Philippians 2:14-15 gives the command to do everything without complaining and fighting, so that way we can remain blameless and not cause harm because we are God's light in the world.
WOW! That is certainly a challenge because when you look at the opposite it basically says that because were are God's light in the world we need to do things without fighting and complaining because otherwise we will be to blame for causing harm to the lost.
We are suppose to be the light. But if we are always complaining or fighting, why would anyone be attracted to the light.
My personal thoughts are that God will hold us accountable for the times that people were turned away from him because of our attitude.
God, forgive me for my mouth. I pray that you would help me to not gripe or complain but to grow in You. Lord, send other to those who have been impacted by my negative attitude to show them the light. Amen.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Witness of Demons
I must say my faith and patient has been tested lately with a patient, who, as my pastors says is "freaky, flaky and weird." This patient certainly has a religious fixation. I admit, I have been judgemental. God forgive me, but the freaky, flaky and weird disclaimer of Pastor Cass clearly has applied.
My husband pointed out that there were weird people in the Bible that people of that time probably labeled as freaky, flaky and weird. He pointed out Noah built an ark, had animals get on it and sealed it up completely before a drop of rain ever fell. Ezekiel was also an extreme person. He dug his way out of his home with a spoon. He cooked dung and ate it - all as messages to the Israelites. In light of this, maybe people would have locked both up in a psych ward.
I guess it all boils down to "Is what is being said or done in line with the Word of God." Or is it a freaky flaky and weird spirit that is placed in this person, or other individuals that is here to destroy the work of Christ. I mean I know that Satan came to steal, kill and destroy, but I thought Demons had to flea in the name of Jesus. I questioned if someone could be demon possessed and truly think they were doing the will of God.
I was lead to Acts 16:16-18 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.
My husband pointed out that there were weird people in the Bible that people of that time probably labeled as freaky, flaky and weird. He pointed out Noah built an ark, had animals get on it and sealed it up completely before a drop of rain ever fell. Ezekiel was also an extreme person. He dug his way out of his home with a spoon. He cooked dung and ate it - all as messages to the Israelites. In light of this, maybe people would have locked both up in a psych ward.
I guess it all boils down to "Is what is being said or done in line with the Word of God." Or is it a freaky flaky and weird spirit that is placed in this person, or other individuals that is here to destroy the work of Christ. I mean I know that Satan came to steal, kill and destroy, but I thought Demons had to flea in the name of Jesus. I questioned if someone could be demon possessed and truly think they were doing the will of God.
I was lead to Acts 16:16-18 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
A Parent's Job
I was driving with my mother to church on Wednesday, reflecting on life. Mostly filling quiet space filling her in on my thoughts from the day. It dawned on me that starting in two and ending in five short years my children will be old enough to move out and start lives of their own. I was saddened by this thought because my life has revolved around my kids. My mom and other family and church members tried to encourage me, that they don't always leave, they come back, etc. I just asked for prayer for guidance and direction.
So today I sat here with my little nephew and my son and just enjoyed them. Laurin was at work, Tim was napping, and Billie Jo is away at camp. My four year old nephew was telling me he was a big boy, and I told him that he could be his mom and dad's big boy, but he is our baby. He was okay with this. I love that little guy! Even during his difficult moments.
Well, as I sit here reflecting again, kids laid down watching TV and texting in the chair next to me, I realized that it is my job. It is my job to prepare my kids to go out on their own. If I am a successful parent, my kids will move out on their own, support themselves, start their own families, make good decision, and start their job as parents. I will be able to watch this process and hopefully be proud of the decisions that they make, because I taught them - you know the important things like being a Christian, love, acceptance, forgiveness, kindness, contentment, hard work, putting others before themselves, honesty, integrity, good morals and values.
It will be hard for me to see my babies become adults, and I will certainly miss the days where they babies, but I think that God will give me the grace to move into the next stage of life knowing that I did my job as a parent to the best of my ability.
So today I sat here with my little nephew and my son and just enjoyed them. Laurin was at work, Tim was napping, and Billie Jo is away at camp. My four year old nephew was telling me he was a big boy, and I told him that he could be his mom and dad's big boy, but he is our baby. He was okay with this. I love that little guy! Even during his difficult moments.
Well, as I sit here reflecting again, kids laid down watching TV and texting in the chair next to me, I realized that it is my job. It is my job to prepare my kids to go out on their own. If I am a successful parent, my kids will move out on their own, support themselves, start their own families, make good decision, and start their job as parents. I will be able to watch this process and hopefully be proud of the decisions that they make, because I taught them - you know the important things like being a Christian, love, acceptance, forgiveness, kindness, contentment, hard work, putting others before themselves, honesty, integrity, good morals and values.
It will be hard for me to see my babies become adults, and I will certainly miss the days where they babies, but I think that God will give me the grace to move into the next stage of life knowing that I did my job as a parent to the best of my ability.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Patience
I have always said that patience is a virtue, one I don't have. Then I heard a message that Patience is a fruit of the Spirit and that the seed is planted in me already. Although I know it is in me, I never pray for it to grow because that means it will have to be tested.
The other day, I was told my car would be ready in about forty-five minutes, and there were no other cars in line. I intentionally waited thirty minutes before even beginning grocery shopping. So I was pretty upset when I got there an hour and a half later and they were still working on my car. So I sat down in the waiting room and made my normal comment about being inpatient.
Billie Jo reminded me that patience is a fruit of the spirit. I said I wasn't being negative (although I was) that I was just tired of waiting. Waiting on the car, waiting on the Cobra to go through for the kids orthodontist appointments, waiting on the mortgage company to release the funds for our roof to be repaired, waiting for Tim to get a job, waiting for a job to come open at the hospital, waiting on the check, waiting, waiting and waiting.
Billie told me that God wanted me to have something but because of my impatience I was keeping God from giving it to me. I thought about it, and I threw my hands up in surrender and said "Okay God I surrender. I am okay with the wait. Teach me what I need to learn to get past this."
Call it a coincidence, I call it a God thing - Billie started laughing, my car drove out of the garage at that exact moment. Great story even if it ended there - but you know God, He does things 100%!
The next day before I went to work I called the Cobra Company, our insurance paperwork finally went through. We needed to make a payment but it shows approved in the system!
Then, I was driving home from work and I called th mortgage company. Brett answered. I gave him the same talk I had given the other fifty people I talked to every day since June 8 before that and guess what he gave me the number to the right person to fix my problem - the number that did not exist for the other people I talked to. So by the end of last week I got the message that the funds would be released for our roof repairs by Thursday of this week!!! In addition, the lady also restructed our loan and brought it up to date with lower payments.
Today Tim got a job, in his field!
I learned last week that a new job should come open in mid-July at the hospital and everyone is asking me if I will apply!
And last, but not least. I have been waiting to get paid from one of my vendors and well - the check came in the mail!
I just praise God that he let my car be late, that he gave my daughter the wisdom to say what she did, gave me the ability to give it up, and that He gets all the glory and honor and praise for it!
The other day, I was told my car would be ready in about forty-five minutes, and there were no other cars in line. I intentionally waited thirty minutes before even beginning grocery shopping. So I was pretty upset when I got there an hour and a half later and they were still working on my car. So I sat down in the waiting room and made my normal comment about being inpatient.
Billie Jo reminded me that patience is a fruit of the spirit. I said I wasn't being negative (although I was) that I was just tired of waiting. Waiting on the car, waiting on the Cobra to go through for the kids orthodontist appointments, waiting on the mortgage company to release the funds for our roof to be repaired, waiting for Tim to get a job, waiting for a job to come open at the hospital, waiting on the check, waiting, waiting and waiting.
Billie told me that God wanted me to have something but because of my impatience I was keeping God from giving it to me. I thought about it, and I threw my hands up in surrender and said "Okay God I surrender. I am okay with the wait. Teach me what I need to learn to get past this."
Call it a coincidence, I call it a God thing - Billie started laughing, my car drove out of the garage at that exact moment. Great story even if it ended there - but you know God, He does things 100%!
The next day before I went to work I called the Cobra Company, our insurance paperwork finally went through. We needed to make a payment but it shows approved in the system!
Then, I was driving home from work and I called th mortgage company. Brett answered. I gave him the same talk I had given the other fifty people I talked to every day since June 8 before that and guess what he gave me the number to the right person to fix my problem - the number that did not exist for the other people I talked to. So by the end of last week I got the message that the funds would be released for our roof repairs by Thursday of this week!!! In addition, the lady also restructed our loan and brought it up to date with lower payments.
Today Tim got a job, in his field!
I learned last week that a new job should come open in mid-July at the hospital and everyone is asking me if I will apply!
And last, but not least. I have been waiting to get paid from one of my vendors and well - the check came in the mail!
I just praise God that he let my car be late, that he gave my daughter the wisdom to say what she did, gave me the ability to give it up, and that He gets all the glory and honor and praise for it!
Temptation
I can't say how many times I have read the story of Jesus being led into the wilderness and his temptation. Last night I read it, and I saw something I completely have missed before and it definitely shed light on the things I face. Coupled with my daughter's insight into my problem with patience (See patience blog), I found new revelation in the story.
Up to this point I have always thought that Jesus was led out into the wilderness, he fasted for forty days and then the devil came out to tempt him. I viewed Jesus being frail and starving from not eating, being tested by Satan. Last night I realized, we just have a brief view of what Jesus faced. Luke 4:1-2 clearly states that Jesus was tempted for 40 days. Maybe those final temptations were at the end of the 30 days, maybe they were during, I don;t know. But Jesus remained strong despite the testing. That is the point.
Luke 4 stated 1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
Jesus was tempted by the devil for forty days, during that time he was fasting, but he was tempted the entire time. So many times we face tests and trials and when God has not delivered us by the end of the week we are just ready to give up on it. Maybe we need to see it through. Maybe we need to suffer through the temptation, continue to be led by the Spirit, standing on God's word, maybe do a little fasting, and we will see the victory a lot sooner! If you keep reading in verse 14 you read that Jesus left there full of the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT! If we want to walk in power we have to go through the temptation.
Up to this point I have always thought that Jesus was led out into the wilderness, he fasted for forty days and then the devil came out to tempt him. I viewed Jesus being frail and starving from not eating, being tested by Satan. Last night I realized, we just have a brief view of what Jesus faced. Luke 4:1-2 clearly states that Jesus was tempted for 40 days. Maybe those final temptations were at the end of the 30 days, maybe they were during, I don;t know. But Jesus remained strong despite the testing. That is the point.
Luke 4 stated 1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
Jesus was tempted by the devil for forty days, during that time he was fasting, but he was tempted the entire time. So many times we face tests and trials and when God has not delivered us by the end of the week we are just ready to give up on it. Maybe we need to see it through. Maybe we need to suffer through the temptation, continue to be led by the Spirit, standing on God's word, maybe do a little fasting, and we will see the victory a lot sooner! If you keep reading in verse 14 you read that Jesus left there full of the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT! If we want to walk in power we have to go through the temptation.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
How to reach them
I was reading in Mark 9:14-15 And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.
As I read this familiar passage, where Jesus heals the boy that the disciples failed to heal, these verses caught my attention. Jesus comes on the scene to find his disciples arguing with the scribes. It is my understanding that the scribes were experts at the Law. So here are Jesus' students, disciples, followers whatever you want to call them - going head to head with the experts in the Law. It had to be heated with "A great multitude" surrounding them.
I am sure much of the argument was because of interpretation. I mean think about how much time has passed since the beginning of the law to now, and how much interpretation there is now - we have experts on everything. One person says sprinkle for baptism, the other says full submission, and there are many others in between. It appears they were arguing because the disciples lacked the miracle working that the crowd wanted that day - whatever it was they were in a heated debate over the technical part of it.
Then in walks Jesus. Didn't say anything, but we read the people caught glimpse of him and immediately were amazed and ran to him. He hadn't done anything, just arrived on the scene and people were amazed. They left the heated debate to run to him.
I thought about how this applies to our lives now. So many times we try to debate with people what the word of God says, what it means, and how it should be applied. I have seen things turn down right ugly as "Christians" try to prove they are right.
But really Jesus is the Word (John 1:14 - the Word became flesh). Just as Jesus came on the scene and people were amazed and ran to him, we should do the same. We need to present the Word, and let the Word stand. The Holy Spirit can bring the revelation to the person, and they will leave the argument and run to God. We don't need to argue it. "Here is what the word of God says......" Then we just need to live as Christ did. The rest of it is God's work.
You notice Jesus didn't join the debate. He simply arrived on the scene. The people were amazed before he did anything. But he still did what was right for him to do - healed the boy.
How many more people would be reach if we just gave them the Word and lived as the Word tells us and showed us to do.
As I read this familiar passage, where Jesus heals the boy that the disciples failed to heal, these verses caught my attention. Jesus comes on the scene to find his disciples arguing with the scribes. It is my understanding that the scribes were experts at the Law. So here are Jesus' students, disciples, followers whatever you want to call them - going head to head with the experts in the Law. It had to be heated with "A great multitude" surrounding them.
I am sure much of the argument was because of interpretation. I mean think about how much time has passed since the beginning of the law to now, and how much interpretation there is now - we have experts on everything. One person says sprinkle for baptism, the other says full submission, and there are many others in between. It appears they were arguing because the disciples lacked the miracle working that the crowd wanted that day - whatever it was they were in a heated debate over the technical part of it.
Then in walks Jesus. Didn't say anything, but we read the people caught glimpse of him and immediately were amazed and ran to him. He hadn't done anything, just arrived on the scene and people were amazed. They left the heated debate to run to him.
I thought about how this applies to our lives now. So many times we try to debate with people what the word of God says, what it means, and how it should be applied. I have seen things turn down right ugly as "Christians" try to prove they are right.
But really Jesus is the Word (John 1:14 - the Word became flesh). Just as Jesus came on the scene and people were amazed and ran to him, we should do the same. We need to present the Word, and let the Word stand. The Holy Spirit can bring the revelation to the person, and they will leave the argument and run to God. We don't need to argue it. "Here is what the word of God says......" Then we just need to live as Christ did. The rest of it is God's work.
You notice Jesus didn't join the debate. He simply arrived on the scene. The people were amazed before he did anything. But he still did what was right for him to do - healed the boy.
How many more people would be reach if we just gave them the Word and lived as the Word tells us and showed us to do.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Revelation on obedience and giving from an unusual story
I was reading in the word last night the story of the triumphant entry of Christ in Jerusalem, I have read the story a number of times before – Jesus sends his disciples to get a colt, they go get it. Jesus comes in, the people lay down the branches and sing “Hosanna and Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Last night as I read it, I had a new revelation about what really happened that day.
Mark 11:1- 11 tells the story as I read it last night. A couple of things caught my attention. The first was the disciples immediately went and did what Jesus told them to do, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”
While I would like to think that I would be obedient, I know from experience that while I might eventually do it, it would likely not be obedient. I mean I know I would have questions run through my head, and maybe the disciples left that part out. I might feel God tell me to go talk to someone about Him and I am reluctant, I drag my feet wanting to know it is Him, wanting reassurance I will say the right thing. That is just to talk to them about Him, not to ask them to give me something for His use. I guess if I felt passionate about it, I probably would with much encouragement from those around me, but they were asking for a valuable piece of property from a stranger, so the Lord could ride into town. WOW!
The second thing that caught my attention was after the disciples did what Jesus told them to, the owner of the colt just “let them go.” I mean a colt is a piece of property. I am no farmer but I am sure colts do not come cheap. And here some guy is told by a group of men that the Lord wants it. And he gives it, just lets it go. That amazes me. I mean some would say it was divine will, and while that is true, God still gave us the power of choice.
Again I would like to think that I would say oh yes, the Lord wants to use my ……, here it is. But the reality is while I have no problem paying tithes, giving to charities, or using my time I am not sure where I would be if God said “Give me your car, I need it.” especially if He sent a group of guys to ask for it. I would probably look at them and think they were trying to steal my car and call the police or the psych ward that these “nuts” thought the Lord told them to “borrow my car.”
As the story goes on, as Jesus is riding into town, on this colt so freely given, people are taking their clothes and laying them on the ground for the colt to walk on! I mean there is not a Mall or Wal-Mart where they can just run out and buy more. Clothes, including the material were all handmade, no Hobby Lobby to run to to by material – they had to use the loom. There were no heavy duty washer and dryer to get them clothes clean, just a river to clean them in. They took what they had and used it to glorify God.
So out of this story, I found revelation that God wants us to be obedient – no questions asked, just do it, immediately. Second, what we have should be used in the labor of Christ – big or small, God gave it all. We don’t need to analyze or get a second opinion, be just need to give it all. I just pray that God will help me apply what has been revealed.
Mark 11:1- 11 tells the story as I read it last night. A couple of things caught my attention. The first was the disciples immediately went and did what Jesus told them to do, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”
While I would like to think that I would be obedient, I know from experience that while I might eventually do it, it would likely not be obedient. I mean I know I would have questions run through my head, and maybe the disciples left that part out. I might feel God tell me to go talk to someone about Him and I am reluctant, I drag my feet wanting to know it is Him, wanting reassurance I will say the right thing. That is just to talk to them about Him, not to ask them to give me something for His use. I guess if I felt passionate about it, I probably would with much encouragement from those around me, but they were asking for a valuable piece of property from a stranger, so the Lord could ride into town. WOW!
The second thing that caught my attention was after the disciples did what Jesus told them to, the owner of the colt just “let them go.” I mean a colt is a piece of property. I am no farmer but I am sure colts do not come cheap. And here some guy is told by a group of men that the Lord wants it. And he gives it, just lets it go. That amazes me. I mean some would say it was divine will, and while that is true, God still gave us the power of choice.
Again I would like to think that I would say oh yes, the Lord wants to use my ……, here it is. But the reality is while I have no problem paying tithes, giving to charities, or using my time I am not sure where I would be if God said “Give me your car, I need it.” especially if He sent a group of guys to ask for it. I would probably look at them and think they were trying to steal my car and call the police or the psych ward that these “nuts” thought the Lord told them to “borrow my car.”
As the story goes on, as Jesus is riding into town, on this colt so freely given, people are taking their clothes and laying them on the ground for the colt to walk on! I mean there is not a Mall or Wal-Mart where they can just run out and buy more. Clothes, including the material were all handmade, no Hobby Lobby to run to to by material – they had to use the loom. There were no heavy duty washer and dryer to get them clothes clean, just a river to clean them in. They took what they had and used it to glorify God.
So out of this story, I found revelation that God wants us to be obedient – no questions asked, just do it, immediately. Second, what we have should be used in the labor of Christ – big or small, God gave it all. We don’t need to analyze or get a second opinion, be just need to give it all. I just pray that God will help me apply what has been revealed.
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