My home is situated in a rural area of Northwestern Ontario. People come and go, but other than that, not much changes. The seasons rotate, children grow up, every once in a while, someone will move in or move away. However, in the grand scheme of things, day in and day out, life remains the same.
A while back, someone, in their ultimate wisdom, put up a stop sign by an uncontrolled train track. This train track has been there since very early in the 1900's. People have come and gone, crossing the tracks, for over 100 years. They got used to slowing down to a crawl, looking both ways, then proceeding with caution--not exactly the railroad rule of stop, look, and listen that we learned in grade school. But these "country stops" are the norm around here. At each stop sign, road junction, train track, etc. we just slow down to a crawl, give a good look, then proceed (sometimes with caution, sometimes without--depending on how distracted we are).
The other day, I crossed the tracks, and realized that I had crossed the tracks and barely slowed down. I couldn't remember if I had looked left or right. I did NOT stop at the stop sign. Needless to say, I found that rather distressing. How often, I wondered, had I crossed those tracks without giving them the respect that they should have had?
Then, I got to thinking about how God gives us a sign. He prepares us for the hard times in our lives. We, in our human narcissism, do not recognize these signs. When we do, we often try to rationalize, minimize what He is trying to tell us.
Things are always bad before they get worse. We need to be so in tune with Him that we recognize the warning signs and seek guidance and help before things get worse.
It is like this stop sign that seems to have been posted for no apparent reason. Someone, somewhere, knew something that was not mine to know. They had the authority to do something to prevent something bad from becoming something worse. Instead of respecting that, those of us who have crossed that track for years, simply kept crossing in the same way we always had.
Years ago, a fellow had been killed while going over the train tracks. The story is that he was tired and wasn't paying attention. How is that different from my not paying attention and not slowing down and taking a good look?
In the past couple of years the speed and length of trains has increased exponentially. There are no longer cabooses, engineers are at the controls for extremely long hours, and the chances of a train/auto accident has been increased accordingly.
Just like that stop sign, God gives us signs to get our attention. They are meant to slow us down so that we will wait for his guidence. They are meant to slow us down or stop us, so we wait for his will, his timing, his plan to play itself out in our lives.
Just like that stop sign, I have gone by these God signs without paying attention. Next thing I know, I have found myself at a destination, or in a situation, which is definitely out of his will, timing, or plan for my life. Usually, when finding myself lost like that, I then turn for his guidance. As my mom would say, "a day late, and a penny short." My husband says it is like shutting the barn door after the cow got loose. Either way, it is the same principal...I am in a fine mess of my own making because I did not keep God involved. I did not seek his voice, nor did I pay attention to any of the signs that He supplied to warn me that I was out of his will.
So, my sweet ones, whether the signs before you make sense, or not, pay attention. God just might be trying to prevent something bad from becoming worse. Take the time to slow down and listen for his voice. Put your stubborn self aside and seek his guidance--before you find yourself in a pickle.
In all things, and in all times, know that He loves you. His greatest desire is your good.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Have a wonderful, God based beginning to 2010. Remember that every single moment is a blessing. God could either call you home, or send Christ to return at any moment. Live each day to do some good for others, to honour God and bring increase to the kingdom. Watch for his signs in your life, and stay close to his side.
Happy New Year!
Jude
www.awriterstoolbox.com
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Same...Only Different
The Same—Only Different
“The assurance has grown upon me that here, in the Scriptures, at the very heart and core of our faith, Christians are far more at one than their outward divisions would imply.” J B Phillips
This statement is true only as long as those professing Christian are grounded in the Scriptures; only if they are Bible believing, Bible guided and Bible studying people are they indeed close to what that statement describes. I would agree that they are closer to the whole family of Christ, than what their particular church choice’s doctrines would indicate.
Unfortunately, many “Christians” that we come into contact with do not meet that simple litmus test. Oh, they might meet one or two points of what describes a Christian, however, sadly, many do not meet all three of that simple criterion. Believe; be guided by; study. Many of them know the Bible inside and out. However, when in conversation with them about its basic principals, you will find some room for doubt.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in out lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” II Timothy 3:16 NLT
False doctrine is not just something that is going on in the un-churched; it is prevalent in many of our churches and Christian groups. In each gathering, there are those who read the Bible then pick and choose which parts to believe and which parts not to. There are those who take a hold of those portions that support their personal preferences, supplying fuel for the argument in support of bias, prejudice, division, or excuses for un-Godly behaviour.
These people, for all their cranial knowledge of the Word, are not taking their responsibility as Christians as seriously, as they need to. Theirs is a selfish faith. They use their Christianity and the Bible with a personal agenda being their sole purpose for studying, or quoting. They will debate, quote, and use any form of connivance to sway those who are seeking into their way of thinking and belief.
If you are in conversation or association with a Christian and find yourself feeling that something is not quite right—or something they are sharing does not ring true, use your Bible as the litmus test. Check the facts. Whenever something comes to you that you either have not heard before, or are hearing in a different way, it is always good to go to your Bible and check it out. Sometimes, reading a verse in the context of the entire Bible chapter, or book, will put things into a better perspective.
A good Bible Concordance is an invaluable tool for this kind of research. It will help you narrow your search down to those passages that are relevant to the subject at hand. Strong’s concordances are very user friendly and are quite affordable.
One thing is certain, the Bible will either confirm or increase your understanding, or it will show you what is false and protect you from being led down the wrong path. When in doubt, check your facts. A fact that you can count on as true: 2600 statements in the Bible affirm that “God said” or that Scripture is “the Word of God.”
God has made himself known in many ways throughout Scripture. Still, there are those who have their doubts. Having doubts is not a sin. Taking those doubts and structuring a personal version of Bible truths, then preaching them in order to sway others to your way of thinking, is. It is dishonest, and selfish. In addition, it is my personal belief that it is cowardly. Delving into Scripture and allowing it to honestly minister to you and in your life, can be a scary thing. Many of us would rather not have that particular mirror held up to us.
Thankfully, God is merciful and He constantly works to teach, guide, and repair our lives toward the Truth. One of our tools of defense is the teaching and accountability of Bible Studies. In this venue of personal sharing, one can ask questions and gain a clear understanding and consensus on the lessons and truths of the Bible. They can also learn how to apply these lessons and truths to their lives.
The more you know, not only of what the Bible says, but what the Bible means, the better protected you are against false teachings.
“It is a wonder God did not loose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, He embraced us. He took our sin—dead lives and made us alive in Christ.” Ephesians 2:3-5 MSG
Remember, when we are unsure, God knows. He gave us the Bible, his Word, for a reason. READ IT. STUDY IT. BELIEVE IT.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man [woman] of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 1:14 MSG
“The assurance has grown upon me that here, in the Scriptures, at the very heart and core of our faith, Christians are far more at one than their outward divisions would imply.” J B Phillips
This statement is true only as long as those professing Christian are grounded in the Scriptures; only if they are Bible believing, Bible guided and Bible studying people are they indeed close to what that statement describes. I would agree that they are closer to the whole family of Christ, than what their particular church choice’s doctrines would indicate.
Unfortunately, many “Christians” that we come into contact with do not meet that simple litmus test. Oh, they might meet one or two points of what describes a Christian, however, sadly, many do not meet all three of that simple criterion. Believe; be guided by; study. Many of them know the Bible inside and out. However, when in conversation with them about its basic principals, you will find some room for doubt.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in out lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” II Timothy 3:16 NLT
False doctrine is not just something that is going on in the un-churched; it is prevalent in many of our churches and Christian groups. In each gathering, there are those who read the Bible then pick and choose which parts to believe and which parts not to. There are those who take a hold of those portions that support their personal preferences, supplying fuel for the argument in support of bias, prejudice, division, or excuses for un-Godly behaviour.
These people, for all their cranial knowledge of the Word, are not taking their responsibility as Christians as seriously, as they need to. Theirs is a selfish faith. They use their Christianity and the Bible with a personal agenda being their sole purpose for studying, or quoting. They will debate, quote, and use any form of connivance to sway those who are seeking into their way of thinking and belief.
If you are in conversation or association with a Christian and find yourself feeling that something is not quite right—or something they are sharing does not ring true, use your Bible as the litmus test. Check the facts. Whenever something comes to you that you either have not heard before, or are hearing in a different way, it is always good to go to your Bible and check it out. Sometimes, reading a verse in the context of the entire Bible chapter, or book, will put things into a better perspective.
A good Bible Concordance is an invaluable tool for this kind of research. It will help you narrow your search down to those passages that are relevant to the subject at hand. Strong’s concordances are very user friendly and are quite affordable.
One thing is certain, the Bible will either confirm or increase your understanding, or it will show you what is false and protect you from being led down the wrong path. When in doubt, check your facts. A fact that you can count on as true: 2600 statements in the Bible affirm that “God said” or that Scripture is “the Word of God.”
God has made himself known in many ways throughout Scripture. Still, there are those who have their doubts. Having doubts is not a sin. Taking those doubts and structuring a personal version of Bible truths, then preaching them in order to sway others to your way of thinking, is. It is dishonest, and selfish. In addition, it is my personal belief that it is cowardly. Delving into Scripture and allowing it to honestly minister to you and in your life, can be a scary thing. Many of us would rather not have that particular mirror held up to us.
Thankfully, God is merciful and He constantly works to teach, guide, and repair our lives toward the Truth. One of our tools of defense is the teaching and accountability of Bible Studies. In this venue of personal sharing, one can ask questions and gain a clear understanding and consensus on the lessons and truths of the Bible. They can also learn how to apply these lessons and truths to their lives.
The more you know, not only of what the Bible says, but what the Bible means, the better protected you are against false teachings.
“It is a wonder God did not loose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, He embraced us. He took our sin—dead lives and made us alive in Christ.” Ephesians 2:3-5 MSG
Remember, when we are unsure, God knows. He gave us the Bible, his Word, for a reason. READ IT. STUDY IT. BELIEVE IT.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man [woman] of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 1:14 MSG
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Strongholds
The message today was on strongholds. It reminded me about a study that I did a few years ago. It was done in my room, just me and God. The study, “Facing the Giants in Your Life” by Dr. David Jeremiah, really touched me deeply.
How many of those strongholds have I won victory over, I wondered, as I drove home from church. That led me to wonder what the biggest stronghold was in my life today. Often when I am driving the 40 or so minutes to and from town, I am deep in thought about something or other, or praying as I drive (yes, with my eyes open.)
This time in the car is when God has me as a captive audience. There is no escaping his voice in my ear. He can even reach me over the volume of the radio. Today, He was prompting me to look deep in my heart of hearts and recognize that which was keeping me trapped and away from His side.
What I realized, as I thought and prayed, was that an image kept coming to my mind. It was the image of my mother lying in a hospital bed, her legs blackened up past her knee. You see, my mother was a diabetic and she had gangrene in both of her legs. She chose not to have any amputation. Once again, I felt the anguish of watching her suffer, and knowing that there was nothing any of us could do to relieve her pain. It felt as real as it had when she was still alive, over twenty years ago.
Now that I have been diagnosed with diabetes, this image is always lurking, causing a deep and terribly crippling fear in my heart of hearts. Will I end up like Mom? Will I suffer as she did? These questions are never far from my mind. Each time my ankle swells, or I have leg cramps, or my toes tingle, or my heel becomes calloused, or... the fear increases.
In so many things, I have placed my complete trust in God’s plan for my life. Facing cancer—five times—did not instill in me the fear that the mental image of those blackened legs has. This, I recognized, is my greatest stronghold.
What is tricky about these types of strongholds is that we do not realize what a profound affect they have on so many other areas of our lives. The fear of my diabetes has coloured my relationships with family and friends; it has caused me to make choices, which, at times, are not the wisest, God purposed choices; and it has crippled me in my faith walk, handicapping my spirit and the Spirit’s work in my life. In a very real way, this fear has me giving up—giving up on the joy that should fill each day; giving up on trusting God for healing, as well. Now, I know that I have always had trust issues, but I did not realize that I had trust issues where God is concerned. I always thought that I trusted Him completely…however, in this stronghold, I have to ask myself, where is my trust in God?
So, all of this understood, what do I do about it? The first step, of course, is recognizing that there is a problem. Just as it is true with an alcoholic recognizing that he is powerless over his alcoholism, so must I recognize that I am completely powerless over this fear. Only in complete submission to that revelation, can I let go completely and allow God to work on it. As long as I try to battle even the smallest part of that fear, satan has a toehold to continue to persecute me through it and bind me to it.
Next, I have to find the courage to allow God to work on it. Even the most fearful, uncomfortable place can become comfortable—especially with those of us who feel like we are not worthy of any better.
My job, in the work, is to pray fervently for God to remove this fear…and this image from me. I know, with all of my heart and being, that only through Him can I be relieved of the chains of this fear.
My challenge to you, dear ones, is to search your heart of hearts to discover that which holds you in bondage. What are the strongholds in your life?
Here is a small list to help you sort that out. It is the list of strongholds that are worked through in the before mentioned study. I have included a Bible reference which speaks to this stronghold.
For myself, I think it is time to work through the study again. Needless to say, I will be concentrating on “fear.”
LIST OF STRONGHOLDS
- Fear (Deuteronomy 1:19-40)
- Discouragement (Nehemiah 4)
- Loneliness (Colossians 1:21,22; Hebrew 10:25, Roman’s 12:4-6)
- Worry (Matthew 6:25-34)
- Guilt (Psalms 32 and 51)
- Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12-14)
- Anger (Ephesians 4:25-32)
- Resentment (Matthew 5:38-42)
- Doubt (John 20:24-29)
- Procrastination (Acts 24:22-27)
- Failure (II Corinthians 4:7-18)
- Jealousy (1 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 4:30)
May God richly bless your personal time with Him.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (New International Version)
4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
www.awriterstoolbox.com
How many of those strongholds have I won victory over, I wondered, as I drove home from church. That led me to wonder what the biggest stronghold was in my life today. Often when I am driving the 40 or so minutes to and from town, I am deep in thought about something or other, or praying as I drive (yes, with my eyes open.)
This time in the car is when God has me as a captive audience. There is no escaping his voice in my ear. He can even reach me over the volume of the radio. Today, He was prompting me to look deep in my heart of hearts and recognize that which was keeping me trapped and away from His side.
What I realized, as I thought and prayed, was that an image kept coming to my mind. It was the image of my mother lying in a hospital bed, her legs blackened up past her knee. You see, my mother was a diabetic and she had gangrene in both of her legs. She chose not to have any amputation. Once again, I felt the anguish of watching her suffer, and knowing that there was nothing any of us could do to relieve her pain. It felt as real as it had when she was still alive, over twenty years ago.
Now that I have been diagnosed with diabetes, this image is always lurking, causing a deep and terribly crippling fear in my heart of hearts. Will I end up like Mom? Will I suffer as she did? These questions are never far from my mind. Each time my ankle swells, or I have leg cramps, or my toes tingle, or my heel becomes calloused, or... the fear increases.
In so many things, I have placed my complete trust in God’s plan for my life. Facing cancer—five times—did not instill in me the fear that the mental image of those blackened legs has. This, I recognized, is my greatest stronghold.
What is tricky about these types of strongholds is that we do not realize what a profound affect they have on so many other areas of our lives. The fear of my diabetes has coloured my relationships with family and friends; it has caused me to make choices, which, at times, are not the wisest, God purposed choices; and it has crippled me in my faith walk, handicapping my spirit and the Spirit’s work in my life. In a very real way, this fear has me giving up—giving up on the joy that should fill each day; giving up on trusting God for healing, as well. Now, I know that I have always had trust issues, but I did not realize that I had trust issues where God is concerned. I always thought that I trusted Him completely…however, in this stronghold, I have to ask myself, where is my trust in God?
So, all of this understood, what do I do about it? The first step, of course, is recognizing that there is a problem. Just as it is true with an alcoholic recognizing that he is powerless over his alcoholism, so must I recognize that I am completely powerless over this fear. Only in complete submission to that revelation, can I let go completely and allow God to work on it. As long as I try to battle even the smallest part of that fear, satan has a toehold to continue to persecute me through it and bind me to it.
Next, I have to find the courage to allow God to work on it. Even the most fearful, uncomfortable place can become comfortable—especially with those of us who feel like we are not worthy of any better.
My job, in the work, is to pray fervently for God to remove this fear…and this image from me. I know, with all of my heart and being, that only through Him can I be relieved of the chains of this fear.
My challenge to you, dear ones, is to search your heart of hearts to discover that which holds you in bondage. What are the strongholds in your life?
Here is a small list to help you sort that out. It is the list of strongholds that are worked through in the before mentioned study. I have included a Bible reference which speaks to this stronghold.
For myself, I think it is time to work through the study again. Needless to say, I will be concentrating on “fear.”
LIST OF STRONGHOLDS
- Fear (Deuteronomy 1:19-40)
- Discouragement (Nehemiah 4)
- Loneliness (Colossians 1:21,22; Hebrew 10:25, Roman’s 12:4-6)
- Worry (Matthew 6:25-34)
- Guilt (Psalms 32 and 51)
- Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12-14)
- Anger (Ephesians 4:25-32)
- Resentment (Matthew 5:38-42)
- Doubt (John 20:24-29)
- Procrastination (Acts 24:22-27)
- Failure (II Corinthians 4:7-18)
- Jealousy (1 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 4:30)
May God richly bless your personal time with Him.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (New International Version)
4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
www.awriterstoolbox.com
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Lump
So I have this lump. As any woman knows, once they hear that a lump has been found, nothing in life looks quite the same every again. It doesn't matter whether the lump is found to be cancer, or a benign tumor, the emotional effects of hearing that word for the first time is still the same. It is a feeling much like what I experienced when I had a miscarriage. My body is all of a sudden this foreign thing that is attacking me.
The discovery of the lump and the miscarriage are equally devastating. In the case of the lump, my life feels, on some level or other--depending on the outcome of the biopsy--to be in peril. With the miscarriage, the precious life inside me was in peril. In both, I felt like my body had broken my trust. More than that, my body felt like an enemy. As with any enemy, it is not functioning in my best interests.
In a way, this same feeling comes to me when I know that I have stepped out of the will of God. My entire being feels like it no longer is serving my best interests, and is actually working to my ruination. What I wonder is why I constantly allow myself to move in these destructive direction?
With the lump and the miscarriage, it was completely out of my hands. All I could do was to trust that God has a plan and lean on the fact that He loves me and would not allow anything that was not in His will and within His plan.
With the rebellion, however(and lets call a spade a spade...it is rebellion),it is completely in my power to change. Again, I must ask, "why?"
Seeking God is something that I do, often without thinking. Stopping in this needed quest and rebelling is something that I seem to do, also without thinking. How I must frustrate my God. Thankfully, He loves me enough to send me a wake-up call.
Today, a friend send me a lovely email. At the bottom of this, was a line signature that said: "A woman should be so lost in God that a man must seek Him in order to find her." Wow! This really spoke to me. It both reprimanded and instructed me.
Have you ever read a line somewhere that just popped out and smacked you in the face? Well, this is exactly what this line did. It was a wake-up call. So, my dear ones, Now wide awake, I am encouraged, and encouraging you, to seek Him and loose yourself in Him.
Our pastor asked, a while ago, what people see when they look at us. Now, I ask myself the same question, "what do people see when they look at me?" Apart from the obvious--you are about 50 pounds overweight--do people see Christ when they look at me? Do they see his love reflected in my eyes? Do they feel his touch when I touch them? Does my physical and emotional demeanor reflect a life based in Him?
Sadly, I have to wonder to what extent I can answer "yes" to any of those queries. Another wake-up call. Can I really and truly believe that I am Christian in the purest sense of the title, if I am not so completely lost in Him that people see Him when looking at me?
As usual, my dear ones, food for thought, and a little bit of encouragement to "get right" and "get lost" in Him. Know that I will sure be making more of an effort to keep my focus and my energy aimed in that direction.
As always, dear ones, know that God loves you, and so do I!
Jude
www.awriterstoolbox.com
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