No One More Than I

In Matthew 18, Jesus tells a story to illustrate His point on forgiveness. I'm sure you've heard it - a King is collecting his debts and calls a servant that owes him an enormous amount of money. The man cannot pay, so the King decides to put him in jail. The man begs and pleads; the king is compassionate and lets him leave. Just as he's left the servant sees another servant who owes him an insignificant amount of money. He goes to collect it and of course the man cannot pay. He gets angry and threatens to throw the man in jail. The man begs and pleads, but the servant does not have compassion, and he throws him in jail anyway. The King hears about it becomes angry and throws the servant in jail saying, 'I just forgave all of your debt, why wouldn't you have forgiven this man his tiny debt to you?'

That's the basic idea anyway. This is a basic lesson that we learn as children - do unto others as you would have them do unto you - or we love because God first loved us - but this morning, it all of a sudden became much more personal to me. I will forgive or try to - and get sidetracked by the lies that say, "uh, well, yeah, at least I wouldn't do that...." I fall into the trap of comparing myself to the person that I'm forgiving instead of remembering where I have come from. The truth is that God has forgiven me a debt so enormous, so huge and overwhelming, that there is no way I could have even come close to ever being able to pay it off - Now, NOTHING that ANYONE ever does to me can come close to comparing to the debt that I had towards God. He set the example - He has forgiven me, therefore, I MUST forgive (and not judge). Wow - I don't know if I can get the full weight across of this truth that I stumbled on this morning - perhaps it is too basic. It is basic, but I've missed it. I've always thought of, "Well, I should forgive this person because I've done something similar and God has forgiven me for that" - comparing situation to situation - Instead of looking at the whole picture - God has forgiven my LIFETIME of sin that placed His ONLY SON on the cross to be tortured and killed. He has forgiven me and now I can forgive anyone who's path I cross any instance of sin. Praise the Lord!

Jesus, please heal my judgementalness. Take it away and make my heart right before You in everything. I love You!

Just Rest

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest or your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I think that I often make my own life tiring and burdensome. I'm wiped out! Still, that doesn't seem to keep me from saying no to new activities and responsibilities. Last night at church we studied a couple of the commandments - 'Remember the Sabbath, keep it holy." Jesus is questioned about keeping the Sabbath and in Mark He states, "the Sabbath was made for man, not Man for the Sabbath." Truthfully, I have not even thought about keeping the Sabbath at all in years, but it seems to me that these thoughts coincide. The point is that we need rest. God knew that we would need rest, so He took a break - while creating the world - to be our example. If God can take a break, why can't I? Is my pride really that out of control to think that whatever business and responsibilities I have are more important that God creating the world?

Its not just a day to sit on the couch and watch TV - its Jesus saying "Come to Me" and "I will give you rest - learn from me. I am gentle (not stressed and snapping at people) and humble in heart." This is the time you (I) spend with the Lord each morning - the time for rest, rejuvenation. However, just a little in the morning doesn't seem to be enough for me. I need more - more time in presence of God to learn from Him - to understand His yoke and His burden.

Matthew 6 - Give me an Undivided Heart!

As the Sermon on the Mount continues, Jesus moves forward with His theme of motivations. Chapter 6 deals with doing good works to be seen by men - going out of your way to make sure that people see you cleaning the church, watching the kids, etc. etc. Jesus says that people like this have their reward (currently) and that they are not investing in their future. He talks specifically about praying and fasting - the things that make us appear to be spiritual. Instead, He says to not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing - keep it quiet.

Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal, for where your treasures is, there your heart will be also."

Make an effort to keep your service to the Lord quiet. Do not sit and talk about what you do, check your motives before speaking. Keep your thoughts always before the Lord asking Him to show you the truth in them! In this way, you are laying up treasures in heaven - investing in your future and your heart (mindset/thoughts/motives) will be set on heaven - eternity. That's my goal. To live my life in light of eternity - with eternity always on my mind, shaping the way I see the world around me. God please help me. Show me what is inside of me. Weed out things that do not please You. Show me the truth of my motivations and clean them up so that I can store my treasure in heaven with You.

Matthew 5 - Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect!

This one chapter is pretty well stuffed with various insights. Mostly, they all seem to work together. Everything in here points to moving beyond the outward appearance and letting God change my heart. He gives me example after example of the difference between just following the law with my actions as opposed to having my motivations changed.... "You have heard it said... but I say to you..."

Jesus is talking about the Law in this chapter and about how He did not come to remove the law but to fulfill it. I don't understand that statement completely, but it seems as though the law is incomplete, unfinished. Jesus came to fill in the gaps. What was missing? I think it is the root motivations for obeying the law. The Jews were so caught up in doing everything just right that their focus was on What they were doing instead of on Why they were doing it. In the end, they missed the point completely. The law said not to murder - Jesus goes to the root and says "do not hate." The law says do not commit adultery - Jesus says, "don't even think about having an affair." He knew these things would be hard - impossible even - so He gave a bit of practical advice. "Whatever is causing (the root) you to sin, get rid of it - cut it off." Why? "Because its better to go without something than it is to lose everything." So I have to ask myself, "What causes me to sin? What do I need to get rid of? What do I need to cut off?" At the moment I'm not even sure.

Jesus cares about what is inside of me. He cares about why I do things (He cares about what I do as well. The why is what differentiates between two of the same action, one could be good and pleasing to the Lord and the other could be as filthy rags before Him).

The chapter closes with Jesus saying, "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." What completes my actions to make them perfect? My motivations.

Save Me From This Man!!!

Psalm 43
"Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me? Why do i go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out Your light and your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to your holy hill And to Your dwelling places. Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God. Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God."

So, tonight I read this from a new perspective that all of a sudden made it relevant to my life- The deceitful and unjust man is the sinful nature that lives inside of me. The sin that continues to rear its head and try to place me back into bondage. Why do I go on mourning the oppression of this sinful nature inside of me? O send out Your light and Your truth - let them lead me. Let them bring me to You!! This is my prayer, God. Bring me to You!!

Exit From Bondage - Exodus 13 & 14

Pharaoh has finally relented and the Israelites are on their way out of Egypt. God says Four times in chapter 3, I have brought you out by strength of hand. I assume its to clear up any confusion about whether it was God that brought them out, Moses that convinced Pharaoh to take them out, or Pharaoh being worn down until he gave in. God knew what it was going to take to get Israel out from the very beginning and He saw it through until the end.

God did not lead the Israelites out through the land of the Philistines even though it was near. He knew that they were not yet ready to see war and that if they did they would regret leaving Egypt and want to return. Its the same now - Whether you are first being saved or continually walking through the steps of being freed from bondage to sin, when God brings us out, He doesn't leave us to fend for ourselves. He protects us from the battles that He knows we cannot win and He brings us to a place of having to depend on Him. For Israel, that place was the Red Sea - a dead end. Here the Egyptians catch up to Israel now that they have changed their minds about letting them go. God steps in to intervene - He holds the Egyptians back, He provides safe passage out for Israel, and then He destroys the once captors of Israel - before their very eyes, without them having to lift a finger. All they had to do was follow the route of escape that He had prepared for them.

I Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

There's the promise and back in Exodus we saw an example. Where's the practicality? Trust God. Look to Him to lead you. Some days will bring temptation and evil that feels like they will overthrow you, but the Word of God says they will not - You will either be given the strength to fight and conquer or a way of escape will be made for you to run through. The bottom line is Trust God.

Faithfulness of God Psalm 119:90

Psalm 119:90
"Your faithfulness endures to all generations. You have established the earth and it stands fast."

Its interesting to read a verse that seems simple and straightforward and then to break it down and put it back together and see a more full and complete meaning begin to surface. When I first read this verse, I was almost bored with it. "Yeah, yeah, I know, God's faithfulness endures to all generations....this is elementary - Christianity 101 - when are we going to get to something deep and life changing?" 2 Timothy 3:16 says that "all scripture is God-breathed and useful..." So really, there shouldn't be any that we just skip over as being simple minded and ordinary.... I want to start with breaking this one down:

Your faithfulness: 'emuwnah - firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness, security
Endures to all generations: dowr - period, age, generation, habitation, dwelling. It comes from the root word duwr - going around, heap up, dwell
You have established: kuwn - to exist, to be, firm, stable, firmly established, be ready, be settled
The earth: 'erets - the whole earth, as opposed to a portion
It stands fast: 'amad - to stand, remain, endure

So rewritten, it could say something like: "Your fidelity and steadiness are like a dwelling place - they are piled up for the age. You have made the earth exist and it still stands.

God's faithfulness surrounds us and it lasts forever. To get the point across, we are given an example of that faithfulness - God created the entire earth and everything on and in it. Beyond just creating it, every moment he is keeping it in place - causing it to remain. Its an interesting example because as human beings our thought process is able to comprehend back to "the beginning of time" or the creation of the world. That is where our life began, so to us, it is the beginning. So here is the example that God has given to us in order to wrap our minds around the concept of His faithfulness - as far back as you can go - as far back as your mind can rationalize - I was there! I was creating your world, giving it form, and I have caused it to last until this very moment. I have been there since the beginning (and even before) and I am here now. I have always been faithful, I am faithful, and the world you live in is just one little bit of proof.

Isn't it beautiful? I recently read a quote by Lee Strobel in "The Case for the Real Jesus" that says, "...my faith is only as good as the One I believe in." Here in Psalm 119:90 God is saying through the psalmist, "I am faithful, your faith is safe in me."

Too Much Pressure

God brought the Israelites to Egypt to escape the 7 years of famine in Joseph's time. They were safe in Egypt. They were not able to intermarry, so they remained separate and flourished. Time goes by, a new Pharaoh arises and slowly the Israelites are turned into slaves. God sees this, thinks on His covenant and sends Moses to lead His people out of bondage. God meets Moses on the top of a mountain and tells him His plan to rescue Israel from Egypt. And then Moses starts:

Exodus 4:10-14

"Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." The Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to say." But he said, "Please Lord, now send the message by whomever you will." The the anger of the Lord burned against Moses and He said, "Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart."

At this point, God had already shown Moses several miracles and still Moses didn't trust Him. Excuse after excuse, Moses did not trust God with his life. He placed too much pressure on himself to perform instead of trusting that God would be able to do whatever He wanted with and through Moses simply because He is God. How many times do I doubt God's ability to do whatever He wants with me. I see my list of failures and I know my weaknesses. Doesn't God know them even more?

The story continues and Moses continues to doubt and question everything that God said He could do. He questioned and doubted God's motives and His ability to be able to work through Moses. Its kind of a depressing story. Imagine all the extra stress causes by just simply not trusting God.

Jesus, My Kinsman Redeemer

The story of Ruth centers around her Kinsman Redeemer, Boaz. It is a beautiful representation of what Jesus has done for us. The word Redeemer means to buy back, to ransom, to purchase. There were 3 qualification for a Kinsman Redeemer - 1. You must have the RIGHT to redeem what was lost, 2. You must have the ABILITY to redeem what was lost, 3. You must WANT to redeem what was lost. You can look at it two ways to prove that Jesus has the RIGHT to redeem us - 1. He created us in his image 2. He became man to be like us. Perhaps its the combination of the two. Either way, he is our next of kin, and therefore has the RIGHT to redeem us. The payment needed was that of a perfect sacrifice which only Jesus had the ABILITY to provide. Thirdly, He WANTED to redeem us. We were originally created for fellowship with Him. His sacrifice enables us to have that once again - now and for all eternity.

God meant it for good

Genesis 45:5-8

"Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now therefore it was not you who sent me here but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt."

Genesis 50:20

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones. So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them."

I'm sure that you're at least partially aware of the story of Joseph. So here's a very short summation that will in no way do the story any kind of justice - He was his father's favorite son. All of his brothers hated him. They hated him so much that they sold him into slavery and went back to his father claiming he was dead. Joseph worked hard as a slave and became the overseer of all the other slaves in the household where he lived. One day he was wrongfully accused of a crime and thrown in jail. While in jail, he was faithful and 'promoted' to be in charge of all the other prisoners. During this time he interpreted 2 dreams for men in the jail. One was set free and the other was killed. Some time later Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret and the man who had been set free remembered Joseph. Joseph was brought before Pharaoh and the Lord gave him the interpretation to his dream. Egypt would have 7 years of fruitful harvest that would be followed by 7 years of severe famine. Pharaoh didn't know what to do, so he placed Joseph in charge of everything - all of Egypt, higher than everyone except himself. The famine spread and affected everyone in the land. Joseph's brothers went to Egypt to buy food and now they find themselves face to face with Joseph - the most powerful man in Egypt - whom they had sold into slavery. Joseph's response to them is written above. "It was not you who sent me here but God." That was Joseph's heart. God was in control of his circumstances in life and he knew it with every fiber of his being. And knowing that, enabled him to forgive his brothers for the awful things they had done to him without holding onto any bitterness. You cannot fully trust God and be angry at people for what they do to you. You either believe that God is in complete control and working out a master plan or you don't. Its very simple - very difficult - but very simple. Joseph knew that God was in control when he was a slave. That is why he worked hard and showed himself to be faithful and full of character - not for his master, but for his Master - God. As a result of being faithful and full of good character, Joseph was taken from being a slave and thrown in jail like a common criminal (nice reward) Where was God in that one?? In control. We have come to believe this false idea that God being in control equals some kind of physical blessing - money - power - position - friends - health. Its a lie from Satan himself. We fight against uncomfortable situations and do whatever we can to get out of them. Instead of looking for an escape, Joseph chose to thrive - exactly where he was, no matter where he was. He worked hard and waited on the Lord. In the end, God took care of everything - He provided for Joseph, He provided for Joseph's family, He healed broken relationships, and ensured the survival of His chosen people.

How many times a day do you doubt that God is in complete control? How many sinful reactions can be avoided by shifting your mindset?

Hidden in my heart - II Corinthians 10:3-6

II Corinthians 10:3-6

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

I decided this morning that I must learn this verse. Christians use the term "taking every thought captive" all the time, and I really had no idea where it came from. I'm trying to make more of an effort to understand where the different cliche's come from that we so often use and what their complete context is. This verse in particular is important to me because my thoughts wander something terrible! I'll be in the middle of praying and the next thing I know I'm dwelling on thoughts of being angry towards someone or thinking about what I'd like to say to someone. Its a bit ridiculous really. So here is my new verse and my prayer is that the Lord will bring it to my mind each time my mind begins to wander. Perhaps one day those thoughts will disappear altogether.

Hidden in my heart - I John 4:18

I John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

I'm going to try to explain this one the best I can.... it might take a while-

Recently my Pastor spoke on sin and made the comment that perpetual sins in your life are a result of unbelief in your heart. It didn't make a ton of sense to me at the beginning, but the thought stayed with me throughout my week and as different moments of sin arose I quickly saw the truth of what he had said. For instance, my husband just had internet and cable installed in our home. We went with one company for high speed internet and another for HDTV. Along with HDTV comes a host of channels that I really wanted nothing to do with. I see it as a waste of money and just another distraction added to our lives. So, the day the installers were here at our house I threw a bit of a fit - mostly inward - but a fit nonetheless. left the house and went and sat in a parking lot and cried out to God (I know it seems a bit dramatic, but it had been a tough week). I explained to God why I was so upset. His reply was my Pastor's words, "your sin is a result of unbelief in your heart." So I tried to sort it out... I'm angry and I through a fit to ruin my husband's happiness with all of his new toys. Where does unbelief fit in? Really it was all over the place, but I think the main bit was I was afraid that the TV would consume my husband's life and become all he cares about. I didn't have the faith to trust the Lord to see it through. Ultimately, it was my unbelief towards God that caused me to sin toward my husband. I prayed and asked the Lord to forgive me and walked away with a completely new perspective. My husband works very hard at his job in order to provide for us. One of the things he REALLY REALLY loves is to watch sports - all of them, but most of all football - and that's all he does watch - nothing trashy - and not all the time. But its what he enjoys - and after a long day working hard its what I feel he deserves and should be able to enjoy without his wife off pouting in the corner. The TV hasn't been an issue since. (Praise God!)

Good job - you've made it through all of that, now I'm going to try and tie it back in =)

Fear is unbelief - not trusting God and taking matters into your own hands (even if its just to worry). God IS love - the very essence of it. There is no fear in God because He IS everything - in control of everything - bigger than everything - the creator of everything - it goes on and on. There is no fear in love - there is no room for it. Perfect love casts out fear. Fear, which is ultimately sin, involves punishment (the consequence) and the one who fears is not perfected in love. Its through coming to a more full and more complete understanding of God and his power that we love him more and trust him more. As that love grows, our fears fade. Our trust increases and our unbelief is swept away as we continue to be perfected in love.

Hidden in my heart - Romans 14:12 & 13

Romans 14:12 & 13

So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

This one hits me pretty hard because it is a constant struggle for me to not default to being judgemental at any given moment. Its so easy to look at a person and see everything wrong that they are doing and quickly compare it to everything wrong that you are NOT doing (or so it seems). My struggles have been mostly carnal and fleshly. With people that struggle in similar ways I have unending compassion and I work hard to help them and be a good example. With people on the opposite side of the spectrum, semi-legalistic, proud and straight laced, I have little to no compassion for. I find myself going out of my way to prove that it doesn't matter how you look or the sound of the music you listen to that determines your depth of a relationship with Jesus. Instead of "bearing up" along side them and loving them, I quickly judge and almost look to offend. What I really should be doing is choosing to NOT put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in their way, and LOVING them the same way Jesus does. Memorizing this verse helps me to stay focused on the company that I am in and what I can do to be a light at that moment instead of pushing what I think is important or what I want to do. It takes the focus off of me and puts it on the people surrounding me.

Hidden in my heart - Genesis 2:18

Genesis 2:18

Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper *suitable for him."

*corresponding to

Isn't that beautiful? I was made as a "suitable" helper for my husband - specifically "corresponding" to him. This just jumped out at me when I first started reading through Genesis. I think its awesome the way God works. I pray that he will make me more and more a helper that specificly corresponds to my husband's needs.

Hidden in my heart - Psalm 4:4-8

Psalm 4:4-8

Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.

Out of the verses I have recently chosen to memorize, this has been the most useful. I probably say it to myself at least once a day - not to practice - just to keep myself from blowing up. You know what, it works! The moment I feel myself begin to be offended or my pride to be stepped on, or just plain irritated with someone, "Be angry and do not sin" pops into my head. Then I think about the rest of the verse. This one is so powerful to me, because it not only says what Not To Do, it gives the What To Do. "Do not sin." How?? The answer is "meditate within your heart on your bed and be still." In other words, don't complain about the offense to others, don't run and 'vent' to your confidants. Meditate on it - but it doesn't stop there. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness - Bring it to the Lord. Share your hurt, your causes for offense, your frustrations with him. (Warning!! Chances are He'll show you your part in being offended or hurt in the first place) And to wrap it up, "Put your trust in the Lord." Know that He is in control. Know that He loves you. Know that He will always take care of you and that He will work out every situation for His glory. Praise God!!

Building a Remembrance

A remembrance is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as: something that serves to keep in or bring to mind. Many of the admired men in the Bible built alters, set up memorials, and changed the names of places in order to serve as a remembrance of the things God spoke to them or did for them. Me, well, I'm hoping to make this blog a remembrance - in order to look back over all the things that God has spoken to me through His Word and to track answered prayers.

It seems that every time the Lord uses a story in His Word to speak to me, I have an opportunity to share it with someone else to encourage them. Making these 'lessons' accessible to anyone who's interested seemed like the next logical step. I hope that you are blessed.