Another church, another thought, as I continue through Revelation. I have to go back and post about two previous churches because those posts got tangled up in web design and technical difficulties. But today I’m doing my best to stay on track like the church of Philadelphia. A faithful lot, without rebuke. I’m sure that it wasn’t that they were perfect, they were faithful. There is a vast difference.
People outside the church look at children of God and expect us to be unscathed in this sinful world. It’s not going to happen. We mess up, we fall down and we get dirty with sin just like the rest of the world; the difference is, I have a spiritual wash cloth that cleans me up. Glory!
I was rebuked by my husband last night in a “joking” manner when I said I didn’t want to answer a message that I’d been sent. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to fix the person’s problems. It was the fact that I couldn’t. It’s a spiritual issue not a physical one. The spirit realm is this abyss of Satan and his minions that continually strive to create confusion, strife and opportunities to sin. And Christians willingly walk into it even knowing that it can destroy. And on the outside of Christianity is the unsaved only seeing the physical realm not the spiritual. And a testimony is destroyed. The unsaved seldom see the acts of repentance and restoration of the child of God.
Life is about doors. Doors that open and doors that close on opportunity.
A person who has accepted the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and His finished work on the cross has walked through a door that will never close. And that is the one to eternal life. But the unsaved who has yet to make that decision is now running the risk of having that door shut for all eternity on the wrong side.
That literally makes my stomach turn.
It’s why I can’t fix the spiritual issues of another. I’m not holding the key 🔑 .
The church of Philadelphia was a loving, faithful church that used their spiritual gifts for the Kingdom of God. They just kept going in the face of what ever came their way, bad or good. And that’s all any of us can do.
It is my prayer that you know which side of the door you’re on when eternity calls.
If not, follow the link to the plan of salvation. Please don’t wait.
Revelation 2:12-17 [12] And to the angel l of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; [13] I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is : and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. [14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. [15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. [16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. [17] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. …
In this day and age there are plenty of issues in the church. But one of the most nauseating is the “compromising” church. Those who ride the fence on any major political issue and those who look the other way when folks in the church are boldly living in sin without regard for the Lord and how it reflects on Him.
I guess it’s not new!
The church of Pergamos was one such church. Built high on a hill, 1,000 feet above the surrounding countryside and right in the center of Greek culture and education. A very sophisticated city, but with it a very worldly and wiceked culture. It was the center of four cults and highly influenced with people traveling from all over the world to experience the god of healing. It sounds so familiar to those of today selling everything imaginable and knowing that none of it will heal. The world continues to buy the lie to the tune of a billion dollar industry,
The church of Pergamos wasn’t entirely bad; John had some great things to say about them. Including the fact that one of their members, Antipas, was killed for his faith. Obviously some of them were living right. But the trouble was, in their midst was this group of heathens that they simply ignored. Nobody calling them to task for leading people into idol worship or living in sexual immorality. And so, I would imagine that the churches name as a whole, in the surrounding areas, wasn’t of the standard God, or anywhere close.
We are running that risk today when we allow the worlds ways to go unmentioned for fear of hurting the feelings of a world going to Hell in a hand basket. A world who could care less that they not only offend us, but they tear at the very fabric of our being. That’s not being dramatic that’s being honest. Every time we compromise our faith it becomes less and less believable in the eyes of the unsaved.
Try convincing the unsaved that you have anything different when a church member that they know is living like the Devil. You’ll be hard pressed to make any headway,
But at the end of the letter to this church is that wonderful news, that even though there are those that fail around us, if we stay faithful we have so much to gain! The hidden mana that God provides His children in the form of spiritual food that fills the body with contentment and great peace, and a new name written on a white stone in Glory that will be known only to us and God.
I’ve always liked my name because it was a little weird in the way it was spelled, but imagine receiving a name from God. How unique and wonderful will that be!
I’m starting my day with the song in my head, “A New Name Written Down In Glory.” That’ll put a shout in your soul! Stick to the old ways, it will lead to a new day.
8And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was de-ad, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
The
church of Smyrna was just 25 miles north of the church of Ephesus. To me it’s
symbolic as well. There’s not a whole lot of distance between being on fire for
the Lord Jesus, and having your world turned upside down by the troubles and
trials of life. Some of which can be brought on by the fact that you’re just trying
to do what the Lord called you to do.
The
persecuted church of Smyrna was facing tribulations that most of us have never
experienced, nor can we imagine. Facing death for our faith isn’t something
that Americans understand. Most won’t even live for Jesus, dying for Him would
be unimaginable. But it was a very real possibility in the days for which John
wrote. And it will be again.
According
to the website www.Opendoorsusa.org. An
in-depth investigative report focusing on global church persecution showed “a
staggering 11 Christians are killed for their faith in the top 50 countries
ranked on the World Watch List.” If you’d like to read the article, here’s the
link:
While
most of us cannot comprehend persecution, we can certainly understand troubles
and trials. I’ve had my own and I continue to watch as friends and family
suffer. But what I also see is the glory of the Lord.
Last
Monday I went to the Long Term Care unit of our local hospital to sing. But before
I could get my guitar out of the case, a dear lady pulled me to the side and
whispered in my ear, “Shari, I’ve been diagnosed with cancer again, but I’m not
seeking treatment. Please just pray for my comfort.” My heart sunk. But what
joy there will be in Heaven when this dear friend meets Jesus face to face, for
Whom she trusts her life to. I’ll be very sad. She will be very happy!
I’ve
watched friends lose children, I’ve seen marriages fall apart and watched them
restored, I’ve seen others disintegrate, I’ve seen people lose their jobs and I’ve
been victim of that too. But the common thread that always made my heart smile,
was the fact that we all held onto hope even on the darkest days because we
knew there was a better day coming.
This
was John’s message to the church of Smyrna and it’s God’s message to us today.
Hold on! It ain’t over until God says it’s over! We may, or we may not have the
victory we desire on this earth. But either way, Satan’s going to lose.
This brief and not so in-depth study of the book of Revelation is stirring my soul for Heaven. I’m tired. And not just because of the physical stress. But because of the spiritual stress on my soul. I’m back in the workforce on a part time basis which allows me to continue my ministry work and pay my bills. Win! But what it also does is put me back into the world where I see firsthand the brokenness of society. It’s not that I didn’t know it was there. But being home every day allowed me to retreat into my world more often. Now, one day on the job and I realize I’m among it; and we are not winning that battle.
This
world is under the curse of sin and the power of Satan. So what’s a girl to do?
Keep reading… the war ain’t over.
1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith
he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of
the seven golden candlesticks;
Ephesus
was the capital of Asia Minor, a center of land and sea trade. It was one of
the most influential cities of the eastern part of the Roman Empire. The temple
of Diana was located within the city, as well as the major industry, which was
manufacturing the idols of the goddess Diana (Acts 19:21-41) Paul ministered in
Ephesus for three years, warning people that false teachers would try to draw
them away from their faith. But glory to God, the church of Ephesus had
resisted them!
Paul
could do a work here today if he were alive. Although we do not have a temple to
the goddess Diana, we have an internet. We have crazy religions like “The
church of the Spaghetti Monster.” Not joking… that’s a real thing. We have
religions that indoctrinate people with a little bit of Jesus and a whole of
world. That too was like the world around the church of Ephesus. The Nicolaitanes,
mentioned in verse 6 of Chapter 2, were “believers” who compromised their faith
in order to enjoy the sinful practices of the Ephesian society. Sound familiar?
It’s
why the book of Revelation reads like the headlines of a newspaper laying on
the counter of a newsstand today. And why those of us who truly want to let our
little lights shine in this world should be reading it, heeding it’s warning
and preparing for the sky to split open. And by preparing, I mean ministering
to our friends and family that Jesus is coming soon! And that’s not just a song
title.
Candlesticks
and Stars
We’re
about to go into the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Candlesticks and stars are a center portion of the décor and this year the meaning
will be a little deeper for me having read the book of Revelation at the start.
John said “These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his
right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;”
He
that was holding the candlesticks and stars was none other than the Lord Jesus.
The candle sticks were the churches, and the stars are said to be the church
leaders or angels that guard the church. Church leaders are earthly angels that
guard the church, are they not? Tears fill my eyes when I think of those in my
own community who I adore, and have such a burden for their church, not just my
own. I know they struggle. Every day is a fight for the believer. Funny, how thing
haven’t changed so much since this book was written.
2 I know thy works,
and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are
evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and
hast found them liars:
John commended
the church of Ephesus for their stand. Just as he would commend the churches of
today who stand for the gospel of Jesus Christ. He alone as the way of
Salvation. The churches who believe that there is a separation from the ways of
the world, not from the world. We have to live here and minister to the people
in our community and let our little lights shine. But we also have to stand
with unwavering faith in the doctrines of the bible. I know that that is my
calling for this website.
There are times I
want to be funny and trendy and do all the things that entertain. That’s just
my nature. But then there are mornings like today that as I’m going back into
the work force for the first time in years, that I know I’m about to go back
into Ephesus again. And my focus has got to be right.
So, this morning I went back into
the routine of years gone by. A 4:30 a.m. wake up call, which came naturally,
no alarm. Not because I’m “all that and a bag of chips” spiritually. But
because I know I need it. I have to have the guidance of the Lord on my day. Christ,
through John said of the Ephesus church:
3 And hast borne,
and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left
thy first love.
Even thought they
were good people, they had lost their zeal. I don’t want that said of me. I
want my candlesticks and stars to shine brightly in my community and for that
to happen I have to stay excited for the coming of Christ. I have to let them
see Christ in me.
5 Remember
therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or
else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his
place, except thou repent.6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the
Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which
is in the midst of the paradise of God.
I’m
going back in the world. But I’m not apart of them!
My
home is in Heaven and I have the very Spirit of God within me that is sitting
on the throne of Glory! That gives me a much better vantage point for the day.
I
pray your day is blessed! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
I have to wonder how much of my life I’ve taken for granted who I am. Not that I, on my own, am anyone. Because I am truthfully very well aware that I’m nothing. But in Christ, I’m everything. I can do “all” things through Christ, according to Philippians 4:19, not just some things. All things. And just as I take for granted who I am, I also take for granted Who God is.
So as I began a study in Revelation this morning, I only made it 8 verses until I had to stop. Realizing that it’s amazing that the God of all the universe is living within me. Woah. That’s beyond amazing!!!
The study notes in my bible said that “in reading the book of Revelation, don’t get lost in the imagery and events, so much so that you lose sight of the infinite love, power and justice of the Lord Jesus Christ.” I kind of feel like I do that in life. I get lost in the sights, sounds and emotions of the day and lose the concept of Who I belong to and what my role in this world is.
I want to make the most of every day, but in so doing, I’m wrapped in chaos. I need to slow down. That’s what I keep hearing this week. Perhaps you do to. We need to slow down this weekend and just ponder the fact that we are children of the Almighty! Who was at the beginning, when all the world was spoken into existence, and will be with us through the end and everlasting! Glory!
John, on the isle of Patmos, in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of what is now Turkey, writes this letter to the seven churches that are there. Those letters cause me to wonder what John would have written to me? I realize he wrote to the body of Christ, but in looking at my walk with Christ, what would he have said. Would he have said “You’ve left your first love,” as he did to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2.
Would he have predicted my persecution as he did the Church of Smyrna or said he wanted to puke me out the church of Laodicea? And what would be my reaction if I heard those words.
Scripture tells us to examine ourselves.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Corinthians 13:5
So I am.
If Jesus were to split the skies today, What would I be found doing? Well… at 11:00 I’m having my hair done. Which is all good and well, a fellow child of God is doing it. She and I together chat about Jesus, sing hymns and have a grand time of fellowship. Her parlor is like a church service. But I don’t think Jesus is too worried about my outward appearance. The examination is one of my heart. And on any given day, it falls short of what I desire it to be for Him.
Like understanding the concept of Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end. The Creator of time! Living inside of me. And yet I don’t think I can do stuff. I have not forsaken my first love, but I’ve forgotten Him. I need to remember what it felt like when I first experienced that flutter inside my chest when I realized He was knocking on my heart’s door from the inside. That’s another “woah!” moment. He’s literally in there. God Himself!
I get a fascination with Bible characters and think about what
their take on today’s society. What would they think of social media? What
would they think of the modern churches? Would our services be any thing close
to theirs? If they sat in our house on a Tuesday night and viewed firsthand
what we did and watched, what do you think they’d teach on, on Wednesday night?
I watch people with a curiosity much the same. How can a
Christian so boldly speak foul language and mock sin, and then profess their
faith as if it’s a girl scout badge?
Our Examples
Apostle Paul is a character that I cannot wait to meet! He
was so bold. He didn’t play church! He died for it and his letters reflect that
when he taught the church the manner in which we should live our lives and the degree
of dedication. That is my personal biggest issue with the modern church. Their commitment
and dedication is ridiculous in comparison to the scripture.
I don’t fair very well either, so I’m not throwing anyone
under the bus alone. I’m getting scuffed by the tires too! But this is check
list of just a few of Paul’s model ideas for the church.
1 Thessalonians 1: 4-5
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel
came not unto you in word only, but also in power; and in the Holy Ghost, and
in much assurance: as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your
sake.
Paul and the other Apostles and Disciples that traveled with
him set an example for not only those of their time but of our day too. But I
know from my own life that I’m not following their examples any where close to
the biblical standard.
Most of the world doesn’t have a clue what the biblical
standard is. Christianity is far more than a title. It’s a position.
Our Election
Not to an office, as President of the United States, but
rather the fact that each of us who accept so great a salvation of the Lord
Jesus Christ are elected to an everlasting life and happiness. It is the effect
of His pure love and favor that we are given this position. We were elected by
the majority vote. God’s. And yet we live like the underdog. Some of us live
like strays. Like we don’t even belong to the church.
Paul calls the elect “beloved.” He has a deep devotion to the
churches that God called him to work with. For me this is the bell ringer for
whether or not a child of God is taking their election seriously. Do they show
up for the meetings? That time that should by all means be set aside to not
only fellowship with the brethren but to study God’s word together and receive
our messages for the week.
It’s a time that many Pastor’s across America have failed to
take seriously. Perhaps because their congregation stopped showing up, or
perhaps they need to examine their own commitment.
If the doors are open and the body is able, we should be there.
Sunday morning, Sunday Night and Wednesday and any other opportunity! Why?
Because this world wants to take us out and we need the Armor.
It’s why Christians aren’t living as they should. They’re not
putting on the armor of God. They’re just letting their flesh be exposed the
ideals of the world, which Satan loves. Once a person is saved, he’s lost them.
He cannot have a child of God. But he can influence them until they’re of no
effect to the world around them because their standards are no different and
they’ve forgotten that they even hold a position in Heaven.
Our Encounter
Paul
mentions that they not only taught the word of God they lived the word of God
with the power of the Holy Spirit and in much assurance.
Because the
world lives so far from the biblical standards their assurance suffers immensely.
Paul had the assurance because his eyes were on Jesus and the mission that He
have him. Paul didn’t dabble in the world Monday-Saturday and attempt to show
up with a message on Sunday.
Yes, I’m
preaching to myself! No, I’m not at bars or destroying my testimony with foul
language, but I can turn on Netflix, a magazine story or any of the number of
other things that garner my attention away from God and get wrapped up in
Hollywood which takes my armor and lays it aside for a sparkly cape and cute
boots. I am fickle with the world.
True story.
I must
question myself. What kind of encounter am I creating for those who come into
my home on any given day? Mainly the grand kids, but there are others and it
could be the people I meet on the street. Do they see Jesus, or do they see worldly
adorations?
The main
question is what effect does my encounter have with the people I meet?
When I was
in New Mexico, I had a different boldness that I do not have here. It was
obvious to my soul. I do not speak with the same power there that I spoke with
there. Because I know the people here, I let the flesh intimidate me into saying
less than I’d like.
Being less
of an influence. My encounters are not up to standard because they are influenced
by location.
In New
Mexico I felt the power of Satan fighting against me from the day I agreed to
go. When I got there, I knew it was because God had given me that assignment
and I didn’t want to fail. Even though I often felt like I did. But I fought on
to give the song and message to the people for which I’d been called to serve. At
home I slump into a routine and the boldness digresses and I become the Jesus Chick.
Not near so bold. Not near so focused.
I just really scared myself there. I know that I’m under the bus with skid marks going up my backside and a yellow stripe. Because I don’t have the bravery that I desire to have. I allow the world to beat me down and convince me that I’m not called to do what I know I’ve been called to do. Speak Boldly!
Life is our mission field. I need to stop forgetting.
Every time I reach the point of
exhaustion, brought on by too much list and not enough time, I have one of
those wishful Calgon take me away moments. If you remember the commercial, it’s
where the mom soaks down into a tub full of Calgon bubbles and somehow her world
goes away.
While that’s awesome. The problem is you
have to get out of the tub eventually! Monday comes. That’s where the manic
Monday concept comes from. The dishes need done, the work needs done, people need
stuff, the phone’s ringing, the bills need paid and it all gets to be too much.
It’s then that I need my life to make
sense. I need order in my chaos. And because I am personally my own chaos, I
can’t do it. So I go to the word. And I look for my escape from the manic I call
Monday.
I knew it was coming. So when the Pastor
preached from Philippians four last night and I heard the word escape, my mind
began to drift from Sunday night to Monday and I felt that overwhelmed feeling
and thought, “that’s my word for the week.” I need to escape!
But just like the Calgon bath, I knew I
would eventually have to face it. Just as we all do. So I might as well face it
with the Lord and His word.
When
looking for an Escape, Don’t Ignore the People
Hebrews 11:32-35
And what shall I more say? For
the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of
Jephthae, of David also and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith
subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths
of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out o
the weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in the fight, turned to flight the
armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and
others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a
better resurrection:
Glory to God what a line up of
people for us to gather encouragement this Monday morning!
Most of them did escape. They
eventually got their Calgon moment. But some went by the way of great escapes
because they escaped to the best Calgon Moment of all, the one that never ends
called eternity.
And while none of us are likely
wanting to shorten our time here. We can still have those Calgon moments if we
stay in the word.
Those people, as well as others
in our life are there for an example.
Hebrews 12:1 says
Wherefore seeing we also
are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience
the race that is set before us.
God knew there would be “Calgon
take me away” days. He wanted us to be prepared for them, so He put examples of
the others who faced worse, and many in our own lives today. You know who they
are. The people that you just don’t know how they do it.
I think of Louis Milam. A man in
our church who had crippling arthritis and the deformities that came with it,
and yet he seldom ever missed church. He’s my go to guy even though he’s
already gone on to Heaven. Every time I want to throw in the towel, I think of
him. I don’t figure Louis had one Calgon day in the last 20 years of his life.
And yet he didn’t quit.
Don’t ignore the people that God
put in your life to encourage you.
My second point:
When Looking for an
Escape, Don’t Ignore the Preacher
Hebrews 12:25
See that ye refuse not him
that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth,
much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from
Heaven:
If that’s not a warning, I’ve
never heard one!
October is Pastor appreciation
month. It may be one of the most unappreciated professions of all times in this
day and age. The world doesn’t want to hear preaching. I crave it. I listen to
it more than music, because to me it is music.
It restores my hope! Last night
the preacher said something that really made me take note. He said “Nothing should
make us go to one extreme or the other, because nothing changes the fact that
the Lord is going to return!”
Wowzer!
Nothing that happens today is
going to change the fact that Jesus is coming back! Woohoo and Glory to God!
that should put a shout on you. Because you can say that to Satan and it will for
sure get his goat, because he knows it’s true.
Someone once said “If Satan
reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.”
That’s why we go to church and
take every opportunity we can to listen to good solid preaching because we need
that reminder that we will have our day.
Which brings me to my third and
final point:
When Looking for an
Escape, Don’t Ignore the Promises
2 Peter 1:4
Whereby are given unto us
exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of
the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
lust.
We have within ourselves the divine
nature of God in the Holy Spirit. We have a Calgon moment in the making anytime
we want it, but we have to have the promises of God in our lives to escape the
corruption of this world which is also still in us. Those promise are found in
the word of God.
I don’t think any of us realize
how precious the book is. But we can see how precious Satan knows it is because
he keeps doing everything within his power to destroy it. It’s why we have to
fight for it.
Not nearly enough came to the
fight with Madeline Murray O’Hair in 1963 when she single handedly managed to
get prayer and the word of God out of public schools. I wonder what our lives
would be like today if she had lost her battle. I read the story of her
distorted life and horrific death this morning and praise God for her only
living son, William, who is saved and serving God in D.C. as an author, Baptist
minister and chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition.
So I’ll say this in closing, the only way to escape the wickedness of this world, is to understand that Jesus is the way, truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Him. He is the only way to a true Calgon moment. Do you know Him today. I needed this message today. Take heart child of God, Jesus is coming soon!
Please share this post and I pray your week is awesome!!!
There used to be a quote that said, “My momma
warned me they’d be days like this.” And while that’s evokes humor, it’s true
none the less! Today is a day of feeling overwhelmed. It often happens when I
come back from a ministry opportunity because, not only am I facing the undone
things of the home, I’m facing the undone things of the spiritual realm too.
Things like, promising myself that my prayer life would be richer and deeper,
that my ministry would be better focused and scheduled, and my music rehearsal
time would become a priority. Hmmmm. Did I really say I’d do all that? Add that
to the physical things of the world that has to get done: Chickens to feed and
water, 3 critters under my feet today and an extra one, because Maggie Mae the
grandpuppy is visiting, in amidst the posters I need to do for our high school cheerleading
squad, which my daughter now coaches, 6 children I’ll be picking up from school
this evening and yes… my plate is full.
Some days I wonder if this is considered sanity
or insanity.
And, I overslept. Not cool Shari.
The Three W’s of life take their toll. So what
are we to do as children of God when it all seems too much?
Weary
= Rest
Galatians
6:9 says And let us not be weary in
well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
We must schedule rest; it’s not an option if we want to avoid
fainting. And while I will agree with what you’re most likely thinking “There’s
no room for rest!” As I said it’s not an option. As Pastor Mike so often said, “You
do what you want to do.” And so, I think of my day and the many, many wasted
moments that I piddle with this, that or the other that actually serve no
purpose and I realize there is time for rest. I just need to schedule it like a
doctor’s appointment and during that time allow the Healer to heal this weary
soul.
You schedule yours now too!
During that time we need to
Tell the Healer where we hurt – Even the
places we don’t like to go.
We need to close our eyes and listen to
His advice. – Shssh.
And then we need to just breath. Quietly
and peacefully. Imagining the sounds of heaven….
My 3-year-old nephew Jensen, who lives in Maine, is one of the
wisest boys I know. He told his Momma last week that “His socks make noises
like this… and then he sat very still and quiet for a few seconds.”
I have laughed at that for a week. Thinking of how wise this little
fella was to understand that silence is a sound that we need to hear. There is
a depth of wisdom in that boys statement that goes beyond what we allow ourselves
to understand. Shsssh.
Worry
= Trust
Proverbs 16:20 ~ He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
A lesson that I have to
learn again and again, is to do the best I can, and then leave the rest to God.
Because I’m a fixer, and I want to fix it… quickly. Trusting even in the Lord
Jesus is a struggle. No… let me rephrase that, “Waiting on the Lord Jesus is
struggle. I know that I know His way is best. But I so often think my way is
faster. And while that is true sometimes, it messes up the plan and causes my
happiness to be less than it should be. I’m wondering if you too can identify?
His way leads to
happiness, our way leads to happy less. Oh dear… that one smarted!
Finally but not the
least of the three that I struggle with is
Wantoness = Conent
It could speak to “stuff,” or “position or
place.” Wantonness is a fleshly struggle for me. I love bling baby!!! And I
love it so much so that I get lost in it sometimes. Wanting things for my
house, my kids, myself, my husband. It’s hard to be content in a world of media!
And so I’ve been trying to focus myself on using
media to promote the Lord rather than allowing it to promote the world to me.
If I spend time in my artistic endeavors of Christian banner and art creation,
it will hopefully fill my days with causing the world to desire what the Lord
provides. Contentment.
Does it always work? Nope. But as always I’m a
work in progress.
I hope that my attempts at making my own self
better, helps you with your life. I love ya, and I hope you have a Christ
focused day!!!
I’ve been on foreign mission fields, and
I’ve been on American mission fields, and the only difference is the cultures
of the people. And that is not only a foreign country issue, but a state to state
issue.
I realized that when I tried to explain
to a hunter in New Mexico that I was in his state singin’ and speakin’. To which
he replied, “What?”
And then I realized that my redneck dialect
had gotten me in trouble again and I had to slow down and annunciate my words. So
I replied in kind to his question. “Singing and Speaking.” And that he understood.
Sometimes I think we forget when we talk
Jesus that that too is another language all together. I realized this when I
spoke to a woman in New Mexico who said to me, “I had to call a friend the
other day and ask her what sin was. I really didn’t know.
That shocked me. Because sin is, well,
sin. But to the lost who are totally unchurched, it’s another one of those
Christian words that goes unexplained and assumed that the world understands.
I understood when I had to explain words
like that in a foreign land. They didn’t understand my language, but in
America. Seriously? A word as simple as sin. It was as crazy to me as the hunter,
(who technically should have spoke redneck) but didn’t understand the word “speakin.”
It caused me to wonder this morning how many times not only my redneck dialect
gets me into trouble, but my Christian dialect.
Churchy words.
Three phrases I throw around too easily
without explanation.
Are you saved?
Saved from what? Am I in danger?
Well, as a matter of fact you are. But
the unsaved truly doesn’t what there is to be afraid of. We speak of things in
the spiritual realm they speak of things in the physical realm. And to talk about the spiritual realm is like speaking
to them of Ghost Busters, Green monsters and perhaps a small concept of Angels.
I’m not so sure that many Christians
understand the spiritual realm and what goes on there.
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.
So, it’s clearly saying that the unsaved
cannot understand spiritual things because they’ve yet to receive the Holy
Spirit. And many saved people cannot explain the Holy Spirit because they’re
not in touch with Him themselves. We have Christians who don’t find in
necessary to go to church on Sunday morning, read their bible, or witness to
the lost. Those are three non-negotiable expectations of God.
The best way to explain the word
Salvation is almost always through your testimony. And usually any other
spiritual question. Because it makes it personal.
I knew what I was saved from the second I
got saved. Fear.
My entire life, from the time I was old enough
to be lost, I had a fear of Hell. It was placed inside of me by God and I fully
believe that everyone of us from a child know that there is a God. Because the
Bible says that in Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are
made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God:
It’s why it’s important to pray before
we speak to the lost. The Spirit has been dealing with them, but we just need
to pray so that we too are in tune with what the Spirit would have us say. So to
answer them Saved from what is an easy answer for me if I just rely on what God
instilled in me as a child. And what I came to know when I did get saved is the
truth about Hell. It is a total darkness, fire and separation from everyone and
everything. Especially the Creator. And though they do not know Him, they will
when they hit Hell and they’ll understand too little too late how wonderful He
is.
Another question that we take under
assumption is:
Do you know Jesus?
I give it very little thought. I assume
everyone has at least heard the name. But yesterday a friend of mine blew that
theory out of the water when he said he ask a person in the prison that he
ministers in and their response was “Who?”
They’d not heard the name. That’s
unbelievable in our day and age. But yet it happens. And although most people
have at least heard the Name, they still do not understand the concept of Who
He is. And if you’re ask that question, how do you answer?
He is God. God in the flesh who wanted
to experience life as we did, so He came to earth as a man and walked in the
body of a man so that He could understand what it felt like to be a man.
He understood temptation, fear, pain,
heartache, betrayal and every other aspect of humanity and yet stayed perfect and
Holy. We cannot. I can’t stay perfect 10 minutes. The fact that God understands
that connects us to Him in a greater way. A way that the lost wants someone to
understand.
It’s why when a Christian stands in
judgment of the lost, the lost cannot experience Christ. Because Christ forgave
and understood the sin of man, His judgement comes in eternity.
If we can help the lost to understand that
first, we’ll be ready to explain Jesus! The lost have to experience Him through
us. And we’re going to answer for how and whether or not they have.
Final Quote
Christ Died for You.
What? Why would He do that and why did
He think it was necessary.
It’s a notion that I have a hard time
comprehending myself on a regular basis and I know it’s truth. Why would He do
that? And if it’s hard for me to comprehend. Imagine what goes through the mind
of a person who’s lost and how do we explain the justification of Old Testament
rituals to them, especially in this critter loving world?
For me the only way that I can explain
that is through the eyes of a parent – child relationship. One that most
everyone understands, even if sometimes it’s from a warped perspective.
I think about Adam’s love of creation.
Imagine the time he spent with all of the critters as he named them and loved
on them. Imagine the horror of having to kill the first lamb when God had them
clothe themselves after the fall in the garden.
I believe God wanted them to understand
the separation of death in the same way He experiences it with a child who
never accepted His sacrifice. It’s a pain beyond description.
If we can understand that, and the fact
that He went from the sacrifice of animals to the experiencing the sacrifice of
His Son and watching Him suffer as no animal ever did, then we’ll have a better
grasp of why He died for us.
It’s not uncommon for my redneck dialect
to get me into trouble. But what I don’t want is for my witnessing to get me
into trouble. I want to know that when I tell people about my life changing
relationship with Jesus Christ, it’s apparent through my life and my words and
it’s done in a way that makes them want what I have.
Who wants what a cranky, judgmental, poor
example of Christ has? No one.
But if we can not only show them the love
of God, but the explain that love of God, we’ll be on the road to sharing in
the salvation of Jesus Christ with them.
My next blog is going to be about my New
Mexico experience. I wanted to wrap my mind around it myself before I tried to
explain it to everyone. I’ll share some of the amazing things that God did and
allow you to come along on the journey, especially those who prayed for this
trip.
