Judas!

…The Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as a guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry. Acts 1:17

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, Peter spoke today’s verse to the disciples about replacing the one who had given Jesus over to the High Priests and then taken his own life.

The night of the betrayal, Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, all except for one disciple, Judas. Judas had made a deal with the Chief Priests to lead them to the place where he knew Jesus would be (for 30 pieces of silver). Judas was not in the Garden because he was with the High Priests, the Pharisees and Roman soldiers on his way to arrest Him.

As I read today’s scripture, I was moved in my heart by two important words: served and guide.

Generally, when we think of an act of service, we think of easing a burden or helping someone get them through difficult times. When we think of guidance, we think of counsel, advice and mentoring. A wise guide gives directions or instructions for a better way to live. He shares his wisdom.

How can two such beautiful activities become ruined in one significant event?

Certainly, the world dislikes the term ‘serve’ or ‘servant.’ Yet, who among us would refuse someone who would lovingly show us kindness and compassion (in service to God)? We simply don’t want to be the one doing the serving!

Yet, Phil. 2: 5-7 says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

Jesus left His place in Heaven to become a servant for us all. Would ‘we’ not passionately grasp the same concept of how to become a servant in His name and for the people He created?

Apparently, Judas was either misinformed of Jesus’ role on earth (perhaps turning Him in to force His hand to take over Roman influence), or he was simply a selfish, self-seeking miserable man who got caught up in who-knows-what. I have no understanding of Judas and his choices.

Regardless of his reasoning, his’ service’ was distorted, his ‘guidance,’ ugly and cruel. Is it possible for us to accidentally or unintentionally (or sometimes, intentionally) mimic his unspeakable atrocity?

I must pause to think, for I cannot even imagine ever coming close to the blasphemous service and guidance Judas gave when he betrayed my Savior.

Deep in my heart, the pangs of being a sinful person dwell and at times boil up in me to thrive. I am, at times, guided by Satan to think, do or say unspeakable things of which I am ashamed.

I may point a finger at others who fall and fail in this world. The truth is, we are all in such desperate need of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no one righteous, not even one. Romans 3:10

I may not betray the Lord in an all-out arrest, but I betray Him in form and fashion when I turn my heart away and follow my own paths instead of Christ’s.

I find myself bereft of Him. I need Him. I want Him to lead my life. I turn back and He is always there waiting.

I wonder, if Judas would only have known that the Father would have taken Him back in a minute if he had chosen to repent and live.

There is no sin so great that the Father will not run with open arms to meet us on the prodigal road back to our home with Him.

Lord, forgive us when we turn away from you. Help us fully face you and obey. Help us use our hands and feet to serve and guide all the world back to you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Unashamed Pilgrims

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Jesus was talking to His disciples about the hardships they were about to face.

No man escapes trouble. As followers of Christ, we want to learn to face these troubles well in the higher life we live with Him. Hardships are what show us what we’re made of. They test our true faith in God.

Each trial we go through seems to strengthen us for the next if we let it. Somehow the difficult circumstances turn into something productive and good in our lives. We come to a place of rest and trust in the Father. We experience His concern and care, no matter how long the wait.

In my old neighborhood, a large ash tree still stands in majestic splendor. We were told by the neighbors of an arborist they hired to save the tree from being destroyed. The tree was 300 years old and survived the borer insects that were killing the ash trees in the surrounding area. It survived not only the damage of the pesky insects but many more storms that came it’s way.

These wonderful trees along with the oaks, maples and others of solid, sturdy quality go through such blows and blasts in their great lives. They set their roots deep into the ground, making them stand stronger. Watch the trees during a storm. They bend, and then, once the storm is over, they bounce back, looking as if nothing has happened. They stand as does that 300 year old ash tree down the road (though, it needed a bit of help along the way).

So it is with us. When bad things happen because we are following Christ (who is our help) and not the world, we have the opportunity for so many things. We can:
Let our roots grow deeper in Him.
Aid our faith to be refined.
Know He is holding us up in times of storm.
Cry out more in our anguished prayers.
Love those He puts in our paths.
Stir us to a greater passion and zeal for His work.
Serve His people and even our enemies.

Jesus knew that the disciples would soon be going through persecution because of Him. There would be many who would come against His people, but He told them to,

“Take heart! I have overcome the world!”

One day the persecution would all come to an end, and His followers would be with Him in eternity. In the mean time, we, as did the disciples of old, live in a world that will have sorrow, but the sorrow will be blended with joy and peace (found only in Jesus) and of knowing that He has already won the victory. This peace is offered to us freely to receive if we so choose.

Why does the world need to be overcome?

Because it pulls at us to leave our position in Christ (to our own detriment). It works secretly, hidden in places we would never suspect. It calls us to come just as Jesus calls us to come. The world ways seem attractive, luring us to participate in what would seemingly make us ‘rich,’ ‘powerful’ and ‘beautiful,’ though our true riches, strength and beauty are found in Christ. It makes us feel we need to be part of it and included in its deception.

Yet, may we pull away from the world’s hold and pull all people towards Jesus, surrounding and saving ourselves in His protection from things that would tempt us. May we bear His name proudly as unashamed pilgrims who walk this earth, for a time, and lead many to Him.

Lord, your son, Jesus, lived His life in perfect harmony with you. Though He was pulled just as we are towards earth, He stayed close to His Heavenly Father and drew many to Him. He gave us an example of how to reject the world’s standards and to remain in communion with you. His death on the cross defeated Satan and therefore brought victory to all of us. We claim that victory and the peace He gives. Help us to remember how He has overcome the world and how to die to ourselves and to what the world has to offer. In Jesus name, Amen.

Be Our Strength

Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2

Hearing the cries from His children, deeply touches the heart of our Father. The brilliant start of a new day is the perfect time to pray. We raise our voices and lift our eyes to the Almighty and ask Him to help us in our time of need.

Be our strength!

Our gaze is fixed. When troubles arise, we know to whom we must turn. When the awareness of blessings comes, we know to whom we must praise.

Today’s verse is so simple. It leads us to pray during times we don’t feel like we can make it through another day.

Be our strength!

When we don’t know what to say or how to handle a situation, we can pray for God’s power to outweigh our weakness, for His wisdom to overcome our foolishness, for His compassion to chase out our apathetic hearts, and that we, too, may find a way to love and serve.

Help us, Lord, not only to simply make it through this day, but to make a difference in your Kingdom.

Strength emerges from Him in many different ways when we pray for it. Sometimes, we receive outward strength like when we feel God’s presence in the quiet or experience the sweet kindness of family and friends. We also receive inner strength in the midst of doubt or temptation, especially when the going gets tough. And through time, these trials may increase our faith or cause us to come to a new level of trust and power.

Be our strength!

When we pray for God to give us strength, we must be willing to step up to the plate. Are we making responsible decisions and plans that line up with the strength we request? Or, are we idle and sluggish, expecting God to do everything? Do we choose wisely instead of from impulse or emotion?

God gives strength by helping us to get up and get busy with our lives and to make good choices.

It’s all well and good to cry out to the Father to help us, but in the end, if we are holding on to a grudge, to anger, fear or anxiety, the very prayer we pray can be blocked by our own doing. We may define our prayers for strength as one thing, but God may answer our deeper needs. He may give us strength to forgive, to release the anger or work through our differences or the strength to trust Him in our fear and anxiety.

When we remove the barriers of sin, our hearts will have a spacious place to receive from God the greatest strength we need for the day.

There is so much power in following the Lord in everything we do. He helps us to be the best of who we are.

Father, we present our day to you in the early morning hours and grab hold of your hand for strength. Remind us throughout the day who you are and what you have provided for us. Help us to let go of wayward ways. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear you even in the hardships we face. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Spirit Choices (Discernment Series #11)

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph. 4:30-32

Today we will look into another aspect of steering away from our wrong choices (even when we are antagonized). We will learn more about how discernment is really a strong desire to hear God’s Holy Spirit.

This past week my family lost a dear loved one, 89 years old, and of all people who exemplified this strong desire for the Spirit of God, it was her. Her whole life she followed Him. In this, I too, want to take in all I can to grasp how to follow the same path.

The first point I’ll make according to today’s verse is that sadly, we all have it within us to grieve or even quench (I Thess. 5:19) God’s Spirit and thus make terrible decisions. Today’s verse explains some of the ways we do that through our bitterness and anger.

When I use my emotions to hurt or discourage God’s people, the Spirit may be even more grieved than when I fail to perfectly carry out His guidance in discernment (which we’ve studied all this time). In fact, how we spend our time discerning the way we treat His people is probably more important than any other decision.

Before going further in this post, take a moment to read through the entire fourth chapter of Ephesians. List ways the Holy Spirit guides us in discernment in our relationships with others. Write down what discernment is and is not and list qualities you discover that would better define the word itself.

Here is ‘my’ list:

Discernment is urgent, humble, gentle, patient, loving, unified, peace-filled, grace-filled, works- of-service-oriented, joined, building each other up; not dark, not hardened; puts on the new self; not false but true, not speaking unwholesome things; doesn’t grieve the Holy Spirit; not bitter, raging, angry or gossiping, but kind, compassionate and forgiving.

The chapter you just read is all about relationship. In our connections with each other, wisdom tells us that the Spirit may prompt us like He did in the past. But, He may also lead us to take an alternative path, way out of our comfort zones. In other words, yesterday’s discernment in a situation may be different from today’s discernment and then a whole new way of handling it tomorrow. Knowing this helps us to be flexible with how the Spirit leads us in relating to each other and in emptying ourselves of expectations of what we think God wants us to do.

We ask ourselves questions like, how much is too much to speak? What is the right amount of confrontation or revealing of my feelings? Sometimes, the less words the better. We learn to want, more than anything else, what the Spirit wants because of our faith in His goodness. Once we make a decision through the Spirit of God, we don’t look back. In faith, we keep our eyes on Him and go forward.

The second point is simply a few links to help us better understand the Spirit of God. The following links will take you to a few of the devotions in the words of Oswald Chambers – My Utmost For His Highest. They both speak of our desire to follow God’s Spirit.

https://utmost.org/do-not-quench-the-spirit/
https://utmost.org/the-discipline-of-the-lord/

Of course, there are wrong reasons to desire God’s Spirit. This is my third point. In Acts 8:9-25, Simon wanted the gift of the Holy Spirit so he could learn more magic. He wanted power. He was pursuing miracles more than he was pursuing God. Acts 8:18 speaks of how Simon wanted to buy the Holy Spirit for the excitement of the miracle.

Is it possible to confuse my desire for discernment with my desire for a magical experience so that I can gain attention? It is very right to share testimonies, but for only one reason, to glorify God.

We must ask ourselves what our motive is when we share our stories.

Fourth, in the times we feel ‘called’ by God’s Spirit, it is not a moment to enjoy (though we will have pleasure in following the Him), but to work. It is not an opportunity to be comfortable.

When you receive a birthday gift from your best friend, what does that look like? The kindness brings a smile to your lips and makes you feel special and loved. However, the Holy Spirit is not a birthday gift to make you smile. His gift is calling you to a higher plane.

This leads us to the fifth point. After writing in I Corinthians 12 about gifts of tongues and other such things, Paul ends in verse 31 by saying, ^“Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.” What follows is the famous chapter on love. I Corinthians 13 says that the gift of tongues and prophecy are great, but greater still is the gift of loving one another.

As we become aware of our God-given talents, we must remember that the greatest way to expend our energies is to love what is unlovable. We are choosing to be on a higher plane when we love what is hard to love.

We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving. It is the way God made us. When we choose such lives, the Spirit of God moves and acts in and through us in ways that, on our own, we are not capable. Love is our purpose for living. Love promotes godly discernment.

As we continue to fervently feed our desire to become more like Christ and bend with His Spirit for the sake of God’s kingdom and not for our own benefit, Gal. 5:22,23 reveals to us, through the Spirit’s fruit, a way to know that we are truly listening, which is the sixth point. The fruit that speaks of our oneness with Him is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (many of the things we just listed from Eph. 4). Every moment we live, when we lean on the Holy Spirit for truth, His fruit will be brought about in our lives.

The seventh point in the Christian walk and of the Holy Spirit’s presence and fruit within us is to come clean about how much we really want, deep in our souls, to have His rule over our lives. When we are at our wit’s end for guidance, the Holy Spirit can show us the way. But how can He lead us when we are still well-supplied with all sorts of answers of our own.

Our hearts are full of self. They must be emptied.

Discernment is the willingness to start over, start from scratch, to be flexible to hear something different or new and be empty so we can be filled with His wisdom.

When I have no more answers and have come to the end of my rope, it is time to stop thinking, to sit before my Father and simply cry out His name and worship.

Here are the new additions to the Discernment Wheel from last week:

Discernment is:

Luke 18:31 Following this verse as an example of Jesus calling His disciples to a new place
Using love to cast out a spirit of fear
Knowing that some confrontations or truth may better be heard from others, not me
Overseeing a heart of faithfulness vs gossip
Not a promise of great results (or calm), yet I know that I have done his will
Not free from battles (Jesus quoted scripture)
*Doesn’t mean passive; it is important during a conflict to pause (for a time to regroup) in order to have a chance to come to truth and then relay it; then, I speak it with passion
*Not my ability to figure it out
*Not followed through by my power
*Not necessarily about having good feelings

[*These additions aren’t in previous lessons, but added through comments.]

Father, in all my dealings with people, whether loved ones or strangers, lead me through your Spirit. Show me the way to love. Give me the fruit I need in order to show everyone who you are. In my decisions, help me to pause and consider your Holy Spirits guidance in all things. In Jesus name, Amen.

Fearless in Love

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. I John 4:18

Have you ever noticed that when we are afraid, fear can take over our whole person? We become its slave.

When I am truly frightened, my body fills itself with dread. I am weighted down, starting in my gut and spreading out to my shoulders and then to my head.

Fear is an emotional response, but it is also physical.

I John 4:18 says that fear has to do with punishment, perhaps because some are afraid of what God will do when they sin. Yet, fear itself carries within it a self-made chastisement.

Fear can be a prison, holding us inside our own cell walls.

I met a woman long ago who told me how good she was as a wife, but that her marriage was awful. As I questioned and listened to her story, I found that her motive for everything good she did for him was fear. I wrapped my arms around her and prayed with her, but I could feel her trembling. I’ll never forget this. Everything she did was already, even in her own eyes, condemned.

If a person is driven to do a good deed out of fear of the consequences of not doing good or because their ‘kind deeds’ never feel good enough, it is not healthy and true service; it is slavery, and I’m sure carries with it, not only fear, but also resentment and misery. True service typically brings us joy (a normal response to the nice things we do for others).

I never saw the woman again, but I heard that the marriage ended. Certainly, the husband may have been a terrible man who treated her poorly enough to warrant her anxious responses. In her mind, her only option was to separate herself from the object of her fear. But did the separation actually take away her long-ingrained despair? Set aside, for now, that I sound uncaring, and simply go with me into the question.

Sometimes, our fears are deep-seated, and they evolve (and grow a life of their own) from things that happened long ago. As adults, we may place our fears on the shoulders of those we know and love. Sadly, the loved ones receive the blame for our past.

Granted, there are some godly reasons to have certain fears in our lives. As children, we are given smiles from good parents, pats on the back and maybe even rewards for choosing to do right. On the other hand, the choice of wrong-doing has its painful consequences: the iPhone is taken away, one’s friend cannot come over today, one has to do extra chores and so on. Hopefully, the fear of these things teaches us to rid ourselves of bad choices as we mature and to find out that our lives are much better when we follow the right paths.

Eventually, we grow up and these good principles become a part of our character. We, now, choose the better way because we want to. Fear is no longer our motivator. When we serve, we do so voluntarily. We want to be kind out of love for each other, but also out of love for Christ. Spiritual maturity daily draws us closer to God and moves us toward wisdom and away from foolishness. God doesn’t want His children to cower in fear as we give our loving deeds in His name. He wants us to serve Him from a motivation of pure and self-sacrificing love.

There are still times in my life that I take a wayward path. I love God so much that I hate to break His heart. I fall on my face in fear (awe and wonder) of His Holiness. I’m not afraid of Him. In His continual grace and mercy, I desire with all that is in me to be in His presence. But, I fear missing out on the good He has for me. I fear wounding His heart and knowing the bad consequences that follow my bad choices. These still point me, in a positive way, to rise up, surrender my life to Him and learn His ways of love.

Another good reason for fear and is when we have moments of true danger. Fear motivates us to run and find safety (from harmful animals, from abuse). Fear was placed there by God to do something about the situation we’re in.

Some people fear losing their jobs if they fail to be punctual and on task. Others fear the failing grades when they don’t study for a test. Fear can be a great motivator to become responsible in our choices.

However, most of our fears are not outside of us. They are formed from within, maybe even from things that happened to us in childhood that need to be addressed and perhaps forgiven. And to the internal distresses, God says all through His word, “Do not be afraid, I am with you.”

Is it possible that LOVE is the opposite of such fears as suggested in today’s verse? When I am afraid, my focus is on what might happened to ME. I am not thinking about how to love. I am thinking about wringing my hands in worry (as if that would help anything). When I am filled with love, I cannot be filled, at the same time, with fear.

There is no fear in the love God gives me, and He gives this love to me in abundance.

I John 4:18 says that perfect love (God’s love) drives out fear. This perfect love is most seen in Jesus’ death on a cross for love of the world. Perfect love steers me away from dread and thoughts of punishment.

Christ’s unbelievable, magnificent love is the love I want to grasp. I want my heart to become a passionate lover of His people. I want to learn to care more about them than the self-centered fears I tend to dwell on that try to swallow me whole and distract me from what is pure, holy and good. I want to be perfected in Christ’s perfect love.

When I become fully aware that I am filled with God’s love, and with His help, I direct this great love toward His people, fear may attempt to enter my mind and body, but after wrestling for a time and submitting to love, I realize, I am no longer enslaved by fear as I was before. Though, I will struggle always with fear in some form or fashion, I will take daily intentional steps into love to let God fight my fears away.

The Bible says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” II Tim. 1:7

My mind helps me to shift from paralyzing fear to generous love. Love gets my mind off things that make me afraid. Passionately serving others reminds me of my God who is sovereign over all things and looking out for the good of our lives.

Love comes from God. God IS love. But fear comes straight from hell. May I learn wisdom to run from the author of fear and into the arms of love Himself.

FEAR births a self-protective withholding of good from others. It leads to an enslavement of hording and greed. It is always looking for something bad to happen, and many times, these things come true simply from a narrowed view of life.

However, LOVE goes hand and hand with a growing sense of trust in the Father and an ever-increasing desire for compassionate deeds and selflessness.

Point me away from self and steer me towards the cross of Christ. That is love.

Such a life, either way, is contagious. We pass on to those around us what we believe most. If we live in fear, that is the heritage we will give our loved ones. If we live in love, it never dies, even after we’re gone.

So now, when the dread and fear start in my gut and try to work their way through me, I stop and redirect them to God. I worship Him in awe and wonder. I talk to Him about my concerns and leave them at His feet. I may have to do this several times, but I keep heading towards His calming presence.

Father, love and light of my life, thank you for continually raising me up above the darkness of fear. Help me to always hold onto your hand as you guide me through the tough and fearful trials I must go through. Keep my eyes on how you love me, and show me how to turn that around to give to others. In Jesus name, Amen.

Profound Worship

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

Often, we look at what Christ did, offering His body in our stead. WE deserved the penalty of death, but Christ died for us. He took our sins and our punishment upon Himself. For this reason, we are in the presence of our Father God, whereas, before we were separated from Him by our sins.

Because of Jesus’ sacrificial love, we become profoundly moved to walk our own bodies to the altar and humbly lay them down for Him to use as He pleases. We daily offer to die to what we want for His sake. In other words, we still ‘die,’ but now our deaths are voluntary. It is in response to Jesus’ cross that we take up our own cross and follow Him.

God’s compassionate mercy is the motive Paul uses in today’s verse to draw us into obedience. When we truly understand what He did for us, we will not be able to help ourselves. We are captivated by His love that overflows from us because love is an appropriate response.

How might I offer my body as a living sacrifice and yield myself to God? I stop resisting Him and put away all that is unfit, all that comes against Him.

I watch my tongue and don’t speak evil but blessings.
I use my hands to serve, profoundly worshiping as I give.
My eyes turn away from what is impure, and instead, I take in what is the holy, pure light of God.
My ears listen for His voice as I pursue the needs of those around me.
I discipline my body to choose to do, think and feel what is good and pleasing in His sight.
I learn to sacrifice and give up all for the sake of Jesus.
The way I speak, behave and present myself will either speak or not speak of Christ.
All these things are an act of my mind and are moved within me by God’s Spirit.

I leave behind what brings death to my body (sin, wickedness) and seek what brings life to me and those around me. Therefore, I don’t bring myself as a dead offering to Christ but a live one.

My self-denial and consecration to God are holy and pleasing to Him. It is how I truly worship Him. I am a woman who has already died with Christ, and is now being burnt upon God’s altar.

My choice to be a living sacrifice doesn’t mean my personality becomes lost and ‘I’ don’t exist, although some parts of my personality can stand some change and flexibility. Also, I still have free will. I am not a robot simply following orders from His demands of me. Yet, I learn quickly that when I yieldingly surrender to Him (and no other can do this for me), I am the one who gains abundant life.

As a sacrifice, nothing is lost in me, but I become molded and made more fit. I am refined for higher things.

Here are the questions I must look into at every turn of the road:
Instead of simply asking is this right or wrong, I ask, “Does this choice hinder the Holy Spirit’s work in me?” Instead of pursuing comfort and convenience, I ask, “How might I most please the Father?” “Lord, here am I, send me!”

Is there anything worth my time that isn’t first surrendered to my Father? The yielded life, even in pain, is an abundant life. There is no other life like it.

Once I establish WHO will live in me, my life becomes one of continued devotedness. I hold nothing back from the Lord. I don’t wait for His calling. I am at His throne, ready to do His will. I live not for myself but for my God. When I step forward in sacrificial service (which is worship), my gift costs me something. And He accepts even the weakest offering that comes from a contrite heart.

When we don’t give, we rob ourselves of a beautiful life.

Listen to this song about offering up our lives up to our Father.

Father, I present my body to you as a living sacrifice with worship as my aim. Help me to dedicate my life to you and follow after the greatest example of all, your son Jesus who laid His life on a cross for our sins. ‘Your will be done’ is my prayer of profound worship. In Jesus name, Amen.

Transforming the Thief

Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys. (Prov. 28:24)

Imagine a day when for the fourth time the hardened, destructive adult child walks away having stolen cash or items to sell to support his drug habit. The victims were his own parents.

Now peel back the pages in his story to see what events led up to the day before his pilfering began.

How did the damaging habit start? If he could return to this earlier time in history, how would he have altered this course of action?

The desire to steal most likely began from peer pressure, running with the wrong crowd and thinking it was cool. Or perhaps, his needs were not met growing up. Maybe he was ignored as a child. He began to take what he pleased to satisfy a deep hunger in his soul. His parents may have been ultrastrict and required absolute perfection. In a sense, they robbed him of joy by their demands and he responded by robbing their things. “Excessive shame is just as distorting to the judgment as excessive arrogance.” Elizabeth Goudge

Kids can grow up and become revengeful for wrongs done to them. But does stealing really solve anything?

How do wayward adults, stuck in addictions to burglary and other crime-ridden behaviors find their way to a better place?

Truly, whatever a man takes from others will never be enough. Things and money cannot provide what emptiness the man deeply hungers to fill. Fear of not having his needs satisfied will always remain in the heart of the thief because he will never find enough contentment in these earthly possessions or in relationships.

Even ‘friendship’ and ‘love’ found in his scoundrel peer group is a constant source of fear, for there are always conditions he must achieve to keep this love. He will always be afraid of losing those who give to him.

Yet, what if he learned to give instead of take?

Ephesians 4:28 says, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”

What if the man began to find out that using his hands to serve others was something that can never be taken from him and that it has better returns than stuff (both physically and emotionally)! He has the ability to give of himself forever.

What if this adult child found the Lord, and in the Lord, he found what he had always longed for, and it was enough. His satisfaction in life would never be about perfection of his met needs or having to have all his relationships be something they could never be. (Relationships would always bring disappointment and more intense longing.)

Instead, he finds contentment in just being alive, grateful for what God lays at his feet. His only striving is to worship the Father, not to run from Him after other gods through stealing.

This newly formed child of God has eyes open profoundly to the happiness that God placed within him and around him from birth. He learns to love life for what it is. He is delighted in the body, mind and soul of who he is and whatever life brings him. His demands of people and their limited capacity to provide for him dwindles. He loves life for itself without requiring more.

He draws from a fresh source of humility that gives him a new outlook on life. Now he realizes that anything he receives from others is way too extreme. His transformation into the Lord’s likeness causes him not to be so quick to place his disappointment in those around him. Forgiveness becomes a deeply engrained habit and so much a part of him that he begins to see (as much as is appropriately possible) the rightness behind other people’s words and actions. In other words, he gives them the benefit of the doubt.

Does it sound idyllic? Perhaps the thief is stuck in thoughts of regret but doesn’t feel able to rise above his past. Luke 23 records a beautiful interaction between Jesus and a thief, who hung on a cross for his crimes. But wanting to be with Jesus after his death, he was granted his greatest desire. Jesus forgave even this thief on a cross. And he forgives our sins as well.

In Luke 19, a story of a tax-collector who cheats his fellow man, is restored to a better life with Jesus. His first response to the Lord was: “I will give half my possessions to the poor; whoever I have robbed, I will pay back four times the amount.”

When we have wronged others, we must make restitution and do what we can to mend the relationship. However, notice the joy of the man who now has a life with God’s son!

Jesus changes everything when we place the burdens of our lives on Him and let Him take center stage of our greatest hopes and dreams.

Father, whoever I have wronged in any way, help me to repent and return what I have taken from them, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Let the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit come over me. May He transform my life to love it well and see people in a whole new light, the light of Christ. Move my heart to use my hands to give and serve whomever you put in front of me. Make my life useful. In Jesus name, Amen.

Pleasant Road

Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. Prov. 28:5

There is something about intentionally turning our minds to faithful choices that changes everything. Right thinking sets our hearts back on the path of good. It can change the mood of an entire household, an entire church group and even a city, nation or even our world.

Yet, only discerning souls who joyfully devote themselves to good can recognize the deep moral principles of God and its impact on our lives. For the man in pursuit of honorable ways, there comes a clarity of mind for what judgments need to be made. He is sincerely focused on pleasing his Father. When the Father convicts his soul, it is painful, yet, oh so right and good.

Those who seek the Lord, ‘understand’ righteousness. They have knowledge of good and they put their knowledge to action. They know the benefits of right living. They understand the gain of its blessings. They pursue the truth. It is pleasant to following God’s ways.

When I am on the right path, even when the way is difficult, it is still restful, because I know the Maker of the path. When mere men or women direct me, and I don’t know their reasoning, I probably won’t feel at peace. For example, many times, a doctor’s instructions will simply go unheeded. Later, when the professional better explains the thought behind the instructions, I am more willing to comply. With God, I never worry that He will lead me on the wrong path or that His directions are anything but necessary and profitable for me or for His Kingdom.

Right understanding not only implies right actions, it also implies preemptive thought and planning. How will my next words or actions affect me in this situation as well as others?

Sometimes I feel led to give up my own ‘kingdom,’ so to speak, so another can stake a claim. Perhaps his or her need of that space, that toy, that thought that I wanted, is greater than my need. I am learning to fight for what is moral and urgent not for what is petty. Let the other person win. I win by caring more about the things of God than I do about the things of earth. My face is turned toward Him with all of my heart.

Simply knowing a truth doesn’t assure my obedience. Even more, knowledge doesn’t necessarily always create a loving relationship with the One being followed.

Those who seek the Lord understand ‘fully.’ They get it. They will at times mess up, but they know right from wrong. They have a conscience. They feel remorse. Their senses are
not dulled.

On the contrary, those who sadly devote themselves to evil are blind to the whole concept of good. They are virtually in a fog (in darkness not in light) when it comes to right living. Their minds can only comprehend the ‘lord’ they’ve chosen for their lives, the slave-driver to whom they’ve given themselves over. Their understanding is dulled in the area of moral truth.

The greatest way a follower of Christ can make a difference in the lives of evildoers is to continue bringing his own life into conformity to God’s will and letting his light shine in the darkness.

Lord and Maker of all, look upon us, see us. We want to completely understand what is right and good. Turn our eyes toward you and show us the bountiful blessings that await us when good is done. May we look upon YOU and see you on this pleasant road. We submit ourselves to you alone. In Jesus name, Amen.

PEACE in These Times of Trouble

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

And then there is The Passion Translation:

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!”

My theme this week has been PEACE.

What is peace: lack of tension or having superior knowledge, good feelings or good circumstances?

Perhaps that’s the way the world would define it.

Yet, what the world has to offer is counterfeit, temporary, fake and even hypocritical peace, peace that offers me hollow promises and glittery, sparkling attractions that lure me to believe it’s assurances are full of goodness. What the world offers is a mirage, a lie trying to grab my allegiance and loyalty, when my energy and time belong only to the Father.

What God offers may seem, at times, harsh, cruel, ridiculous, scary, narrow, painful and difficult. But truly I must have eyes to see the peaceful treasures beyond what my senses feel.

In our troubling times, the current circumstances spread around the opposite of peace: panic, fear and worry. It keeps me up late at night with my stomach in knots and in nail-biting moments of chilling anxiety. I buy into that all the time. We all do, especially now in this pandemic. So the peace into which the world invites me simply feels good (More food, please so I can overeat. Give me an alcohol beverage. Help me numb the pain).

Perhaps Christ’s peace goes deeper than these things.

These other things are a distraction from what my higher mind should be dwelling on, which is prayer, worship, adoration, surrender and servanthood.

But I’m bored, weary and tired of the same four walls and of always having to be ‘on.’ And in it all, I must still be nice, sweet, giving and good.

A good reminder is to recognize that true peace comes from an obedient heart. In order to follow my Lord, I must constantly listen to His Spirit who guides me in all things. This is why peace can seem so painful (not peaceful) at first.

My heart must humble itself again and again. My mind is being refined to not always have to be right, better or always having the best answers.

Peace means I give into or accept unchangeable circumstances and not fight them as if I can fix and make all things right. With peace, I take a deep breath and become pleasantly creative. How can I make this day count? How might this moment be remembered forever?

God’s peace acknowledges and notices the blessings all around me, instead of concentrating on the bad stuff.

So are feelings not okay? Sometimes we get scared and maybe depressed at times. Maybe it’s normal in times like these. But peace is still knowing that God IS there and He will pull us through. He will never leave you. He will never leave me!

Peace is not the absence of depression or tears. Peace is a courageous willingness to push through it and praise God in it.

Peace happens when you take His answers of yes or no and still love Him, still honor His name and continue to move forward one step at time, one day at a time.

On Facebook, there for a season, was a page called Praise On Your Porch. They suggested going out on your porch every night to sing the designated song of the day. All over the world, we joined in, singing praises to our God. This didn’t last forever, but it was such a great idea.

How are you bringing peace to your corner of the world?

After the following prayer, I posted one of my favorite songs for you to learn and sing right now.

Lord Jesus, touch us, heal us, bring us answers during this anxious time. But whatever your hand gives, help us to be grateful and obedient to your calling to peace. Give us praising tongues and uplifted hands. Put a song on our lips to glorify your name in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wait till you hear the chorus of this massive choir! Join in!

Stay and Finish the Work

Nehemiah 6:3

“I am carrying on a great project…Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”

Nehemiah and the people who lived in Jerusalem were rebuilding the wall that had been destroyed during the Babylonian captivity. Everyone was working with all their might to finish this great project.

However, enemies in the city were wickedly conniving to thwart his plans. One day several of them, with sinister intent, enticed Nehemiah, saying, “Come meet with us in one of the villages.“

The Bible says their scheme was to harm him.

He responded, “I am carrying on a great project…Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?“

In other words, “Why should I get distracted with your plans for evil while I am engaged in important tasks for the Lord God.”

A wall around the city of Jerusalem was the people’s protection against the enemies on the outside. Nehemiah knew that if he stopped finishing this project and allowed himself to be distracted with the petty squabbles of petty men (inside the wall), the work would never get done.

I’d like to imagine, sometimes, that I am talking to anger or fear, the petty voices (enemies) that try to take over my head. I like to envision them calling to me and asking me to come ‘down’ and meet with them.

My answer to those who hide, waiting for me to step into their trap is: “Why should I stoop to your level and listen to your lies! I have important work to do, the work of a mighty God who leads my steps and guides my ways.”

Why should I stop…(I say to my enemies)?
What, in my life, must I stop to disregard the spiritual forces I oppose?

Stop entertaining negative influences (complaints, fear, hatred, anger, agitation irritation, frustration, sadness or other paralyzing thoughts). Stop being afraid of my future.

Instead, I choose to keep straining forward in worship to bow my head and entrust my life in prayer to my Heavenly Father (whom I need far more than anything else), to stay active in making my home an inviting place to live, to anoint it’s doors and members with God’s anointing oil, to cheer those around me, to creatively throw out excess of stuff, to be frugal, using and needing less, to need God more and hoard time with Him, to be alert to worthless time-stealers of TV and cards and to be a servant to those in need around me.

Stop being afraid of illness, fear of illness, fear of what illness might do to me or my loved ones. Stop giving into injury, physical discomfort or other distractions of the enemy. Feel the normal human feelings and process through it all. Then move forward.

Stop giving so much time and attention to ‘work’ that really isn’t work at all. The tasks we do for God is the only work that matters (cleaning toilets, dropping off supplies for a friend, providing for our family, counseling the downhearted or just listening to a sad heart is godly work. (Striving for success, perfection, beauty or power in the eyes of this world is not.)

There are other bothersome, opposing forces in our lives:

Lack of sleep is a killer (an enemy) for me. I can face my foe by not staying up late when I can help it or simply use the wakeful moments to pray. My wise choices are part of fulfilling the great projects God has for me.

There is also self-pity, anger and depression that call to me constantly in my circumstances. What voices call to you to come down?

Psalm 1: 1-2 say, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”

This sounds like a man who is focused on God’s important work.

Lord, I want to choose to go UP wherever you lead me and not to descend to the place where evil dwells. I want to follow your ways, in my mind, actions, attitudes and motives. Help my trials to strengthen my faith instead of pulling me down to where the enemy alluringly calls my name. I listen for YOUR voice and your calling through all my labor. Let the spreading of peace and joy be a part of my greatest work here on earth. Father, help me to finish the work you have for me here. In Jesus name, Amen.

You Gave Me Drink

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21, 22

Why is this verse in the Bible?

Giving to an enemy honestly seems impossible, demeaning and humiliating. Giving to an enemy feels beyond our abilities. “I just can’t to it!” we say.

So why are we given such difficult tasks? Is this guideline supposed to help the other person (the enemy) and make his life better, or is this a lesson for us?

An enemy is any person who hurts us deeply, who neglects, doesn’t consider or uses us. He doesn’t get our views, or clap and approve our values.

He’s not the kind of enemy one thinks of in war or hostile situations. Where I live, I am blessed to have a safe home and neighborhood. So the only way I can interpret the verse is to say that he is someone who simply isn’t on my side. He is someone who isn’t like me, and I’ve got plenty of those. Well, truth be told, there is no one exactly like me, so I deal with the “enemy” everyday, everywhere I go (if my thoughts take me there).

My choices are limited. I have no way around the fact that I’ll always have people in my life who don’t like or agree with everything I say or do.

I’ve seen situations in which friends are warm with each other when they are in agreement and then everything goes cold when the other expresses a different feeling or view. Yet, I KNOW that they have such potential to change the world together, if only, they would keep the unconditional love intact through the ups and downs of their relationship. They see each other as the enemy, when in reality the true enemy is working hard to separate their friendship on purpose.

What a loss to God’s kingdom!!

Yes, I’ll always have people in my life who think differently than I do. But the only time that makes them an enemy is when ‘I’ let the differences go into my heart and tear at me. In my weakest moments, it happens. I have to work through the struggles deep within.

First, I have to forgive them, though they did no wrong. They simply disagreed with me, I still have to work through forgiveness.

Second, I must look at the bigger picture. Why is the need for their agreement or approval bothering me so much? What is the REAL enemy (the enemy of God) trying to do in my life? Petty, annoying distractions take away from the good I could be doing for others, especially for the very person with whom I’m upset, the very person through whom God desires to do a mighty thing.

Therefore, third, I must figure out a way to give them food and drink (serve them).

Four, this kind of breakthrough is the sort of thing that opens up the heavens to let the power of God into our world. Wonderful, supernatural events occur because we choose to get over ourselves and give to someone with whom we have conflict. (I didn’t say ‘give in.’ We can stand strong in what we believe, but we can find a way to give a cup of cold water without losing our values.)

Sometimes my enemy is ME. I over-exert myself and get weary, and with that comes an avalanche of unwanted, uninvited emotions. I don’t act like me, and I don’t like me in those moments.

I become what I teach others not to be. Irritability comes to the surface and spews it’s ugly contents. So how do I give food and water to the enemy inside? Explain my situation the best way I can to those around me, go to bed, take a break and do something fun, stop the onslaught of the negativity and choose to be kind until I feel like being kind. Kindness is really who I am, just not in the moment.

Naturally, I can’t always find rest and play when I need to. In those times, I must hang on tight to the hand of Jesus and find my rest in Him. I ask Him to overcome the enemy that is within.

A habit of kindness comes in handy at times like this. It’s who people expect me to be and that makes it easier to continue being that even when I don’t feel like it. I joke around and laugh to bring happiness to others and that actually brings happiness to me. Kindness is healing. So are all the other items on the list of good things that come over me when I reach out for the Holy Spirit of God. Eventually, the enemy within dies away and my faith journey continues once again. The habit of serving kindness is a habit to fan into flame throughout my whole life.

Lord, teach me more about loving and serving my enemy. Often times, I am the one who is ‘your‘ enemy. I don’t mean to be, but I wander away, I forget, I fight or I don’t trust your ways for me. Yet, YOU give ME overflowing amounts of drink and you feed me every day in abundance when I least deserve it. You are my greatest example of this verse. Thank you for loving me even though I falter so much in life. Show me how to follow you. In Jesus name, amen.

Beautiful Work

Proverbs 18:9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

Sometimes the right scripture comes along at just the right time to rock my world and revolutionize my thinking. This was one of those weeks.

I had already been mulling over in my mind some thoughts about changes I needed to make in my habits, but good choices take a lot of work. I had to convince myself that work is a good thing. Then I stumbled onto this verse and everything around me stopped. I was profoundly moved.

Why?

Because, when I don’t concentrate on fulfilling the work in front of me, I am partnering with those who tear things down instead of building things up. I am becoming the problem not the solution. I am the distraction and not the guide to something better. I am becoming one who destroys.

Gulp!

Okay, now what?

Well, sometimes I have good reasons not to work, right? Vacations, down-time, illnesses, trials. Play-time is essential to balance out my work. I’m a better person when I have a chance to be restored.

Yet, our choices for down-time can quickly turn into bad habits. TV and phones are great examples, but there’s so much more that grabs our attention away from the important stuff of life, away from our need to ‘work.’

A few days into today’s verse, the colossal mistakes of King David and Bathsheba came to mind.

Look at what started King David’s downfall:
II Sam. 11:1 “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.” (The story continues in David’s restless state in lusting after a woman, sleeping with her and she gets pregnant. David has her husband killed at war. David and the woman marry, and the baby tragically dies.) Yikes!

Go back to the beginning of this story in the verse above:

1. “In the spring…”
   This was a time when it would have been right for David to be with his men (working) and not at home slacking off. This was not vacation time. He should have been in the heat of battle.
2. The story goes on to say that King David sent his staff away. Was he hiding something? Had he already seen the woman and now he would go after her without the distraction of people around him? What work do we neglect that causes us to hide in the dark with our sins? Sin and trouble happen in the darkness and isolation.
3. But David…
   The others left to go do their job, but David remained in Jerusalem.
   He stayed home, yet it became more than just ‘home.’
   
   Jerusalem became his temptation. I have to ask myself, what is my Jerusalem? I may not choose to commit adultery or murder, but what temptations lure me? Where is the place I pull away from responsibilities and work and restlessly wander about looking for excitement and adventure?

The two passages, Proverbs 18:9 and II Samuel 11:1 go perfect together.

Question: What defines work for me?

It is my work to eat right, exercise, drink water and care for this body of mine.
I manage our home, finances, meals, repairs and balance the activities we do as a family.
My work is to serve people around me by giving to their felt needs, but also their deeper needs.
My work is to pray for others and mentor those in need.
In trials, I work to stay close to the Father.
In grief, my work is to put one foot in front of the other and remember that life will eventually go on. Sometimes, grief is my work. Other times it is my teacher and the work is to learn from it, be comforted in it and eventually comfort others.

At night, my work is to sleep. When I veer from this work (through things I call ‘down-time’ into the late hours of night or letting thoughts move into hyper speed), I don’t have much to offer the next day. I can easily destroy so much in relationships and responsibilities.

In fact, the benefits of attending to sleep and not the iPhone are many: I have more calm and peace when the morning comes, more time to do my real work and have less anger. I
accomplish more with increased productivity. I have more time for husband and family, am more able to meet my spiritual foe with the armor of God and am more flexible. I have energy to better train my kids, cover over wrongs and offenses of others, heed the spirit’s fruit, hear God’s call instead of being distracted and am better prepared for the nights I have to be awake in emergency situations (because I am well rested).

The consequences of good choices have endless possibilities and help me to reach the most important goals of life! I have far greater adventures and excitement when God’s way is sought rather than seeking these adventures in secret or over-committing to earthly callings. These benefits are motivators for me to step onto the right path.

Sleep is my work at night.
My greatest work during the day is to serve my husband and family.

The list goes on and on.

Sometimes, I tell people, “Marriage is hard. It takes a lot of work!” To this, I receive all kinds of looks. No one likes to work THAT hard! And a lot of marriages fail from slacking in this vital responsibility.

Yet, work is not a bad word. Some may see it as drudgery, hardship and pain. To me, work is a blessing to dive into and reap the benefits. It is a discipline that trains us in all other areas of life. We are capable, strong people that God equips for the work He calls us to do, for His glory, His name and in His honor. We work as if we were working for the Lord! (Col. 3:23)

I work hard in my marriage (so does my husband) and my marriage reflects that accomplishment. We don’t always want to do the work, but when we move past the feelings and let God shine through us, we are building good things in marriage and in our communities, not destroying good things in our slacking of hard work.

When I look back on the days I worked hard (in whatever defines work for each moment), I can be proud of my achievements, feel good within myself and lay my head on the pillow at night knowing I did everything I could to obey my Father in heaven.

That obedience isn’t a need to earn or prove something to Him. I don’t obey in order to be loved more. Obedience is the knowledge of something beautiful I am capable of finishing because He made me so. He wants to bless and show His power through my life! He invites me to make good choices that result in successful, bright, beautiful ‘buildings’ and not destructive rubble on the ground.

Father, go before me in the work you give me this day. The enemy is near. He wants to steal, kill and destroy my life. Sometimes he whispers in my ear to resent my work or complain. In reality, HIS work is about lies, deception and darkness. He wants me to concentrate on my groans and complaints and not on the higher beauty you are birthing in my life. Help me to see work as a gift from your hands that will form me more into your son’s likeness. I have learned through trials and struggles this week that some things just don’t matter. Focus me on the greater priorities of life. Keep me on the straight path. Clothe me in the armor of God to stand in the day of trouble. I love you forever, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Don’t You Dare Come Near My Cubs!

Proverbs 17:12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

Envision a mama bear. If her cubs were taken from her, she would be in an all-out war to get to her babies. She would fight to the death to save them.

Envision the fool clutching at his folly just as fiercely as the bear fights for her cubs.

The verse tells me it’s better to be in the path of that bear than the fool! Oh my!

To tell you the truth, I find it much easier to apply this verse to everyone else.
“Boy, that person sure is being foolish.” “Wow, does he have a lot to learn!”

However, I have to stop and let the words sink into my own heart….deeply.

In essence, I cling to my folly and say, “Don’t you dare come near.” But, what is folly? It is a refusal to change, an unwillingness to grow or gain wisdom because the foolish one knows all the answers. He is stuck in his own ideas. Maybe he’s prideful over the need to be right, yet also fearful of being wrong. Perhaps he is headstrong and obnoxiously outspoken and never forgives or forgets someone else’s misdeeds. He is bitter, immature and blind (wisdom from others is unwanted advice). He loses sight of the truth and often complains. At times he is a martyr who serves others from wrong motives: “I’ll smother you with my gifts and service, enabling you, because I am afraid you’ll leave me or because serving makes me feel good about me.“

He might be a person who is unwilling to go out of his comfort zone, haughty (acting superior), well-meaning but wrong. He is bound to his folly, enslaved, imprisoned and chained. The fool clutches sin so tightly to his chest that it rules him.

When a fool hears truth, he may ignore it, or he might retreat in shame, allowing the wisdom to make him feel inferior (so much drama). He may be self-deprecating, walking around with head hanging down, sad, debilitated, paralyzed, scared to fly because he might fail: “I’m no good, I’m unworthy, I’m a terrible person, tell me I’m a good person.”

Perhaps he is self-pitying, seeking attention and depressed, OR he may overcompensate by being loud, boisterous, self-centered and pushy, trying to deny that his problems exist.

The fool allows plenty of negative self-talk about other people or circumstances, “That person is being so unfair.” He can be impatient or lazy with too much downtime. He steps out of the light of Christ and into darkness.

At times, I am that fool but I don’t want to stay there. So next I ask myself:

What is the opposite of folly?
The wise one is real as opposed to covering up things by being boisterous and loud. I don’t mean that he spills out his guts all over the place. Certainly, he can be sad about his life, but he doesn’t let sadness affect his self-esteem (He is a child of God). He is sincere about his life: genuine (complete, absolute, authentic, pure). His realness comes from being in the right place with God.

He runs from folly! He lets go of petty things in life. He gives into God and doesn’t give up. He brings himself to a still place before the Father and listens to Him. He prays and leans on God. He is others-centered and takes care of himself so that he will have what it takes to give to those around him. His sole purpose in life is about God and His people. He considers others and shares of his means, his energy and time. He is gracious and interested in God’s plan for that moment.

When he hears truth, he steps into God’s light and allows it to convict him. He is convinced and inspired to change. He accepts what he hears and surrenders to God his all. He finds himself desperate to be with God more than to have his own needs met by anything of this earth.

Lord, give me a heart that is wise. Take my foolishness far from me. Help me to fight and cling (as the mama bear to her cub) to be in your light rather than to prove my point. Remove from me the need to defend myself and instead defend you. I surrender my folly and trade it in for wisdom from on high. In Jesus name, Amen.

Spread Joy

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1

To simplify, it is wise to build others up and foolish to tear them down.

Proverbs 14:1 is narrowed to women, but the verse can apply to men and women alike.

There are many ways to “tear the house down.” It’s not just about complaining and nagging. It can also be about focusing too much on self, my plans, feelings, illness or health problems.

How does one change from being destructive to creatively weaving together habits of good, positive and wise ways that help to spread joy.

I have found that the energy for good can come from making choices to simply get up and get busy doing kind deeds and serving others. I am more apt to build others up when I allow my mind to stop dwelling so much on self and my own need for help.

Another way to build good things is by feeding my mind pleasant thoughts. I do this by reading my Bible, along with other books that train me to strengthen whatever is weak inside me (things like finances, marriage, parenting or diet). Listening to inspiring happy music touches and energizes me to do good.

As a wife, I feed my mind with noble thoughts about my husband. I try not to second-guess his motives. I try to be in the moment, not 1000 miles away, and I don’t let distractions take me away from him.

In these ways, I have set a solid foundation to construct a strong building of love, of hope and goodwill.

Father, teach me more every day about how I can be a better builder for your kingdom. I’m sorry for the times I’ve torn people down and have spread darkness instead of light. Show me every day how to encourage, inspire and teach (by example). Make me into a peacemaker who spreads joy to a starving unhappy world. I want to build up and not tear down. Give me wisdom for this most holy task. In Jesus name, Amen.

Redefining Greed

“Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).

When I think of the word greed, I think in terms of money and things. My day began with this verse, and it drove my mind to all sorts of other possibilities about which to ponder.

What is the definition of greed? It means wanting more than I need.

When I looked up the actual meaning, I found that greed is a selfish desire for things.

Yet, my husband desires to get us a big dog in our current season of life. I desire to finish my 12 year book project. A desire is simply a desire. There’s nothing wrong with having wishes and wants. Our desires, if counted, could be as many as the stars in the sky.

But when the desire becomes a demand or a mad pursuit at the expense of others, then it becomes selfish and wrong. It becomes greed.

Certainly, some would designate a person as greedy if they put away savings for a car, a house, college or retirement. But, the responsibility for planning our lives doesn’t qualify as greed.

Instead, the object of greed captures our minds and spirits and consumes our attention away from God.

Jesus said that our lives are not about the abundance of what we possess. So, what does life consist of?

Anything that distracts me from my Father and brings out my deepest negative emotions is greed. To the extent that I cling to people and things is the extent of how lost I am in greediness. For what do I fight the most? For what do I turn the saddest and most angry?

Truly, my desires and wishes may be revealed to those around me who typically fulfill them. However, not all my wishes are granted, nor do all my dreams come true. It is in these times of want that my true colors are shown for what they are.

Am I content OR am I needy and withering?
Am I able to continue my service to those who come empty handed to me or who withhold my needs OR do I grumble and retaliate with my own gifts to withhold?
Do I allow their lack to ruin my day and then sulk in the corner OR am I solid in the overabundance of God?
Is my desire a demand I feel I deserve OR a request to lay at God’s feet and leave it with Him in joy.

These questions have been good to ask of myself. I seek the answers from the Holy Spirit who directs and guides my heart.

Father, I lay open my life before you. I look up at the stars and see the beautiful gifts you have already given to me in abundance. My life consists of you, Almighty God! If there be any greed in my life, show me and uproot it from me. Help my hands to cling to you alone and to open to serve whomever you bring me. 

“Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25).

Blessings

Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. (Luke 8:1-3)

Jesus and His disciples had needs that were provided for by several women followers and supporters and ultimately by God, their Father.

He didn’t start His ministry until He was 30 years old. When He was growing up, did He think about His future and ask how things would fit together? Did He wonder how He would eat or where He would lay His head?

He was a respected adult when He left home, but everything He did was ruled by His Father in deep, reverent submission. His needs would always be cared for.

When I read Luke 8:3, it was a reminder of how God takes care of those He leads. Jesus and all who followed Him were absolutely looked after.

Jesus was able to focus on all the activities He had every day. He was able to go to a solitaire place and spend time with God. He could heal the sick and preach on a mountainside. He could attend to the most important things of life while others in the background took care of Him. Both jobs were valuable to His ministry.

I am deeply moved by verse 3. It tells me that when God calls someone, they are enabled and provided for.

Phil. 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Sometimes God asks me to be the servant, behind the scenes, letting someone else achieve important things, while I quietly do important things myself. Other times, He calls me to be out front, and that’s when I become so appreciative of all the people it takes to make that happen.

It is amazing how God brings us together to do His will, in His way, with His blessings, always holding us up.

Many times I am presented with what appears to be God’s provision. It looks like I’m going to receive something of value I’ve prayed for. I arrive all the way to the last second with my hands open, ready to accept His bounty…

….and then the curtain closes and the gift disappears right before my eyes. It was not meant to be. Either the timing wasn’t right or the gift wasn’t best for me. It was a test to see whether my heart was focused, not on the gift, but on the giver.

Whatever the reason for the denial of my heart’s desire, I turn my attention to the Provider Himself, wiser than my wishes, more fulfilling than my wants, the greatest blessing of my life. And I am overwhelmed with joy.

Father, I bend to listen to your voice. Thank you for being my provider and support for all you call me to do. Help me never to be afraid that you will leave or forsake me. You are my Lord and Master. Use me according to your will. Help me to be faithful in following you. In Jesus name, Amen.