At Any Cost
Our Rebellion
“I’m not giving in, not at any cost!” is not something we as Christians are likely to consciously say out loud to God. When we rebel against what God wants and insist on our own way in any given situation - we are most likely in denial about it, or perhaps don’t even recognize what we’re doing. The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. So generally speaking, it’s not something that we’re open about doing. But, we do rebel, and we are stubborn, far too often.
Rebellion would be the opposite of submission. So perhaps it’s easier for us to say that sometimes we’re not the best at submitting - but we would never openly rebel against God. We make jokes about being stubborn and wanting things our own way, but maybe we just didn’t realize how bad this is in God’s eyes. Why is it shameful for a small child to openly throw a fit and rebel against her parents, especially in public? Yet we pout when God doesn’t do things our way.
We rebel when we pray against God’s Will. We rebel when we don’t pray at all. We rebel openly every single time we disobey Him.
Lately when anger comes upon me, or when I begin to act out of character, or when the urge comes over me to use profanity - I’ve begun to recognize God telling me that there is rebellion in my life.
Just the other day at a public pool I found myself getting very angry over petty little things. They had some of the dumbest rules, and the lifeguards were being particularly snotty at pointing out to me when I or my grandchildren did something not permitted - like the swim vest one child was wearing had (very small) flotation devices sewed into it. It was against the rules to wear it there. Later that same grandchild couldn’t sit up on the ledge of the hot tub with me. Come on, I knew he wasn’t allowed in the tub with me, but really, I thought they were being petty and it went beyond annoying me, to the point of anger, seemingly from no where. As I stood there in the pool, child clinging to me - it dawned on me. There was a spirit of rebellion controlling me! As soon as I prayed it went away. I quietly personalized a great quote from James 4:7 (Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.) “Lord, I submit myself to You, therefore, and I resist satan and he must flee from me right this minute! I’m sorry for allowing anger and rebellion to control my thoughts and my actions, please forgive me Lord.” Now because I was at the pool trying to have fun with my husband and my grandchildren - I didn’t really give it much thought after I told my husband how the anger miraculously vanished. But, had I let satan continue to badger me, and allowed my anger to get the better of me, we’d have surely gotten ourselves kicked out of the pool, permanently.
Rebellion has a subtle way of working it’s way into our hearts undetected, until it serves it’s purpose and we’ve committed sin. That is, unless we’re on guard. We need to guard our hearts. We need to be on the look out for the “little things” that sneak into our lives and slowly begin to take over.
We may not even realize what it is that we’re in rebellion about until we pray about it. I don’t really think that I was just in rebellion about the rules at the pool the other day. Obviously this is a touchy subject, even for me. I honestly want to believe that I submit myself to God, all the time. But this is something that takes a concentrated effort. It’s not in our human nature to submit.
At the beginning of all human relationships God says to the woman, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." (Genesis 3:16) That your desire should be for your husband doesn’t sound like part of a punishment, but when you study that phrase a little bit, you’ll find that it actually means that your desire will be to rule over your husband, but God goes on to say that instead, our husbands will rule over us. We can see clearly that woman in her fallen state today still wants to wear the pants in the family, she want to be the one in charge. But as Christian women, women who have been made right with God, we are to submit to our husbands -and to do it lovingly, with humility and meekness. Notwithstanding, our Christian husbands are to love us as Christ loves His Body, the church.
So often we rebel against our husbands, but even more we rebel against the God that created us to submit lovingly. Maybe the particular problem we have isn’t with our husbands, some of us aren’t even married. What do we rebel against so vehemently? Since rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft to God, do we need to look any further to find out why some of our prayers seem to go unanswered?
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
He Gives Life - Just Because He Loves Us
John 11:33-35 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. Jesus wept.
Just as Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and troubled when He saw Mary (Lazarus' sister) crying - so He is when He sees us cry, and He cries with us, as He did with Mary. BUT - He has the power to change things - as He did for Mary. Mary wept because her brother lay dead in his grave - Jesus brought him out of the grave and filled him with life again. He'll do the same thing for us, He'll bring life back into what we believe to be dead. Not because we beg Him, not because we're good enough, not because we bargain with Him - but because He loves us.
Just as Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and troubled when He saw Mary (Lazarus' sister) crying - so He is when He sees us cry, and He cries with us, as He did with Mary. BUT - He has the power to change things - as He did for Mary. Mary wept because her brother lay dead in his grave - Jesus brought him out of the grave and filled him with life again. He'll do the same thing for us, He'll bring life back into what we believe to be dead. Not because we beg Him, not because we're good enough, not because we bargain with Him - but because He loves us.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
My Resurrection Day Poem
Oh, dear Lord, let me be Your pen,
every now and then, write with me.
Oh, Lord, just now I pray,
that You would choose today-
to speak through me again.
I love You, Precious Jesus,
Thou art my Holy God.
I'll praise Your Name forever,
and before You I shall bow.
I'm so privileged, Lord, to be chosen,
among the few and many here,
to carry out that priceless call,
to cleanse from hearts such fear-
For only by Your grace and mercy sent out with Your Love,
can we receive, as I have done, the gifts within Your love.
The gifts, oh Lord, which do contain more than we can hold,
such peace and joy and freedom, Lord, to keep as we grow old.
Set free now by the Blood You shed, upon Mount Calvary,
a freedom that will never bind, this freedom, Lord, is free.
Our spirits now will never know, the depths of hells dark tomb,
we'll soar to heights so high above, now searched, through
Jesus' wounds.
The wounds that we ourselves inflicted, now bleed such precious
Blood, to cover and protect us with unmeasurable seas of love.
That love that searches out our hearts, and reaches down inside,
and lifts us up above despair, with a promise to abide,
It's never ending, never weakening strength just fills our souls,
it bursts right through those stifling cords, sin must loose it's hold.
Rejoice, rejoice, my soul must sing, it's Resurrection Day-
the love of God shakes everything, only Godliness remains.
The gloomy shield that satan carries is not in my path,
Yes, to the right or to the left, I need not look to that,
I'll keep my eyes on Jesus Christ, blest anchor of my soul-
and leave to Him where I shall go, I surrender all control.
His bleeding hands shall hold me close, from His Blood I'll not retreat.
This Blood I want, I need on me, from head down to my feet.
This Blood is not repulsive, to quickly be washed off,
I cannot wash away this Blood, it's me it washes off.
I am the dirty sinful girl that Jesus reaches for-
To wash and cleanse me with His Blood, that I might sin no more.
I gladly run to the fount of His Blood,
and see the mount of His shame,
I cry at the pain that I put Him through,
and still He calls out my name.
My name, what am I to Him? I ask,
but with love in His eyes I can see.
He looks through my heart which is His alone,
and He sees no sin in me.
~1989 Helen Williams! c 2002
every now and then, write with me.
Oh, Lord, just now I pray,
that You would choose today-
to speak through me again.
I love You, Precious Jesus,
Thou art my Holy God.
I'll praise Your Name forever,
and before You I shall bow.
I'm so privileged, Lord, to be chosen,
among the few and many here,
to carry out that priceless call,
to cleanse from hearts such fear-
For only by Your grace and mercy sent out with Your Love,
can we receive, as I have done, the gifts within Your love.
The gifts, oh Lord, which do contain more than we can hold,
such peace and joy and freedom, Lord, to keep as we grow old.
Set free now by the Blood You shed, upon Mount Calvary,
a freedom that will never bind, this freedom, Lord, is free.
Our spirits now will never know, the depths of hells dark tomb,
we'll soar to heights so high above, now searched, through
Jesus' wounds.
The wounds that we ourselves inflicted, now bleed such precious
Blood, to cover and protect us with unmeasurable seas of love.
That love that searches out our hearts, and reaches down inside,
and lifts us up above despair, with a promise to abide,
It's never ending, never weakening strength just fills our souls,
it bursts right through those stifling cords, sin must loose it's hold.
Rejoice, rejoice, my soul must sing, it's Resurrection Day-
the love of God shakes everything, only Godliness remains.
The gloomy shield that satan carries is not in my path,
Yes, to the right or to the left, I need not look to that,
I'll keep my eyes on Jesus Christ, blest anchor of my soul-
and leave to Him where I shall go, I surrender all control.
His bleeding hands shall hold me close, from His Blood I'll not retreat.
This Blood I want, I need on me, from head down to my feet.
This Blood is not repulsive, to quickly be washed off,
I cannot wash away this Blood, it's me it washes off.
I am the dirty sinful girl that Jesus reaches for-
To wash and cleanse me with His Blood, that I might sin no more.
I gladly run to the fount of His Blood,
and see the mount of His shame,
I cry at the pain that I put Him through,
and still He calls out my name.
My name, what am I to Him? I ask,
but with love in His eyes I can see.
He looks through my heart which is His alone,
and He sees no sin in me.
~1989 Helen Williams! c 2002
Friday, March 19, 2010
New York City Salt Ban?
What is America coming to? Is the average American not capable of deciding what their diet should consist of? Even though we have far too many obese and unhealthy people among us - do we really want the government putting their fingers in our dinner plates?
In New York City - there are currently lawmakers trying to do just that - putting their hands not only into the wallets of the people, but now into their dinner plates. They're proposing a law that will make it illegal for eating establishments to prepare food using any salt at all! The penalty could be $1000 fine each time they do! http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/11/new-york-restaurants-salt-ban
(Search the internet for further information.)
My take on this? Its a snapshot of what big government is trying to do to America. My Bible tells me that we, believers in Jesus Christ, are the salt of the earth. Our government is trying to get rid of the salt!
Matthew 5:12-14 tells us: 'Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.' KJV
Don't be quieted or silenced completely. Share the love of Jesus liberally - openly and consistently!
In New York City - there are currently lawmakers trying to do just that - putting their hands not only into the wallets of the people, but now into their dinner plates. They're proposing a law that will make it illegal for eating establishments to prepare food using any salt at all! The penalty could be $1000 fine each time they do! http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/11/new-york-restaurants-salt-ban
(Search the internet for further information.)
My take on this? Its a snapshot of what big government is trying to do to America. My Bible tells me that we, believers in Jesus Christ, are the salt of the earth. Our government is trying to get rid of the salt!
Matthew 5:12-14 tells us: 'Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.' KJV
Don't be quieted or silenced completely. Share the love of Jesus liberally - openly and consistently!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I Had a Dream About You Last Night
Actually it was the night before last, and it was about me - but I'm sure you'll find yourself in it.
I can't tell you where I stood, I couldn't see a floor or walls or a ceiling. I don't think I was outside. It was as if I stood there in a huge vacuum of some sort. Everything was a light green color.
To my left stood a man in a tweed style suit, wearing glasses and holding a large yellow legal pad in his left hand. With his right hand he wrote. He wrote so much he filled the pad with his writing. I somehow became aware of what he was writing, though I don't recall seeing the words with my own eyes.
He wrote everything bad I've ever done, big and little, insignificant and devasting. My eyes widened, my heart raced and I began to tremble.
Why is he doing this? I became very much afraid.
As if outside of my dream I recalled the Bible calling Satan the accuser of the brethren. That he runs before the Father and tattle-tales on us all. "Look at what Helen's done now! She's really messed up this time...."
Standing there too afraid to move, I stared at the man with his pad. All of a sudden an audible splat startled me. The pad was completely red. I looked up and saw the cross of Jesus high above us, facing us. From his left hand dripped the drop of blood that covered my sins - blotting them out, forever.
Enough said.
(Revelation 12:10 - And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.)
I can't tell you where I stood, I couldn't see a floor or walls or a ceiling. I don't think I was outside. It was as if I stood there in a huge vacuum of some sort. Everything was a light green color.
To my left stood a man in a tweed style suit, wearing glasses and holding a large yellow legal pad in his left hand. With his right hand he wrote. He wrote so much he filled the pad with his writing. I somehow became aware of what he was writing, though I don't recall seeing the words with my own eyes.
He wrote everything bad I've ever done, big and little, insignificant and devasting. My eyes widened, my heart raced and I began to tremble.
Why is he doing this? I became very much afraid.
As if outside of my dream I recalled the Bible calling Satan the accuser of the brethren. That he runs before the Father and tattle-tales on us all. "Look at what Helen's done now! She's really messed up this time...."
Standing there too afraid to move, I stared at the man with his pad. All of a sudden an audible splat startled me. The pad was completely red. I looked up and saw the cross of Jesus high above us, facing us. From his left hand dripped the drop of blood that covered my sins - blotting them out, forever.
Enough said.
(Revelation 12:10 - And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.)
Monday, March 8, 2010
He Told Me So
Just reflecting back on things God has said to me. This was one of them.
“I’ve called you out of the darkness, surely I will sustain you through the night until the dawning of the light is so bright that it is all you can see!” ~Thus saith the Lord.
4/12/92
Sunday Morning Service
Rantoul Assembly of God Church
“I’ve called you out of the darkness, surely I will sustain you through the night until the dawning of the light is so bright that it is all you can see!” ~Thus saith the Lord.
4/12/92
Sunday Morning Service
Rantoul Assembly of God Church
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Our Intrinsic Value
I thought I'd pull this out, the truth resounds in me everyday.....
OUR INTRINSIC VALUE
intrinsic-adv. 1. a. belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing. b. being or relating to a semiconductor, in which the concentration of charge carriers is characteristic of the material itself instead of the content of any impurities it contains. 2. originating or situated within the body or part acted on.
essential-adj. 1. a. the permanent as contrasted with the accidental element of a being. b. the individual, real or ultimate nature of a thing esp. as opposed to its existence.
~in essence: in or by it’s very nature
God has been showing me in amazing ways that this is the value I have! It’s the same value He’s given you! We have intrinsic value! We ‘belong to the essential nature of God.’ We originated from within God Himself! How awesome is that?
Our value does not come from what we accomplish - or how well we do it. Our value does not come from how much we earn, or how good our children turn out to be. Our value does not come from where we live, what our house looks like or how neat we are. Our value does not come from how talented we are - how well can sing, or dance, or act, or participate in a sport, or build, or design, or draw, or sew. Our value does not come from us being successful. Our value does not come from anything we do! Our value does not come from what type of a family we were born into, and has nothing to do with our I.Q.
Our value does come from God Himself. He built it into us. Before we even came out of our mother’s belly - our value was the same as it is now. Our value is already there! We don’t have to prove to anyone that we have value - especially not God. He knows our value, far better than we ever will. Before we ever accomplished anything, we had the very same value we have right now. Stand next to a rich, “successful” man and feel your value. Nothing we can ever do, will add to our value. And nothing we can ever do will take away from our value! It’s set, not to be changed by anyone.
The Bible says, “Even in our sin, Christ died for us.” He sees our value even in the midst of our ugliest sin. He endured death and hell knowing that the price would not be too high. He thought we were worth the price. He never changes - He still thinks we are worth the price - so we are. Ask Him -”God, what value do You place on me?” Now let Him answer you!
~Helen Williams! c 5-8-2000
OUR INTRINSIC VALUE
intrinsic-adv. 1. a. belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing. b. being or relating to a semiconductor, in which the concentration of charge carriers is characteristic of the material itself instead of the content of any impurities it contains. 2. originating or situated within the body or part acted on.
essential-adj. 1. a. the permanent as contrasted with the accidental element of a being. b. the individual, real or ultimate nature of a thing esp. as opposed to its existence.
~in essence: in or by it’s very nature
God has been showing me in amazing ways that this is the value I have! It’s the same value He’s given you! We have intrinsic value! We ‘belong to the essential nature of God.’ We originated from within God Himself! How awesome is that?
Our value does not come from what we accomplish - or how well we do it. Our value does not come from how much we earn, or how good our children turn out to be. Our value does not come from where we live, what our house looks like or how neat we are. Our value does not come from how talented we are - how well can sing, or dance, or act, or participate in a sport, or build, or design, or draw, or sew. Our value does not come from us being successful. Our value does not come from anything we do! Our value does not come from what type of a family we were born into, and has nothing to do with our I.Q.
Our value does come from God Himself. He built it into us. Before we even came out of our mother’s belly - our value was the same as it is now. Our value is already there! We don’t have to prove to anyone that we have value - especially not God. He knows our value, far better than we ever will. Before we ever accomplished anything, we had the very same value we have right now. Stand next to a rich, “successful” man and feel your value. Nothing we can ever do, will add to our value. And nothing we can ever do will take away from our value! It’s set, not to be changed by anyone.
The Bible says, “Even in our sin, Christ died for us.” He sees our value even in the midst of our ugliest sin. He endured death and hell knowing that the price would not be too high. He thought we were worth the price. He never changes - He still thinks we are worth the price - so we are. Ask Him -”God, what value do You place on me?” Now let Him answer you!
~Helen Williams! c 5-8-2000
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