I did not realize until now that my last post was the day before my Step-Dad died on April 28th. I honestly think that I have been avoiding my blog for that reason - and because I want to write about him but don't want to face the pain that brings.
That last post sums it up, though! Greg was so thankful, up until the very end. And he also experienced God's love even in his last few days, which is such a testament to me. It means so much to me to have seen God's faithfulness experienced and accepted by somebody who could just as easily miss or dismiss it under the circumstances. And now that Greg is gone, and I miss him so badly, I can follow his own example and decide to soak up the love that God has for me. I can choose to be grateful for all that I have, especially my loved ones who I also have only a finite amount of time with on this earth. And it's much easier to make those positive decisions knowing that Greg did the same thing himself when he was suffering and dying.
But he was that way when he was healthy, too. One of the greatest lessons that I learned from my Step-Dad is that it's so important to plan to make time for people who matter, and to really make those plans happen. He was always thankful for that time, and showed it by making the most of it, by making it fun and memorable. Greg's loved ones felt loved by this habit of his, as I know first-hand. I don't know that I'm good at actually doing that yet, but I hope to be by the time I am gone.
I could write (and have written) pages and pages about how blessed I am to have had this man as a Step-Father who welcomed me and cared for me like I was his own. I hope to keep his memory alive by never stopping acknowledging what a presence he was in my life, good, bad, hilarious and all. But had I had the chance to speak about him at his memorial, I would have talked about how he made time for all of us and how he made it special, whether it was time vacationing or time spent coaching a hopeless athlete (me - basketball, enough said).
What I did get to do at his memorial - which, by the way, was appropriately packed, appropriately sad to the extreme, but also appropriately humorous - was to pray. I prayed that we would all be comforted despite our grief by the fact that we will see Greg again (happy and whole!!), thanks to God doing what he did for us through Jesus. And that really does comfort me when I am crying over my Step-Dad.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Stream of Scripture
I have just been feeling this overwhelming sense of thankfulness and well-being the past couple of days. It probably started when I spoke to my beautiful little sister yesterday and she reminded me how important it is to be thankful. She told me a story of someone very dear to us experiencing extreme gratitude and knowing they are so loved by God despite much pain and very unhappy circumstances. It really moved me that this individual is able to soak up these joys when it would be so easy to be bitter, complain and become overtaken with sadness. I'm very proud of this person and so grateful that God has answered our prayers by being comforting and revealing himself. I'm just bursting with excitement over this!
This reminds me of the fact that what we think about creates a reaction from our body, which directly influences how we feel. I feel so much better when I am thinking about things I am happy about, things I enjoy, things I am thankful for, and things I'm looking forward to. And there is a lot of that to go around in my little head!
Excuse my stream of consciousness, but the above answered prayer also reminds me that the Lord Jesus and our Father God are SO powerful and they care so much. Which brings to mind some wonderful things from scripture...
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7
That's some perspective, isn't it? God cares even about silly little birds, of which there are zillions? He must REALLY care about me :)
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock; and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
We talked about this in fellowship last night - that when we pray, we can EXPECT and RELY on the fact that, if we are asking within the will of the Lord Jesus, he will answer! But we can't just pray one time and give up. The Word makes it clear that we have to PERSEVERE! (See Luke 18, the parable of the persistent widow)
I love this passage also. It, too, puts things in perspective for me.
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
This reminds me of the fact that what we think about creates a reaction from our body, which directly influences how we feel. I feel so much better when I am thinking about things I am happy about, things I enjoy, things I am thankful for, and things I'm looking forward to. And there is a lot of that to go around in my little head!
Excuse my stream of consciousness, but the above answered prayer also reminds me that the Lord Jesus and our Father God are SO powerful and they care so much. Which brings to mind some wonderful things from scripture...
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7
That's some perspective, isn't it? God cares even about silly little birds, of which there are zillions? He must REALLY care about me :)
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock; and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
We talked about this in fellowship last night - that when we pray, we can EXPECT and RELY on the fact that, if we are asking within the will of the Lord Jesus, he will answer! But we can't just pray one time and give up. The Word makes it clear that we have to PERSEVERE! (See Luke 18, the parable of the persistent widow)
I love this passage also. It, too, puts things in perspective for me.
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 1:15 - 23
Moral of the story: I want to know Christ for myself!
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Bible Reading Strategies
I had really been having trouble getting myself to read the Bible for a while there, but I've come up with something that helps. Maybe sharing it will inspire somebody else to try something new to make Bible reading more exciting, who knows?
Part of my problem was that I would sit down to read and not really know where in the Bible I should start. So I would spend my whole time flipping around looking to see if anything would catch my eye, and I'd end up reading casually and quickly because I had run out of time to actually digest the word. And that's the point, isn't it? To be able to understand the Word of God and to know him and his son through it? Even better, to be able to use that information about our God and Savior to make ourselves more like them and more pleasing to them.
So it occurred to me that I should try picking something ahead of time and focusing on it for a certain period of time. For example, recently, for about a month, I spent my lunch hour reading about Kind David. When I finished the chosen chunk, I started over. I got a lot more out of that section than I ever have before because I was focused on it and re-read it a couple of times.
I've also been enjoying reading different versions of whatever section I choose because it catches my attention to see words that are different than what I'm accustomed to. My favorite (when I have a little extra time, especially) has become the Companion Bible, because the side notes answer some of my questions or catch my eye and lead me to look into something I wasn't expecting to find in that specific passage.
Another thing that has made my Bible reading more enjoyable recently is trying to read it in the morning and when I get in bed at night. It seems to give longer sections of Bible more continuity for me, or sometimes it is a chance to read a psalm or proverb before bed instead of "interrupting" or "taking away from" my morning routine of sticking to that one selected section to do so.
I'm so thankful we all have the Word - it is a light that cuts through the darkness. It gives me so much to look forward to and so much to learn right now.
Part of my problem was that I would sit down to read and not really know where in the Bible I should start. So I would spend my whole time flipping around looking to see if anything would catch my eye, and I'd end up reading casually and quickly because I had run out of time to actually digest the word. And that's the point, isn't it? To be able to understand the Word of God and to know him and his son through it? Even better, to be able to use that information about our God and Savior to make ourselves more like them and more pleasing to them.
So it occurred to me that I should try picking something ahead of time and focusing on it for a certain period of time. For example, recently, for about a month, I spent my lunch hour reading about Kind David. When I finished the chosen chunk, I started over. I got a lot more out of that section than I ever have before because I was focused on it and re-read it a couple of times.
I've also been enjoying reading different versions of whatever section I choose because it catches my attention to see words that are different than what I'm accustomed to. My favorite (when I have a little extra time, especially) has become the Companion Bible, because the side notes answer some of my questions or catch my eye and lead me to look into something I wasn't expecting to find in that specific passage.
Another thing that has made my Bible reading more enjoyable recently is trying to read it in the morning and when I get in bed at night. It seems to give longer sections of Bible more continuity for me, or sometimes it is a chance to read a psalm or proverb before bed instead of "interrupting" or "taking away from" my morning routine of sticking to that one selected section to do so.
I'm so thankful we all have the Word - it is a light that cuts through the darkness. It gives me so much to look forward to and so much to learn right now.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
The Science of Rejoicing
I love reading books about the brain and body (i.e. the mind/body connection) because I always learn something about why God tells us to do what he does. Look at this (see below for the reference to the book I'm quoting)...
"Any form of negative rumination - for example, worrying about your financial future or health - will stimulate the release of destructive neurochemicals." (p25)
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?... Matthew 6:25-34
"Human brains like to ruminate on negative fantasies, and they're also odd in another way: they respond to positive and negative fantasies as if they were real." (p27)
"Any form of negative rumination - for example, worrying about your financial future or health - will stimulate the release of destructive neurochemicals." (p25)
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?... Matthew 6:25-34
"Human brains like to ruminate on negative fantasies, and they're also odd in another way: they respond to positive and negative fantasies as if they were real." (p27)
"There is mounting evidence that strongly negative terms can interrupt the normal expression of genes that regulate one of the most important language centers of the brain, Wernicke's area. This is where we learn how to interpret the meaning of words. Hostile language also appears to disrupt specific genes that are instrumental in the production of neurochemicals that protect us from physiological stress, and if we are exposed to it during childhood, it can undermine our ability to fend off anxiety, depression, and fear." (p33)
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
"But imagination is a two-way street. If you intensely focus on a word like "peace" or "love," the emotional centers in the brain calm down... This is the neurological power of positive thinking, and to date it has been supported by hundreds of well-designed studies." (p27)
"Certain words - like 'peace' and 'love' - may actually have the power to alter the expression of genes throughout the brain and body." (p28)
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in you hearts. to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:14
"According to Sonja Lyubomirsky, one of the world's leading researchers on happiness, if you want to develop lifelong satisfaction you should regularly engage in positive thinking about yourself, share your happiest events with others and savor every positive experience in your life." (p31)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice... Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:4-7
"...Concentrating and meditating on positive thoughts, feelings, and outcomes can be more powerful than any drug in the world, especially when it comes to changing old habits, behaviors, and beliefs." (p35)
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2
And, the definition of some of God's favorite words:
Rejoice - to feel joy or great delight
Delight - to take great pleasure
Joy - the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune, or by the prospect of possessing what one desires
When I know the reason why something should be done, it is so much easier for me to carry it out(which is great motivation for me to try to dig down to find out WHY God wants me to conduct my life a certain way!). After ingesting all of the above information, I realized that rejoicing is a lot easier than I have ever thought it was. In this case, the reason God wants us to manage our thoughts is because of how they can so dramatically affect our entire life. His wanting us to think positively and trust him instead of worrying is clear proof to me that he wants us to be peaceful and healthy.
When we dwell on and enjoy the well being that we have (especially our spiritual well being, since that is more real and lasting than any other form of health), it changes our perspective and heals us, as scientific research is now able to spell out in black and white.
It is easy to enjoy life if we choose to fixate on every good thing that happens to us, and every kind thing that God and Jesus Christ have done and will do for us. In the past couple of months, I have been able to experience this joy first hand as have finally started learning how to focus on good things and let go of unpleasant events, and my personal need to be upset, worried, afraid, etc.
I love how good science proves God every time!
Excerpts from:
Words Can Change Your Brain
by Andrew Newberg, M.D. and Mark Robert Waldman
Copyright 2012 Hudson Street Press
In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Colossians 3:7-8
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
"But imagination is a two-way street. If you intensely focus on a word like "peace" or "love," the emotional centers in the brain calm down... This is the neurological power of positive thinking, and to date it has been supported by hundreds of well-designed studies." (p27)
"Certain words - like 'peace' and 'love' - may actually have the power to alter the expression of genes throughout the brain and body." (p28)
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in you hearts. to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:14
"According to Sonja Lyubomirsky, one of the world's leading researchers on happiness, if you want to develop lifelong satisfaction you should regularly engage in positive thinking about yourself, share your happiest events with others and savor every positive experience in your life." (p31)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice... Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:4-7
"...Concentrating and meditating on positive thoughts, feelings, and outcomes can be more powerful than any drug in the world, especially when it comes to changing old habits, behaviors, and beliefs." (p35)
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2
And, the definition of some of God's favorite words:
Rejoice - to feel joy or great delight
Delight - to take great pleasure
Joy - the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune, or by the prospect of possessing what one desires
When I know the reason why something should be done, it is so much easier for me to carry it out(which is great motivation for me to try to dig down to find out WHY God wants me to conduct my life a certain way!). After ingesting all of the above information, I realized that rejoicing is a lot easier than I have ever thought it was. In this case, the reason God wants us to manage our thoughts is because of how they can so dramatically affect our entire life. His wanting us to think positively and trust him instead of worrying is clear proof to me that he wants us to be peaceful and healthy.
When we dwell on and enjoy the well being that we have (especially our spiritual well being, since that is more real and lasting than any other form of health), it changes our perspective and heals us, as scientific research is now able to spell out in black and white.
It is easy to enjoy life if we choose to fixate on every good thing that happens to us, and every kind thing that God and Jesus Christ have done and will do for us. In the past couple of months, I have been able to experience this joy first hand as have finally started learning how to focus on good things and let go of unpleasant events, and my personal need to be upset, worried, afraid, etc.
I love how good science proves God every time!
Excerpts from:
Words Can Change Your Brain
by Andrew Newberg, M.D. and Mark Robert Waldman
Copyright 2012 Hudson Street Press
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Who We Are & What We Have
A partial list of the blessings we have because of Christ. Some of these are automatic, but many of them only impact us if we live in the truth of them.
We are justified through faith (declared innocent & guiltless) (Gal 2:16)
We are redeemed (bought back from Satan) (many Psalms, Galatians 3:13)
We are saved from death (Rom 10:13)
We are loved unconditionally (Rom 5:6)
We are more than conquerers through Christ (Rom 8)
We are friends of Christ (John 15)
We are heirs with Christ of eternal life (Rom 8:17)
We are ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20)
We are light to the world (Matt 5:14)
We have been given all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies (Eph 1:3)
We are free from sin & death (Rom 8:2)
We have been created in God's image (Gen 1:26)
We are citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20)
We are sons & daughters of God (Gal 4:6 & Heb 12:7)
We have peace with God through Christ (Eph 2:17)
We are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17)
We died with Christ (Rom 6:8)
We will live with Christ (Rom 6:8)
There is no condemnation for us (Rom 8:1)
We cannot be separated from Christ's love (Rom 8:35)
We will not be put to shame (Rom 10:11)
We are members of the body of Christ (Rom 12:4)
We each have unique gifts (1 Cor)
We are accepted (Rom 15:7)
We have grace from God (1 Cor 1:3)
We do not lack any psiritual gift (1 Cor 1:7)
We will stay strong & will be blameless through Christ (1 Cor 1:8)
We are called into fellowship with Jesus by God (1 Cor 1:9)
We have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16)
We are of Christ & Christ is of God (John 15 & 1 Cor 3:23)
We are washed & sanctified (1 Cor 6:11)
We are given the victory through Christ (over death) (1 Cor 15:57)
We have Christ's sufferings & his comfort in our lives (2 Cor 1:5)
We are established with Christ by God (2 Cor 1:21)
Heck yeah! THIS is what I should be thinking about all day!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Jesus Listens
Time and time again, I find that if I actually seek God and Christ with my whole heart, they listen and answer. For me, this has meant that I'm not searching outside of them for answers, but that I go straight to them (or I catch myself as I'm wanting to get advice or comfort from another source, and turn to them instead).
If I show them that I actually believe that they can solve my problem, they always do. Not that a solution is what always solves the problem, and not that I'm looking for a quick fix for everything - I know that often, all I need to keep going can be provided by a word of comfort or encouragement from my Master or my Father.
If I show them that I actually believe that they can solve my problem, they always do. Not that a solution is what always solves the problem, and not that I'm looking for a quick fix for everything - I know that often, all I need to keep going can be provided by a word of comfort or encouragement from my Master or my Father.
But from there you will seek
the LORD your God
and you will find him,
if you search after him
with all your heart
and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 4:29
Monday, January 14, 2013
"In My Distress"
I have a tendency to think that because I've messed something up with my own sin or even just my own silly mistakes, I shouldn't or can't go to God for help. But as I was reading this verse...:
"In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me."
Psalm 120:1 ESV
...I realized that much of my distress in life is caused by my own bad attitudes, mistakes or wrong reactions (etc) to things, more so than the things themselves that happen to me. For example, somebody wrongs me and I start feeling really badly for myself, and the pity turns into more distress than the wrong that was done to me to begin with. When that happens, I feel it is my own responsibility to "get over" my problems since they seem to be my fault to begin with.
But a good parent wouldn't leave their young child to untangle their own mess - they would lovingly step in when possible. They would understand that a child can't be perfect, and is still learning and figuring out boundaries, etc. And when problems arise, as they are sure to, a child really isn't capable of saying "Oh, I know exactly what went wrong - I can handle this no problem now." Rather, they will be upset from whatever happened, and will need extra support.
So, even when I think my distress is my own fault, I can and should try to turn away from what I know is wrong, and most importantly, ask for help! God is willing.
"In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me."
Psalm 120:1 ESV
...I realized that much of my distress in life is caused by my own bad attitudes, mistakes or wrong reactions (etc) to things, more so than the things themselves that happen to me. For example, somebody wrongs me and I start feeling really badly for myself, and the pity turns into more distress than the wrong that was done to me to begin with. When that happens, I feel it is my own responsibility to "get over" my problems since they seem to be my fault to begin with.
But a good parent wouldn't leave their young child to untangle their own mess - they would lovingly step in when possible. They would understand that a child can't be perfect, and is still learning and figuring out boundaries, etc. And when problems arise, as they are sure to, a child really isn't capable of saying "Oh, I know exactly what went wrong - I can handle this no problem now." Rather, they will be upset from whatever happened, and will need extra support.
So, even when I think my distress is my own fault, I can and should try to turn away from what I know is wrong, and most importantly, ask for help! God is willing.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Set Apart Living
I recently read a book called "Set Apart Femininity" by Leslie Ludy. It is about giving our whole lives to the Lord, and not just sprinkling him in to our lives here and there. I loved the book. I agree with her message - it's so easy to give God and Christ only the attention that is convenient for us, and to treat them like consultants rather than like they are actually in charge of our lives as they ought to be.
Since reading it in July, I have been going back and forth with questions about how it should look to give my life completely to the Lord and to really put him in charge of it. Leslie gives the impression that living completely for Christ will mean doing something absolutely world shaking and abnormal. She uses women like Corrie Ten Boom, Amy Carmichael, Jackie Pullinger, and Sabina Wurmbrand as examples of "set apart femininity" - women who sacrificed absolutely everything most of us hold dear (a "normal" life, a home, marriage, their homeland, children, etc) for the cause of bringing glory to God and loving people.
There is nothing at all wrong with doing mind-blowing things in service to Jesus, but she makes it sound like being an upstanding woman in your community and serving the Lord on a small scale is not important in the Lord's eyes. I am trying to decide if I believe whether, in totally giving up ones own will to the Lord, he might direct a person to simply serve their own family in some way (for example, caring for a dying parent or a child with a special condition could be all-consuming). I believe smaller things can be just as radical, and just as important to the Lord, because I believe that he thinks that one person is just as important as many people.
I will be looking into scripture to see what I think, because I have this nagging feeling that one can live radically in a "normal" setting. Any thoughts??
Since reading it in July, I have been going back and forth with questions about how it should look to give my life completely to the Lord and to really put him in charge of it. Leslie gives the impression that living completely for Christ will mean doing something absolutely world shaking and abnormal. She uses women like Corrie Ten Boom, Amy Carmichael, Jackie Pullinger, and Sabina Wurmbrand as examples of "set apart femininity" - women who sacrificed absolutely everything most of us hold dear (a "normal" life, a home, marriage, their homeland, children, etc) for the cause of bringing glory to God and loving people.
There is nothing at all wrong with doing mind-blowing things in service to Jesus, but she makes it sound like being an upstanding woman in your community and serving the Lord on a small scale is not important in the Lord's eyes. I am trying to decide if I believe whether, in totally giving up ones own will to the Lord, he might direct a person to simply serve their own family in some way (for example, caring for a dying parent or a child with a special condition could be all-consuming). I believe smaller things can be just as radical, and just as important to the Lord, because I believe that he thinks that one person is just as important as many people.
I will be looking into scripture to see what I think, because I have this nagging feeling that one can live radically in a "normal" setting. Any thoughts??
Friday, November 30, 2012
Jesus, My Hero
I think I have been seriously overlooking something very important. Another moment of re-learning!
My Lord Jesus is powerful! If anything is standing between me and him, he is able to get rid of the obstacle, or help me to do it. He is able to help me with anything! ...Anything!
He cannot be treated like just a friend to vent to. He can't be looked at as simply a comforter or a back-patter, sitting by sympathetically. He rises up on behalf of us if we ask him to. He fights for us in the heavenlies! We don't have to helplessly wonder why our relationship with him is not what it could be. We can just ask him to do what needs to be done to help us enjoy a hindrance-free relationship with him.
He is bigger than the distractions that seem to constantly plague me, and I am asking him to bulldoze them. I have tried and tried to do it myself, and it is painfully tiring and frustrating. It has been like running repeatedly into a locked heavy metal door in an attempt to knock it down. But what joy it gives me to imagine Jesus using his pinkie to effortlessly tear the door off it's hinges, toss it aside, and smile at me, now ready for intimate fellowship.
Please don't skip the scripture! Try to read it like you have never seen it before:
16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:16-21 ESV (I added some emphasis!)
*
My Lord Jesus is powerful! If anything is standing between me and him, he is able to get rid of the obstacle, or help me to do it. He is able to help me with anything! ...Anything!
He cannot be treated like just a friend to vent to. He can't be looked at as simply a comforter or a back-patter, sitting by sympathetically. He rises up on behalf of us if we ask him to. He fights for us in the heavenlies! We don't have to helplessly wonder why our relationship with him is not what it could be. We can just ask him to do what needs to be done to help us enjoy a hindrance-free relationship with him.
He is bigger than the distractions that seem to constantly plague me, and I am asking him to bulldoze them. I have tried and tried to do it myself, and it is painfully tiring and frustrating. It has been like running repeatedly into a locked heavy metal door in an attempt to knock it down. But what joy it gives me to imagine Jesus using his pinkie to effortlessly tear the door off it's hinges, toss it aside, and smile at me, now ready for intimate fellowship.
Please don't skip the scripture! Try to read it like you have never seen it before:
16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:16-21 ESV (I added some emphasis!)
*
Friday, November 23, 2012
Re-Learning... Again
It has been far too long!
Sometimes I feel like one of the most dense humans on the planet, because I seem to need to relearn things over and over and over. Or maybe it's just that I have known things in my head for a long time, but the facts haven't traveled to my heart because my head hasn't fully accepted them yet. Either way, I am glad the Lord is so patient, because if I were him, I'd probably be pulling my hair out over me by now!
I am also glad that I am "relearning" these things. I'll share a brief overview of the truths that I have known forever, but have recently come to understand a bit deeper in my heart, in a way that I can apply to myself:
1. God and Jesus love me no matter what. I started understanding what this means when I thought about my favorite person, the one I love most unconditionally. I thought about how I feel toward them despite all their flaws and shortcomings, what I want for them, how I would treat them in the face of them doing something wrong or disappointing, etc... and I came to the conclusion that if I can feel so tenderly toward somebody, and if God tells me to always forgive and always love and always treat well, then he certainly does nothing less for me. (I recommend doing the same mental exercise of thinking about somebody you just absolutely adore, and preferably know very well - it might open your eyes, too, if you have been in the same boat as I have)
2. Relationship is the most important thing to God. That's why he made humans and why he sent Jesus.
3. But relationship with God is only fully experienced through obedience to him. That way there is not only no guilt in blocking the way between me and God, but I can also be assured that when I obey, I am much more safe and protected. God can only do so much for me, for example, when I decide to go against him and get in a fist fight with someone who has made me angry. Additionally, when we obey, God's goodness is showcased to the world in an extremely powerful way because it so confounds and confuses the ways of the enemy.
4. I don't need to be perfect! I can't be perfect! The Lord does not EXPECT me to be perfect! And, I will NEVER BE PERFECT! And! That is OK! Good gracious. Needless to say, I'll be relearning this one again next month.
Anybody learning anything out there? What a privilege to be able to encourage each other in all of our learning about our marvelous Lord Jesus and our Father God :)
Sometimes I feel like one of the most dense humans on the planet, because I seem to need to relearn things over and over and over. Or maybe it's just that I have known things in my head for a long time, but the facts haven't traveled to my heart because my head hasn't fully accepted them yet. Either way, I am glad the Lord is so patient, because if I were him, I'd probably be pulling my hair out over me by now!
I am also glad that I am "relearning" these things. I'll share a brief overview of the truths that I have known forever, but have recently come to understand a bit deeper in my heart, in a way that I can apply to myself:
1. God and Jesus love me no matter what. I started understanding what this means when I thought about my favorite person, the one I love most unconditionally. I thought about how I feel toward them despite all their flaws and shortcomings, what I want for them, how I would treat them in the face of them doing something wrong or disappointing, etc... and I came to the conclusion that if I can feel so tenderly toward somebody, and if God tells me to always forgive and always love and always treat well, then he certainly does nothing less for me. (I recommend doing the same mental exercise of thinking about somebody you just absolutely adore, and preferably know very well - it might open your eyes, too, if you have been in the same boat as I have)
2. Relationship is the most important thing to God. That's why he made humans and why he sent Jesus.
3. But relationship with God is only fully experienced through obedience to him. That way there is not only no guilt in blocking the way between me and God, but I can also be assured that when I obey, I am much more safe and protected. God can only do so much for me, for example, when I decide to go against him and get in a fist fight with someone who has made me angry. Additionally, when we obey, God's goodness is showcased to the world in an extremely powerful way because it so confounds and confuses the ways of the enemy.
4. I don't need to be perfect! I can't be perfect! The Lord does not EXPECT me to be perfect! And, I will NEVER BE PERFECT! And! That is OK! Good gracious. Needless to say, I'll be relearning this one again next month.
Anybody learning anything out there? What a privilege to be able to encourage each other in all of our learning about our marvelous Lord Jesus and our Father God :)
Monday, August 20, 2012
Working with God
I have often wondered why God works with certain people. What makes him able to do so? Or what makes them the type of person God likes to work with? In what ways might people need to be different than everybody else?
(Quick sidenote: I don't like the expression "use" in Christianity - "God used him" or "please use me, God" - it's not there, biblically. God works together with us "to will and to do of his good pleasure," he doesn't control us and make us do things the way I "use" a fork, if you see where I'm coming from).
And, I don't really know the answer to this! I don't know that any of us can fully understand why certain people were chosen, or ended up doing "big things" for God. Often, these people are of no account to the rest of the world. For example, Esther was just a Jewish child who, through God's provision, became Queen and changed the fate of her people. But on the other hand, people in high up positions also become great in God's economy. King David would be one such person.
I've been looking at possible reasons Daniel was such a great man, and why God was able to work with him. More specifically, I've been considering what set Daniel apart for God's work.
Here are some things I discovered:
One of the first things said about Daniel (1:8), is that he RESOLVED that he would not defile himself with the King's food, which he was commanded to eat. He took a big risk and asked the person in charge of him to let him eat something else. Vegetables! Who would choose to eat vegetables over the same food the King was eating? (Which happened to be meat and wine, by the way). Well, it was more important to Daniel to honor God than to enjoy tasty food that would defile him (I haven't researched, but my guess is that the meat was offered to idols).
Read the book of Daniel and you will see that over and over Daniel (and his awesome friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) chooses to honor God despite any personal harm or discomfort he may suffer from such a choice. To me, that seems like a quality that would allow God to work with a person. How could God do mighty things through us if we shy away from something that needs to be done if it is threatening? Daniel and his friends would not have been able to make the statements they were trying to make if they had not stood firm in the face of death.
For example, Daniel, in chapter 6, continued to pray to God three times daily despite a grave decree from the King he served that anyone who petitioned any man or god beside the King would be thrown into the lion's den. If he hadn't, it would have sent the message that the King is more important than Daniel's God, that Daniel is afraid of the King, that he doesn't think that God could save him from any peril, and that Daniel doesn't really take his relationship with God seriously. But since he DID stand firm, it not only sent a strong message of complete trust and dependence on God, but it also gave God the chance to show the entire kingdom how awesome He really is, and that he can save anyone who relies completely on Him.
It seems like our culture is all about compromise and pleasing ourselves, and so it is no wonder that in America we don't see amazing things from the hand of God. I think that it would do us well to get back to a place of true dependence on God, and to making the right decisions to show the world that we honor God above anyone and anything else. I'm working on it, and I'm thankful for the examples in the Bible of people who did just that.
(Quick sidenote: I don't like the expression "use" in Christianity - "God used him" or "please use me, God" - it's not there, biblically. God works together with us "to will and to do of his good pleasure," he doesn't control us and make us do things the way I "use" a fork, if you see where I'm coming from).
And, I don't really know the answer to this! I don't know that any of us can fully understand why certain people were chosen, or ended up doing "big things" for God. Often, these people are of no account to the rest of the world. For example, Esther was just a Jewish child who, through God's provision, became Queen and changed the fate of her people. But on the other hand, people in high up positions also become great in God's economy. King David would be one such person.
I've been looking at possible reasons Daniel was such a great man, and why God was able to work with him. More specifically, I've been considering what set Daniel apart for God's work.
Here are some things I discovered:
One of the first things said about Daniel (1:8), is that he RESOLVED that he would not defile himself with the King's food, which he was commanded to eat. He took a big risk and asked the person in charge of him to let him eat something else. Vegetables! Who would choose to eat vegetables over the same food the King was eating? (Which happened to be meat and wine, by the way). Well, it was more important to Daniel to honor God than to enjoy tasty food that would defile him (I haven't researched, but my guess is that the meat was offered to idols).
Read the book of Daniel and you will see that over and over Daniel (and his awesome friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) chooses to honor God despite any personal harm or discomfort he may suffer from such a choice. To me, that seems like a quality that would allow God to work with a person. How could God do mighty things through us if we shy away from something that needs to be done if it is threatening? Daniel and his friends would not have been able to make the statements they were trying to make if they had not stood firm in the face of death.
For example, Daniel, in chapter 6, continued to pray to God three times daily despite a grave decree from the King he served that anyone who petitioned any man or god beside the King would be thrown into the lion's den. If he hadn't, it would have sent the message that the King is more important than Daniel's God, that Daniel is afraid of the King, that he doesn't think that God could save him from any peril, and that Daniel doesn't really take his relationship with God seriously. But since he DID stand firm, it not only sent a strong message of complete trust and dependence on God, but it also gave God the chance to show the entire kingdom how awesome He really is, and that he can save anyone who relies completely on Him.
It seems like our culture is all about compromise and pleasing ourselves, and so it is no wonder that in America we don't see amazing things from the hand of God. I think that it would do us well to get back to a place of true dependence on God, and to making the right decisions to show the world that we honor God above anyone and anything else. I'm working on it, and I'm thankful for the examples in the Bible of people who did just that.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Breathing
Good Morning!
This week, like a sharp poke in the side, I remembered a little lesson somebody taught several years ago. It was the principle of "spiritual breathing."
We need to breath in, but we can't only breath in or eventually it will be like we never breathed in, and we will turn blue. We need to breath out so that we can breath in again. Over and over.
Spiritually, breathing in is taking in, learning, receiving. Clearly, we need to breath in and be nourished.
Breathing out corresponds to giving, doing, passing on to others some of what we just got. We also need to breath out because it is part of the cycle.
If we only breath in, we become like a little pond that gets rainwater and then sits stagnantly, rotting. The water would not go bad if there were circulation - water coming in and going out.
We can't grow in a healthy way by taking in, taking in, taking in. We get fat that way. We get puffed up with all of our knowledge, but we don't learn how to use it if we don't actually go out and use it. We need to eat the word and then go and let it get burned up with exercise. Then we need to come back to get full again so we can repeat the cycle.
For me, I need to do a lot more breathing out. I'm learning so much these days, but I need to share that and use it. So one of my goals is to blog more so I can pass on the things that are benefiting me.
This week, like a sharp poke in the side, I remembered a little lesson somebody taught several years ago. It was the principle of "spiritual breathing."
We need to breath in, but we can't only breath in or eventually it will be like we never breathed in, and we will turn blue. We need to breath out so that we can breath in again. Over and over.
Spiritually, breathing in is taking in, learning, receiving. Clearly, we need to breath in and be nourished.
Breathing out corresponds to giving, doing, passing on to others some of what we just got. We also need to breath out because it is part of the cycle.
If we only breath in, we become like a little pond that gets rainwater and then sits stagnantly, rotting. The water would not go bad if there were circulation - water coming in and going out.
We can't grow in a healthy way by taking in, taking in, taking in. We get fat that way. We get puffed up with all of our knowledge, but we don't learn how to use it if we don't actually go out and use it. We need to eat the word and then go and let it get burned up with exercise. Then we need to come back to get full again so we can repeat the cycle.
For me, I need to do a lot more breathing out. I'm learning so much these days, but I need to share that and use it. So one of my goals is to blog more so I can pass on the things that are benefiting me.
Proverbs 11:24
One gives freely,
yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give,
and only suffers want.
Monday, April 30, 2012
A Tribute to My Fish and to Jesus
Last week, a tragedy occurred in the Trigg household. My beloved Betta fish, Alfa, had his final adventure as he leapt out of his bowl and flopped all over my bed side table while I slept. I found him before I left for work in the morning, nice and crispy, his gorgeous teal scales dried up into a horrible black color. I wailed.
As shocking and sad as this event was (and believe me, it was sad - I cried every day for a week), I was reminded of the hope I have in Christ because of God.
Death is truly a horrifying, ugly, ruthless thing. It rips and tears at everything it can dig its claws into, and leaves us traumatized and wounded. But all of us have to face death! And as indescribably terrible as it is, we have to remember that death itself will be destroyed. Because of what Christ did to ransom us, someday the reign of Death will be broken, and death's evil prince, Illness, will no longer influence the world. Instead, there will be Restoration - we and our loved ones who have fallen asleep beside us will be RESTORED! This is an unbelievable salve for the wounds death has marred us with.
While I wait to be reunited with my dear little feisty fish, and, much more seriously, with my fellow brothers and sisters who have endured this life and fought in love for the Lord, I am SO thankful for the short time we have here together on this earth. Honestly, what a gift each moment is! I can say I enjoyed Alfa every day he was in my life (it's so easy to love a fish unconditionally), and I want to be able to say the same for each person I love when that time comes .
Finally, what dawned on me was that if a silly little two inch long fish that does nothing productive in life can capture my heart so, how precious must we be to God and our Lord Jesus Christ? How do they feel when we die and they too have to wait until the Resurrection to hear our voice again? Alfa's death just really opened my eyes to how loved we must be and how our lives must warm God's heart when we spend them with Him.
As shocking and sad as this event was (and believe me, it was sad - I cried every day for a week), I was reminded of the hope I have in Christ because of God.
Death is truly a horrifying, ugly, ruthless thing. It rips and tears at everything it can dig its claws into, and leaves us traumatized and wounded. But all of us have to face death! And as indescribably terrible as it is, we have to remember that death itself will be destroyed. Because of what Christ did to ransom us, someday the reign of Death will be broken, and death's evil prince, Illness, will no longer influence the world. Instead, there will be Restoration - we and our loved ones who have fallen asleep beside us will be RESTORED! This is an unbelievable salve for the wounds death has marred us with.
While I wait to be reunited with my dear little feisty fish, and, much more seriously, with my fellow brothers and sisters who have endured this life and fought in love for the Lord, I am SO thankful for the short time we have here together on this earth. Honestly, what a gift each moment is! I can say I enjoyed Alfa every day he was in my life (it's so easy to love a fish unconditionally), and I want to be able to say the same for each person I love when that time comes .
Finally, what dawned on me was that if a silly little two inch long fish that does nothing productive in life can capture my heart so, how precious must we be to God and our Lord Jesus Christ? How do they feel when we die and they too have to wait until the Resurrection to hear our voice again? Alfa's death just really opened my eyes to how loved we must be and how our lives must warm God's heart when we spend them with Him.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Revelation in Target
I have been very distracted from God recently! I can't put my finger on just one thing that has driven me to distraction, but I can tell you it has not been fun losing connection with my Father and my Lord Jesus. And the longer I stay away, the more lost I feel, the more distorted my view of who God is becomes.
Interestingly, I'm sure God knew that this might happen if I wasn't more careful, because I believe he warned me about it. I was in Target, and I found myself aimlessly walking through the aisles and looking at EVERYTHING, even though I didn't need any of it. Nothing necessarily wrong with doing some "window shopping" every once in a while, but all of the sudden I heard this phrase in my head like a caption beneath the cartoon of what I was doing: "She wandered from the faith."
"What?!?" I stopped in my tracks, looked around wide-eyed and high-tailed it back to find my husband, thinking "I don't want to wander!"
But since then, that's what I have done without realizing it. I didn't guard my morning time in the Word. I let myself be too tired to stay awake in the morning, and allowed my mind to run around me in circles like a tiny, excited dog so that I could not concentrate on the Lord even if I were awake enough to do so. I haven't kept it a priority to be in touch with my amazing Christian friends who encourage me and point me to the truth. I stopped blogging, which really helps me work through things with God sometimes. I have hardly prayed. I didn't even want to go to church this Sunday (but I did because my husband made me, bless him).
I'm not listing all of those things to make myself feel worse, but because I think those are the keys. My man and I listened to a teaching last night that addressed these things, which really brought into focus the causes of my current spiritual distress. I definitely recommend you set aside some time to listen to it,* but I'll tell you that the suggestions (based on the Parable of the Sower) were to build godly, spiritual habits into your life, and to do whatever it takes to rearrange your life so that you can and do put God and our Lord Jesus Christ first.
Needless to say, I will be scrambling to restore my Father to his rightful place. I'm beyond thankful that he hasn't, nor will he ever give up on me when I wander, and that Christ did what it took so I don't have to ever EARN God's love and acceptance.
*You can find the teaching at truthortradition podcasts - it is the February 2012 teaching of the month called "The Parable of the Sower" by John Schoenheit.
Interestingly, I'm sure God knew that this might happen if I wasn't more careful, because I believe he warned me about it. I was in Target, and I found myself aimlessly walking through the aisles and looking at EVERYTHING, even though I didn't need any of it. Nothing necessarily wrong with doing some "window shopping" every once in a while, but all of the sudden I heard this phrase in my head like a caption beneath the cartoon of what I was doing: "She wandered from the faith."
"What?!?" I stopped in my tracks, looked around wide-eyed and high-tailed it back to find my husband, thinking "I don't want to wander!"
But since then, that's what I have done without realizing it. I didn't guard my morning time in the Word. I let myself be too tired to stay awake in the morning, and allowed my mind to run around me in circles like a tiny, excited dog so that I could not concentrate on the Lord even if I were awake enough to do so. I haven't kept it a priority to be in touch with my amazing Christian friends who encourage me and point me to the truth. I stopped blogging, which really helps me work through things with God sometimes. I have hardly prayed. I didn't even want to go to church this Sunday (but I did because my husband made me, bless him).
I'm not listing all of those things to make myself feel worse, but because I think those are the keys. My man and I listened to a teaching last night that addressed these things, which really brought into focus the causes of my current spiritual distress. I definitely recommend you set aside some time to listen to it,* but I'll tell you that the suggestions (based on the Parable of the Sower) were to build godly, spiritual habits into your life, and to do whatever it takes to rearrange your life so that you can and do put God and our Lord Jesus Christ first.
Needless to say, I will be scrambling to restore my Father to his rightful place. I'm beyond thankful that he hasn't, nor will he ever give up on me when I wander, and that Christ did what it took so I don't have to ever EARN God's love and acceptance.
*You can find the teaching at truthortradition podcasts - it is the February 2012 teaching of the month called "The Parable of the Sower" by John Schoenheit.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Who We Are & What We Have
A simple list of the (mostly) internal, (mostly) un-earned qualities and blessings we have because of Christ. The question: will we pick up these gifts laid before us and use them?
We are justified through faith (declared innocent & guiltless)
We are redeemed, bought back from Satan
We are righteous, upright & moral
We are saved from death (Rom 10:13)
We are loved unconditionally (Rom 5:6)
We are more than conquerers through Christ (Rom 8)
We are friends of Christ (John 15)
We are heirs with CHrist of eternal life (Rom 8:17)
We are ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20)
We are light to the world
We have been given all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies (Eph 1:3)
We are free from sin & death (Rom 8:2)
We have been created in God's image (Gen)
We are citizens of heaven
We are sons & daughters of God
We have peace with God through Christ (Eph 2:17)
We are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17)
We died with Christ (Rom 6:8)
We will live with Christ (Rom 6:8)
There is no condemnation for us (Rom 8:1)
We cannot be separated from Christ's love (Rom 8:35)
We will not be put to shame (Rom 10:11)
We are members of the body of Christ (rom 12:4)
We each have unique gifts (2 Cor)
We are accepted (Rom 15:7)
We have grace from God (1 Cor 1:3)
We do not lack any psiritual gift (1 Cor 1:7)
We will stay strong & will be blameless through Christ (1 Cor 1:8)
We are called into fellowship with Jesus by God (1 Cor 1:9)
We have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16)
We are of Christ & Christ is of God (1 Cor 3:23)
We are washed & sanctified (1 Cor 6:11)
We are given the victory through Christ (over death) (1 Cor 15:57)
We have Christ's sufferings & his comfort in our lives (2 Cor 1:5)
We are established with Christ by God (2 Cor 1:21)
We are anointed (2 Cor 1:21)
We have God's seal on us (2 Cor 1:22)
We have God's Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (2 Cor 1:22)
He have the "yes" to God's promises in Christ (2 Cor 1:20)
We are the aroma of Christ (2 Cor 2:15)
We are a letter from God on human hearts (2 Cor 3:3)
Our veil has been lifted (regarding the Old Testament) (2 Cor 3:14)
We can see the light of the good news of Christ who is the image of God (2 Cor 4:4)
We have God shining light in our hearts of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Cor 4:6)
We have the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18)
We are reconciled (won over, brought into agreement/harmony/compatibility) by God through Christ (2 Cor 5:18)
We belong to Christ (2 Cor 10:7)
We have power (Christ's) which is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9-10)
We have Jesus Christ in us (2 Cor 13:5)
We are called in grace by God (Gal 1:6)
We have freedom in Christ (Gal 2:4)
We have been cruicified to the world and the world has been crucified to us (Gal 6:14)
We are to the praise of God's glory (Eph 1:12)
We were and are loved at our worst (Eph 2:5)
We have been made alive together with Christ (Eph 2:6)
We have been raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph 2:6)
We have God's richness of mercy toward us (Eph 2:4)
God loves us with a great love (Eph 2:4)
We will be shown God's immeasurable richness of grace in kindness toward us (Eph 2:7)
We are God's workmanship, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10)
We have been brought near to Christ (by his own blood) (Eph 2:13)
We have the same access to God as Israel, in one spirit (Eph 2:18)
We are no longer strangers & aliens (Eph 2:19)
We are fellow citizens with the saints (Eph 2:19)
We are members of God's household (Eph 2:19)
We are being built into a dwelling place for God (by Jesus) (Eph 2:22)
We have encouagement in Christ, comfort from love, participation in the spirit, affection and sympathy (Phil 2:1)
What blows my mind about this list is how intertwined it proves us to be with our Lord. I created this list by searching the word "Christ." ALL the good spiritual things we have are from him, his sacrifice.
We have God's Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (2 Cor 1:22)
He have the "yes" to God's promises in Christ (2 Cor 1:20)
We are the aroma of Christ (2 Cor 2:15)
We are a letter from God on human hearts (2 Cor 3:3)
Our veil has been lifted (regarding the Old Testament) (2 Cor 3:14)
We can see the light of the good news of Christ who is the image of God (2 Cor 4:4)
We have God shining light in our hearts of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Cor 4:6)
We have the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18)
We are reconciled (won over, brought into agreement/harmony/compatibility) by God through Christ (2 Cor 5:18)
We belong to Christ (2 Cor 10:7)
We have power (Christ's) which is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9-10)
We have Jesus Christ in us (2 Cor 13:5)
We are called in grace by God (Gal 1:6)
We have freedom in Christ (Gal 2:4)
We have been cruicified to the world and the world has been crucified to us (Gal 6:14)
We are to the praise of God's glory (Eph 1:12)
We were and are loved at our worst (Eph 2:5)
We have been made alive together with Christ (Eph 2:6)
We have been raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph 2:6)
We have God's richness of mercy toward us (Eph 2:4)
God loves us with a great love (Eph 2:4)
We will be shown God's immeasurable richness of grace in kindness toward us (Eph 2:7)
We are God's workmanship, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10)
We have been brought near to Christ (by his own blood) (Eph 2:13)
We have the same access to God as Israel, in one spirit (Eph 2:18)
We are no longer strangers & aliens (Eph 2:19)
We are fellow citizens with the saints (Eph 2:19)
We are members of God's household (Eph 2:19)
We are being built into a dwelling place for God (by Jesus) (Eph 2:22)
We have encouagement in Christ, comfort from love, participation in the spirit, affection and sympathy (Phil 2:1)
What blows my mind about this list is how intertwined it proves us to be with our Lord. I created this list by searching the word "Christ." ALL the good spiritual things we have are from him, his sacrifice.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Cooperation
What makes it easy to work with someone to help them improve themselves?
Using the example of a coach working with a swimmer, it is much easier to help someone...
...when they know they need the coach's help rather than when they think they are doing a great job by themselves
...if they pay attention when the coach is showing them what they need to do to improve
...if they are willing to put the work and focus in to do what the coach prescribes
...when they understand specifically what they are doing wrong and don't like the fact that they are doing it incorrectly, rather than not trying to understand and not caring even if they do understand
Working with a swimmer who is coachable but may not have much inherent skill is desirable to working with someone stubborn and unwilling to improve even if they are very talented.
It seems to me that as long as a person is willing, tractable, and not arrogant, then they can be happily worked with no matter how badly they do. When you know someone is trying their best, it is hard to give up on them, even if they are floundering a bit.
Despite the fact that Jesus will never give up on a believer, I want so badly to be easy and pleasant for him to work with. I think repentance is a huge part of coachability because the Bible definition (from dictionary.com, of course!) looks a lot like a simple willingness to do what is right:
"Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose as the result of after knowledge. This verb with the cognate noun 'metanoia', is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life..."
I think the big trick is to not just to do our best, but to also ask for more help from Jesus because often the things we need to change our mind, purpose and life about are deep habits, maybe even things we enjoy even though they are wrong. As noble as it would be to do everything out of sheer willpower, I think the whole point of having a Lord is so that we have extra help and support to save us from our dead human nature:
Using the example of a coach working with a swimmer, it is much easier to help someone...
...when they know they need the coach's help rather than when they think they are doing a great job by themselves
...if they pay attention when the coach is showing them what they need to do to improve
...if they are willing to put the work and focus in to do what the coach prescribes
...when they understand specifically what they are doing wrong and don't like the fact that they are doing it incorrectly, rather than not trying to understand and not caring even if they do understand
Working with a swimmer who is coachable but may not have much inherent skill is desirable to working with someone stubborn and unwilling to improve even if they are very talented.
It seems to me that as long as a person is willing, tractable, and not arrogant, then they can be happily worked with no matter how badly they do. When you know someone is trying their best, it is hard to give up on them, even if they are floundering a bit.
Despite the fact that Jesus will never give up on a believer, I want so badly to be easy and pleasant for him to work with. I think repentance is a huge part of coachability because the Bible definition (from dictionary.com, of course!) looks a lot like a simple willingness to do what is right:
"Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose as the result of after knowledge. This verb with the cognate noun 'metanoia', is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life..."
I think the big trick is to not just to do our best, but to also ask for more help from Jesus because often the things we need to change our mind, purpose and life about are deep habits, maybe even things we enjoy even though they are wrong. As noble as it would be to do everything out of sheer willpower, I think the whole point of having a Lord is so that we have extra help and support to save us from our dead human nature:
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
and are justified by his grace as a gift,
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood,
to be received by faith.
Since we are already justified, we can walk freely with Christ, knowing that we are already good enough on the inside because God said so. Our right response to that freedom is to desire to reflect our true nature in Christ, and to let him direct us into it.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Lifestyles of the Right and Blameless
Join with others in following my [Paul's] example,
brothers [and sisters!], and take note of those
who live according to the pattern we gave you.
-Philippians 3:17-
I am so thankful for people who have been examples of godliness in my life.
People who reach out and act out the love of God are refreshing and energizing agents. So many times in my life, God has provided a great example to me at just the right time to give me a boost. Whether that person simply reminded me with their actions that God cares about me, or whether they snapped me out of my selfishness with an example of how I should behave instead, I am always thankful to see an example.
It is difficult to put into words the gift that strong, godly believers are. It is so much easier to go on trying to live right, and more importantly, trying to have a functional relationship with God, when you can see another faulty human being who is already doing it. The key might be that seeing an example activates our imagination and reminds us of the possible. When we see someone else doing the thing we dream of, we are able to see ourselves sticking our feet into their shoes (because we can see their shoes!) and consider the possibility that we can do it if they can. It instills hope into our hearts. Sometimes that is all we need to get moving in the right direction.
How much more powerful it is to SEE someone doing the right thing than to be TOLD about doing the right thing!
And what's best about people who are godly examples, is that they almost never notice the impact they are having. It is out of a humble heart, not from self-righteously trying to prove themselves - they are not doing what they do to show off, unless it is to show God off. They are just fulfilling their "moral obligation" to God.* But sometimes examples need to be thanked for what they do, because encouragers need more encouragement than anybody else.
Thank you to all the people who have been an example to me. Because of you...
...Lives have been transformed when you refused to give up on them, and now I have a better chance of being persistent to the same end.
...I know it is possible to truly love people when they are unkind - I can see that love is a commitment, an action, NOT A FEELING.
...I know what it means to think of others interests and not just my own.
...I no longer let my emotions and my thoughts rule my life, but I know I can confess God's truth instead, and be free.
...I know what hospitality is, and that with practice I can put others before myself, welcoming them in my home.
...I have been urged on to intercede for people faithfully.
...I know what a pure heart looks like, free of bitterness and selfishness.
...I have seen what it is to take care of the sick.
Because of you, I have felt the love of Christ at the times I least deserve it.
*I recently listened to a really great lesson called Our Obligation to God, and I recommend it. But if you don't hear it, just think of this: God is our Father. Imagine your earthly father or mother. They give us everything we need for life and more. We don't have any legal or technical obligation to them, but what adult child would not show their love (through action!!) to their parents, or take care of them in their old age? Morally, we have no other choice than to treat our parents well and do what we can to show we love them. We could never pay them back for or deserve what they've done for us, but it would be wrong not to serve them in some way. It is the same with God!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Why I Need Jesus
I'm always a little surprised and sad when I talk to people about Jesus and they don't seem to feel the same way I do about him. It seems often to be no fault of their own, except maybe unwillingness to check out what they have heard about Jesus. I'm lucky because I grew up in a family where God and Jesus were a big deal, and I've known about the benefits of living life with them, if not first-hand, at least by exposure to the Bible and to other believers. And because of this I've always loved Jesus. But I don't think I finally felt my real need for him until the things I usually thrived on failed me and I landed hard on my hind end. Then I got up, looked around and realized this wasn't the first time this had happened, but was in fact probably the hundredth, and maybe I should re-evaluate what I think I need in life.
And that's the thing - anything, anyone, that isn't God or Jesus Christ is going to hurt you, let you down, leave you. Including yourself, if that's what has gotten you by in life so far. Sometimes feelings seem like facts, and other times facts are not backed up by feelings. It might not feel true to you that everything will fail you, because perhaps it seems that you have always done okay and been okay. You don't need Jesus because you can't even see him, maybe. But let me tell you, you WILL see him, and I hope you meet him before you have to stand in front of him when it's time to sort out the people he knows and doesn't know. Because he is good and he loves you and not only will he save you eternally, when the time comes, from the long, dark shadow and the creeping death Satan has cast over this earth, but he will also give you everything you need to live a truly full life right now - that being a relationship with him.
I need Christ because I live on this planet and this planet and all of us on it are tanking.
And that's the thing - anything, anyone, that isn't God or Jesus Christ is going to hurt you, let you down, leave you. Including yourself, if that's what has gotten you by in life so far. Sometimes feelings seem like facts, and other times facts are not backed up by feelings. It might not feel true to you that everything will fail you, because perhaps it seems that you have always done okay and been okay. You don't need Jesus because you can't even see him, maybe. But let me tell you, you WILL see him, and I hope you meet him before you have to stand in front of him when it's time to sort out the people he knows and doesn't know. Because he is good and he loves you and not only will he save you eternally, when the time comes, from the long, dark shadow and the creeping death Satan has cast over this earth, but he will also give you everything you need to live a truly full life right now - that being a relationship with him.
I need Christ because I live on this planet and this planet and all of us on it are tanking.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Beth Moore Simulcast - Salt & Certainty
Point #5: We can revel in the certainty of the things we have been taught.
The point of Bible study is to know God and have a relationship with him - it's not just about knowledge! The people of the Bible, those who wrote the Bible, KNEW Jesus - they had proof. What theses people wrote isn't a fond hope, it is their experience, it is reality.
John 20:29
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
That means WE are blessed!!
Here's a secret about Jesus: The more you need him, the more you will see him.
God intends to be faithful to you. Don't you ever think he's not there for you or that he's left you. Go to him because he will help you and give you love that nobody else will ever be able to give you.
Acts 1:1-3
3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Imagine how trying it would have been to be with Jesus and for him to keep coming and going over this time period. It was obviously a time of testing, confirmed by the fact that it was a period of 40 days, which all over the Bible is a number that indicates testing. Here are some other 40 day testing periods of the Bible:
-The rains while Noah and his family were in the ark
-Moses' time on the mountain with God
-The spies' time scouting the land of Canaan
-Elijah's time without food
-Ninevah's time limit on repenting
-Jesus' period of tempting
-(and babies take 40 weeks to be born!)
The apostles had to live in faith and not by sight at this point as Jesus was no longer constantly with them. BUT they had those many convincing proofs, and because they did, so do we.
I'm going to have to skip Beth's explanation of the Greek word sunalizo because I couldn't find the stuff in a concordance and I don't want to tell it wrong! But this section was about communing with Christ constantly and spicing up life because we are intended to be "the salt of the earth." Salt is a cleanser, a flavor-er, and a preservative.
Point #6: Jesus passed us the salt also.
It's time we become the flavor of Christ! Let's enjoy life and be people that other people can be attracted to because of our excitement for and communion with Christ.
And finally, Point #7: We can ALSO be many convincing proofs that Jesus is alive.
Notice the reference to also?? I thought that was clever.
Think about and look for the things God has done in your life that prove him and Jesus Christ. We, too, have proof of God because of the transformation he has worked in us, the miracles He's performed for us, His love for us that burns in our hearts and completes us. The responsibility is now on us to show the Truth that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life and to tell everyone what he has done for us!
These were Paul's last penned words:
Acts 28:28-31
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Although Paul was technically under house arrest, it says that he preached unhindered! Do what you have to do to be unhindered to do what God has called you to do.
The last image Beth showed us was a photograph somebody had taken from the driver's seat of a truck. It was two cowgirls galloping beside the truck on horses, but it also caught the view in the truck's side view mirror of a raging fire close behind (the simulcast took place during some really terrible fires in Texas). Beth said it's time to get on our horses and ride to freedom with Jesus. We don't have long on this earth, the women on the horses didn't have long until the fire caught up to them - we have to choose how we spend our time. Let's choose to be unhindered - it is available through Christ!
The end!!!
The point of Bible study is to know God and have a relationship with him - it's not just about knowledge! The people of the Bible, those who wrote the Bible, KNEW Jesus - they had proof. What theses people wrote isn't a fond hope, it is their experience, it is reality.
John 20:29
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
That means WE are blessed!!
Here's a secret about Jesus: The more you need him, the more you will see him.
God intends to be faithful to you. Don't you ever think he's not there for you or that he's left you. Go to him because he will help you and give you love that nobody else will ever be able to give you.
Acts 1:1-3
3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Imagine how trying it would have been to be with Jesus and for him to keep coming and going over this time period. It was obviously a time of testing, confirmed by the fact that it was a period of 40 days, which all over the Bible is a number that indicates testing. Here are some other 40 day testing periods of the Bible:
-The rains while Noah and his family were in the ark
-Moses' time on the mountain with God
-The spies' time scouting the land of Canaan
-Elijah's time without food
-Ninevah's time limit on repenting
-Jesus' period of tempting
-(and babies take 40 weeks to be born!)
The apostles had to live in faith and not by sight at this point as Jesus was no longer constantly with them. BUT they had those many convincing proofs, and because they did, so do we.
I'm going to have to skip Beth's explanation of the Greek word sunalizo because I couldn't find the stuff in a concordance and I don't want to tell it wrong! But this section was about communing with Christ constantly and spicing up life because we are intended to be "the salt of the earth." Salt is a cleanser, a flavor-er, and a preservative.
Point #6: Jesus passed us the salt also.
It's time we become the flavor of Christ! Let's enjoy life and be people that other people can be attracted to because of our excitement for and communion with Christ.
And finally, Point #7: We can ALSO be many convincing proofs that Jesus is alive.
Notice the reference to also?? I thought that was clever.
Think about and look for the things God has done in your life that prove him and Jesus Christ. We, too, have proof of God because of the transformation he has worked in us, the miracles He's performed for us, His love for us that burns in our hearts and completes us. The responsibility is now on us to show the Truth that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life and to tell everyone what he has done for us!
These were Paul's last penned words:
Acts 28:28-31
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Although Paul was technically under house arrest, it says that he preached unhindered! Do what you have to do to be unhindered to do what God has called you to do.
The last image Beth showed us was a photograph somebody had taken from the driver's seat of a truck. It was two cowgirls galloping beside the truck on horses, but it also caught the view in the truck's side view mirror of a raging fire close behind (the simulcast took place during some really terrible fires in Texas). Beth said it's time to get on our horses and ride to freedom with Jesus. We don't have long on this earth, the women on the horses didn't have long until the fire caught up to them - we have to choose how we spend our time. Let's choose to be unhindered - it is available through Christ!
The end!!!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Beth Moore Simulcast - Healing and Friendship
In Acts 1:1, Luke uses the word Theophilus, which means Theos = God, philos = friend, or friend of God. Some scholars say this was a pseudonym for an actual person who it would have endangered to name in a letter. Others say that it was a name for all readers.
In Luke 1:3, Luke adds "most excellent" to the front of that word, making it an "honorific":
(3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.) This is further evidence that Theophilus was a real person instead of a name for all readers. (I personally don't agree, but I'm no Bible scholar, so, you know).
Beth mentions that Luke focuses on friends and friendship more than anyone else in the Bible (or the New Testament or the Gospels... not sure which or if it matters).
Luke 7:31-39, and skip down to 47
31"To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,
"'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.'
33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children."
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
The pharisees accused Jesus of being a friend of sinners, and yet they were the ones who were truly sinners in this scenario because they were self righteous. And yet, Jesus is a friend of sinners, so he was still a friend of the pharisees as well as a friend of the sinful woman. In the realm of Christianity, outcasts become insiders. Luke was an outcast before - he was a gentile.
Beth then spoke about Luke's viewpoint of Christ and that God used his physician perspective to emphasize all of the healing and to use doctor's language and really bring out that dimension of Christ's ministry.
In Luke 13:10-16
10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day." 15 Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?"
This section was especially powerful as Beth talked more about her past and how she "could not straighten up" no matter how hard she tried. She needed Christ to put his hands on her and she needed to be under his authority (following his will, working with him rather than trying over and over to do what nobody can do alone). This is where she says that memorizing scripture and using it when your struggle arises is the way to freedom. Ask God what verse you need to combat your particular problem and then memorize it and bring it to mind when you see potential to encounter that problem. Over time (or even immediately) this will purify your mind so you will no longer have the same struggles!
Also, you can ask God "what preceded my defeat?" Try to find out your triggers so you can deal with them or avoid them. You have to let God get to the root of things and show you in his timing how to overcome the problem. It's not about treating symptoms, it's about getting complete healing. Don't be like the pharisees and make up a bunch of rules around healing. It can happen any time any place and to any degree, including miraculous, sudden healing. But don't make it up to be a certain way in your head and don't restrict it, whatever you do.
And as far as our struggles go, we have to take them one day at a time. God gives us grace for each day, and we are NOT to worry about the future. (Matthew 6 has a good section about this that really helps me to stave off anxiety).
At this point, Beth showed a picture of a baby squirrel. It was curled up in the palm of a woman's hand and it was naked and really ugly. A cat dragged it in and the Beth's friend saved it. Seeing the squirrel picture made a question come up for Beth: "What did we look like?" Then she read Ezekiel 16:4-7:
4 And as for your birth, on the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to cleanse you, nor rubbed with salt, nor wrapped in swaddling cloths. 5 No eye pitied you, to do any of these things to you out of compassion for you, but you were cast out on the open field, for you were abhorred, on the day that you were born.
6 "And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood, 'Live!' I said to you in your blood, 'Live!' 7 I made you flourish like a plant of the field. And you grew up and became tall and arrived at full adornment.
Point #4: Jesus became a friend of sinners so we could become a friend of God.
And thank God he did!
Beth also made the point here that we need to make sure we aren't making ourselves bent over from bitterness and unforgiveness by withholding grace from other sinners. The word forgive in the Greek means to "send something forth" - to let go. If we don't do that then our unforgiveness becomes a lifestyle and eventually becomes who we are. We have to give things up to God because he can and will deal with them in time.
Even more than that, we have been called to overcome through LOVE. Don't you know that some people enjoy having power over you? If you don't give in, it will make them furious and it will set you free. Being kind to somebody who treats you badly is God's will and it will really throw that person off.
One last point Beth made for this section was that we shouldn't be afraid to be a little vulnerable. She realized that it's so much easier to say "love you" or "love ya" than to say "I love you." We are afraid of rejection, but it's ok if the love doesn't come back to us because God always always loves us and He is enough for us. We were made to love. Take ownership and don't do it casually!
In Luke 1:3, Luke adds "most excellent" to the front of that word, making it an "honorific":
(3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.) This is further evidence that Theophilus was a real person instead of a name for all readers. (I personally don't agree, but I'm no Bible scholar, so, you know).
Beth mentions that Luke focuses on friends and friendship more than anyone else in the Bible (or the New Testament or the Gospels... not sure which or if it matters).
Luke 7:31-39, and skip down to 47
31"To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,
"'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.'
33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children."
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
The pharisees accused Jesus of being a friend of sinners, and yet they were the ones who were truly sinners in this scenario because they were self righteous. And yet, Jesus is a friend of sinners, so he was still a friend of the pharisees as well as a friend of the sinful woman. In the realm of Christianity, outcasts become insiders. Luke was an outcast before - he was a gentile.
Beth then spoke about Luke's viewpoint of Christ and that God used his physician perspective to emphasize all of the healing and to use doctor's language and really bring out that dimension of Christ's ministry.
In Luke 13:10-16
10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day." 15 Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?"
This section was especially powerful as Beth talked more about her past and how she "could not straighten up" no matter how hard she tried. She needed Christ to put his hands on her and she needed to be under his authority (following his will, working with him rather than trying over and over to do what nobody can do alone). This is where she says that memorizing scripture and using it when your struggle arises is the way to freedom. Ask God what verse you need to combat your particular problem and then memorize it and bring it to mind when you see potential to encounter that problem. Over time (or even immediately) this will purify your mind so you will no longer have the same struggles!
Also, you can ask God "what preceded my defeat?" Try to find out your triggers so you can deal with them or avoid them. You have to let God get to the root of things and show you in his timing how to overcome the problem. It's not about treating symptoms, it's about getting complete healing. Don't be like the pharisees and make up a bunch of rules around healing. It can happen any time any place and to any degree, including miraculous, sudden healing. But don't make it up to be a certain way in your head and don't restrict it, whatever you do.
And as far as our struggles go, we have to take them one day at a time. God gives us grace for each day, and we are NOT to worry about the future. (Matthew 6 has a good section about this that really helps me to stave off anxiety).
At this point, Beth showed a picture of a baby squirrel. It was curled up in the palm of a woman's hand and it was naked and really ugly. A cat dragged it in and the Beth's friend saved it. Seeing the squirrel picture made a question come up for Beth: "What did we look like?" Then she read Ezekiel 16:4-7:
4 And as for your birth, on the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to cleanse you, nor rubbed with salt, nor wrapped in swaddling cloths. 5 No eye pitied you, to do any of these things to you out of compassion for you, but you were cast out on the open field, for you were abhorred, on the day that you were born.
6 "And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood, 'Live!' I said to you in your blood, 'Live!' 7 I made you flourish like a plant of the field. And you grew up and became tall and arrived at full adornment.
Point #4: Jesus became a friend of sinners so we could become a friend of God.
And thank God he did!
Beth also made the point here that we need to make sure we aren't making ourselves bent over from bitterness and unforgiveness by withholding grace from other sinners. The word forgive in the Greek means to "send something forth" - to let go. If we don't do that then our unforgiveness becomes a lifestyle and eventually becomes who we are. We have to give things up to God because he can and will deal with them in time.
Even more than that, we have been called to overcome through LOVE. Don't you know that some people enjoy having power over you? If you don't give in, it will make them furious and it will set you free. Being kind to somebody who treats you badly is God's will and it will really throw that person off.
One last point Beth made for this section was that we shouldn't be afraid to be a little vulnerable. She realized that it's so much easier to say "love you" or "love ya" than to say "I love you." We are afraid of rejection, but it's ok if the love doesn't come back to us because God always always loves us and He is enough for us. We were made to love. Take ownership and don't do it casually!
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