Seen or Unseen - We Know

(photo from cengage.com)

Today, let’s think about integrity. We desperately want to see it in our political leaders, especially those who declare their Christianity all over their campaign literature vying for our votes.

As Christians, it should be upper most in our personal characteristics to show exemplary integrity when we’re in the public eye, as well as when we’re alone walking to our car after a grocery shopping spree. (I use the word spree to make it sound like grocery shopping is fun, when in fact, it can be a financial burden for many to put food on their tables, these days.)

What does exemplary integrity look like to you? Is it okay to cut corners when no one is looking? When you get to your car to unload those expensive groceries and discover there’s something in your cart you didn’t get charged for, do you shrug your shoulders and declare that it’s not your fault the cashier didn’t ring it up? Do we justify not paying for it by arguing that we overpaid for every else in the cart? Or do we take the time to walk back in and pay for it? Afterall, no one will ever know what choice we make. Right? Well, yes, God sees everything, but He’s not going to strike us down with a lightning bolt for stealing the item. We know the right thing to do, but do we always do the right thing?

I’ve dealt with people who showed me they had no integrity at all. Honestly, it hurts. But do I sometimes treat others with less exemplary integrity in my heart? Oftentimes, others can tell when we’re cheating them. They may just lack the guts it takes to confront us.

(photo from changingaging.org)

When we find ourselves in a compromising situation, do we sometimes assure ourselves with statements like “the ends justify the means…”? It can be pretty easy to talk ourselves into justifying something we felt we had to do. Satan is right there to encourage us with excuses for justifying something we know right well we shouldn’t do. Yes, we want to hold politicians (and everyone else) to this standard, but do we measure up?

I don’t bring you these words to beat you up, but to encourage you to good works. Sometimes, we need a loving reminder to check our hearts and make sure the enemy hasn’t worked his way in with subtle deceptions. Just sharing some good points to ponder.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” - Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV)

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” - James 4:17 (NKJV)

What If It's Your Choice?

 

(photo from streetworkoutstkilda .com)

What if there’s something worse than slavery?

What if physical slavery and torture are merely images of what God is calling us out of?

What if there’s something far worse, from which He’s trying to protect us? And what if that something is there because of our freedom of choice? We have the freedom to choose - every second of everyday.

What if when we choose anything other than God’s perfect will for our lives, it leads us into trouble?

What if in choosing, the bottom line is choosing who our master will be? The human soul wants freedom. But, freedom from what? Or from whom?

What if being a slave to sin is worse than servitude or being owned and/or being abused by another person?

With our physical eyes, we can see the horrors of slavery in history, or around us in the flesh. We may see it in the news, or be subjected to it in some way in our daily lives.

But it will take spiritual eyes to see the spirit realm; to see the unimaginable horrors of the results of slavery to sin.

When we submit ourselves to God and willingly place ourselves under His authority, He opens our spiritual eyes. 

He said to the apostle Paul, “I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’” – Acts 26:17-19 NKJV Also see: Numbers 22:31, 2 Kings 6:16-18)

(picture from yourpointofpride .com)

When Dave is watching a war documentary or movie that shows torture and prison camps, I have to close my eyes or leave the room. I can’t stand the horror of man’s treatment of man. How much worse is the horror of Satan’s treatment of man? Honestly, I don’t want to see it. But, until we see the ugliness and horror of Satan, we don’t really know the meaning of the word enemy. And we won’t realize what we’re actually being rescued from.

By looking back through history and looking around us, we can see horrors no man should know; horror we were not created to endure. By looking at the corruption of the world around us, we can see a glimpse of what sin promises us. Satan has no rewards for anyone in hell, only torment. He hates all of us, even those who boast of serving him. They are submitted to his authority, but there will be no rewards for allegiance to him, only laughter and mocking, unfathomable grief and torture. He hates mankind with a hatred we can’t even comprehend. You’re on the receiving end of that hatred simply because you’re human.

God’s plan is to rescue us from that hatred. But, will you be rescued? He leaves the choice to you. You have the freedom and the responsibility to choose whether or not to be rescued.

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The “default choice” is death. We have to want to be rescued. We have to choose to reach out and take hold of the already outstretched hand of our only Savior. Jesus already paid the price to get us out of the punishment for sin, He paid that price while we were/are stuck in sin’s grip. (“But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 KJV)

The freedom we’re so desperately looking for is found in Jesus Christ. Freedom is not found in the notion that there is no God to be accountable to.

When we belong to and submit ourselves to God and become a part of His family, His kingdom – we have true freedom.

You may ask, “Aren’t we all children of God?” Well, actually, no.

In scripture, Jesus Himself tells certain individuals that their father is the devil. (You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. -John 8:44 NKJV)

Ouch!

We have to CHOOSE to be a part of the family of God; the body of Christ. Not only do we HAVE to choose, we GET to choose! And with that decision, comes the power and authority Jesus gave to each believer. But, power and authority do us no good until we recognize it and take hold of it and own it, and use it!

(photo from hotelspeak .com)

I like this quote, and the emphasis is mine. “Nothing has more impact to shift our minds and lives more than KNOWING who we are and the power and authority we have been given.” – Jennie Allen, Get Out of Your Head

So, what if – the choice is really yours? It’s not a decision to be taken lightly, nor is it a decision to be put off. Ponder it today. Ask questions! Talk to people. Talk to God, Himself. He’s always listening and eager to share with you. Because, it IS your choice. You alone will be responsible for the outcome.

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” – Galatians 4:4-7 NKJV

(picture from clipartkid .com)

Are You Listening?

 

(photo from vedictruth.com)

I’m going to be transparent with you today. Maybe a little too transparent.

As a child, we see things differently than we do as grow ups, but sometimes those childhood thoughts stick with us. Even when we have the perspective of an adult, silly thoughts from yesteryear can wander through our minds at the most unexpected times.

I’ve always processed my thoughts differently than most people around me. In our decades of marriage, Dave has often told me he doesn’t know anyone who thinks like I do. I never took it any other way than complimentary. Sometimes, he even seems to admire the way I think.

I would guess, though I’ve never looked into it, that I’m somewhere on the autism spectrum. But perhaps we’re all somewhere on the spectrum. They say there’s a fine line between autism and genius. I’m not saying I’m a genius, but maybe I dance on that fine line. I’m not talking about common sense or even intelligence, but the way my brain processes my thoughts.

As a child, I just saw myself as different. Most children probably go through that phase at some point. But, I’ve carried the thought, intact, with me for the past 60 years or so. In childhood, I was convinced that I was “retarded” (the word used in that day), but that no one would tell me or admit it to me. Silly? Perhaps.

Over the years, the thought has crossed my mind from time to time.

Last night I was worshiping God with other women as praise music filled through the room and I prayed for those I love most. (I’m guessing your name was whispered to God, backed by volumes of faith for your every need.)

At one point, when God spoke to me, He shared a little secret with me. He said, “You know, Dave would still love you, even if you were retarded.” (I’m guessing He chose that word because it’s the word I used as a child.) It instantly took me back to feelings of insecurity. But then just as quickly, filled me with laughter.

(picture from coolcatteacher.com)

Yes. Dave loves me that much. He’s definitely the man God created to be my husband. No one else would do. Not everyone marries the person God created specifically for them. Some of us get ahead of God or don’t even consider asking Him if the person they plan to marry has His approval.

Somehow, even though I didn’t know the voice of God way back when, I knew on our first date that Dave was the man I’d marry. There are plenty of times when we frustrate each other, even to this day, but neither of us has ever second-guessed our decision, even in the hardest of times.

The whole point in my vulnerability today is to tell you that God really does speak to us. His Word states, “Anyone with ears to hear, should listen and understand!” -  Matthew 11:15 (NLT) God isn’t merely saying that if you have globs of skin to hold up your glasses, you’ll hear Him. We have spiritual ears. We need to learn to listen with THOSE ears.

As a teen, on our first date, did I know I was hearing from God? No. But that didn’t stop Him from speaking to me. Like me, He always has something to say. Not so much like me, what He has to say is always worth listening to.

So, whether there’s praise music on or not, whether you’re alone or in a crowd, He’s talking to you. If you’re listening for His voice, you’ll hear Him. Listen! His Word also tells us, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” - John 10:27 (NKJV)

(photo from alabamasinus.com)

You may be tempted to say that you never hear Him. Or that He doesn’t bother to speak to you. You’re mistaken. There’s so much He wants to share with you. He wants you to know the depths of His love for you. It’s His desire to impart to us His knowledge, His wisdom and His understanding.

Pay attention. Listen. You’ll hear. It may surprise you. But, you’ll hear Him!

How Did We Not Know?

 

(picture from lovethispic.com)

I’ve been exploring “the lies we believe”. This may take forever.

There are plenty of sources for news around the nation and across the globe, which ones do we trust? Personally, I think they all stretch the truth or spin it to their own advantage or to back up their viewpoint. It happens on a local level, too. Putting a spin on the truth has been around since the Serpent lied to Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Pick a day or evening this week when your schedule allows, and sit down with your Bible in your lap, close your eyes for a minute and ask your heavenly Father to show you what lies you believe. He may have you pick up that Bible and show your in specific verses, or He may whisper to your heart. He may not seem to respond at all, but the next morning, you may read it in a devotional, or hear it from a friend. You’ll know it when you hear it.

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You may want to do this once a week, because we all believe things that simply are not true. He won’t dump everything on us at once, it would overwhelm us. And we may think He’s dismissing us when He only reveals one lie at a time, but He knows how long we’ll need to process these revelations.

Years ago, I discovered that not everything I believe is actually true. Yes, it came as quite a surprise to me. I dared to test the thought by asking God, “What lie am I believing?” (As if there was just one.) Immediately, He replied, “That Joanne (my sister) is the pretty one.” Joanne is beautiful; the lie was tucked into my beliefs was that she was the pretty one and I was the ugly one. I giggled. I’m pretty, too? The lies may be that simple. And the revelation that joyful.

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Or, the lies may center around doctrine we’ve been taught, or about a relationship we’re in, or some other life fact that we somehow got wrong. Those kinds of revelations can be a crushing blow.

Either way, lie by lie – truth by truth, we’ll be set free. We might cry tears of fear or tears of joy. Not to worry; He’ll wipe away our tears and show us the truth. And as the saying goes, the truth will set us free.

“And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces…” – Isaiah 25:8

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23                        

(picture from lovethispic.com)

Do You Dare to Believe?

 

“You will ask Me nothing, most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My Name He will give you.” – John 16:23

This verse, and others like it intrigue me. What am I missing? What am I “doing wrong”? I pray, like many others, in Jesus’s Name – and yet, sometimes fail to see my prayers answered. Or, at least, that’s the way it appears to me. And let’s face it, the way it appears to me effects my faith, and can stir up doubt and unbelief.

Knowing Jesus doesn’t want me filled with doubt and unbelief, but with the faith of God He’s given me, I need understanding.

As I pondered this today, it occurred to me that I’m not just using or borrowing Jesus’s Name.  He’s given it to me; I am Christian, Christ-like. He is in me and I am in Him, in the same way that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. That’s why when I ask the Father for something in Jesus’s Name, I have the authority to use the Name of Jesus. Because He said so.

I’m not supposed to just slap on the phrase, “In Jesus’s Name. Amen.”

I am supposed to be in Christ; in Jesus, in the shadow of the Almighty, in His presence, in His Word, in HIM!

Am I abiding (staying) in Him?

Yes, I am.

Satan will try to weaken my resolve with whispers of lies and tell me I’m not in Christ. Sometimes my heart listens.

“You didn’t spend enough time in the Word today, your prayers won’t be effective.”

“You must be harboring some unforgiveness in your heart, you’ve been praying for this same thing for years now and yet, you see nothing.”

“You missed church last Sunday, don’t even expect God to be listening while you pray for your friends.”

“You were critical of that person yesterday, and you think your prayers for them today will be effective? Ha!”

“I heard you say a bad word this morning. You can’t pray with that mouth.”

“You fell asleep while praying last night. If your prayers are THAT uninspired, do you really think God was listening?”

Satan has all sorts of lies and they’re all meant to tear us down and steal our faith. Fortunately, we always know when he’s lying to us – when his lips are moving. I know, old joke. And we can’t even see his lips moving.

The fact of the matter is, God is not negative or confusing. He is not the author of confusion; He does not condemn us at all. When He looks at us, He sees the blood of Jesus, nothing here to condemn! Hallelujah! So, when our mind tries to tell us otherwise, those thoughts come from the evil source, not from ourselves, and certainly not from God.

Dismiss them.

Once we’ve submitted ourselves to God, He hears every prayer we pray – and He answers them.

When we are in Christ, when we STAY in Christ and keep His Word in our hearts, His Words will always fill our minds. We may be pulled away from them for a minute or two. Okay, in the midst of a pity party, we may be pulled away for even longer. But His Words are always there to return to.

With His Word in our minds and in our hearts, we can pray effectively because we can pray with authority.

(picture from branham.org)

A woman once told me that she would pray for me. Then she quickly tacked on, “Not that I believe or anything like that….” What? Why would you even pray if you don’t believe that your prayers are being heard or answered, or for that matter, if you don’t believe in the very God you claim to be praying to?

God wants us to believe IN Him and to rely ON Him and to snatch up the authority He’s holding out for us to grab ahold of and use.

We can do things our way.

Or we can do things His Way.

What is His Way? Jesus said, “I am the WAY, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6NKJV)

When we submit our hearts to Him, His Way becomes our way.

This is abiding in Christ. This causes the authority of Jesus Christ to operate in our lives.

Jesus didn’t tell us that once we reach a point where we never mess up, THEN we can use His Name.

We are perfect in Him; not as in we will never again make a mistake, but as in perfected, completed in Him. Once the blood of Jesus is applied to our lives, nothing can make us holier, and nothing will separate us from His love. Nothing else is necessary to gain access to God’s throne room.

What holds us back?

Believing those stupid lies.

We DO have the authority Jesus gave us, whether we missed church last week or not, whether we used inappropriate language or not, whether we read God’s Word today, or not.

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But we have to believe that in order to operate with the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. It’s that Spirit that fills us with the authority of Jesus Christ, Himself.

But, Helen, you don’t know some of the things I’ve done! God would never extend that kind of authority to ME!

Lies. Lies. Lies.

The Bible tells us this beautiful truth: “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

He’s seen our sin and knows the blood He spilled at Calvary is enough to pay the cost.

Who better to believe than the One Who gave His life so that we could be free from sin?

Dare to believe.

 

(picture frp, etsy.com)

Was It Something I Said?

 

picture from slater. com

Our assistant pastor, David Cowart, spoke the other night and said, “People make a place beautiful.” Have you found your place?

He shared a story about visiting a place of business and discovering that we may choose whether we come back, based on how we’re treated by the employees there.

You go into a local store and are treated poorly; the employees treat you as if you’re a burden rather than their bread-n-butter. But go to the same store, in a different location and you’re treated like royalty, where the employees go above and beyond to meet your needs. In the future, whether you consciously make the decision to or not, you may find yourself driving out of your way to go to the location where you felt valued.

While I’m not an employee representing a business, I am a Christian, and I represent the body of Christ. Maybe I need to consider more closely, how I treat the people around me.

Am I the woman in the foyer at church that people run up to and greet with a smile on their face? Or do I noticed people seem to deliberately walk in another direction when they see me? Or maybe worse, do I feel invisible standing there? When you’re at work, are you the man they ask for help, or purposely avoid?

picture from wallpapercave.com

When we look at the people that are part of our everyday interactions, are the people we feel more comfortable talking with the ones that complain all the time, or the ones who listen when someone else is speaking, the know-it-alls, or the ones we know have a favor to ask us, or the ones that we believe are judging us by what they say or the way they look at us?

What makes us decide who we trust with a concern or ask for advice? How do people make us feel valued and respected?

We all feel and act differently when interacting with the many different people in our lives. But, looking at how these people either put us off, or allow us to feel welcome in their lives, might help us better see why people relate to us the way they do.

Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We can’t be all things to all people. But, do we leave people thinking that life is beautiful? If someone is judging the body of Christ based on their interactions with us (not saying that’s fair) do they see the servant’s heart that Jesus showed us? Are we pointing them to Jesus, or do they see no difference between us and the people they know who have no hope at all?

picture from wordgrabber.com

We can’t dictate how other people feel, but what can we do, personally, so that the people God brings across our path know that they are valued and loved?  

When you interact with others today, whether it’s serving your children breakfast, taking care of a customer at work, or waiting in a check-out line, what can you do differently, so that the people around you recognize the love of God in you?

In Matthew 22:39 Jesus tells us, “…You shall love your neighbor as yourself…” But just before His crucifixion, Jesus ups the ante. In John 13:34 He says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

How do we do that? You can’t share something you don’t have. You can’t pour out love if you’re empty, yourself. But, if you’ve invited the Spirit of God to live inside of you, you have everything you need. If you haven’t asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life, now is the time to do that.

““Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.” -  Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)

Before we can share love, we have to seek the One Who IS love. He has all the answers. Whether we’re speaking to Him directly in prayer, or reading and meditating on His Word, He’s already equipped us and He’ll show us what to do.

“Call unto Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” -Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)

picture from youtube.com

Content to Change?

 

(picture from Dillards.com)

New beginnings; we hear about them all the time, especially around the first of the year. But, resolutions?

I have to ask, “Am I content with the way things are in my life right now?”

The Apostle Paul learned how to be content when he was well off and when he was hungry, when he was sitting in a jail cell or before a king. But, being content where he was didn’t keep him from pursuing his mission to a share the gospel everywhere. (Philippians 4:11-13)

Perhaps we think that being content means accepting things as they are, making no moves to advance ourselves or our missions in life. But, in fact, what it means is to not let our enemies steal our joy, no matter our circumstances.

Can I be content with what the scale said this morning, while pursuing healthier eating throughout my day? Of course!

Yes, that’s not a number I’m happy with, but I CAN do something about it. I can put into motion a plan to bring that ridiculous number down to something healthier.

Allowing myself to get angry with the scale will set the tone for my day and can send me off to Dunkin Donuts for a donut. Or two. That’s not the direction I want to go.

So, perhaps we can become content with where we are in the moment, so that we can enjoy all the other blessings God has us for today and reach out with love to those around us. We can head into our morning huddle with God and come up with a plan for the day, the week, the month – the year, or even just for the next few minutes, that will take us in the directions He’s leading us.

Whether it’s the weight scale or career changes or mending relationships, let’s take a moment to appreciate where we are at the moment and join hearts with the One that loves us best and move forward.