"In the morning you will see the dazzling light of the Lord's presence." Exodus 16:7. This particular scripture is actually Moses and Aaron telling the children of Israel that, because of their complaining, God was going to give them all the food they needed the next morning. These people had seen miracle after miracle but had forgotten what their Lord had done!
Wow.....they were complaining about food. I find it interesting, well it's God, that He directed me to this passage early this morning and then the sermon I heard at church not long after included the same thought! During his sermon the minister mentioned "So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt", a song by Keith Green, one of the first Contemporary Christian artists. I hadn't thought of that song in years until the minister mentioned it this morning. So let's explore that idea just a bit.
As the story goes, the Israelites were God's chosen people. Through a series of events, they became slaves to the Egyptians who didn't worship God. Moses, one of the Israelites, had been rescued from floating in a basket as the Princess and her maidens were bathing in the river. Pretty much all the other baby boys born at that time were killed by order of the Pharaoh but Moses' mother and sister were able to save his life by allowing him to be rescued by the Pharaoh's daughter. Little did they know what God had in store for Moses and His people! As he grew up, Moses knew he was different. He looked different than his 'royal family'. He knew how he came to live in the palace. And he knew where his heart was.
After years of disobedience and obedience, growing, learning, and God speaking to Moses from a burning bush even, Moses was leading God's people out of slavery. It took some doin' to get them out of Egypt. Pharaoh kept changing his mind and God kept raining down plagues. The Israelites would obey God's commands and not suffer the consequences of the plagues. The Egyptians wouldn't listen and suffered, finally to the point that the Israelites were told to go just to get the plagues to stop.
Well once again Pharaoh changed his mind. In front of God's people was the Red Sea. Behind them was a whole slew of Egyptian soldiers coming to take them back to Egypt where they would be once again enslaved. (If you've ever watched "The Ten Commandments" you are probably picturing all this in your mind just like I am right now.) And yes I wrote about this in Walk Like An Egyptian recently. You know what that means.....God must be trying to tell ME something when He has me writing about the same subject this quickly!
Anyway, the people had survived the plagues, been given miracle after miracle including God rolling back the Red Sea so that they walked on DRY ground and then He had the same sea drown the Egyptian soldiers who were chasing them and trying to stop them. And here they were, complaining again. They even said they would be better off in Egypt as slaves! Oh my. How soon we forget what God has brought us out of.
Did God just give up on them right then and there? Did He tell them He had taken all their mouthing He was going to take? Did He turn away from them? No. He provided food for them. In His way. To teach them to trust and obey. He loved them and had an amazing promised land ahead for them. All they had to do was trust and obey Him.
What has God done for you that you have already forgotten? Did He forgive you? Did He heal you? Did He put your family back together? Did He provide a job for you so that you could support your family? You probably thanked Him at the time. But how long did it take before you were complaining about something else? Do you still look at that healing, that restoration, that job as a gift from Him?
Many things have come to mind recently that I had asked God for and then complained as He started the process for those things to happen. Things didn't go the way I thought they should and I didn't like it. I didn't trust Him. And I can see that now. Sure there was some time in the wilderness learning to trust Him. But He knew where I was all along. Sometimes I gave up and went back to Egypt. But no more. There's no peace there. Only slavery. Only hardship. I'm bound for the Promised Land!
What has God provided for you that you have forgotten all about? What did you ask Him for but now you're complaining about it? Walk out in that wilderness if that's what He tells you to do. He has a plan. Trust Him. Let Egypt be a memory. Keep walking in faith. Live in awe of the dazzling light of the Lord's presence. And be ready for your promised land. God ALWAYS keeps His promises. That's what the children of Israel needed to see. That's what we need to see today. In the desert. In the wilderness. In times of what seems to be suffering and pain. Trust Him. The Promised Land is coming.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Stray Dogs and Funny People (Or "Who Let the Dogs Out?" and Turn Up Your Hearing Aid)
Who Let the Dogs Out?
What a morning. Four, yes FOUR stray dogs showed up at our house before 7 AM! Because of car issues and the family having to pull together for rides, one of our sons was up early to drop dad off at work. Apparently around the time he got back home, somebody let the dogs out.
Having trained our Pippa to do her business outside, sit, stay, lay down, dance and shake hands, this particular son (or brother as we refer to him when talking to Pippa the Pomeranian) has become quite the 'dog whisperer'. So when he saw two dogs near our driveway, he was able to get one to come to him and hold it while taking pictures of both and getting the phone number off the tag of one. Soon these little guys were on their way to being rescued.
So I wonder.....what are the odds that two more dogs would show up just before the first two were picked up. Yes, as our son stood talking to the owner of the first two dogs, he was holding dog number three and dog number four was near by! This time neither dog wore a collar so returning them to their owners was a bit more of a challenge. Carrying around the little red Pomeranian mix and joined by a very sweet pit bull with amazing green eyes, our dog whisperer walked briefly around the neighborhood. When he realized he wasn't going to find the owners that way, he called me. We chose to put the dogs in our back yard and call authorities to see if someone reported them missing.
Well the next thing I knew, these two visitors were in puppy school on our back deck. Both were looking up at our son, tails wagging, as he told them to sit! He had their full attention and they were ready learn. Wondering if he's missed his career calling!
After several calls to animal control and the Humane Society trying to just let someone know we had those two sweet visitors, we finally got in contact with the owners and scheduled for them to pick up their, by then, rain soaked dogs. Yes, we were happy to have helped. No we weren't so happy to see the demolished cushions in our backyard swing..........
So tonight I was home alone briefly. Who do you think tells everyone else to close the door so our Pippa doesn't get out? Me, of course. And who do you think forgot and left the door open and let our dog out? Me, of course. Grabbing a squeaky toy, my phone and saying a prayer, I headed out the door to get our dog. (She got out last week and her daddy was able to catch her with no drama, chase or problem. Unfortunately things didn't turn out the same way for mom.)
Running up the street in my heels, I enlisted the help of a neighbor who had just gotten home. She ran one direction and I ran the other, hoping to catch dear Pips in the middle. Seeing Pippa in what I assumed was the alley behind the neighboring houses, I just knew I would catch her. That is, until I rounded the corner and realized she had somehow gotten in their yard! Squeaking the little purple duck I had taken to get her attention, Pippa looked at me like I was pretty stupid and continued running around that yard and playing. I asked the neighbor to close her gate. Of course, just as she got to the gate, Pippa bolted right past her and started running circles again.
By now a man in his late 70s or maybe even 80s who had been riding his bicycle up the street had gotten involved in the chase. He couldn't do a whole lot but lend moral support but he did shew the dog back up in the yard when she started towards the street. After he did that a couple of times, Pippa started circling the neighbor just fast enough that every time she made a grab for the little maniac, her hands came up empty. I don't know how this nice lady didn't get dizzy and fall down from turning in circles trying to catch that little stinker but she didn't and finally had Pippa firmly in her grasp. No I didn't beat the whooy out of our darling little dog like I had wanted to. Just held on to her and was thankful things didn't get worse.
Turn Up Your Hearing Aid
Just a brief observation that probably couldn't be a full blog on it's own. Have you ever noticed that practically everyone has selective hearing at one time or another? I actually grew up in a family where, once the men in particular reached a certain age, hearing aids were a normal part of their attire. So they had a 'legitimate' excuse for not hearing at times......well they thought they did anyway. Because I daily deal with elderly people, having a customer who's hearing aid is ringing, buzzing or has a dead battery is nothing out of the ordinary. I've been cussed, very loudly. Often too much information is shared with me while the speaker thinks only I am being brought into their private situation involving hemorrhoids, digestive issues or surgery recovery.
I believe I've mentioned before how hubby and I are like George Burns and Gracie Allen when at a cash register or have some other captive audience. Well I've gotten a glimpse of how we will be in another 25 years. While visiting not long ago with a nice couple who never fails to entertain me, the Mrs and I were having a nice conversation when the Mr, who had walked away briefly for a cup of coffee or something, came back and joined us. He sat down just as his wife was finishing a statement about some one's reputation. He got a funny look on his face, leaned forward quickly, and said "Reservation? Where are you goin'?" And with that I simply say, "Turn up your hearing aid".
What a morning. Four, yes FOUR stray dogs showed up at our house before 7 AM! Because of car issues and the family having to pull together for rides, one of our sons was up early to drop dad off at work. Apparently around the time he got back home, somebody let the dogs out.
Having trained our Pippa to do her business outside, sit, stay, lay down, dance and shake hands, this particular son (or brother as we refer to him when talking to Pippa the Pomeranian) has become quite the 'dog whisperer'. So when he saw two dogs near our driveway, he was able to get one to come to him and hold it while taking pictures of both and getting the phone number off the tag of one. Soon these little guys were on their way to being rescued.
So I wonder.....what are the odds that two more dogs would show up just before the first two were picked up. Yes, as our son stood talking to the owner of the first two dogs, he was holding dog number three and dog number four was near by! This time neither dog wore a collar so returning them to their owners was a bit more of a challenge. Carrying around the little red Pomeranian mix and joined by a very sweet pit bull with amazing green eyes, our dog whisperer walked briefly around the neighborhood. When he realized he wasn't going to find the owners that way, he called me. We chose to put the dogs in our back yard and call authorities to see if someone reported them missing.
Well the next thing I knew, these two visitors were in puppy school on our back deck. Both were looking up at our son, tails wagging, as he told them to sit! He had their full attention and they were ready learn. Wondering if he's missed his career calling!
After several calls to animal control and the Humane Society trying to just let someone know we had those two sweet visitors, we finally got in contact with the owners and scheduled for them to pick up their, by then, rain soaked dogs. Yes, we were happy to have helped. No we weren't so happy to see the demolished cushions in our backyard swing..........
So tonight I was home alone briefly. Who do you think tells everyone else to close the door so our Pippa doesn't get out? Me, of course. And who do you think forgot and left the door open and let our dog out? Me, of course. Grabbing a squeaky toy, my phone and saying a prayer, I headed out the door to get our dog. (She got out last week and her daddy was able to catch her with no drama, chase or problem. Unfortunately things didn't turn out the same way for mom.)
Running up the street in my heels, I enlisted the help of a neighbor who had just gotten home. She ran one direction and I ran the other, hoping to catch dear Pips in the middle. Seeing Pippa in what I assumed was the alley behind the neighboring houses, I just knew I would catch her. That is, until I rounded the corner and realized she had somehow gotten in their yard! Squeaking the little purple duck I had taken to get her attention, Pippa looked at me like I was pretty stupid and continued running around that yard and playing. I asked the neighbor to close her gate. Of course, just as she got to the gate, Pippa bolted right past her and started running circles again.
By now a man in his late 70s or maybe even 80s who had been riding his bicycle up the street had gotten involved in the chase. He couldn't do a whole lot but lend moral support but he did shew the dog back up in the yard when she started towards the street. After he did that a couple of times, Pippa started circling the neighbor just fast enough that every time she made a grab for the little maniac, her hands came up empty. I don't know how this nice lady didn't get dizzy and fall down from turning in circles trying to catch that little stinker but she didn't and finally had Pippa firmly in her grasp. No I didn't beat the whooy out of our darling little dog like I had wanted to. Just held on to her and was thankful things didn't get worse.
Turn Up Your Hearing Aid
Just a brief observation that probably couldn't be a full blog on it's own. Have you ever noticed that practically everyone has selective hearing at one time or another? I actually grew up in a family where, once the men in particular reached a certain age, hearing aids were a normal part of their attire. So they had a 'legitimate' excuse for not hearing at times......well they thought they did anyway. Because I daily deal with elderly people, having a customer who's hearing aid is ringing, buzzing or has a dead battery is nothing out of the ordinary. I've been cussed, very loudly. Often too much information is shared with me while the speaker thinks only I am being brought into their private situation involving hemorrhoids, digestive issues or surgery recovery.
I believe I've mentioned before how hubby and I are like George Burns and Gracie Allen when at a cash register or have some other captive audience. Well I've gotten a glimpse of how we will be in another 25 years. While visiting not long ago with a nice couple who never fails to entertain me, the Mrs and I were having a nice conversation when the Mr, who had walked away briefly for a cup of coffee or something, came back and joined us. He sat down just as his wife was finishing a statement about some one's reputation. He got a funny look on his face, leaned forward quickly, and said "Reservation? Where are you goin'?" And with that I simply say, "Turn up your hearing aid".
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Walk Like an Egyptian
Well depending on your age, once you've read the title of this post you probably have a Bangles brain worm. Sorry....If it's any consolation, so do I!
I don't know that I've been walking like an Egyptian lately but my 'gait' has been something to see. Early last week we had a date night that ended with dancing. Well not your normal dinner and dancing. We went out to dinner all right. And then stopped by the nursing home for a visit where we were greeted with old time country music. Couldn't help but grab my husband by the hand and twirl around! Our show was obviously enjoyed and we had a good time "cutting a rug". Well-----tile but you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few days later I was hit with a bout of vertigo. I found myself grabbing walls, chairs, whatever or whoever was handy when the world suddenly would spin too fast. Our kids thought they were being funny with comments like "Do we need to get you Life Alert". Or "Should we get you a walker? One with tennis balls on the legs and maybe a horn? It probably comes with a Jitter Bug cell phone."
While dealing with vertigo is definitely not fun, and constantly explaining 'I'm not drunk!' can get a bit tiring, resting to get over it does allow time for thinking. In fact, this weekend while resting I felt the Lord encourage me to "take every thought captive" so I looked it up. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says "The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; We pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; We take every thought captive and make it obey Christ."
As I often do, I began looking though my thousands of pictures on my phone and iPad so that I could use one as a background for "....take every thought captive and make it obey Christ." One caught my eye that I had completely forgotten about. It was taken in either Florida or Alabama I think, almost two years ago as we were working our way home at the end of our vacation. We had been driving for quite some time and the sun was setting in front of us. Suddenly it looked like that the road disappeared into water! It wasn't really a bridge. Not a high bridge anyway. It really looked like the road was going down right into the water, right in front of us. There was no turning around. No way to go but forward.
Of course I quickly picked up my phone and started snapping pictures that evening as we drove closer towards what looked like a disappearing road. And I remembered. For years I had had dreams about a road that looked exactly like what what in front of us. There was no way back. The dream brought on panic and fear.....probably much like the Israelites felt as they stood by the Red Sea. The closer we got though, the more we could see that we were crossing on dry land!
Anyway, as I was preparing the picture with the verse on Saturday, the words "see the Egyptians no more" came to mind. So, of course, I looked it up. Wow. Took those pictures almost two years ago, had those dreams for many years, and God was putting it all together for me that morning!
"Moses answered, "Don't be afraid! Stand your ground, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today; you will never see these Egyptians again. The Lord will fight for you, and there is no need for you to do anything." The Lord said to Moses. "Why are you crying out for help? Tell the people to move forward. Lift up your stick and hold it over the sea. The water will divide, and the Israelites will be able to walk through the sea on dry ground. I will make the Egyptians so stubborn that they will go in after them, and I will gain honour by my victory over the king, his army, his chariots, and his drivers. When I defeat them, the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." Exodus 14:13-18.
Did God give the Egyptians chances to come to Him? I believe He did. Joseph lived with them for many years and even saved their lives. Moses grew up with them and they could have learned from his God. But they were too stubborn. So stubborn, in fact, that they walked, ran, rode and drove chariots right into the Red Sea as they chased after the Israelites. Then what happened? They knew God was Lord! Did it do them any good at that point? Nope. It was too late for them.
Do you have any Egyptians in your life? Don't try to fight them on your own. Let God lead you out. Take every thought captive and make it obey Christ. Don't even allow thoughts of fear or unbelief. Step out in faith onto dry ground as God rolls back the sea. Don't look back. Let God take care of the Egyptians like He said He would.
Are you currently walking like an Egyptian? Is God right there, placing people and situations in your life, like Joseph or Moses, in an effort to bring you to Him? Are you going to follow Him? Because, if you don't, there will come a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Romans 14:11) EVERY knee. EVERY tongue. Not just some. EVERY. That definitely includes you and me.
It goes on to say in verse 12 "Every one of us, then, will have to give an account of ourselves to God." So which will it be? Every one of us, EVERYONE OF US, will give an account of ourselves to God. Will you walk up to the Lord as His child? Will He say "well done" and welcome you into Heaven? Or will you walk like an Egyptian, drown in the sea of your own stubbornness, and spend eternity in hell? It really is your choice. Please choose wisely before it's too late.
I don't know that I've been walking like an Egyptian lately but my 'gait' has been something to see. Early last week we had a date night that ended with dancing. Well not your normal dinner and dancing. We went out to dinner all right. And then stopped by the nursing home for a visit where we were greeted with old time country music. Couldn't help but grab my husband by the hand and twirl around! Our show was obviously enjoyed and we had a good time "cutting a rug". Well-----tile but you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few days later I was hit with a bout of vertigo. I found myself grabbing walls, chairs, whatever or whoever was handy when the world suddenly would spin too fast. Our kids thought they were being funny with comments like "Do we need to get you Life Alert". Or "Should we get you a walker? One with tennis balls on the legs and maybe a horn? It probably comes with a Jitter Bug cell phone."
While dealing with vertigo is definitely not fun, and constantly explaining 'I'm not drunk!' can get a bit tiring, resting to get over it does allow time for thinking. In fact, this weekend while resting I felt the Lord encourage me to "take every thought captive" so I looked it up. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says "The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; We pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; We take every thought captive and make it obey Christ."
As I often do, I began looking though my thousands of pictures on my phone and iPad so that I could use one as a background for "....take every thought captive and make it obey Christ." One caught my eye that I had completely forgotten about. It was taken in either Florida or Alabama I think, almost two years ago as we were working our way home at the end of our vacation. We had been driving for quite some time and the sun was setting in front of us. Suddenly it looked like that the road disappeared into water! It wasn't really a bridge. Not a high bridge anyway. It really looked like the road was going down right into the water, right in front of us. There was no turning around. No way to go but forward.
Of course I quickly picked up my phone and started snapping pictures that evening as we drove closer towards what looked like a disappearing road. And I remembered. For years I had had dreams about a road that looked exactly like what what in front of us. There was no way back. The dream brought on panic and fear.....probably much like the Israelites felt as they stood by the Red Sea. The closer we got though, the more we could see that we were crossing on dry land!
Anyway, as I was preparing the picture with the verse on Saturday, the words "see the Egyptians no more" came to mind. So, of course, I looked it up. Wow. Took those pictures almost two years ago, had those dreams for many years, and God was putting it all together for me that morning!
"Moses answered, "Don't be afraid! Stand your ground, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today; you will never see these Egyptians again. The Lord will fight for you, and there is no need for you to do anything." The Lord said to Moses. "Why are you crying out for help? Tell the people to move forward. Lift up your stick and hold it over the sea. The water will divide, and the Israelites will be able to walk through the sea on dry ground. I will make the Egyptians so stubborn that they will go in after them, and I will gain honour by my victory over the king, his army, his chariots, and his drivers. When I defeat them, the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." Exodus 14:13-18.
Did God give the Egyptians chances to come to Him? I believe He did. Joseph lived with them for many years and even saved their lives. Moses grew up with them and they could have learned from his God. But they were too stubborn. So stubborn, in fact, that they walked, ran, rode and drove chariots right into the Red Sea as they chased after the Israelites. Then what happened? They knew God was Lord! Did it do them any good at that point? Nope. It was too late for them.
Do you have any Egyptians in your life? Don't try to fight them on your own. Let God lead you out. Take every thought captive and make it obey Christ. Don't even allow thoughts of fear or unbelief. Step out in faith onto dry ground as God rolls back the sea. Don't look back. Let God take care of the Egyptians like He said He would.
Are you currently walking like an Egyptian? Is God right there, placing people and situations in your life, like Joseph or Moses, in an effort to bring you to Him? Are you going to follow Him? Because, if you don't, there will come a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Romans 14:11) EVERY knee. EVERY tongue. Not just some. EVERY. That definitely includes you and me.
It goes on to say in verse 12 "Every one of us, then, will have to give an account of ourselves to God." So which will it be? Every one of us, EVERYONE OF US, will give an account of ourselves to God. Will you walk up to the Lord as His child? Will He say "well done" and welcome you into Heaven? Or will you walk like an Egyptian, drown in the sea of your own stubbornness, and spend eternity in hell? It really is your choice. Please choose wisely before it's too late.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Free
What are you in bondage too? What enslaves you? Maybe you don't even realize what's really going on. Are you angry? Bitter? Have you told a lie and then had to tell another and another just to cover up the first lie? Perhaps you've taken something that doesn't belong to you. Or maybe you want something that belongs to someone else. Do you find yourself jealous when someone gets something and you don't? Are you addicted to anything? Do you have to have whatever that is to get over an issue or deal with something?
I've been using the Good News translation of the Bible lately and I have to say it has really brought things to life for me! For example: John 8:36 "If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free." Ok so we were just discussing what we were enslaved to. And we've heard "if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed" and I agree! But how powerful this has become to me with this translation! If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free! REALLY FREE!
Wanna know what freedom is really like? Well lets start with our questions from the first paragraph. If you have Jesus as your Lord, you are free. How? Anger--you will find yourself on a better level emotionally and won't let anger take over your life. Things that used to set you off won't do so as easily anymore. Oh it's ok to get upset about something. But God will show us a way to do it so that we don't hurt others or make Him look bad! After all, if we claim to be Christians, don't we represent Him?
What about bitterness? Hebrews 12:15 tells us "Guard against turning back from the grace of God. Let no one become like a bitter plant that grows up and causes many troubles with its poison." So do you want to be free? Pray. Ask God to show you where your bitterness comes from, and give it to Him. He will set you free. If you need to forgive someone, forgive. If you need to confess to someone you've wronged and ask their forgiveness, then do it. Obey whatever God tells you to do.
Lying. Oh boy. Been called Pinocchio? When we were kids I think we were kinda lead to believe that lying was the worst sin ever! We knew we were going to hell if we lied! I remember lying twice as a child and I also remember thinking the first time I lied that satan (aka the ole' booger man) would come up out of the ground, grab me and take me back to hell forever! Thing is, telling a lie, like all sin, is bad. And when you tell one lie and then have to tell another or you are caught in the first lie, that turns into bondage doesn't it? John 8:32 says "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free". Truth? Jesus IS truth! Do you know Him? Then you can be set free from the bondage of lies if you just come to Him. Meet Truth face to face.
Hmmm....taken anything that wasn't yours lately? Been jealous that someone had something you wanted so you coveted it? Schemed so that you could have it? Like some of these others, we can go back to the 10 Commandments for that one. Doesn't matter what it is, if it belongs to someone else it's not yours so hands off! And for that matter, mind off! Even thinking about wanting something that doesn't belong to you can become enslaving. You will find yourself thinking up ways to get it and you won't care who it hurts. NOT God's plan.
Now addictions come in all shapes and sizes. I used to claim that I was addicted to chocolate and joked that the streets of Heaven would be paved in gold foil, not gold. And when we pulled back that gold foil we would find Hershey's milk chocolate! Well I quite joking like that when I had some health issues and now I can't remember how long it has been since I had Hershey's milk chocolate. Health issues did away with my addiction and that's a good thing. But the Lord then convicted me of my attitude about chocolate and that was the real problem. That addiction held me in bondage and made me believe I couldn't live without Hershey's milk chocolate. Guess what......I can.
God has a plan for your life. It's not to live scheming, lying, stealing, bitter etc. Jesus died so you don't have to live that way. He wants to know us and when He knows us, free us. And the only way you can be free, REALLY FREE, is to give your life completely to Him.
I've been using the Good News translation of the Bible lately and I have to say it has really brought things to life for me! For example: John 8:36 "If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free." Ok so we were just discussing what we were enslaved to. And we've heard "if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed" and I agree! But how powerful this has become to me with this translation! If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free! REALLY FREE!
Wanna know what freedom is really like? Well lets start with our questions from the first paragraph. If you have Jesus as your Lord, you are free. How? Anger--you will find yourself on a better level emotionally and won't let anger take over your life. Things that used to set you off won't do so as easily anymore. Oh it's ok to get upset about something. But God will show us a way to do it so that we don't hurt others or make Him look bad! After all, if we claim to be Christians, don't we represent Him?
What about bitterness? Hebrews 12:15 tells us "Guard against turning back from the grace of God. Let no one become like a bitter plant that grows up and causes many troubles with its poison." So do you want to be free? Pray. Ask God to show you where your bitterness comes from, and give it to Him. He will set you free. If you need to forgive someone, forgive. If you need to confess to someone you've wronged and ask their forgiveness, then do it. Obey whatever God tells you to do.
Lying. Oh boy. Been called Pinocchio? When we were kids I think we were kinda lead to believe that lying was the worst sin ever! We knew we were going to hell if we lied! I remember lying twice as a child and I also remember thinking the first time I lied that satan (aka the ole' booger man) would come up out of the ground, grab me and take me back to hell forever! Thing is, telling a lie, like all sin, is bad. And when you tell one lie and then have to tell another or you are caught in the first lie, that turns into bondage doesn't it? John 8:32 says "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free". Truth? Jesus IS truth! Do you know Him? Then you can be set free from the bondage of lies if you just come to Him. Meet Truth face to face.
Hmmm....taken anything that wasn't yours lately? Been jealous that someone had something you wanted so you coveted it? Schemed so that you could have it? Like some of these others, we can go back to the 10 Commandments for that one. Doesn't matter what it is, if it belongs to someone else it's not yours so hands off! And for that matter, mind off! Even thinking about wanting something that doesn't belong to you can become enslaving. You will find yourself thinking up ways to get it and you won't care who it hurts. NOT God's plan.
Now addictions come in all shapes and sizes. I used to claim that I was addicted to chocolate and joked that the streets of Heaven would be paved in gold foil, not gold. And when we pulled back that gold foil we would find Hershey's milk chocolate! Well I quite joking like that when I had some health issues and now I can't remember how long it has been since I had Hershey's milk chocolate. Health issues did away with my addiction and that's a good thing. But the Lord then convicted me of my attitude about chocolate and that was the real problem. That addiction held me in bondage and made me believe I couldn't live without Hershey's milk chocolate. Guess what......I can.
God has a plan for your life. It's not to live scheming, lying, stealing, bitter etc. Jesus died so you don't have to live that way. He wants to know us and when He knows us, free us. And the only way you can be free, REALLY FREE, is to give your life completely to Him.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
I've Been Crying Today
Yep. The tears have been flowing today. A lump in my throat. My voice comes out funny. Why am I crying? Because our kids are too old to hunt eggs? Well I do miss that. Because it's really cold today and I put away most of my winter clothes last weekend? Ummmm....that hasn't been fun but it's kinda nice to take an afternoon nap curled up under an afghan.
But the reason for my tears today has been something much more. It started this morning when I was thinking about today. Today we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. At church the minister says "He is risen!" and we reply "He is risen, indeed!" Oh how amazing! Because He lives, we can live! To get to His resurrection, however, we must first have His death.
Today I have been overwhelmed by the love of our Lord. Let's go back. Jesus was there before the world began. He was there throughout all of history. He didn't just begin when the angel visited Mary and told her she would give birth to the Savior of the world. Jesus was always there.
Then He was born. He grew up learning to be a carpenter like His earthly father Joseph. He had younger siblings. He taught in the temple as a boy. He was different. And He was never alone.
33 years. That's about how long He lived on earth. He had His family. He had disciples who traveled with Him. He had friends....Mary, Martha and Lazarus to name a few. And He had His Father, God, in Heaven. Things looked good for Him on earth. And He obviously enjoyed His life.
Then it was time. Time for Him to fulfill His purpose in even coming to the earth. He prayed. He prayed so hard that He sweat drops of blood. He was in anguish. He had witnessed death from Heaven. He had witnessed death on earth. He knew death through the eyes of God and through the eyes of man. Jesus prayed in Luke 22:42 "Father, if You will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but Your will be done." He was obedient.
Jesus was taken into custody. He was beaten for crimes He didn't commit. No one was there to stand up for Him. He was forced to carry His own cross up a hill and the people, some of whom praised Him just a few days earlier, ridiculed Him along the way. They yelled "crucify Him!" as He carried His cross, bleeding and weak from the beating He had just endured. One man was forced by soldiers to help carry Jesus' cross (Mark 15:21). His mother cried. He couldn't comfort her. Jesus had to die alone.
Today I was told that the term 'excruciating' came from the word 'crucifixion'. It was the absolute worse way to die. Not only was it humiliating and pubic, there was no worse pain. All the ligaments in the arms were stretched far beyond what anyone could comprehend from the weight of the body pulling down on the nails in His hands. Oh my Jesus! Thank You! I don't deserve what You did for me.
What has really hit me today, though, is that Jesus was alone on that cross. Even God looked away. He was alone. Have you ever been completely alone? You may think you have. But God is everywhere. He sees everything and everyone. Once you know Him, you are never, ever alone. Lost in the woods, you're not alone. Family gone, you're not alone. Friends leave, you're not alone. God is always there with you whether anyone else is or not. But Jesus was completely alone on that cross.
I think that's what has made me cry the most today. Jesus was all alone on that cross. His body was beaten and torn. The pain truly was excruciating. It was worse than we could ever imagine. His heart was broken as He carried the weight of my sins, your sins, our sins. And He was alone. Alone. Completely alone.
Even though I've felt alone, I've never been without God. Ever. He knew me before I was even formed. He knew me before I was born. Jesus saved me as a child when I asked Him to forgive my sins and I made a decision to follow Him all my life. He has never one time left me. God has never turned His back on me.
What was that like for Jesus? He was so alone. In front of the world. But alone. He had all the power to call Heaven's angels to take Him off the cross. He could have done it. But He chose to die alone. For you. For me. Breaks my heart that He did it for me. If I had been the only one, He loved me that much.
Can you just imagine the celebration in hell that day? The devil and his demons were having a party! They had won! Or so they thought. As we sang in church this morning "Up from the grave He arose! With a mighty triumph o'er his foes!" HAHAHAHAHA! Jesus rose! He overcame death! He beat the devil! He beat evil! Because He died alone, because He obeyed our Father, He arose triumphant! Yes He suffered. Yes He bled. Yes He died. But He overcame! Praise His Name!
What in your life is keeping you down? What lies of the devil are making you think you've won when you're actually on your way to join him for eternity in hell? Jesus paid it all. He did it for you. Alone. On the cross. Please ask Him to forgive you today. Accepting Him. Accept what He did for you. Please. Today.
When you do, that party in hell that has been going on because of your life that pleased the devil, well it ends! Suddenly it ends! And the celebration in Heaven begins! Jesus tells us in Luke 15 that Heaven rejoices over each sinner who repents! Let the party in Heaven begin! And let the tears of joy begin!
But the reason for my tears today has been something much more. It started this morning when I was thinking about today. Today we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. At church the minister says "He is risen!" and we reply "He is risen, indeed!" Oh how amazing! Because He lives, we can live! To get to His resurrection, however, we must first have His death.
Today I have been overwhelmed by the love of our Lord. Let's go back. Jesus was there before the world began. He was there throughout all of history. He didn't just begin when the angel visited Mary and told her she would give birth to the Savior of the world. Jesus was always there.
Then He was born. He grew up learning to be a carpenter like His earthly father Joseph. He had younger siblings. He taught in the temple as a boy. He was different. And He was never alone.
33 years. That's about how long He lived on earth. He had His family. He had disciples who traveled with Him. He had friends....Mary, Martha and Lazarus to name a few. And He had His Father, God, in Heaven. Things looked good for Him on earth. And He obviously enjoyed His life.
Then it was time. Time for Him to fulfill His purpose in even coming to the earth. He prayed. He prayed so hard that He sweat drops of blood. He was in anguish. He had witnessed death from Heaven. He had witnessed death on earth. He knew death through the eyes of God and through the eyes of man. Jesus prayed in Luke 22:42 "Father, if You will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but Your will be done." He was obedient.
Jesus was taken into custody. He was beaten for crimes He didn't commit. No one was there to stand up for Him. He was forced to carry His own cross up a hill and the people, some of whom praised Him just a few days earlier, ridiculed Him along the way. They yelled "crucify Him!" as He carried His cross, bleeding and weak from the beating He had just endured. One man was forced by soldiers to help carry Jesus' cross (Mark 15:21). His mother cried. He couldn't comfort her. Jesus had to die alone.
Today I was told that the term 'excruciating' came from the word 'crucifixion'. It was the absolute worse way to die. Not only was it humiliating and pubic, there was no worse pain. All the ligaments in the arms were stretched far beyond what anyone could comprehend from the weight of the body pulling down on the nails in His hands. Oh my Jesus! Thank You! I don't deserve what You did for me.
What has really hit me today, though, is that Jesus was alone on that cross. Even God looked away. He was alone. Have you ever been completely alone? You may think you have. But God is everywhere. He sees everything and everyone. Once you know Him, you are never, ever alone. Lost in the woods, you're not alone. Family gone, you're not alone. Friends leave, you're not alone. God is always there with you whether anyone else is or not. But Jesus was completely alone on that cross.
I think that's what has made me cry the most today. Jesus was all alone on that cross. His body was beaten and torn. The pain truly was excruciating. It was worse than we could ever imagine. His heart was broken as He carried the weight of my sins, your sins, our sins. And He was alone. Alone. Completely alone.
Even though I've felt alone, I've never been without God. Ever. He knew me before I was even formed. He knew me before I was born. Jesus saved me as a child when I asked Him to forgive my sins and I made a decision to follow Him all my life. He has never one time left me. God has never turned His back on me.
What was that like for Jesus? He was so alone. In front of the world. But alone. He had all the power to call Heaven's angels to take Him off the cross. He could have done it. But He chose to die alone. For you. For me. Breaks my heart that He did it for me. If I had been the only one, He loved me that much.
Can you just imagine the celebration in hell that day? The devil and his demons were having a party! They had won! Or so they thought. As we sang in church this morning "Up from the grave He arose! With a mighty triumph o'er his foes!" HAHAHAHAHA! Jesus rose! He overcame death! He beat the devil! He beat evil! Because He died alone, because He obeyed our Father, He arose triumphant! Yes He suffered. Yes He bled. Yes He died. But He overcame! Praise His Name!
What in your life is keeping you down? What lies of the devil are making you think you've won when you're actually on your way to join him for eternity in hell? Jesus paid it all. He did it for you. Alone. On the cross. Please ask Him to forgive you today. Accepting Him. Accept what He did for you. Please. Today.
When you do, that party in hell that has been going on because of your life that pleased the devil, well it ends! Suddenly it ends! And the celebration in Heaven begins! Jesus tells us in Luke 15 that Heaven rejoices over each sinner who repents! Let the party in Heaven begin! And let the tears of joy begin!
Saturday, April 4, 2015
And Exchange it Someday for a Crown
On a hill far away stood an Old Rugged Cross.........When I was a kid that song was a staple in our little country church. If it wasn't sung during the 'congregational singing' time, often an old retired minister would sing it during the special music time. That old song touched his heart so much that he would often choke up and even cry as he thought about what Jesus did for us that day.
What did Jesus do? "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow." Words from another old hymn. Those words have been going through my mind today. It's Easter weekend and of course I'm thinking about what Jesus did for us.
Easter. Wow. When I was a kid we would get our new Easter outfits, usually a dress made by my grandmother. We would dye one dozen eggs for the three of us to share. Sunday morning church of course. "The Old Rugged Cross" "Nothing But the Blood" "Power in the Blood". Sometimes we would eat at church afterwards and sometimes at my grandparents'. But there would always be at least one Easter egg hunt!
Oh my those eggs! I think dying eggs was one of my favorite things as a kid. And then looking for them! Just seeing the bright colors hidden in the bend of a tree or under the edge of a porch step or tucked down inside the leaves of a plant. Even today just the thought of those bright colored surprises brings a smile to my face!
When our kids were younger, even though we had plastic eggs to fill with candy and money, I still dyed eggs each Easter weekend. In fact, I would not only dye the boiled eggs, I would dye every egg in the fridge and enjoy a rainbow surprise every time I needed an egg for the next couple of weeks! Oh and the dozen I shared with my sister and brother as kids? Well I always felt like that just wasn't enough. Our kids had well over 100 and more added every year! Of course that made it a little difficult for the adults to hide them all. Lot's of creativity would be involved at first. And then eggs would just be left laying around all over the place because there weren't enough hiding places.
But the real surprise of Easter had nothing to do with the brightly colored eggs or the new dress or the good food. It had nothing to do with the sun shining or even snow falling on that day as we've had a time or two over the years. The real surprise, even though it was foretold in the Old Testament, was the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. And, that with all the sins I've committed, with all the sins you have committed, His blood still covers them, everyone, even today. There is absolutely nothing you or I can do to save ourselves. We are on our way to hell without Him.
Before the beginning of time, before God even formed the earth, the sun, the universe. Before Adam was given Eve. Before they failed in the Garden of Eden. Before anything ever, God already knew that we would need a Savior. It wasn't an afterthought because man just got worse and worse. He already knew man would fail before He even created one. And He already knew we would need a Savior. And......He knew Jesus was the only One who could fill that role.
Is there anything you have done that you think God can't forgive? Jesus was tried for crimes He did not commit. He was beaten. He was forced to carry His own cross, the one He would die on. He was given a crown of thorns to wear, mocking Him. He had already shed so much blood before He even got to that hill called Golgotha. Yet He wasn't finished.
Roman soldiers held him to the cross as others drove huge nails through his hands and his feet. Then the cross was raised and dropped into a hole. As it fell into place, the pain was excruciating for Him. He endured it for me. He endured it for you. He had all power and only had to ask and God would have taken Him off that cross. But Jesus knew what He must do for us. Did He hate those who put Him through all this? Oh no........He prayed "Father forgive them. They don't know what they are doing." He was their Savior too! All they needed to do was accept Him for Who He really was. Repent and follow Him. As simple as that then. As simple as that now. The compassion He showed them. The compassion He shows us. The forgiveness He showed them. The forgiveness He shows us. Oh to be like our Savior!
John 19:30 tells us that Jesus said "It is finished!" and He died. But did you catch that exclamation mark? He didn't quietly say it. He exclaimed it! At that very moment He had done all that would ever need to be done to forgive our sins. He died for us.
Yes, He was in the grave three days. Yes He rose again!!!!!! And oh yes! He's coming back for us someday unless we go to meet Him before that day. Until then, what do you think about the cross? Is it a piece of jewelry sometimes referred to as 'bling'? Is it something hanging from a chain or on a bracelet that you wear to compliment your outfit? I must say that I never put on a "cross" necklace or bracelet without thinking about what Jesus did for me on that old rugged cross so long ago. "So I'll cherish the Old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown."
What did Jesus do? "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow." Words from another old hymn. Those words have been going through my mind today. It's Easter weekend and of course I'm thinking about what Jesus did for us.
Easter. Wow. When I was a kid we would get our new Easter outfits, usually a dress made by my grandmother. We would dye one dozen eggs for the three of us to share. Sunday morning church of course. "The Old Rugged Cross" "Nothing But the Blood" "Power in the Blood". Sometimes we would eat at church afterwards and sometimes at my grandparents'. But there would always be at least one Easter egg hunt!
Oh my those eggs! I think dying eggs was one of my favorite things as a kid. And then looking for them! Just seeing the bright colors hidden in the bend of a tree or under the edge of a porch step or tucked down inside the leaves of a plant. Even today just the thought of those bright colored surprises brings a smile to my face!
When our kids were younger, even though we had plastic eggs to fill with candy and money, I still dyed eggs each Easter weekend. In fact, I would not only dye the boiled eggs, I would dye every egg in the fridge and enjoy a rainbow surprise every time I needed an egg for the next couple of weeks! Oh and the dozen I shared with my sister and brother as kids? Well I always felt like that just wasn't enough. Our kids had well over 100 and more added every year! Of course that made it a little difficult for the adults to hide them all. Lot's of creativity would be involved at first. And then eggs would just be left laying around all over the place because there weren't enough hiding places.
But the real surprise of Easter had nothing to do with the brightly colored eggs or the new dress or the good food. It had nothing to do with the sun shining or even snow falling on that day as we've had a time or two over the years. The real surprise, even though it was foretold in the Old Testament, was the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. And, that with all the sins I've committed, with all the sins you have committed, His blood still covers them, everyone, even today. There is absolutely nothing you or I can do to save ourselves. We are on our way to hell without Him.
Before the beginning of time, before God even formed the earth, the sun, the universe. Before Adam was given Eve. Before they failed in the Garden of Eden. Before anything ever, God already knew that we would need a Savior. It wasn't an afterthought because man just got worse and worse. He already knew man would fail before He even created one. And He already knew we would need a Savior. And......He knew Jesus was the only One who could fill that role.
Is there anything you have done that you think God can't forgive? Jesus was tried for crimes He did not commit. He was beaten. He was forced to carry His own cross, the one He would die on. He was given a crown of thorns to wear, mocking Him. He had already shed so much blood before He even got to that hill called Golgotha. Yet He wasn't finished.
Roman soldiers held him to the cross as others drove huge nails through his hands and his feet. Then the cross was raised and dropped into a hole. As it fell into place, the pain was excruciating for Him. He endured it for me. He endured it for you. He had all power and only had to ask and God would have taken Him off that cross. But Jesus knew what He must do for us. Did He hate those who put Him through all this? Oh no........He prayed "Father forgive them. They don't know what they are doing." He was their Savior too! All they needed to do was accept Him for Who He really was. Repent and follow Him. As simple as that then. As simple as that now. The compassion He showed them. The compassion He shows us. The forgiveness He showed them. The forgiveness He shows us. Oh to be like our Savior!
John 19:30 tells us that Jesus said "It is finished!" and He died. But did you catch that exclamation mark? He didn't quietly say it. He exclaimed it! At that very moment He had done all that would ever need to be done to forgive our sins. He died for us.
Yes, He was in the grave three days. Yes He rose again!!!!!! And oh yes! He's coming back for us someday unless we go to meet Him before that day. Until then, what do you think about the cross? Is it a piece of jewelry sometimes referred to as 'bling'? Is it something hanging from a chain or on a bracelet that you wear to compliment your outfit? I must say that I never put on a "cross" necklace or bracelet without thinking about what Jesus did for me on that old rugged cross so long ago. "So I'll cherish the Old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)