The Anointing in His Presence

(Now Faith available on Amazon.com)

Who’s rubbing off on you?

Our pastor tells about when he had a camel named Kramer. Anyone could tell when he’d been spending time with Kramer; he smelled like Kramer.

What scent do we carry with us throughout the day? Can people tell we’ve spent time with God? I think they can, if, indeed we truly have spent time with Him. I don’t just mean taking a few minutes to breeze through some passage in the Bible that we read as an obligation; but truly spending time in God’s presence.

Sometimes I’ll see a woman with a glow and marvel; she’s a Christian and it shows. On occasion, I’ve even approached her to ask. Of course, she beams with joy to discover Jesus shining through her to whoever may gaze her way. That ‘pregnant glow’ that we hear tell of, is alive in her, too. Though she may not be pregnant with a baby, God’s Word is growing in her, to birth all sorts of blessings He wants to pour out on those around her.  

I may have noticed that ‘glow’ in you, too, in person, or through something you’ve written or shared via Facebook.

Right now I’m reading a book entitled, “Now Faith” by Cheryl Stasinowsky. Each page reveals tremendous evidence that she’s spent time in the presence of God. Her words are anointed. But, just as everything has its season, her words may not jump into your heart immediately, as they’re doing to me. I think the readiness of our heart enters into the equation, as well. I’m reading it slowly, and purposefully, it’s overwhelming me. I feel like I’m entering a holy place, wherever I’m at when I read it. I was in a drive-thru line the other day and I pulled out the book, even there, I felt God; alive and in my car with me, tangible. I’m getting ready for a new level of fulfillment; of anointing!

Join me? Let me smell some God on ya! Let me see your glow!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…. 

(To read all of Hebrews chapter 11, click on the blue link above.)

Got Brokenness?

(photo courtesy of walkingthroughthevalley.com)

Apparently it’s true that one man’s junk is another Man’s treasure. God loves broken vessels. To some, that would make Him a junk collector, but others say God doesn’t make junk.

His Word tells us so much about this “broken vessel collector”….

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. – Psalm 34:18 (KJV)

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3 (KJV)

But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. – Isaiah 64:8 (KJV)

When God made us, He created us in His own image, with no need of fixing. Over time, we’re the ones who mess things up. We become those broken vessels through time and the trials of life. Both what we do, and what’s done to us create fissures in the finish of the vessel of life we’re created to be. Over time, those fine lines and deep cracks bring us to a breaking point, a place where we can crumble as waste and blow away, or where we can crumble at His feet and allow Him to pick up us a create in us a new heart – one that mirrors His.

In the 18th chapter of Jeremiah we read a story liking God’s working in our lives with that of a potter at his wheel, redefining or totally recreating each vessel that becomes flawed.

There are fancy delicate vessels, created to hold but one flower or sturdier ones made to hold a huge bouquet. There are vessels that hold wonderful foods, whether to cook in or eat from! There are vessels that hold garbage, and those that are specifically made to hold our waste. He created each of us with a specific purpose. I often wonder what kind of vessel God created me to be, as well as what kind of vessel He sees me fit to be as I am now.

No matter my condition, God is willing and able, even eager, to mend me or recreate in me a new heart, I pray for one like His own.

Our pastor says, jokingly, something to the effect of, “We’re an exclusive club; you can’t get in if your heart hasn’t been broken…”

I’ve never seen anyone that didn’t meet the requirements.

What can He make from your brokenness?

And when he[Jesus] had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

And he, [Jesus] closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. – Luke 4:18-20 (KJV)

Let Me Hear Your War Cry!

(photo courtesy of kalich.wordpress.com)

Francis Schaeffer, a Presbyterian pastor (1912-1984), is quoted as saying, “In front of every abortion clinic there needs to be a sign that reads, Here by permission of the Church.”

Where is our voice? The idea that our voice is not wanted or needed is a lie of the enemy. And we swallow it hook, line and sinker; keeping our thoughts to ourselves more often than not, so as not to ‘offend’ anyone.

Not to debate statistics, but just pulling some from the internet:

According to ABC News polls, only about 4% of Americans consider themselves to be gay or bisexual, yet their voice is loud!

According to those same polls, about 83% of Americans consider themselves to be Christians, yet this voice is so small, so quiet.

I’m not making a point here regarding who is right or who is wrong, simply that we don’t have to be many to be heard.

We have our own beliefs, each and every one of us, not counting the people who respond, “I don’t know” or “I never really thought about it” to questions of conscience.  (Apparently those people don’t know how to think for themselves.)

But ponder this: what makes those of us with godly values cower in our prayer closets, afraid to be challenged about our beliefs? What makes us keep our opinions to ourselves? What makes us think that no one wants to hear what we have to say?

By keeping our convictions to ourselves, what’s said by the masses goes on record as what the majority of Americans have to say, simply because so many Americans have nothing to say!

Across our nation, we with godly beliefs remain silent, while those with opposing viewpoints decide what our children will be taught in school, from tainted history lessons, to immoral attitudes about sexuality and procreation, to teaching mere theories without providing opposing arguments on those theories.

Why?

Why do we let anyone take from us the rights that we, for so long, have enjoyed in this nation? Be it politicians or school boards, judges or juries.

Why do we look the other way when important decisions are being made that involve depriving us of our rights?

Why do we turn off the news when we hear stories that frighten us?

Why do we toss our hands up in the air and shrug, mumbling something about God having everything under control?

He clearly doesn’t have everything under control if we haven’t submitted ourselves to Him and the guidelines and promises He’s laid out for us in His Word. We’ve chosen to let the world and it’s perversions take control of our how lives will be lived, just as Adam and Eve surrendered control of the Garden of Eden, and this realm, to the beguiling serpent.

We can no longer “pass the buck” and blame someone else, or pretend that if we were Adam or Eve we wouldn’t have bitten that forbidden fruit.

How can we call ourselves children of the Most High God – yet believe that we have no authority at all?

Perhaps we should adorn ourselves with the attire of paupers if that’s how we want to live. Perhaps we should surrender our titles as priests and kings and princes, since the majority of us are choosing to live as peasants.

Where’s our war cry? Where’s our voice?

Let’s hear it!

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” ~ 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” ~ Revelation 1:6 (KJV)

“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” ~ Revelation 5:10 (KJV)

What If I Don't?

(photo courtesy of viewableimpressions.co.uk)

What if I begin to ask my questions backwards? I admit I’ve been struggling to lose weight here in the past few years. While pondering the conundrum, it occurred to me that I’m settling for answers to the wrong questions. Duh!

For lunch today, I presumed I’d have my leftovers from yesterday. I barely ate half of the calzone from my Sunday lunch at Old Chicago, where we watched the Cleveland Browns start a winning game! Knowing it’s not my best choice, I asked myself why I had to eat it. Well, I already paid for it, no sense in wasting it. (I’m one of those folks who’s been trapped in the “I ordered it – I eat it/I paid for it – I eat it” game of reasoning.)

But what if I ask the question differently? What if, instead of assuming I should, I ask, “What if I don’t?” I’m delving into areas I seldom consider for my own life. What if?

I need to go for a walk this morning. But, what if I don’t? If I don’t, I get to stay in my warm house and write, or piddle around with my other chores for the day. But I know my weight will remain the same. Normally, I settle for that. But, what if I do? If I do go for that walk, I stand a chance at bettering a good habit, and the numbers on the scale may become more kind to me!

Let’s go back to that carb-filled calzone. What if I do eat it? I laden myself with the burden of those carbs and I slide away from the table bloated and feeling lazy, perhaps adding to my weight concerns. But, what if I don’t? What if I just eat the meat inside? Or what if I throw it away!? Now that’s a profound thought! Hmmm, pondering… processing….. Whether I eat it or throw it away, the money is already spent. But, one’s mind might argue, if I don’t eat it, I’ll spend more money on a new lunch today. (Can you tell I might be trapped in a poverty mentality, even though our budget is a healthy one?)

The bottom line is - which choice will get me one step closer to where I want to be?

When the weather is too cold, I can rationalize not going out for a walk. But, yes, we have an elliptical….and yes, I can make excuses for not using it, but what if I don’t? What if instead of making excuses, I rationalize reasons I should do it?

Many of you may have already faced these choices and have come out on the winning side. I commend you, even though you’re resounding “duh!” rattles in my head. You’re smarter than I am, I get it. But for me, it’s finally getting interesting. What if I argue the other side of the coin in my mind?

What if…..?

“Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” – Proverbs 4:26 (KJV)