After a Relief Society meeting a couple of years ago, a well-intentioned sister in my ward approached me to ask after one of my children, who was having trouble with reading. While she was kind in tone and seemed a little hesitant to bring it up, she and I didn't have a relationship that made the kind of questioning she did comfortable. Despite being neighbors and in the same ward, a deep uneasiness lay between us, born of her fundamentally different view of homeschooling from the one I held and practiced. The shellac of civilized courtesy only seemed to highlight it. I did my best to answer her questions in a way that would satisfy her, but in such a public place, and feeling myself in not only a very vulnerable position but a highly public one, surrounded as we were by chatting sisters on every side, I frankly felt attacked and betrayed.
I left directly afterward, making it to my car without having to talk to anyone else. On the drive home, I went over the exchange in my mind, and began to cry. The balance of enmity, not in hostile feeling but in opposing views, and my fear that her loyalties lay outside of my family's well-being as determined by Vern and me brought a strong feeling of condemnation. The sense of being trapped slowly grew, and more tears came. I remember the green of the dash clock shining, the black of wet pavement, and the streetlights reflecting in long streaks towards me as I drove. And the words "She's judging me" ran through my head, over and over, behind the replay of our conversation. I almost heard them, they came so clearly.
I was about halfway home on my ten minute drive. And then, just as clearly, but in a lower, firmer, but utterly calm and gentle tone came the words:
"You are judging her."
Those words stopped me, dead, in my mental tracks. And, as I realized the truth of that thought, all the things I didn't know came to my mind. I had no idea of her true motives. (Fear, yes. Knowledge, no.) I didn't know what she would do, if anything. And as I realized these things (i.e. as the Holy Ghost spoke them to my mind), all the crazy trapped-bird trauma of the previous minutes simply evaporated.
Over the next few days, I meditated on that experience. It taught me a lot of things . . . but the one standing out most clearly to me now is the way the words "She's judging me" kept running through my head. They came in a voice I had known my entire life. A voice I had always thought was the voice of my own thoughts. And yet, I realized they came into my mind exactly the same way heavenly inspiration came: suddenly, in complete sentences, when I was thinking or doing something else.
Now, I like to think I'm no dullard--but I'm no Einstein, either. (Unless you compare our basic math grades. I can spank Albert there any ol' day.) ;o) One thing I do know: unless I'm thinking about something carefully, I tend to get vague feelings, and in order to work through them, I have to speak or write. I've always known that worded promptings come in complete sentences or thoughts, with very definite or clearly defined wording. And I realized, kneeling in my room one day in prayer, that the mental voice wasn't my mental voice, with genesis in my own mind. It was a spiritual voice; after all, what is spirit, if not mind? I had always claimed it as my own, but nothing could be further from the truth. It was the whisperings of the adversary's disciple, who spoke in first person. (Who says dark angels have to speak as themselves, in what sounds like third person to you and me? They'll phrase things so it sounds like our own thoughts, so as to not give themselves away.)
Over the ensuing days, I began to listen more closely to the words that came into my mind, and it became easier and easier to discern between the Holy Ghost and that other voice. (The voice I no longer claimed as my own.) ;o) It took that voice's owner a little while to show any evidence that s/he had caught on, but I rarely heard it after that little while.
What came afterward, though, was an onslaught of feelings. Bucket loads of fear, shame, fatigue, sorrow, condemnation, depression, anxiety, and all of their friends. Pretty much every day. (And I mean excavator bucket loads. You know, the ones that could scoop up several cows at once.) Those presented their own learning experience. During this time, I was learning to let go of the idea that God put us through hard or painful things for our own good. To reject the idea that bad things come from a God in whom is no corruption, no shadow of changing, and no darkness. And as I went through that renewing of my mind, I realized something new and earth-shattering for me:
God didn't want me to be sad.
Or depressed.
Or overwhelmed.
And not only did He NOT want me to feel those things (that had trapped me for such a long, long time), He was not the source of them! I didn't have to learn any lessons for my own good. I didn't have to tough it out, suffering in submission until He decided I'd had enough and could move onto the next trial.
Suddenly, God was Good.
And I realized that if nothing bad comes from Him, then none of these overwhelming, negative, handicapping feelings were part of His will for me.
And, if God didn't want those feelings in my life, then I didn't have to claim them! Or keep them! If God didn't want them in my life, then He wanted them gone. And that meant I only still had them because I held onto them, I owned them, because I thought it was part of the lesson God had for me to learn, because whatever it was, it was something I had to learn for myself. And I was going to be a good disciple and bear the burden He put on my back. But He didn't put it there! He didn't want it there! Hallelujah! :oD
And then, when I was still walking around starry-eyed from that revelation, He showed me another jaw-dropper: the only lesson we need to learn in this life is that we only need to turn to God, and experience Him. (There's another entire post in that statement, about what it means to experience Jesus Christ, and how it changes us. So just hold onto your love of good works--I'm not advocating a do-nothing Savior.) ;o)
God doesn't WANT you to be depressed. Or overwhelmed. Or shamed. Or sad. Or to feel trapped.
He is the God of light, life, peace and joy. Of everlasting love. And, most importantly, of grace. Nothing bad comes from God. Our God is made of Good. As I slowly mulled that all over, God taught me, over days and weeks, what grace truly is.
Christianity at large uses a phrase that we Mormons hardly ever touch: "the cross". The cross symbolizes His sacrifice, and His victory. It has become one of the most beautiful phrases to me, because it truly symbolizes the lowest point of His suffering and humiliation. And that, my friends, that is supernally beautiful because that is the point at which He finished His preparations for our salvation, and declared it done. Finished. It is the symbol of His Victory, the point after which any chance of His failure completely disappeared.
When Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden, they were separated from God. Forever. Nothing they could do could overcome the barrier they themselves had created, could make them good enough to get back to God. But Jesus Christ overcame that barrier set up by justice, His victory gave Him the authority to come back and abide with us. He saved us from the fall not just in the hereafter, but the HERE. Telestial earth. Now. We just have to knock it off already with the martyr complexes and blind servitude, and open ourselves to Him and His beautiful, joyous, sweet friendship. His comfort. His succor. Victory gave Him power to forgive sin, to wash us clean. That's all He has ever wanted to do for us. To make us clean, washing us in the blood of His holy sacrifice. To walk with us, work with us, and show us who He needs us to be, so we can come back into His presence, and the presence of the Father. Grace is what we call it when He does just that, extending His mercy to us, coming to be with us, wherever we are. And when He comes, we can have joy.
He won so we can be joyous!
(And also: He won, so we can be joyous!) ;o)
Grace means that, no matter where you are, what you've done, or who you think you are, Jesus will come and find you when you call. You don't have to muddle your way back to Him, you don't have to labor under negative feelings, depression, anxiety, any of it . . . never think that for a second. He will find you! He will hear your humble cry, and come to where you are. The only thing left for you to do is accept Him. That acceptance takes practice, and unlearning a whole slew of things Mormons all have committed to deep memory. It takes braving cognitive dissonance, and really and truly trusting God in His goodness to lead you to safety.
But take it from me: it's the richest, most beautiful return on investment I've ever received.
Showing posts with label discernment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label discernment. Show all posts
06 February 2014
24 January 2014
On Discernment
(This is a response to the heuristics here in Rob's post. I posted it as a comment here, but wanted a record here, as well.)
Funny, I also had some responses to your heuristics, but I usually let longer comments age a bit before posting them. I appreciate kpeetersn's comments, as they did such a great job of opening the conversation, and showing an alternate point of view. Your heuristics are marked with a dash. My comments begin with an asterisk.
(Full disclosure: I have a habit of carefully examining statements' inverse and converse, because Americans have a persistent and faulty habit of assuming if a statement is true, then the inverse and converse MUST be true. Hence the power of the media.)
-Is the direction comfortable, easy, or desirable? It is probably not from God.
*God has asked me to do a lot of things I'm comfortable with, that are easy for me, and that I desire with all my heart. Just not necessarily at times that I feel like doing them. ;o) And, the more I have listened to Him, the easier and more desirable the things He asks me to do become.
-Is the direction difficult, will it lead to embarrassment, pain, sacrifice, loss of time and money? Probably from God.
*I'd like to qualify this one by saying these are not requirements for direction from heaven. Promptings I've received have saved me from all of those things at various times, often to great extent. Our God is a GOOD Father. Yes, sometimes He asks hard things of us . . . but not always. And never does He put us through hard things that we didn't choose. If hard things come into our lives, it's because our choices brought them there, whether or not God invited us on that path.
-Does it make you feel overwhelmingly small and insignificant? Probably from God.
*Promptings can bring these, especially as someone first begins to listen carefully to God's whisperings . . . but it's not a requirement. By "overwhelmingly small and insignificant", were you trying to describe the incredibly intimate and saturated feeling of humility that comes when God speaks direction to us? One of the strangest and most beautiful things I've learned lately about humility is that it takes a tremendous amount of it from me to approach the throne of grace boldly and accept all God has to offer, DESPITE my perceived shortcomings, the fact that I didn't spend as much time in the scriptures as I know God wanted me to last week, the fact that I'm not as devoted in prayer as I might be, etc. He still wants to pour out onto me as much as I can possibly accept. It's up to me to not beat myself up, preventing myself from accepting all He's able to give me right now, this moment. And let me tell you--THAT takes letting go of that overwhelming feeling of insignificance, of stepping forward in true humility and obedience, and a tremendous amount of trust in God. And it's 180 degrees from what I thought (and was taught) God wanted my behavior toward Him to be, which was more of the sackcloth and ashes, beating myself up kind of attitude. But who wants us to beat ourselves up? Not God. Who wants us to stand, simply and without pretense, in His presence? Not only wants that, but will rejoice with us in it? Not the adversary.
-Does it make you feel like you are someone special, that you are unique or specially prepared? Probably not from God.
*I think you may have meant something more like "Does it make you feel better than everyone, or anyone, else?"
God has used me in ways I know He prepared me for (some of those times were foretold in my patriarchal blessing, others later illuminated by the Holy Ghost) . . . and when I realized that was what He was doing, I felt all of these, along with a sense of His excitement that His planning was coming to fruition. We are ALL His favorites--and thinking of it that way is just the tiniest beginning of understanding how unstinting and lavish His love is for us. He specially prepares ALL of us for the work He wants us to do. Always. Everything in our lives can be turned to His work, to His will.
-Does it feel rushed, exciting, or thrilling? Probably not from God.
*This one needs some qualifiers. "Cast yourself from this mountaintop, so God can catch you," fits nicely as one from the adversary. "Learn French so you can speak into the lives of people I will bring to you" does, as well. The difference in the second example being that I received it from God recently, and it's absolutely exciting and thrilling, (there's nothing more in this life that I could ask for than to know I'll be able to be an instrument in God's hands, no matter how simple) and I feel rushed because I know from the impression that came with His word that I don't have much time to do it. He wants me to do it now, without delay.
Fifteen years ago I had a very simple, sweet experience where my Spanish saved a lovely sister in line ahead of me at McD's from difficulty and embarrassment when it came time for her to order. That morning God told me to study the Book of Mormon in Spanish, which of necessity kicked into gear the slightly dusty Spanish-thinking corners of my brain. I was thinking in Spanish when I stopped for food on my way to class, and answering her questions, spoken softly in broken English, comfortably in Spanish is still something that brings a shine to my eyes, because she was such a gentle woman . . . and I'm so glad I was able to spare her discomfort, and possibly derisive laughter, at the hands of the rather hurried and impatient teenage McD employees that day. Remembering that experience, and thinking of this new instruction, has me pretty excited. Even if all I do is help someone understand a menu or bus schedule on a busy day in a big city.
-Is the direction towards something that you know there is no way you could possibly do it? Probably from God.
*Again, sometimes, yes. But if it's something that you can do, even easily, that doesn't disqualify it as from heaven. (Again, that inverse thing.) ;o)
As far as discerning of spirits, I've found several ways that work really well for me. The first step was realizing that complete thoughts that come into my head aren't from my own mind. I personally have to speak or write in order for thoughts to fully form, generally speaking. I can concentrate and "speak" thoughts in my own mind, but it's a very conscious thing, like speaking or writing. It doesn't just happen on its own, or when I'm doing something else.
Once I realized that, it became easier and easier to recognize the voices of familiar spirits assigned to tempt me. (Familiar spirits aren't just hanging around mediums and mystics. They are the imps who follow us around--whose presence we are accustomed to.) It took them about a week or ten days to realize I'd caught on; then things became more subtle. I rarely hear temptations in words anymore. (Right now it's mostly just straight-out spiritual warfare with emotion as the enemy's heavy artillery.) But the differences are still there. And when I hear from the adversary, those voices are easily distinguishable from the Lord's, for several reasons:
1) Timbre/quality. Satan just can't mimic the rich, full-spectrum, complete spiritual "sound" of the Lord's voice.
2) Accompanying feelings. When the Lord speaks to me, a feeling of encompassing love and calm comes along. (If I don't feel it right away, it's just waiting for me to accept it. Satan hasn't ever been able to reproduce it.) Added to that is a level of communication with each word that just can't be put into words--feelings and attitudes, emotions and thoughts, often still images, sometimes short video-like visions, and sometimes just the impression of color, shape or movement. This differs just as a single-tone melody midi file does from a live orchestra under the command of a seasoned and well-loved director.
3) Physical sensation. Promptings from God come with a feeling of balance and harmony throughout my body that begins at the crown of my head and quickly fills me. Temptations (which can be anything from the archetypical "you really DO want to see what that wine tastes like" to "She thinks I'm a lousy mom" or "I've lost every last bit of credibility with my leadership") come with little or no change in my physical state.
4) Direction. When temptations come, they originate from behind, above, and slightly to the right of my head. Communications from God originate in the very center of my mind, like the perfect flowering of the physical sensation I mentioned above as it moves through me.
I don't know if everyone feels these things. It's possible they happen to everyone, but not everyone discerns them. My mom told me when I was a child that I was a hypochondriac, had zero pain tolerance, and worried too much about how I was feeling. (As it has turned out, thanks to diagnoses in adulthood, I wasn't. There really were things wrong with me, but I didn't know how to express them with my child's vocabulary.) That said, all of that self-directed attention means that when there's even the tiniest shift, I recognize it. So, there you go. :o)
Funny, I also had some responses to your heuristics, but I usually let longer comments age a bit before posting them. I appreciate kpeetersn's comments, as they did such a great job of opening the conversation, and showing an alternate point of view. Your heuristics are marked with a dash. My comments begin with an asterisk.
(Full disclosure: I have a habit of carefully examining statements' inverse and converse, because Americans have a persistent and faulty habit of assuming if a statement is true, then the inverse and converse MUST be true. Hence the power of the media.)
-Is the direction comfortable, easy, or desirable? It is probably not from God.
*God has asked me to do a lot of things I'm comfortable with, that are easy for me, and that I desire with all my heart. Just not necessarily at times that I feel like doing them. ;o) And, the more I have listened to Him, the easier and more desirable the things He asks me to do become.
-Is the direction difficult, will it lead to embarrassment, pain, sacrifice, loss of time and money? Probably from God.
*I'd like to qualify this one by saying these are not requirements for direction from heaven. Promptings I've received have saved me from all of those things at various times, often to great extent. Our God is a GOOD Father. Yes, sometimes He asks hard things of us . . . but not always. And never does He put us through hard things that we didn't choose. If hard things come into our lives, it's because our choices brought them there, whether or not God invited us on that path.
-Does it make you feel overwhelmingly small and insignificant? Probably from God.
*Promptings can bring these, especially as someone first begins to listen carefully to God's whisperings . . . but it's not a requirement. By "overwhelmingly small and insignificant", were you trying to describe the incredibly intimate and saturated feeling of humility that comes when God speaks direction to us? One of the strangest and most beautiful things I've learned lately about humility is that it takes a tremendous amount of it from me to approach the throne of grace boldly and accept all God has to offer, DESPITE my perceived shortcomings, the fact that I didn't spend as much time in the scriptures as I know God wanted me to last week, the fact that I'm not as devoted in prayer as I might be, etc. He still wants to pour out onto me as much as I can possibly accept. It's up to me to not beat myself up, preventing myself from accepting all He's able to give me right now, this moment. And let me tell you--THAT takes letting go of that overwhelming feeling of insignificance, of stepping forward in true humility and obedience, and a tremendous amount of trust in God. And it's 180 degrees from what I thought (and was taught) God wanted my behavior toward Him to be, which was more of the sackcloth and ashes, beating myself up kind of attitude. But who wants us to beat ourselves up? Not God. Who wants us to stand, simply and without pretense, in His presence? Not only wants that, but will rejoice with us in it? Not the adversary.
-Does it make you feel like you are someone special, that you are unique or specially prepared? Probably not from God.
*I think you may have meant something more like "Does it make you feel better than everyone, or anyone, else?"
God has used me in ways I know He prepared me for (some of those times were foretold in my patriarchal blessing, others later illuminated by the Holy Ghost) . . . and when I realized that was what He was doing, I felt all of these, along with a sense of His excitement that His planning was coming to fruition. We are ALL His favorites--and thinking of it that way is just the tiniest beginning of understanding how unstinting and lavish His love is for us. He specially prepares ALL of us for the work He wants us to do. Always. Everything in our lives can be turned to His work, to His will.
-Does it feel rushed, exciting, or thrilling? Probably not from God.
*This one needs some qualifiers. "Cast yourself from this mountaintop, so God can catch you," fits nicely as one from the adversary. "Learn French so you can speak into the lives of people I will bring to you" does, as well. The difference in the second example being that I received it from God recently, and it's absolutely exciting and thrilling, (there's nothing more in this life that I could ask for than to know I'll be able to be an instrument in God's hands, no matter how simple) and I feel rushed because I know from the impression that came with His word that I don't have much time to do it. He wants me to do it now, without delay.
Fifteen years ago I had a very simple, sweet experience where my Spanish saved a lovely sister in line ahead of me at McD's from difficulty and embarrassment when it came time for her to order. That morning God told me to study the Book of Mormon in Spanish, which of necessity kicked into gear the slightly dusty Spanish-thinking corners of my brain. I was thinking in Spanish when I stopped for food on my way to class, and answering her questions, spoken softly in broken English, comfortably in Spanish is still something that brings a shine to my eyes, because she was such a gentle woman . . . and I'm so glad I was able to spare her discomfort, and possibly derisive laughter, at the hands of the rather hurried and impatient teenage McD employees that day. Remembering that experience, and thinking of this new instruction, has me pretty excited. Even if all I do is help someone understand a menu or bus schedule on a busy day in a big city.
-Is the direction towards something that you know there is no way you could possibly do it? Probably from God.
*Again, sometimes, yes. But if it's something that you can do, even easily, that doesn't disqualify it as from heaven. (Again, that inverse thing.) ;o)
As far as discerning of spirits, I've found several ways that work really well for me. The first step was realizing that complete thoughts that come into my head aren't from my own mind. I personally have to speak or write in order for thoughts to fully form, generally speaking. I can concentrate and "speak" thoughts in my own mind, but it's a very conscious thing, like speaking or writing. It doesn't just happen on its own, or when I'm doing something else.
Once I realized that, it became easier and easier to recognize the voices of familiar spirits assigned to tempt me. (Familiar spirits aren't just hanging around mediums and mystics. They are the imps who follow us around--whose presence we are accustomed to.) It took them about a week or ten days to realize I'd caught on; then things became more subtle. I rarely hear temptations in words anymore. (Right now it's mostly just straight-out spiritual warfare with emotion as the enemy's heavy artillery.) But the differences are still there. And when I hear from the adversary, those voices are easily distinguishable from the Lord's, for several reasons:
1) Timbre/quality. Satan just can't mimic the rich, full-spectrum, complete spiritual "sound" of the Lord's voice.
2) Accompanying feelings. When the Lord speaks to me, a feeling of encompassing love and calm comes along. (If I don't feel it right away, it's just waiting for me to accept it. Satan hasn't ever been able to reproduce it.) Added to that is a level of communication with each word that just can't be put into words--feelings and attitudes, emotions and thoughts, often still images, sometimes short video-like visions, and sometimes just the impression of color, shape or movement. This differs just as a single-tone melody midi file does from a live orchestra under the command of a seasoned and well-loved director.
3) Physical sensation. Promptings from God come with a feeling of balance and harmony throughout my body that begins at the crown of my head and quickly fills me. Temptations (which can be anything from the archetypical "you really DO want to see what that wine tastes like" to "She thinks I'm a lousy mom" or "I've lost every last bit of credibility with my leadership") come with little or no change in my physical state.
4) Direction. When temptations come, they originate from behind, above, and slightly to the right of my head. Communications from God originate in the very center of my mind, like the perfect flowering of the physical sensation I mentioned above as it moves through me.
I don't know if everyone feels these things. It's possible they happen to everyone, but not everyone discerns them. My mom told me when I was a child that I was a hypochondriac, had zero pain tolerance, and worried too much about how I was feeling. (As it has turned out, thanks to diagnoses in adulthood, I wasn't. There really were things wrong with me, but I didn't know how to express them with my child's vocabulary.) That said, all of that self-directed attention means that when there's even the tiniest shift, I recognize it. So, there you go. :o)
31 December 2013
Eyes to See
Scripture: Revelation 19:19-20
"Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur."
I wonder what this will actually seem like, to those in its throes. The one sitting on the horse will be readily recognizable to those with eyes to see, as will the beast and false prophet. But it seems that they will, to those who aren't seeing with spiritual eyes, look as though their roles were reversed.
Lately, and yesterday especially, I have been presented with ideas and topics upon which salvation could, (and really should), hang. Over and over, the pattern of dichotomy establishes itself: "This way to God!", pitted against "Watch out, you'll end up in hell that way!" Of course, the arguments are far more subtle than that, obfuscatory synecdoches scattered throughout. And I find myself pondering on and untangling the meaning of various the ones presented to me, wondering which side I'll choose, which points and ideas are actually on the upward route.
Father, I thank You for all You have provided for Your children's education and guidance. For scripture, for Your Son, and Your Spirit. I'm so glad I know to trust in You, to follow Your Word in the Spirit, and for Your patience and forgiveness as I fumble around. Please, give me eyes to see truth from error. Show me clearly what I need to see to do Your work in a way pleasing to You, and lead me always in Your ways. I'm so glad for You, and for Jesus, and for the Holy Spirit, for the love that is the primary channel of communication from You, for Your followers who bring that love to me like a flood, and for the paths in which it has led me. Bring light to Your people, God, light and life and love eternal, and to those who seek to be Yours. In Jesus' name, amen.
"Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur."
I wonder what this will actually seem like, to those in its throes. The one sitting on the horse will be readily recognizable to those with eyes to see, as will the beast and false prophet. But it seems that they will, to those who aren't seeing with spiritual eyes, look as though their roles were reversed.
Lately, and yesterday especially, I have been presented with ideas and topics upon which salvation could, (and really should), hang. Over and over, the pattern of dichotomy establishes itself: "This way to God!", pitted against "Watch out, you'll end up in hell that way!" Of course, the arguments are far more subtle than that, obfuscatory synecdoches scattered throughout. And I find myself pondering on and untangling the meaning of various the ones presented to me, wondering which side I'll choose, which points and ideas are actually on the upward route.
Father, I thank You for all You have provided for Your children's education and guidance. For scripture, for Your Son, and Your Spirit. I'm so glad I know to trust in You, to follow Your Word in the Spirit, and for Your patience and forgiveness as I fumble around. Please, give me eyes to see truth from error. Show me clearly what I need to see to do Your work in a way pleasing to You, and lead me always in Your ways. I'm so glad for You, and for Jesus, and for the Holy Spirit, for the love that is the primary channel of communication from You, for Your followers who bring that love to me like a flood, and for the paths in which it has led me. Bring light to Your people, God, light and life and love eternal, and to those who seek to be Yours. In Jesus' name, amen.
20 December 2013
What do I truly seek?
So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me.” (John 7:16-19 NLT)
*************************
Who is my Father?
To whom do I turn?
To whom do I look?
From whom do I receive strength?
Direction?
Hope?
Confidence?
What are the fruits of my thoughts?
Of my words?
Of my choices?
My life?
Who finds them acceptable and pleasing?
Who do I declare?
Whose work do I do?
Do I feel a constant connection with loving, gracious, forgiving Jesus?
Do my prayers feel like conversations, or monologues to a silent room?
Does that connection flow out to those around me?
Do the names of men more often come from my mouth than the name of Jesus?
Whose words most often come to my mind, and into my conversation?
Whom do I quote most often: God or men?
Whom do I praise most often: Jesus, or men?
Whom do I thank most often?
Returning from speaking with Aslan: “Emeth came walking forward into the open strip of grass between the bonfire and the Stable. His eyes were shining, his face was solemn, his hand was on his sword-hilt, and he carried his head high. Jill felt like crying when she looked at his face. And Jewel whispered in the King's ear, "By the Lion's Mane, I almost love this young warrior, Calormene though he be. He is worthy of a better god than Tash.”
Then Emeth said: "'Beloved', said the Glorious One, 'unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what they truly seek.' And since then, O Kings and Ladies, I have been wandering to find him and my happiness is so great that it even weakens me like a wound. And this is the marvel of marvels, that he called me Beloved, me who am but as a dog.” (The Last Battle, by C. S. Lewis)
"Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”
“Our father is Abraham!” they declared.
“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. No, you are imitating your real father.”
They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”
Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me."
"Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me!" (John 8:37-43 NLT)
“Our father is Abraham!” they declared.
“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. No, you are imitating your real father.”
They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”
Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me."
"Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me!" (John 8:37-43 NLT)
*************************
Who is my Father?
To whom do I turn?
To whom do I look?
From whom do I receive strength?
Direction?
Hope?
Confidence?
What are the fruits of my thoughts?
Of my words?
Of my choices?
My life?
Who finds them acceptable and pleasing?
Who do I declare?
Whose work do I do?
Do I feel a constant connection with loving, gracious, forgiving Jesus?
Do my prayers feel like conversations, or monologues to a silent room?
Does that connection flow out to those around me?
Do the names of men more often come from my mouth than the name of Jesus?
Whose words most often come to my mind, and into my conversation?
Whom do I quote most often: God or men?
Whom do I praise most often: Jesus, or men?
Whom do I thank most often?
Returning from speaking with Aslan: “Emeth came walking forward into the open strip of grass between the bonfire and the Stable. His eyes were shining, his face was solemn, his hand was on his sword-hilt, and he carried his head high. Jill felt like crying when she looked at his face. And Jewel whispered in the King's ear, "By the Lion's Mane, I almost love this young warrior, Calormene though he be. He is worthy of a better god than Tash.”
Then Emeth said: "'Beloved', said the Glorious One, 'unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what they truly seek.' And since then, O Kings and Ladies, I have been wandering to find him and my happiness is so great that it even weakens me like a wound. And this is the marvel of marvels, that he called me Beloved, me who am but as a dog.” (The Last Battle, by C. S. Lewis)
02 October 2013
Live His Law
Scripture: Luke 14:1-6
One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” Again they could not answer.
Observation: This feels like apologetics to me. Pointing out the inconsistencies, the places where men have put their own spin on commandments, on scripture, for their own convenience or gain.
Application: Jesus didn't bow to every rule and regulation laid down by the Pharisees. He lived the law He had given. That's what I feel our responsibility is, as Christians. We must know the scriptures--not just through scholarship and logic, but taught directly from heaven through spiritual means--and we must live them, teach them, be them for all to read.
Prayer: Father, show me the difference. Teach me what I need to know, in ways I clearly and easily recognize are from You. Lead me by Your Spirit, and show me how to teach my children to love You, to know You well. In Jesus' name, amen.
One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” Again they could not answer.
Observation: This feels like apologetics to me. Pointing out the inconsistencies, the places where men have put their own spin on commandments, on scripture, for their own convenience or gain.
Application: Jesus didn't bow to every rule and regulation laid down by the Pharisees. He lived the law He had given. That's what I feel our responsibility is, as Christians. We must know the scriptures--not just through scholarship and logic, but taught directly from heaven through spiritual means--and we must live them, teach them, be them for all to read.
Prayer: Father, show me the difference. Teach me what I need to know, in ways I clearly and easily recognize are from You. Lead me by Your Spirit, and show me how to teach my children to love You, to know You well. In Jesus' name, amen.
12 September 2013
The Arm of Flesh
Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual.
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” --Daniel 3:14-19, 28-29 NLT
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's stand has always inspired me. And, lately, I seem to keep running into this mountainous rock that is my knowledge of Jesus Christ, and the things He has taught me. I know exactly how those three young men felt: not puffed up and pleased with themselves for making such a noble and impassioned declaration, but humble. The spirit of what they said seemed to be: "You're welcome to do as you will with us, we're just not going to obey those decrees of yours. And whatever happens, we're not worried", with the feeling of "Have a blessed day," overlaid for good measure. I feel strength in my testimony of The Truth growing surer and stronger, deeper and wider. And it is good.
After the miracle, Nebuchadnezzar's conversion to belief in the Most High God is impressive . . . but his new decree is disappointing. Yes, it's what everyone with a cause dreams of: a powerful person throwing their weight around to further your cause. And those same people rationalize that if that cause is the salvation of mankind, then so much the better! Only trouble is, it neuters people's ability to make choices for themselves. And as this life is a test, that leaves them pretty stuck. Even though Nebuchadnezzer had stopped trying to physically destroy S, M & A, it seems to me that he just turned that destructive power towards his own people, but in a spiritual way. It's like the enemy decided that if he couldn't burn the boys to a crisp, he'd happily trade that for the slow spiritual death of many, many others. he's a tricky one, the old serpent. And we have to listen closely to the Holy Spirit so he won't catch us unawares.
God, I pray you would open my eyes to see where I am coercing or trying to force others to do good. Temper my language, open my eyes, soften my heart, and make my ears to hear Your Word and Your Truth. Show me how to give freedom to those around me, the freedom that only comes in Christ Jesus. In His holiest and most beloved Name, Amen.
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” --Daniel 3:14-19, 28-29 NLT
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's stand has always inspired me. And, lately, I seem to keep running into this mountainous rock that is my knowledge of Jesus Christ, and the things He has taught me. I know exactly how those three young men felt: not puffed up and pleased with themselves for making such a noble and impassioned declaration, but humble. The spirit of what they said seemed to be: "You're welcome to do as you will with us, we're just not going to obey those decrees of yours. And whatever happens, we're not worried", with the feeling of "Have a blessed day," overlaid for good measure. I feel strength in my testimony of The Truth growing surer and stronger, deeper and wider. And it is good.
After the miracle, Nebuchadnezzar's conversion to belief in the Most High God is impressive . . . but his new decree is disappointing. Yes, it's what everyone with a cause dreams of: a powerful person throwing their weight around to further your cause. And those same people rationalize that if that cause is the salvation of mankind, then so much the better! Only trouble is, it neuters people's ability to make choices for themselves. And as this life is a test, that leaves them pretty stuck. Even though Nebuchadnezzer had stopped trying to physically destroy S, M & A, it seems to me that he just turned that destructive power towards his own people, but in a spiritual way. It's like the enemy decided that if he couldn't burn the boys to a crisp, he'd happily trade that for the slow spiritual death of many, many others. he's a tricky one, the old serpent. And we have to listen closely to the Holy Spirit so he won't catch us unawares.
God, I pray you would open my eyes to see where I am coercing or trying to force others to do good. Temper my language, open my eyes, soften my heart, and make my ears to hear Your Word and Your Truth. Show me how to give freedom to those around me, the freedom that only comes in Christ Jesus. In His holiest and most beloved Name, Amen.
09 August 2013
Let go of everything but Jesus.
Scripture: Jeremiah 4:1-2 NLT
“O Israel,” says the Lord , “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. Then when you swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.”
Observation:
Israel clung to idolatry, when they could have trusted God, let go of their adulterous idolatry, and been made whole and holy in the sight of God. It seems so easy to me, from where I stand, to do that. And yet, it was so pervasive, so persistent, then. There must have been a powerful draw to it, for some reason.
Application:
What do I cling to? What, out of fear, have I been unwilling to abandon for my God? I don't have to know WHY I cling to these things . . . only recognize that I do. Anything I'm meant to have, to possess, will be given me of God, and will stay, whether or not I employ a death grip. And if it's not meant to stay, white knuckles will only damn me.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, reveal to me the things I can let go of. The things I can free myself of so Your Glory can flow unrestricted and unobstructed in my life. In Jesus' name, amen.
“O Israel,” says the Lord , “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. Then when you swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.”
Observation:
Israel clung to idolatry, when they could have trusted God, let go of their adulterous idolatry, and been made whole and holy in the sight of God. It seems so easy to me, from where I stand, to do that. And yet, it was so pervasive, so persistent, then. There must have been a powerful draw to it, for some reason.
Application:
What do I cling to? What, out of fear, have I been unwilling to abandon for my God? I don't have to know WHY I cling to these things . . . only recognize that I do. Anything I'm meant to have, to possess, will be given me of God, and will stay, whether or not I employ a death grip. And if it's not meant to stay, white knuckles will only damn me.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, reveal to me the things I can let go of. The things I can free myself of so Your Glory can flow unrestricted and unobstructed in my life. In Jesus' name, amen.
30 July 2013
It's time to wake the sleepers!
Scripture: 1 John 1:10-13 NLT
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
Observation:
Not everyone will "get it" . . . even (and maybe especially) those who have long proclaimed themselves as chosen & favored of God. And yet, this passage states plainly that ALL who believe and accept Christ WILL be reborn. The rebirth seems like the litmus test for the believer. Not yet having experienced it doesn't mean you're doomed--just that you have something awesome and amazing out in front of you as you continue to humble yourself and seek the Christ.
Application:
We who profess the Son of God have to be earnest about it. Serious. Joyful. Excited. Unrestrainable! We can't call Him our Lord, and then live like the world. Or even like most of Christianity. There are a multitude of variations on "worldly" living . . . but underneath, they're all just new spins on the same old theme: they place in our hearts, in the very most holy and sacred temples of God on the earth, idols that moth and dust can--and will--corrupt. We have been charged to seek God, and His holiness. To pursue Him, to press in, to praise and worship Him not only at church but in our lives, in our every step every day.
"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? . . . And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"
--Alma 5:14-15, 26
God took my faith, took my belief in Him, and stripped away everything I had built up around it . . . all of my trust in the arm of flesh. And in doing it, He revealed Himself--and suddenly, my sure belief in Him went from a comfortable, Son-warmed rock on which to rest quietly, to a massive mountain, upon which I stand, praising and proclaiming the Love and GOOD News of Jesus. The difference isn't just night and day . . . it's fire and ice . . . a raindrop and the most tempestuously powerful ocean.
Don't give up, church. Don't give into the weariness that comes on all of us from time to time. (I'm on a high right now . . . and I'm riding it for all it's worth!) Hold on to one another. Love one another. (Oh, how I could write and write on that one little three word sentence!) Worship. Pray. Spend real time in the Word. Follow the Holy Spirit. And be glad!!! :o) And do this not only for your own salvation, but for the salvation of those around you. And for the times that WILL come, in my life, when you're the one on the high, and I need your strength and the power of your joyous faith.
Prayer:
Lord of Hosts, I know that You know me. Little, mortal, imperfect, me. I know that You are the Judge . . . and the day of judgement is not yet. (Oh, hallelujah!!!) There is time yet to find You, to preach You, to shout Your praises and the gloriously Good News from the mountaintops of our faith. Help me to know how to proclaim You to everyone I see. Give me the words, the actions, the thoughts & feelings it'll take to wake up your sleepwalking followers who, wander in a broad and open plain. And my heart aches for those I know who now stand far from you, walking in dead works. Let me help, Lord. Please. In Jesus' all-gracious name, amen!
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
Observation:
Not everyone will "get it" . . . even (and maybe especially) those who have long proclaimed themselves as chosen & favored of God. And yet, this passage states plainly that ALL who believe and accept Christ WILL be reborn. The rebirth seems like the litmus test for the believer. Not yet having experienced it doesn't mean you're doomed--just that you have something awesome and amazing out in front of you as you continue to humble yourself and seek the Christ.
Application:
We who profess the Son of God have to be earnest about it. Serious. Joyful. Excited. Unrestrainable! We can't call Him our Lord, and then live like the world. Or even like most of Christianity. There are a multitude of variations on "worldly" living . . . but underneath, they're all just new spins on the same old theme: they place in our hearts, in the very most holy and sacred temples of God on the earth, idols that moth and dust can--and will--corrupt. We have been charged to seek God, and His holiness. To pursue Him, to press in, to praise and worship Him not only at church but in our lives, in our every step every day.
"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? . . . And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"
--Alma 5:14-15, 26
God took my faith, took my belief in Him, and stripped away everything I had built up around it . . . all of my trust in the arm of flesh. And in doing it, He revealed Himself--and suddenly, my sure belief in Him went from a comfortable, Son-warmed rock on which to rest quietly, to a massive mountain, upon which I stand, praising and proclaiming the Love and GOOD News of Jesus. The difference isn't just night and day . . . it's fire and ice . . . a raindrop and the most tempestuously powerful ocean.
Don't give up, church. Don't give into the weariness that comes on all of us from time to time. (I'm on a high right now . . . and I'm riding it for all it's worth!) Hold on to one another. Love one another. (Oh, how I could write and write on that one little three word sentence!) Worship. Pray. Spend real time in the Word. Follow the Holy Spirit. And be glad!!! :o) And do this not only for your own salvation, but for the salvation of those around you. And for the times that WILL come, in my life, when you're the one on the high, and I need your strength and the power of your joyous faith.
Prayer:
Lord of Hosts, I know that You know me. Little, mortal, imperfect, me. I know that You are the Judge . . . and the day of judgement is not yet. (Oh, hallelujah!!!) There is time yet to find You, to preach You, to shout Your praises and the gloriously Good News from the mountaintops of our faith. Help me to know how to proclaim You to everyone I see. Give me the words, the actions, the thoughts & feelings it'll take to wake up your sleepwalking followers who, wander in a broad and open plain. And my heart aches for those I know who now stand far from you, walking in dead works. Let me help, Lord. Please. In Jesus' all-gracious name, amen!
18 June 2013
Who's Whispering in Your Ear?
Scripture: 1 Kings 22:13-14
Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Michaiah said to him, "Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success." But Michaiah replied, "As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say."
Observation:
Michaiah prophesied counter to four hundred rabidly patriotic and highly-favored prophets. He truly said only what the Lord gave him to say.
Application:
I'm not a stranger to opposition, or clinging to what is good and right and true when others around me are choosing wickedness or worldliness. But I've been taken in, in the past, when the wrongdoing was clothed in the culture and traditions of church. I don't ever want to be led that way again . . . even when there's a huge crowd of my peers, all throwing themselves into the wrongdoing that looks so good, right, positive, and true. (And dare I say, sometimes even patriotic?) No traditions of men, no powerful leader, should trump the Word and Will of God.
Prayer:
Lord, are you seeing a pattern yet? :o) I want so much to not be deceived--to listen to Your Spirit and to follow YOU. Please, show me the truth of all things I ask, and help me to let Your love shine out from me so powerfully that there can be no doubt of Whom I serve. In Jesus name, so be it.
Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Michaiah said to him, "Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success." But Michaiah replied, "As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say."
Observation:
Michaiah prophesied counter to four hundred rabidly patriotic and highly-favored prophets. He truly said only what the Lord gave him to say.
Application:
I'm not a stranger to opposition, or clinging to what is good and right and true when others around me are choosing wickedness or worldliness. But I've been taken in, in the past, when the wrongdoing was clothed in the culture and traditions of church. I don't ever want to be led that way again . . . even when there's a huge crowd of my peers, all throwing themselves into the wrongdoing that looks so good, right, positive, and true. (And dare I say, sometimes even patriotic?) No traditions of men, no powerful leader, should trump the Word and Will of God.
Prayer:
Lord, are you seeing a pattern yet? :o) I want so much to not be deceived--to listen to Your Spirit and to follow YOU. Please, show me the truth of all things I ask, and help me to let Your love shine out from me so powerfully that there can be no doubt of Whom I serve. In Jesus name, so be it.
12 June 2013
Into the weeds.
Scripture: 1 Kings 12:29-33
"He placed these calf idols in Bethel and in Dan--at either end of his kingdom. But this became a great sin, for the people worshiped the idols, traveling as far north as Dan to worship the one there. Jeroboam also erected buildings at the pagan shrines and ordained priests from the common people--those who were not from the priestly tribe of Levi. And Jeroboam instituted a religious festival in Bethel, held on the fifteen the day of the eighth month, in imitation of the annual Festival of Shelters in Judah There at Bethel he himself offered sacrifices to the calves he had made, and he appointed priests for the pagan shrines he had made. So on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a day that he himself had designated, Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar at Bethel. He instituted a religious festival for Israel, and he went up to the altar to burn incense."
Observation: I know this is the ultimate Cliff's Notes version of this story . . . but even so, how easily the Israelites were led into something so totally against the faith they had been taught, and supposedly lived.
Application: I know people are people . . . and that I, PERSONALLY, am subject to the same weaknesses, albeit sans an actual golden calf. What, in my life have I followed popular culture off into the weeds on? What part of my practice of faith is twisted and convoluted into something, while recognizable, completely perverts the purposes of the Lord in my life?
(What was it with the Israelites and calves, anyway? Why would they so eagerly worship one of the very things that the law required as sacrifice? And sacrifice calves to a golden calf? That's just really twisted.)
Prayer: God, please please please, grant me discernment. Let me see myself, and my actions, as You do. Suffer me not to be led into temptation, but let every red alert klaxon sound at the first whisper of the enemy in my ear, of the first deceptive emotion the evil one tries to pass off as my own. Show me more of Your love, more of the Holy Spirit, so the enemy's ability to deceive me grows ever weaker, and my devotion and love of Your Light grows ever stronger and more entrenched day by day. In the name of He who is the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, amen.
"He placed these calf idols in Bethel and in Dan--at either end of his kingdom. But this became a great sin, for the people worshiped the idols, traveling as far north as Dan to worship the one there. Jeroboam also erected buildings at the pagan shrines and ordained priests from the common people--those who were not from the priestly tribe of Levi. And Jeroboam instituted a religious festival in Bethel, held on the fifteen the day of the eighth month, in imitation of the annual Festival of Shelters in Judah There at Bethel he himself offered sacrifices to the calves he had made, and he appointed priests for the pagan shrines he had made. So on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a day that he himself had designated, Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar at Bethel. He instituted a religious festival for Israel, and he went up to the altar to burn incense."
Observation: I know this is the ultimate Cliff's Notes version of this story . . . but even so, how easily the Israelites were led into something so totally against the faith they had been taught, and supposedly lived.
Application: I know people are people . . . and that I, PERSONALLY, am subject to the same weaknesses, albeit sans an actual golden calf. What, in my life have I followed popular culture off into the weeds on? What part of my practice of faith is twisted and convoluted into something, while recognizable, completely perverts the purposes of the Lord in my life?
(What was it with the Israelites and calves, anyway? Why would they so eagerly worship one of the very things that the law required as sacrifice? And sacrifice calves to a golden calf? That's just really twisted.)
Prayer: God, please please please, grant me discernment. Let me see myself, and my actions, as You do. Suffer me not to be led into temptation, but let every red alert klaxon sound at the first whisper of the enemy in my ear, of the first deceptive emotion the evil one tries to pass off as my own. Show me more of Your love, more of the Holy Spirit, so the enemy's ability to deceive me grows ever weaker, and my devotion and love of Your Light grows ever stronger and more entrenched day by day. In the name of He who is the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, amen.
31 May 2013
Let God Transform You
Scripture: Romans 12:2 NLT
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Observation:
The "behaviors and customs of this world" (or "this age" in the HCSB) exist in the Body of Christ as well as out of it. There is much I've been taught that has calcified my relationship with God, and bound His ability to really connect with me and change me.
Application:I'm eager to continue discovering more and more liberty and intimacy in my closeness to my God, and to turn my mind toward Him--to eagerly await the changes He will work in me, as I learn to rest in Him.
Prayer:God, please give me discernment. Open my eyes and heart to understand what to search for, and how to think, so I might draw ever closer to Thee. I want to walk in Your way, and be filled with Your love--both so wildly different than the imaginations of men.
Observation:
The "behaviors and customs of this world" (or "this age" in the HCSB) exist in the Body of Christ as well as out of it. There is much I've been taught that has calcified my relationship with God, and bound His ability to really connect with me and change me.
Application:I'm eager to continue discovering more and more liberty and intimacy in my closeness to my God, and to turn my mind toward Him--to eagerly await the changes He will work in me, as I learn to rest in Him.
Prayer:God, please give me discernment. Open my eyes and heart to understand what to search for, and how to think, so I might draw ever closer to Thee. I want to walk in Your way, and be filled with Your love--both so wildly different than the imaginations of men.
30 May 2013
Wisdom and Foolishness
Scripture: Proverbs 13:20, 14:6,8 & 15 NLT
13:20 -- The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.
14:6 -- A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn't find it, but knowledge [comes] easily to the perceptive.
14:8 -- The sensible man's wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives [them].
14:15 -- The inexperienced one believes anything, but the sensible one watches his steps.
Observation: The juxtaposition of wisdom and foolishness kept jumping out at me, along with the way that both wisdom and foolishness exist in all of us, depending (so often) on who we are with and what we are doing.
Application: I have noticed, lately, in my interactions with others, how we all progress through many stages of foolishness that (hopefully!) becomes wisdom. I've wondered how I appear--and have watched myself more closely for inexperience and ignorance, and pray that I won't allow what I don't know to make me foolish . . . but rather that God will fill me with humility and His wisdom.
I'm reminded of 2 Nephi 9:28: " O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish."
Prayer: Dear Lord, please guide me in my walk every minute of every day. Show me my blind spots and the gaps in my understanding, and please give me discernment so I won't hurt or discomfit others through my ignorance or inexperience. In Jesus' name, Amen.
14:6 -- A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn't find it, but knowledge [comes] easily to the perceptive.
14:8 -- The sensible man's wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives [them].
14:15 -- The inexperienced one believes anything, but the sensible one watches his steps.
Observation: The juxtaposition of wisdom and foolishness kept jumping out at me, along with the way that both wisdom and foolishness exist in all of us, depending (so often) on who we are with and what we are doing.
Application: I have noticed, lately, in my interactions with others, how we all progress through many stages of foolishness that (hopefully!) becomes wisdom. I've wondered how I appear--and have watched myself more closely for inexperience and ignorance, and pray that I won't allow what I don't know to make me foolish . . . but rather that God will fill me with humility and His wisdom.
I'm reminded of 2 Nephi 9:28: " O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish."
Prayer: Dear Lord, please guide me in my walk every minute of every day. Show me my blind spots and the gaps in my understanding, and please give me discernment so I won't hurt or discomfit others through my ignorance or inexperience. In Jesus' name, Amen.
26 May 2013
Sin On the Hunt
Scripture: Proverbs 7:6-21
6 At the window of my house
I looked through my lattice.
7 I saw among the inexperienced,
I noticed among the youths,
a young man lacking sense.
8 Crossing the street near her corner,
he strolled down the road to her house
9 at twilight, in the evening,
in the dark of the night.
10 A woman came to meet him
dressed like a prostitute,
having a hidden agenda.
11 She is loud and defiant;
her feet do not stay at home.
12 Now in the street, now in the squares,
she lurks at every corner.
13 She grabs him and kisses him;
she brazenly says to him,
14 “I’ve made fellowship offerings;
today I’ve fulfilled my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you,
to search for you, and I’ve found you.
16 I’ve spread coverings on my beds—
richly colored linen from Egypt.
17 I’ve perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning.
Let’s feast on each other’s love!
19 My husband isn’t home;
he went on a long journey.
20 He took a bag of money with him
and will come home at the time of the full moon.”
21 She seduces him with her persistent pleading;
she lures with her flattering talk.
Observation:
~The woman didn't wait in her house for the youth to find her. She was scouring the city for a likely victim . . . and when she found one, she flattered, manipulated*, and worked on him until he gave in.
~The young man walked her street from twilight until dark. Whether or not he knew what a snare he courted, he hung out in the vicinity of sin, wearing a big sign that said "Hey sin! Come take a crack at me!"
*I suddenly realize why the word isn't "womanipulated". ;o)
Application:
~ Sin is LOOKING for ME. And for YOU. The enemy prowls constantly, watching for a weakness, a chink, a moment when we wander too close to it's home or make a misstep on our path in life. The enemy uses a "take no prisoners" approach--the goal is spiritual destruction and endless torment. No Doofenschmirtz-style camaraderie here when the rubber meets the road.
~How often have I courted some type of sin--sins of omission, sins of fear & despair--without realizing it? (In this case: sin = that which takes us away from God via our own choices. There are other definitions, but that's the one I'm using this morning.) I've never been one tempted by serious moral sins; but the enemy knows me well. Many times I didn't recognize it was sin, cloaked in the name of entertainment or escape . . . when Christ was waiting, arms outstretched, calling my name at the top of His lungs, aching to be the refuge, the joy, I needed.
~Not only do I need to run from the appearance of sin (i.e. when I first see it--not only doing things that might LOOK like sin to others), but I need to keep my feet on the other side of town, in other cities, or (better yet!) on another continent. ;o)
Prayer:
Oh God, I praise You for Your Goodness, and for the Glory and Grace in Your Love for me. I pray You would show me when I'm faced with sin--reveal it in its true character--so I might flee ever closer to Thee! In Jesus name, Amen.
6 At the window of my house
I looked through my lattice.
7 I saw among the inexperienced,
I noticed among the youths,
a young man lacking sense.
8 Crossing the street near her corner,
he strolled down the road to her house
9 at twilight, in the evening,
in the dark of the night.
10 A woman came to meet him
dressed like a prostitute,
having a hidden agenda.
11 She is loud and defiant;
her feet do not stay at home.
12 Now in the street, now in the squares,
she lurks at every corner.
13 She grabs him and kisses him;
she brazenly says to him,
14 “I’ve made fellowship offerings;
today I’ve fulfilled my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you,
to search for you, and I’ve found you.
16 I’ve spread coverings on my beds—
richly colored linen from Egypt.
17 I’ve perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning.
Let’s feast on each other’s love!
19 My husband isn’t home;
he went on a long journey.
20 He took a bag of money with him
and will come home at the time of the full moon.”
21 She seduces him with her persistent pleading;
she lures with her flattering talk.
Observation:
~The woman didn't wait in her house for the youth to find her. She was scouring the city for a likely victim . . . and when she found one, she flattered, manipulated*, and worked on him until he gave in.
~The young man walked her street from twilight until dark. Whether or not he knew what a snare he courted, he hung out in the vicinity of sin, wearing a big sign that said "Hey sin! Come take a crack at me!"
*I suddenly realize why the word isn't "womanipulated". ;o)
Application:
~ Sin is LOOKING for ME. And for YOU. The enemy prowls constantly, watching for a weakness, a chink, a moment when we wander too close to it's home or make a misstep on our path in life. The enemy uses a "take no prisoners" approach--the goal is spiritual destruction and endless torment. No Doofenschmirtz-style camaraderie here when the rubber meets the road.
~How often have I courted some type of sin--sins of omission, sins of fear & despair--without realizing it? (In this case: sin = that which takes us away from God via our own choices. There are other definitions, but that's the one I'm using this morning.) I've never been one tempted by serious moral sins; but the enemy knows me well. Many times I didn't recognize it was sin, cloaked in the name of entertainment or escape . . . when Christ was waiting, arms outstretched, calling my name at the top of His lungs, aching to be the refuge, the joy, I needed.
~Not only do I need to run from the appearance of sin (i.e. when I first see it--not only doing things that might LOOK like sin to others), but I need to keep my feet on the other side of town, in other cities, or (better yet!) on another continent. ;o)
Prayer:
Oh God, I praise You for Your Goodness, and for the Glory and Grace in Your Love for me. I pray You would show me when I'm faced with sin--reveal it in its true character--so I might flee ever closer to Thee! In Jesus name, Amen.
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