And there it is, right in the middle of Wrangler Jean, steel toed boots and plaid shirt wearin’ redneck America, complete and utter stupidity that I wouldn’t have imagined anyone of us tolerating. There’s a pride flag hanging up in a Calhoun County, West Virginia classroom, teachers are permitted to add to their approved curriculum, unapproved ideologies and parents do not have to be made aware of any of it. It was rumored this week on social media (and it was nothing but a rumor) that litter boxes were being placed in the school bathrooms for the children who identify as furry’s to have a place to potty. As ridiculous as that sounds, the fact that there were people who didn’t hesitate to believe it, tells you the state of our community. And why would that shock anyone of us who have watched public schools turn from “safe spaces” for our children to “safe spaces for the morally bankrupt.”
What does that have to do with the Tower of Babel. Plenty. Just hold on while I see if God connects the dots for me like I thought He would when this thought crossed my mind this morning after hearing a good teacher confess her frustration when a student informed her that she had not ask them what their pronouns were before addressing them in class. The teacher politely said to the child “Oh, my apologies, what is your pronouns?” To which the student replied, “Banana and rock.” The teacher was pretty sure the kid was just messing with her, but because of their new policies, she had to refer to this child every time she spoke to them or about them as a banana and a rock. I would not have been brave enough as a child to pull that kind of stunt, but I can tell you of classmates who would have jumped at the opportunity to disrupt class in such a way. Many of them would have been FFA students…you know… future felons of America. Others would have been our classmates we relied on for comedic relief. And then those like me who wouldn’t have done it, but would have lost myself in snickering and got nothing out of class. Is it any wonder we can no longer compete with other countries with intellect? Do you suppose China or Russia would allow that behavior in their schools.
No, because they are too busy educating their children, while our children un-educate their teachers.
Okay, my rant is over, now let’s get on to the Word of God!
Genesis 11:1-8 KJV [1] And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. [2] And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. [3] And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. [4] And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. [5] And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. [6] And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. [7] Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. [8] So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
My Whole World
That’s how I would describe my family to you. That’s how my parents treated me and my siblings. We were their whole world. And that’s how God described His family, His whole world. He had created them, made them in the likeness of Him, provided them a land to dwell in with food and shelter and all He asked in return was that they keep Him in His rightful place in their lives. That’s no less than I expected of my children. My proper place in their lives is where ever God wants me to be at any given time in their life. When they were little children, I was their protector and caregiver, as an adult, I stand beside them and help when ask, But God is not an earthly parent, He is the God of Heaven and Earth, and His place is over mankind. As a whole, not in part. So what was He to do with a changing world that no longer acknowledge Him.
Mine, Mine Mine!
Was that not their attitude? “Let us make brick, we’ll make a tower, we’ll reach heaven, we’ll be our own god.” The children were no longer listening to God, they were making their rules up as they went. And God watched and then He acted.
God’s watching America too. He’s see’s our nation making their own rules, being their own god’s, not acknowledging Him or asking Him for direction. His response for His children then was to confound their language. In the words of Pastor Alfred Hickman, “Hello?” Is it not the same now. If you don’t believe me, listen to this young lady? Describe herself in the YouTube video:
During Old Testament Times God’s judgment was pointed and quick. It was not up for debate. When He heard His children’s language unbefitting a child of God, and filled with plots against Him, his judgement was to confuse them with multiple language until nobody could communicate.
Now look at our world. Filled with unappreciative, self glorifying people, who don’t even know what gender they are. Rule? There are no rules now. Rules hurt little feelings and hurt little feeling might have to face reality and we can’t have that.
I don’t believe God’s pouring judgement out on America, I think He’s just letting us confound ourselves. He doesn’t have to create new language, Xem people have already done it, or perhaps it was xyr people who did it. None the less we are living in a chaotic society where sanity has left the building.
What’s the answer? Refuse to conform and pray like mad.
Paul said in Romans 12:2 KJV [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Do you know what the will of God is for your life? It may not be what you think. Scripture says this:
Ephesians 1:9-10 KJV [9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
What happens at this time is not as important as what happens at the end of time. When God gathers both Heaven and Earth together. God will is for you and I to be there. That’s the most important thing in our lives is that we have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s not whether or not we have a certain job, car, spouse, what ever it is in this life that you have going on, the question that matters most is are you saved? Nothing else. Woah… that good stuff.
If you don’t know that you know the Lord Jesus, message me, call me, or find someone who can tell you. Love you. Mean it. Want you in eternity with me.
I’m pretty sure there are times that I’m just one step in either direction from crazy. I’ll begin thinking about a matter that has not transpired, but is possible yet not certain, such as someone or something happening that could cause conflict in my life. And then low and behold I’ll play out the conflict within the recesses of my mind until I’m fully aggravated at that same someone or something. Is anyone else so insane?
It brought to my mind the time that King David pretended to be insane when Saul sought his life. He sought refuge with the enemy and then began to regret it.
1 Samuel 21:10-15 KJV
[10] And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. [11] And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? [12] And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. [13] And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. [14] Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? [15] Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
THERE WAS AN ACTUAL REASON TO FEAR
Saul and his men weren’t a fairy tale, they were very real enemies to David, and no doubt a plot of Satan who knew that the hand of God was upon David with great purpose. Anyone that seeks to do the will of God and serve Him is going to have a target on their back, not only by Satan, but the world as well. I don’t want to put myself in the caliber of King David, because I’m not; but does God not care about the smallest in His Kingdom as much as the largest? Is not the souls of the people we care for as important in God’s eyes as were the people in David’s day. It was a different dispensation of time, when God was dealing with Israel. But now God deals with the Gentiles and our mission, like that of David, is to protect the children of God and guide them to Heaven, much like Moses guided the children of Israel, and David lead his men of valor.
So David had a reason to be very concerned about his safety.
THERE WAS A POSSIBLE REASON TO FEAR
When I think about the arguments of my mind, some of them are just nonsense and distraction, but then there are others that I feel perhaps it’s the Lord’s way of warning me that there may be something in my future I need to guard my mind and heart on. The world would call it a gut reaction. But my gut has got me in trouble plenty of times, I prefer to think about these times as perhaps a Holy Spirit reaction. After all, is He not of greater influence on me than my belly… don’t answer that. It’s apparent sometimes He’s not. But when it comes to the matters of my mind, it’s as much of a battle ground as that of King David.
And when I think about the way I handle things in my life, it’s as crazy as the way King David acted to prevent the King from having him killed. That nonsense and distraction is the very way I handle dealing with possible painful or fearful things in my life. I love telling and writing stories, so that’s the place my mind goes when I want to avoid reality. I’ll provide myself a scenario of possible ways something will play out… as King David wisely did, but mine is not always so wise.
David had fled from Saul without so much as a sword. But in the house of the Lord was the sword of Goliath, which the priest gave to David when he told him he had fled in haste on the Kings business. What he didn’t tell the priest was that the King’s business was to kill David who he now considered an enemy. A fact that got the priest who helped David and 84 other men of God slain by the swords of Saul’s men.
David had acted crazy because he was afraid of the men of Gath, who may or may not have killed him. David knew God’s hand was upon him for great things, but it still didn’t stop the fear, whether or not it would have happened.
When I think about the petty things in my life that cause me stress and anxiety, they are nothing in comparison to David’s battle, but they feel every bit as threatening. A spiritual battle may not cost us our lives, but the darkness of the spiritual realm can cause us to see visions of evil against us. As we get closer to end times and Satan is more aware of his own demise, will we not be a threat to him just as those of the past were. The bloodline is done. It was finished on the cross and Satan can no longer have any threat toward it. But to God’s Kingdom we are the hope of someone hearing the Word of God. The Sword each of us has is one that Satan cannot steal, which is the Word of God. We’ve been given that by our High Priest. He has made sure that it is available. Whether or not we choose to pick it up in battle is our own. But for certain we’ll be better off with the Sword of the Lord in our hand and in our minds than without it. There’s no peace at all with out it.
I’ve managed to write myself happy again today.
David only pretended to be crazy to get out of the predicament he was in. The world thinks we truly are crazy, and sometimes I’m borderline. But where I know I have a sound mind and a sound doctrine is in the fact that I am a chosen vessel for such a time as this, and so are you if you are in service to the King. By “in service” I mean a saved man or woman, who God saved with purpose.
Are you distracted today, are you stressed over things in our out of your control? Those are the weapons of warfare that Satan is using against you. Take my advice and get out your own sword, the Word of God, and let God fight this battle for you. And then tell someone about it, they may be going through the same type battle and you could be an encouragement for the Kingdom.
I sang at the Long Term Care Unit in Grantsville on Monday, and it was such a privilege. To sit across from them once again and sing and converse, which had all but stopped in the Covid era, and should now not be taken for granted. We are called to minister to the sick and aged, and the church as a whole is failing them. Collectively we fail the young and old. We fail to disciple the young, minister to the aged and encourage all others. O’boy. That’s not very encouraging is it. Please hang on, I promise I’ll get there.
How’s Your Walk?
Paul told the Church in Colossians 1:10-29 KJV [10] That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Worthiness is not something that I often feel. It’s a good thing my worthiness is not dependent upon my performance, but rather my standing in Christ. My standing is the fact that I am saved by the blood of Jesus, no more no less. But do I please Him with my walk? That’s a good question. When I think of walking with the Lord, that’s an action outside the church building. Are we being fruitful in good work outside of the building? I know in my own life that gets so busy with earthly minded things, the Kingdom of God isn’t high on my list of priorities. Just being real. Ridgeview News is wonderful, I absolutely love it, but it has taken it’s toll on my time with God and my work for God. My walk’s a little lame.
How’s Your Praise?
[12] Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: [13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
I had not had a serious praise session with Jesus until I attended “David” in Lancaster, PA. When I say serious praise, I speak of a hand raising, tear streaming, glory to God moment. That makes me very sad. Those sessions have never been every day, but they used to be far more frequent that of recent times. The reason? There’s several. But for certain I need praise in my life with Christ and to Christ. Should we not take the time to praise Him when we think on what He has saved us from and “translate us to?”
Twice the word translate is written in scripture. Here in Colossians and again in Hebrews when the writer speaks of Enoch: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
Wait…? God took him home because he pleased God by the way he walked? Interesting, is it not? I guess I know why I’ve not disappeared. Enoch was translated; taken into the very presence of God because his testimony pleased God. A portion of our testimony has got to be praising God for His deliverance of our souls out of the hand of the demonic forces of Satan on this earth, and into the Heavenly Kingdom where He awaits our arrival. We have reason to rejoice friends. We need a good praise and worship time in our life!
How’s Your Purpose?
[15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: [16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. [19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;[20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. [21] And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconcile [22] In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: [23] If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
That’s a chunk of scripture to swallow at one time, but every time I went to end what I would use here, I could not for it would change the meaning of what I needed to say for God’s glory.
When I ask myself “how’s your purpose?” It stings. I’ve always known, even as a child, that I had purpose. That sound arrogant and believe me there’s nothing but humility in the statement. But as early as nine, I recall conversations with God, though at the time I only knew enough to be dangerous. Now I only know enough to be slightly less than dangerous. But I knew God had a purpose for me in this world and I knew it was to speak and write. I did not know how, but I knew it to be the case. So when I think about how God got me to where I am today, I realize that I do not take that role near serious enough. I was created for God’s purpose. You were created for God’s purpose. Are we walking in it in a way that pleases God? That is the question of the day. I can answer for myself with a firm “No.”
I need to do better.
How’s Your Confidence?
Paul had great confidence that God had set him aside with a purpose so mighty that the was willing to walk away from the life he lived and die for the life Christ gave him.
[24] Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: [25] Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; [26] Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: [28] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: [29] Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Paul had such confidence in what Christ was doing in him and through him. He knew he was called to the Gentiles. To deliver a mystery to the church. Who doesn’t love a good mystery? But what’s even better than the mystery, is being the one that that is given the answer to it! that’s us! God has given us the answer to the great mystery among the Gentiles, in that we are a people of purpose. Just as the Jews had purpose as God’s chosen, and will again. We have purpose now on this earth to lead souls to the almighty knowledge of God, given to us through the word of God. Oh glory!!!!
For me today that’s such a reason to rejoice. That in these fingers, in this tiny house, in this tiny State, God gave me a purpose for the massive Kingdom. And that purpose is to encourage the believers. Glory! I pray I’ve done that for you, because this word has certainly encouraged my own soul today.
I ask myself that this morning after reading Zephaniah 3:17 KJV which says:
[17] The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
We met a man at Chick Fil-A on our trip this week whose name was Roy. I hesitate to call him a “bus boy” although he did bus tables. It’s likely not politically correct, and he was not a boy. If I were guessing he was in his 70’s. A small in stature, black man, with with a wild silver afro that stuck out from his ahead more than a few inches. And a personality to match. I say that just so you can get a visual. And you can understand that he caught my attention. When he realized that he did catch my attention, he and I immediately started a conversation. We talked music and church and just overall had a pleasant experience.
One would think that cleaning off tables and dumping the trash would not be a very glamorous job. But this was not his attitude. He made the experience a joy for those he served. He asked questions about their lives, where they were from, why had they come to Lancaster, were they enjoying their stay? He had a genuine concern for the people he spoke to. It was such a sweet experience because he joyed in them, you could see it! This morning I thought how God joys in His people and desires sweet fellowship.
I love a verse that breaks down into a point by point lesson for me to learn from God’s word.
He is here and He is Mighty!
“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;” Can we possibly understand what it means when we’re in the presence of God at every given moment of every given day? And the power for which that brings us? As I sit here in my recliner with Izadora the chihuahua snuggled up by my side, and God viewing my life through the lens of my heart, I’m overwhelmed at the thought. He is here. My great God and Savior is setting with me in my humble house watching me search His word, speaking to my soul sweet thoughts that I pen on the page… well technically type. But what a privilege to know that as the world around me falls apart, my God has my life planned out for His glory. Nothing catches Him off guard that is coming my way today.
He is here and He will Save!
I met with a group of friends yesterday who are planing an event in hopes of seeing souls saved in our community, something that only God can do but He allows us to be apart of the search and rescue. As the wife of a firefighter I have see the adrenaline rush that David and a his fellow fire fighters have when they’re a hero to someone in trouble. It’s an exciting experience. But in the scope of an eternal Hell, God’s rescue provides so much more. While the earthly rescue will allow someone to liver another day, a rescue by God allows us to live eternally.
He is here and He Rejoices!
He rejoices in His people as He sees them serve, fellowship and study His word. He knows the desires of our hearts and minds, and for me this morning, my desire is to understand His word and apply it to my life in a way that makes me productive for the Kingdom and makes my God rejoice! God blessed me with a mini vacation that allowed me to renew my body and mind and really get refocused on things back home that had begun to overwhelm me. And that is why in reading this scripture this morning I especially love that…
He is here and He rests in His love!
Without any variation or change, nothing will separate us from the love of God. He Himself receives satisfaction from loving His creation and being a part of our lives. To think that the time that I spend with God, the time He spends with me and the gifts of life that He gives to me brings contentment to HIS heart. It’s as if I’m a small child and I’ve crayoned a drawing and my Dad puts it on the refrigerator in pride. What I have to offer God seems so very little, and yet it creates joy and pride in Him. Isn’t that an amazing thought?’
He is here and He is Singing my Song
…he will joy over thee with singing.
I’ve never thought of God singing. Angel’s singing yes, but God? But that’s what scripture says. That He joys over me with singing. It causes me to wonder what song God sings when He’s thinking about me? That brings such joy to my life, because I know the joy that comes from singing. it causes dance in the soul and often in the feet. Does God dance when He sings? I don’t know… but He created His creation to dance, so quite possibly He does.
What I know from this small study is the Lord is as complex as the universe is expanse. With their new telescope, NASA discovered new worlds this past week. With the word of God, I discovered new things about the Creator of the Universe. It’s just amazing to be a child of the King!
As I read Romans 10, Paul’s words pierced my heart for my family. Those are the first people that came into my mind when I read “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” It’s such a simple statement, yet such a hard task to accomplish. Such a simple process, yet it seems the most difficult decision. That was Paul’s desire, yet his ministry ended up not being to the Jews, but to the Gentiles. And what an impact he made there! What can I glean from Paul’s words to make my life more productive for the Kingdom?
The End of What you Know
Romans 10:1-21 KJV [1] Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
I have people that are so stinkin’ smart, they’re too smart for their own good. They assume they’ve got life figured out. They make more money than I can dream of, have all the “things” that supposedly make their life complete, and yet eternity is nowhere in their scope of concern. They’re good people, or so they think, they don’t realize that their goodness does not enter into the equation of salvation. The same was true with Israel. They thought their goodness was enough, they’re name as God’s chosen was enough. But it was not. They had not submitted themselves to the understanding that they would never be good enough to go to Heaven. There wasn’t enough righteousness in their entire family combined to go to Heaven. It is only through what Christ did on the cross that one can be saved. Their self made theology fills the world today, they need to get out of their own head, and into the mindset of God.
The End of the Law
[4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. [5] For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. [6] But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above : ) [7] Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Moses said if you think you’re good enough to get to Heaven, you’ll line your life up by the law. All 613 of them and stand before God without failure. Can you do it? I can’t live without breaking one of the Ten Commandments. There is no way under the sun that I can live without breaking 613. Nor can anyone else. That’s why Christ had to go to the cross to pay the penalty of sin for every single man and woman on earth. Because there are none good enough. It is believing by faith in Christ and that work on the cross that allows you to enter in. It is His righteousness, the One who never sinned and was the only worthy sacrifice for man kind. The end of the law is your beginning of faith.
The End of the Difference
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Paul’s desire was that Israel, his Nation of people was saved. He had been a man of the law, serving in the highest of office in their religion, calling men and women out for being Christian and even killing them. No one had lived any more zealous than he had lived for the Lord and was wrong. He had walked by the letter of the law as a Jew, God’s chosen, but now he understood that it was for nought. He too was now saved, not by what he’d done, but because he believed. He believed because he had a personal experience with coming to know Christ as His Savior. “Christ ask him on the road to Damascus
Acts 9:5 KJV [5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Pricks (goads) was an instrument used to guide livestock. The guiding principals that Paul had lived by were no longer in play. He would have to walk a whole new way, and believe in what he had fought against. Is this not what has to happen to each one of us as we come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Suddenly, we realize that there is no difference in us than anyone else. We’re all sinners. Even the vilest of people that we loath is as good as we are. The Jews lived by their zealous righteousness, that they were above the Gentiles, all other people. But because of God’s grace, he took the difference out of the equation. Everyone stands even at the cross, and it is only those who kneel to it that can be viewed as worthy through the blood Christ shed for them.
The End of Excuses
[14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
For many in my family and yours too likely, there’s 101 reasons not to go to church on Sunday morning. This is the greatest of tragedies for the people of God. Many of them may be saved, Christ does not say, “Thou shall go to church.” But while we are no longer under the law, the law is not void. We’re forgiven, but we’re not excused to sin. As a Baptist it’s often said of us that we can do on Monday, what we say is wrong on Sunday and be okay. No… that’s not how grace works. While grace offers forgiveness, if you are a child of God, you’re not excused to live without accountability. There are consequences for stupidity. And one of the stupidest things God’s people and the unsaved do, is their thinking that they don’t need church.
Church is one of the greatest gifts that God gave His people. It is there we build our relationship and understanding of the word of God that allows us to live in peace. The very thing that everyone desires, and few have. They don’t have it because they have no relationship with God or His people. Victory Baptist Church did not save me, Christ did that, but it for certain has shaped me into who I am and has afforded me a peace that I never knew prior to salvation. By attending church I receive the word of God from the man of God. I have friends that lift me up in prayer and give me opportunity to do the same for them. I have the sweetest fellowship that is not in the world. You may have friends… but not friends like those in the Lord. As a child of God I have the desire to be in His House, in His word and with His people. He puts that desire in everyone of His children and we are without excuse for not following it.
[16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. [18] But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. [19] But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. [20] But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. [21] But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
God knocks on the heart of everyone and asks them to believe in what He’s done. He’s stretched out His arms to a world begging for love and peace and offered it to them, but they’ve rejected it, both Jew and Gentile. It’s not easy to be humble. But it is so worth what you receive in exchange. There’s no excuse for not being saved. You have the opportunity today if you’ve read my blog. I’ve written it in love, in hopes of new kinfolk. Let me know if you’d like to join the family of God, I’d love to share with you how you can be apart of His life giving, love feeling, peace knowing family.
That was my question to the Lord this morning. “Lord, how do I deal with people who refuse to cooperate with me?”I get so weary of dealing with people who feel it’s too much to ask to do (#1) their job. (#2) something that will help someone else or (#3) something because it’s the right thing to do. And such is the society we’re living in. And in spite of that, to be biblically correct, I’m suppose to turn the other cheek when I personally would rather get in the flesh and tell them to kiss my cheek and I’m not referring to the one on my face. I warned you I was weary.
God’s response to me was as I figured it would be, advice outside the flesh.
Unity Pleases God
Psalm 133:1-3 KJ [1] Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! [2] It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; [3] As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Tis true! Nothing is sweeter than living in peace and harmony with people. Sure Moses got upset and broke the Ten Commandment stone in two, hit the rock twice when God said do it once, even the greatest of people have moments of fleshly failures. But it’s God’s design that we walk in obedience, even when the world does not. So when I remind the Lord (as if He needs reminding) that my frustrations are not coming from people who are doing the Lord’s work, He then reminds me (which obviously did need reminding) that my work is of the Lord. Even the job for which I do outside the church, I consider it a calling. So God in His Great wisdom reminds me that there are expectations of me that are not on worldly people.
Humility Pleases God
Philippians 2:1-7 KJV [1] If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, [2] Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. [3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
For me to find comfort in this world that drives me nuts, there is but one answer, fellowship with the Spirit of God through His word. It’s then that I learn that it is only through Christ, and the humility He showed on the cross, that I am tolerated in the presence of God. Were it not for Christ’s suffering at the hands of evil mankind I wouldn’t have the blessing of the Holy Spirit within me. And the suffering that occurs in my life, is a small price to pay for what I’ve been given. And the ability for me to turn my head in kind, is pleasing to almighty God because it show that I appreciate what He did for me. Glory to God that’s a good lesson.
Paul said in Ephesians 4:1-4 KJV [1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, [2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; [3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
If I truly believe God has called me for such a time as this, into such a position as this (publisher of the Ridgeview news) then I need to walk worthy of the vocation which I’ve been called to do. Whatever that is in our life, yours no doubt looks different than mine, but if God called you to do it, there will be an adversary who wants to make it as frustrating as he possibly can. Don’t let the Devil win!
Peace Pleases God
Jeremiah 29:7 KJV [7] And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
Peace is a daunting accomplishment for me. Upon the rare occasion I find peace, it’s not long until it’s gone again and something has stirred strife in my soul. That’s not how God intended life to be for His people.
Jesus said in John 14:27 KJV [27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
When I am troubled and frustrated by people in the world, or by things in the world that don’t go the way I’d like to hem to, I have the power of Peace within my soul, if I don’t reach for it, that’s on me.
This was a good word for me today, because I was about to reach within me and pull out some wrath with a person who gets on my last nerve. The end result would likely be more frustration for me, and a loss of testimony. So, I’ll search for the information she has through other means, and if the Lord provides, I’ll be all the more grateful.
I’d like to promise you I won’t want to pinch that persons head off again, but I know myself all too well. God bless ya! And may you too please God today. ~ Shari
I scrolled through post after post on Facebook today, looking at the images, taking note of how children had grown, who was struggling, who was giggling and who was somewhere in between. It’s been a while since I’d done that. But from the posts I could tell that not only my life is busy, but most everyone else’s too. The problem with living in the fast lane as most of us do, we don’t slow down to take in a breath of reality.
My oldest grandson just turned 15. It’s a surreal moment to think that he will be driving!!! And so I thought today that I would take a field trip soon with he and his soon to be 15 year old cousin. My 2nd oldest grandson. We’d take a field trip to the police barracks in town and to the Sheriffs department. It’s there I can introduce them to each law enforcement for a good dose of reality. I want them to understand that law enforcement is not the enemy, but they are the reality check. And we want them to know that our friendship with law enforcement means, it’s okay for them to ticket our kids and us if we’re being stupid. Because it will hopefully stop future dumbness. And that stupidity has consequences. It always cracks me up that I and most other people hit the breaks when we see law enforcement. We know we’re likely over the speed limit. We also know that if we are, it’s probably too late! But praise God for grace and mercy.
All this brought my mind into the blessing of my own salvation and an understanding that although we are no longer under the law of the Old Testament the law didn’t go away. The blood of Christ covers my stupidity but it doesn’t prevent the consequences of breaking the law. I pray the dumbest prayers… “Dear God, thank you for this Peppermint Patty, please allow something in this candy bar to add nutrition to my body. Please forgive the fact that it’s my supper. I know I don’t eat right, please help me do better. Amen.”
That’s another version of hitting the breaks when you’re in a reality check moment with Law Enforcement. While it appears that I was asking for help, I was truly asking for mercy. Tomorrow, I may or may not eat better. I may or may not drive slower, believing God, and Officer Weekley or Sheriff Basnett will extend another day of grace. Am I alone? Probably not.
I said all that because a reality check for me as I thought about my grandchildren, as I scrolled Facebook, is the fact that my walk with Christ is often treated as wreckless as my health and my driving skills. Just as I “intend” to talk to my family and friends about Christ I speed right past them, occasionally hitting the breaks, but never stopping by. There is a consequence for that, that I don’t like to think about. And just as I fill my body with fuel that’s not fit for anyone, I fill my spirit with junk and I watch my friends and family as they feed on false doctrine and the lies of this world and ask God to save their soul. That’s just as dumb as my candy bar prayer.
Colossians 4:3 KJV [3] Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
Paul was in bonds, not only from the prison of mortal men, but by the Spirit of God who charged him with speaking the mystery of Christ. God had revealed to the Apostle the salvation of Christ, and the plans of Christ for the people of God. Then through Paul, God revealed those things to us. But to the world, they can’t see it. Satan’s making sure of it. And we are playing right into that game of his by hitting the breaks and never slowing down to speak the truth of the Word of God.
Paul was praying for doors to open for him, so should we. But we’ll never open a door if we don’t slow down. And the consequence will be that our friends and family will be eternally separated from us. My grandboys are not the only ones that need a reality check to know they’re blessed. I needed this time tonight,I need that verse from Colossians that reminded me that I too am charged to speak what I’ve been taught.
I need to make a list and start checking it off of people that I do not know if they know.
God, please open doors, and let me stop my prayers of stupidity but give me a passion for purpose.
I watched many of my relatives live out their lives of faith. I was thinking this morning how blessed I was to have family who spoke of faith in my presence and the conversation was of their relationship with the Lord, just like their relationship with each other. They knew Him like they knew their brothers and sisters. They spoke of Him in their daily walks because He was in their presence and they determined their directions in life because of that relationship. I still have many family members for which I talk of faith. What a blessing! I unfortunately have many that have no concept of what it’s like to walk with Christ, and for those my heart is broken.
But today my thought is on the unseen. The hope I personally have in what the world says there is no evidence of. But there is. And if you know Christ, you too know there is.
Hebrews 11:1 -2 KJV says [1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [2] For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Just as it was then, so is it now that my elders obtained a good report because they stood before us and reported to us of what Christ had done in their life. Evidence of His presence.
There are many things I cannot see, but I have faith it’s there. I cannot see the air, but the fact it fills my lungs lets me know it’s real. I cannot see gravity, but I adjust my life to it’s circumstances. I do not jump off cliffs because that’s gonna hurt. I don’t drop a piece of glass because it’s gonna break. I turn the steering wheel in my car at the onset of a turn, because otherwise gravity will pull the car in an adverse direction. Gravity is not always your friend. It takes no faith to disrespect gravity. Just live your life, and crap will happen.
The same can be said about faith.
THERE ARE TOO MANY CLIFFS TO LIVE WITHOUT FAITH
I cannot say for certain where I would be if I had not found faith in Jesus Christ, but I am most certain it would be a very dark place. Because that’s what state I was in prior to faith. I had a worldly mindset that life would workout, because it always did in the movies. Well, it didn’t in real life. And when bad things happened I opted to ignore them rather than deal with them because that was easier. It was like stepping off of a cliff and thinking the ground would “catch” me softly. I was ignorant. I had seen faith from my elders lived out in front of me, but I chose to ignore it thinking the world had more to offer. Surely there was something better to do on Sunday morning than church. Well for the love of Pete, I can’t think of what that would be now. Because I know that on Sunday morning I’m going to receive the word of God in my church which will prevent me from stepping off a cliff on down the road when it comes to making decisions in my life. That’s good preachin! If you’re not in church, if your’e not in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, there’s no soft landing for what’s coming down the road.
THERE ARE TOO MANY THINGS TO GET BROKEN WITHOUT FAITH
Number one on that list would be the heart. People will break your heart even if they love you. It’s part of life. And because of that so many people have lost hope in their friends and family and have turned to earthly things for comfort. I have a friend who fell physically this week and broke herself all over. Literally. Her body is bruised, she has broken bones and scraped edges and she hurts dreadfully. Life happens when you least expect it. Bodies break. Hearts break. But isn’t it amazing that the Lord Jesus Christ can heal both the physical and the emotional if we allow it and are receptive of the ointment.
In Jeremiah 8:22 KJV Jeremiah asks the question: [22] Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
Why did the people suffer when there was obviously a cure for what ailed them? Why then are the broken hearted and broken spirited not healed in our world today when the soothing balm of Christ is there waiting to heal it all? I couldn’t see it either pre-salvation, so I’ll not be throwing any stones. The reason I would suffer from brokenness is because I would not take care of my spirit and soul. I would allow people to trample it and even I would damage it because I would not take of myself. But then Christ came into my life and I realized how valuable I was to God. I realized that He loved me like I had long to be loved but had never found it. People hurt me. But God has never one time caused me pain. His comforting presence is felt in my life daily! It is evidence that He is there when He soothes my tired and weary soul. Hallelujah!
THERE ARE TOO MANY TWISTS AND TURNS TO LIVE WITHOUT FAITH
I cannot tell you how many times I have driven my life into a ditch because I chose to just “let it run it’s course.” That’s a bad idea. That’s as dumb as not steering the car. Without guidance and direction in our lives there will only be dented fenders and totaled lives. I speak from experience. I am now the elder! My dad did not always make wise choices as a young man, but then praise God he found Jesus. My uncle Brooks and Uncle Carol did not always make wise choice but then they found Jesus, the same is true with their sisters and the witnesses they were because I could see how their lives took a turn when they began steering it by the Word of God. It’s amazing how life changes, and even the smallest of decisions you realize should be made by the foundation of the word of God for good results.
I just preached myself a sermon! I still make regular pit stops in a ditch line with many of the decisions I make. I am a woman of faith, but I’m also very much a woman of flesh that can fail to do what I know I should do. How about you? Where are you at in your life with gravity? Do you understand the “gravity” of your life without faith in Christ. There’s an eternal ditch, that’s actually not a ditch at all, it’s a pit called Hell. The worst thing in life you can do is let gravity take it’s course. There is no return from that bad turn when all is said in done.
Please, if you have not accepted what Christ did for you on the cross, that He died, took the keys of death and Hell away from Satan and informed him he would never again have power over it, and because Christ did that, you have the key to Heaven. Just believe in Christ and what He did for you on the cross. You don’t have to fully understand it all to make that decision. Just refuse to fall for the lies of Satan, and God will fill in the blanks. Then you too will have the evidence of things not seen!
Glory to God I wrote myself happy! Have a blessed day! – Shari
The following is “somewhat” as it was spoken from a Ladies Retreat at the Sandfork Church of God on March 26th, 2022
BEAUTY FOR ASHES LADIES RETREAT
At Sandfork Church of God
The Oil of Joy for Mourning
One of the very first calls I went on as an official reporter, for my very own news site was a house fire in Arnoldsburg. Two warnings went out from my husband the fire chief of Grantsville, “Be careful driving to scene, it was winter and there was a possibility of ice on the roads, and don’t park too close scene, you’ll get stuck. I heeded his warning on the roads, but as for parking… I’m not a fan of walking, especially in the dark and cold. It was 4 a.m. and 30 degrees. So against his advice, I parked on scene, there was plenty of room. Up until two more fire trucks from the west fork and and ambulance rolled in on scene. Fire hoses and electric lines were across the road, and just as David had warned, I was stuck.
It took me about an 30 minutes to cover the story and then I could have left, but I was stuck. And in the valley of Arnoldsburg, the smoke from the house, and the ash and the soot was hanging low because of the heavy air. It was very hard for me to breathe and as a heart patient I probably shouldn’t have been breathing so much of it in. But I was stuck. That was a good lesson to learn, but a difficult one to learn and hard to confess to David, but I did. Luckily I knew the fire fighters and when they finished their work, I asked them to help me back my car off the scene, and they did.
When I began to prepare for this conference, that story was the first that came to my mind. Because that feeling of heaviness in the air, in my lungs and on my heart because of all the circumstances surrounding that night is still with me.
There was more than one kind of mourning going on that night on that fire scene. The house was a rental, and the tenants were drug users. Serious drug users. Stoned out of their heads drug users. So much so that they didn’t even know a child was with them and had climbed out the window when the fire started. They lost their dog in the fire and all their belongings. I’m sure they were fearful of the future, the circumstances…law enforcement showing up. A neighbor was terrified for her own home, with good cause. It was only a few feet away and the siding had already melted off. She had been afraid of the circumstances around this house for some time. And now her fears had become reality.
So what happens in the life of a Christian when their fears become a reality? We mourn for losses that are not only death, but also life. Divorces cause mourning. For more people than just the husband and wife. The loss of a job, or money can cause mourning. It’s the end of an era. Happy or sad, it’s still an ending. Friendships, relationships, children growing up and moving away and cause sadness and mourning. And of all of that God is aware. And has experienced it Himself. Have you every thought about God’s children “moving” away from Him. How that must make Him feel. Even though God knows the ending, do you suppose He mourns?
My question for you is what are you mourning? And what fear has you concerned that it might become reality. There’s no shortage of things to fear. No shortage of thing to mourn.
My text today is the first part of Isaiah 61:3. But I don’t want to take it out of context so I’ll read the two verses leading into it. Because they apply to our conversation today, and it really will be a conversation if you allow it. A conversation between you and God.
That’s my prayer today is that it opens up a dialogue of conversation between you and Lord, which is why I am here today. I need more communication with God.
Isaiah 61:1-3 KJV
[1] The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; [2] To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; [3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
It was common in scripture for those who sorrowed or mourned to wear sackcloth instead of nice apparel and to put ash on themselves in sadness.Sackcloth and ashes were an outward sign of mourning, repentance, or abasement. It was a type of cloth made of black goat’s hair that was thick, rough, and coarse material. It was uncomfortable to wear, and later it was used as a sack. It was also used as an outward sign of mourning and submission. The ashes were an outward sign that signaled to everyone absolute grief, desolation, and ruin.
Somebody was having a no good very bad day.
Ashes served as a reminder of where we came from beginning in Genesis when God formed Adam from the dust (Genesis 2:7), God tells Adam, Genesis 3:19 KJV
[19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
(Genesis 3:19). We understand deeply our humanity was formed from the dust, and to dust we will return when we shed our earthly bodies. Scripture says in Genesis 18:27
Genesis 18:27 KJV
[27] And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
Did you hear about he little girl who sat in church and heard the preacher quote this verse, but like many people she only tunes in to a few words in the scripture, but dust. She tugged her mom’s sleeve and asked, “God formed us from butt dust?”
But Isaiah said that the Lord was upon him, anointing him to preach good tidings, bandage the broken-hearted, free the captives and loose the prisoner, and to give the oil of joy to those mourning. That is a considerable difference than the ash and sackcloth. I fully believe there is a time to mourn. For your countenance to be sad and for you to grieve over your loss. When Jesus was at the tomb of Lazarus, He wept. Even though He knew what the end result was going to be, seeing the grief of His friends and understanding their human knowledge of death Jesus wept. It’s okay to grieve. It’s therapeutic to grieve and allow the human body to deal with the loss. But there comes a time when we have to move on. I doubt anyone who put on the itchy, rough sack cloth wanted to wear it any longer than necessary.
I know people – – – and likely you do too, who have not moved out of the grief stage and they’ve been there for too long. We’re not meant to bear heaviness for too long.
I know someone who experienced physical abuse as a child, And every time I would be in their presence they would bring it up. They’ll immediately turn from a sweet personality to an angry bitter one. I would never make light of the sorrow of abuse, but when God has moved you out of that time, we need to move on.
That is not of the Spirit of God that keeps a person in a state of mourning. What the Spirit of God does for the child of God is replace the ash and sackcloth. For us this would be the oil of joy. Even when our fears become reality with new sorrows and heartache.
Let’s talk about God’s Intentions
God appoints us, and anoints us to do what we’ve been called to do. I could not stand before you today and do what I do without God’s anointing upon me. Prior to having that I stood in front of a crowd and went into hysterical laughter, uncontrolled.
In the 1928 Webster’s dictionary there are seven variances for the word “appointed.” The 4th of those i believe is our definition today, Appointed would mean – To purpose or resolve; to fix with intention. It gives reference to Acts 20 when the Apostle Paul had “appointed” himself to go afoot, not by ship.
Acts 20:13 KJV
[13] And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
He intended on going by foot. And just as Paul had appointed himself to go a certain way, We too have to make some intentional plans for the direction we’re going to go in the tough times of life. The Lord has appointed a time for us to mourn. Things have happened in our lives that are not good. But he has not appointed us to mourn as the world mourns. Not as those who have no hope, but we are to mourn with the oil of joy, knowing that there is a better day coming!
That is God’s intention for His children
I recently got into Doterra Oils and I don’t think think that everything in my life is a sign from God, but I have been fascinated by the uses of the oils and how oils fit into our lives spiritually. by his Spirit he “puts” comfort into the hearts of them, who through their unbelief refuse to be comforted; they choose to stay in mourning. Not what God intended.
Let’s Talk about God’s Indwelling
God not only has intentions for His children He is indwelling in His children!
Another word would be Abide.
1 John 2:27 KJV
[27] But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Abiding is a two way street. He abides in you. Abide is to rest or to dwell, dwell within you, to be firm and immovable. That is how God in dwells in you. He’s not going any where. And it is Him that is going to bring you through those tough times in life, give you wisdom and truth for the day. He takes your sorrows and replaces them with joy, beauty for ashes, by comforting your through the Holy Spirit.
That indwelling of the Holy Spirit is an amazing thing. God in you. I don’t think we fully comprehend that notion most of the time. The Creator of all the universe, is dwelling in His children. Abiding in His children. There’s another form of that word called “Abodement.” The fascinating thing about that version is it means “A secret anticipation of something future.” When I discovered that version, I was almost giddy. Thinking about what God has in store for us!
How many of you believe we are living in a time when Jesus could split the skies wide open and call His children home. We have that wisdom and that knowledge because God has made that mystery know to us.
Colossians 1:26-27 KJV tells us
[26] Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
There it is again, that hope that God provides us by Christ being in us. We are the generation that is privileged to know mysteries that God reveals through His word. That gives us hope. So that when we have a loss here on earth, the Holy Spirit reminds us that there is something way out yonder, or maybe not so far out yonder that is going to make every grief and sorrow we have on this earth worthy of our going through it. And that is a reason to have joy, because we have been anointed by the Spirit of God that gives us wisdom that the world does not have. We are privileged! Glory to God
God has intentions for our lives, there is a purpose in every single thing we go through, He will be glorified
God is Indwelling in our lives, He has taken up residence so that as you go through it, so does He. There nothing you experience that He has not already experienced and is going help you go through it.
The third point I want to talk about is
Let’s talk about God’s instructions
the oil of joy for mourning; oil used to be poured on the heads of persons at entertainments and festivals, and at times of rejoicing; and so its not thought of as something for someone who mourns.
I looked up in DoTerra Oil what would be considered The oil of joy.
Also known as “wintersweet” or “joy of the mountains,” Marjoram was known to the Greeks and Romans as a symbol of happiness. It’s Warm, herbaceous, woody and known for it’s calming property.
Lavender is one of my favorites when I’m dealing with stress or anxiety, I’ll put a drop in my palms and then just breath it in. It’s amazing how that scent can cause the anxiousness in me to flee.
But more so the effort I take to be calm and focus on something sweet and positive and it takes my mind to a place that I can hear God. I don’t know if it’s this way for you, but for me anxiety is loud. It consumes my mind and my heart and causes me to grieve and I have to be intentional to get it out of my life. For you it might be something entirely different that gets you into a place where God can speak to you and give you direction in your life.
In Psalm 23:5 KJV a verse often read at funerals and in times of grief, it says:
[5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
That oil is called “an oil of celebration such as when David was anointed King by Samuel.”, In Psalm 45:7 KJV
[7] Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Scripture is meant to point us to Christ regardless if it’s Old Testament or New Testament. Every single word is meant for the edification of the body of Christ to help us make it through these troubled times and encourage us. Not to grieve or condemn. Christ said in John 3:17 KJV
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
For me, grief is a form of condemnation. If I stay in a grievous state for too long I begin to condemn everything in my life. I keep getting lower and lower, and feel less and less worthy until Satan has me in a state of depression where it feels like I’m drowning. I don’t stand up here as saint Shari in the sanctuary. I stand up here a sinner saved by grace with lots and lots of flaws. There are days that I grieve.
I remind you that Grief is okay. For a while. It’s okay for many things in life. For a while.
But if you have lost someone to eternity – Don’t lose sight that we are all temporary, and reunion day is coming, that thought will excite your soul.
If you have lost a friendship, marriage, relationship of any kind, Focus on the friend Who will never leave you nor forsake you, until God either fixes what’s broken or moves you on.
If your grief is of unknown origin, I face that sometimes, I’m just frustrated with life, write those three points down: It is not my Lord’s Intention, I have the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Guide me Lord with Your Instruction. And with the wisdom of God you can come out of it.
Remember that you are anointed with the oil of gladness, an oil that does not come from Doterra, or any other earthly thing; but comes directly through the Spirit of God. If you do not know if you have the Spirit of God in your life, let’s get that settled before we leave today. I am grateful for an opportunity to speak and hope that my words have encouraged your soul. But my greatest hope is that you have seen the joy that dwells in me that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. February 18, 1996 I had my first experience with the Holy Spirit. He began speaking to me and I knew I needed to do something. That difference has brought me such great joy, that I have to tell others of it. that’s why I came today to share the joy of knowing Jesus Christ. – Thank you for allowing it.
I would doubt that there is anyone who has not suffered with pettiness. I can get petty over the dumbest of things. People (aka grandchildren) getting into my art supplies. I have cheap colored pencils that I keep for the grandkids to use and then I have Prismacolor Colored pencils that cost up to a $100 for a relatively small number. It is a rarity that they even want to use them. Now, of course that’s being a good steward, but how much of the lead will they really use if under guidance. Some would not even consider that petty, but I do. Now, I can also be petty over favorite cookies. I have a few that I am big fans of, I have six grand children, who like their grandmother, love cookies. They of course are not picky, nor do they understand the cost of “high dolla” brands or generic brands, or the fact that many of the individual cake brands now come 5 to a box and I have six grandchildren, so two of us get left out. I told you I could be petty.
I’m a tad petty over favorite seating in the house, and children who don’t respect their elders. Wow… I officially sound like an old, old granny. But it’s how I was brought up. When an elder walks into a room, you offer them your seat. And if you happen to be in Noni’s or Poppy’s favorite chair, you get up without being ask. See… petty.
But this morning I’m wondering how many people in Ukraine care who’s sitting where. I’ve read the posts of some who are there, hunkered down in a basement or a shelter, praying not to be found by the Russians. That dear friends is life in perspective.
Although there were no tanks or bombs in the story, the attacks on the early church and the persecution they faced was much like what the Ukrainians face. They did nothing to warrant becoming a target. They were not aggressive, they were just there. Unlike Ukraine it was not about geography but about believing something different. It boiled down to a group of people believing they deserved something that they had no rights to.
Petty Desires – a story as old as eternity
1 Peter 1:12-25 KJV [12] Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Angels are an entirely different order of being than humans. Human beings do not become angels after they die. Saying someone got “their wings” may sound spiritual, but it’s biblically working. Angels will never become, and never were, human beings. God created the angels, just as He created humanity. The Bible nowhere states that angels are created in the image and likeness of God, as humans (Genesis 1:26) Angels are spiritual beings that can, to a certain degree, take on physical form. Humans are physical beings, but with a spiritual aspect, they have the Spirit of God living in them. If not, they can be controlled by evil spirits. The greatest thing we can learn from the holy angels is their unquestioning obedience to God and their desire to serve Him.
Like us, angels have the ability to learn and they have desires. But their desires are God focused. When God placed the Holy Spirit within humans, it said the angels desired to look into it. It was hard for them to comprehend why God loved man so much that He would allow Himself to be crucified and then place Himself through the Spirit into mankind. Imperfect mankind. You know… petty people like me who hide the “good cookies” from babies!
Passing Desires – a story as new as the moment we live in
[13] Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
“Gird up the loins of your mind?” My mind has loins? No, but just as it takes a “girdle” or in new terminology a “pair of spanks” to suck in the worldly effects of Little Debbie cakes, the same is true on the worldly effects of things on my mind. With the girdle of truth; see Ephesians 6:14, since angels desire to look into the mysteries of grace, do we protect our minds as they and control our thoughts to those of a godly nature? I need a pair of brain spanks. Or maybe God just needs to spank me harder than He does for not being in control of my mind and my passing desires. I can choose such petty things to garner my attention with. When I say “a story as new as the moment we live in,” that seems to be how often my desires changes. There’s something new every few minutes in the world and my desires change the way the winds blow. Petty desires for petty things that will be yesterdays news.
Passionate Desires – a story written by the lives we live
[15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. [17] And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:[18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: [20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, [21] Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. [22] Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: [23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
My mind cannot wrap around the thoughts of Ukrainians and Russians alike who are passionate enough about what they believe in to stand up for it in the face of death. Those who would sooner die at the hands of evil than hide from it or run. That is true passion. I fear praying for passion for fear of what God might allow to create it in me. Have you ever had that fear? Getting a deeper understanding, (as the angels desire to have) is what I need to create in me a heart for the things of God. Perhaps then Little Debbie cookies wouldn’t be on my mind so often, and I’d use the gifts God gave me to be more expressive of the images in my world. I spend so much time thinking rather than doing, doubting rather than believing I can. There is no room for doubt in the mind of a Christian. It is another thing that I need to protect my mind from.
Perishing Desires – a story never written
[24] For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: [25] But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
God gave us the seasons for an example of life and death and rebirth. Eternity is forever but opportunities are not. So today my thoughts and prayers are for those in harms way of petty people. Be it at war, or in this blessed place we live in today. I pray my thoughts serve as a reminder when I see someone in need of the love of Christ, that my desire will be to share with them the grace that angels desire to know.
