There’s a quote that people say when something bad happens in life, ~ “It left a bad taste in my mouth.” The polar opposite of that is found in Psalm 34, when David said in verse 8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” At the time this was written, David had just fled from Saul. A man called to be King, chosen by God, a servant of servants and yet he finds himself under attack and on the run for no other reason than King Saul’s fear of losing power; which David, though he was entitled to it, had no desire to take. David fled into the enemy territory of Gath, the home of Goliath whom he slew. Saul’s fury was so great that David felt safer in the land of the enemy than at home… but he was far from safe.
As a child of God in America, allegedly the “Home of the Free,” there are days I feel somewhat like David. I love my country and the foundation for which we stand, I have respect for authority and no desire to overthrow the government, and yet with the economy in such a state, the attack on the Word of God and the embracing of the vulgarity in society I too want to run into the house of God for refuge. David wasn’t afforded a house of any kind for refuge but rather in the cave Adullam.
I Samuel 22:1-2 ~ David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
And in the cave of Adullam, David is joined by four hundred misfits just like him and he is on a strange new training ground preparing him for leadership of Israel, “And it tastes good.”
It tasted good because he “spoke good”
David said in verse one “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Praise encourages the soul and blesses God, Who, by the way, won’t be out-blessed. Proverbs 28:20a says “A faithful man shall abound with blessings…” I fully believe that those men who were in distress, debt and discontent were drawn to David because he encouraged their souls too. If you’re in trouble spiritually or emotionally the last thing you need to do is hook up with a negative Nellie. Find yourself a faithful servant of God who speaks good of “all” circumstances and you’ll find yourself encouraged in the journey.
It tasted good because he “shared good”
Verse 3 ~ O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. David and that ragtag bunch of men were in that cave under attack and they were having a Worship Service. If it were not for the fellowship of like believers I’d be in trouble; and by like I mean they too have a desire to serve God and are focused on the purpose of God. We encourage one another, we share the goodness of God, not the corruptness of the world. We have negative people within the congregation, but I love on’em and move on. Scripture says magnify the Lord, not Lucifer.
It tasted good because he “sought good”
Verse 10 ~ The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
David sought good in his circumstances. He knew God allowed him to be in that place, at the time for a purpose and the same is true with the condition we’re in. (or the Country we’re in). As frustrated as I get with Washington, there is no other place I’d rather be than here. I still have the freedom to worship. God is King and Ruler in my world.
I have a desire to be a greater leader in 2024. I want to encourage the believers and I can think of no better way than to study those who God used. David’s words to his men are words I’m taking to heart today and sharing with you:
Verse 11-14 ~ Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of theLord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Speak good (guard your mouth), see good (guard your eyes), do good (Let God guide your work)…. Wise words.
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.
Since the beginning, when man fell in the garden, they fell because they were looking for that one thing. That one thing was to “have it all.” When Satan tempted Eve with the fruit that God had clearly said “if you eat it you shall die,” he did so with the words:
Genesis 3:4-5 KJV And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: [5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
It was the only thing in the garden that God said they couldn’t have. Not because He wanted it for Himself, but because He knew that it would lead to their destruction. The knowledge gained by that fruit was the lust of the flesh. Once their eyes were opened to sin, nothing would satisfy them. It would drive their son to kill his brother, their descendants to sleep with their children, then to kill their children. Everything in life would be justifiable in the eyes of man. If you want it, take it. Do it. Never look back.
Why is that man’s mentality?
I see that sin in my own life far more than I care to confess. I love “stuff.” Not powerful stuff, not even stuff anyone else would probably care for. But I’m like the magpie. It is said within European culture that magpies are attracted to shiny objects and routinely steal small trinkets such as jewelry. I’m not going to steal jewelry, but I confess to have a fetish for what I call junk jewelry, that of a costume persuasion. To the point my husband had to make me a new jewelry box to hold my “treasures” because I ran out of room in the old one.
But in Luke 18, Jesus spoke with a man who probably wasn’t into “junk.” He had acquired great wealth. But he knew enough to know that he lacked one thing that he could not provide himself. Eternal life. So he has this conversation with Jesus and just flat out asks Him,z “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
What I realized when I read the response of Christ, is that Christ doesn’t miss a word in our conversations with Him.
THE CONVERSATION
Luke 18:18-23 KJV And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [19] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. [20] Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. [21] And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. [22] Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. [23] And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
Jesus started right from the beginning to unpack their conversation. “Why callest thou me good?”
The ruler had obviously seen something in the way Jesus lived that made Him stand out. People were no doubt watching every move He made, especially the Pharisees, hoping He would mess up. But He never did! You can watch me five minutes and I can almost guarantee that within that time frame I’ll mess up. But Jesus’ life was so perfect that the ruler trusted Him to answer the question everyone wants to know, “How can I have eternal life.” But Jesus called him to task, saying, “none is good, save one, that is, God.”
Jesus took that one word from the man’s conversation and asks him if He really realizes Who it is that he’s talking to?
THE CONSULTATION
Jesus isn’t satisfied with our minuscule conversations. He wants those in-depth consultations where we’re on the couch of the Creator and letting Him delve into the depth of our hearts. He knew the ruler was a “good” man in the eyes of the world. He was keeping the law as best he could. He was doing everything right and yet the ruler still knew something was missing.
Imagine me, who in all my life has seemed to do everything wrong, going my own way, asking God forgiveness far more times than permission and then I too want the peace of Heaven. We all want that one thing! I know many good people who lack it. This ruler was one. Because when Jesus told him to sell all he had and follow him, the ruler went away sad. There is no movie moment where he comes to his senses and returns to Christ, throwing his wealth down at the feet of Jesus, or dropping it off at the Salvation Army on the way back. No, it just says that he was very sorrowful.
Jesus knew that at the heart of this man’s issue was his “stuff.” He wasn’t willing to just trust Christ to provide everything he needed.
I guess the good thing about having junk jewelry is you don’t mind giving it up. But there was plenty of other stuff I tried to bring along for the journey. I’ve had many conversations and consultations with the Lord where He has shown me that I’m not willing to give up everything.
THE CONVICTION
That’s what drew me out of bed at 2 a.m. and into the word of God this morning. I heard the Lord saying “Shari, we need to talk.” And no matter how hard I tried, sleep wasn’t going to happen. I knew my recent conversations with the Lord had been fleeting. Short, minuscule moments of time that I spoke to Him as if He was an acquaintance, not my Savior. I would offer up the excuse that I was busy, tired, working, etc. and it all boiled down to the same issue that the ruler had. Only he was richer. I was not wanting to sell all I had. To give up those things that made me happy or brought a sense of worldly value to my life. But then I heard Christ say, “What good is any of it, if I’m not the center of it.”
Without Him it’s just hay and stubble and will burn up when I stand before Him in eternity.
THE CONVERSION
I was saved in 1996. I had the conversion where I gave my life to Christ and began following Him. I’m still following Him! But not without the occasional detour of the mind that causes me to lose focus on what’s important. That one thing! That one thing is the eternal hope of Glory that will allow me to live in eternity with the people I love, having to never separate myself from them again. It allows me to have peace on this messed up ball of dirt, while my spirit is in the hands of God in Heaven.
The conversion didn’t prevent failure, but it prevents forfeiture. My soul is safe! Not even I can mess that up.
I need a few more “wake ups” where God gets my attention and reminds me that I have purpose, and it’s for His Glory!
I am a vivid dreamer; when I’m awake and when I’m asleep. But those that are dreamt when I am asleep are often so bizarre! Come to think of it… some of those that I have concocted when I’m awake are pretty strange too. I most always recall my dreams and this morning was no different, however, the dreams are not always of a spiritual nature, but this one for certain was.
Last night’s dream left me perplexed about the many spiritual connotations. The setting was a Gaither Concert in my home town. Wouldn’t that be wonderful! The physical location kept changing in my dream. It began at my new church, First Baptist Church of Grantsville, but it was an expanded building. The venue was packed and the Spirit was amazing! But then the location visual changed to a gymnasium and later to a family picnic. I warned you my dreams were weird. As the concert progressed, the attendance lessened as well as spirit. The characters of the dream changed as well. The people in the beginning were Spirit filled friends and family who were enjoying the concert being performed by the original Gaither group that I have loved since salvation. The people were praising God and I could hear them singing the songs that give glory bumps! But then the performers changed to less or even unknown singers, the music became traditional hymns (which I love when sang with feeling) but these were being sung as though it was the funeral of heathen. It was sad!
The next setting was the picnic where many of my family, who have gone on to glory were attending. It was so nice to see them all and we were having a great time!
But the final scene was on a dirt road with family friends who were in a pearl colored stretch limousine service in NYC on a dirt road and I was looking to go to their house for some reason.
As strange as that is, I’ve had weirder dreams. But none that left me pondering life the way this one did.
I don’t believe that the dream was prophetic however it did take my mind into the spiritual condition of mankind. When I say the dream was vivid and detailed, I mean right down to even the attitudes of the characters. As the desire of the people to hear the music lessened, their attitudes became apathetic, until at the end they had no idea why I had been excited to begin with. They were even questioning what salvation was.
My heart broke. These were people that I cared about.
And then I woke up, let the dog out, fixed me a cup of coffee and began to write it down with purpose. It seemed important to document.
“You’ll Get Over It.”
That’s what someone told my dearest friend Doyle Ballengee when he was first saved. He was so excited about his new life in Christ Jesus when a rigid, stiff necked believer told him “you’ll get over it.” With a sparkle in his eye, Doyle told me, “I never did!” In his seventies he was the most exciting Christian I had ever known. I met with him often for lunch at his home in town after his wife passed away. He would fix me the best beef stew and we’d have bible study as we met at his kitchen table. Praise God, I’ve not gotten over it either, and I owe much of my excitement to those who discipled me in the beginning.
That was the spirit of the people at the beginning of my dream. When the Gaither’s sang there were hands lifted and people praising and you knew you were in church! I remember going to my first Gaither concert as a new convert and thinking… this has got to be close to what heaven is like. Thousands of people, being kind to one another, glorifying God and enjoying life. It’s ironic that the last Gaither concert I attended left me saddened by some of the attitudes of the people. At that time I was done making the effort for others who didn’t appreciate the effort I made. They too had obviously gotten over it.
The Spirit Was the First to Go
The gymnasium concert was when my dream began to go south. People were walking out on the concert. I felt sorry for the singers, but my second thought was “Well, if you had sung it like you meant it, the people might not have left.” The music was dry. It was the lesser known hymns being sung without feeling, almost as if they were one step above recitation. Good grief, my stomach just rolled over!
Is that not many in the church today? It is those that would say to the excited new covert, “you’ll get over it” because they have. They no longer rejoice in the Spirit of God and He has left the building. I questioned whether I should write that. It’s offensive to think that God does not want to be in some churches. Even with His saved people. But they are deader than a hammer, so dead in fact that they don’t realize they died. The Spirit is waiting to be renewed but they’re too busy proving that they’re right.
They showed up. They went through the motions. They went home and nothing changed. If that’s the case in your church, either change it or run to one that leaves you better than when you got there and makes you concerned for souls. The Apostle Paul told young Timothy:
2 Timothy 4:3-5 KJV
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Our work is the work of an evangelist. Whether or not you are the preacher, you should be concerned for the souls of this world, especially friends and family. And if you’re not, what you’re listening to may be interesting, but it’s not doing what God wanted the word to do.
The Spirit Moves the People to Go
2 Timothy 4:6-16 KJV
[6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. [7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [8] 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. [9] Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: [10] For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. [11] Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. [12] And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. [13] The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. [14] Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: [15] Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. [16] At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
I don’t know for certain, if any, significance of that stretch limousine in my dream. Other than the fact that it was really out of place on that dirt road. The people who were in it, were the ones who looked at me like I had three heads when I told them of salvation. They’d been at the concert unmoved, and now they were unchanged and it was breaking my heart. That pretty pearl colored limousine was a pretty ride, but it wasn’t taking them to where I wanted to go.
Paul’s departing words to Timothy hit me hard this morning. He tells the young preacher of the rewards coming to all who “love His appearing.” So many churches don’t even preach His appearing. Paul then tells Timothy to come and visit going further to say that there were people who let him down. I get that.
For those in the ministry if you have not been hurt by someone in the ministry, you’ve likely not been serving very long. Paul even called those out who did. So could I, but I’ll not. Paul also told of those who ministered with him. It’s more important to acknowledge that and encourage them but it’s equally necessary to realize when there are people who discourage you that you mark them and move on.
In the parable of the wedding guests, Jesus said this
Luke 14:7-11 KJV
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, [8] When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; [9] And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. [10] But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. [11] For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
In the final act of my dream, the limousine reminded me that my little Kia Soul that I call the “Soul Seeker” may be a humbler ride (which, by the way, needs prayer) but it is far better to sit in a humbler place, than to sit where you don’t belong.
I’ve had the privilege of knowing some pretty wonderful leaders; but in my mind, those who have been the best leaders by example are those who have allowed me to see them falter. I am so, so, so very far from perfect. I need to know that even the best of the best have off days. Another issue for me is that I am so involved in so many secular things, with people who may r may not be of the faith of Jesus Christ, it’s very easy for me to succumb to the flesh as those who don’t know Christ (and some who do know Christ) do. Especially in the political arena.
This morning as I pondered a recent decision I made, and one I made abruptly, I look to the Word of God for wisdom in moving forward. Of course I should have told the person, I’ll pray about it… did I? No. Because unfortunately when it comes to making decisions small and large, my entire life has been lived making them the same way. In the spur of the moment and often with great regret.
Quite often God, in His divine mercy, has allowed me to be used for His glory in spite of my haphazard decision making.
I think of the Apostle Peter, who in a moment of passion cut off a man’s ear who had harmed his friend Jesus. Then Jesus, just as He has done for me so many times, comes along behind Peter and cleans up his mess. Heals the man’s ear (Luke 22:51) and tells Peter to knock it off.
John 18:10-11 KJV
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. [11] Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
I have to tell you, there have been a few meetings where I would have cut a few peoples ears off if I had been given a sword.
Between my involvement with the Republican Executive Committee, for which I currently am Active Chair, and the fact that I report on politics and other pleasant and unpleasant happenings in our area, I’ve been called out more than a few times for doing things people didn’t like. The truth is often painful and sometimes to innocent people. I hate that part of my job. But in following the concepts of journalism, people want to know things other people don’t want them to know. But where does that fall into line with my Christian faith? Is God pleased with me? That is always my concern.
When I began Ridgeview News, I made and have kept a commitment that I would print nothing but truth. If I print opinion articles, I label it as such, and won’t print that without the evidence of truth where I am concerned. Even still, I have cut off a few ears in my time because of my frustration with people. I would print truth, and print it harshly rather than with grace. Right or wrong, I’m not sure but you can see why I have difficulty discerning my actions.
Add to that a recent faith based disagreement I had regarding wrong doctrine and whether or not I speak out on it, I’ve struggled with that too.
Is it our roll as Christians to call out wrong teaching in another church? On the surface I say “no.” Because it makes the church look bad. And the issue I have isn’t with somebody misleading people on salvation, else I would call that spade a spade. But this is doctrine, post salvation, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. So I stay silent. But I want to cut off people’s ears. Be not deceived.
The Apostle Paul was a man of great passion. As a Jewish leader he went so far as killing those who disagreed with the Pharisees. He was at the stoning of Steven. But in one of God’s great moments of grace and mercy, He saved Paul. On the road to Damascus Paul is blinded by the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He then turned that passion for Jewish law to the passion of Jesus’ grace. But he obviously still struggled with the flesh. He was passionate, not perfect.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 KJV
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
There are many opinions as to what that thorn in the flesh was. The spiritual thumping by Satan. His issue with lack of eyesight. It could have been any number of things. But the point is, something made him feel weak.
Me too. It’s my inability to keep my mouth shut.
The question in the forefront of my mind this morning is “Would Paul or Peter have served in things of a political nature?”
I doubt it. They were after all ministers of the Gospel. But, I do believe they’d have had an opinion, and a strong one. If either of them had seen political leaders of the day dressed in drag, promoting abortion, allowing laws to be broken for the almighty dollar, they’d have called their names from the pulpit.
Paul did. In Timothy 4:10 he told Timothy that Demas had forsaken him, having loved the present world. Called him right out! He did others the same way. It wasn’t because the people had hurt Paul, it was because they had hurt God. Paul said that Demas loved the world. Is that not the case with leadership today when they put anything above the Word of God? I’m talking those who say they’re saved. Not those who make no profession. But if you say you’re a believer, your decisions and your agenda should be God’s agenda. Else don’t mention the name of Christ and drag Him through the mud with you.
My conclusion this morning was this:
Christians need to be involved because we believe in a God who cares passionately about his world and his creation, and consequently how it is run. The Bible is hugely political – in that it is about how God wants people to behave and act towards him, and towards each other. This involves economics and law because these are tools that need to be used to build justice. So often it is injustice which dominates God’s world and this grieves Him. As believers in God we have much to bring to politics – a deeper commitment to justice and compassion which throughout history has made a difference in the political sphere. ~ Jon Kuhrt
He said it much more eloquently than I could. But what he said, I meant. God hates anyone’s sin. And I am certainly not without it. As heartbreaking as that is, I want no part of dragging others into sin, or deceiving people for worldly gain. Justice should be blind, but its not. However, God is no respecter of persons. As children of God we should not be either. Viewing all mankind the same… souls in need of a Savior.
My life has been on hyperdrive lately. It’s been a great asset in keeping me distracted and my thoughts away from worries or concerns. But the greatest issue with that is, it falls right into line with my ways of procrastination and avoidance of all things troublesome. I’ve had a lot of ministry work lately, which I love. I have had a lot of Ridgeview News work lately, which I love. Throw into that a mix of responsibilities with a busy life with my family, fulfilling obligations to their busyness (because that’s how I raised them) and chaos doesn’t even come close to describing it. I really do feel like I have my head down that rabbit hole, digging and digging to find where I’m going but it’s just an deep empty space that never seems to lead anywhere.
Does anyone else feel this way?
It’s always nice when Jesus throws in some stories about life with the disciples that prove to us, they were certainly relatable to our lives.
I’m going to tell you right up front, that I’m not sure I have the context of this scripture correct. I only know how it spoke to me, in light of my current busy status. Let’s see if you can relate as a child of God?
So Jesus comes down the hill and he’s accosted by people. Including a frustrated man who had taken his son to Jesus’ disciples for healing, but it didn’t happen, so he brings his son to the One. The One he knows has the power.
In case you were wondering…I’m not God.
The disciples during this time could have healed the boy through the power of Christ that had been given to them. But for some reason they were not able. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing you have the power of God on you but you can’t summons the answers from within. I know Jesus is within me. When someone comes to be with a problem, while I don’t have the power to physically heal anyone, I should be able to find the words that can give people spiritual direction. But often times, i don’t even come close.
Luke 9:37-62 KJV
[37] And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. [38] And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. [39] And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. [40] And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. [41] And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. [42] And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
Christ is frustrated. But not at the disciples. He’s frustrated with the Scribes and Pharisees who had been insulting the disciples, and triumphing over them, because of their inability to cast out the evil spirit: he is directing his frustration to the unbelieving Jews.
This reminded me this morning that Christ understands my limitations. He knows that I am pulled dozens of directions and everyone of them are worthy directions. I’m either ministering to people, providing information or helping family. On the back burner I am trying to survive financially and keep my home at least moderately clean so I do not fall over something and kill myself. But to the person I’m ministering to, they see none of the background noise in my life, only that they need answers and I cannot provide them.
That was not the direction I thought this was going to go this morning. I thought Christ was going to tell me that he forgives me for my sins of being overwhelmed, off task, and unfocused. But rather He tells me, Shari… this isn’t about you. The world does not want you to succeed. Even those who desire the words of encouragement or the solutions a Christian might have to offer, know that if Christ does answer their dilemma, they’ll have to confess He’s real. Hello? They want Christ to fix their problems, (me too for that matter) but they don’t want any part of serving Him. That is brutal honesty that hurts people.
But this morning as I’m getting ready for church, the vast majority of the world is laying in the bed without any concern for Jesus this morning. Of that I am frustrated. I don’t want them in church so they can hear they’re a sinner. (Although we all are). I want them in church so they can experience the same love of Christ this morning that I felt when Jesus reminded me… I’m not God.
There are things I Still Don’t Understand
[43] And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, [44] Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. [45] But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
The disciples had been with Jesus. Me too! But when Jesus told them that He was going to be delivered into the hands of men, they could not fathom what that meant or why it would occur. They knew He was God. They’d seen the evidence of it. But now He’s telling them that man is going to “deliver Him up.” How could this be that man would over power God?
This is the same frustration my mind gets in when I cannot do all I want to do. How can this be? Do I not have the power of God dwelling in me? Of course I do. Then why can’t I accomplish all I set out to do? Because I’m not God.
None of us are God
Then what cracks me up, is the disciples go from trying to help people, to trying to figure out who’s going to be the boss in Heaven. They’re frustrated with a guy from another church who’s preaching in Jesus name and then when the people of the city won’t listen, they want to bring down fire from Heaven and strike them dead.
[46] Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. [47] And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, [48] And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. [49] And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. [50] And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. [51] And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, [52] And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. [53] And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. [54] And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? [55] But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Jesus reminded the disciples and me that as frustrating as the world is, we need to remember that we were no different pre-salvation.
We are not God, but we are God’s plan
[56] For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. [57] And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. [58] And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [59] And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. [60] Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. [61] And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. [62] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
While life get’s us off task and off focus. We’ve got to keep on going. Jesus’s return is eminent. We don’t know the hour, but it could be the one we’re living in. This morning I’m headed to church to tell some children in the Sunday School hour about the love of God and how even though we make mistakes, even though we let Him down. He’s not bringing down fire on our heads. He’s putting His arm around our shoulder and saying “Stop worrying about it… get out of that rabbit hole, put your hand to the plow and get back to work.”
Ephesians 6:16 KJV Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
This has been the first of a new chapter in the life of my husband and I. His retirement. Not mine… I need the work for sanity, but for him, he was to the point of physical and mental exhaustion to the degree I have never witnessed in someone that I love. I would watch as he came home from work and collapsed onto the couch and fall asleep within seconds. In his latter days as the Chief of the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department (from which he retired as well) I would watch him leave with the adrenaline flowing, but come back from a scene with the life flowing out of him from exhaustion, frustration and mental fatigue that was so disheartening. He had lived and breathed rescue for thirty years. But no more. It was someone else’s turn.
I’ve seen that same result in ministry workers. But, I’ve also seen the power of God in the lives of others who went home to be with Jesus with as much passion for the fight as they had in the beginning. Please Jesus, let that be the case with me. It’s why it’s so important to stay in the word of God, at every opportunity, be it in reading, worshipping, listening and spending time with God’s people and in His service.
This came to my mind this morning when I read Ephesians 6:16 and seen a bible journaling image of a fire extinguisher. Fire is a scary element if you’ve ever witnessed it on a fire scene. This past week I had two house fires that I covered for the news. The one came in the middle of the night without warning and almost took the lives of two people. The second fire was deliberate, set by a man not in his right mind, who had likely just killed his wife and then set the house on fire and killed himself. The illustration of those fires can be viewed in a spiritual sense so very easily.
Ephesians 6:16 KJV Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
I’m not sure where this fire started, but if I were guessing I would say it began in the attic of the house. The couple retired for the evening without a thought toward what was happening outside of their scope of vision. All seemed well. Until it wasn’t. Isn’t that the case with life? Everything just seems to be going along swimmingly, and then without warning the bottom drops out of our world. Whether it’s a physical, financial or emotional crisis, the fire is set, out of control, and we’re either chasing it to put it out, or it’s chasing us. How can extinguish something so powerful?
What’s not visible in this photo is a small but powerful fan that the Volunteer Fire Department put at the front door of the house. It was a positive pressure fan that is specially designed to use positive airflow to remove heat, smoke and products of combustion from a structure on a fire scene, allowing firefighters to get a better chance at putting out the fire and advancing into a building for victim rescue. Praise God the victims were not in the house.
When a life crisis occurs, I don’t understand how the unsaved cope. But I know how I can cope, it’s by knowing that the Holy Spirit is going before me attacking anything that has the potential to do me harm. It’s not that I won’t feel the heat of the battle, or that the smoke may not allow me to physically see what’s coming at me. But I know that God has it under control, and I’ll be okay. I may lose “stuff” but I will never lose what matters. My soul is in tact. My future is in tact. God’s got me covered. Those fiery darts that Satan has thrown my direction are being quenched by my shield of faith. He didn’t promise me I’d never be afraid, but He did promise that He would calm my fears. Just like the air from that fan, the breath of the Holy Spirit breaths on the smoke and flames around me and I’m ready to be rescued. Glory to God I just wrote myself happy!
That fire scene was not a happy scene. It was heartbreaking. But the most important thing on the scene were the two lives that were spared.
The second scene fire was eerily insignificant as I arrived on scene. I didn’t know what had taken place. I could see the smoke, but little evidence of fire. I didn’t know that around the corner of the house laid a suicide victim. Or inside the house was woman possibly murdered. The fire was set by the homeowner. He knew it was coming. I realize this seems somewhat morbid of a discussion. But it’s gut wrenching to know that something was totally preventable, if only God had been allowed to be in control. I don’t know why this domestic situation happened. My heart breaks for the family. But the illustration still reminds me that we all control our destiny to a certain degree. We decide whether or not we are going to fight the elements of the fire, or embrace it.
If the Holy Spirit is within you, you know when it’s time to get yourself as far from that situation as you can and allow God to intervene. To get behind the shield of faith so that when the enemy attacks, he can’t hit you.
My husband David knew he was at the point in his career that the fires of life were going to consume him if he did not leave the situation. He had fought the battle long enough.
But what about the ministry battles? Is there ever a time to walk away? I think there is for certain a time to regroup. But not to walk out on God. Retirement for the child of God is God’s call. When He calls us home, we’re done. Until then, we’re to stay in the battle and allow the Spirit of God to bring us through every battle.
I’m so thankful and proud of my husband’s contributions to the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department and his decades of work for the Town of Grantsville. But I’m so grateful that life doesn’t end with our retirement of worldly endeavors… God’s got plans. Amen!
What an interesting thought! It was mentioned in church on Wednesday night and I just couldn’t get the thought out of my mind. What causes some hearts to get stone cold when they hear the gospel and other hearts melt and are as soft and pliable as the wax.
David warned of it in Psalm 95:8
Psalm 95:1-11 KJV O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. [2] Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. [3] For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. [4] In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. [5] The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. [6] O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. [7] For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, [8] Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: [9] When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. [10] Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: [11] Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
And the writer of Hebrews mentioned it when he wrote:
Hebrews 4:7 KJV Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Funny thing about an excited new convert, meaning someone who just got saved, is they’ll just about beat a soul to death with the gospel because their level of excitement knows no bounds. But over time even the heart of an excited Christian can grow lack in what Christ has done in their life and forget that great feeling of strength and joy that was felt when they first came to know Christ.
My friend Doyle Ballengee told me that, as a new convert, when he told another “older” saint that he was on fire for the Lord, they responded with, “That’s great, but you’ll get over it.” Praise God I haven’t yet, and Doyle died at 80 and was the most exciting Saint of God that I ever knew. But I’ve come close on several occasions because if you hang out with soggy wood, it’s hard to get a fire started or keep yours going.
So in the context of Psalm 95, what message was David trying to get across to the children of God?
Worship is Important!
O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. [2] Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. [3] For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
I don’t know what the knucklehead that thought worship wasn’t important is going to do in Heaven when there are praises sang to the Lord all day long! I suppose they’ll walk around looking for Tylenol. But they’ll eventually have to get over it because eternity is a long time. But this isn’t Heaven David is talking about, it’s now. We are supposed to make noise, sing and come into His presence with a grateful heart. Because our God is greater than any. Greater than the football gods, the baseball gods, the political gods…. All of them! If you can celebrate the worldly things, why would you not want to celebrate God.
Wisdom is Immeasurable!
[4] In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. [5] The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. [6] O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
Our Creator, He who now dwells in the heart of man is an immeasurable source of wisdom, strength and ability that we have dwelling within us. Isn’t that an amazing thought. When I think about what those hardened souls are missing out on it break my heart. Because God cannot be exhausted. I can give Him away one million times and there is still more of Him to share. When it come to why churches are not overflowing with people, I fully believe that it is because we are either stingy or we don’t know what we have.
Wilderness is Inward
[7] For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, [8] Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: [9] When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. [10] Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: [11] Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
God was grieved for 40 years because the children wandered around in the wilderness never learning their lesson. It was their outward wandering that bothered God as much as it was their inward wandering. Their hearts did not know God. They said they erred in their heart. They grumbled, murmured, doubted and disobeyed God because they would now allow Him to govern their lives. They wanted earthly kings and earthly treasures. Are we any different. We are still wandering around in our hearts looking for something to make us happy when it’s in us. God is in us.
Today I struggled with the IRS, business, finances, housework, dogs, kids, so many things. But not one of those things seem to matter when I picked up the word of God and began to think about all He has done for me over my lifetime and over the past week.
I went on to a fire scene to cover it for the news before I realized there had been a shooting. A murder/suicide. God spared me, I could have been shot.
I was coming home from church last night and I came around a turn on my side of the road, (not like I often do) on these West Virginia turns and a large truck came around the turn too fast and I was certain he was going to hit me. He didn’t. But I knew I had just been a few inches from death and God spared my life.
God is so worthy of our praise and worship. Do not fear what man thinks, be glad God hears! I pray you are safe and you are wise and you are worshiping the Creator of you. Because He made for an exclusive purpose of bringing glory to Him through your life. How are you doing that?
I remember as a young Christian, reading the Old Testament and thinking, “How could God destroy all those women and children? How do I know reconcile that reaction of God to the loving God that I experience as a Christian? While the mother in me, will always look at compassion upon a child, the Spirit of God has given me peace and understanding of the providence of God when it comes to the eradication of sects of people in the Old Testament, and the necessity of understanding the role that Governments should take against the Hamas who murdered teen-aged girls, children and the elderly and then dumped them in the streets of Gaza so bloodthirsty crowds could desecrate their bodies, as Senator Marco Rubio of Florida described.
But what about the role of the Church? What is our role in this attack on Israel? God’s chosen. Of course we ought to kneel and pray, earnestly and sincerely that God protect Israel. But we should also stand. America’s weak kneed Government is only slightly worse than the weak kneed church that won’t stand on God’s side for fear of hurting the feelings of God’s enemies.
We live in a society where real time images and videos show the horrific evidence of what Marco Rubio described. And yet, we have people defending their actions. We have groups of people who, they themselves, would be beheaded in the countries they defend. But what are we looking at from a Biblical perspective. Many are wondering if this is the beginning of the end? Let me preface this by saying, I’m not a biblical scholar. But I know when the Spirit speaks to my soul, and I believe that God is showing us that we need to be ready, and we need to get our people ready.
The Countries at play in this war are Countries of significant Biblical importance.
In Ezekiel 38 the word of God says in verses:1-3- And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
The significance of that is the fact that Gog and Magog are modern day Russia.
In Ezekiel 38:14-19 it speaks of a prophetic time when Russia would come against Israel, although it doesn’t seem as though they wanted to have a dog in the fight. God said in verse 16 God says that “He will bring them against Israel.”
Iran is a supporter of Hamas and is supporting them in this current effort. Persia happens to be modern day Iran and in this same group of texts, God speaks of Persia in verse 5 of Chapter 38 saying:
With Russia supporting Iran, the possibility of them getting drug into this war could be there.
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
I certainly have no clue of that hour or day. But I know this. God says that we can be aware by watching what’s going on around us and studying the word of God. The much discussed Matthew 24 says:
I seem to be going backwards — but in the beginning of Chapter 24, Christ is speaking to His disciples. And He tells them in verses 1-6 when he tells them that there will be wars and rumors of war abounding! How many have we seen in the past few decades, and everyone brought with it the fear and concern of whether or not we are in the last days.
Well, let’s just settle that. We are. Because in the scope of eternity, our time on this earth, whether Christ returns today or 200 years from now, it’s still time to get ready. Those people in the field working when one was there and the other disappeared, was only mentioned in that context because they didn’t have the internet. Today it could read, “One was on Youtube and the other on Facebook.” But before that happens one could lose their life in a car accident, and another could be gunned down on the street. That is the world we live in. Are you ready is the question? Is your family ready? Are your friends ready? Are you prepared to never see them again if one of you have accepted Christ as your Savior and the other has not?
He’s speaking to His Jewish Disciples. Those who have a different role in the events of end times. Of course, those He spoke to, are long gone from the earth. But the current, non believing Jew and the Christians of today are covered in Matthew 24. You are covered in Matthew 24 in the current state you are in.
Don’t think that the war of Israel could not come to this land. We are, whether the liberals like it or not, we are identified as a Christian nation. That came with a price tag and the denial of it will come with one too.
Stand for Israel. Stand for Christ. Stand in the Gap for the Children of God around the world. Show your loved ones that you are ready and encourage them to get their hearts ready to hear the trumpet of the Lord!
Just Jesus. That’s too short to be a headline. But I used it anyway as an illustration for myself that, no matter how many bells and whistles, I, or someone else have, nothing matters except Jesus.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
A recent series of events in my life had just about turned me against Paul. Not really, but there was certainly a hesitation to turn to the books written by him because of emphasis put on his teaching by someone else. Although there intention was not draw attention to Paul, by there over emphasizing his writing, that’s exactly what happened. Paul was placed up on a pedestal he’d have puked on if he was here in this time.
But it also caused me to think this morning about the emphasis that I put on matters of the gospel. I want my blog to aesthetically pleasing, I want my handouts to be eye catching, I want all the bells and whistles when I’m up before people and this morning as I began to write and to study the word of God, my thought was drawn to “Just Jesus.”
By comparison, Paul did have excellency of speech. He studied under the masters of the day who strengthened him as a leader. His ability to read and write with rhetorical sophistication indicates that Paul received some type of formal education. Luke claims that Saul studied under the great legal teacher Gamaliel, where he was “educated strictly according ancestral law” in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3). I’ve studied under people I believe to be masters of their trade and of the word of God, but I have yet to master anything as far as I can tell. I’m an “okay” orator. An “okay” singer, a less than adequate guitar player. But as I thought on those less than thrilling attributes of my life, I jolted myself into reality with the thought, “Just Jesus.”
Whether I am speaking, singing, teaching… just Jesus. When I go to the Nursing Home today. They just need to see Jesus. Not Shari. I pray He alone is visible in my feeble attempt at entertaining the troops that have just gotten off the battle field. That’s how I view them. They’ve been warriors that battled the spiritual and secular battles of this life for decades before me. It’s their time to rest and before they enter into their eternal rest, they need Jesus. Just Jesus.
Paul could have spoken and wowed the audience. But it says he was trembling. I know the feeling. I got up to sing for the first time at First Baptist Church this Sunday and I second guessed my song, my ability, everything, my stomach was nauseous, my knees were knocking but I continued on, praying that what they heard was my love for Jesus. Just Jesus.
There was a Deacon ordination this Sunday as well, such an exciting time. My prayer for this newly ordained servant of the church was just serve as Jesus would have you to. Just Jesus.
When Paul said, 5“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God,” he was saying, Just Jesus. Everything a child of God does should in some way or form point to Jesus. If you’re serving in a secular job, Jesus should be evident. If people come into you home, Jesus should be evident. If you’re speaking to people, Jesus should be evident.
Today I’m heavy hearted about some people in my life who aren’t well. And so I ask, what would Jesus do to encourage them? He would make His presence known in their struggle. Help me God to do the same.
How about you, are you in the midst of a struggle? I have the answer, “Just Jesus.” That’s all we can do is turn these struggles over to Him and allow Him to do what’s best. And He’s going to.
