Ephesians 6:16 KJV Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
This has been the first of a new chapter in the life of my husband and I. His retirement. Not mine… I need the work for sanity, but for him, he was to the point of physical and mental exhaustion to the degree I have never witnessed in someone that I love. I would watch as he came home from work and collapsed onto the couch and fall asleep within seconds. In his latter days as the Chief of the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department (from which he retired as well) I would watch him leave with the adrenaline flowing, but come back from a scene with the life flowing out of him from exhaustion, frustration and mental fatigue that was so disheartening. He had lived and breathed rescue for thirty years. But no more. It was someone else’s turn.
I’ve seen that same result in ministry workers. But, I’ve also seen the power of God in the lives of others who went home to be with Jesus with as much passion for the fight as they had in the beginning. Please Jesus, let that be the case with me. It’s why it’s so important to stay in the word of God, at every opportunity, be it in reading, worshipping, listening and spending time with God’s people and in His service.
This came to my mind this morning when I read Ephesians 6:16 and seen a bible journaling image of a fire extinguisher. Fire is a scary element if you’ve ever witnessed it on a fire scene. This past week I had two house fires that I covered for the news. The one came in the middle of the night without warning and almost took the lives of two people. The second fire was deliberate, set by a man not in his right mind, who had likely just killed his wife and then set the house on fire and killed himself. The illustration of those fires can be viewed in a spiritual sense so very easily.
Ephesians 6:16 KJV Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
I’m not sure where this fire started, but if I were guessing I would say it began in the attic of the house. The couple retired for the evening without a thought toward what was happening outside of their scope of vision. All seemed well. Until it wasn’t. Isn’t that the case with life? Everything just seems to be going along swimmingly, and then without warning the bottom drops out of our world. Whether it’s a physical, financial or emotional crisis, the fire is set, out of control, and we’re either chasing it to put it out, or it’s chasing us. How can extinguish something so powerful?
What’s not visible in this photo is a small but powerful fan that the Volunteer Fire Department put at the front door of the house. It was a positive pressure fan that is specially designed to use positive airflow to remove heat, smoke and products of combustion from a structure on a fire scene, allowing firefighters to get a better chance at putting out the fire and advancing into a building for victim rescue. Praise God the victims were not in the house.
When a life crisis occurs, I don’t understand how the unsaved cope. But I know how I can cope, it’s by knowing that the Holy Spirit is going before me attacking anything that has the potential to do me harm. It’s not that I won’t feel the heat of the battle, or that the smoke may not allow me to physically see what’s coming at me. But I know that God has it under control, and I’ll be okay. I may lose “stuff” but I will never lose what matters. My soul is in tact. My future is in tact. God’s got me covered. Those fiery darts that Satan has thrown my direction are being quenched by my shield of faith. He didn’t promise me I’d never be afraid, but He did promise that He would calm my fears. Just like the air from that fan, the breath of the Holy Spirit breaths on the smoke and flames around me and I’m ready to be rescued. Glory to God I just wrote myself happy!
That fire scene was not a happy scene. It was heartbreaking. But the most important thing on the scene were the two lives that were spared.
The second scene fire was eerily insignificant as I arrived on scene. I didn’t know what had taken place. I could see the smoke, but little evidence of fire. I didn’t know that around the corner of the house laid a suicide victim. Or inside the house was woman possibly murdered. The fire was set by the homeowner. He knew it was coming. I realize this seems somewhat morbid of a discussion. But it’s gut wrenching to know that something was totally preventable, if only God had been allowed to be in control. I don’t know why this domestic situation happened. My heart breaks for the family. But the illustration still reminds me that we all control our destiny to a certain degree. We decide whether or not we are going to fight the elements of the fire, or embrace it.
If the Holy Spirit is within you, you know when it’s time to get yourself as far from that situation as you can and allow God to intervene. To get behind the shield of faith so that when the enemy attacks, he can’t hit you.
My husband David knew he was at the point in his career that the fires of life were going to consume him if he did not leave the situation. He had fought the battle long enough.
But what about the ministry battles? Is there ever a time to walk away? I think there is for certain a time to regroup. But not to walk out on God. Retirement for the child of God is God’s call. When He calls us home, we’re done. Until then, we’re to stay in the battle and allow the Spirit of God to bring us through every battle.
I’m so thankful and proud of my husband’s contributions to the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department and his decades of work for the Town of Grantsville. But I’m so grateful that life doesn’t end with our retirement of worldly endeavors… God’s got plans. Amen!
What an interesting thought! It was mentioned in church on Wednesday night and I just couldn’t get the thought out of my mind. What causes some hearts to get stone cold when they hear the gospel and other hearts melt and are as soft and pliable as the wax.
David warned of it in Psalm 95:8
Psalm 95:1-11 KJV O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. [2] Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. [3] For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. [4] In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. [5] The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. [6] O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. [7] For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, [8] Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: [9] When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. [10] Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: [11] Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
And the writer of Hebrews mentioned it when he wrote:
Hebrews 4:7 KJV Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Funny thing about an excited new convert, meaning someone who just got saved, is they’ll just about beat a soul to death with the gospel because their level of excitement knows no bounds. But over time even the heart of an excited Christian can grow lack in what Christ has done in their life and forget that great feeling of strength and joy that was felt when they first came to know Christ.
My friend Doyle Ballengee told me that, as a new convert, when he told another “older” saint that he was on fire for the Lord, they responded with, “That’s great, but you’ll get over it.” Praise God I haven’t yet, and Doyle died at 80 and was the most exciting Saint of God that I ever knew. But I’ve come close on several occasions because if you hang out with soggy wood, it’s hard to get a fire started or keep yours going.
So in the context of Psalm 95, what message was David trying to get across to the children of God?
Worship is Important!
O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. [2] Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. [3] For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
I don’t know what the knucklehead that thought worship wasn’t important is going to do in Heaven when there are praises sang to the Lord all day long! I suppose they’ll walk around looking for Tylenol. But they’ll eventually have to get over it because eternity is a long time. But this isn’t Heaven David is talking about, it’s now. We are supposed to make noise, sing and come into His presence with a grateful heart. Because our God is greater than any. Greater than the football gods, the baseball gods, the political gods…. All of them! If you can celebrate the worldly things, why would you not want to celebrate God.
Wisdom is Immeasurable!
[4] In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. [5] The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. [6] O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
Our Creator, He who now dwells in the heart of man is an immeasurable source of wisdom, strength and ability that we have dwelling within us. Isn’t that an amazing thought. When I think about what those hardened souls are missing out on it break my heart. Because God cannot be exhausted. I can give Him away one million times and there is still more of Him to share. When it come to why churches are not overflowing with people, I fully believe that it is because we are either stingy or we don’t know what we have.
Wilderness is Inward
[7] For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, [8] Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: [9] When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. [10] Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: [11] Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
God was grieved for 40 years because the children wandered around in the wilderness never learning their lesson. It was their outward wandering that bothered God as much as it was their inward wandering. Their hearts did not know God. They said they erred in their heart. They grumbled, murmured, doubted and disobeyed God because they would now allow Him to govern their lives. They wanted earthly kings and earthly treasures. Are we any different. We are still wandering around in our hearts looking for something to make us happy when it’s in us. God is in us.
Today I struggled with the IRS, business, finances, housework, dogs, kids, so many things. But not one of those things seem to matter when I picked up the word of God and began to think about all He has done for me over my lifetime and over the past week.
I went on to a fire scene to cover it for the news before I realized there had been a shooting. A murder/suicide. God spared me, I could have been shot.
I was coming home from church last night and I came around a turn on my side of the road, (not like I often do) on these West Virginia turns and a large truck came around the turn too fast and I was certain he was going to hit me. He didn’t. But I knew I had just been a few inches from death and God spared my life.
God is so worthy of our praise and worship. Do not fear what man thinks, be glad God hears! I pray you are safe and you are wise and you are worshiping the Creator of you. Because He made for an exclusive purpose of bringing glory to Him through your life. How are you doing that?
I remember as a young Christian, reading the Old Testament and thinking, “How could God destroy all those women and children? How do I know reconcile that reaction of God to the loving God that I experience as a Christian? While the mother in me, will always look at compassion upon a child, the Spirit of God has given me peace and understanding of the providence of God when it comes to the eradication of sects of people in the Old Testament, and the necessity of understanding the role that Governments should take against the Hamas who murdered teen-aged girls, children and the elderly and then dumped them in the streets of Gaza so bloodthirsty crowds could desecrate their bodies, as Senator Marco Rubio of Florida described.
But what about the role of the Church? What is our role in this attack on Israel? God’s chosen. Of course we ought to kneel and pray, earnestly and sincerely that God protect Israel. But we should also stand. America’s weak kneed Government is only slightly worse than the weak kneed church that won’t stand on God’s side for fear of hurting the feelings of God’s enemies.
We live in a society where real time images and videos show the horrific evidence of what Marco Rubio described. And yet, we have people defending their actions. We have groups of people who, they themselves, would be beheaded in the countries they defend. But what are we looking at from a Biblical perspective. Many are wondering if this is the beginning of the end? Let me preface this by saying, I’m not a biblical scholar. But I know when the Spirit speaks to my soul, and I believe that God is showing us that we need to be ready, and we need to get our people ready.
The Countries at play in this war are Countries of significant Biblical importance.
In Ezekiel 38 the word of God says in verses:1-3- And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
The significance of that is the fact that Gog and Magog are modern day Russia.
In Ezekiel 38:14-19 it speaks of a prophetic time when Russia would come against Israel, although it doesn’t seem as though they wanted to have a dog in the fight. God said in verse 16 God says that “He will bring them against Israel.”
Iran is a supporter of Hamas and is supporting them in this current effort. Persia happens to be modern day Iran and in this same group of texts, God speaks of Persia in verse 5 of Chapter 38 saying:
With Russia supporting Iran, the possibility of them getting drug into this war could be there.
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
I certainly have no clue of that hour or day. But I know this. God says that we can be aware by watching what’s going on around us and studying the word of God. The much discussed Matthew 24 says:
I seem to be going backwards — but in the beginning of Chapter 24, Christ is speaking to His disciples. And He tells them in verses 1-6 when he tells them that there will be wars and rumors of war abounding! How many have we seen in the past few decades, and everyone brought with it the fear and concern of whether or not we are in the last days.
Well, let’s just settle that. We are. Because in the scope of eternity, our time on this earth, whether Christ returns today or 200 years from now, it’s still time to get ready. Those people in the field working when one was there and the other disappeared, was only mentioned in that context because they didn’t have the internet. Today it could read, “One was on Youtube and the other on Facebook.” But before that happens one could lose their life in a car accident, and another could be gunned down on the street. That is the world we live in. Are you ready is the question? Is your family ready? Are your friends ready? Are you prepared to never see them again if one of you have accepted Christ as your Savior and the other has not?
He’s speaking to His Jewish Disciples. Those who have a different role in the events of end times. Of course, those He spoke to, are long gone from the earth. But the current, non believing Jew and the Christians of today are covered in Matthew 24. You are covered in Matthew 24 in the current state you are in.
Don’t think that the war of Israel could not come to this land. We are, whether the liberals like it or not, we are identified as a Christian nation. That came with a price tag and the denial of it will come with one too.
Stand for Israel. Stand for Christ. Stand in the Gap for the Children of God around the world. Show your loved ones that you are ready and encourage them to get their hearts ready to hear the trumpet of the Lord!
Just Jesus. That’s too short to be a headline. But I used it anyway as an illustration for myself that, no matter how many bells and whistles, I, or someone else have, nothing matters except Jesus.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
A recent series of events in my life had just about turned me against Paul. Not really, but there was certainly a hesitation to turn to the books written by him because of emphasis put on his teaching by someone else. Although there intention was not draw attention to Paul, by there over emphasizing his writing, that’s exactly what happened. Paul was placed up on a pedestal he’d have puked on if he was here in this time.
But it also caused me to think this morning about the emphasis that I put on matters of the gospel. I want my blog to aesthetically pleasing, I want my handouts to be eye catching, I want all the bells and whistles when I’m up before people and this morning as I began to write and to study the word of God, my thought was drawn to “Just Jesus.”
By comparison, Paul did have excellency of speech. He studied under the masters of the day who strengthened him as a leader. His ability to read and write with rhetorical sophistication indicates that Paul received some type of formal education. Luke claims that Saul studied under the great legal teacher Gamaliel, where he was “educated strictly according ancestral law” in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3). I’ve studied under people I believe to be masters of their trade and of the word of God, but I have yet to master anything as far as I can tell. I’m an “okay” orator. An “okay” singer, a less than adequate guitar player. But as I thought on those less than thrilling attributes of my life, I jolted myself into reality with the thought, “Just Jesus.”
Whether I am speaking, singing, teaching… just Jesus. When I go to the Nursing Home today. They just need to see Jesus. Not Shari. I pray He alone is visible in my feeble attempt at entertaining the troops that have just gotten off the battle field. That’s how I view them. They’ve been warriors that battled the spiritual and secular battles of this life for decades before me. It’s their time to rest and before they enter into their eternal rest, they need Jesus. Just Jesus.
Paul could have spoken and wowed the audience. But it says he was trembling. I know the feeling. I got up to sing for the first time at First Baptist Church this Sunday and I second guessed my song, my ability, everything, my stomach was nauseous, my knees were knocking but I continued on, praying that what they heard was my love for Jesus. Just Jesus.
There was a Deacon ordination this Sunday as well, such an exciting time. My prayer for this newly ordained servant of the church was just serve as Jesus would have you to. Just Jesus.
When Paul said, 5“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God,” he was saying, Just Jesus. Everything a child of God does should in some way or form point to Jesus. If you’re serving in a secular job, Jesus should be evident. If people come into you home, Jesus should be evident. If you’re speaking to people, Jesus should be evident.
Today I’m heavy hearted about some people in my life who aren’t well. And so I ask, what would Jesus do to encourage them? He would make His presence known in their struggle. Help me God to do the same.
How about you, are you in the midst of a struggle? I have the answer, “Just Jesus.” That’s all we can do is turn these struggles over to Him and allow Him to do what’s best. And He’s going to.
“I have so many things I need to get done, Lord, Where do I start?”
That was my conversation with God today as I sat down with my Bible to study. My day had began very early as always, but the agenda wasn’t mine, and it certainly wasn’t God’s if it had taken me away from studying His word. It was almost as if I had misplaced my own priorities and I couldn’t find them to save my soul. It’s a good thing priorities aren’t apart of salvation. They are, however, apart of our relationship with God. I’ve never been good at keeping anything in balance for too long. I’ll do great for a short time period, and then things start building up, things I put off, things I was going to do when I got the time; and then suddenly I realize that I have a pile of things to do that didn’t get done, and some where in that stack is my relationship with God.
An Appointment with Jesus
1 Peter 2:7-9 KJV Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Do we treat the Lord as if He is precious? I know I don’t. Peter’s words stung me this morning. In my frustration of the week I had spent bits of time with Him, as if to say, “Oh look Lord, I have a few minutes before my next meeting, want to catch up?” And then I wondered why everything got away from me. The irony of these verses is the fact that verse 9 is my life verse.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Verse 8 speaks of the Jews “appointment.” They stumbled at the word of God, not believing that Jesus was the Messiah because He had not come as they expected. Their God would surely not have been born of a lowly woman like Mary and have a carpenter as a father? Their God would have been regal and royal and come with all the pomp and circumstance! And yet He did, but they had missed it because the pomp and circumstance appeared to the humble shepherds and those who were not expecting God to make an appointment with them before He came.
Am I any different? While I know and believe that Jesus came as He did, that He died as He did on the cross of Calvary; that one drop of that “precious blood” covered the multitude of sin that is in my life. But I’m still asking God to wait until I have time for Him. “I have you penciled in tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. Lord, unless something comes up.” Right? Am I the only heathen?
An Appointment with the Heir
Hebrews 1:1-2 KJV God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
It struck me odd this morning to think that Jesus was made Heir following His own death. He is heir of all things, as He now sits at the right hand of His Father making intercession for an ungrateful lot like me. I struggled with some issues this week on a few different levels and I wanted so badly to whine, but I knew better. I had no right to whine. Jesus has every right and yet He’s there, every second of the day listening to me, watching over me and pulling my butt from the per verbal fire when I don’t deserve it. Not only is He the heir, but He made you and I a joint heir!
Romans 8:17 KJV And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Can you believe that? My suffering is nothing compared to His, but in His humbleness He allowed me to have what He has, eve now. He has eternal life, and so do I. He has a home in Glory and so do I, He has not lost one of the children that God gave Him, nor have I, so long as they are found in Christ Jesus. Glory to God in the highest who has mercy on someone like me and allows me to be an heir of Heaven.
An Appointment with God
Hebrews 9:27 KJV And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
That is one appointment that we will all make on time. There is nobody penciling in a possible time to die. When it’s your time, it’s done. And there you will stand before Almighty God and give answer to what you did with your time on earth. For all those appointments with God that were missed.
There was a man that I had been “wondering” about his soul. As if to justify it I told myself, he’s not really even someone I know very well. But in a small town, I knew of him. He had been placed in a nursing home in another county about 20 miles away. This week I had planned on going to see if he had a mind that could understand the salvation of God. But his appointment came before I got there. I get physically sick when I think about people going out into eternity that I never seen evidence of Christ in their life.
You and I have an appointment, we know not when. We have family and friends who have an appointment and we are not guaranteed another day of opportunity with them. This morning I needed this bell ringer to remind me that my appointments were scheduled for me when called saved me. There are people He placed in my path and it is my appointment to tell them about He who has called me out of the darkness and into His marvelous light. He is so precious… why do I not treat Him so.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
One thing for certain, when you come out of a time of mourning, the feeling is not one that is generally taken lightly.
Loss is an emotion that if it’s allowed to go unchecked will consume a persons life. Often unknowingly. It just becomes the norm. The loss can be that of a person, job, friendship, church, or even something that was significantly important in your life.
Psalm 126 is generally thought to have been written by Ezra, or some good man returned from the Babylonish captivity. Jewishpeople faced exile from Israel. Being forced to leave Judah, they lived in Babylon between 597 BC and 538 BC. Fifty-nine years of captivity. No wonder there was rejoicing!
Psalm 126:1-6 KJV When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. [2] Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. [3] The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. [4] Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. [5] They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. [6] He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
The Nightmare’s of Living Below
There’s an old gospel song titled “Where Could I Go But to the Lord.” The lyrics begin with
Living below in this old sinful world Hardly a comfort can afford Striving alone to face temptation’s sword Now won’t you tell me Where could I go but to the Lord
They didn’t have that song in their hymnal in 538 BC, but I’m sure they had one similar and were no doubt singing it as they came out of captivity. Being held captive, literally or emotionally is a nightmare. The experience varies with great difference regardless if it is the same type of captivity. Grief is experienced by everyone, but the degree of grief, or the manner in which it’s handled is so different. I have two daughters who handle their emotions so differently. The oldest faces grief and tragedy inwardly, much like her myself. The youngest wants the world to know, as does her father. Tiffani and I may look fine on the surface, but if the inside would suddenly burst forth, the internal battle would look like a war zone. Whitney and David on the other hand, are commanders on a battlefield and I wouldn’t recommend getting in their path when they’re dealing with grief or earthly struggles.
I can only speak for myself and the way I handle it, which is to consider the effect or the result of the loss. When my dad died of Emphysema in 2003, my heart grieved for the physical loss, but my soul rejoiced in his having gone to be with the Lord. I imagined that first breath he took in Heaven. What a dream that would have been after having been unable to breathe for a decade! When I lost a friendship, I grieved not for the loss of the person ( they were still there), but for the loss of the relationship and the hole that remained in my life. That hole over time became filled with new friends and experiences but there is always an empty spot. When I left my church this summer, I grieved not only for the loss of the earthly foundational structure of my faith, but for the loss of two decades of comrades in faith that were a part of my spiritual tapestry. That tapestry was still there in Heaven in its entirety. But here below, in this old sinful world, the sword had torn it apart.
Grief is a nightmare.
The Joy of Living in the Moment
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
Even to the heathen they rejoiced! When we finally come out of the storm, it’s important to tell those who care about us that we’re out, because they were concerned and they need to see us on the side of victorious living. But there’s a couple of reasons the heathens need told as well. First of all, and above all, so they are given the opportunity to see God glorified and get a desire to want that for themselves. And perhaps that should be the only reason. But there is a fleshly side of me that enjoys the celebration. I was standing at the front of First Baptist Church this Wednesday, in the center aisle at the front pew, just as I did at my prior church every service. I love to watch the people come in and I love to see them greet each other like they’ve not seen each other for a year. Oh the Joy!!!! My new people, are just that, they’re new to me. I’m not always comfortable with all of them because I don’t know their stories yet.
I’ve made it a point in my ministry to watch people. Not for the sake of being nosy, but for the point of being aware. I now know that she who sits behind me on the second row has a grandson in prison, and she needs prayer. I know that she who sits in the middle is concerned that her husband’s depression is overwhelming him. I know that my new sister in Christ was raised rough. It’s important to live in the moment, and while I still have a hole in my life, it is now being filled with new reasons to pray and watch and live in the moment. I cannot dwell on what I’ve lost, I can only rejoice in what God has given me in its stead.
Israel wasn’t out of trouble. But they were no longer grieving because of their captivity and loss of relationship with the Lord. God had turned their captivity to freedom.
Does He not do the same for each of us? Of course! Are you grieving the loss of someone or something? Look forward to the day when God will restore your joy. He will!!!
Tears come. Heartache and trials happen. But so does the joy! Savor in each second because to live in reality is to know that grief too will come again. But so will joy to follow.
And then there is that final day when there will be nothing but joy. No heartaches, trials or tribulation.
The Promise of Living in Perfection
I am so far from perfect it’s ridiculous. But I know the day is coming when I give up this earthly form that God will create me anew and I will be perfect. I will not hurt, nor hurt others. I will not grieve, nor will I have to leave anyone. We will all live in His presence, in a Home that He has prepared. But for now there is still a perfection we can rejoice in.
GOD’S LOVE IS PERFECT
1 John 4:12 KJV No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4:18 KJV There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
GOD’S GRACE IS PERFECT
1 Peter 5:10 KJV But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
GOD’S GIFTS ARE PERFECT
James 1:17 KJV Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
THROUGH GOD, YOU ARE PERFECT
Hebrews 12:23 KJV To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Glory to God I wrote myself happy and I pray that this message brought you joy in the understanding that if you’re saved, even though we live in an imperfect world, in Christ Jesus, when God looks at us, He see’s nothing but the finest!
Glorrraaaaayyyyyy! Share that message with someone today. Share this message with someone today. I love you!
A few days ago I stood in the home of three young women who sat by the bedside of their mother, waiting for God to call her home. Each of the girls said that they had made professions of faith. That was as far as I could take that conversation. It was between them and God whether or not everyone was prepared for the next step in their Momma’s Journey. The return home. The Momma was just a few years older than myself. She was a Momma and a Grandmomma. A sister, friend, daughter and niece. All of the things that all of us are, but most importantly she was a child of God.
As I tried my best to encourage the girls, I couldn’t help but think about that journey we’re all taking home. This life truly is like a vapor. It seems like yesterday that I was running in the hills of Duck Creek with cousins and siblings, scooping up turtles without a care in the world. But then suddenly without warning, there’s no running, I do well to walk some days! I’m not scooping up turtles, I’m sharing the scoop on a news site that I run on the internet. I share the stories of people lives, some happy and some sad, but all are important in the scope of eternity.
I’ve made it no secret that I have struggled spiritually for the past few years. But now, as I embark on a new church journey, it seems that ministry opportunities are on the horizon and I’m heading back up the mountain in the spiritual sense. I told my new Pastor, when he expressed his concern for me overloading myself, that a busy Shari is a happy Shari. It also creates a focus on God and His desires and not what the world would have my attention to falter on.
While the experience of watching a friend pass away is not an enjoyable one, it is one of purpose. It draws the mind to eternity and the need for a knowing the truth.
This morning a video popped up on my Facebook feed of a preacher who was preaching that one’s salvation could be thrown away. He referred to Hebrews 6:1-6 as evidence of that.
Hebrews 6:1-6 KJV
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, [2] Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. [3] And this will we do, if God permit. [4] For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, [5] And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, [6] If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
In the previous chapter, Paul was writing to some who ought to have been teachers, but who needed still to be taught the first principles of the gospel; they were such babes in grace that they needed the milk of the Word, —the very simplest elements of gospel truth, — and not the strong meat of solid doctrine. I fear that is the case in many churches across America because preachers are no longer preaching the simplest of truths. But the writer of Hebrews had no problem preaching truth. He tells them that it’s time they get off of the diet of babies and onto the food of men.
Hebrews6:1a. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;— The very basics of the word of God and move on to the deeper understanding. It’s as if he was saying, you’ve passed elementary school, now let’s move higher up the ladder of understanding until we get to the university level. And by the way, that level is achieved through the Holy Spirit. Not some seminary or college that teaches you to be a stick in the mud.
Hebrews 6:1b — Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Let us make sure that the foundation of understanding is laid, but let’s not do it again and again. I know people who have been “saved” over and over again, believing that they had lost their salvation. God knows the wretched heart of man can not live a perfect life, but we can acknowledge the sin, repent and move on. Believing that sin was covered by the blood of Christ.
Hebrews 6:2. Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. This is what we’ve been taught and believe, there should be no disputation about them, but move on to the work of Christ. This is why churches fail to see souls saved. They’re stay on the fundamentals of faith, and the work of God goes undone.
Hebrews 6:3. And this will we do, if God permit. We must keep on going forward; there is no such thing in the Christian life as standing still, although plenty have sat.
The next three verses are what the social media post focused on. And the words can certainly be twisted to look like the writer is speaking of eternal security. If they’re taken out of context and no longer apart of the previous conversation above.
Hebrews 6:4-6 — For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
The writer doesn’t say “if they shall fall.” We’re all going to fall; for me it’s multiple times a day that I fail God. But the writer says “fall away.” Meaning, it’s impossible for the power of salvation to cease to have power over the child of God. Once you believe, you cannot un-believe. If so, you never truly believed to start with. We all have time of a lack of faith. That is not failing to believe, that is humanity. Even John the Baptist asked Christ “Are You the One?”
Without the grace of God, none of us could ever over come the evil of this world. If the blood of Christ does not purge us from sin, what more can be done? But because of grace, we are saved. Forever and ever Amen.
For further reference look at the verses that offer us the security of being a believer.
John 10:28-29 KJV — And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
John 3:3 — Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 10:29 — My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Romans 5:l — Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 4:30 — And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Those are just a few of the many verses that officer us security in the belief that salvation is forever.
It’s a funny thing about faith. I can be having an off day, where everything is going wrong and I hear “You’re not saved Shari, if you were your life wouldn’t be such a mess.” But then I take myself back to February 18th, 1996, the year I was saved, and show myself the real mess. And then I take myself to May 26th, 2018 when I faced open heart surgery with the sweetest peace imaginable and then I tell myself to shut up.
Not the best of advice from a Christian blogger. Perhaps I should write about how to win friends and influence enemies, but I generally write what’s on my heart, and today this is it. How to Pick Your Battles.
There were years, perhaps decades, when I would not pick a battle, I wouldn’t pick a side. I hated division to the point that I would walk away from it without so much as a comment. But after salvation, something happened in me. I became very vocal on matters of faith and then I became very vocal on matters of the world and how they related to matters of faith. I try to be polite and respectful, and steer clear of subjects with certain people that make for tense conversations, but that cannot be helped sometimes. As a child of God, should we ever battle?
1 Corinthians 14:6-11 KJV
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? [7] And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? [8] For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? [9] So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. [10] There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. [11] Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
If this scripture is read in context, it of course is speaking in reference to tongues. But something Paul said to the Church of Corinth struck me this morning when I thought about mealymouthed Christians who are afraid to speak out on tough subjects. Paul said in verse 8, “If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”
I think that will preach.
As children of God the Bible is clear that we are set apart from the world and to live our lives focused on spiritual matters, but not ignorant of worldly things. We are not to stick our heads in the sand and pretend that things around us are wonderful when there is brimstone and ash falling from the sky. If you can look at the current condition of the United States of America and say that we’re in good shape, clearly you are of the ostrich persuasion.
I don’t believe God wants us to get a megaphone and stand on the street corner screaming to the top of our lungs that the world is going to hell in a hand basket. I don’t think He wants us to disrupt pleasant conversations with depressing political statistics and truths. But if there is a time and opportunity to share information with friends and family that will protect them from harms way, then we should take every opportunity. We should also be known as people of astute wisdom about current events, so that if something happens we can perhaps discuss and warn others about how it came to be.
I think about the days leading up to 911 and the destruction of the twin towers and the pentagon building. We could see the Islamic influence in America growing. There were those who warned us, but few listened – thinking we were like the unsinkable Titanic. Well of course the Titanic did sink and of course America was struck without notice. God hates arrogance. It is pride and it goes before the fall. Tell me of a more prideful Nation than America right now? It is boasting of sin and throwing it in the face of God and it will come back to bite us.
So… what battles do we choose to fight as children of God?
The Good Person
I was brought up to respect my elders. I have within me a great love for people of age. Especially since I’m becoming one. But people of age and authority have great influence and it’s not always good.
There are teachers in the public school system that are well educated people. Some would call them good or great, but the influence they have over our children is anything but good. If a teacher is permitted (and they are) to hang a pride flag in their classroom, and students see it day in and day out, whether they know it or not, those students become acceptant of that flag and what it stands for. They may believe it’s wrong, but they will not likely say that it is, for fear of persecution, ridicule, or even punishment for discrimination. For the few hours in the evening and weekends that their families are trying to instill Christian morals into them, there are “good teachers” undoing it all day everyday that the kids are in school.
This is when we as parents and grandparents have to be conscientious of what is happening in the classrooms of Calhoun County, or wherever you happen to be, and speak with our children about it daily. Ask them what they seen or heard at school today, if there was something that struck them odd, or questions they may have. Communication is key. That is why Paul said
1 Corinthians 14:19 KJV
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
If we are not clear with our children about what we believe and why we believe it, they’ll never understand why the things they’re hearing and seeing in school are wrong. Paul said that a few clear words were far better than ten thousand people can’t understand. Again and again we need to introduce children to the scriptures where God lays it out plainly that certain things are wrong and they are battles worth fighting.
The Politically Correct
Correct me if I’m wrong (which I’m not) but are Christians not suppose to believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God? Of course we are. And yet Christians everywhere are jumping onto the politically correct ways of the world and choosing unbiblical behaviors and calling them biblical because God is love and love never offends. Where did they get that idea?
It was no different in Paul’s day. A matter which Paul dealt with in Ephesians 4.
Ephesians 4:14-23 KJV
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
We have to get into our minds that Satan is playing for keeps with our families. He has every intention of keeping the souls of our family’s and friends. If your people are not saved, Satan already has control of them and he places people in their paths to make sure they stay his. One of the methods he is using is the ability to shut people up. Like using Political correctness, a tool of the devil in the hands of the government. How scary is that?
The Perception of Men
[15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Because we are living in the flesh, I am here to tell you that my perceptions, any given day, can be so far off base from reality that my life is more like a cartoon that is being animated by me. Poorly drawn and bad acting. Men’s perceptions (and women’s) tend to favor that which advantages self. The same is true when it comes to the church of God which is ran by men. Men’s perceptions often times replace the Holy Spirit.
I had a preacher tell me one time that I should not listen to the voice in my mind because that wasn’t the Holy Spirit. My stomach literally rolled over. How else could I listen to God if He weren’t speaking to me through mind. Add to that thought from another preacher that I shouldn’t be involved in politics or watch the news because they were evil and filled with lives and we couldn’t make a difference in them, and my life was turned upside down. If I can’t make any difference in this world, why did God put me here and why did He put this passion and drive in me to make a difference?
One man’s perception almost took me out of God’s will. The men who said these things were not bad or evil men. But the perceived God’s word in a manner that was not revealed to me in the same way. If I took their word I would stop being effective for the cause of Christ and Satan would have won a battle that I wouldn’t have even known to fight.
But the Spirit stepped in. And revealed to me that the battle is the Lord’s and He takes no soldier out of the fight before their time.
All three of the aforementioned battles are not easy fights. But the are worthy fights.
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; [2] And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; [3] And did all eat the same spiritual meat; [4] And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. [5] But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. [6] Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. [8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. [9] Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. [10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. [11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. [12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
In the commentary of John Gill he says of 1 Corinthians 10 with regards the children of Israel being under a cloud, which was a symbol of the divine presence with the Israelites, as it was on Mount Sinai, and in the tabernacle and temple; was a protection of them, being in the daytime as a pillar of cloud to screen them from the scorching heat of the sun, and in the night time as a pillar of fire to preserve them from beasts of prey, as well as in both to guide and direct them in the way; and was a type of Christ, who is a covert from the heat, as well as the wind and storm; a protection of his people from the vindictive justice and wrath of God, and from the rage and fury of men and devils.
I cannot help but think of modern day perils that we face which are not of the kind that Israel faced, but we are no doubt in a perilous spiritual battle that today I feel all too heavy on my heart and soul. I knew when I took on Ridgeview News that I would likely ruffle feathers along the way, but by presenting the truth I’d be okay. Well, I will be okay, but that’s not to say that I won’t have some bumps and bruises (not the literal kind) but those of a battered heart.
As I spoke with someone this week about covering hard stories, I told them that God had prepared my heart for it. Where I once was fearful of hurting feelings or offending, I now worried more about my accountability for the truth and I know that God has strengthened the spirit within me to take the hard hits from people who don’t like the truth. That sounds brave and pious… believe it’s far from that. It’s just simply the way it is.
1 Corinthians 10 is written by Paul to the Jews to remind them of the representation of Christ in the Old Testament. He tells them that he doesn’t want them to be ignorant. That is one of the most frustrating things about people getting mad about the truth; they’d rather be ignorant of the facts than to face reality that this world is broken and people don’t always do what they should. Just like the children of God in Paul’s day and in the days of the Jews exodus from Egypt, God was not pleased…
Overthrown in the Wilderness
To be overthrown is to be attacked without adequate defense. Are you prepared for when evil comes against you? Paul said that the children of Israel lusted after evil things. The world (including myself) takes everything so lightly. Even when they’re warned not to do or partake in something, they’re sure that they’ve got the power to handle what ever comes their way. I mean, it’s not that bad, is it? That’s how we think. So this TV show has a little nudity and language, it’s not a problem for me. Isn’t it? It’s just one drink. Is it? It’s just a small lie? Is it? Every single small thing can overthrow the soul of any one. Even the strongest.
[6] Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. [8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Referring to the Book of Numbers 25:9 where 23,000 people died in one day because of a plague. After Covid, does anyone doubt that things like that can happen? I’m not saying that Covid was a plague, but rather that death and disaster can come at any time and from events that seem insignificant until there not. Nudity, Drugs, Alcohol, language, all seem insignificant until it’s your family involved. And then you discover that someone is in the wilderness, overthrown.
Overwhelmed to the point of Destruction
[9] Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. [10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. [11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Have you ever seen a time when people unknowingly get so far in over the head until they can’t possibly see a way out? Be it drugs, alcohol, finances, etc. – – There are so many things that can overwhelm a person, or an entire family, presuming on the power and grace of Christ to keep them, or upon what they have received from him, unnecessarily expose themselves to snares and temptations, and danger; and as many of the Corinthians did, who are here trusting their gifts and attainments, their knowledge and Christian liberty, would go into an idol’s temple, sit down at meat there, and exposed themselves great and imminent danger; which was a tempting Christ, whether he would preserve them or not.
Can you see that same today? When we sit ourselves before a screen and look at things we should not, or go to a bar, or hang out with people we know can lead us astray, and yet we think, even if I fall, Christ will rescue me. He will. But perhaps not until destruction comes.
Overconfident till we Fall
[12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Every day I should be on my knees thanking God for the grace of surviving yesterday. But I’m not. I don’t think of my days in those terms. But as I face persecution and ridicule from my writing, be it on scripture or on the community I have to realize that I am one failure away from being the story, rather than writing it.
None of us should ever think that we are above falling, because the higher we put our selves on the pedestal the further down we fall and there is far more damage and pain. This week I wrote news stories about people that were far from flattering. It angered some, others used it to launch into a tirade of self righteousness, but all I could do was keep remembering that we have to keep hold of the truth and believe that God will use it for our good. Even in the worst of times. Believe… I don’t know how He’s going to make the stories of this week good. Because right now… they’re very bad. But I have to consider every warning that Paul gave the Corinthians as a warning to me not to be overthrown, not to allow myself to get overwhelmed and never get over confident that this could not be me on the receiving end.
I didn’t realize the toll it would take on my life to get out of step with Christ. By out of step I mean to lose stride and rhythm with Christ. Where I lost focus on the work of the Lord and my Conversations and requests for direction were less and less. I might take a few steps, and then I’d grow weary and sit down for a while. When I’d try to serve Him, I’d fail miserably, serving half hearted most of the time. It didn’t happen over night, it was a process of years, which, if we know anything about life at all, that’s how one falls out of things. You just gradually stop participating until you don’t realize it, but what was once an important piece of your life, isn’t even on the radar anymore.
That’s where I’ve been spiritually. I cannot cast blame on anyone, because I should have known better. I’ve walked this same path for 26 years. And perhaps that’s the problem, the path got too familiar and there was no longer any surprises along the way.
So this Sunday, I attended a different church, not a new church, it’s been around for a hundred years or so, but new to me. I sat in a new Sunday School Class, a new worship service, a new parking lot. I won’t say that it was uncomfortable, because I knew the people, but their methods of Sunday Schools class and worship were not what I was accustomed to. I was excited for the new adventure, but like a child on their first day at a new school, I had trepidations that I wouldn’t fit in. There’d be no room at the cool kids table. They’d think I was weird, or talk about me. Those two things probably happened, because it’s a small town, and I am pretty weird, and there would be questions as to why I wasn’t in my same spot that I’ve been in for 26 years. And that’s okay, because people are curious. And I figured if anyone cared enough to listen to today’s pod cast, they’d have the opportunity to find out. And then they can share with the others.
But that’s not the point of this podcast, the point is to talk about understanding the toll your spiritual life takes on your secular life. Unless you’re full time ministry you generally have two walks. They should coincide, but in this world they often don’t. For many of the years since my salvation, I considered my secular jobs as a sideline to the ministry. God had placed me in those positions to show others the light of Christ. When I began the Ridgeview News, I struggled with how that would connect with the ministry. I by no means would deny my faith, but I also wanted to report the news from the truth perspective (which is certainly biblical) but I wanted to keep my spiritual opinions out of it. When I just couldn’t manage that, I’d call it an editorial or opinion piece and let them know from the onset that I was speaking from a Christian perspective.
But then I started struggling spiritually. I wasn’t happy with myself, I wasn’t happy with the people I ministered with, and that was also reflective in how I conducted myself in the world. Where I once had great joy discussing my walk with Christ, I now had nothing to say. At home I would spin into a pit of depression, when I was out with people I would cover it up with pleasantries and idle conversation. I no longer had a desire to do anything creative and anytime I did, I would critique until it usually ended up in the trash. I began going through the steps of being a publisher and failing miserably at the only opportunity I had to make money. I did what was necessary, but nothing more.
And then it happened. I left my ministry of 26 years, (which hadn’t really been a ministry of mine for a few years). For a few months prior to leaving, I was in and out of services for various reasons, mostly just not wanting to deal with the pain. It’s painful to leave a ministry you’ve been in for as long as I was. I was comfortable there for years. I was at the cool kids table and people cared what I had to say. And then they didn’t. And over time I realized that I was unproductive in that place and needed to go. And so I did.
Now, this is where I realized the toll my spiritual walk had taken on my life. It wasn’t that there was a great revelation discovered at the new church I was attending. What there was, was an old revelation rediscovered inside me. I walked into a different ministry that did things differently and I wasn’t responsible for any of it. I was going to have to find a place I could serve and the Lord and a new Pastor, who first made sure I was making a prayerful decision in coming to his church. And he said the magic words that stirred my heart and soul. He said, “come and heal, and come and serve.”
The reason I had gotten out of step with Christ was because I was wounded in the battle and I was walking around with pain. All of us likely know how difficult it is when a part of your body is physically broken. It makes the function of day to day activities terrible. It’s no different when your spiritual body is broken. Because of the pain I was in, I was unable to focus.
A bible character I relate to often is Peter. Peter lost focus so many times. Such as the time that Jesus bid him to come and walk on the water, and he did it! And then he didn’t and he began to sink and cried out in fear.
That Sinking Feeling
Matthew 14:25-31 KJV
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. [26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. [27] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. [28] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. [29] And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. [31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
That sinking feeling. Do you remember the times you felt it in your heart that even though you knew you were doing your best, you still felt overwhelmed like you were about to drown. That feeling generally happens when you thought you could do something, but it just didn’t work out the way you intended.
That’s what happens with so many of us in our spiritual walk and in our daily lives. We start out walking good, but if we get our focus off Jesus, and we begin to walk alone, we start to sink. Losing focus happens when outside sources attack us. For Peter it was the waves. He noticed them after he got out of the boat. What if he had been prepared for the waves. What if he knew that his feet were going to feel a little wobbly and the waves might actually throw him off balance. But he didn’t think of that, he just thought He and Jesus were going to walk on the water. Peter was also alone on the water… that’s kind of where I was at in the ministry. I wasn’t working with people in the ministry, everyone I had worked with were gone, I was just out there flailing by myself. Being alone is not where you wan to be in life, and especially in the ministry. You’ve got to have a support around you so that when you feel like you’re sinking someone will grab your hand and pull you out of the water.
That Feeling of Denial
Peter and I have a second thing in common, Not appreciating reality.
Matthew 16:21-23 KJV
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. [22] Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. [23] But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
I’d have been as stupid as Peter was. I too would have told the Lord, don’t be ridiculous, You’re not going to die. You’re Jesus! I would not have liked that plan. But it was God’s plan and Jesus did have to die.
I want everything in life to be roses and sunshine. But deed, that’s just not how life is. So when life in the ministry began to get difficult, my solution was to ignore it. Let’s just pretend that everything is fine. By the time I realized it wasn’t fine, I was falling apart. I had not only lost focus, I had lost purpose. When Jesus came to earth, born of a virgin, He had a few years of enjoying much of life. He had a family, friends, and a wonderful work in the ministry. But the purpose of His life on earth was to prepare for the cross. My purpose is to take that truth and tell others. To lead them to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, or, if they’re saved, to encourage them in their walk. It’s hard to be the encourager when you’re discouraged.
By not facing the reality that I was not in a good place in my ministry, and that God was maybe giving me some news I didn’t want to hear, my purpose was lost. If not lost, for certain it was off track or out of step.
That Feeling of Failure
I’ve said it before, (stealing it from someone else) I’m not going to cuss, but if someone would write them down, I’d point to them. Well, if truth be told, I might of well have said them because they’ve ran through my mind lately. I would get so frustrated with both my spiritual life and that of the world that I didn’t say any bad words out loud, but I assure you they went through my mind. Can you imagine how Peter felt, when cursed having denied Christ for the third time, and hearing the rooster crow, how much of a failure he felt he was. That’s how we all feel when we mess up, or life doesn’t go as planned.
Matthew 26:69-75 KJV
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. [70] But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. [71] And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. [72] And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. [73] And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. [74] Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. [75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
I hate not being productive. Whether it’s my fault or just the way life happens, I need to see some proof in the pudding for encouragement to go on. It’s like when a team is losing the game and you’re on the sideline. Even if you’re not the best player, you need to do something to help. That’s how I had been feeling in the ministry. I felt as if the game was going on around me and I was sidelined.
I’m also one of those people that needs to be in the thick of it.
Peter had been side by side with Jesus in the ministry. But now, to be by His side would have meant being killed. His other friends in the ministry were no where to be found either. Except John, you know, Jesus’ favorite one. So he’s sidelined. He’s frustrated and panicked and he’s not thinking clearly. Jesus told him that he’d deny him but he never believed it was true.
If you would have asked me a few years ago, if I could foresee myself falling away from the ministry I would have told you no, not ever! But there I was.
That feeling of Excitement
It’s my first week in a different ministry. I’m coming out of the ministry slump that I was in. My mind is going places it hasn’t been in a while. Reading and studying the word of God with direction, thinking about ways to grow my ministry in and out of the church. Finding a place to serve and wondering what doors God might open. This happened when I stepped out of a place where I had grown stagnant from lack of use. This is a warning to every Pastor out there. If you’ve got good people, willing to work, don’t let them set idle. One of two things will happen, they’ll either become like every other dead weight Christian in the church that sits in the pew on Sunday and listens without reaction, or God will react by moving them out of your congregation and into one where they’ll be used. If they’re a Christian worth a grain of salt, they’ll not just drop out of church, that’s a warning to those who feel uncompelled to do anything in their church. Don’t use that as an excuse to fall out on God. Because He deserves way more. And so do you.
