Hello Readers,
This is not my usual style of post, but I thought that I should share some reality. It is good to think about illustrations and applications that we can apply to our lives, but knowing what makes sense and doing what makes sense aren't always synonymous. I am in God's Word regularly and even teach children how to apply what they are learning, but I have to be honest and admit that I don't always apply those truths to my own life.
I know what God instructs us to do and how to behave, but the challenges of life, our flesh, the enemy and frankly our pride, regularly give us excuses for NOT doing what we know are not only pleasing to Him, but best for us! I am so clearly learning to appreciate the words of Paul in Romans 7: 15-20. (See the "Verses of the week") He struggled with it too, which makes me feel better but I still get so darn frustrated with myself. All of this also makes me understand more clearly why God emphasizes the need to be in prayer and in His Word regularly, to put on the Armor of God and to be aware of the enemy's tactics.
Another thing that I am realizing is why David was called "A Man after God's own heart". David knew the gift of forgiveness and didn't allow sin to separate himself from the Lord. I don't know about you, but I feel dirty after I have knowingly sinned and this in itself can keep me from the feet of Jesus. I need to get some distance from my sin first, then I feel a little more "worthy" of being in the presence of Jesus. How silly is that?! Without Jesus, I am NEVER worthy of anything but death and permanent separation from God. WOW. How messed up we truly are! And most of the time we don't even see it. We just plug away at our little lives, doing our daily duties and considering Jesus a little here and a little there. Amazing.
Well, I feel better. As you can probably guess, I have been feeling a little "dirty" lately and needed to come "clean". This side of heaven, we will live in a soiled condition, but praise God we are made "white as snow" through the blood of Jesus! Carry on fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and remember that you are not walking though this life alone. Jesus is there each step of the way and is oh so very willing to wash our feet when they get a little dirty.
Monday, February 24, 2020
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Self-Confidence, Lack of Confidence OR God-Confidence?
Are you pretty enough? Handsome enough? Smart enough? Talented enough? As you ponder these questions, by whose standards are you making the determination? Your own? Your family's? Your culture's? Or, God's?
Very few people are completely confident in themselves. And if they think that they are, a true test would be for them to lose any component of their lives that gives them that confidence. It may shatter their world. Most people may be confident in certain areas of their lives, but are insecure in other areas. This is normal. The sad part is that we tend to allow the areas of our lives where we are confident and insecure rule our behavior and our attitude. We judge our success by how we feel about that area of our lives. In most cases this is a very skewed viewpoint.
I have struggled with my weight for years. Gaining, losing, gaining, losing. When I am thin, I am confident and when I am not, I am completely insecure. I watched a movie last night that was a real eye-opener for me. The lesson I learned from the movie is that when I am wallowing in self-pity over what the scale says I weigh or over how my jeans fit, I am self-focused and hurting those around me. My husband does not deserve my bad attitude because I feel fat. My employer is paying me to be a confident leader and manager and may receive less than that when I am insecure. My family appreciates spending time with me and is neglected when I become a hermit to avoid the humiliation of being in public. All of these examples are the fallout of insecurity.
Confidence can be just as destructive. People who know they are "all that", know everything or can do everything perfectly can repel people. They are hard to have conversations with, can be pushy in business and frankly are just not that fun to be around. If our confidence is self-confidence, it is not offering glory to the Lord or drawing people to the Truth of the Word. In some areas of my life I am confident and can come across as snobbish.
How does this relate to God? Simple. Whether I am confident or insecure, if I am not basing my determination on God's standards, I am consumed with myself. God made each of us in His image. God gave each of us abilities. When I am insecure in myself, I am neglecting to focus on who I am in Christ. Whether confident or insecure, spend time with God seeking a true picture of who you are in Him! If you are confident in Christ, praise Him!! And carry on the good works that He has prepared for you. If you find that you are confident in yourself, repent then move ahead giving God the glory for the gifts with which He has blessed you as you serve Him. If you struggle with insecurities, repent of those as well and ask God to allow you to see yourself as He sees you. He doesn't look at your failures, your wrinkles or your balding head. He looks at your heart, and so should you. Self-esteem or lack of it, is a tool of the enemy. It gets our focus on ourselves and off Jesus. We need to recognize it as such and be done with it! AMEN?
Very few people are completely confident in themselves. And if they think that they are, a true test would be for them to lose any component of their lives that gives them that confidence. It may shatter their world. Most people may be confident in certain areas of their lives, but are insecure in other areas. This is normal. The sad part is that we tend to allow the areas of our lives where we are confident and insecure rule our behavior and our attitude. We judge our success by how we feel about that area of our lives. In most cases this is a very skewed viewpoint.
I have struggled with my weight for years. Gaining, losing, gaining, losing. When I am thin, I am confident and when I am not, I am completely insecure. I watched a movie last night that was a real eye-opener for me. The lesson I learned from the movie is that when I am wallowing in self-pity over what the scale says I weigh or over how my jeans fit, I am self-focused and hurting those around me. My husband does not deserve my bad attitude because I feel fat. My employer is paying me to be a confident leader and manager and may receive less than that when I am insecure. My family appreciates spending time with me and is neglected when I become a hermit to avoid the humiliation of being in public. All of these examples are the fallout of insecurity.
Confidence can be just as destructive. People who know they are "all that", know everything or can do everything perfectly can repel people. They are hard to have conversations with, can be pushy in business and frankly are just not that fun to be around. If our confidence is self-confidence, it is not offering glory to the Lord or drawing people to the Truth of the Word. In some areas of my life I am confident and can come across as snobbish.
How does this relate to God? Simple. Whether I am confident or insecure, if I am not basing my determination on God's standards, I am consumed with myself. God made each of us in His image. God gave each of us abilities. When I am insecure in myself, I am neglecting to focus on who I am in Christ. Whether confident or insecure, spend time with God seeking a true picture of who you are in Him! If you are confident in Christ, praise Him!! And carry on the good works that He has prepared for you. If you find that you are confident in yourself, repent then move ahead giving God the glory for the gifts with which He has blessed you as you serve Him. If you struggle with insecurities, repent of those as well and ask God to allow you to see yourself as He sees you. He doesn't look at your failures, your wrinkles or your balding head. He looks at your heart, and so should you. Self-esteem or lack of it, is a tool of the enemy. It gets our focus on ourselves and off Jesus. We need to recognize it as such and be done with it! AMEN?
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Keeping the "Main Thing" the "Main Theme"
How many friendships and relationships break apart over petty disagreements? In many cases, it starts out with a small conflict that really is pretty stupid, but pride, frustration and other negative components intrude and then ... BAM, a full-blown fight or argument erupts. If complete resolution never occurs, the burning embers of resentment and bitterness smolder lending to an already lit flame the for next disagreement. This modality is the way of the enemy. He loves this type of negative energy especially when it is among the body of Christ. And even more when the arguments involve Biblical concepts and/or truths.
Earlier this week, I found myself in a discussion that could have led to bitterness. I was among a group of mature and experienced believers. We were discussing the "Rapture" and the Second Coming of Jesus. This wasn't an in-depth conversation, but topical in regards to 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. A comment was made that I didn't agree with and I felt my defenses go up. Thank goodness for the Holy Spirit who convicted me immediately of the pride welling up in me. "Just listen" is what I heard internally. Fortunately I obeyed and listened as it spurred a little conversation amongst the other women.
My take away from this situation was a gentle reminder that I tend to be quite prideful and arrogant in my stance when I am on a certain side of a topic. Was this topic doctrinal to the Christian belief in regards to salvation? No. The "Rapture" and Jesus' Second Coming are areas in Scripture that God leaves suspenseful. They are not going to determine one's salvation nor are our questions going to be answered until these events happen. These types of unanswered topics in Scripture are mysteries for us to ponder and to discuss, but allowing these topics to cause rifts between believers, is a tool of the enemy and we need to recognize it as such. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and obedience are key. How do we acquire these? By being in His Word, through prayer and through daily submission to God's will. Will we mess up? Of course! We are human and by nature, prideful and sinful, but the goal in sanctification is to improve a little at a time.
This situation has stuck with me the past few days and I have pondered the reality that I allow my pride to enter relationships daily. How many times do my feathers get ruffled over petty things? In all relationships of life I need to take my own advice and let the "Main Things" be the "Main Themes". Those being, peace, unity, selflessness, gentleness, compassion etc.. If I applied these things to my life more consistently, how much better would my relationships be? Food for thought ...
Earlier this week, I found myself in a discussion that could have led to bitterness. I was among a group of mature and experienced believers. We were discussing the "Rapture" and the Second Coming of Jesus. This wasn't an in-depth conversation, but topical in regards to 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. A comment was made that I didn't agree with and I felt my defenses go up. Thank goodness for the Holy Spirit who convicted me immediately of the pride welling up in me. "Just listen" is what I heard internally. Fortunately I obeyed and listened as it spurred a little conversation amongst the other women.
My take away from this situation was a gentle reminder that I tend to be quite prideful and arrogant in my stance when I am on a certain side of a topic. Was this topic doctrinal to the Christian belief in regards to salvation? No. The "Rapture" and Jesus' Second Coming are areas in Scripture that God leaves suspenseful. They are not going to determine one's salvation nor are our questions going to be answered until these events happen. These types of unanswered topics in Scripture are mysteries for us to ponder and to discuss, but allowing these topics to cause rifts between believers, is a tool of the enemy and we need to recognize it as such. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and obedience are key. How do we acquire these? By being in His Word, through prayer and through daily submission to God's will. Will we mess up? Of course! We are human and by nature, prideful and sinful, but the goal in sanctification is to improve a little at a time.
This situation has stuck with me the past few days and I have pondered the reality that I allow my pride to enter relationships daily. How many times do my feathers get ruffled over petty things? In all relationships of life I need to take my own advice and let the "Main Things" be the "Main Themes". Those being, peace, unity, selflessness, gentleness, compassion etc.. If I applied these things to my life more consistently, how much better would my relationships be? Food for thought ...
Sunday, February 2, 2020
Who Is Your Flock?
If you have been a sincere and earnest follower of Jesus, you have a flock. Do you realize that? Have you considered who your flock may be? As I studied 1st Thessalonians this past week, I gained a greater appreciation for the deep and penetrating love that Paul had for his flock. As he walked the courses of his missionary journeys, he met numerous people, many of whom became true believers in the One True God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus. He may have not know them for much time before moving on to the next city where he preached the gospel and again, made new friends and fellow believers. His letter to the Thessalonians overwhelmed me with the care and encouragement that he desired to express to them; his longing to see them again and to know how they were doing in their faith-walk.
Paul not only took the commission of sharing the gospel seriously, he also knew the importance of the follow-through. He took it as a personal privilege and responsibility to maintain a relationship with these people and to build them up in their faith; like he had a vested interest in their spiritual growth. He did! He was their shepherd and they were his flock. Paul tirelessly prayed for and encouraged his flock. He wrote letters to them and sent others to see them and to check-in on their progress and in some cases to rebuke them for bad habits or poor theology. Near or far, he played an integral role in their spiritual growth.
If you have shared the gospel with just one person who heard, listened and believed, you have a flock. It may be a small one, but you now have the very same privilege and responsibility to continue assisting that person in building their relationship with Jesus. Maybe it is through prayer, phone calls, face-time or taking them to church each Sunday. Maybe the Lord would even ask you to invest time in doing a Bible study with them. Whatever He requests of you, you have a vested interest in that person. If you have been walking with the Lord for a number of years, your flock may be quite large by now.
Does this mean that you need to quit your day job to become a full time shepherd? Well, if that is the Lord's leading then yes, but in most cases keeping a prayer list would be a good start. Write down as many people that you can think of that you have ministered the gospel to. This list in itself will be encouraging to you. You will be amazed as the names come into your mind, at the number of people that you have influenced! From there, as you pray each day, allow the leading of the Lord to pray for those whom He lays on your heart. You can also add to the prayer list the people that are currently in your circle of influence, but not yet believing in the Lord. I did this and was surprised by this number as well. Many of the people that I put on this list, I realized I had never prayed for them.
Our flock needs our support, prayers and encouragement. Think about how you feel when you are encouraged. It is so important and faith-building. Lets do our part as shepherds. Set a goal this week to start your list and watch it grow. Then ask the Lord to help you set aside the time that is necessary to pray, visit and encourage those who are in your flock. Paul is such an outstanding example of this. He worked diligently as a tent-maker, but yet his priority was his job as shepherd. Can you say the same? I can't always and that needs to change!
Paul not only took the commission of sharing the gospel seriously, he also knew the importance of the follow-through. He took it as a personal privilege and responsibility to maintain a relationship with these people and to build them up in their faith; like he had a vested interest in their spiritual growth. He did! He was their shepherd and they were his flock. Paul tirelessly prayed for and encouraged his flock. He wrote letters to them and sent others to see them and to check-in on their progress and in some cases to rebuke them for bad habits or poor theology. Near or far, he played an integral role in their spiritual growth.
If you have shared the gospel with just one person who heard, listened and believed, you have a flock. It may be a small one, but you now have the very same privilege and responsibility to continue assisting that person in building their relationship with Jesus. Maybe it is through prayer, phone calls, face-time or taking them to church each Sunday. Maybe the Lord would even ask you to invest time in doing a Bible study with them. Whatever He requests of you, you have a vested interest in that person. If you have been walking with the Lord for a number of years, your flock may be quite large by now.
Does this mean that you need to quit your day job to become a full time shepherd? Well, if that is the Lord's leading then yes, but in most cases keeping a prayer list would be a good start. Write down as many people that you can think of that you have ministered the gospel to. This list in itself will be encouraging to you. You will be amazed as the names come into your mind, at the number of people that you have influenced! From there, as you pray each day, allow the leading of the Lord to pray for those whom He lays on your heart. You can also add to the prayer list the people that are currently in your circle of influence, but not yet believing in the Lord. I did this and was surprised by this number as well. Many of the people that I put on this list, I realized I had never prayed for them.
Our flock needs our support, prayers and encouragement. Think about how you feel when you are encouraged. It is so important and faith-building. Lets do our part as shepherds. Set a goal this week to start your list and watch it grow. Then ask the Lord to help you set aside the time that is necessary to pray, visit and encourage those who are in your flock. Paul is such an outstanding example of this. He worked diligently as a tent-maker, but yet his priority was his job as shepherd. Can you say the same? I can't always and that needs to change!
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