This past Sunday started out like any other Sunday at our house. Ben and I got up, got ready, got baby up and ready and then headed out the door to church. We had a normal drive to church, we dropped Leilani off in the nursery as usual and then headed upstairs to the sanctuary. We had a time of worship followed by a teaching. Our pastor has been going through the book of Philippians verse by verse. Sunday's message was based on chapter 1 verse 21, the second portion of the verse. The message was about death being gain for the Christian. It wasn't until service was wrapping up that something unusual happened. Something pretty scary at that.
As our pastor began to pray, my husband leaned over to me and said "Chelle, I don't feel good," and then he laid his head on my shoulder. The last time he had said those words to me was when he had the stomach bug and he ended up jumping up shortly after and running for the bathroom. My first reaction when he said this in church was to ask if he was going to throw up. I didn't get a response. I then proceeded to ask him if we needed to leave. No response. Next thing I knew, Ben's head rolled backwards, his eyes rolled back in his head and he began to shake. No one at this point saw what was happening because we were in the middle of praying. He stopped shaking after just a few seconds but he was completely unresponsive to me. I tried patting his leg, wiggling his arm and whispering his name. No response. This is when I started to panic. What should I do? What was wrong with him? Do I yell out and draw everone's attention to us during prayer? Do I tug on the stranger sitting next to me and ask for help? Do I just keep violently shaking Ben and hope he comes to? It didn't help that the whole message we just had was based on death! I felt this pressure build on my chest which I think was fear, but then I looked over and saw my Dad sitting across the aisle from us. That's when I knew what to do. I quietly got out of my seat, sat down next to my Dad and said, "Dad, something is wrong with Ben."
This is where the beautiful lesson comes in. As soon as I passed on my fear to my Dad, I knew that someone else was involved who would know what to do. The weight of the situation was no longer just mine to bear. I felt the pressure lift off of me. Ben was still unconscious at this point and I had no idea what was happening, but as soon as I finished telling my Dad what I knew, we both looked over and Ben had snapped to and was rubbing his eyes. I was able to motion to him to walk out of the sanctuary, we got him some orange juice and water, and he ended up being alright.
(He's going to the Dr. tomorrow just to get checked out, but he hasn't had any other issues since then. We think it was related to a nose bleed he had earlier in the morning as well as some nausea over talk about Paul being beheaded at the end of his life.)
Here is the picture I got though. As soon as I took my fear and uncertainty and brought it to my Dad, a weight and pressure was taken off me. Though I was still in the midst of a scary situation, I was no longer in it alone. I realized, this is exactly what Jesus wants to do for His children.
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
Jesus says to bring all of our burdens to Him. By bringing those burdens to Him, we do not get rid of the situation or the trial or the tough times, but we do allow Him to help carry our pain and our stress, allowing us the opportunity to have a clearer mind and a lighter load during those times.
I realized that so often I try and hold onto my "burdens" because I feel like they are mine to bear. I feel like they are insignificant compared to what others may be going through or in comparison to world hunger, war or natural disasters. The truth of the matter is that nothing is too small to bring to Jesus. He will never turn His children away and call them insignificant. Jesus is that loving father who WANTS to help shoulder the weight of the burden and help us through. The sooner that I release my burden to Him, the sooner I can feel free of the pressures and weariness of this life. Why wouldn't I want to do that?
Jesus, may you always be the FIRST person that I turn to in the good and the bad in my life. Thank you for being my strength when I am weak and my rest when I am weary.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Lessons I'm Learning
Once again, haven't written a blog post in a while! Life just gets so busy with a little one running around. :)
Currently, in my devotions, I have been going through the book of Jeremiah. I started in Genesis and have been working my way through. When I got to Isaiah I started feeling like I needed a little more to go along with what I was reading, so I started reading Matthew Henry's commentary alongside my daily reading. I cannot even begin to say how blessed I have been by doing that. Back to Jeremiah though, I am about half way through the book. I am being ministered to on SO many levels in this book! I think that current circumstances in life as well as the election we just had have made my reading all the more applicable.
I have never really spent a lot of time in the book of Jeremiah before because it's pretty much all about Jeremiah declaring God's judgement on Judah for their continual sin and unrepentance. The main sin that Judah struggled with was idolatry, although there were many more including adultery, lying, defiance, false teaching, etc. Honestly, all of the things that are so prevalent in today's society were happening back then. This is where I start to get frustrated and God speaks to me.
I am not frustrated by the unsaved people in this world. They do what they think is good and right in their own eyes and don't interfere with others who do the same. Those people I continually pray for and share the love of Christ with as opportunity arises, but I know that they are blind and lost and don't know any better. This makes it easier to explain away what scripture would portray as "bad" or "evil" behaviors.
I am frustrated with the modern day church, fellow "believers." The church today has gotten to a very dangerous place where everything is all talk about love and forgiveness. I am in no way arguing that these are very key characterisitics that a Christian should have, but that is where people are drawing the line. There is no such thing as conviction anymore. There is no more black and white, there is no more sharing the truth in love. There is no more need to live a life set apart.
If you try and share with someone that something they are doing is wrong scripturally, you are the bad guy, you are rejected and called unloving. If you do not cater to the sin in someones life, then you are unforgiving, bitter and angry. How did we get to this place? What happened to 2 Timothy 4:2?
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
I guess if you keep reading the following verses in 2 Timothy it explains itself.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
It has been said that if you believe a lie long enough, it becomes your truth. That is what I see happening today. No one wants to be told that they are wrong. They tell themselves that something is ok and right long enough and then there is no changing their mind. Scripture that you share with them gets twisted or manipulated or completely dismissed for one reason or another. People justify their actions in whatever way they can and don't care who they hurt in the process. Pastor's are catering to sinful lifestyles, telling people that no one has a right to judge you and God is love and grace and therefore, no matter what you do, as long as you believe that Jesus is who He said He was, you're good.
This is exactly what was happening in Jeremiah's time. The priests, who were supposed to be the voice of the Lord to the people, were telling the people what they wanted to hear. They were proclaiming peace upon the land. In reality, God was not speaking to these priests, but He WAS speaking to Jeremiah. What was Jeremiah's message? Repent and turn from your ways, God is not pleased by your actions, and if you don't repent and change then there is judgement coming. The crazy thing is that some of Jeremiah's greatest opposition came from the priests and his closest family and friends. They were actually plotting against him to kill him simply because he spoke the truth. The truth just so happened to be what they didn't want to hear. It was not loving or catering to their sin. These people claimed to be close to God. These people were some of the most visible and prominent in the temple, yet they failed to heed or recognize God's word.
"Those shall be made to know how much they deceive themselves who say that they have not offended God, that they are innocent, though they have been guilty of the grossest enormities. Who expect that God will be reconciled to them though they do not repent and reform. They own that they had been under the tokens of God's anger, but they think that it was causeless, and that they by pleading innocency had proved it to be so, and therefore they conclude that God will immediately let fall His action and His anger shall be turned from them. This is very provoking and God will plead with them, and convince them that His anger is just, for they have sinned and He will never cease His controversy till they, instead of justifying themselves thus, humble and judge and condemn themselves." -Matthew Henry
This is so scary! The way that Christians down play sin! We do have a gracious and loving God, but we also have a just and righteous God who will not wink at sin in our lives.
The people in Jeremiah's time were not willing to own anything as the word of God that went against anything that they were doing. They would rather make God out to be a liar, than simply confess and forsake their sin. Jeremiah 7:8 "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit."
"Those that think to excuse themselves in unchristian practices with the Christian name, and sin the more boldly and securely because there is a sin offering provided, do, in effect, make God's house of prayer a den of thieves, as the priests in Christ's time." -Matthew Henry
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" -Romans 6:1-2
I know that we will never be perfect this side of heaven, but if we are truly following the Lord and seeking Him and His will for our lives, then we will not be able to live in continual sin. There will be conviction for wrong actions, which should lead to repentance and change. Change will always be the result of true repentance. It doesn't matter how many times you speak the words "I'm sorry" if you never do anything to show it. If someone goes out and kills someone and then says "I'm sorry" and goes out and kills again, do you think that person is truly sorry? Of course not! Your actions will back up your words. Your fruit will bear witness of who you belong to. It is not unloving to call something as it is.
"Ye shall know them by their fruits... A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." -Matthew 7:16, 18-21
All that being said, I guess what I really want to do is just encourage all of my brothers and sisters out there to really dig into the Word of God, know what it says, and grow in the knowledge and truth of it, applying it's principles to your life. Do not be so prideful as to not be able to receive a word spoken in truth to you. Do not allow the lukewarm attitude of this world to take root in your heart. That is not of the Lord! He has called us to live lives set apart, different from the rest of the world, yet being an example IN the world.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." -Hebrews 4:12
"Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces. -Jeremiah 23:29
One last thing, to the people of Judah who would not repent and turn from their idolatry, adultery, lying and wickedness, this is the message God gave to them:
"And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten." -Jeremiah 23:40
Please don't let this happen to you! Be encouraged, check your heart and encourage and edify your brothers and sisters in the Lord to do the same. Hold one another accountable. This is what love looks like.
Currently, in my devotions, I have been going through the book of Jeremiah. I started in Genesis and have been working my way through. When I got to Isaiah I started feeling like I needed a little more to go along with what I was reading, so I started reading Matthew Henry's commentary alongside my daily reading. I cannot even begin to say how blessed I have been by doing that. Back to Jeremiah though, I am about half way through the book. I am being ministered to on SO many levels in this book! I think that current circumstances in life as well as the election we just had have made my reading all the more applicable.
I have never really spent a lot of time in the book of Jeremiah before because it's pretty much all about Jeremiah declaring God's judgement on Judah for their continual sin and unrepentance. The main sin that Judah struggled with was idolatry, although there were many more including adultery, lying, defiance, false teaching, etc. Honestly, all of the things that are so prevalent in today's society were happening back then. This is where I start to get frustrated and God speaks to me.
I am not frustrated by the unsaved people in this world. They do what they think is good and right in their own eyes and don't interfere with others who do the same. Those people I continually pray for and share the love of Christ with as opportunity arises, but I know that they are blind and lost and don't know any better. This makes it easier to explain away what scripture would portray as "bad" or "evil" behaviors.
I am frustrated with the modern day church, fellow "believers." The church today has gotten to a very dangerous place where everything is all talk about love and forgiveness. I am in no way arguing that these are very key characterisitics that a Christian should have, but that is where people are drawing the line. There is no such thing as conviction anymore. There is no more black and white, there is no more sharing the truth in love. There is no more need to live a life set apart.
If you try and share with someone that something they are doing is wrong scripturally, you are the bad guy, you are rejected and called unloving. If you do not cater to the sin in someones life, then you are unforgiving, bitter and angry. How did we get to this place? What happened to 2 Timothy 4:2?
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
I guess if you keep reading the following verses in 2 Timothy it explains itself.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
It has been said that if you believe a lie long enough, it becomes your truth. That is what I see happening today. No one wants to be told that they are wrong. They tell themselves that something is ok and right long enough and then there is no changing their mind. Scripture that you share with them gets twisted or manipulated or completely dismissed for one reason or another. People justify their actions in whatever way they can and don't care who they hurt in the process. Pastor's are catering to sinful lifestyles, telling people that no one has a right to judge you and God is love and grace and therefore, no matter what you do, as long as you believe that Jesus is who He said He was, you're good.
This is exactly what was happening in Jeremiah's time. The priests, who were supposed to be the voice of the Lord to the people, were telling the people what they wanted to hear. They were proclaiming peace upon the land. In reality, God was not speaking to these priests, but He WAS speaking to Jeremiah. What was Jeremiah's message? Repent and turn from your ways, God is not pleased by your actions, and if you don't repent and change then there is judgement coming. The crazy thing is that some of Jeremiah's greatest opposition came from the priests and his closest family and friends. They were actually plotting against him to kill him simply because he spoke the truth. The truth just so happened to be what they didn't want to hear. It was not loving or catering to their sin. These people claimed to be close to God. These people were some of the most visible and prominent in the temple, yet they failed to heed or recognize God's word.
"Those shall be made to know how much they deceive themselves who say that they have not offended God, that they are innocent, though they have been guilty of the grossest enormities. Who expect that God will be reconciled to them though they do not repent and reform. They own that they had been under the tokens of God's anger, but they think that it was causeless, and that they by pleading innocency had proved it to be so, and therefore they conclude that God will immediately let fall His action and His anger shall be turned from them. This is very provoking and God will plead with them, and convince them that His anger is just, for they have sinned and He will never cease His controversy till they, instead of justifying themselves thus, humble and judge and condemn themselves." -Matthew Henry
This is so scary! The way that Christians down play sin! We do have a gracious and loving God, but we also have a just and righteous God who will not wink at sin in our lives.
The people in Jeremiah's time were not willing to own anything as the word of God that went against anything that they were doing. They would rather make God out to be a liar, than simply confess and forsake their sin. Jeremiah 7:8 "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit."
"Those that think to excuse themselves in unchristian practices with the Christian name, and sin the more boldly and securely because there is a sin offering provided, do, in effect, make God's house of prayer a den of thieves, as the priests in Christ's time." -Matthew Henry
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" -Romans 6:1-2
I know that we will never be perfect this side of heaven, but if we are truly following the Lord and seeking Him and His will for our lives, then we will not be able to live in continual sin. There will be conviction for wrong actions, which should lead to repentance and change. Change will always be the result of true repentance. It doesn't matter how many times you speak the words "I'm sorry" if you never do anything to show it. If someone goes out and kills someone and then says "I'm sorry" and goes out and kills again, do you think that person is truly sorry? Of course not! Your actions will back up your words. Your fruit will bear witness of who you belong to. It is not unloving to call something as it is.
"Ye shall know them by their fruits... A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." -Matthew 7:16, 18-21
All that being said, I guess what I really want to do is just encourage all of my brothers and sisters out there to really dig into the Word of God, know what it says, and grow in the knowledge and truth of it, applying it's principles to your life. Do not be so prideful as to not be able to receive a word spoken in truth to you. Do not allow the lukewarm attitude of this world to take root in your heart. That is not of the Lord! He has called us to live lives set apart, different from the rest of the world, yet being an example IN the world.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." -Hebrews 4:12
"Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces. -Jeremiah 23:29
One last thing, to the people of Judah who would not repent and turn from their idolatry, adultery, lying and wickedness, this is the message God gave to them:
"And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten." -Jeremiah 23:40
Please don't let this happen to you! Be encouraged, check your heart and encourage and edify your brothers and sisters in the Lord to do the same. Hold one another accountable. This is what love looks like.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Did I Say That?
"He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction." -Proverbs 13:3
I came across this verse in my daily reading this morning and almost immediately I knew it was something I needed to blog about, not for anyone's good except my own (although I do hope it blesses YOU too!). I have experienced this verse in many different ways. I have been on the receiving end of someone who just couldn't keep their mouth shut and spread gossip and rumors about me or my family, some true and some just complete lies. I have had secrets confided to close friends blurted out to precisely who I didn't want to hear (their fault or mine?), and I know that I have also at times been the one doing the talking to others regarding things I have no right to share.
I know that talking is one of those things that women do best and gossip makes for good talk! I also know that VENTING is another thing us women do well! We think that if we are talking to a friend (or two or three or four...) under the context of venting, then by all means, talk and bash and ridicule and judge away! Think about it though, who in their right mind says "Hey, I really need to just talk to you and gossip about somebody right now. Let me tell you how awful they are." BUT something worded more like this, well... "Hey, I really need to vent to you right now about something going on with so and so. I don't want to be judgemental, but I just really need to get something off my chest..." And then they get "it" off their chest with another 5 or 6 people. Gossip under the context of venting.
Can I just say first off that I AM GUILTY!!! Like I said, this blog is directed to myself more than to anyone else. When I am extremely frustrated with someone or a situation I feel the need to talk about it and talk about it and then maybe talk about it a little more, and to anyone that is willing to listen. So, before I say more, let me just clarify something. I do believe that it is GOOD to share or vent with someone who is a close friend if it is to receive Godly counsel and prayer, not to bash or gain "haters" for your cause. I do think it is so important though to think about what you are saying before you speak. This is a lesson that God is currently teaching me and has been working in me for quite a while now! I think it's rather ironic that the first thing I want to do when I hear about someone spreading falsehoods about me or my family is in turn go and start talking about how awful that person is for doing so. Doesn't that make me just as guilty? The cycle just goes on and on!
One of my absolute favorite passages that I always come back to is Philippians 4:8 which says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
They say that what you put in is what comes out. When I am filling my mind with matters that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report, then that is what I will be pouring out to others. This is also the type of person that other people usually prefer to be around, rather than someone who is always complaining and bringing the group down with a poor attitude.
I love the example that David sets in Psalm 39:1-8. "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, Lord make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou has made my days as an hand breadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surly they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. "
As I read this, I get to the part where David is saying that his heart is hot within him, and that as he thinks on what's going on, there is a fire burning within him (he's obviously angry) and then fire and brimstone!... wait... no... LORD MAKE ME TO KNOW MINE END... He starts praying to the Lord that God would show him just how small he (David) is compared to how BIG He (God) is. He expresses to God that he finds his hope in HIM alone. He asks to be delivered from his own transgressions and just asks that God allow him to be blameless among the foolish. (fool - a person who lacks judgement or sense; a weak minded or idiodic person) Doesn't the fool sound EXACTLY like the person you would automatically start talking about? Don't stoop to that level!
"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble." -Proverbs 21:23
"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed if mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similtude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh." -James 3:5-12
I guess that my biggest encouragement through this blog would be to really think twice about what you say, to who you say it and the motive behind saying it. Our words are an example and they can be used for good, to direct others to God and to show love, or they can be used for evil, to destroy another person in an attempt to make us feel better about ourselves. When we choose the latter we are also completely misrepresenting Christ. We as Christians should not be able to bless God and curse another so freely. This just cannot be.
Lord, please help me in this area! It is so hard at times when I feel so frustrated or hurt by another person to not fall into the same things I hate in them. When I have thoughts of anger or hate or bitterness, please replace them with thoughts of love, truth, and purity. When I do have something negative to say about another, help me direct it to you and pray for that person, rather than treat them as they have treated me. I know that I have a lot of growing to do in this area, but please continue to convict me when I slip up. Keep me from judging others and allow me to love with a love that could only come from you.
I came across this verse in my daily reading this morning and almost immediately I knew it was something I needed to blog about, not for anyone's good except my own (although I do hope it blesses YOU too!). I have experienced this verse in many different ways. I have been on the receiving end of someone who just couldn't keep their mouth shut and spread gossip and rumors about me or my family, some true and some just complete lies. I have had secrets confided to close friends blurted out to precisely who I didn't want to hear (their fault or mine?), and I know that I have also at times been the one doing the talking to others regarding things I have no right to share.
I know that talking is one of those things that women do best and gossip makes for good talk! I also know that VENTING is another thing us women do well! We think that if we are talking to a friend (or two or three or four...) under the context of venting, then by all means, talk and bash and ridicule and judge away! Think about it though, who in their right mind says "Hey, I really need to just talk to you and gossip about somebody right now. Let me tell you how awful they are." BUT something worded more like this, well... "Hey, I really need to vent to you right now about something going on with so and so. I don't want to be judgemental, but I just really need to get something off my chest..." And then they get "it" off their chest with another 5 or 6 people. Gossip under the context of venting.
Can I just say first off that I AM GUILTY!!! Like I said, this blog is directed to myself more than to anyone else. When I am extremely frustrated with someone or a situation I feel the need to talk about it and talk about it and then maybe talk about it a little more, and to anyone that is willing to listen. So, before I say more, let me just clarify something. I do believe that it is GOOD to share or vent with someone who is a close friend if it is to receive Godly counsel and prayer, not to bash or gain "haters" for your cause. I do think it is so important though to think about what you are saying before you speak. This is a lesson that God is currently teaching me and has been working in me for quite a while now! I think it's rather ironic that the first thing I want to do when I hear about someone spreading falsehoods about me or my family is in turn go and start talking about how awful that person is for doing so. Doesn't that make me just as guilty? The cycle just goes on and on!
One of my absolute favorite passages that I always come back to is Philippians 4:8 which says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
They say that what you put in is what comes out. When I am filling my mind with matters that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report, then that is what I will be pouring out to others. This is also the type of person that other people usually prefer to be around, rather than someone who is always complaining and bringing the group down with a poor attitude.
I love the example that David sets in Psalm 39:1-8. "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, Lord make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou has made my days as an hand breadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surly they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. "
As I read this, I get to the part where David is saying that his heart is hot within him, and that as he thinks on what's going on, there is a fire burning within him (he's obviously angry) and then fire and brimstone!... wait... no... LORD MAKE ME TO KNOW MINE END... He starts praying to the Lord that God would show him just how small he (David) is compared to how BIG He (God) is. He expresses to God that he finds his hope in HIM alone. He asks to be delivered from his own transgressions and just asks that God allow him to be blameless among the foolish. (fool - a person who lacks judgement or sense; a weak minded or idiodic person) Doesn't the fool sound EXACTLY like the person you would automatically start talking about? Don't stoop to that level!
"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble." -Proverbs 21:23
"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed if mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similtude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh." -James 3:5-12
I guess that my biggest encouragement through this blog would be to really think twice about what you say, to who you say it and the motive behind saying it. Our words are an example and they can be used for good, to direct others to God and to show love, or they can be used for evil, to destroy another person in an attempt to make us feel better about ourselves. When we choose the latter we are also completely misrepresenting Christ. We as Christians should not be able to bless God and curse another so freely. This just cannot be.
Lord, please help me in this area! It is so hard at times when I feel so frustrated or hurt by another person to not fall into the same things I hate in them. When I have thoughts of anger or hate or bitterness, please replace them with thoughts of love, truth, and purity. When I do have something negative to say about another, help me direct it to you and pray for that person, rather than treat them as they have treated me. I know that I have a lot of growing to do in this area, but please continue to convict me when I slip up. Keep me from judging others and allow me to love with a love that could only come from you.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
What to Pray?
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:26-28
It is currently 1:00am and I am having trouble falling asleep. It's funny because I have felt completely exhausted all day, but for some reason I am unable to shut off my mind and rest tonight. Usually when this happens it is because there is a lot that I am thinking about, processing and praying about. While this is the case tonight, I have found that the situation that keeps replaying over and over in my head is something that I have been praying in regards to for a while now, but have only seen things go from bad to worse. Or have they? That being said, I have reached the point where I just don't know what to pray anymore. Which led me to the above verses. It's kind of funny, but I know these verses like the back of my hand, but for some reason when I looked up verse 26 I didn't realize that these verses went together. The part about the Spirit making intercession for us and everything working together for good. When I think about it though, doesn't it just make sense?!
Right now, I have no idea what God would have me pray in this situation. I obviously pray for HIS will to be done, but I don't know what His will is going to look like. I know that right now as I am typing this, praying that the Spirit would pray on my behalf, He is praying to the Father for me in ways that I could never pray for myself. That being the case, doesn't it only make sense that the outcome would be good? This doesn't mean it will end the way I want it to end or even in any of the ways that different scenarios have played out in my head. Actually, most likely it will not.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Knowing this, I really just wanted to break down Romans 8:26 for myself. Even though the verse is pretty clear just as it is written, I am always blessed by looking deeper into different verses and gaining a clearer understanding.
Spirit (Greek = pneuma) - a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze
Spirit (Dictionary) - the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul or a supernatural, incorporeal being, especially one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character
Helpeth (Greek = sunantilambanomai) - to take hold of opposite together, i.e. co-operate (assist)
Help (Dictionary) - to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist or to make easier or less difficult; contribute to; facilitate
Infirmities (Greek = astheneia) - feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty: disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.
Infirmities (Dictionary) - a physical weakness or ailment: the infirmities of age; or quality or state of being infirm; lack of strength; or a moral weakness or failing
Intercession (Greek = huperentugchano) - to intercede in behalf of
Groanings (Greek = stenagmos) - a sigh
Uttered (Greek = alaletos) - unspeakable
It is currently 1:00am and I am having trouble falling asleep. It's funny because I have felt completely exhausted all day, but for some reason I am unable to shut off my mind and rest tonight. Usually when this happens it is because there is a lot that I am thinking about, processing and praying about. While this is the case tonight, I have found that the situation that keeps replaying over and over in my head is something that I have been praying in regards to for a while now, but have only seen things go from bad to worse. Or have they? That being said, I have reached the point where I just don't know what to pray anymore. Which led me to the above verses. It's kind of funny, but I know these verses like the back of my hand, but for some reason when I looked up verse 26 I didn't realize that these verses went together. The part about the Spirit making intercession for us and everything working together for good. When I think about it though, doesn't it just make sense?!
Right now, I have no idea what God would have me pray in this situation. I obviously pray for HIS will to be done, but I don't know what His will is going to look like. I know that right now as I am typing this, praying that the Spirit would pray on my behalf, He is praying to the Father for me in ways that I could never pray for myself. That being the case, doesn't it only make sense that the outcome would be good? This doesn't mean it will end the way I want it to end or even in any of the ways that different scenarios have played out in my head. Actually, most likely it will not.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Knowing this, I really just wanted to break down Romans 8:26 for myself. Even though the verse is pretty clear just as it is written, I am always blessed by looking deeper into different verses and gaining a clearer understanding.
Spirit (Greek = pneuma) - a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze
Spirit (Dictionary) - the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul or a supernatural, incorporeal being, especially one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character
Helpeth (Greek = sunantilambanomai) - to take hold of opposite together, i.e. co-operate (assist)
Help (Dictionary) - to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist or to make easier or less difficult; contribute to; facilitate
Infirmities (Greek = astheneia) - feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty: disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.
Infirmities (Dictionary) - a physical weakness or ailment: the infirmities of age; or quality or state of being infirm; lack of strength; or a moral weakness or failing
Pray (Greek = proseuchomai) - to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship: pray (earnestly, for), make prayer.
Pray (Dictionary) - to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc. to God; to offer a prayer; to bring, put, etc. by praying; to make earnest petition to; to make petition or entreaty for; crave
Intercession (Greek = huperentugchano) - to intercede in behalf of
Intercession (Dictionary) - an act or instance of interceding; an interposing or pleading on behalf of another person; a prayer to God on behalf of another
Groanings (Greek = stenagmos) - a sigh
Groanings (Dictionary) - a low, mournful sound uttered in pain or grief; a deep, inarticulate sound uttered in derision, disapproval, desire, etc.; a deep grating or creaking sound due to a sudden or continued overburdening
Uttered (Greek = alaletos) - unspeakable
Uttered (Dictionary) - to give audible expression to; speak or pronounce; to give forth with the voice; to produce audibly; to express oneself, especially in words; to give forth a sound otherwise than with the voice
After looking up this information, I can basically re-phrase this verse something like this:
When I don't know what to pray, there is a breath, or incorporeal (non material) being, who contributes strength to assist me in my feebleness and weakness when I simply lack the strength to offer petition, praise or thanks to God by interceding and pleading on my behalf with an inarticulate sound that is unspeakable, and not able to even be produced audibly, that God's will would be performed in my life and that all things would work together for good for me because I am loved and called by God for HIS purpose.
Wow! Thank you Lord for keeping me awake to show me this. Help me to trust you with my life. I give complete control of the difficulties in my life to you. Your will be done to complete your purpose in my life and the lives of those around me. Amen!
After looking up this information, I can basically re-phrase this verse something like this:
When I don't know what to pray, there is a breath, or incorporeal (non material) being, who contributes strength to assist me in my feebleness and weakness when I simply lack the strength to offer petition, praise or thanks to God by interceding and pleading on my behalf with an inarticulate sound that is unspeakable, and not able to even be produced audibly, that God's will would be performed in my life and that all things would work together for good for me because I am loved and called by God for HIS purpose.
Wow! Thank you Lord for keeping me awake to show me this. Help me to trust you with my life. I give complete control of the difficulties in my life to you. Your will be done to complete your purpose in my life and the lives of those around me. Amen!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Mommy To A 1 Year Old
I am not really sure how it happened so quickly, but I am now a mommy to a 1 year old. How is it even possible that an entire year has passed by and I feel like I hardly had time to blink an eye? I have been so blessed watching Leilani grow and mature this past year. So many milestones! First smiles, first coos, first laughs, first teeth, first time rolling over, first time crawling, first time going to the zoo, first time visiting the library, first time swinging in a swing, first Christmas, first time in a swimming pool, first time climbing the stairs, first birthday party... I'm sure there are even more still! How is it even possible to accomplish so much in just one year? What an amazing blessing to have been able to be there and watch all of this happen. Leilani is the biggest joy in my life and I am so excited to continue watching her mature and add more "firsts" to her list. More importantly, I am excited to see her understand and comprehend more and more about Jesus and how much He loves her. I am excited to see her grow in the ways of the Lord. Right now, we're starting with folding her hands during prayer at meal time. It's a start, and though she doesn't quite get it yet, she will and it will be another "first."
"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3
"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3
Forgiveness
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32
I am learning that this means forgiving even those who do not seek forgiveness. It means forgiving those who think they do no wrong and cast blame on anyone but themselves. I must forgive so that my heart can remain pure, but forgiveness does not always necessarily mean reconciliation...
I am learning that this means forgiving even those who do not seek forgiveness. It means forgiving those who think they do no wrong and cast blame on anyone but themselves. I must forgive so that my heart can remain pure, but forgiveness does not always necessarily mean reconciliation...
Monday, April 23, 2012
Iron Sharpens Iron...
Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpeneth iron: so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
I love the above verse. I like to base how I view my friendships off of this verse. I want to be an encouraging friend to the people God has placed in my life, but I also need friends who can encourage and "sharpen" me as well. True friendships are give AND take. If one is constantly giving, without ever receiving, they will become weary, run down and eventually feel taken advantage of. If one is constantly taking and never giving, then the friend doing the giving will most likely end up slowly separating themselves from the relationship and the taker will be left lonely. While there is a lot of truth in these words, that is not the reason that I am writing this post. The reason I am writing is to share a verse that a very dear friend shared with me to take to heart regarding a specific situation in my life right now. I am so thankful that God has placed this friend in my life "for such a time as this." The verse is this:
Luke 17:3 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."
I read this verse and it kind of hit me between the eyes... For some reason I have never really noticed this verse before. I mainly hear the verse just following that says if a brother tresspass against you seven times a day and ask for forgiveness, then seven times are you to forgive that person. I've also always known the verse where Jesus says we are to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven. The one thing that is different about this verse though is that it gives me, the one who is hurt and upset by someone else, the command to "rebuke" the person who has done something against me. Then it says IF that person repents, THEN I am to forgive them. I am a very non-confrontational person so for me this is really hard to swallow. Maybe that is why I don't ever remember this aspect of these verses on forgiveness?
I have done a little word searching in this verse to see how the original Greek would interpret this. Here is what I came up with.
What does the word "trespass" mean here?
-"to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin:--for your faults, offend, sin, trespass
What does the word "rebuke" mean here?
- "to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish; by implication, forbid:--(straitly) charge, rebuke"
What does the word "repent" mean here?
- "to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):--repent"
What does the word "forgive" mean here?
- "to send forth, in various applications (as follow):--cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up"
So basically this verse can read something like this:
"If your brother "misses the mark, or err's, or sins" against you, "admonish, charge, or rebuke" him; and if he "afterwards thinks differently or reconsiders or feels compunction (compunction means "A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that follows the doing of something bad; A pricking of the conscience) repents, "forsake, lay aside, leave, let go, omit, put away (the fault)" forgive him."
This is the same thing that God does when we sin and come to him and ask for repentance. The thing is though, when we do something wrong or when we sin, God doesn't just let it go. He gives us His word to convict us and a conscience that nudges us and the Holy Spirit who teaches us. (This is how he "rebukes" his children. Because we have a way of knowing that we having commited a sin or fault, we then have a way to make things right with God. If we weren't given that opportunity then we would never experience God's forgiveness.
Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
I think it's time for me to start doing some more "rebuking" or "calling out" in my life, rather than holding secret "grudges" or frustrations. If a person is continually unrepentant of their sin and seeks to justify or explain why it is not their fault then it finally comes down to "shaking the dust off your feet." When a person is continually unrepentant I do not need to spend time with them and I definitely do not need to "coddle" them. I just need to give it to God and let HIM handle the rest.
Matthew 10:14 "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."
I love the above verse. I like to base how I view my friendships off of this verse. I want to be an encouraging friend to the people God has placed in my life, but I also need friends who can encourage and "sharpen" me as well. True friendships are give AND take. If one is constantly giving, without ever receiving, they will become weary, run down and eventually feel taken advantage of. If one is constantly taking and never giving, then the friend doing the giving will most likely end up slowly separating themselves from the relationship and the taker will be left lonely. While there is a lot of truth in these words, that is not the reason that I am writing this post. The reason I am writing is to share a verse that a very dear friend shared with me to take to heart regarding a specific situation in my life right now. I am so thankful that God has placed this friend in my life "for such a time as this." The verse is this:
Luke 17:3 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."
I read this verse and it kind of hit me between the eyes... For some reason I have never really noticed this verse before. I mainly hear the verse just following that says if a brother tresspass against you seven times a day and ask for forgiveness, then seven times are you to forgive that person. I've also always known the verse where Jesus says we are to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven. The one thing that is different about this verse though is that it gives me, the one who is hurt and upset by someone else, the command to "rebuke" the person who has done something against me. Then it says IF that person repents, THEN I am to forgive them. I am a very non-confrontational person so for me this is really hard to swallow. Maybe that is why I don't ever remember this aspect of these verses on forgiveness?
I have done a little word searching in this verse to see how the original Greek would interpret this. Here is what I came up with.
What does the word "trespass" mean here?
-"to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin:--for your faults, offend, sin, trespass
What does the word "rebuke" mean here?
- "to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish; by implication, forbid:--(straitly) charge, rebuke"
What does the word "repent" mean here?
- "to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):--repent"
What does the word "forgive" mean here?
- "to send forth, in various applications (as follow):--cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up"
So basically this verse can read something like this:
"If your brother "misses the mark, or err's, or sins" against you, "admonish, charge, or rebuke" him; and if he "afterwards thinks differently or reconsiders or feels compunction (compunction means "A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that follows the doing of something bad; A pricking of the conscience) repents, "forsake, lay aside, leave, let go, omit, put away (the fault)" forgive him."
This is the same thing that God does when we sin and come to him and ask for repentance. The thing is though, when we do something wrong or when we sin, God doesn't just let it go. He gives us His word to convict us and a conscience that nudges us and the Holy Spirit who teaches us. (This is how he "rebukes" his children. Because we have a way of knowing that we having commited a sin or fault, we then have a way to make things right with God. If we weren't given that opportunity then we would never experience God's forgiveness.
Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
I think it's time for me to start doing some more "rebuking" or "calling out" in my life, rather than holding secret "grudges" or frustrations. If a person is continually unrepentant of their sin and seeks to justify or explain why it is not their fault then it finally comes down to "shaking the dust off your feet." When a person is continually unrepentant I do not need to spend time with them and I definitely do not need to "coddle" them. I just need to give it to God and let HIM handle the rest.
Matthew 10:14 "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)