What God calls a "great musician".

Scripture: Amos 6:5

"You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David."

Observation: In surrounding verses, the Lord God condemns the people for their shallow and flesh-pleasing lives.  But this one stood out to me the most: He dismisses their music, not on grounds of lack of skill or beauty, but because, unlike David, they do not worship.

Application: I have always loved music.  I have memorized and sung for as long as I can remember.  I've learned to play various instruments (only one very well), and have always found incredible joy and peace in music . . . singing hymns at the piano was what got me through the intensity of adolescence.  And I find it so telling that this musical hypocrisy is specifically called out as the Lord decrees judgements against the wealthy and powerful of Israel.  The Israelites are in trouble because they cheapen the glory of music and serve themselves with it. They say they are "great musicians" like one of the most faithful followers of God, when in reality they are selfish, foolish, shallow, and wicked.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite verses, Doctrine and Covenants 25:12.

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

Nowhere, but nowhere, in that verse is talent mentioned.  The only qualification for blessings to be poured out from heaven upon the heads of those singing to the Lord is righteousness.  I don't care if you can't carry a tune in a bucket--and neither does the Lord!

Prayer: Lord God of Israel, reach out to those with music in their souls, so they will find You, no matter where they are, or what their lives might look like right now.  Let them turn their musical passion towards You, and send the Holy Spirit in power into the hearts of those who hear them. My life has been so blessed--and sometimes saved--through music.  Please, reach out in power to those who have this gift, and bless them to turn it to Your name's glory. And let me use whatever gift I might have in serving You wherever I might be! In Jesus' name, so be it.  Amen.

Not yet, Lord. Not yet . . .

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:8

[As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor's] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day--and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).

Observation: Joy, a wonderful, amazing, beautiful and beyond description joy and love will, at the Second Coming, flood those who love and yearn for and live after the manner of Christ.

He who earnestly seeks after and craves righteousness, mercy and loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor. (Prov 21:21 AMP)

Application: I really do long to physically be in Christ's presence, and for Him to return to the earth and set all to rights. But at the same time, my heart aches so much for those that don't have an assurance of the remission of their sins, and I don't want Christ to come quite yet. There is so much yet to do, so many yet to reach.

Prayer: Father, let me find all those I am sent to find in this life, and to embrace them in the arms of Christ's love.  Fill me with that love to overflowing, so everyone I touch, everyone I speak to, everyone I look in the eye, everyone who even sets eyes on me, will FEEL Your love, and never be the same again.  I don't want to do any of Your work under my own power or influence--I want to simply be Yours.  Make me Your instrument, so the gentle tendrils of unspeakable divine love may reach out and twine around people's hearts, drawing them inexplicably back to You.  Please.  Let the souls of Your children feel You, and even if they don't understand what is happening, awaken their souls to Christ. In Jesus' name, so be it! Amen.

He's all Yours, God.

Tonight I finally discovered who has been spreading far and wide in my ward the assertions that I'm agitating for women to hold the priesthood, and headed into apostasy.  (Which is so far from the truth!)  I'm so relieved to finally know who it is, and at first I wanted to approach him, and in two sentences tell him the truth and formally assign him to repair the damage he has done to my name and our ward.  But more than anything, I just want it to stop. I want the spreading of cancerous judgement amongst the members of body of Christ to end.  I want this brother to begin to have an understanding of the pain and damage he wreaks as he, of his own wisdom and understanding, fights pitched battles against imagined foes, leaving swaths of collateral damage along the way.

And then I read the third chapter of Paul's second epistle to Timothy.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 8-14 NLT

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.  For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.  They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith.  But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres. But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.  You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it.  Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

Observation: I live in difficult times, filled with people that will work against God's will and purposes; and plenty of them will be within my own church family.  And even then, what I'm dealing with right now is peanuts to what Paul and Timothy endured.

Application: I need to hold to what I know to be true. Those who agitate against me (or other simple followers of Christ) will eventually be exposed through their own actions.  It's not for me to spring to my own defense, for Christ is my defense, my rock & my salvation.  I have been told, so clearly and so sweetly and gently through His Spirit, that my job is to pray for this brother, and anyone else who does the same.  To bless them and love them and do all I can to be a window to the Light and Love of Jesus Christ.  Christ can and will defend His own.  Odds are, nothing I could say or do in and of myself would do any good; and it could possibly be turned to even more evil.  But if I leave this battle to Christ--to Him who has the right of judgement and mercy--it most definitely will be settled in the best way possible . . . Jesus can change this man's heart and mind.  I, myself, most assuredly cannot. (There is one in our church family who has tried, for two years, to reclaim his good name against this brother's black opinion. And utterly failed.)

Prayer: God, bless this man.  Bless his heart to soften and swell with love towards ALL of his brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.  Reach out your all-powerful hand and gather him in to Yourself, move in his life and make Yourself manifest unto him, even if it's as powerfully as with Saul and Alma the Younger.  Rise up and protect your gentle sheep, and show this brother the reality of what he has done.  Harrow up his soul with the true knowledge of his actions, and let him turn to You, so you can forgive and heal him, PLEASE.  Bless him with love from all sides--love expressed in ways that surprise and touch him; love unexpected and, in his mind, undeserved.  Let him accept this love . . . and let it change him forever for his own good and Your name's Glory!  Yes, I want this behavior to end--but more than that, I want this brother's heart to be at peace.  I want him to see the good in others, and no longer be so frightened by other people.  Let him trust in YOU, and give him blessed, sweet, peaceful rest.  Please . . . please, I plead with You, as the one who holds mercy and judgement in Your hands.  So be it, in Jesus name! Amen!

Pursuit and Sacrifice

Scripture: Jonah 2:8-9, 2 Timothy 2:9, 20-22 AMP

"Those who pay regard to false, useless, and worthless idols forsake their own [Source of] mercy and loving-kindness. But as for me, I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation and deliverance belong to the Lord!"

"For that [Gospel] I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained or imprisoned!"

"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use]. So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work. Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.

Observation: God is freedom. God is deliverance.  God is abundance and love and an endless future bright and shining. And He offers it to us, no matter how soiled our past, or humble our beginnings.

Application: Before I was saved, I gave my time and energy to stuff.  Temporal, mortal, physical, stuff.  I was a Hobby Queen.  And I hoarded all of my supplies and goodies so I could do whichever one I chose, whenever I chose.  And I compulsively shopped and watched sales flyers and emails so I could garner yet more against some unforseeable day ahead.  I was one who paid regard to fales, useless and worthless idols.  Mine were just fabric, beads, paper, and yarn.

And then everything changed.  God blasted into vapor the carefully and long-constructed fortress I had built 

And now, when God asks something of me, I rejoice! I sacrifice with a voice of thanksgiving both audible and in my heart, and count it as no sacrifice at all, for God's ROI is off the charts. ;o)  Not only do I have His sweet assurance that He has already made all provision for me for the rest of my life, (including crafting beautiful things) but His generous blessings continue to flow more and more as I open my heart and submit to the Holy Spirit.  This freedom in Christ fills the gaping hole I had been trying to fill with lovely colors & texture, shining beautiful things, with crafting and hoarding.  The dark corners are filling with light, and the love and joy that comes from that satisfies and motivates me more than anything else.  Who would have EVER guessed that something as intangible in nature as freedom could fill such a void?

And that brings me to the last bit . . . Paul's urging to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace so I can be a vessel set apart and useful for God's own purposes--a vessel overflowing with freedom, yet still empty and waiting for God to fill it. The knowledge that God is working in me, and both using me every moment I let Him as well as preparing me for future purposes He has for me, is more exciting than I can ever say. :o)  And how do I know this? By the fruits of the Spirit in my life.  They are sweet; so, so sweet.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, I praise and glorify You and the high and holy purposes You have for Your children, and that I get to step into the walk You have prepared for me.  I'm ready to burst with excitement as soon as I really stop and think about that . . . so please, remind me and help me to stop and think about it often!  You have taken such good care of me--and I can see Your hand in even the darkest times of my life, now that I look back . . . and I pray I'll NEVER be blind to it again.  Take the rest of this life, Father; take this heart; take the fruit of Your teachings and word and love and keep on using them up for Your glorious purposes.  There is nothing that brings joy and love and happiness and laughter into my heart (and my home!!!!) the way You do when I give everything to You.  Please, don't stop.  Don't let me stop.  I don't ever want to forget the contrast between the night of the life of my own making and the brilliance of the light of Your life for me. Show me where I can sacrifice.  Show me where I can give.  And let me continue to learn of You, and walk in the meekness of Your Spirit, so Your love might pour out of my life and into the lives of those around me, that others might feel this same miracle, this same mind-blowing freedom, this same joy.  In the name of Him whom I praise daily for His miraculous intercession, even Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Life in Christ: So, so good.

The Lord is teaching me, very methodically, through the pattern of my journal entries.  I'm learning to watch for lessons and patterns on a larger scale than before--not just gems in individual verses, but the flow of my entries over the last few days has been very instructive to me.  1) The wages of sin are death & destruction, but in Christ we are saved. 2) The Lord warns His people before destruction comes. 3) How seriously am I taking my spirituality? 4) Destructions are coming, but the Lord will warn me.  5) The Lord is faithful, and He will restore all that ever seems lost as a result of the destructions He sends.

Pretty cool, eh?

And now, onto my LJ entry (which is part of that pattern previously mentioned.)

Scripture: Joel 1:2-5, Joel 2:25-27 NLT

"Hear this, you leaders of the people.
Listen, all who live in the land.
In all your history,
has anything like this happened before?
Tell your children about it in the years to come,
and let your children tell their children.
ass the story down from generation to generation.'After the cutting locusts finished eating the crops,
the swarming locusts took what was let!
After them came the hopping locusts,
and then the stripping locusts, too!
Wake up, you drunkards, and weep!
Wail, all you wine-drinkers?
All the grapes are ruined,
and all your sweet wine is gone."

The LORD says, "I will give you back what you lost
to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts,
the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.
It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.
Once again you will have all the food you want,
and you will praise the LORD your God,
who does these miracles for you.
Never again will my people be disgraced.
Then you will know that I am among my people Israel,
that I am the LORD your God, and there is no other.
Never again will my people be disgraced.

Observation: The sharp contrast between these sets of verses reinforces what I last posted about--that life in Christ is so preferable to life in sin!

Application: This feels like a benediction straight from the Lord to me.  When I fired up my Bible app this morning, I was a little apprehensive, expecting more death and dismemberment.  But instead, I read this beautiful song in Joel 1-3, and finished with words of comfort and prophecy . . . and an even more awesome bonus: that women are specifically mentioned alongside men as recipients of the spiritual gifts to be poured out upon Yahweh's people:

"Then, after doing all those things,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on servants--men and women alike."  --Joel 2:28-29

(You know, I haven't yet found a place where the Lord himself ever says women are not to be treated exactly as men are--He doesn't seem to make a distinction.  The only verses I've found that proscribe women's behavior have been Paul's own opinion & practice; not "thus saith the Lord". Yes, the Lord has nearly always called men to lead & be the front-line people for His work . . . but I have a personal belief that has more to do with violent times and the fact that in most of the past, women have been overwhelmed with childbearing and childcare.  That's not always true anymore. We have the blessing of being able to spiritually & prayerfully determine our family size, and our times aren't as violent or physically dangerous for spiritual leaders.)

Prayer: Yahweh, I thank you so, so much for the promise of the rich comfort of Your Spirit in generous abundance.  I praise You that You not only extend these prophecies and blessings to nations and groups of people, but on an individual scale . . . that I can lay hold of these promises at any time in my life as I yield to Your Spirit and Your Will.  I glorify Your Name and feel Your Love through the miracle of Your Grace, and do so in Jesus' name! Amen.

God really WILL work WITH us.

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:26-37

[Elisha speaks to his servant] Run out to meet her and ask her, ‘Is everything all right with you, your husband, and your child?’” “Yes,” the woman told Gehazi, “everything is fine.” But when she came to the man of God at the mountain, she fell to the ground before him and caught hold of his feet. Gehazi began to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone. She is deeply troubled, but the L ord  has not told me what it is.” Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? And didn’t I say, ‘Don’t deceive me and get my hopes up’?” Then Elisha said to Gehazi, “Get ready to travel ; take my staff and go! Don’t talk to anyone along the way. Go quickly and lay the staff on the child’s face.” But the boy’s mother said, “As surely as the L ord  lives and you yourself live, I won’t go home unless you go with me.” So Elisha returned with her. Gehazi hurried on ahead and laid the staff on the child’s face, but nothing happened. There was no sign of life. He returned to meet Elisha and told him, “The child is still dead.” When Elisha arrived, the child was indeed dead, lying there on the prophet’s bed.  He went in alone and shut the door behind him and prayed to the L ord .  Then he lay down on the child’s body, placing his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands. And as he stretched out on him, the child’s body began to grow warm again!  Elisha got up, walked back and forth across the room once, and then stretched himself out again on the child. This time the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes! Then Elisha summoned Gehazi. “Call the child’s mother!” he said. And when she came in, Elisha said, “Here, take your son!”  She fell at his feet and bowed before him, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she took her son in her arms and carried him downstairs.

Observation:

As I read this story, I kept waiting for the judgement of God to fall on the mother of the child and deny her the miracle she sought.  To me, God has always seemed so mercurial and moody in the Old Testament.  But it didn't . . . which was a beautiful lesson for me.

Application:

This story showed me, so powerfully, that while there are instances where God metes out judgment that seems harsh, He will also come and meet us where we are (I know--getting repetitious here, right?), and work with us, and forgive us the mistakes we make sometimes.  This mother must have been frantic; so desperate.  And He forgave her for that.  My impression is shifting from what it has been to one of trust and greater faith . . . that if God does something that seems harsh, it's always wholly deserved, and the thing that person really and truly needs to give them a decent shot and coming unto God again.

The mother also had powerful faith.  There were plenty of points in the story where things didn't go perfectly & smoothly, as some miracles did. And at any one of them, she could have thrown up her hands and given up, turning away from her Lord to mourn her son.  And yet, she didn't . . . even when Elisha's first attempt to heal her son failed.  Would I do that? Would I hang that tightly to my faith in Him?  Would my faith be that strong?

Prayer:

Lord, help me see more of your mercy and lovingkindness in the lives of others.  And increase my faith--make it strong and unbreakable, so no matter what happens in life, no matter how illogical or foolish my faith might make me look, I will always lean on You, and trust in Your care for me and mine.  And these puny words don't even begin to express the depth and strength of this desire.  Please . . . fill it! In Jesus' name, so be it.  Amen.

Look! A prophet!

Look! A prophet!

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:11-12 NLT

But King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD with us? If there is, we can ask the LORD what to do through him."  One of King Joram's officers replied, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here.  He used to be Elijah's personal assitant." Jehoshaphat said, "Yes, the LORD speaks through him," So the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom went to consult with Elisha.

Observation:

It's so attractive to seek out a prophet and to hear from my God through her or him.  Human nature wants something tangible--but even more, it wants something easy, and guaranteed.  Let the prophet pour him- or herself into the worship and devotion and the word.  Human nature just wants to drink from the fountain of life that flows from that kind of worship.

Application:

Prophets are a gift from God to His people, just as prophecy is a gift from God to specific people. I treasure prophetic words spoken to me, and the support and guidance of those with that gift in power.  That said, I have always felt an assurance that God is just as eager to speak directly to me.

Prayer:

Lord of Heaven and Earth, show me how to better listen for Your voice; how to live so You can speak to me in power!  I will hear and heed Your word through others (and I praise You for speaking to me in ANY way), but I hunger and thirst for You, personally, in my life.  And I rejoice that you turn none away that seek you! In Jesus' name, so be it . . . and amen.

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.

Clothed in Love

Scripture: Colossians 3:6-12

"But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.  Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.  Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.  In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,  circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized,  slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."

Observation:

Once one knows Christ, one must be different.  Old lives fall away, and the new life in Christ emerges.  Spending the rest of my life clothing myself in love is a beautiful honor full of joy.  I don't want to hold anything against anyone.  God forgives--and so will I.  (Thankfully with His help!)  No one that has ever done wrong to me or mine will suffer at my hands, even if it's only in my own mind.

Prayer:

Lord, please let Christ's peace rule in my heart . . . I want that so much, forever and ever.  I want to clothe myself in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  And more than anything, help me to forgive! Show me my unforgiveness--the dam that holds back love for someone else, and dissolve it so Your love can flow from me to anyone and everyone You will.  In Jesus' name, so be it. Amen.

You're Doing It Wrong!

Scripture 1 Kings 18:37-38

"Oh, LORD, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself." Immediately the fire of teh LORD flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust.  It even licked up all the water in the trench!"

Observation:

Elijah "did it all wrong" when it came to the sacrifice.  It was a burnt offering--and yet he doused it over and over.  Then, not only did the Lord make up for that, and accept his sacrifice, but the fire from heaven consumed the altar stones, the dust, and removed every last drop of the dousing.

Application:

We don't have to discipline ourselves into perfection before we can meet God where He is.  When we turn our hearts to Him, He will search us out of our wildernesses.  When we turn from our sin toward Him, (which is only spiritual pivoting! Even the weakest of the weak can do that!) He will come find us, no matter WHERE we have hidden, and cleanse us from our sins, change us into new creatures, and make us holy.  Nothing we do makes us holy.  It's only God.

Prayer:

Father, please, always come find me when I'm lost.  Guide me out of my wandering in the weeds, and continually cleanse me with Your Love and Your Spirit.  Remind me early to turn to You, so I never have to be lost again.  In my Savior's name, amen.