I watched many of my relatives live out their lives of faith. I was thinking this morning how blessed I was to have family who spoke of faith in my presence and the conversation was of their relationship with the Lord, just like their relationship with each other. They knew Him like they knew their brothers and sisters. They spoke of Him in their daily walks because He was in their presence and they determined their directions in life because of that relationship. I still have many family members for which I talk of faith. What a blessing! I unfortunately have many that have no concept of what it’s like to walk with Christ, and for those my heart is broken.
But today my thought is on the unseen. The hope I personally have in what the world says there is no evidence of. But there is. And if you know Christ, you too know there is.
Hebrews 11:1 -2 KJV says [1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [2] For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Just as it was then, so is it now that my elders obtained a good report because they stood before us and reported to us of what Christ had done in their life. Evidence of His presence.
There are many things I cannot see, but I have faith it’s there. I cannot see the air, but the fact it fills my lungs lets me know it’s real. I cannot see gravity, but I adjust my life to it’s circumstances. I do not jump off cliffs because that’s gonna hurt. I don’t drop a piece of glass because it’s gonna break. I turn the steering wheel in my car at the onset of a turn, because otherwise gravity will pull the car in an adverse direction. Gravity is not always your friend. It takes no faith to disrespect gravity. Just live your life, and crap will happen.
The same can be said about faith.
THERE ARE TOO MANY CLIFFS TO LIVE WITHOUT FAITH
I cannot say for certain where I would be if I had not found faith in Jesus Christ, but I am most certain it would be a very dark place. Because that’s what state I was in prior to faith. I had a worldly mindset that life would workout, because it always did in the movies. Well, it didn’t in real life. And when bad things happened I opted to ignore them rather than deal with them because that was easier. It was like stepping off of a cliff and thinking the ground would “catch” me softly. I was ignorant. I had seen faith from my elders lived out in front of me, but I chose to ignore it thinking the world had more to offer. Surely there was something better to do on Sunday morning than church. Well for the love of Pete, I can’t think of what that would be now. Because I know that on Sunday morning I’m going to receive the word of God in my church which will prevent me from stepping off a cliff on down the road when it comes to making decisions in my life. That’s good preachin! If you’re not in church, if your’e not in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, there’s no soft landing for what’s coming down the road.
THERE ARE TOO MANY THINGS TO GET BROKEN WITHOUT FAITH
Number one on that list would be the heart. People will break your heart even if they love you. It’s part of life. And because of that so many people have lost hope in their friends and family and have turned to earthly things for comfort. I have a friend who fell physically this week and broke herself all over. Literally. Her body is bruised, she has broken bones and scraped edges and she hurts dreadfully. Life happens when you least expect it. Bodies break. Hearts break. But isn’t it amazing that the Lord Jesus Christ can heal both the physical and the emotional if we allow it and are receptive of the ointment.
In Jeremiah 8:22 KJV Jeremiah asks the question: [22] Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
Why did the people suffer when there was obviously a cure for what ailed them? Why then are the broken hearted and broken spirited not healed in our world today when the soothing balm of Christ is there waiting to heal it all? I couldn’t see it either pre-salvation, so I’ll not be throwing any stones. The reason I would suffer from brokenness is because I would not take care of my spirit and soul. I would allow people to trample it and even I would damage it because I would not take of myself. But then Christ came into my life and I realized how valuable I was to God. I realized that He loved me like I had long to be loved but had never found it. People hurt me. But God has never one time caused me pain. His comforting presence is felt in my life daily! It is evidence that He is there when He soothes my tired and weary soul. Hallelujah!
THERE ARE TOO MANY TWISTS AND TURNS TO LIVE WITHOUT FAITH
I cannot tell you how many times I have driven my life into a ditch because I chose to just “let it run it’s course.” That’s a bad idea. That’s as dumb as not steering the car. Without guidance and direction in our lives there will only be dented fenders and totaled lives. I speak from experience. I am now the elder! My dad did not always make wise choices as a young man, but then praise God he found Jesus. My uncle Brooks and Uncle Carol did not always make wise choice but then they found Jesus, the same is true with their sisters and the witnesses they were because I could see how their lives took a turn when they began steering it by the Word of God. It’s amazing how life changes, and even the smallest of decisions you realize should be made by the foundation of the word of God for good results.
I just preached myself a sermon! I still make regular pit stops in a ditch line with many of the decisions I make. I am a woman of faith, but I’m also very much a woman of flesh that can fail to do what I know I should do. How about you? Where are you at in your life with gravity? Do you understand the “gravity” of your life without faith in Christ. There’s an eternal ditch, that’s actually not a ditch at all, it’s a pit called Hell. The worst thing in life you can do is let gravity take it’s course. There is no return from that bad turn when all is said in done.
Please, if you have not accepted what Christ did for you on the cross, that He died, took the keys of death and Hell away from Satan and informed him he would never again have power over it, and because Christ did that, you have the key to Heaven. Just believe in Christ and what He did for you on the cross. You don’t have to fully understand it all to make that decision. Just refuse to fall for the lies of Satan, and God will fill in the blanks. Then you too will have the evidence of things not seen!
Glory to God I wrote myself happy! Have a blessed day! – Shari
The following is “somewhat” as it was spoken from a Ladies Retreat at the Sandfork Church of God on March 26th, 2022
BEAUTY FOR ASHES LADIES RETREAT
At Sandfork Church of God
The Oil of Joy for Mourning
One of the very first calls I went on as an official reporter, for my very own news site was a house fire in Arnoldsburg. Two warnings went out from my husband the fire chief of Grantsville, “Be careful driving to scene, it was winter and there was a possibility of ice on the roads, and don’t park too close scene, you’ll get stuck. I heeded his warning on the roads, but as for parking… I’m not a fan of walking, especially in the dark and cold. It was 4 a.m. and 30 degrees. So against his advice, I parked on scene, there was plenty of room. Up until two more fire trucks from the west fork and and ambulance rolled in on scene. Fire hoses and electric lines were across the road, and just as David had warned, I was stuck.
It took me about an 30 minutes to cover the story and then I could have left, but I was stuck. And in the valley of Arnoldsburg, the smoke from the house, and the ash and the soot was hanging low because of the heavy air. It was very hard for me to breathe and as a heart patient I probably shouldn’t have been breathing so much of it in. But I was stuck. That was a good lesson to learn, but a difficult one to learn and hard to confess to David, but I did. Luckily I knew the fire fighters and when they finished their work, I asked them to help me back my car off the scene, and they did.
When I began to prepare for this conference, that story was the first that came to my mind. Because that feeling of heaviness in the air, in my lungs and on my heart because of all the circumstances surrounding that night is still with me.
There was more than one kind of mourning going on that night on that fire scene. The house was a rental, and the tenants were drug users. Serious drug users. Stoned out of their heads drug users. So much so that they didn’t even know a child was with them and had climbed out the window when the fire started. They lost their dog in the fire and all their belongings. I’m sure they were fearful of the future, the circumstances…law enforcement showing up. A neighbor was terrified for her own home, with good cause. It was only a few feet away and the siding had already melted off. She had been afraid of the circumstances around this house for some time. And now her fears had become reality.
So what happens in the life of a Christian when their fears become a reality? We mourn for losses that are not only death, but also life. Divorces cause mourning. For more people than just the husband and wife. The loss of a job, or money can cause mourning. It’s the end of an era. Happy or sad, it’s still an ending. Friendships, relationships, children growing up and moving away and cause sadness and mourning. And of all of that God is aware. And has experienced it Himself. Have you every thought about God’s children “moving” away from Him. How that must make Him feel. Even though God knows the ending, do you suppose He mourns?
My question for you is what are you mourning? And what fear has you concerned that it might become reality. There’s no shortage of things to fear. No shortage of thing to mourn.
My text today is the first part of Isaiah 61:3. But I don’t want to take it out of context so I’ll read the two verses leading into it. Because they apply to our conversation today, and it really will be a conversation if you allow it. A conversation between you and God.
That’s my prayer today is that it opens up a dialogue of conversation between you and Lord, which is why I am here today. I need more communication with God.
Isaiah 61:1-3 KJV
[1] The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; [2] To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; [3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
It was common in scripture for those who sorrowed or mourned to wear sackcloth instead of nice apparel and to put ash on themselves in sadness.Sackcloth and ashes were an outward sign of mourning, repentance, or abasement. It was a type of cloth made of black goat’s hair that was thick, rough, and coarse material. It was uncomfortable to wear, and later it was used as a sack. It was also used as an outward sign of mourning and submission. The ashes were an outward sign that signaled to everyone absolute grief, desolation, and ruin.
Somebody was having a no good very bad day.
Ashes served as a reminder of where we came from beginning in Genesis when God formed Adam from the dust (Genesis 2:7), God tells Adam, Genesis 3:19 KJV
[19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
(Genesis 3:19). We understand deeply our humanity was formed from the dust, and to dust we will return when we shed our earthly bodies. Scripture says in Genesis 18:27
Genesis 18:27 KJV
[27] And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
Did you hear about he little girl who sat in church and heard the preacher quote this verse, but like many people she only tunes in to a few words in the scripture, but dust. She tugged her mom’s sleeve and asked, “God formed us from butt dust?”
But Isaiah said that the Lord was upon him, anointing him to preach good tidings, bandage the broken-hearted, free the captives and loose the prisoner, and to give the oil of joy to those mourning. That is a considerable difference than the ash and sackcloth. I fully believe there is a time to mourn. For your countenance to be sad and for you to grieve over your loss. When Jesus was at the tomb of Lazarus, He wept. Even though He knew what the end result was going to be, seeing the grief of His friends and understanding their human knowledge of death Jesus wept. It’s okay to grieve. It’s therapeutic to grieve and allow the human body to deal with the loss. But there comes a time when we have to move on. I doubt anyone who put on the itchy, rough sack cloth wanted to wear it any longer than necessary.
I know people – – – and likely you do too, who have not moved out of the grief stage and they’ve been there for too long. We’re not meant to bear heaviness for too long.
I know someone who experienced physical abuse as a child, And every time I would be in their presence they would bring it up. They’ll immediately turn from a sweet personality to an angry bitter one. I would never make light of the sorrow of abuse, but when God has moved you out of that time, we need to move on.
That is not of the Spirit of God that keeps a person in a state of mourning. What the Spirit of God does for the child of God is replace the ash and sackcloth. For us this would be the oil of joy. Even when our fears become reality with new sorrows and heartache.
Let’s talk about God’s Intentions
God appoints us, and anoints us to do what we’ve been called to do. I could not stand before you today and do what I do without God’s anointing upon me. Prior to having that I stood in front of a crowd and went into hysterical laughter, uncontrolled.
In the 1928 Webster’s dictionary there are seven variances for the word “appointed.” The 4th of those i believe is our definition today, Appointed would mean – To purpose or resolve; to fix with intention. It gives reference to Acts 20 when the Apostle Paul had “appointed” himself to go afoot, not by ship.
Acts 20:13 KJV
[13] And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
He intended on going by foot. And just as Paul had appointed himself to go a certain way, We too have to make some intentional plans for the direction we’re going to go in the tough times of life. The Lord has appointed a time for us to mourn. Things have happened in our lives that are not good. But he has not appointed us to mourn as the world mourns. Not as those who have no hope, but we are to mourn with the oil of joy, knowing that there is a better day coming!
That is God’s intention for His children
I recently got into Doterra Oils and I don’t think think that everything in my life is a sign from God, but I have been fascinated by the uses of the oils and how oils fit into our lives spiritually. by his Spirit he “puts” comfort into the hearts of them, who through their unbelief refuse to be comforted; they choose to stay in mourning. Not what God intended.
Let’s Talk about God’s Indwelling
God not only has intentions for His children He is indwelling in His children!
Another word would be Abide.
1 John 2:27 KJV
[27] But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Abiding is a two way street. He abides in you. Abide is to rest or to dwell, dwell within you, to be firm and immovable. That is how God in dwells in you. He’s not going any where. And it is Him that is going to bring you through those tough times in life, give you wisdom and truth for the day. He takes your sorrows and replaces them with joy, beauty for ashes, by comforting your through the Holy Spirit.
That indwelling of the Holy Spirit is an amazing thing. God in you. I don’t think we fully comprehend that notion most of the time. The Creator of all the universe, is dwelling in His children. Abiding in His children. There’s another form of that word called “Abodement.” The fascinating thing about that version is it means “A secret anticipation of something future.” When I discovered that version, I was almost giddy. Thinking about what God has in store for us!
How many of you believe we are living in a time when Jesus could split the skies wide open and call His children home. We have that wisdom and that knowledge because God has made that mystery know to us.
Colossians 1:26-27 KJV tells us
[26] Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
There it is again, that hope that God provides us by Christ being in us. We are the generation that is privileged to know mysteries that God reveals through His word. That gives us hope. So that when we have a loss here on earth, the Holy Spirit reminds us that there is something way out yonder, or maybe not so far out yonder that is going to make every grief and sorrow we have on this earth worthy of our going through it. And that is a reason to have joy, because we have been anointed by the Spirit of God that gives us wisdom that the world does not have. We are privileged! Glory to God
God has intentions for our lives, there is a purpose in every single thing we go through, He will be glorified
God is Indwelling in our lives, He has taken up residence so that as you go through it, so does He. There nothing you experience that He has not already experienced and is going help you go through it.
The third point I want to talk about is
Let’s talk about God’s instructions
the oil of joy for mourning; oil used to be poured on the heads of persons at entertainments and festivals, and at times of rejoicing; and so its not thought of as something for someone who mourns.
I looked up in DoTerra Oil what would be considered The oil of joy.
Also known as “wintersweet” or “joy of the mountains,” Marjoram was known to the Greeks and Romans as a symbol of happiness. It’s Warm, herbaceous, woody and known for it’s calming property.
Lavender is one of my favorites when I’m dealing with stress or anxiety, I’ll put a drop in my palms and then just breath it in. It’s amazing how that scent can cause the anxiousness in me to flee.
But more so the effort I take to be calm and focus on something sweet and positive and it takes my mind to a place that I can hear God. I don’t know if it’s this way for you, but for me anxiety is loud. It consumes my mind and my heart and causes me to grieve and I have to be intentional to get it out of my life. For you it might be something entirely different that gets you into a place where God can speak to you and give you direction in your life.
In Psalm 23:5 KJV a verse often read at funerals and in times of grief, it says:
[5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
That oil is called “an oil of celebration such as when David was anointed King by Samuel.”, In Psalm 45:7 KJV
[7] Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Scripture is meant to point us to Christ regardless if it’s Old Testament or New Testament. Every single word is meant for the edification of the body of Christ to help us make it through these troubled times and encourage us. Not to grieve or condemn. Christ said in John 3:17 KJV
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
For me, grief is a form of condemnation. If I stay in a grievous state for too long I begin to condemn everything in my life. I keep getting lower and lower, and feel less and less worthy until Satan has me in a state of depression where it feels like I’m drowning. I don’t stand up here as saint Shari in the sanctuary. I stand up here a sinner saved by grace with lots and lots of flaws. There are days that I grieve.
I remind you that Grief is okay. For a while. It’s okay for many things in life. For a while.
But if you have lost someone to eternity – Don’t lose sight that we are all temporary, and reunion day is coming, that thought will excite your soul.
If you have lost a friendship, marriage, relationship of any kind, Focus on the friend Who will never leave you nor forsake you, until God either fixes what’s broken or moves you on.
If your grief is of unknown origin, I face that sometimes, I’m just frustrated with life, write those three points down: It is not my Lord’s Intention, I have the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Guide me Lord with Your Instruction. And with the wisdom of God you can come out of it.
Remember that you are anointed with the oil of gladness, an oil that does not come from Doterra, or any other earthly thing; but comes directly through the Spirit of God. If you do not know if you have the Spirit of God in your life, let’s get that settled before we leave today. I am grateful for an opportunity to speak and hope that my words have encouraged your soul. But my greatest hope is that you have seen the joy that dwells in me that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. February 18, 1996 I had my first experience with the Holy Spirit. He began speaking to me and I knew I needed to do something. That difference has brought me such great joy, that I have to tell others of it. that’s why I came today to share the joy of knowing Jesus Christ. – Thank you for allowing it.
Yesterday I had had about as much bad news as I could stomach. On the national scene and on the local scene it just wasn’t good. Russian war crimes and more Ukrainian victims is off the scale of my comprehensive thinking. Locally citizens were choosing to tear each other down rather than just agreeing to disagree about a matter; or Heaven forbid, consider that there might be other solutions than their own. I was trying to cover news objectively and unbiased, but I’m human and I really just wanted to tell a few people what I thought of their behavior. But I did not. I chose to suffer anxiety until I fell asleep. That made everything so much better.
But this morning is a new day. For everyone of us! We have a choice whether or not to focus on the negative or the positive and to choose God’s side regardless of the arguments below.
My question for myself this morning was, if I had ask yesterday, what God thought of each issue that was causing a knot in my stomach, what would He have said? Let’s take the biggest issue right now int he world, the war against Ukraine. What does God want me to do about that war? Is there anyway that I can help those people.
Oh yes, there is a way. My mind went to three men on a hill in Rephedim…
Exodus 17:10-16 KJV [10] So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. [11] And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. [12] But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. [13] And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. [14] And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. [15] And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi: [16] For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
Three men on a hill, not in the battle, just observing from afar. Moses lifted his hands and there was victory, but if his hands went down there was defeat. So the two that were with him, his brother Aaron and friend Hur, stayed up his arms and helped a brother out. Can we not do the same for Ukraine today? Can we not lift them up in prayer and cause the battle to sway on Ukraine’s behalf? It is not for me to say if God will do that, but how will we know if we dare not ask. And would we not want someone somewhere praying for us in like manner if this attack had happened on American soil? Prayer doesn’t seem like much until it’s all you’ve got.
Three men on a hill saved thousands of lives. Think about that! Do you have two friends you can gather with today and pray? Or just you, God won’t mind in the least if it’s a private conversation. But we have got to lift people in prayer if we want to make a difference from where we are.
How to pray for Ukraine: From “Send International”.
Ask God to redeem this situation by drawing many people to Himself. May Ukrainians discover that Jesus is the only true source of peace, safety, comfort, truth and freedom
For the opening of corridors both for evacuation and humanitarian aid around cities under attack in Ukraine. Many people in these cities are without heat and electricity.
For many churches that opened their doors to neighbors offering food and shelter.
For protection of many kids and parents who will spend another night in bomb shelters, metro stations or on the roads to safer places and all brave volunteers risking their lives to evacuate people.
For logistics of getting funds and humanitarian aid to churches and refugee camps so they continue to have food, medicine and other supplies.
For protection of lives but also church buildings that were built so sacrificially for years. May these churches be a beacon of light for those who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!
For many pastors leading their flocks at this critical time of decision and risk. They carry a heavy burden.
For many believing men who will have to bear arms against a professional army as the war continues. There is no other alternative for them, that we know about. Pray also for the many women who are fighting as well.
For the Lord to cause the opposing army to lose the will to fight, be afraid, be confused, or use other methods to stop the war.
For many volunteers who are setting up camps for refugees, so that they will have necessary funds, places for accommodation, and physical strength to serve.
For many believers to stay strong, continue trusting the Lord and not to give in to panic, fear and desperation.
Now, What about the day to day stresses in our own lives. First, think about the Ukrainian prayer list. That alone should put most of our lives into a different prayer category. Few, if any, who read this post are facing that kind of prayer need. But that’s not to say our needs aren’t important. They are and God cares about each and every one of them.
But today, I’m going to choose to focus on three men on a mountain. There’s a bluegrass song by that title with the the lyrics, “Three men on a mountain, up on Calvary, the one in the middle was Jesus, He died for you and me.” His arms were outstretched too, but not like Moses.’ His were stretched out in sacrifice. Today I can pray for Ukraine and know that my prayer is heard for the land far away. But because of Jesus’ sacrifice and my belief in it, He’s in me, comforting my heart and taking care of the battles that I am facing on American soil as well. There was a child in our community diagnosed with cancer this week… that’s a real life battle. That’s life in perspective. There were some seriously hurt feelings yesterday, God heard it. And He’ll handle it. In His time and in His way.
Today there is good news. God is on the throne. He sees everything happening every where and I feel so much better knowing that He understands my every fear and heartache and that He too has experienced it all. My Pastor said in a sermon last week that “Christ had to experience death, so that He could take it away from Satan who thought he had the power over it! Glory to God isn’t that an amazing thought. Satan will continue to wreak havoc for a while, but his day is coming. And until then, we have hope and security in knowing that we do not have to rely on anyone else to lift up their arms in battle. We have the right through the blood of Jesus to go before the throne ourselves and say “Lord, I need you! Please help.”
I don’t know about you, but this word wrote me happy! Three men on a mountain… yes I was as unworthy as the thieves hanging with Jesus, but He has prepared a place for me, just as he did the thief who accepted Him on the cross. Jesus took the fear of death, hell and the grave and replaced it with hope and peace! Glory! That is such good news. I pray you know that feeling today. If you do not, message me and let me pray with you. If you have a prayer need, I’d be every so grateful to be your Aaron or Hur and lift you up to the Lord. God loves you, and so do I. I even love the people that I wanted to pinch the heads off of yesterday. Hey… I’m still human. I have not got my glorified body and this one is still very much in the flesh. I understand frustration. But not as much as Jesus understands and He can help.
Snuggled into my bed, long before bedtime on a Saturday night I begin trying to share a piece of myself when I honestly feel that there is only a few pieces of me left. But I feel compelled to share how very inept I feel at life. And before any of my wonderful friends who encourage my soul daily try to come to my rescue, hear me out. I am blessed beyond measure with gifts of God that I would not want to forsake, offend or fail to come to the aid of anyone of them. And then add to that a new found passion for being the keeper of the news and a typical day starts at 4 a.m., ends around 10-11 p.m. and is filled with people, puppies, obligations, virtual meetings, in person meetings, laundry, supper, news stories and occasionally, but now rarely a strum on the guitar. My conversations with God are all day in between and I feel like I am giving Him pieces of my day. That’s not a good feeling.
But better it is than that of what the Apostle Paul faced in Acts 23.
Acts 23:1-11 KJV
[1] And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. [2] And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. [3] Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? [4] And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? [5] Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. [6] But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. [7] And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. [8] For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. [9] And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. [10] And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. [11] And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
That was a lesson for myself. As I whined instead of shined. It’s a lesson for us all that struggle with the busyness of life. And for me so often it’s more mismanagement of time than too much to do. With that being said, I want to dig into this lesson of Paul, the Pharisees and Sadducees and the Chief Captain. In this passage we have different secs of religion verses the truth of the gospel and a member of the government coming to the rescue of the man of God to send him away from being “torn into pieces” by the religious. Ananias had him mashed in the mouth for daring to speak about living for God. It makes you want to ask “do you feel guilty much, Ananias?
The Tactless and Unteachable Teachers
That’s how I view the over zealous religious people. Those who love wearing the right thing, and speaking the right thing and lording their position in the church over those who sin, as if to say “follow my own righteousness, for I am godly.” Paul could say he lived in good conscience because he had not only lived the life they professed (but didn’t live) but now he lived the life of building a relationship with the Lord as these Sadducees and Pharisees had never known. Because they were trusting in being right, not searching for truth. With the exception of a few.
The Scrappy Scribes
When the scribes, which were of the Pharisees, arose and defended Paul, scripture saying they “strove” for him, they did so at a teachable moment. They were willing to at least consider that Paul had been spoken to by God or angels. Are we “teachable” in moments of contention? I can be every bit as stubborn as the Pharisees and Sadducees when I get something stuck in my craw and don’t want to disbelieve what I have been told. What it boils down to, I believe, is not so much what I’ve been told, but who told it to me. I have some mighty mentors in my past. Men and women with good hearts who would have never lead me astray, but accidentally did on some things. They taught as they were taught.
Before anyone thinks I’ve lost my mind, I have never been taught incorrectly on the salvation of Jesus Christ which is by far the most important thing in life. But rather there was teaching regarding foundational truths that mattered in how I viewed eternity and my role and purpose in this life that when studied deeper, were not correct. I do not have all the answers about eternity, nor does anyone else. But I’m open to learning. I am teachable and I am grateful and humble that God gives me the desire to want to know more about His Kingdom.
The Caring Captain
The Chief Captain was not so much concerned for Paul as he likely was himself. With Paul being a citizen of Rome, should the captain allow him to be killed at the hands of the Jews, he would have to answer for it. There are still those in the world today that do not believe as Christian’s do but will defend us because it’s the “right” thing to do. I have some of those friends that I long to see saved because I know that they’re zealousness for right, could be used by God. Now, the captain was so much for what was right, but what would keep him out of hot wat,er. I have those friends too.
My lesson for today is this: When I think about all that Paul got accomplished, and how any given day in his life was filled with people, obligations, meetings, etc. and within those events the very real threat of death, it makes my whine seem even whinier. And when I think of all that Paul accomplished in his life it makes me desire to do more.
When eternity comes… and it will… what conversations do you think you’ll have about your life down here? Will we stand around and talk about the piles of laundry, the mud drug in or the people who got on our last nerve? No. But will we have worthy conversations to chat about regarding what we’ve done for Christ? Dear Jesus…. Let it be said of me, she told her world of You.
I would doubt that there is anyone who has not suffered with pettiness. I can get petty over the dumbest of things. People (aka grandchildren) getting into my art supplies. I have cheap colored pencils that I keep for the grandkids to use and then I have Prismacolor Colored pencils that cost up to a $100 for a relatively small number. It is a rarity that they even want to use them. Now, of course that’s being a good steward, but how much of the lead will they really use if under guidance. Some would not even consider that petty, but I do. Now, I can also be petty over favorite cookies. I have a few that I am big fans of, I have six grand children, who like their grandmother, love cookies. They of course are not picky, nor do they understand the cost of “high dolla” brands or generic brands, or the fact that many of the individual cake brands now come 5 to a box and I have six grandchildren, so two of us get left out. I told you I could be petty.
I’m a tad petty over favorite seating in the house, and children who don’t respect their elders. Wow… I officially sound like an old, old granny. But it’s how I was brought up. When an elder walks into a room, you offer them your seat. And if you happen to be in Noni’s or Poppy’s favorite chair, you get up without being ask. See… petty.
But this morning I’m wondering how many people in Ukraine care who’s sitting where. I’ve read the posts of some who are there, hunkered down in a basement or a shelter, praying not to be found by the Russians. That dear friends is life in perspective.
Although there were no tanks or bombs in the story, the attacks on the early church and the persecution they faced was much like what the Ukrainians face. They did nothing to warrant becoming a target. They were not aggressive, they were just there. Unlike Ukraine it was not about geography but about believing something different. It boiled down to a group of people believing they deserved something that they had no rights to.
Petty Desires – a story as old as eternity
1 Peter 1:12-25 KJV [12] Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Angels are an entirely different order of being than humans. Human beings do not become angels after they die. Saying someone got “their wings” may sound spiritual, but it’s biblically working. Angels will never become, and never were, human beings. God created the angels, just as He created humanity. The Bible nowhere states that angels are created in the image and likeness of God, as humans (Genesis 1:26) Angels are spiritual beings that can, to a certain degree, take on physical form. Humans are physical beings, but with a spiritual aspect, they have the Spirit of God living in them. If not, they can be controlled by evil spirits. The greatest thing we can learn from the holy angels is their unquestioning obedience to God and their desire to serve Him.
Like us, angels have the ability to learn and they have desires. But their desires are God focused. When God placed the Holy Spirit within humans, it said the angels desired to look into it. It was hard for them to comprehend why God loved man so much that He would allow Himself to be crucified and then place Himself through the Spirit into mankind. Imperfect mankind. You know… petty people like me who hide the “good cookies” from babies!
Passing Desires – a story as new as the moment we live in
[13] Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
“Gird up the loins of your mind?” My mind has loins? No, but just as it takes a “girdle” or in new terminology a “pair of spanks” to suck in the worldly effects of Little Debbie cakes, the same is true on the worldly effects of things on my mind. With the girdle of truth; see Ephesians 6:14, since angels desire to look into the mysteries of grace, do we protect our minds as they and control our thoughts to those of a godly nature? I need a pair of brain spanks. Or maybe God just needs to spank me harder than He does for not being in control of my mind and my passing desires. I can choose such petty things to garner my attention with. When I say “a story as new as the moment we live in,” that seems to be how often my desires changes. There’s something new every few minutes in the world and my desires change the way the winds blow. Petty desires for petty things that will be yesterdays news.
Passionate Desires – a story written by the lives we live
[15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. [17] And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:[18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: [20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, [21] Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. [22] Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: [23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
My mind cannot wrap around the thoughts of Ukrainians and Russians alike who are passionate enough about what they believe in to stand up for it in the face of death. Those who would sooner die at the hands of evil than hide from it or run. That is true passion. I fear praying for passion for fear of what God might allow to create it in me. Have you ever had that fear? Getting a deeper understanding, (as the angels desire to have) is what I need to create in me a heart for the things of God. Perhaps then Little Debbie cookies wouldn’t be on my mind so often, and I’d use the gifts God gave me to be more expressive of the images in my world. I spend so much time thinking rather than doing, doubting rather than believing I can. There is no room for doubt in the mind of a Christian. It is another thing that I need to protect my mind from.
Perishing Desires – a story never written
[24] For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: [25] But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
God gave us the seasons for an example of life and death and rebirth. Eternity is forever but opportunities are not. So today my thoughts and prayers are for those in harms way of petty people. Be it at war, or in this blessed place we live in today. I pray my thoughts serve as a reminder when I see someone in need of the love of Christ, that my desire will be to share with them the grace that angels desire to know.
Like most of the world, my mind has been on the citizens of Ukraine. The families who are scared and hiding, facing uncertainties caused by a villain who has no mercy for those he attacks. My heart is broken for Russia as well who has been under the tyranny of Putin for so long, with no concept of what we’ve taken for granted in America. Our Freedom. It makes me nauseous to think about the petty arguments over politics and so called science where they don’t even know the basics of biology and yet they want to talk down to a person of faith for believing in logic. They mock America and yet the same behavior in many other countries would leave them dead without so much as a question as to why. Today, I just wanted to put the rubber to the road and walk my mind through the war that we’re facing and what does it mean on the time frame of Eternity.
First of all, let me preface this by saying “no man knows the hour or the day that Christ will return.”That’s Bible. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. ~ Matthew 24:36. But one thing can be stated in truth, it’s closer today than it was yesterday. So with eternity hanging in the balance of your future. Are you ready? And if you’re not sure, look at those eyes in my image and imagine the evil smile behind them as he fills the minds of not only Russian government, but Americans as well. I hate scare tactics and I’m not overly fond of being the bearer of bad news, but, as a child of God, it is my calling to warn those I care about of the absolute truth that this war will end. The circumstances for America is still very much up for debate. When the Chief of the United States Military (the President of the United States) is more concerned about his ice cream flavor and an afternoon nap, the odds of us instilling fear in the enemy isn’t great. This isn’t politics. This is reality. Okay, that’s enough of the flesh talking, let’s talk Bible.
Matthew 24:6 ~ And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet
I have sang the song in the Bluegrass shows for years titled “Matthew 24”. I’ve been preached Matthew 24 for over 25 years believing that scripture was written to me as a member of the Body of Christ. And while all scripture is for our edification, it is not necessarily a part of the letter intended for us to build the foundation of our eternity on. Did I confuse you, I hope not, sometimes I confuse myself. But let me try and clear the matter up for you, as I’ve recently began to clear it up for myself.
When taken in context, who is speaking in this scripture? It is the Lord Jesus Christ. Who is He speaking to? He’s speaking to His disciples and speaks about scripture in Daniel when he says in Matthew 24:13-15
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
When it speaks of the words spoken in the prophetic book of Daniel, speaking of the end of the 70 weeks, the church (that’s us!) have been raptured out. The world will be in turmoil, the antichrist is on the scene, but God’s chosen people, the Jews, are back on God’s radar and redemption when many have believed upon Christ as the Messiah. That day is coming, but not yet. The church is gone. Jesus has stepped out on the clouds and called his church home.
This is what’s important to understand about Matthew 24. If you have made Christ your Savior, you’re not here when the events of Matthew 24 are taking place. And that is why Satan intends to do as a much damage to the earth as he can through events like that taking place in Ukraine and Russia. It was a great understanding for me this week when the Lord showed me the importance of praying not only for Ukraine, but for Russia as well, and leaders across the globe. Satan is weaving his way into governments left and right, and when I say left and right, I mean that on the American side as well. The liberal left is doing as much damage to the morality and patriotism as they possibly can, and the resistant right is doing nothing to stop it. And Satan’s choir is singing a victory song (though it will be short lived) that burns my hide.
I’ve been a news watcher for some time and now that I am the news locally, I’m watching it and reading it even more. I totally understand the distaste that Christians have for the news. But we have got to stay aware of what is happening, and one major reason for that awareness is it will continuously remind us of the need to share the gospel now. Who in your family is lost? Now is the time that all of us ask ourselves that question and then act on it.
This war that we’re facing today will end. But in the meantime we have souls that need saved.
That’s the words that have played out in my mind a thousand times. So much so that it had taken it’s toll on me spiritually. The words had been spoken to me about an issue of the past, but it might as well have been today, because the sting of those words were like that of a bee who’s stinger was made of steel and never dulled. Nor did it grow weary of the reminder to me, you failed again Shari. When I think back to that day, the flesh was ready to rise. But I squelched it back down as I most often do, saying to myself, you deserve this. “You brought it upon yourself.” I really didn’t need the reminder from the person who said it. I’ve always kept good tabs on times I’ve let myself and others down. So today, after much anguish, I decided to study this one out, for everyone who hears the words “You brought it on yourself,” and struggles with selfdoubt, guilt and shame.
If you ask most people their advice on how to handle such things, those who are not necessarily that spiritual, if at all, they’ll tell you that you also bring the self-doubt, guilt and shame on yourself. They believe we have the power to change the narratives in our lives that do not serve us well. Really? Do we? Do “I” have the power within myself to defeat the demons that continuosly plague my mind with whispers from the outside.
As a child of God, no demonic spirit can dwell within me. I cannot be possessed because the Spirit of Almighty God that resides inside me would not allow it. But that doesn’t stop demonic forces on the outside. Or even my own fleshly thoughts that may be more at fault than anything! So what’s a girl to do? Today I find myself in the Garden of Guilt. Have you ever been there? Where every bad decision you’ve ever made is a weed choking out any hope of the flowers of success. And if they’re not bad enough, Satan will also use people to shine the spotlight on your faults.
Does this sound like I’m in a pit of dispair? I’m really not. And before any of the many friends I have come by my house tonight with boxing gloves ready to take on my enemies, you’d have to start with me. Sometimes I’m the worst enemy I have. What happens to be the worst culprit at putting me in this frame of mind is the fact I’m not feeling well. That seems to bring on times like this. So, it’s time to fight back with the only weapon I have that can defeat this mindset and this enemy. The Word of God.
My mind was drawn to the man with unclean spirts that Christ ran across in the country of the Gadarenes among the tombs. So many spirits within this one man that they were called “Legion.” I have to wonder if the man were not ADD. I happen to be and there are times that my mind feels as though there is a Legion outside of it. Sometimes that Legion is also known as children and grandchildren, Andy Griffith or John Wayne, the events of David (my husband)’s day, and the dinging of messages and emails and phone calls all vying for a piece of my mind’s attention. It’s then I retreat to the bedroom, away from the legion. My distractions are that of people that I love, but not so for the man in the tombs. He had people who loved him, Christ tells him later to go tell his “family” what happened. But the legion of spirits within him had driven him away from those he loved.
Regardless of where the noise is coming from there comes a time we have to recognize that we need Jesus to reign in our thoughts and take control. The voices inside Legions mind were telling him to hurt himself. They gave him great strength so that he could break the bonds that people put on him to try and control him. Night and day he suffered at the will of the demons.
Demonic forces are a very real occurance that most Christians choose not to think on. And I can understand that. It’s scary, boogie man thoughts that cause nightmares. But there’s an awareness that needs to be there. If my mind is traveling to dark places, it’s not going there by God’s leading. The words “You brought this on yourself.” are not of God. And if not of God, then who? And why is that phrase stuck on repeat in my mind.
Because words are binding much like those chains that Legion wore, and every bit as hard to break in the flesh. Whom ever it was that coined the phrase, “sticks and stone will break your bones but words will never hurt you,” were clueless. Words do hurt and they bind the mind with chains of the past. Chains that prevent success on any playing field.
The man in the tombs in Mark 5 is said to have run to Jesus worshipping Him when he saw Him afar off. The spirits inside of him knew God. They knew that the power of God could and would remove them from the life of the man. Christ did just that and sent the spirits into 2000 pigs that ran violently down a steep hill and into the sea to drown! Two Thousand! We sometimes treat the stories in the bible as if they’re “just a story.” No, they’re true events. Christ spoke and the legion was gone. Glory to God does that not give us HOPE!
Christ did not say to the man in the tombs, “you brought this on yourself.” His words were Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”
Move forward, don’t forget the past but rather learn from it and never let it control you. That was my message today from the Lord.
The world wasn’t happy with what Jesus had done. It scared them that One would have such power. We should be in awe that within us there is One that has such power! I’m not sure how the man came to be possessed by the legion of spirits. Perhaps he was dabbling in the spirit world that he should not have been. But Christ did not tell him to relive his failure, He told him to tell the world where his success came from. Glory to God is that not a good word!!! I am in awe of God this morning who has encouraged my soul and I feel as though I just came out of the tombs. I hope you have been blessed by this word.
Mark 5:1-20
And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
As a child of God, there is a question foremost in my mind, most of the time. “Why do I feel like such a failure in service to God?” I attempt to remain faithful to the calling in my life, but I am no Apostle Paul, nor even an “Apostlette Pauline” I allow the flood waters of life to come up around my neck and make me feel as if I’m drowning. Of course I cannot be because I am a child of God and He protects me from that defeat, but the emotion of being peril is very much real. Using the word peril may seem a tad dramatic. But then again so am I. Those flood waters that have come upon me are not killing me but can, if I don’t get a grip on it, kill my effectiveness for the Kingdom.
In 2nd Corinthians Paul is telling a group of believers of his struggles, which in comparison make mine look like someone just took my binky. But in what I feel is frustration on Paul’s part with the Corinthians, and the danger of them being overtaken in false doctrine and religion, he tells them of his foundation in his identity:
2 Corinthias 11
Called out in Christ
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Paul is calling out the religious of the day, who think they are above all because of their position in Jewish Religion. They love saying that they are the chosen of God even though at this present time in scripture, they have forsaken Him, killed His only begotten Son and murdered His ministers. A notion we should keep in mind when dealing with religious people. They are not friends of God, because a friend of God put’s himself or herself above no man or woman because they understand that in Christ we are sinners saved by His grace alone.
Confident in His Calling
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
Paul let’s them know that the life of a child of God isn’t tea and roses. It’s filled with struggles, persecution and conflict. But the world would have you to believe otherwise. He had told them earlier in this chapter in verse 3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
Paul worried about people of Corinth falling to lies of Satan and those who serve him. And even though a saved person is saved from the wrath of Hell, a loss of confidence can occur when certain things happen in their lives:
Ungodly influences
Failure to attend a local church
Listening to false doctrine
Failure to pursue your relationship with God
The last item on that list is the easiest for me to fall to and lose my confidence in what I know in Christ. If I do not stay in the word of God, when someone comes to me with a question or I’m witnessing to someone, I am not at all confident in my ability to relay God’s word in a manner they’ll understand. Paul knew that, and he knew that the people of Corinth were listening to people who were leading them astray, deceiving them as Satan deceived Eve in the garden by twisting the word of God. We need to understand that all who preach Christ, do not necessarily preach Him correctly.
So how do we protect ourselves? Read the word yourself! Allow the Spirit to speak to you and He’ll reveal the truth. God is faithful. It’s in those times that you will build your confidence, just as I am this morning as I read and study God’s word.
Concerned for the Churches
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
In all the struggles and perils that Paul had, the real kind of peril, not my kind. Paul never stopped concerning himself for God’s people.
In the first two verses of chapter 11 Paul speaks to the depth of his concern: Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
While I make no profession of being as committed as Paul, I have that concern with the Jesus Chick Ministry that I will fail you in my work for Christ. I love each one of you who take the time to read these posts and pray, “Would to God, we are together in glory.” Amen.
A recent personal quest of my own to learn more about oils from a biblical perspective brought me to one of the first mentions in scripture in the book of Exodus Chapter 25. It was actually the third mention of oil, but the other mentions were of Jacob pouring the oil on a stone
Exodus 25:6 (KJV) says Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
The oil was apart of an instruction from God for a free will offering towards various things for the worship and service of God. Acceptable things that were to be used in offerings. Since the dessert of Arabia could not furnish the oils, it is assumed that the oils were with them when they left Egypt, and would have been treasured substances. I thought about the treasured substances in my own life. Not oils… at least not yet. For I only have a few; but what is treasured in my life is the gift of the Holy Spirit. What a privilege and treasure to have within me the very presence of God.
Moses traveled upon the mount of Sinai alone, leaving the people of God below to watch the cloud surround the mountain. Moses alone for forty days and forty nights as the people watched. Praise God we live in a different time. I’m not much of an observer, I am for certain a participator. I have always wanted to be right in the thick of anything going on and to set idle in the balcony of life while others are participants is very difficult on me. I’m not sure why I was born so nosey, but I was.
I found it interesting that when it came to God’s request for the oils, there were (as so often in scripture) a three fold purpose. “Light, Anointing and Sweet Incense.â€
Glory to God for the Oil in the Lamp
When I think of “lamp oil.†I think of a kerosene lamp of modern day. Probably nothing compared to the ancient lanterns. But they served the purpose of light. I’ve only experienced the pitch black of night a few times, where there was no source of light coming from anything and it’s not something I would be comfortable with for long. It makes e appreciate the lamps that surround me in my home that I can turn on even during the day and make more light! But nothing is comparable to the Light of Jesus Christ in my life.
Jesus says in John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
God never intends His children to live in darkness. Even if it’s dark. The fear that I used to feel in the darkness (which I still necessarily don’t like) isn’t what it was. While I have human emotions and fears, they are subsided by the Spirit of Light that lives within me. I am never alone, even in dark times. Glory to God for the oil!
Glory to God for the Oil of Anointing
I’m learning more and more about my little box of oils that I received in the mail. One of the first things I did was downloaded to Kindle, three books on Oils of the Bible. I dove in head first to learn why they were so important and are they still? And why do I have a pharmacy in my kitchen? Don’t panic… I’m still going to use my pharmacy until the doc tells me not to, but what are the medicinal purposes of the oil and what are the spiritual?
One of the first oils I used medicinally was Tea Tree Oil. This may be TMI (too much info) for you, but my pinky toe and the one next to it were itching terribly one evening. So I looked up in the oils a treatment for skin issues. Low and behold it called for the use of tea tree oil to be rubbed on the affected area. This itch had been an issue for sometime and I’d used other store treatments for dry feet, etc to no avail. But I slid off my cow girl boots (which may be part of the issue,) and took a smidge, and I mean just a smidge of the tea tree oil and put on my foot. The itch stopped immediately. I kept waiting for it to come back. It did not. Who knew!? Is it gone for ever? I doubt it, I have multiple pair of pointed toe boots that I adore; but it’s been a week and no itch. I’ve had a couple of other successful treatments with oil on other pains as they would do it in Pain Clinics, and I’m slowly but surely beginning to believe that there’s something to the oil! I’d imagine that after 40 years in the hot sand, a few of the Israelites likely had itchy feet, but that was not God’s purpose for the oil in the sanctuary.Â
Oil was used for the anointing of Aaron and his sons in their service to God and the vessels in the tabernacle. Oil was a sacrificial offering likely because of it’s rarity, cost and individual purposes. If oil was important to God, should it not be important to God’s people? I’m not putting more emphasis on oil than needs to be. I’m adding no emphasis toward salvation or brownie points with God because someone uses oil. But the fact that oils had purpose hasn’t changed.
I understand why God did aromatherapy. I’m kiddding…. But when Paul told the Philippians in Philippians 4:18 KJV
[18] But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
This was said in allusion to the sacrifices under the former dispensation, in which God smelled a sweet savour, Genesis 8:21, in reference to which, as the sacrifice of Christ is said to be of a sweet smelling savour, Ephesians 5:2, and as the spiritual sacrifices of the saints, as praises and prayers, are called odours, Revelation 5:8, and are said to be acceptable unto God, 1 Peter 2:5; so acts of beneficence are called sacrifices, with which he is well pleased, Hebrews 13:16.
I believe God does His own version of aromatherapy when the Saints of God are offering sacrifices of praise and service to the Kingdom. By the same token I believe that he also instilled within us a joy from certain type scents. Not everyone likes the same. I don’t generally care for fruity scents, but I love earthy scents. I’m not a fan of hardly any flora scents, but lavender is growing on me from my little Box of goodies.
This study has been good for me today, it brought joy to my soul and I’ll continue my study of the various oils of the bible. I pray you enjoyed it as well. Blessings!!!! From the Jesus Chick.
I will not say it has been an easy transition to News Publisher. Staying focused on spiritual things is difficult when my focus is on the things of world much of the time. Listening to other news sources, listening to my community, listening to heartaches and struggles, it’s a bit overwhelming at times.
So, with that being said, as I sat in church yesterday and the Spirit was just pouring the blessings down upon me as I listened to the Word of God being taught and preached, I thought about conversations I’d had with God recently. They were random to say the least. I have an ongoing daily conversation with the Lord that is filled with apologies for my failures, goofy prayers over food like “please Lord, let something in this candy bar be nutritious for my body,” and “God, Lucky Charms has 9 essential vitamins and minerals in it, so surely eating it twice a day and sometimes three for meals isn’t bad, and please don’t let the marshmallows kill me.” This is not my finest hour as a child of God or a writer. But it’s what’s on my heart today.
I wonder if the Apostle Paul had a Lucky Charms kind of day when he was making tents? I’m doubting it. Listen to the wisdom in his words to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 2:12-14
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ¶ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The Apostle Paul was God’s News Reporter. He was tasked with the job of listening to the world and discovering their issues, then listening to God for the wisdom of life, and then relaying that message in a manner that could be applied by the people. And that became the Good News that we are gifted today by the Holy Spirit of God through His Bible.
So the reason I speak about the transition to publisher as not being easy, is because I have a rough time shutting out the world and allowing the Spirit to speak to me. I really don’t understand how the unsaved keep their sanity when I struggle with it as a child of God who has my very own 24 hour a day Counselor, Keeper and Friend.
Freely Given Facts
I promised myself and God that when I began www.Ridgeviewnews.com, I would publish only the truth. If it was opinion I would label it as such and I would stand accountable to God for it all. Paul’s words reminded me that the Spirit that is in me is not of this world, and the things that I have been “freely given,” are not received by those who don’t know Christ. There is a discernment that is accessible to every child of God that when we receive information, the Holy Spirit will alert us with what we need to do with that information. But our conversations with God have to be about more than candy bars and lucky charms.
Right now I have a very serious issue with a family member in another country. I have a hard time following news about this country and caring what happens to it’s people. And then I hear the Spirit of God say “look at this group of people in that country. They belong to me, and they care.” And that causes me to care.
I get frustrated with the people in my community because it seems there are many who have their heads stuck in the sand and have no idea of what’s going on around us, and the Spirit reminds me that “Satan is after them, and he has many of them on a line and hook destined for Hell unless a child of God reminds them that they need Christ.” And then God reminds me of the blessed place I’m in that teaches and preaches the gospel and it’s a fact that I am privileged to hear. That wisdom prevents me from falling to the worlds devices. Yes I get side tracked on Lucky Charms and candy bars but the gift that Christ left us of His Holy Spirit is such an amazing valuable possession. It prevents me from falling to the wiles of the Devil that would have me going out into the world unprepared for the wickedness that would destroy the peace in my heart. Another fact that we have as children of God. Peace. And that my friend with the craziness going on in this is worth more than anything this world has to offer. Satan cannot touch it unless we allow him to. Glory! Thank You Jesus for the Spirit of God that keeps me sane!
