I heard the phrase “haste makes waste” my entire life, but I never gave it any thought as to where it originated. It did not suprise me to realize that it was from scripture. What did surprise me was the way that God drew in my mind to my time with Him.
Proverbs 19:2 KJV Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
I waste so much time in the course of a day. My mind is continually laboring, never shutting down until I lay down at night and sometimes not even then. I use lavendar oil on my pulse points at night to help calm my mind, when I’m sure scripture would likely do the same or better.
This morning as I prepared for my day, my mind at 5:30 a.m. was already going full throttle. I scrolled social meeting for a few minutes and then turned to the word in hopes of creating a calm before the storm of the day. That’s when I discovered the “haste makes waste” verse. My immediate thought went to how rushing through my day without God is such a waste of my time. It always goes so much smoother when I take the time to be in God’s word at the beginning of my day. It reminded me of Mary and Martha.
Luke 10:38-42 KJV Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman Martha received him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. [40] But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. [41] And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: [42] But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
I love to imagine that I am Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus and soaking in His every word. When in reality I am Martha the vast majority of the time, rushing about, Catching a few of my Father’s words as I run past Him to do the next “productive” thing, when I’d be a lot more productive if I just sit down and rest in Him for a minute.
As we go into another Father’s day, I reflect on the wonderful earthly father that I had. My memories of him sitting with the word of God on his lap and a cup of coffee fill my heart with joy. He loved talking about Jesus. I miss him. My mother misses him. Seldom a day goes by that she doesn’t tell me as much and how she longs to see him again. She will, she too knows and loves Jesus.
It seems like yesterday that I was a miserable 20 years old. I didn’t know God then, not until I was 34 years of age. It was then that I experienced true peace. I understood why my father sat with the word of God on his lap every day and why he loved to talk about Jesus. I watched as he aged and his heart grew so tender causing his eyes to leak every time he talked about God. Time passes so fast. I cannot believe that I’m nearly 62. On the verge of getting mailbox money (social security) and yet I’ve still not learned that I need to slow down.
Haste makes waste. It certainly does. Rushing around costs me the peace that God affords every one of His children.
I hope today that we’ll all sit at the Father’s feet in worship like Mary. I hope to leave Martha in the kitchen, and just sit on the porch with my Heavenly Father… I’ll ask Him to tell my Dad hello, and a few other friends and family too. I believe He will. Happy Father’s Day…
I have so many question as I sit struggling at 2 a.m. to figure out what is “acceptable” behavior as a child of God in these political times. There are lines in the sand I have always tried never to cross. I don’t bring politics inside the church. Period. The church is a place that I go to worship God and learn His word with likeminded believers. The past few years have not been easy, but by comparison to my friend Peter Mwangani in Kenya, I have no right to say that I have a hard life. Nobody has stoned me. Yet. They did Peter.
I’ve been Publisher of the Ridgeview News for three very short, wonderful years. I have struggled to find my place, and then in the midst of that my world got turned upside down in a few different ways. The last few months have been difficult. I need to readjust my life to fit all the things in and in their proper perspective. I feel called to the roll of Ridgeview News, but I was certainly not uncalled from the roll of The Jesus Chick. And then there is the roll as Wife, Mother, daughter and friend. All of which I know I have failed miserably at because I’m such a chaotic personality. Throw into that mix a very passionate, sometimes flippant attitude, God and I have woodshed moments followed by discussions about allowing myself grace to be human.
I have throughout my life used sarcasm and wit to deal with hard truths. My own truth and that of other people. I read a writer recently that zinged me a little when she said that being being snarky is “nothing but fancy-schmancy passive-aggressiveness, that leads to bitterness, anger, and unresolved conflict.” I can’t disagree.
But what if I mean it? Did Jesus never get frustrated with people? I have a hard time understanding how to put the pettiness of life’s problems into the perspective of the cross. I feel that I should rise above it, move on, and focus on leading lost souls to Christ. That is why Christ died that gruesome, horrible death. And then I think about how God put us in this world to live. Not to sit idly by as “Sister Susie being Saintly in the Sanctuary.” But to live in a community and take care of it. And it is there that cause the tears to flow, my heart to ache, and the feelings of failure to come.
Love is Kind. Sometimes I am Not.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Love is patient and kind. In some cases, love may require me to flee the temptation to be sarcastic and snarky:
1 Timothy 6:11-12 KJV
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. [12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
That’s the problem for me. In this social society, there are countless witnesses to our behaviors through social media. Some would say that Christians should have no part in it. I get that theory, except that it leaves the whole thing wide open for the Devil’s playground. I occasionally get in a big way of talking and forget that when I shoot an arrow, the target is a person. I guess there is a feeling of justification in the flesh. After all, I am on the side of right. Right? Jesus was always 100% right. I am not. And the thing about an arrow, is once it’s shot. You can’t take it back.
Love Doesn’t Vaunt. I Try Not to.
I knew that when I began the Ridgeview News I would be making myself a target. I was fine with that. Nobody likes to be called out. I sure don’t. It automatically puts me in a position of defense. I understand that when I publish the issues of someone else’s life, especially mistakes that have been made, it’s not going to win me popularity. I could easily justify it by saying that they should have known when they did what they did, or put themselves in a position of power that they would be held accountable for their decisions. So will I when I stand before Almighty God. I know that, and it scares me.
To vaunt is to boast and brag excessively. That is not my style. I detest arrogance. I don’t feel good about calling someone out. Not an enemy and for certain not a friend. I have had to do both.
When you understand that you are a sinner always in need of grace, it’s hard to publish the sins of another without guilt.
Some have said, “Then don’t.” The problem with that is the community needs to be aware of what’s going on around them that effects them. I’m not publishing private sins, I’m publishing public matters that effect other people. When you’re covering the news, it’s often in the heat of the moment. I try my very best to stay impartial. I want only to print the truth and leave my emotions out, I can’t say I’m successful at that. Emotion won’t change the truth, but it sometimes magnifies the negative and may cause people to view me as feeling above the offender. If only they knew the inner turmoil I have with that. Airing dirty laundry isn’t fun. It literally stinks. I’m not writing a gossip column. I’m trying to provide the truth so the citizens of my community can make informed decisions. For too long, and I mean decades, our community has ignored the decision makers and allowed everything to be unchecked. The cost of that has been poverty, feelings of hopelessness, and an inability to stand up for their rights.
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Love Doesn’t Misbehave. I Do.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m working my way through my issues. Writing is the only way I seem to accomplish that. It’s a conversation between me and Jesus. It causes me to seek the only solid truth, the Word of God.
Paul told the Corinthians not to behave unseemly. Commentary said this was through using either unbecoming words, or doing indecent actions; for a man unprincipled with this grace will be careful that no filthy and corrupt communication proceed out of his mouth, which may offend pious ears; and that he uses no ridiculous and ludicrous gestures, which may expose himself and grieve the saints;
My greatest fear is offending God. But I know that’s what I’ll do if I “offend the little ones.”
Matthew 18:3-6 KJV
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. [4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [5] And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. [6] But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
The little ones doesn’t mean children. But rather speaks of the humility of those who serve God. The last thing I would ever want to do is to hurt a fellow soldier in Christ. My friend D.L. used to say, “Christians are the only army that shoots their own soldiers.” It’s the truth.
My closing questions for myself are this:
Who are the little children in my story?
Who’s the victim?
Would Jesus handle things the way I do?
How can I do better for the cause of Christ?
There is no sin by any man (or woman) that can be justified. None. Even when you feel you’re in the right. I go back to the comment that zinged me: being snarky is “nothing but fancy-schmancy passive-aggressiveness, that leads to bitterness, anger, and unresolved conflict.”
After yet another “Come to Jesus” moment that I have experienced, I determined this about snarky comments. They’re ungodly and wrong. It’s me in the flesh and I should not be. But it doesn’t change the truth.
One thing I’ve learned about holidays is, heartache doesn’t take those days off. As a news publisher I watched as multiple obituaries came in, domestic violence ravaged homes, a house fire, and more. Good reports as well, I don’t want to fail and recognize that even in the midst of heartache there were many joyous moments too. But life is hard, and holidays are harder. And we need to be aware of those around us.
Last night we had a sparse night for our Wednesday night service. Many had been out due to Covid that’s making it’s way around once again. Some had family obligations, I would say that others simply decided to stay home. But the lesson wasn’t wasted on those of us who attended as the Associate Pastor taught the final lesson in our series on the “Sermon on the Mount,” from Matthew Chapter 7.
As Jesus closed out His sermon on the mount,
In Matthew 7:21-23, He did what most preacher’s do, he questioned the audience about their relationship with Himself. Saying, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to me in that day Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in they name: and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
The thing about trials, heartache and tribulations; they can call into question our eternal state. So as Jesus brings their time together to an end, he has a final warning to the
Make Believers
Getting in the middle of a hard time is not the best time to determine you’re not saved, but an even worse time is when you’re face to face with Jesus in eternity. By then its too late. The question I have to ask is, if being saved is so easy, why are there so may who won’t be? Jesus tells the crowd, salvation is more than mere words. Saying I believe in Jesus isn’t enough. Satan too knows that Jesus is God. But there has to be a difference in the heart.
Romans 10:10 KJV
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Salvation has got to bring a change in who you are and a desire to be more Christ like.
Self Deceivers
Can you believe that there will be preachers stand before God unsaved? Jesus says as much when he says that people who have “prophesied” in His name, meaning to preach! I guess its not hard to believe in this day and age. But many of them will be shocked, thinking they were doing what was right. A preacher who changes the word of God to create works of religion or profits for themselves, causing someone else to believe a lie and making the word of God void will stand accountable before God. And be lost.
Over Achievers
Probably the greatest insult to the Lord is the filthy rags that people will drop at His feet and say “Look what I did for You, Lord.” Good things on the surface, like feeding the poor, helping their neighbor, giving to to the church. But no relationship with Christ Himself.
Can you imagine never speaking with your parent until the end of life and then trying to convince them you cared? Telling them that you thought of them often but never read their letters to you, or thanked them sincerely for giving you life. But then at the end threw your achievements down at their feet and said “I did this for you.”
Did ya?
This week I started staying the night with my Mother and preparing a meal or two every day because she needs the help. Not according to her. But the issue has been convincing her that she needed my help. Because she is, and always will be the caretaker. Well, Jesus really is the Caretaker. He doesn’t need my help. But He does need me to visit with Him and carry on conversations as I would with any real person in my life.
You cannot be a child of God and have no relationship with Him. No matter how much you achieve it will have all been for nothing and an absolute insult to God. He took care of Heaven, all you have to do is show up.
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!
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.
Have you ever just looked to the sky and ask God “Why not now Lord? I’m ready, and I don’t want to see this world get any more wicked. This is plenty bad enough. Please, come and get your children!” Well, no doubt those in the days of scripture were very much looking to the same Heaven and saying the same thing. It was they who James was speaking to when He penned the Words God spoke. We know this because in the first verse of the first chapter James tells us who he is speaking to:
James 1:1 KJVS James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
It is Israel. The Nation of God’s chosen people. The very people that had turned their back on God to the point that He gave the Gentiles the blessing of Salvation through His Son’s life being given on the cross. When the Jewish leaders continued to deny that Jesus was the Christ, God said ENOUGH! And God began a new work through the Gentiles and through the Apostle Paul. But He continued to work on Israel, although no longer through the traditions of man. It was now by God’s marvelous grace that Jew and Gentile alike could come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ with the promise that He’d return for His Children and then finish what He started with Israel. And now we’re here, waiting for God to come and get us.
In frustration. With patience wearing thin and the temptation to take matters into your own hands most every day. Or perhaps that’s just me.
BE PATIENT
James 5:7-20 KJVS Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Be patient… James said. Jesus is waiting too, but He has patience because He wants both the fruits of yesterday and the fruits of tomorrows while there is still tomorrows to be had. I usually think of that right after I’ve asked Jesus to come and get me. What if He did? How many souls do I know that would be damned to Hell because they’re not saved? Far, far too many.
BE PATIENT
Again James says it, but this time he’s speaking of the Prophets of old.
[8] Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. [9] Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. [10] Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. [11] Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Prophets who endured the unimaginable for us, and yet James said they counted them happy in what they endured because they knew that God would one day be glorified in their suffering. Job knew it when he told his wife that she spoke like a foolish woman, even though she too had endured the unimaginable of losing every child and belonging she had. She told Job to curse God and die! But Job did not because he knew there was a plan, even if he didn’t understand it. We have to realize that when we look at this world we have to believe THERE IS A PLAN! BE PATIENT.
And BE BUSY…
[12] But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. [13] Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. [14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: [15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. [16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. [17] Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. [18] And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. [19] Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; [20] Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
There is plenty of things in those verses that causes one to wonder aloud, “Why did God not heal when I asked? Why did God not stop the storm when I asked?” Why… there are thousands of them. We read this scripture and doubt creeps in and we think God doesn’t hear, or we’re not living as we should, or any of the other one million reasons that the world tells you that scripture isn’t true. That it doesn’t happen as God said it would. But what we didn’t think about was who God was talking to, and at what dispensation in time was He speaking? This letter is to the Jews. It is written for our edification and encouragement but it is not written for out doctrine to live by. That’s why people get discouraged in the waiting. They’re waiting for the wrong bus. When James wrote this letter it was during the time when God was doing all kind of miracles in the lives of the Jewish people through the Apostles. But when the Gentile church came on the scene, you didn’t see those miracles happen after Paul. Not like it was then. There’s miracles… but not as it was in days of scripture.
So do we just sit and wait? Do we not pray? Do we not believe God can heal? Of course we believe!!! But God is not raising the dead because a preacher asked. He’s not healing every one the way we want Him to heal them, He may heal them in Heaven. But we ask! And we believe that God can and quite often He does and when He does we can rejoice. But when He doesn’t we can still rejoice in knowing that God has a plan and we’re apart of it.
That is why we have to stay busy. There is so much work for the church to do right now and the vast majority of them are waiting on the wrong bus. They’re waiting for God to come and get them and He will… but not until He’s done with the plan.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. About the need to study the word and try to figure out what God’s doing or why He’s not doing something. And I’ve come to this conclusion. Patience is not my virtue. I’m better off staying busy. Get out of line for the bus and get back to work! Amen? Amen!
What are we hoping in today? Jeremiah has this conversation with the children of Israel in Jeremiah 17. He’d just given them a piece of his mind over their continued idol worship and wicked lives in the sight of God house, even in God’s house. It was the dispensation of the law, not the grace we live in today. It’s very easy for me to get wrapped up on the side of the law when I read these verses. I know that my heart is wicked, and God knows how wicked. While I attempt to live in this fallen world and stay out of trouble, I don’t do a very good job of it. But praise God for the Grace afforded me by the salvation of Jesus Christ!!! I wouldn’t survive 20 minutes under the dispensation of the law, but the dispensation of Grace covers my multitude of sin.
Because of that, I can read Jeremiah 17 with great joy on a day when I’m not feeling the greatest of joy in my life. I’m feeling frustration from both body and soul, and then I read the Word of God and He speaks words of affirmation that I am fine. The world’s a mess, but I am fine.
My Hope is In the Lord
Jeremiah 17:7-14 KJVS [7] Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
When I accepted the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, He became the final blood sacrifice to pay my sin debt. My heart was viewed with Christ’s blood over it, like the blood that was put over the door posts in the days before the Exodus of Israel from Egypt, when the death angel passed over all the homes that had the blood applied. Just as Israel was not kept from other harsh times, their promise of the Promised Land stood firm, and while I am not given license to sin, my sins are covered and I am promised forgiveness and rest in the Lord through the applied blood. And I’m promised a life in the Promised Land of God some day!
My Heat is Quenched in His Word
[8] For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Even in these days of disparity that America is facing and that we individually are facing with health issues and other struggles, there is a cool drink of water found at the river of life that brings the Word to life inside of this aging body, allowing me to bear the fruit God intended and calm the heat bearing down on me. It is unfortunately not recognized until I am so thirsty that when I finally drink it in, I almost flood every part of my being to the point of strangulation. That’s a tad dramatic of course but it’s how I feel when I read the word of God and it overflows my mind like a flood on the banks of the creek following a storm. This world will suck me dry if I don’t stay in God’s word. That’s why God says to be planted, not just passing by the creek and scooping up a mouthful of refreshing Word, but gradually, day by day soaking it in until your thirst is satisfied and your life can produce fruit to feed others. I pray that is what my blog is, but I know I fail miserably when I allow myself to get away from the Water and get wrapped up in the world.
My Heart is Deceitful but my Lord is Faithful
[9] The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? [10] I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.[11] As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. [12] A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. [13] O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters. [14] Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
I’ll not pretend that I am a sanctimonious saint. Jeremiah didn’t either. That is why he said, the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. It is. We have to take responsibility for not only the good fruit in our lives but the stinky fruit we produce as well. While the blood of Jesus will certainly cover a multitude of sins, I shouldn’t feel so obliged to give Him so much. I have sins of omission and sins of commission. Things I don’t do and should and things I shouldn’t do but do them anyway. I’ll not throw anyone under the bus before I lay down in the road. But praise God He forgives and allows me to pick myself up and move forward.
Jeremiah speaks of unmerited riches and I can’t help but think of how many unmerited things I have been given in this world by God’s grace through people or circumstances. God is so faithful. For certain there is only One that can be given the glory for anything positive in my life and that is God.
During Old Testament times the sanctuary was where the people of God met with God. But now, that sanctuary is within the heart of a child of God. That’s an amazing thought. While the high priest would have to go to great strides to cleanse the temple and offer sacrifices for the sins of the people, my body is now a temple of the Holy Ghost and is continually cleansed allowing me to speak with God on my own, without the need of an earthly intercession. Without that, God in His holiness could have nothing to do me. But Christ made it possible for me to speak one on One, to have that water of the Word poured into my soul. Healing me of damages done by the world.
That makes me so happy today. I pray I wrote with understanding and this word blesses you. Shari Johnson, The Jesus Chick.
There is a consistent struggle in my life that I know I was cut from the cloth of, but it doesn’t make it any easier to live in the garment. The reason I land on this topic today is, because I stood before someone earlier this week and had to defend why the truth and transparency is important. Then I heard a pious air hole explain their “theories” of religion and I almost puked. The two have much in common for me and have created me to be who I am. You see, I changed garments in 1996. Believe me when I tell you that I still have pieces of the previous garment in my pockets, but the new garment that the Lord gave me reminds me somewhat of Joseph’s coat of many colors given to him by his earthly father. I’m not of Joseph’s caliber of person. Likely our only common thread is that our Father gave us a new coat and people don’t understand why.
Genesis 37:3-11 KJVS
Not long after that his brothers throw him into a pit and sell him into slavery. They kill a critter and soak Joseph’s pretty new coat in the blood and convince his father that he’s been killed. But of course, God had a plan. This story is one of my favorites and for many reasons, not of the least which is the new coat.
So let’s talk about this garment for a minute.
It Caused Contention
[3] Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. [4] And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
I’m here to tell you, because I’ve witnessed it in multiple people; any time God does something new and exciting in someone’s life there are people who get upset. People didn’t get upset because I got saved, they got upset because I changed garments and it was very colorful! I made it a point to stand out because my Heavenly Father had given me a new garment and I was going to wear it proudly. And if you didn’t wear yours proudly, I wondered why? Unlike Joseph, I knew that all my heavenly siblings had been given the same coat. But they’d take it off. If they were with friends who perhaps didn’t have a coat (the unsaved) they’d take theirs off so they could fit it. I’d either wear it, or we wouldn’t hang out if it bothered people that bad. If they went to work, they’d leave their garment at the house and put on a work garment. Work and faith don’t mix for most people. Praise God, God blessed me with employers who understood and honored my new garment. I didn’t ram my new found faith down anyone’s throat, but I sure didn’t hide it. When I began Ridgeview News, I still wear my garment. I’m going to stand before the Lord one day, and He’s not going to put on a different hat to judge my secular life and then put back on His “spiritual” hat and judge my faith. Nope, they are one in the same in the eyes of the Lord. Have I made mistakes in the secular world. Oh yeah. And in my spiritual walk as well. That coat has gotten soiled on many occasion, God always had a stain remover handy when I came back home. I know, metaphors can get confusing sometimes, but to put it in layman terms, God forgave my failures, wiped the slate clean and allowed me to begin and again. Many times. In those times of contention, do we forgive those who have sinned against us? Really? With a clean non judgmental slate never to be thought of again. Not likely.
I know this because I’ve recently brought up things that people did years ago. I wasn’t harboring any anger or ill will about it, I just liked remembering that people who didn’t like my new coat had issues.
It Caused Comparison
[5] And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. [6] And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: [7] For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. [8] And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
His brothers wanted to know, “who died and left you in charge?” Like Joseph, I have upon a few (few too many) occasions, called people out. Right or wrong, I really don’t know, but I know it made me look as though I thought I was God’s favorite and they should straighten up because Dad and I had been discussing the situation. I didn’t for one second think I was better than them, but if they weren’t going to recognize their issues, perhaps I’d just enlighten them. Nobody like’s being called out. Me included, but for some reason I’ve always lived in a world where someone called me out on my stupidity. I’m pretty sure God set that into play too, to keep me humble.
The point being, God did allow all of this to take place, so that He could show those who thought they were above judgement that they would be judged and God was in control.
It Caused Controversy
[9] And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. [10] And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? [11] And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Even Joseph’s father, who gave him the coat and started the whole ball rolling didn’t really understand why Joseph was speaking this prophecy. But it does say that his father “observed” it. He took note of it. People don’t have to like what I say. I’m okay with that. I’ve not liked a lot of things, many preachers have said. But, I’m smart enough to look at someone who wears a garment of Christ and take note of what they say because I could be wrong.
Joseph’s father was wrong. Joseph did indeed end up being over them as ruler. But that’s not the point of my focus today. The point I wanted to bring attention to was the fact that Joseph took every position he had in life serious. As son, as prisoner, as servant, as ruler. It didn’t matter, he lived every position he had as a child of God.
Our garment is different than everyone else’s if we are a child of God. It’s a royal robe with expectation and sanctification. We are without excuse for not “observing” what God’s doing in our lives.
Love and hugs from the Jesus Chick today. God bless ya!
Let’s put the rubber on the road and squeal the tires a little bit for the Lord Jesus. Every week I have good intentions that go by the way side because of a bad attention span. Today I’ve struggled as well to stay focused on the Lord. I just want to run as far away as I can and as fast as I can from the things that take my attention away from Him. I want to turn my eyes upon Jesus and praise Him for where He placed me in this world. I asked the Lord…
Who Am I?
That’s the question that King David asked the Lord in 1 Chronicles 17:16
1 Chronicles 17:16-22 KJVS And David the king came and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
I noted his position. He sat before the Lord. Not a stance of worship, not bowed, just a casual conversation, or perhaps a business meeting. That’s kind of the relationship I’ve always placed myself in with the Lord. I’m a member of His ministry team. Jesus said, “I must be about my Father’s business.” If I’m honest right now, He probably should call me on the carpet for not doing my job. I can’t believe I am eleven days into the New Year and have yet to focus on my spiritual path for 2023. Let’s put the rubber on the road and squeal about that for a second. I’m spinning my tires spiritually. Stuck in a place of idleness when there is so much that needs done. I have ministry thoughts every day, but I have few actions. Although I know who God called me to be and what He called me to do, I asked of Him the question David did, “Who am I?” David spoke to the position that God had placed him in. A position of high degree.
[17] And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O Lord God.
I Am Blessed
I cannot think of myself any different. Of course I’m not in the realm of King David, but, as a Gentile, I’m in a pretty amazing place. Born into a Country with the freedom to worship (at least for now.) Born into a family that loves me, purchased of God to live a life with that the freedom of forgiveness affords. I have to stand in awe at that! I am Blessed far more than I deserve. My excitement for the Lord is not however always the level it should be.
I Am Beleaguered
Lately I’ve been somewhat beleaguered spiritually. Beleaguered… that is not a word I’m comfortable using but it came to my mind as I wrote. It’s defined as a very difficult situation. Did you know you can be in the perfect will of God and yet be in a very difficult situation? I heard a preacher say the other day that we need to be reminded that Paul wrote many of his encouraging words from a prison cell. He said for him that meant you can always find the good in a situation, even in prison you could possibly say, “Life’s hard, but the soup is good on Tuesday.”
That cracked me up! I want that to be my new phrase for 2023. Life’s Hard, but The soup is good on Tuesday. I hope it serves to remind me that I have always got something to be thankful for, even when I’m beleaguered.
I Am Believing
Paul said in Romans 15:13 KJV6 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
The God of Hope! Glory to His Name. Were it not for Him there wouldn’t even be any hope that the soup is good on Tuesday! But the wonderful thing about having been a child of God for 26 years is, there has been many beleaguered moments in my life. I have failed at many things that left me feeling less, but God made me more. I have been hurt by people in and out of the church, but God always reminded me that they hurt Him far worse and He loves them anyway. I have faced illness, brokenness and pain and not one time did God let me down. But every time He lifted me up, and like He did King David, reminded me that I’m a gal of high degree, (well, David wasn’t a gal) but no matter what the world may think. I am seated in Heavenly places, I am promised a life where there is no beleaguerment, only blessing. Yes I believe that. It’s the only reason that I can continue on, on days like today. Life is hard, but the soup is good on Tuesday. And the Word is good every day.
God bless ya! I love ya! Shari Johnson, the Jesus Chick
I find myself in a quandary tonight. Questioning who I am in the spirit to the Spirit. Does God think I’m weird? I know He created me to be who I am, but did I take the good senses He placed within me and stir them up with some bad mojo from the world? In reality I don’t think that’s the case, but I believe in searching for the truth until I’ve brushed off the dust and glitter known as Shari. The dust being the old Shari, with notions from my past. And the glitter, which is all things sparkly that can capture my attention. I like shiny stuff, I’ll just tell you. God knows I do. But on the matter of worship, I’m about to get out my broom and dust pan and do my very best to knock the dust and fake glitter off the truth. Because the truth on it’s own will shine.
I’ll start in in Philippians 3:1-5 KJV
There is Security in Rejoicing
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Paul is speaking to the church of Philippi. He’s just discussed the fact that he was sending Epaphroditus, who had been sick, so that they could seem for themselves that the Lord had healed him. And in so doing he tells them to rejoice. It’s like David when he went to his brothers at the battlefield and asked them “Is there not a cause,” a reason to battle. The same is true in good times, is there not a cause, a reason to rejoice? Of course there is. We all have our reasons. Sometimes they’re in abundance, other times they are so few when a reason happens it’s that much sweeter but there is a reason to rejoice as a child of God. Paul it was not grievous for him to part company with Epaphroditus but it was for their safety (or for a security) for them. That they could see with their own eyes, God’s work and it would strengthen their souls.
When I stepped back in at Victory Baptist Church less than 10 days after having open heart surgery, with the ability to sing and rejoice, it not only brought joy to me but to my friends at Victory. Joy to see what God had done in my life. Paul wasn’t without struggles. Good grief he was writing from prison. But even in that place he found joy in seeing God’s work continue in his absence. If Paul could rejoice in prison, can we not in our hardest days?
There is Separation from Religion
[2] Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
A dog could have been referring to a man of impure thoughts. There were those who were attempting to cause division in the church because they refused to come out of religion and into a relationship with Christ. Insisting that the the Gentiles had need of being circumcised for salvation which was the Old Testament Law. Paul criticized the Judaizers because they looked at Christianity backward, thinking that what they did (circumcision) made them true believers rather than the acceptance of the gift of grace given by Christ. I’ve never experienced that depth of religion, but I have experienced religion. The act of participation in something as a means to salvation. The thought that if you just went to church, sang the songs, prayed the prayer and participated in the events, that was salvation. No relationship, but participation. Just like the Jews they were missing the whole point of Christ’s death on the cross. It wasn’t so we’d get a participation award. It was so we’d get a crown! And in the process have something to celebrate.
2 Timothy 4:8 KJVS
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
There is Self-Denial in a Relationship
What believers do to serve God is a result of faith, not a prerequisite to faith. Because of what Christ did for me I have a desire to serve Him. To set Shari aside and turn to Christ to say thank You. What can I do for You? Paul said in verse 3
[3] For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Praise God I don’t have to depend on myself for any part of salvation, because I know what a hot mess I am on any given day. And praise God that I don’t have to fit my praise style into a check list made by man because the place for which my praise comes from doesn’t come from me ether. It comes from the Spirit in me.
When people see me, they look at me as a confident figure. What I am is so insecure I have to exhale any bravery that I can find from so deep within my spirit that it blasts out like a trumpet. The same is true when it comes to praising God. I’m not comfortable standing on a platform singing or speaking for the Lord. So when I do it comes across loud! When I speak even in a testimony it’s not spoken in confidence but rather it is the Spirit bubbling out of me uncontrolled. It is me denying myself silence. The flesh tells me to stay quiet. The Spirit tells me Praise Him Shari.
I hate religion. It takes the sparkle out of a service. So as I write these words tonight. I feel a sparkle in my soul. It’s not the world’s glitter, but it is gold of the purest sense that will survive being tried by fire. It’s a raise your hand, sing glorrrraaaaay to the Lord kind of Worship.
