Frustrated With Imperfection! Page 35

Frustrated With Imperfection

Have you ever been frustrated by your own imperfections?  It is something that I battle with daily.  I want to be a great friend but I bump against my insecurities and short-comings and miss the mark.  I desperately want to be a great mom but I realize every day that I am not teaching my kids all they need to know about this ugly world- my personal example falls short and I disappoint myself and send mixed messages to their growing minds.  I want to be a wonderful sister but I stumble as I try to maintain relationships that time and distance muddle.  I want to be that perfect wife but daily issues, old wounds, and past resentments rise up and pull out that personality trait that deserves its own name Bitterness, and it veils my eyes to the love that I should know so well.

I want to be a perfect example of Christ but again there is no human way I will be.  I was created imperfect…and in human form will never measure up-though my heart seeks it, my mind desires it and my actions strive for it.  You see, my spiritual heart pumps for my Christian beliefs…but my human heart pushes for its own desires.  My mind soaks up scriptural truths but after many years of being flooded with earthly noise it deviates and begins to contemplate earthly concerns and forgets to be faithful. My actions strive to remain centered on godly deeds and correct choices…but my human will shows up and destroys my good intentions with its selfishness.

Frustrated, I spiritually fall to my knees in disappointment.  Will I positively affect those I love; my friends, my children, my family, my spouse -or even the strangers with whom I have contact?  It seems impossible!  I know my heart and what lurks there.  I know my short-comings and how hard it is to rise above them.  We can all strive daily to love and be loved…but, if you’re like me you sometimes ask, Man, is this all my life will add up to?”  It is a constant back and forth, a constant need to pick myself up and begin again….a constant falling short.  Ah, amazingly, there it is….the summation of my discontent!   We all fall short of perfection.  Romans 3:23 says:

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

In the infamous book My Utmost For His Highest, the devotional for September 25th spoke to my heart and explained this frustration I have with my imperfections.  It says:

“If we are to be disciples of Jesus, we must be made disciples supernaturally.  And as long as we consciously maintain the determined purpose to be His disciples, we can be sure that we are not disciples.  Jesus, says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you...” (John 15:16).  That is the way the grace of God begins.  It is a constraint we can never escape; we can disobey it, but we can never start it or produce it ourselves.  We are drawn to God by a work of His supernatural grace, and we can never trace back to find where the work began.  Our Lord’s making of a disciple is supernatural.  He does not build on any natural capacity of ours at all.  God does not ask us to do the things that are naturally easy for us-He only asks us to do the things that we are perfectly fit to do through His grace, and that is where the cross we must bear will always come.”1

When I accepted Christ as my savior, God began a work in me….to supernaturally change me from the inside out!   This change is achieved spiritually, through God’s grace. However and unfortunately, human nature continues to entice me to strive to be Christ-like.  As the above excerpt states “it is a constraint we can never escape”.   With great effort I continue to struggle against my constraints, unable to maintain any semblance of Christianity.  The book of Romans Chapter 7 talks about our struggle. 

“I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do,
 but what I hate I do.” 
Romans 7:15

"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. 
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing.
  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it,
 but it is the sin living in me that does it.”
Romans 7: 18-20

My friend, sin entices.  It zeros in on our human heart, infiltrates and takes up residence.  It is deep within our being and so covert it seems normal.   We simply do not have the natural capacity to be a Christian or the mental stamina to maintain the loving nature we are called to-sin makes sure of this!  This is the essence of my frustration! And, this is the very reason our lives are really about a spiritual pursuit!   Sin is part of this natural world but, amazingly, scripture from the Holy Bible has the antidote!  Galatians 5:16 says:

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit
and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
 They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

If we are led by the Spirit of God we are no longer under the law but under grace. We do not have to strive or try because the Spirit of God has taken up residence in our soul and goes with us through this sinful world providing His merciful forgiveness to keep us upright and just.   With God’s grace and mercy we humans find redemption from sin and imperfection-we are forgiven; restored by God’s perfect love! 

To explain further, Deuteronomy 30: 19 says  “…chose life so that you and your children may live.” This is the answer!  We must choose life by choosing faith in God- who is life, the creator of life and the reason we live! We sometimes make it so difficult…but continuing with Deuteronomy Chapter 30, scripture goes over this so eloquently:

“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.
 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask,
“Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so that we my obey it?” 
Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask,
“Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”
 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so that you may obey it.”

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.
 For I command you today to love the Lord your God,
 to walk in his ways and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws;
then you will live and increase and the Lord your God will bless you
 in the land you are entering to possess.”
Deuteronomy 30: 11-16

We are commanded to follow the decrees of the Lord our God but with our heart, soul and mind we are free to choose.  You see, the link that ties sin to mankind is what is called free-will or ability to choose!  Living on earth we know very well that we have life, prosperity, death and destruction all around us and it is within those very choices that we find blessings or destruction.   Deuteronomy 30 is an Old Testament writing that sets the course of life itself.  In the New Testament (in Matthew 22:37) Jesus, after being asked what the greatest commandment was, referred back to this commandment:

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.   This is the first and greatest commandment.
 And the second is like it:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
 All the Law of the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The two greatest commandments call us to love!  This is the cross we bear; to live in a sinful world as an example of love- without the human capacity to do so but with the faith that God will provide the way!  We are all commanded to love the Lord, God will all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind. This calling is all-encompassing, just as the scripture describes and is saying that we are to love God with every molecule of our being!   We are also called to love others just like we love ourselves-with no differentiation-but we seem to have issues accomplishing this!  This brings me back to my original subject-and that is that we humans love imperfectly and we fall short because of sin.  Scripture encourages us in 1^st Peter 4:8

                   “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

I personally thank the Lord that love covers a multitude of sin!  Yes, we will remain imperfect till the day we leave this earth and within our imperfections we are called to love deeply!  With this truth and for those I love I share the following scripture:

“I thank my God every time I remember you.
 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy,
 because of your partnership in the gospel
 from the first day until now,
 being confident of this,
 that He who began a good work in you will carry it out until the day of completion.”
 Philippians 1:6

In honor of my husband who loves deeply, gives generously, and lives passionately!

Song Recommendation:
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
By:   Matt Redman

1-My Utmost For His Highest (Updated Edition); copyright 1995, 1992 by Oswald Chambers Publications Association Ltd. Orginal edition copyrighted in 1935 by Dodd, Mead & Company Inc. All rights reserved.

A SPIRITUAL PURSUIT PAGE 34

A Spiritual Pursuit

“Do not be anxious about anything,
But in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7

Life moves forward…as it always does!  But, we’ve all been around long enough to know that now-and-then our present circumstances press in and cause us to falter.   We look toward the future and don’t see a clear way to it and our inner fears constrict.  Our past haunts and easily tempts us to turn from faith.  Regret calls our name and tells us to bow our head.  Shame calls out ….and tells us to kneel at its command.  Emotional pain comes upon us and forces us to drop to our knees.  Pride swells up from within and with that our hearts harden and can barely beat.  Circumstances sometimes plunge us into the depths of despair.   With our hands covering our face we find bitterness has blinded us from all else.  Life is temporarily lost to the peace that is mercifully ours to claim. 

 Scripture verifies that we are not alone in our troubles….2 Corinthians 1: 8-10 says:

“We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure,
so that we despaired even of life.  Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.
But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  He has delivered us from such a deadly peril,
 and he will deliver us.  On Him we have set our hope
that he will continue to deliver us…”
 

This scripture is reverberating about the past troubles of the disciples and is written by Paul. With candor it explains that even under the pressure of death we are to rely on God.   An interesting sentence is the second to last one.  It references two different tenses; the past and the future.  It states that “He has delivered” and then Paul follows up with “God will deliver”.  The former is based on life-experience and is stated as fact….”He has delivered us from such a deadly peril”.  And the latter is based on faith regarding future events…”He will deliver us”.  I love the confidence that comes from this passage.  There is no doubt in the writer’s mind that God takes care of His own…nor should there be any doubt in ours!    

Let’s bring this subject back down to earth.  In the infamous book by M. Scott Peck entitled The Road Less Traveled the very first sentence is, in fact, the statement “Life is difficult”.  I would be doing a disservice if I did not give you the 1^st two paragraphs from Page One of this best-selling book.  It says;

“Life is difficult.
This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths.  It is a great truth because
once we truly see this truth, we transcend it.  Once we truly know that life
is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer
 difficult.  Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no
longer matters.”1

I find this so fascinating.  Dr. Peck was a psychiatrist who believed in God and also believed, as I do, that our mind and our spirit are one in the same.  He points out a truth that most of us don’t cognitively recognize because the world and its speechmakers promote this life as something different that it truly is.  We are taught through many sources that this is “the good life” and generally we accept this as truth.  And yet, mentally we pause.  If we’re attuned in the slightest we sense that something is askew.  We know that this life has its difficulties and that they come with some consistency.  This inner discrepancy is known as cognitive dissonance-or a state of conflict resulting in contradiction.  With this contradiction in play we focus in on Dr. Peck’s excerpt above.  It is so simple and yet so profound that it provides a wide-open avenue to peace and reconciliation.  The premise is based on the fact that once we know and acknowledge the truth that life is difficult, we rise above it!  That is amazing!  This logically shows the tenacity of the human spirit!  

God has been teaching us how to transcend our troubles since the fall of man.  This is psychological and spiritual calling that leads to acceptance and therefore peace.   The following is what Christ says regarding our lack of peace in this disenchanted world.  A salutation is not written…but if it were it would say “Friend, look up”.

 “Peace I leave you.  My peace I give you.
 I do not give to you as the world gives.
 Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27

Whether you are familiar with John 14:27 or not you can see that it offers encouragement-it suggests that our struggle in this world is a mental game with peace as the end goal.  Our mental life is important for it empowers and propels us onward.  If we’re not on top of it- our mind can cause us to stumble and fall.  If we read the 1^st paragraph of this writing again we’re reminded how our mental game can bounce from one thing to another and soon we’ve been beaten down!   Because of this exact reason…Jesus warned us to be leery of what the externals of this life have to offer- for this world purposely distracts and then mentally manipulates.

This life is difficult!  Hopefully we’ve now made peace with that truth.  So, let’s change our perspective to the spiritual and now focus in on the fact that Christ says “I do not give as the world gives”.  Again, this propels us to the spiritual side of things.  He is asking us to reflect a bit as He leaves the door open for us to ponder His words!  This statement is comforting (think compassionate).   It is also motivational (think authoritative).  But then again it is also a warning (think cautionary).   Most importantly, it is educational for it purposely implies there is another way…God’s way!  With this, my heart lightens…for it is an additional burden for me to believe this world has it right.  Looking around I intuitively know that it does not! 

Jesus is telling us very succinctly that the spiritual, eternal life God has for us is very different to what this world gives and that we must chose to see things in a transcendent way!  As Christians, we are wise to look at our lives through the lenses of the spiritual lesson…not the literal problem.  When troubles come, as they always do, we’re naturally inclined to ask with frustration “What now Lord?”.  As a Christian, we should humbly ask, in a whispered prayer, “Lord, what now?”  With this life-giving choice we extend our trust heavenward and grow with each lesson as we move into the spiritual safety of the unseen power of the living God. 

In John 14, Jesus- as always, is presenting himself as one who understands our worldly dilemma and the universal void in which we find ourselves!  He knows that life wants to mentally drown us in disappointment.  He also knows that if we want to survive it will be mental and spiritual pursuit.   This is how scripture comes alive….and encourages us.  We take the ancient manuscripts and listen with our ailing hearts…and the historical documents and spiritual antidotes heal us.  We’ve been rescued with breath again and our heart begins to beat.  Our spiritual lungs have room to breathe and they expand.  We gulp the air of this truth and find life again.  Truth always saves.

“But He caught me, He reached all the way from sky to sea.
 He pulled me out of the chaos, the void in which I was drowning. 
See they hit me when I was down, but God stood by me.
 He stood me up on a wide open field; I stood there saved-surprised to be loved!
 God made my life complete when I laid all the pieces before Him.”
Amen and Amen!
Psalm 18: 16-19
-The Message Bible

Song Recommendation
Hold Fast
By:  MercyMe

1-“The Road Less Traveled” by M. Scott Peck. Copyright 1978 A Touchstone Book; published by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

ENCIRCLED PAGE 33

While at church the other day….a particular song inspired me to envision myself surrounded by the light of God.  I felt His protection from every angle.  Actually, there were no angles… and that in itself was a personal “revelation”.  I felt that I was “encircled” by God’s love –safe and protected.  I imagined a light radiating out from all around me.  In that light was God’s power and merciful grace!   Within the midst of this I was redeemed by forgiveness.  Mentally I was in a Holy place!  With my heart full of faith and my imagination wide-open I was able to share my heart with God.  I was in essence saying:   “Lord, This is how I envision your presence.”  That is exactly what it was….my vision of His presence.  This, perhaps,  is the best we can do on this side of heaven.

Later, I remembered a scripture that teaches about God’s protection.  This particular scripture says:

“Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly  appear,
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.”
Isaiah 58: 8

 I always found that scripture to be empowering.    It says that goodness will flow before me like the racing rays of the rising sun…and the glory of the Lord will be my rear guard…protecting me from “behind”.  Study about the glory of the Lord and you will find that this is truly saying something.  With this scripture as a reference, I always counted on God’s protection-behind and before me….but what about those other angles?  Was I unprotected on my left and right???   Being the typical human that I am, I often felt that I had to glance over my shoulder….just to stay “on alert” and do my part.  I’m fallible…so I allowed for these daily concerns!    However, with my newfound revelation….I was encircled; there were no blind spots in my faithful stance.  I knew that I had come upon something important; a spiritual revelation.   I became acutely aware of God’s complete power….of His dominion and authority in my life!  

 God will open our eyes to His powerful range of ability if we’re spiritually open to see it.  Faith is required…and it is that very faith that allows us to pull back that earthly veil that impedes our vision of heavenly things.  To see beyond the barriers of this world and into the spiritual.....we must open our minds to it - for a spiritual revelation is very much like an epiphany.  An epiphany is “a sudden intuitive leap of understanding, especially through an ordinary but striking occurrence.” 1  That Sunday service was typical…. representative of most Sundays…but in that moment something striking occurred….a sudden intuitive thought leapt into my mind….and with that  I was encircled with God’s radiant presence.

At this point in history seeing God is spiritual encounter because our relationship with Him is set in the spiritual realm.  With this understood, we realize that in order to have a relationship with the Living God we must let go of any doubt about spiritual things.  There is no doubt in my mind that God drew close to me in that moment for, you see, I was emotionally and spiritually drawing close to Him.  The crucial point here is that removing doubt is the mode by which we find God.  Being sure about our faith …even though we cannot see God is the very thing that allows us to perceive Him.  It’s a mental, discerning mechanism that is similar to intuition!  A crisp descriptive of what I am trying to explain would be termed Spiritual Discernment and that is exactly what scripture calls it.

Here is what the Bible says about Spiritual discernment:

“…The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? 
In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God,
 that we may understand what God has freely given us. 
That is what we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom
 but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God,
for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them,
because they are spiritually discerned.”
1^st Corinthians 2: 10-14

This scripture tells us that we have been given “the Spirit who is from God.”  This is referencing the Holy Spirit. This scripture continues to build on the fact that we are taught by the Spirit who expresses spiritual truths in spiritual words.  This is not an audible lesson but an internal one with collaboration between the Spirit of God and oneself.  It is a mentorship above all others.  As the above scripture says our “spirit can search all things, even the deep things of God.”   That is beyond amazing!  The question is- do we search all things...particularly the deep things of God?  It appears that that is simply and profoundly up to us. 

“For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family
 in heaven and on earth derives its name.
 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit
in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
  And I pray that you, being rooting and established in love,
 may have power, together with all the saints,
 to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ
 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
 according to His power that is at work within us,
 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
 for ever and ever! Amen” 
Ephesians 3: 14-20

Song Recommendation
God With Us
BY:  MercyMe

Study tip: - The scripture preceding Isaiah 58: 8 is talking about fasting in comparison to extending ourselves with “acts of kindness, charity, justice and generosity for the good of others”. 2 Please read Isaiah 58: 6-7 to study this further.

1-Online Encarta Dictionary
2-Footnotes in reference to Isaiah 58: 6-12 in the NIV Bible

The Kingdom of Heaven Page 32

The Sermon on the Mount

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5: 3-10

Do you want to know God?  Then read it yet again with the understanding that this was spoken by Jesus Christ, Son of God….and then look at it like this:  “like father-like son!”    After reading this profound lesson taught by Jesus in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount, lets look for a deeper spiritual application.

 For the sake of making my point today let’s imagine that we each have a boat that is our home.  Let’s use this visual to create an analogy of being tossed around.  How intimidating it is move through the powerful tides of uncertainty and be tossed by the waves of deep waters.  How frightening it is to know that no matter how much we try to steer our lives in the right direction….the consequence of circumstance can knock us off course and try to take us down-even to our death!  

 We don’t want to admit it, but we have limited control as we sail through this world hoping that we’ll receive life’s blessings.  The truth of it is that over and over we’ve seen our fellow sea-goers battling something that looks quite the opposite of blessings.  We wonder if and when it may be our turn to deal with the harshness this natural world forces upon us—for our weary eyes and hearts have seen the turbulence of rough waters all around us. 

Our earth is full of the tempestuous; volcanoes, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, floods, and fires.  These are the forces that bring us physical calamity.  Then there are accidents and sickness, bad investments and money problems.   These are circumstantial situations that strive to take us down.  Calamity of another kind!   Let’s face it, the happenstance of circumstance is inevitable…and at times we can’t get our footing.  It is then that we realize that we need a harbor, a port of some kind, where we and find solid ground and anchor ourselves in order to stabilize our life. 

 Scripture infers that Christ is a Solid Rock.  (See Matthew 7: 21-27).  Studying and understanding scripture  provides a solid foundation where we can stand in faith, sure-footed.   With this statement in mind let’s envision our sea-sick selves on our water-logged houseboat looking at a rocky point with land beyond.  There is a blessed lighthouse that beckons (this represents Christianity).  Just around the next corner we find a port of solace where we can dock and find stability again!  (This is the stability based on Truth found in scripture).

 In Matthew 16: 15-19 Jesus asks this:

"But what about you?" he asked "who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,
for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."  

 So out of the dreariness of circumstance we are called to a port of faith and into a Kingdom, no less.

Scripture says this in Daniel 4:3
"How great are his signs,
how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
his dominion endures from generation to generation."

 You see, our water-logged disembarkment is metaphorical.  It is a spiritual exodus from a life that was filled with waves of uncertainty into a life with a sure spiritual foundation-an eternal Kingdom to which we have the keys!  We are invited to move into a house not made by human hands, and live in a kingdom that is noted, by its very own descriptive, as heavenly.  What is required to find this kingdom is faith.  As weary travelers a heavenly kingdom sounds enticing but this port must be mapped out; purposely chosen through faith in Christ-otherwise in cannot be found…. for scripture says this:

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him
must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11: 6

The Life-lesson is this:  We must decide if we believe He exists or not.  We do know this for sure- our very life is temporary.  With this truth we can comprehend that our spiritual life is what we should focus on, for it is eternal.  Physically, everything we have can be tossed by the waves of circumstance and destroyed.  We know this to be true by simply watching the news regarding recent floods and wildfires.  We can confirm this by looking around and seeing our neighbors and friends fighting to keep their home in this housing market that is ‘under water’.  We know through images of past tornadoes and their devastation, that this earth can twist our lives into nothing.  Our world can be hellish…and sometimes literally screams “there is death to pay”.

We can neither outwit the forces of Nature nor the physical restraints of this world-including death-so we must find another way.  When our earthly possessions are lost we must find who we are from within.   When our heart is broken and not even time can repair it- we must search for something other than that physical organ to sustain us.   When our life on earth is done-we must realize that our spiritual life is just beginning.  While we still walk this earth we have an opportunity to become attuned to what we we’re created to be-a spiritual being who serves a magnificent, eternal God.  Do you believe that? Reflecting over my life I am certain that we’ve all asked ourselves this profound question, at least one time or another, regarding our lives in this world; “Is this all there is?”  I am telling you…it is not! 

Finding stability on earth, whether it is an emotional port of solace or figurative solid ground, is a spiritual quest- one that extends beyond this life!  Our lives will pass away and then what good are our earthly possessions?  Surely beyond the devastation of this world there is something else-for why would the mechanisms of this natural world, including astrophysics, indicate there is?  With this to ponder, let me ask you a few questions:  Do you believe that God exists?   In what have you placed your faith?  On what are you building your future?  Where have you laid your treasure? 

About our earthly treasures and possessions, scripture says this:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth
 where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy
 and where thieves do not break in and steal.
 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6: 19

Regarding our physical lives scripture says this:

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from
God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”
II Corinthians 5:1

As an interesting tie-in, scripture says this (about Abraham):

 “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations,
whose architect and builder is God.” 
Hebrews 11: 10

I’m taking ancient scripture at its word and placing my treasured hope in heaven.  I’m taking cues from this tumultuous world and am willing to admit that my earthly assets-yes-even my life will pass away.  My hope is in God for I believe that He exists.  My dream is His Kingdom.  May my heart be pure and may I one day see Almighty God.

 “Blessed are the pure at heart for they will see God”
Matthew Chapter 5

Song recommendation:
The Creed
By:  Avalon

Bibilical Definition of Love Page 31

Scriptural understanding and definition of love:

Based on
I Corinthians 13: 1-7
The Message Bible


“If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love,
I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.”

Point of verse:
Without an outward display of love the sound of my words are meaningless!

“If I speak God’s Word with power,
revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day,
and If I have faith that says to a mountain, “jump”, and it jumps,
but I don’t love, I am nothing.”

Point of verse:

Even if I understand the Bible and have great conviction and powerful faith….without love it means nothing!

“If I give everything I own to the poor
and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr,
but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere.”


Point of verse:

If I give up everything, even my life,
but don’t love- then my principles do not matter.

"So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do,
I’m bankrupt without love.”

Point of verse:

My words, my faith and my actions count for nothing and
absolutely add up to nothing
if I don't understand and show love.

*Scriptural Definition of love from The Message Bible:

“Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head.
Doesn’t force itself on others.
Isn’t always “me first”.
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel.
(Love) Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth.
Puts up with anything.
Trusts God always.
Always looks for the best.
Never looks back….but keeps going to the end.”

*With this definition of love....ask yourself the crucial question:

"Do I love?"

Red ink summary:

Without an outward display of love the sound of my words are meaningless. Even if I understand the Bible and have great conviction and powerful faith....without love it means nothing. If I give up everything, even my life, but don't love-then my principles do not matter. My words, my faith and my actions count for nothing and absolutely add up to nothing if I don't understand and show love.

*Song Recommendation:

The Proof of Your Love
By:  For King and Country
*DO NOT miss this song!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-2dKOfbC9c

　

The River Pride Page 30

River Pride Page 30

Pride! What is it about this human trait that beckons us? Why do we come close to drowning ourselves in it before we realize that we’re dying because of it?

This ever-flowing River Pride takes us so far from those we love, from the place we want to be….yet we go like a warrior preparing for battle….for it’s as if we’re called to it! We stand firm in our prideful beliefs- thinking we’re holding the line of honor….when we’re simply battling for nothing! Pride has us believe we’re standing up for righteousness…when really we’re standing up for ourselves. This is called self-pride and it stands in place of truth! Pride deceives!

How can we be freed from this outward exhibition of our deceived hearts? It comes from so deep within! Our self-pride keeps us bound to sin; we’re in bondage! Yet we see it as our honor. We believe that pride is a mandatory piece of armor that truly protects us and justifies our fight for what we think we deserve! We believe we’re a warrior but what we really are is a slave to pride! Oh, that we would bow at the Throne of God and humbly ask him to free us from our brutal pride and, in this moment of surrender, open our eyes to the truth of what this merciful choice can liberate us from! Instead we remain bound…and blind!

God calls us to surrender our pride and take up the cause of truth and forgiveness! The problem is that self-righteous pride doesn’t slow easily and the River Pride is fast moving and is tumultuous! It is not easy to change course mid-stream. Also, pride has us so far from the notion and option of surrender that God’s voice is faint! The rushing waters of pride are loud. We’re can't hear well and we're uncertain. With all this raging noise we mistakenly question God‘s voice of direction. Surely surrender goes against human nature. We wonder if it’s wise to lay our pride on God‘s alter? Ironically, it is our pride that keeps us from doing so.

What a twist of fate! We’ve all been there before. A servant on a wild ride… deep in circumstance and drowning in the River Pride! Thankfully, God can save us from our enemies….and he can surely save us from ourselves. We’ve studied this before….but here it is again:

Psalm 18: 16-18

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deeps waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.”

                                                                            

As we stand in awe, dripping wet from circumstance and coughing up excuses….we finally realize this:

Pride binds us to a battle that is loveless.
Surrender provides us blessed freedom!
Surrender initially feels like it costs everything….
but mercifully, it costs us nothing-
for graciously God’s Salvation and love are freely given.


"And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free"
John 8:32 

Song Recommendation:

 Let the Waters Rise

                                                                  By: Mikeschair

ONE GOD Page 29

Ok, so recently I was doing a Bible Study and came across a scripture that gave me pause.  I’ll share it with you and then let’s stop in our tracks and read it again.  The profound truth of it should shake awake our slumbering view of God….and sharply remind us of His influence and power!  Here it is:

 James 2: 19
“You believe there is one God! 
Even the demons believe that - and shudder.”

 Read that again!!!  Let’s don’t kid ourselves.  The holiness of God transcends boundaries between the seen and the unseen world.   We are called to believe in the unseen God.  This scripture flat out says that demons have this calling as well.  Believe me, they know Him…they may have even gotten a glimpse of His power and radiance…and THIS is, perhaps, why they shudder!

 I’m with you…I prefer not to think about demons.  As a young girl….I would do my very best not to give my mind one inch of room for the credence of this.  But, as we move deeper into the knowledge of the Word of God we must make room for this aberrant truth! 

The battle between good and evil began when Lucifer and his followers were thrown out of heaven.  The prophesy in Revelation 12: 9 gives us an account of this exile.  It says: "The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.  He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him."  

Unfortunately the worldly saga deepened when Eve fell prey to Satan, in serpent form, in the Garden of Eden!  Sin was born on planet Earth.  The battle still rages-as we wrestle against that same deceitfulness that darkened our world and is still filling it up and absolutely running over the good that each of us try to cling to! 

What are we to do?  What can we do?  I have one simple answer!  We must stand on Truth!  What does this scripture in James tell us?  That there is one True God!  Believe that!  Again, for effect, scripture says that demons believe in the One God and shudder!  When is the last time you shuddered?  What brought about your physical trembling?   I’m saying that we don’t shudder easily or often and that in this scripture it is significant!

 As the Christian writer and speaker, Beth Moore, states…” Faith does more than nod with demons”.  How profound!  With this said, just standing on truth is not enough.  We must move into action-for if we don’t we will lose the battle that has been raging for too long! 

Here is what scripture says about the battle between good and evil:

 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
 against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world
and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 6: 12

 I am not trying to have you focus on evil!  I am simply reminding you that evil exists.  I still don’t give credence to demons….for I believe the Word of God and God’s vast power stands guard and has authority over that darkness.  I am calling your attention to the fact that there is one God…and He is holy!  His holiness carries weight!  He is well known in the seen and unseen world and any and all forces must acknowledge this and literally bow to His name. 

Scripture says in Philippians 2:9-11
“Therefore God exalting Him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
To the glory of God the Father.”

 
Let’s remember that God is holy.  Let’s remember that the name, Jesus, is sacred….and when it is spoken silence fills the stratosphere and peace floods over and under the earth, to it's very core,  while everything in existence pauses to bow to the one Lord, God! 

Back to our scripture in James 2: 19:  I want to differentiate myself from simply being one that agrees that there is a God.  I confess that there is one true God.  I encourage you to confess this as well.  Let’s remember that God is on His throne and that He is exalted!   I take great comfort in knowing that evil shudders at the very thought of God’s sovereignty and that at the mention of His name every knee should bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.   Don’t you? 

Song Recommendation:
Your Great Name
BY:  Natalie Grant

My Eyes See You Page 28

“I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear; but now my eyes see you.”
Job 42: 5

 This amazing revelation is in the very last chapter of the Book of Job.  This book details a period of time during which Job sustained  tremendous hardships.  He suffered loss after loss…and unfortunately, continued to grieve because God’s purpose was veiled- to the point that even Job’s wife and closest friends questioned Job’s honesty with God.  How would you like to have your closest friends ask you “Are you being honest with God?”  Ouch!   Interestingly, all of Job’s troubles began even though he was “blameless and upright and feared the Lord” (Job 1: 1). 

After much loss, God began a detailed dialogue with Job about this world and God’s sovereignty and power. With a faithful stamina that is truly astounding, Job finally came to a blessed point where he was able to say to the Lord “I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear; but now my eyes see you.”

 Believe me, this was an amazing revelation for Job.  This was not a casual statement made in a moment of reflection.  This spiritual revelation was earned through the death of family members, physical illness and pain, and the loss of his livelihood which brought financial ruin.  The fact is, Job was being tested by Satan himself.  You can read further about his amazing life and trials in the book of Job.  What I want to ponder now is the spiritual awakening that led Job to say…..

“….Now my eyes see you.”

What would it take for each of us to say that to the creator of the universe!?  This was not a three-dimensional viewing!  Scripture says, in II Timothy 4:8, “We fix our eyes not on what is seen but what us unseen.”  This is a spiritual testimonial of all Christians.  Job’s revelation was probably a drop-to-his-knees spiritual confession!  In Job’s day the Word of God was read aloud because they didn’t have a copy of the Bible,like we now do.  After all the hearing of the word- NOW Job has a sacred visual of God’s character. 

 For us, I have another example….

If, by chance, you saw the block-buster movie Avatar you know how the movie ends.  The very last scene dramatically bursts onto the screen letting us know that the main character, Jake Sully, still lives.  It is image of the large, vivid eyes of his avatar.  Throughout the movie Sully scientifically embeds himself into a creature called an Avatar so that he can step into the world and culture of the people that inhabit the planet Pandora!  His goal is to understand the mysterious bond to their physical world. He has a duplicitous purpose but in the end his heart aligns with righteousness and he changes his “view” and therefore his loyalty. 

If you didn’t see the movie I’ll tell you that as the storyline deepens, Jake Sully submerges himself further into the culture of the Na’vi people.   We learn that, for these natives, the physical and spiritual are linked.   Perhaps as Christians we should recognize this as well.

As we watch, in full color, Sully begins to learn the ways of the indigenous and gains a great appreciation for their culture.  He begins to grasp the intangible; a spiritual truth to which they hold.  They demonstrate this to each other by expressing in words,
and with great honor, the statement “I see you”.

                                           It insinuates a “visual”…but is actually meant spiritually!

 As I watched the film this moved me.  If only we were attuned to each other in a way that we could better understand the intricate and peer into the hidden heart of things.  This movie is not Christian-based and, of course, it is fictional….but it had a great lesson, of which I am trying to drive home….and it is this:

Through time and circumstance, if we are trained and accustomed to looking for it….we can see into the spiritual realm.   With scriptural knowledge and with a steadfast faith we can draw close to God and get to know Him personally….and one day, be able to say, as Job did, 

“I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you”.

 Song Recommendation
“I Lift My Hands”
By:  Chris Tomlin

Open My Eyes So I Can See! Page 27

In II Kings Chapter 6 another man of God, Elisha, is being hunted down for slaughter.  Here is the scenario:   Elisha is the prophet for the King of Israel.  Israel is at war with the King of Aram.  Every strategic move that the King of Aram makes Elisha counters by telling the King of Israel.  This infuriates the King of Aram.  In this scriptural saga, God reveals a spiritual side of life that we don’t recognize…for in doing so, we have to give credence to things we cannot see.  Attributing power to the invisible is, let’s say, difficult for us on this side of heaven.  But when we fail to do so, we limit God’s magnificence.

 After reading this amazing chapter, I’d prefer to acknowledge God’s invisible presence and by doing so gain access to the protection of that very Army of God.

 Let’s pick up the story below:

II Kings 6:13-17
“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered,
 “so I can send men and capture him.”  The report came back:
“He is in Dothan.”  Then he (the King of Aram) sent horses and chariots
and a strong force there. 
They went by night and surrounded the city. 
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city.
 “Oh, my lord, what shall we do” the servant asked. 
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. 
“Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed,
“O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.”
Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked
and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire
all around Elisha.”

 So-the prayer was “…open his eyes so he may see.”…and boom-the invisible veil was lifted!  There in the spiritual realm, prepared for battle, were horses and chariots of fire.  Verse 16 says “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Wow!  They were unseen to all but Elisha and his servant but they were there none-the-less and out-numbered the enemy army!  Graciously…and miraculously, the victory that day came to be- from the “unseen” forces commanded by Almighty God! 

This should be our prayer as well.  “Open my eyes so I may see.”  God has mighty plans for us and when we walk with the Lord through this dark and dire world, surely we are protected.  With a steadfast heart we can pray for God to show us those things we cannot fully understand!   It’s a fascinating concept…and a spiritual truth that we tend to forget, due to the veil that is drawn between here and the heavenlies, but God works in the unseen realm as we live and breathe here on the visible side of life!

 To dig a little deeper let’s ponder this:  that SAME God that answered Elisha’s prayer that day and provided protection in his moment of need …is the exact SAME God that we serve today.  We have been far removed from those ancient days and the prophets of old but we are just as close to their God….for He is our God as well.

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.”
Proverbs 21: 31


Song Recommendation:
The Great Adventure
By: Steven Curtis Chapman