhelming rush of the coming flood, but is sheltered and saved from it, breathing underwater as it were, as it sweeps around him and his family. He will have life, underwater, when nearly all around him follow the fleshly wisdom of fighting it out in their own strength . . . and discover it was God's strength they needed when their own fails utterly and almost immediately.

Prayer: Dearest Father, I feel so fed this morning, as you taught me these things. I revel in "connecting the dots" between things You've already taught me and things I'm learning. And I glorify You that something You already taught me, in my own vernacular and understanding, fits so beautifully with Isaiah's vision. You ARE the same yesterday, today and forever. And Your personalized teaching to me confirms that. :o) Thank You! Thank You so, so much. And Lord, please help me remember. Remind me, often and often, to rest in Jesus. To submit, to dive unreservedly into Your wisdom and Your will for me, which looks like completely idiotic stupidity to the rest of the world. I praise You for astounding, dumbfounding freedom in Christ, and never, ever want to lose it again. In Jesus' name, so be it!!! Amen!

My Path The Cross

S: "So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT)

O: We can approach the throne of grace boldly! The last I heard, Christ hasn't revoked His entreaty: "Come unto Me."

A: My training of how to approach God is VERY subservient. Being female increased it tenfold. (Or more.) And yet Paul, who would know, (as one who was called to the work while zealously destroying it), says we can boldly approach the throne of our God! I, an imperfect, unordained, ordinary woman. I need no intermediary, no intercessor, no bowing or scraping.

I recently had the blessing of being part of a prayer in a family I love very much . . . and I'll never forget how the mother stood in the circle: holding the hands of children on either side, shoulders back & relaxed, eyes closed, face tipped up and smiling like she saw her most favorite face of all. And such a sharp contrast to the Only Right and True Posture of Prayer that was impressed on me. (Legalistic church + traditions = anything different must be sinful.) I have learned SO much about the nature of Jesus in the last few months . . . and I KNOW Paul was absolutely right on this one. We CAN boldly approach God--and our path is the cross. (Keeping in mind boldly ISN'T pridefully.)

P: Lord Jesus, I rejoice in and praise You for including me in Your victory over all things. And that by "all" You really do mean ALL. That I can, with joy, draw near to You. :-) Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!! In Your name, amen!

War and Peace, Courage and Care

Today's post is yesterday's reading and today's combined . . . and I learned so much from so many passages that I've kept this post in the same format as my scripture study journal: passages & applications/thoughts, with occasional prayers. All scriptures quoted from the NLT.

1 Kings 16:10-11: Zimri walked in and struck him (Basha) down and killed him. This happened in the twenty-seventh year of King Asa’s reign in Judah. Then Zimri became the next king. Zimri immediately killed the entire royal family of Baasha, leaving him not even a single male child. He even destroyed distant relatives and friends.

The enemy doesn't play nice.  He's out for complete & utter destruction of those who love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Chr 13:11-12: “We are following the instructions of the Lord our God, but you have abandoned him.  So you see, God is with us. He is our leader. His priests blow their trumpets and lead us into battle against you. O people of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed!”

When I keep the Lord's commandments--whether logos or rhema--the Lord will be with me.  God is faithful . . . and when I do what He has commanded, He is bound to bless me.  If He didn't bless those that keep His commandments, He wouldn't be faithful . . . and I know God is faithful.

2 Chr 14:6: During those peaceful years, he was able to build up the fortified towns throughout Judah. No one tried to make war against him at this time, for the Lord was giving him rest from his enemies.

I feel like the Lord will give me rest at some point.  That the Lord will be with me and my family.  That we will have a period of rest from intense spiritual warfare. I'm not expecting a complete absence of conflict & difficulty . . . I'm sure Asa still had plenty of domestic disputes and squabbles . . . but his kingdom was secure, and he was free to serve the Lord in it, and teach Judah to do the same.

2 Chr 14:9-15: Once an Ethiopian  named Zerah attacked Judah with an army of 1,000,000 men  and 300 chariots. They advanced to the town of Mareshah,  so Asa deployed his armies for battle in the valley north of Mareshah.    Then Asa cried out to the L ord  his God, “O L ord , no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O L ord  our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O L ord , you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!” So the L ord  defeated the Ethiopians  in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled.  Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar, and so many Ethiopians fell that they were unable to rally. They were destroyed by the L ord  and his army, and the army of Judah carried off a vast amount of plunder. While they were at Gerar, they attacked all the towns in that area, and terror from the L ord  came upon the people there. As a result, a vast amount of plunder was taken from these towns, too.  They also attacked the camps of herdsmen and captured many sheep, goats, and camels before finally returning to Jerusalem.

And, even if attacks come during that time of peace, the Lord will fight my battles for me; and while I'll need to diligently do what He instructs, I'll come out blessed more than ever before in the end.  Israel came home with "many" animals on their way back from letting the Lord defeat the Ethiopians . . . animals meant meat, milk, medicine & nurturing foods, fertilizer, leather, wool, sinew, horn & bone--and probably more sustaining & useful things than I'm aware of.  After this, Judah sacrificed 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep and goats.  And I doubt that was a huge percentage of the plunder.  (When the Word says "many", it means many. lol)

The Lord will bless me with what I need, in abundance, when I trust in Him and follow Him with firmness and rejoicing.

Philippians 4:4-9: Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

And here's how I go about that. The way to find peace and strength and bring the God of peace into my home and my life.  Yes! :o)

Philippians 4:18-20: At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.

The Lord truly will take care of those who help Him take care of His own.

2 Chronicles 15:7: But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.

I will be strong and courageous.

2 Chronicles 16:9: "The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

'Nough said.

Colossians 1:22-23: This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.  Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.

Duly noted, and firmly decided.  I will never forget the darkness of the years without Christ . . . and will not drift away from the assurance I now hold. Even though I never desired or intended evil, actions have moral value and definite consequences--and they reaped evil upon me and my family.  It's simply beyond beautiful that I can now see the healing of Jesus Christ flowing through what was once barren and parched, and the tilled fields of my home & family flooded with His grace, and the ground simply bringing forth in abundance.

Colossians 1:27: " . . . And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory."

Hallelujah, and Praise Him!!! :o)

Colossians 16:9-14: So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.  Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.  For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,  who purchased our freedom  and forgave our sins.

This prayer is truly powerful to me.

Father, I very much want to know, clearly and completely, Your will for me, and to have spiritual wisdom and understanding, so the way I live can always honor and please the You and Jesus, and my life will produce every kind of good fruit, and I'll grow as I come to know You and Your Son better and better.  Lord, please strengthen me with Your glorious power so I will have all the patience I need, and be filled with this joy.  I long to walk in thanksgiving and rejoicing before You, always.  In Jesus' name, amen.

The Difference

Scripture: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31, 32 NLT)

Observation: This passage shows so well the difference that should exist in those who profess Christ.

Application: I have never desired bitterness, anger, or harsh words--but I have passed through long years where it poured out of me despite anything I could do. I was so far from my Yahweh--so anguished and exhausted inside--that kind of behavior was a fruit of that internal climate. That makes my life now so much more precious. I rejoice wide and deep in each moment of love and peace.

Prayer: Oh, Father, never let me drift from You again! Remind and correct me, for I glory in Your goodness and the way You teach your children. Thank you for the amazing love I've found, both straight from you, and in the body of Christ. In Jesus' name, AMEN!!!!! YEAH!!!!! :o)

Life Underwater

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-29 NLT

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

Observation: There is a richness, a fullness, a glory, a rest, a safety and an all-encompassing nature in God's love.  It's like the ocean . . . vast beyond comprehension, powerful beyond measure. But, unlike water, we SHOULD breathe in deep the love of God!

Application: How often have (and do!) I fight against God's love? I struggle in the tempest of life, come near death for lack of water, scorch myself in the sun, when all I really need to do is stop struggling and let the incredible love of God encompass me.  My natural inclination is struggle--to go it alone on the surface, puny as I am, with sure death as my reward--but, once again God's wisdom is 180 degrees from the natural.  God's oceanic love is the richest air I've ever breathed; the currents the gentlest and safest rest I've ever had.  He takes me where I need to go, shows me what I need to see, and lightens the weight of this world on my shoulders.

God absolutely wants diligence--to eschew laziness, idolatry, and all other forms of wickedness.  To follow His Spirit wherever it takes me--and that often means hard work.  But the diligence is a love offering; a gratitude offering; a peace offering full of joy and light.  I can't earn anything from Him.  I qualify through the state of my heart . . . and all that I do, I do for Him, because I love Him, and trust Him.  Because I have felt the outpouring of His love wash over me and literally change me from the inside out.

Prayer: Lord, help me always to learn Your ways--to trust Your wisdom over my own.  I want to rely on You wholly--and see Paul's prayer made manifest in my life, that I may experience Your love, be made complete, and sink my roots deep into Your love.  Amen!