Tag: lust

Posted in Faith, Family, Life Inspiration

Pardon Me While I Work Thru My Issues

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Pardon Me While I Work Thru My Issues

I fear the concept of being the “bride” of Christ is lost on most of the church. (Revelation 21:9) No man or woman in their right mind would tolerate a spouse who only spoke to them on Sunday. And only then through a third party. Monday through Saturday conversations might be grace at the table, but I doubt it, because even that is viewed as extreme Christianity by many. I know for a fact that many Christians use God’s name, although I don’t believe it’s directed to him but more at an object or circumstance. Many call on the Lord’s name in times of trouble, but what about every day conversation? I used to jokingly say I thought I was a prayer warrior until I realized I was just always praying for forgiveness. I stopped joking about that… it was too true and not funny at all. 

Pardon me, while I work through my issues.

I began this mornin in James, thinking about my own relationship with Christ. How I desired more, but failed miserably. I thought about my relationship with my earthly husband David, who I have days that I want to knock his head off his shoulders, (in the name of Jesus)  and then other days I could not love another person any more. I wonder if that’s how Jesus feels about me? And then I got that image stuck in my mind about the woman pulling away for her beloved, and my heart broke to think of Jesus in that position every time I pull away from Him. What about you? How’s your marriage to the Lord? Or are you even on speaking terms? I can assure you that He will speak to you, because I’ve tested that theory too many times to tell. I walk away and when I walk back, He’s still there… and He receives me as if I’d never turned my back on Him. Would to God I understood the depth of His love. 

In the book of James, he calls us adulterers and adulteresses. Wow. That’s pretty harsh. But God doesn’t mince words. So why should I. 

I was in a meeting yesterday with some very “honest people.” I loved that about them. And almost everyone there agreed that they’d like to hear the truth and only the truth. My first thought was “would ya really?”  Cause if you’d like the truth I can stand up and start preachin’ right now because I’ve got a few things on my mind. But I did not. You know… timing and all. But together let’s you and I for the gospels sake, read these three little verses in James and see what God has to say about the matter of wayward children.

James 4:3-5 KJVS

[3] Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. [4] Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. [5] Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

What are you asking for?

Every time I see something shiny I ask God for it. And He gently reminds me about my “first world problems.” But for the sake of our conversation, what is the very first thing that comes to your mind of something you really want? Write it down. I did. I want in my life “stillness.” No waves, just a calm sea with everything: relationships, finances, spirituality… life. I have faith that Jesus can deliver, I also have faith that when He does, I or someone else will throw a rock in the water and the ripples will start!

James said we don’t receive it because we ask amiss. For all the wrong reasons. So I ask myself, why do I want “stillness.” And it’s totally for me. Because I am tired of waves. 

Jesus said in John 16:33 KJV

[33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

One of the reasons I don’t have peace is the fact that when I ask God to calm the sea, I just want to get out of the boat and away from the trouble. When often times God wants me to be very present in that storm. I hate confrontation, disputation, tribulation and any other “ations” that make waves. I also do not like being my own sermon illustration. But as I have said many times, I am because I make my life is full of material to work from. And usually because I merely want out of a situation that I got myself in, or God has placed me in someone’s life to be an example of Christ. Boy do I fail that one!

Point 2 in James conversation with us is:

That’s what you’re asking for?

One of the things that causes chaos in my life is our small home. Most people could fit my house into their living room. I have a small home and a large life! A large blessed life. On any given day there is upward to a dozen people in and through my house. Many of those, at least six if not more, are children. Rowdy, loud, wonderful, messy children who have no clue what a trash can or a dishwasher are for.

So in the context of James scripture he speaks of being friends with the world. Well, what does that have to do with me wanting some peace of mind? If God took my rowdy, loud, dirty house away from me, He would likely have to take the element of family away. Then I would have all the time in the world to deal with the world, but to what avail? 

I was watching one of my favorite podcasts the other day with the Duck Dynasty Robertson family. They were all at Phil and Miss Kay’s house. Although his humble home is somewhat bigger than mine, it still had a lot of similarity. He was hosting a redneck dinner with family and friends and his house sounded a lot like mine. Except his was adults and they probably put their plates in the sink. But what I took from that was what I needed reminded of, it’s not the size of the home, it’s what you do with it. I know many people with beautiful homes and miserable lives. I’m not miserable… I’m just tired. Be careful what you ask for…

James’ 3rd and final point, dinged my bell when he ask: Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

Lusteth to envy? What on earth does that mean?

In the Bible according to Shari it would be worded something like this:

Do you think I’m just talking to hear myself talk? You just want that stuff so people will envy your life.

What? Is that true Lord. Do I want to impress people? I don’t know if that was so much the case as being ashamed of what God had given me. That rang my bell. And so a few waves calmed today. I’m not nearly so worried about keeping up with modern trends or who thinks what about my home. Just be prepared if you visit. We’re loud. The kitchen is likely going to have dirty dishes because someone is always eating or I am baking. The furniture is comfortable and moderately clean with the exception of the occasional dog hair. Okay, more than occasional. But people are loved and welcomed. And I have coffee. 

I feel a little tighter with the Lord. He reminded me of how very blessed we are to be a child of God and that we have everything we need. 

Posted in Bible Journaling, Easter, Evangelism, Faith, Life Inspiration

The World’s Warped View of Christianity

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The World’s Warped View of Christianity

Last night was communion at Victory Baptist Church and it’s been a long time since we gathered together for that purpose because of the Corona. My heart was tender to the Lord, a fact I’m grateful for. It had not been the case this week. I had allowed the world to come between me and God to the point I was feeling worthless and ashamed. Not a good spiritual condition to be in the week of Easter or any day. But such was the case and I needed my heart stirred. The Pastor’s text for the evening was 1 Corinthians 10:21-23 KJV

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Those verses immediately resonated with my spirit. I felt like I had been dining at the Devil’s table all week. I hadn’t read the Bible like I should, I hadn’t prayed like I should and going into the time of year that we celebrate the very reason we are who we are, I was lower than a snail’s belly. Praise God by the time the wafer and communion cups were passed out I had asked God’s forgiveness and felt as though fresh oil had been poured upon me.  God is so good.

The scripture still drew my thoughts back to the week I had endured and the world we live in. It’s so warped. To most people Easter is just a holiday, not a holy-day. So long as it’s the celebration of Easter bunnies and baby chicks all cute and cuddly nobody has a problem with it, but mention the truth that Christians pause this time of year to celebrate our risen Savior and the world has a problem with us. Delve into the depravity of man that created the need for Jesus to be crucified, and the world gets its little feelings hurt because they’re offended. And not only the world, the church (collectively) has chimed right in with that reasoning. They’ve removed the blood songs from the hymnals and excluded any sermon topics that aren’t politically correct for fear offending the power of the left, and the powers of the right are as week as day old dishwater. How did we get here? How did I get where I was the beginning of this week and stay there throughout! It’s ridiculous. 

“Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?” as Paul asked. I have no doubt. It’s why I began scribbling the communion glasses on my iPad as the preacher preached last night. One represents the world, the other the purity of the Lord. The worlds glass is dark and tainted with the opinions of man not the doctrine of Christ. I listen to this young man on Instagram for entertainment that I perhaps shouldn’t. But he intrigues me. His name is Christian Walker, and he is the son of retired professional football player Hershel Walker. He is epitome of the world, and has made a name for himself as an out spoken Republican conservative and is praised for his boldness, and the shedding of the typical stuff shirt that the right is usually viewed as. I’ll give him that. He’s definitely not your typical conservative. He’s flaming gay and broadcasts it loud and clear without apology as he professes his Christian faith. 

Ummm, doesn’t that go against what the word of God says in Romans 1:25-27 ~ Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

It sure does! And yet I watch him and enjoy his rants and ravings against the leftest agenda as he ignores his own sin because it’s his lusts, and somehow his sin is okay. That’s warped. But that’s the world we live in and it’s created an unholiness in the church that’s going to make God puke. 

Revelation 3:15-16 KJVS

[15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

So what does all that have to do with Easter and Communion? How much value do we place on what Christ did for us? How many times do we compromise in our own beliefs to cater to the world around us, or to our own lusts, pretending they’re the “small sins.”

By the end of the service last night my mind had drifted to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who stood at the foot of the cross that her Son hung on having been beaten beyond recognition, spit on, stripped naked and mocked. I could feel her heart breaking, I could feel the tears sting my own eyes as I tried to imagine that as my child, but couldn’t. It would be too much to bare. I imagined her screaming, “This is my Son! He did nothing but love us!” And with that the shame of my own lack of reverence for the Lord and the things of the Lord stung me. Thank God for grace.  

The world may take this day lightly, the day before our Lord arose from the grave. But imagine being there, having witnessed the horrendous events of the days before, and then seeing the tomb empty, feeling your heart burn within you as the men on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:32) Meeting the risen Lord face to face, being with Him, speaking with Him, seeing Him ascend back to Heaven where He awaits our arrival. Glory to God how can we be so lacks when it comes to the Holiness of God?

Following His crucifixion Peter went back to fishing, the other Apostles hid for fear of being the next to be killed, until He arose. And then the gospel was back with a vengeance against Satan’s plot to destroy the Lord. 

Well, the vengeance is on us now. Satan has turned the world against us, but we still have the same reasons to rejoice and loudly proclaim Christ arose! But first we must stop cheapening the price He paid by allowing the world to convince us this day is about bunnies. Nothing against bunnies, but our children need to know that it’s about Jesus!

I was one proud Noni this week when my grandson Logan wanted his hat for the Easter Bonnet Parade at his public school to be about the “real meaning” of Easter. I’m proud of His boldness! God…. let me be so bold in my world

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Black Friday Balance

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We are just a few weeks away from black Friday shopping when the United States loses all of its ‘red sticker rationale;’ Meaning: if it’s got a sale tag, it’s a bargain. Only to realize once the receipt is in hand that this is not so much the case. But it’s truly more about the hunt and snare. We want the latest and greatest and we’re bringing up a generation who expects and demands it from not only their parents but the retail world, and they’re happy to oblige. I watched my grandson and granddaughter play with left over hardwood flooring last night for an hour or better. For Luke it was a construction project; for Paityn it was her “Balwance” beam. Yes I know it’s misspelled, it was just too cute. At my kitchen table where Luke and I played ‘Go Fish’, the television broadcasted a toy commercial and immediately Luke seriously needed it. Paityn had the new Build a Bear catalog and at two years old was in awe over the selection and it was fun to listen to her little girl dream about the bear with the magic wand. Just moments before both had been satisfied with what was there and available. There are many days that I seriously need stuff, and want Paityn’s magic wand to make it happen.

What God says about Want vs. Need

Deuteronomy 12:20

When the Lord thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.

Obesity in the nation is out of control not because of all the delectable foods that are available, because rich and poor alike suffer from it. It’s out of control because both the rich and the poor won’t stop eating. The children of Israel had come out of the wilderness where the flesh they ate was used for sacrifice, it was killed at the door of the tabernacle, and part of it presented to God as a peace offering. (Lev. 17:3-4). But when they came to Canaan, they lived a great distance from the tabernacle, and God has now given more leeway concerning the meat, within reason. They were permitted to kill whatever they pleased or their own use of their flocks and herds without bringing it to the altar, but not just for the sake of its existence. There should be a genuine longing (hunger). There was no large screen televisions blasting images of temptation before them or marketing strategies of the day but to err is human and to forgive is a reason to celebrate and celebration is reason to eat… and so we grow. Horizontally not spiritually. God warned them as He does us, “Don’t just do it because you see it.”

Wise advice as we go into this season. Before you buy ask:

  • Do I or they need this? (or do they just want it)
  • Will it nourish or edify me? (Does it have purpose?)
  • Is it God approved? (Would you carry it to the temple door?)

Wanting something frivolous is not wrong, but it’s wrong if we want it just because it’s there and have no need for it, or if it draws us away from God. If after those 3 questions are answered and all three have been satisfied in your heart, and you’re not spending beyond your means then shop on my friend! It’s about ‘balwance.’ Life should be fun and we should be faithful stewards of it all.

One extra word of advice before the madness of black Friday. Pray over that day. Earnestly. Ask God for godly wisdom and ask Him for bargains, He can supply both!