"It is the righteous purpose of God, not the evil will of men, that determines history." NKJV Commentary on Obadiah
Obadiah vs.12, 15 "You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction...The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head."
Obadiah is a very short book. - only 21 verses. But every story in the Bible whether long or short displays the glory, power, and sovereignty of our God.
Obadiah was a man who God used to bring a message of doom to the nation of Edom, and a message of promise to Israel. Obadiah's beloved Jerusalem had been captured and ransacked by the powerful Babylonians. Edom, the neighbors to the east and relatives of the people of Israel, had helped the Babylonians conquer Israel. We see clear demonstrations of this in verses 13 and 14. "You (Edom) should not...seize their wealth...You should not wait at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, nor hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble."
But mind you, even the defeat of Jerusalem to the Babylonians was God's plan. Jeremiah 15:6 "You (Jerusalem) have forsaken Me." says the LORD. Jeremiah 21:10 "For I have set My face against this city (Jerusalem) for adversity and not for good," says the LORD. "It shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire."
The righteous purpose of God is that His people worship Him in truth and in spirit. This is the way to life and peace. But the Israelites had forgotten God, turned their back on Him and were heading deeper and deeper into Satan's territory.
Whether we like it or not, suffering turns us around, stops us short, and makes us despair of ourselves turning us to God for help. So God sent an army (the Babylonians) to conquer His people (the Jews) and Edom rejoiced in their destruction. But God does not leave His people without hope and promise. The Jews would repent and return. Jeremiah 30:10 "Therefore do not fear...says the LORD, "Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar," "The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness..." Jer.31:2
Back to Obadiah - Edom is now going to get his 'come-uppings'. Judgment time! God does not forget. As Edom had done to Israel now God promises the same treatment will happen to them. And it did. In God's great plan He was able to punish His own people in order to restore them and at the same time punish the nations in order to remove them. What God is doing in the world is always right, always just, always on time.
You know why I need Obadiah? Because I just finished reading about the torture of some men, women, and children who are my Christian brothers and sisters in a Muslim country. I put down the article and cried out: "God, why aren't you doing something? Bring judgment on those wicked men!" I was angry and sad. Obadiah reminds me, He will! There is not one moment in the day where God is passive. He is causing His perfect plan to progress second by second throughout the world. Nothing escapes Him.
Give thanks to God that we live under His mercy. When an injustice happens to us His plan is still being accomplished.
"When the church suffers at the hands of God's enemies, she needs to return to the prophecy of Obadiah and renew her faith in the just God revealed there. He cares for His persecuted people, and behind their present circumstances He is always at work for them." NKJV Commentary
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Devotional Snapshot 70 - Idolatry
"If you look too long at others or yourself, you commit the sin of idolatry." Carol Totten
"As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. but Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him, and asked, "Lord, don't You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not by taken away from her." Luke 10: 38-42
I have always taken this section of scripture to be referring to our tendency to be too busy. But just this morning as I awoke and my mind continued to meditate on yesterdays concerns the Lord brought these verses to mind.
I had just finished a wonderful weekend with family and friends. It was busy, but beautiful. Nevertheless, after it was all over I began to fret about some things I should have said differently, or not said at all. Why did I do this at an inappropriate time? Why didn't I consider this one's feelings or that one's feelings? Did I make someone uncomfortable? Did something pop out of my mouth that hurt someone I loved and I didn't even mean it that way?
I asked the Lord's forgiveness, but couldn't shake the sadness at failing others. Yesterday I chewed the cud of disappointment in myself and worry for others happiness and this morning I awoke and began to do the same again. Then my Mighty God broke through with His word.
He brought these verses to mind and I noticed it was not about the "serving" the Lord rebuked Martha for. Look! It is about chewing the cud of discontentment and worry about others. She was worried about making her guests happy and discontented that Mary was not joining her in the urgency to do it. "Martha, Martha...you are worried and upset about many things.."
"Carol, Carol, you have been focused on yourself enough, One thing is needed, choose what is better! Sit at my feet and listen."
Now if I refuse to obey this clear word spoken to me and continue to worry I will be committing idolatry. Another love replaces my Lord when I spend too much time thinking of me. If I can not lift my eyes up to heaven and praise His wonderful name today than I have a real sin to confess!
Is there a worry consuming your thoughts today? Have you considered that if you can not let it go and give it to God and worship Him, you are committing idolatry?
"As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. but Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him, and asked, "Lord, don't You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not by taken away from her." Luke 10: 38-42
I have always taken this section of scripture to be referring to our tendency to be too busy. But just this morning as I awoke and my mind continued to meditate on yesterdays concerns the Lord brought these verses to mind.
I had just finished a wonderful weekend with family and friends. It was busy, but beautiful. Nevertheless, after it was all over I began to fret about some things I should have said differently, or not said at all. Why did I do this at an inappropriate time? Why didn't I consider this one's feelings or that one's feelings? Did I make someone uncomfortable? Did something pop out of my mouth that hurt someone I loved and I didn't even mean it that way?
I asked the Lord's forgiveness, but couldn't shake the sadness at failing others. Yesterday I chewed the cud of disappointment in myself and worry for others happiness and this morning I awoke and began to do the same again. Then my Mighty God broke through with His word.
He brought these verses to mind and I noticed it was not about the "serving" the Lord rebuked Martha for. Look! It is about chewing the cud of discontentment and worry about others. She was worried about making her guests happy and discontented that Mary was not joining her in the urgency to do it. "Martha, Martha...you are worried and upset about many things.."
"Carol, Carol, you have been focused on yourself enough, One thing is needed, choose what is better! Sit at my feet and listen."
Now if I refuse to obey this clear word spoken to me and continue to worry I will be committing idolatry. Another love replaces my Lord when I spend too much time thinking of me. If I can not lift my eyes up to heaven and praise His wonderful name today than I have a real sin to confess!
Is there a worry consuming your thoughts today? Have you considered that if you can not let it go and give it to God and worship Him, you are committing idolatry?
Friday, April 23, 2010
Devotional Snapshot 69 - Sin Boldly
"Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly, for he is victorious over sin, death, and the world." pastoral advice of Martin Luther, 16th century Christian reformer
"Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!" Romans 5: 9, 10
Isn't this a little shocking? Sin and sin boldly! That's not what we preach or teach. I didn't raise my children this way. I don't speak to myself like this or my Christian sisters. The exact opposite. "Be good." "Do what is right." "Be like Jesus...love like Jesus...pray like Jesus...speak like Jesus."
But something about that quote lifted my spirits today. I was stuck in muddy self pity. I hadn't been good. I hadn't done what was right. "Oh why can't you be like Jesus? You fall short. Everyday in someway you blow it." Self reprimanded me.
Be a sinner and sin boldly, BUT believe...BUT rejoice. In who? In Christ. Why? For He is victorious over my sin! This reminds me that I am not justified by being a good girl today. What I do or don't do today does not negate one drop the power of Christ's blood to declare me righteous...NOT MY OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS ("that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ..." Philippians 3: 9)
This justification by Christ's blood is far more gloriously sufficient than I live by. I say, "yes, I am going to heaven, but I need to prove myself worthy and fit to be there now that Jesus has saved me." Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! None of us can be worthy, ever, in ourselves to earn heaven. We are free! Free to make mistakes. Free to take risks. Free to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Free to be imperfect. Free to say "no". Free not to introspect. Free not to blame. Free to let go. When we were God's enemies he saved us, how much more are we saved by His abiding permanent life living in us?
Martin Luther goes on to say: "As long as we are here [in this world] we have to sin....It is enough that by the riches of God's glory we have come to know the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. No sin will separate us from the Lamb, even though we commit fornication and murder a thousand times a day. Do you think that the purchase price that was paid for the redemption of our sins by so great a Lamb is too small?"
We are not to seek to sin (Romans 6:1), but when sin happens we come boldly to the throne of grace. When sin happens we believe and rejoice in the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5) When sin happens we thank God that it is not by our efforts but His mercy that we are loved for eternity by Jesus Christ.
Believe and rejoice in Christ more boldly today!
"Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!" Romans 5: 9, 10
Isn't this a little shocking? Sin and sin boldly! That's not what we preach or teach. I didn't raise my children this way. I don't speak to myself like this or my Christian sisters. The exact opposite. "Be good." "Do what is right." "Be like Jesus...love like Jesus...pray like Jesus...speak like Jesus."
But something about that quote lifted my spirits today. I was stuck in muddy self pity. I hadn't been good. I hadn't done what was right. "Oh why can't you be like Jesus? You fall short. Everyday in someway you blow it." Self reprimanded me.
Be a sinner and sin boldly, BUT believe...BUT rejoice. In who? In Christ. Why? For He is victorious over my sin! This reminds me that I am not justified by being a good girl today. What I do or don't do today does not negate one drop the power of Christ's blood to declare me righteous...NOT MY OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS ("that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ..." Philippians 3: 9)
This justification by Christ's blood is far more gloriously sufficient than I live by. I say, "yes, I am going to heaven, but I need to prove myself worthy and fit to be there now that Jesus has saved me." Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! None of us can be worthy, ever, in ourselves to earn heaven. We are free! Free to make mistakes. Free to take risks. Free to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Free to be imperfect. Free to say "no". Free not to introspect. Free not to blame. Free to let go. When we were God's enemies he saved us, how much more are we saved by His abiding permanent life living in us?
Martin Luther goes on to say: "As long as we are here [in this world] we have to sin....It is enough that by the riches of God's glory we have come to know the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. No sin will separate us from the Lamb, even though we commit fornication and murder a thousand times a day. Do you think that the purchase price that was paid for the redemption of our sins by so great a Lamb is too small?"
We are not to seek to sin (Romans 6:1), but when sin happens we come boldly to the throne of grace. When sin happens we believe and rejoice in the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5) When sin happens we thank God that it is not by our efforts but His mercy that we are loved for eternity by Jesus Christ.
Believe and rejoice in Christ more boldly today!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Devotional Snapshot 68 - Poverty
"How is it, Father Gerry, that Haitian people have such a deep faith in God? When there's so little food and few jobs and no doctors or running water, I'd think that after a while, a person might reject the idea of God, or at least a loving and just God."
He smiled. I could tell he liked this question.
"God is the first and the last resource here. We feel God's presence more and more, because there is nobody else some days who can sustain us to allow us to survive. It's only God..."
On That Day Everybody Ate Margaret Trost pgs. 53-54
"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death..." Philippians 3: 8-10
Poverty stricken people around the world may not be the poorest. There is a poorness of spirit in America. We are rich in every comfort and yet, poor in trust, poor in hope, poor in joy.
Today I got up from a soft, clean bed to a hot shower. I made a pecan carmel cup of coffee, sprinkled blueberries and walnuts over my oatmeal. I turned on the TV and casually watched the mayhem in the dangerous world while I sat safely in my bermed home. I washed the clothes by merely pushing buttons. My drinking water is sterile and comes at a touch into my dish washer cleaned glass. My cabinets are full of food and my stomach rarely feels hunger pangs.
With all of this at my disposal, I still envy the faith and utter dependence...the absolute necessity for God to show up in their lives or they will not live... of my Christian brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. Losing all things to gain Christ is more than a fair trade.
Is it possible to live with a lot of stuff and still be living with wild, loving dependence on our Maker?
Teach me, dear Lord, to trust You more. Teach me to praise You. Teach me to consider everything a loss except for the precious knowledge and fellowship of You.
What do you think? Are we missing something?
He smiled. I could tell he liked this question.
"God is the first and the last resource here. We feel God's presence more and more, because there is nobody else some days who can sustain us to allow us to survive. It's only God..."
On That Day Everybody Ate Margaret Trost pgs. 53-54
"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death..." Philippians 3: 8-10
Poverty stricken people around the world may not be the poorest. There is a poorness of spirit in America. We are rich in every comfort and yet, poor in trust, poor in hope, poor in joy.
Today I got up from a soft, clean bed to a hot shower. I made a pecan carmel cup of coffee, sprinkled blueberries and walnuts over my oatmeal. I turned on the TV and casually watched the mayhem in the dangerous world while I sat safely in my bermed home. I washed the clothes by merely pushing buttons. My drinking water is sterile and comes at a touch into my dish washer cleaned glass. My cabinets are full of food and my stomach rarely feels hunger pangs.
With all of this at my disposal, I still envy the faith and utter dependence...the absolute necessity for God to show up in their lives or they will not live... of my Christian brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. Losing all things to gain Christ is more than a fair trade.
Is it possible to live with a lot of stuff and still be living with wild, loving dependence on our Maker?
Teach me, dear Lord, to trust You more. Teach me to praise You. Teach me to consider everything a loss except for the precious knowledge and fellowship of You.
What do you think? Are we missing something?
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Devotional Snapshot 67 - Self Living
"The treason of our souls is savoring self over God." John Piper
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." James 3:13-17
How do we savor ourselves? Simple..by living for self, to please self, be proud of self, feed self, make self happy through whatever means, pray about self and even when I pray for others it is to some degree about making self happy, do good to others to pump self up. Self must be recognized as a good person and when not self is hurt. Self must have so many fun things to do that self won't have time to quietly reflect on what self weaknesses must be changed. Self avoids all pain. Self likes easy friends. Self protects her time, her rights, and her reputation. Self is self-conscious. Self is quick to criticize others and slow in asking forgiveness. Self compares herself with others. Self wears us down, ensnares us, and drains us of energy so we can not run the race set before us with endurance.
"The treason of our souls is savoring self over God." John Piper
How do we free ourselves from self? Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus... Col. 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Looking unto Jesus. Moment by moment we lift our eyes upward and the more we gaze at His beautiful face the more we love Him. The more we love Him the less Self consumes our inner space. We leave little room for self and her selfish motives while we are taken with another. Be smitten with Christ.
Beth Moore quote: "We become like the object of our focus. If our focus is on our needs, we become more needy. If our focus is on the harm others have done to us, we become harmful and angry people. If our focus is on material things, we become grasping and greedy. And, praise God, if our focus is on Christ, we become more and more like Him."
Let's pray for one another today that we enjoy our Savior. Savor the Savior. Less of us, more of Him.
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." James 3:13-17
How do we savor ourselves? Simple..by living for self, to please self, be proud of self, feed self, make self happy through whatever means, pray about self and even when I pray for others it is to some degree about making self happy, do good to others to pump self up. Self must be recognized as a good person and when not self is hurt. Self must have so many fun things to do that self won't have time to quietly reflect on what self weaknesses must be changed. Self avoids all pain. Self likes easy friends. Self protects her time, her rights, and her reputation. Self is self-conscious. Self is quick to criticize others and slow in asking forgiveness. Self compares herself with others. Self wears us down, ensnares us, and drains us of energy so we can not run the race set before us with endurance.
"The treason of our souls is savoring self over God." John Piper
How do we free ourselves from self? Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus... Col. 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Looking unto Jesus. Moment by moment we lift our eyes upward and the more we gaze at His beautiful face the more we love Him. The more we love Him the less Self consumes our inner space. We leave little room for self and her selfish motives while we are taken with another. Be smitten with Christ.
Beth Moore quote: "We become like the object of our focus. If our focus is on our needs, we become more needy. If our focus is on the harm others have done to us, we become harmful and angry people. If our focus is on material things, we become grasping and greedy. And, praise God, if our focus is on Christ, we become more and more like Him."
Let's pray for one another today that we enjoy our Savior. Savor the Savior. Less of us, more of Him.
Devotional Snapshot 66 - Truth
"Ever since that day in the garden when the serpent tempted Eve, he has relentlessly attacked the truth with lies, using the same strategies over and over to sow doubt and disbelief in the human mind." The Truth War by John MacArthur
Be well-balanced ---temperate, sober-minded; be vigilant and cautious at all times, for the enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring (in fierce hunger), seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 1Peter 5:8
Satan devours you by using self thoughts to bring fear, anger, discouragement. Satan lies to you and you believe him. He walks around like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour. We need to do like Jesus: use the Word of Truth to defeat the word of the liar. Here are some lies I have believed.
1. God cannot love me like He loves Beth Moore, Billy Graham, Joyce Meyers, Max Lucado, Charles Swindoll, Or (you fill in the blank with some Christian of fame) because I am not as godly as they, I am not as good.(Example: I am very fearful of people's disapproval because I think that's the best love I'll get. I constantly struggle with feeling unlovable when I fail.) THAT'S A LIE. THE TRUTH: Nothing, nothing, nothing separates us from the love of God...Romans 8:39
2. I can not share the message of Christ with others until I get it perfectly right myself, or until I lose weight, or until I grow younger, or until I no longer struggle with sin.(Example: I have a young beautiful neighbor that I feel inadequate to love for Jesus because I fear she will not see anything in me to draw her) THAT'S A LIE. THE TRUTH: "For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus....we possess this precious treasure in frail, human vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be of God and not from ourselves." 2Corinthians 4:5,7 The Amplified
3. After confessing,I still feel guilty therefore I am guilty. (Example: even now I bring up past mistakes in my parenting and cry). THAT'S A LIE. THE TRUTH: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse from all unrighteousness." 1John1:9
4. God has failed me. (Example: when I gave up my free time to homeschool, to do the best I could to raise my children in the Lord, and then watched them struggle and give in to the same sins as thousands of other teens, I thought God had failed me, failed to keep His part of the bargain.) THAT'S A LIE. THE TRUTH: Isaiah 43:2-5 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...When you walk through the fire,you shall not be burned...For I am the Lord your God...I have loved you... Fear not, for I am with you..."
5. You cannot trust God to take care of you. You must do it yourself. THAT'S A LIE. (Example: I tended to go to books and man's advice on how to raise my children.) THE TRUTH: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6
6. God is not really intimately involved in every moment of our day. THAT'S A LIE. (Example: the pearl earring, the brown scarf, the phone call, the money. These mean nothing to you, but the very small details involved in these stories demonstrated the particular involvement of God in my life. You, yourselves have thousands of moments God displayed His watch care over you.). THE TRUTH: Matthew 10:29-31 TLB "Not one sparrow (What do they cost? Two for a penny?) can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't worry! You are more valuable to Him than many sparrows."
7. I have been saved by grace, but now I must keep my position by doing good works. THAT'S A LIE.(Example: I compared myself to a pastor's wife in a previous church ministry whose church was growing while ours was not. If only I prayed more, served more, witnessed more.) THE TRUTH: Galations 3:3 "Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun your new life spiritually with the Holy Spirit, are you now reaching perfection by dependence on the flesh?" The Amplified Bible Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Today will you let only true thoughts take hold of your mind?
Be well-balanced ---temperate, sober-minded; be vigilant and cautious at all times, for the enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring (in fierce hunger), seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 1Peter 5:8
Satan devours you by using self thoughts to bring fear, anger, discouragement. Satan lies to you and you believe him. He walks around like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour. We need to do like Jesus: use the Word of Truth to defeat the word of the liar. Here are some lies I have believed.
1. God cannot love me like He loves Beth Moore, Billy Graham, Joyce Meyers, Max Lucado, Charles Swindoll, Or (you fill in the blank with some Christian of fame) because I am not as godly as they, I am not as good.(Example: I am very fearful of people's disapproval because I think that's the best love I'll get. I constantly struggle with feeling unlovable when I fail.) THAT'S A LIE. THE TRUTH: Nothing, nothing, nothing separates us from the love of God...Romans 8:39
2. I can not share the message of Christ with others until I get it perfectly right myself, or until I lose weight, or until I grow younger, or until I no longer struggle with sin.(Example: I have a young beautiful neighbor that I feel inadequate to love for Jesus because I fear she will not see anything in me to draw her) THAT'S A LIE. THE TRUTH: "For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus....we possess this precious treasure in frail, human vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be of God and not from ourselves." 2Corinthians 4:5,7 The Amplified
3. After confessing,I still feel guilty therefore I am guilty. (Example: even now I bring up past mistakes in my parenting and cry). THAT'S A LIE. THE TRUTH: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse from all unrighteousness." 1John1:9
4. God has failed me. (Example: when I gave up my free time to homeschool, to do the best I could to raise my children in the Lord, and then watched them struggle and give in to the same sins as thousands of other teens, I thought God had failed me, failed to keep His part of the bargain.) THAT'S A LIE. THE TRUTH: Isaiah 43:2-5 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...When you walk through the fire,you shall not be burned...For I am the Lord your God...I have loved you... Fear not, for I am with you..."
5. You cannot trust God to take care of you. You must do it yourself. THAT'S A LIE. (Example: I tended to go to books and man's advice on how to raise my children.) THE TRUTH: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6
6. God is not really intimately involved in every moment of our day. THAT'S A LIE. (Example: the pearl earring, the brown scarf, the phone call, the money. These mean nothing to you, but the very small details involved in these stories demonstrated the particular involvement of God in my life. You, yourselves have thousands of moments God displayed His watch care over you.). THE TRUTH: Matthew 10:29-31 TLB "Not one sparrow (What do they cost? Two for a penny?) can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't worry! You are more valuable to Him than many sparrows."
7. I have been saved by grace, but now I must keep my position by doing good works. THAT'S A LIE.(Example: I compared myself to a pastor's wife in a previous church ministry whose church was growing while ours was not. If only I prayed more, served more, witnessed more.) THE TRUTH: Galations 3:3 "Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun your new life spiritually with the Holy Spirit, are you now reaching perfection by dependence on the flesh?" The Amplified Bible Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Today will you let only true thoughts take hold of your mind?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Devotional Snapshot 65 - Persecution
"God works with souls like a jeweler works with gems. Once he finds and brings them to the Light, they are cut, polished, and placed in a setting of His choice." Amy Carmichael: Let the Little Children Come Lois Hoadley Dick
"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," 2Timothy 3:12
I am so ill prepared for persecution. Are you? My life has been one of ease and comfort. Don't get me wrong. I like ease and comfort. I like being praised. I like being surrounded by friends who are easy to love. I like teaching Bible lessons to women who basically agree with me. I like having my children safe in their homes. But scripture says if I want to lead a godly life I will suffer persecution.
So I need to ask myself some hard questions. Do I really want to live godly? Can Christ ask me to do or say a hard thing that will not be popular but will be Biblically true? Will I release with my blessing my children or grandchildren to a dangerous mission field in a foreign country? Will I go witness to my neighbor about the only way to heaven when I know she believes that concept to be an intolerant viewpoint? Will I disagree with the modern tolerant stand on a woman's right to her body [meaning abortion], and the right of any two people who are in love to marry [meaning homosexuality]? Is it a sign, dear Lord, that I am not following you very closely since I am not suffering persecution?
Yet, I am sure of this thing. I am Your child. I belong to You. And You know when and where and how to bring into my life what is needed to follow You more closely and love You more deeply. I am Yours, Lord, and I submit today to what You bring into my life. Only help me to obey You. When persecution comes help me not to shrink away.
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus...Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." 2Timothy 2: 1, 3
"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," 2Timothy 3:12
I am so ill prepared for persecution. Are you? My life has been one of ease and comfort. Don't get me wrong. I like ease and comfort. I like being praised. I like being surrounded by friends who are easy to love. I like teaching Bible lessons to women who basically agree with me. I like having my children safe in their homes. But scripture says if I want to lead a godly life I will suffer persecution.
So I need to ask myself some hard questions. Do I really want to live godly? Can Christ ask me to do or say a hard thing that will not be popular but will be Biblically true? Will I release with my blessing my children or grandchildren to a dangerous mission field in a foreign country? Will I go witness to my neighbor about the only way to heaven when I know she believes that concept to be an intolerant viewpoint? Will I disagree with the modern tolerant stand on a woman's right to her body [meaning abortion], and the right of any two people who are in love to marry [meaning homosexuality]? Is it a sign, dear Lord, that I am not following you very closely since I am not suffering persecution?
Yet, I am sure of this thing. I am Your child. I belong to You. And You know when and where and how to bring into my life what is needed to follow You more closely and love You more deeply. I am Yours, Lord, and I submit today to what You bring into my life. Only help me to obey You. When persecution comes help me not to shrink away.
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus...Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." 2Timothy 2: 1, 3
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