John 14:6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Let's dig more into truth today. Jesus says He is the truth. I see God as the ultimate truth. There is no gray with Him, but rather black and white. There is sin and there is righteousness. There is Satan and there is God. Jesus says He is the truth which to me means He is truth itself. Anything aside from God is not truth. Matthew 12:30 came into my mind just now. Read it below.
Matthew 12:30) He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
He is not relative and neither is His truth. Among the many false religions the message of Jesus Christ is the true one. The Bible says so. Again, the dictionary came in handy to my study. Here are three ways truth was described...faithful, fact, and spiritual reality. I found those really interesting and enlightening. I especially like the last one, spiritual reality.
He is the true God incarnate and was also truly a man, flesh and bones. Let me be the first to say I don't really grasp the concept of the Trinity. Jesus Christ was God who is also the Holy Spirit. I understand the role of each, but the actual logistics of it all is way over my head. I used to really try and figure it out, but learned it's okay to not understand. I believe the Bible is truth so I'll just hang my hat on that.
I never know what is true in the world. You watch one news show and they say one thing and then another says something completely different. One politician says this and the other says that. Heck, even the same politician says one thing one day than the other the next day. We live in a day of deception, but deception began way back.
Genesis 3:4) "But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die."
How can we counteract the deception of the world? One way is to know truth or Truth. I have found great clarity since I began really digging into and studying Scripture. Of course it is an ongoing battle to counteract Satan's lies. The best way to know a lie is to know truth. Truth becomes a part of us as we spend time abiding in the Lord. If you put your faith in Jesus Christ you have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside you. The Bible calls Him our Helper. If we tune in to the Holy Spirit He will let us know what is truth and what is not.
My mom used to tell us to be discerning. She used this word quite often. "Anna, you have to be discerning with whom you date, or whom you befriend, or whom you trust," she would say. Discernment means to have an acuteness of judgment and understanding and to be discriminating. She felt discernment was one of the most important traits to have. I started reading a book by one of my favorite author's. Derek Prince wrote a book titled, Protection from Deception. Actually, I would read it on my favorite work out machine, Jacob's Ladder. If you do not know what that is please google it. My husband refers to as the Widow Maker. If any of my friends are reading this they are probably laughing right now because I am literally like the only person that uses it at our gym. Aaaaanywho, the book is all about being deceived and how one of Satan's goals is to deceive.
2 Corinthians 11:14) And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
1 John 4:1-4) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
So if your not sure about something open up that Bible and see what the Scripture says. It will never leave you hanging. I have a hard time quieting myself before the Lord. I've actually started picturing myself sitting before His throne saying nothing. I have learned one can pray without saying anything! Wild I know! I'm also getting better at not making my grocery list during this time. In these times the Spirit will lead you to great and unthinkable things. You will acquire a clarity like you won't believe. Mom always said that you had to have discernment to be truly wise. Gosh, I miss that woman.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Way
I have heard of Martin Luther, but never knew more details on his life. He is the author for the day. I won't get into too many details for the sake of time. His life spanned from 1483-1546. He was a German monk, priest, and theologian. He was a key figure in the Protestant Reformation. If you remember your history from school you will remember it as being the 16th century split from the Roman Catholic church. The term comes because a group of people PROTESTED the doctrines and rituals of the Catholic church. They disagreed with the arrangment of the church. Martin Luther strongly disagreed with the notion that freedom and the punishment of sins could be purchased with money. Salvation came free to the recipient as an act of grace by Jesus Christ. Luther also challenged the authority of the pope which was unheard of. He was responsible for the translation of the Bible out of Latin. He also was a priest that married which was also rather controversial. Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic church. As modern people we are not able to grasp the significance of being excommunicated. It was a really big deal. We get the denomination called Lutheranism because they originated as followers of Martin Luther. There has also been great controversy over Martin Luther's anti-semite writings. Some even argue that his writing contributed to Germany as we knew it in the early 20th centruy.
John 14:6) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Before I started this study I always saw the above verse as saying Christianity is the only way to heaven. While I think that is still true I believe it says so much more. John 14:6 quickly disproves any notion that salvation can be gained in any other way aside from Jesus Christ. There are no amount of money, righteous behavior, or rituals that will get us to heaven. This notion actually takes quite the load off our shoulders when we think about it.
Jesus' words were very comforting to His Twelve. He was assuring them that even though He would be led to slaughter He was still the WAY to God like they had been taught. They probably had doubts that He was the bridge they needed. They probably doubted He was still the key to life as His was about to be taken from Him (albeit temporarily). He was reassuring them they could still be confident in His message.
Awhile ago I learned that Christianity used to be called The Way so I looked up some Bible verses that referred to it as such. The first example occurs just before Saul's 'Damascus Road' experience. The last example is when Paul has gotten himself into some serious trouble!
Acts 9:1-2) Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
Acts 19:9) But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
Acts 22:4-5) I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify.
Acts 24:14) However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets...
I like to think of Jesus Christ as the bridge to God. He is the go-between. One can only be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ. There is one clear way to God and not all paths lead to Him. I also looked up the word 'way' in the dictionary and here are some definations. Way refers to the transportation from place to place. That is appropriate here because the blood of Jesus Christ transport believers from death to life. I also read another definition that said it is an opening for passage which I find an interesting concept when thought of in a spiritual manner. Jesus Christ opens the path up to God. Because of Him there are no road blocks to those whose faith falls on Christ. The last definition I found was a leading in a direction. Love that! Jesus leads us in the direction of our Heavenly Father
Jesus is saying in John 14:6 that He is the way to salvation through His obedience and sacrifice. He is also the way believer's recieve covenant blessings. Heaven and eternal life are certainly covenant blessings. He is the direct path to God.
Since this study is one of those that unfolded in a lengthly manner I'll stop for today. Tomorrow I'll look at how Jesus is the Truth. We all need some absolutes in this life, don't we?
John 14:6) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Before I started this study I always saw the above verse as saying Christianity is the only way to heaven. While I think that is still true I believe it says so much more. John 14:6 quickly disproves any notion that salvation can be gained in any other way aside from Jesus Christ. There are no amount of money, righteous behavior, or rituals that will get us to heaven. This notion actually takes quite the load off our shoulders when we think about it.
Jesus' words were very comforting to His Twelve. He was assuring them that even though He would be led to slaughter He was still the WAY to God like they had been taught. They probably had doubts that He was the bridge they needed. They probably doubted He was still the key to life as His was about to be taken from Him (albeit temporarily). He was reassuring them they could still be confident in His message.
Awhile ago I learned that Christianity used to be called The Way so I looked up some Bible verses that referred to it as such. The first example occurs just before Saul's 'Damascus Road' experience. The last example is when Paul has gotten himself into some serious trouble!
Acts 9:1-2) Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
Acts 19:9) But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
Acts 22:4-5) I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify.
Acts 24:14) However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets...
I like to think of Jesus Christ as the bridge to God. He is the go-between. One can only be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ. There is one clear way to God and not all paths lead to Him. I also looked up the word 'way' in the dictionary and here are some definations. Way refers to the transportation from place to place. That is appropriate here because the blood of Jesus Christ transport believers from death to life. I also read another definition that said it is an opening for passage which I find an interesting concept when thought of in a spiritual manner. Jesus Christ opens the path up to God. Because of Him there are no road blocks to those whose faith falls on Christ. The last definition I found was a leading in a direction. Love that! Jesus leads us in the direction of our Heavenly Father
Jesus is saying in John 14:6 that He is the way to salvation through His obedience and sacrifice. He is also the way believer's recieve covenant blessings. Heaven and eternal life are certainly covenant blessings. He is the direct path to God.
Since this study is one of those that unfolded in a lengthly manner I'll stop for today. Tomorrow I'll look at how Jesus is the Truth. We all need some absolutes in this life, don't we?
Monday, February 27, 2012
Prophesy
Remember a few days ago I said I never got to my originally planned entry? I also apologize for the breaks in blogging. Turns out the study I did after the one I am about to post was VERY in depth. Those things can never be planned. Some days the words flow from my heart to the paper very quickly and other days the Lord desires me to really dig in and study in greater detail. I used to feel badly if every study wasn't some world-changing entry, but have learned that each one is in their own way. Some are long and in depth and others seem to be more surface level. The Lord can take what we think is a simple concept and unfold it 100 times before our eyes.
Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The last few days have been emotional to say the least. Friday was the one year anniversary of my mom's death. I didn't know what to expect that day and turns out it was a harder day than I planned. The day was full of downpours and thunderstorms. If it would have been about 20 degrees colder it would have been what my sister and I call "funeral weather." I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love that people showed me. Every time I got a message or text about my mom I cried my eyes out. I suppose it was therapeutic. My friend, Kim, had ordered two dozen cupcakes and brownies so that kept me very busy. I told Kim it was a huge blessing to have to do baking all day. Baking is a happy thing! My friend, Kristin, came over for a few hours and just sat at my kitchen island and talked while I baked. It was fantastic! Another friend dropped off flowers! The lesson I learned is that a kind word, phone call, text, flowers, and time spent with another can literally make their day better. I experienced this first hand and will step up my compassion level for others who are struggling.
So I'm long winded again and haven't even got to my entry. I apologize for the length of today's entry, but I WILL post the study I had planned last week. I already mentioned the inspiration author before. It was Chuck Swindoll.
Today's study uses John 14:2. You can read it below.
John 14:2) In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."
I find it confusing to think about what the disciples knew and understood about Jesus and His imminent death on the cross. There were many Old Testament prophets who prophesied about the man who was to come. I took some time and did some research on a few Old Testament prophecies and their New Testaments fulfillment's. If your ever so inclined please take some time to study the prophecies and the odds of them ALL coming true. It's very interesting! My favorite Old Testament prophet was Isaiah.
Isaiah 53:3) He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hid their faced he was despised, and we hold him in low esteem.
John 1:10-11) He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Psalm 41:9) Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread has turned against me.
Mark 14:10) Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
Zechariah 11:12) I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:14- 16) Then one of the Twelve- the one called Judas Iscariot- went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Isaiah 53:7) He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Mark 15:5) But as Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
Psalm 22:1-2) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me: Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries and anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but i find no rest.
Matthew 27:46) About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?)
Psalm 22:7-8) All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. "He trusts in the Lord," they say, "let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."
Matthew 27:41-44) In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'"
Psalm 22:17-18) All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.
John 19:23-24) When the solders crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in once piece from top to bottom. "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened so that the Scripture could be fulfilled...
Psalm 22:15) My mouth is dried up like a potsherd (shard of pottery), and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
Matthew 27:48) Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put in on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
Given the prophecies why were the Twelve so surprised by the death of Jesus? Here is a little background on the situation. The Jewish people were anxiously awaiting the leader who would save them from their captivity by the Romans. I mentioned this concept back when we were studying Judas and his reasons for betrayal. I think it is safe to say the Disciples were hoping for the same thing. They desired freedom for their people too. When Jesus was preparing for the cross they were confused and very scared. I wonder if in the dark of night they felt betrayed by Jesus. If it wasn't Him who would free them who would it be?! We may have all felt this way at times. I wonder if my mom ever felt betrayed by this man whom she dedicated her life to. After all He could have removed the cancer from her earthly body in a blink of His eye. He didn't. I have felt let down by God...there I said it. Just because I FEEL let down does not mean He did the letting down.
I find this rather humorous. Peter actually argued with Jesus about His impending death. I have this idea that the Christian journey would be much easier if Jesus walked the earth today. Like Peter, I would probably still argue with Him!
Mark 8:31-32) He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.
The freedom that Jesus offered was not freedom from earthly rulers though.
Ephesians 6:12) 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 heavenly realms.
The people really needed freedom from Satan and not their captors. The Disciples needed freedom from Satan too. They had preconceived notions about who they thought Jesus was even after following Him for nearly three years. They also had notions about what they thought they needed and what Jesus should do. When He did not do what they thought He should they became upset, confused, scared, and even angry. I have sooooo been there!
So even though the Old Testament prophesy pointed Jesus to the cross the men were still confused. Even if I have the plan clearly laid before me I will wrestle with my will verses His. So many times I have wanted it all written out so questions could easily be answered. It comes down to trusting that He knows exactly what I need and when.
Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The last few days have been emotional to say the least. Friday was the one year anniversary of my mom's death. I didn't know what to expect that day and turns out it was a harder day than I planned. The day was full of downpours and thunderstorms. If it would have been about 20 degrees colder it would have been what my sister and I call "funeral weather." I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love that people showed me. Every time I got a message or text about my mom I cried my eyes out. I suppose it was therapeutic. My friend, Kim, had ordered two dozen cupcakes and brownies so that kept me very busy. I told Kim it was a huge blessing to have to do baking all day. Baking is a happy thing! My friend, Kristin, came over for a few hours and just sat at my kitchen island and talked while I baked. It was fantastic! Another friend dropped off flowers! The lesson I learned is that a kind word, phone call, text, flowers, and time spent with another can literally make their day better. I experienced this first hand and will step up my compassion level for others who are struggling.
So I'm long winded again and haven't even got to my entry. I apologize for the length of today's entry, but I WILL post the study I had planned last week. I already mentioned the inspiration author before. It was Chuck Swindoll.
Today's study uses John 14:2. You can read it below.
John 14:2) In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."
I find it confusing to think about what the disciples knew and understood about Jesus and His imminent death on the cross. There were many Old Testament prophets who prophesied about the man who was to come. I took some time and did some research on a few Old Testament prophecies and their New Testaments fulfillment's. If your ever so inclined please take some time to study the prophecies and the odds of them ALL coming true. It's very interesting! My favorite Old Testament prophet was Isaiah.
Isaiah 53:3) He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hid their faced he was despised, and we hold him in low esteem.
John 1:10-11) He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Psalm 41:9) Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread has turned against me.
Mark 14:10) Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
Zechariah 11:12) I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:14- 16) Then one of the Twelve- the one called Judas Iscariot- went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Isaiah 53:7) He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Mark 15:5) But as Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
Psalm 22:1-2) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me: Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries and anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but i find no rest.
Matthew 27:46) About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?)
Psalm 22:7-8) All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. "He trusts in the Lord," they say, "let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."
Matthew 27:41-44) In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'"
Psalm 22:17-18) All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.
John 19:23-24) When the solders crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in once piece from top to bottom. "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened so that the Scripture could be fulfilled...
Psalm 22:15) My mouth is dried up like a potsherd (shard of pottery), and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
Matthew 27:48) Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put in on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
Given the prophecies why were the Twelve so surprised by the death of Jesus? Here is a little background on the situation. The Jewish people were anxiously awaiting the leader who would save them from their captivity by the Romans. I mentioned this concept back when we were studying Judas and his reasons for betrayal. I think it is safe to say the Disciples were hoping for the same thing. They desired freedom for their people too. When Jesus was preparing for the cross they were confused and very scared. I wonder if in the dark of night they felt betrayed by Jesus. If it wasn't Him who would free them who would it be?! We may have all felt this way at times. I wonder if my mom ever felt betrayed by this man whom she dedicated her life to. After all He could have removed the cancer from her earthly body in a blink of His eye. He didn't. I have felt let down by God...there I said it. Just because I FEEL let down does not mean He did the letting down.
I find this rather humorous. Peter actually argued with Jesus about His impending death. I have this idea that the Christian journey would be much easier if Jesus walked the earth today. Like Peter, I would probably still argue with Him!
Mark 8:31-32) He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.
The freedom that Jesus offered was not freedom from earthly rulers though.
Ephesians 6:12) 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 heavenly realms.
The people really needed freedom from Satan and not their captors. The Disciples needed freedom from Satan too. They had preconceived notions about who they thought Jesus was even after following Him for nearly three years. They also had notions about what they thought they needed and what Jesus should do. When He did not do what they thought He should they became upset, confused, scared, and even angry. I have sooooo been there!
So even though the Old Testament prophesy pointed Jesus to the cross the men were still confused. Even if I have the plan clearly laid before me I will wrestle with my will verses His. So many times I have wanted it all written out so questions could easily be answered. It comes down to trusting that He knows exactly what I need and when.
Friday, February 24, 2012
My Mom, How I See Her
I see her as a woman who grew out of an idillic childhood laced with struggles.
I see her as a child playing in the Olentangy River with her friends and digging in the dirt pile in the backyard with her daddy.
I see her as a little girl spending time with her mommy at her gift shop.
I see her as a young woman who even through rebellion, feared a distant God.
I see her as a vibrant adventuresome young woman who traveled Route 66 in search of freedom.
I see her as that same young woman driving her convertible with the wind in her hair and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" blaring on the radio.
I see her a scared woman who chose life when others told her contrary.
I see her as a mother who worked tirelessly to support her family.
I see her as a broken woman who knew she needed a Savior down on her knees begging for His mercy.
I see her as a woman who fell in love with a wild young man with a blonde afro, hip hugger jeans, who drove a V.W. bus.
I see her as a friend sitting at the kitchen table chatting about life.
I see her as a follower of Jesus studying Scripture from her worn-in Bible. I see her as a mother rocking her new baby girl to sleep singing "Amazing Grace."
I see her as an entrepanuer up on the roof of a horsebarn nailing sheet metal down.
I see her as an obedient wife, packing up two daughters and far too many wild thoroughbred horses, leaving behind a familiar life for one in a new town.
I see her as a woman who cared deeply for the condition of the soul of family and friends, who taught her husband and two daughters what it meant to ask Jesus to come live in their hearts.
I see her as a woman with an insasiable hunger to laugh.
I see her as a help-mate to a man who was working his fingers to the bone to provide for his three girls and still...far too many wild thoroughbreds.
I see her as a friend who stayed up past midnight talking to two girl's who had a brokenheart from boys and trouble with friends.
I see her as a clever and wise woman full of useful quotes: such as "the first 100 years of life are the hardest, NEVER date a boy prettier than you, and you just do the next thing."
I see her as a brave soul shopping for scarves and hats after a horrible diagnosis.
I see her as a thankful woman grateful for modern medicine.
I see her as a fearful wife and mother whose eyes are wet with tears as a doctor tells her fate.
I see her as a cancer patient vascilating between wanting to go to Paradise and seeing her precious grandson achieve milestones.
I see her as a follower of Jesus who, in the end, defeated cancer.
I see her as a vibrant, healthy woman who ran into the arms of her Savior.
I see her as a child playing in the Olentangy River with her friends and digging in the dirt pile in the backyard with her daddy.
I see her as a little girl spending time with her mommy at her gift shop.
I see her as a young woman who even through rebellion, feared a distant God.
I see her as a vibrant adventuresome young woman who traveled Route 66 in search of freedom.
I see her as that same young woman driving her convertible with the wind in her hair and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" blaring on the radio.
I see her a scared woman who chose life when others told her contrary.
I see her as a mother who worked tirelessly to support her family.
I see her as a broken woman who knew she needed a Savior down on her knees begging for His mercy.
I see her as a woman who fell in love with a wild young man with a blonde afro, hip hugger jeans, who drove a V.W. bus.
I see her as a friend sitting at the kitchen table chatting about life.
I see her as a follower of Jesus studying Scripture from her worn-in Bible. I see her as a mother rocking her new baby girl to sleep singing "Amazing Grace."
I see her as an entrepanuer up on the roof of a horsebarn nailing sheet metal down.
I see her as an obedient wife, packing up two daughters and far too many wild thoroughbred horses, leaving behind a familiar life for one in a new town.
I see her as a woman who cared deeply for the condition of the soul of family and friends, who taught her husband and two daughters what it meant to ask Jesus to come live in their hearts.
I see her as a woman with an insasiable hunger to laugh.
I see her as a help-mate to a man who was working his fingers to the bone to provide for his three girls and still...far too many wild thoroughbreds.
I see her as a friend who stayed up past midnight talking to two girl's who had a brokenheart from boys and trouble with friends.
I see her as a clever and wise woman full of useful quotes: such as "the first 100 years of life are the hardest, NEVER date a boy prettier than you, and you just do the next thing."
I see her as a brave soul shopping for scarves and hats after a horrible diagnosis.
I see her as a thankful woman grateful for modern medicine.
I see her as a fearful wife and mother whose eyes are wet with tears as a doctor tells her fate.
I see her as a cancer patient vascilating between wanting to go to Paradise and seeing her precious grandson achieve milestones.
I see her as a follower of Jesus who, in the end, defeated cancer.
I see her as a vibrant, healthy woman who ran into the arms of her Savior.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Not the Blog I Planned!
Today I am back to my Jesus study that most of my entries have come from. The inspiration author today is Charles Swindoll. I have such fond memories of listening to Chuck Swindoll on the car radio whenever I would travel with my mom. She loved Chuck Swindoll! As a kid I wished we could listen to music or ANYTHING other than some guy talking about God. I wasn't an overly spiritual ten year old! It really seemed like he was on every time we would go anywhere and the radio was always static-y. I always wondered how she listened to such static. As I have grown I learned that my mom had such a hunger for being taught about God she didn't mind a little static. I won't go into the details about Chuck Swindoll, but highly recommend you look him up. His radio program is called Insight for Living. We all need some insight, right?!
February 22nd is a very memorable day to me. February 22nd, 2011 lives in infamy to me. On February 22nd my dad called and said mom does not have much time left. I was scheduled to fly to Ohio on the 23rd. In the course of a few hours me and Eli's flights changed and was on board to fly to Ohio. I talked about this quite sometime ago in another blog. As we sat on the plane from Augusta to Charlotte I hoped we could make the connection because it was a tight one. My stomach churned and heart beat fast. I begged God to allow our flights to run smoothly and be on time. We even had the back seats on the tiny plane and I knew getting out would take time. Looking back I should have asked to be moved up. At any rate, I literally thought about running over 100 people to get off that plane so I could catch the next one. Once off the plane in Charlotte I ran at full speed pushing a toddler in a stroller and carrying two bags and of course a big stuffed horse named Floppy. "Please God, hold that plane," I pleaded.
We made it to the next gate just in time to board the plane that would take us from Charlotte to Dayton. My in-laws were awaiting our late night arrival in Dayton. My mother-in-law, Lou Ann, lost her mom to cancer at an early age so she fully understood what I was going through. I have thanked God for Lou many times for many reasons, but one big one for me is that she 'gets it.' I think I thanked Him about 150 times in a five minute window for allowing us to make that connection! I desperately wanted her to hold on...even though I thought I said my good-byes a few weeks earlier when I was home for my grandmother's funeral. I learned quickly you are never ready to say good-bye to your momma. I needed one more. As I sat on the plane I had many thoughts go through my head. One was how I would manage if I missed her, if she died minutes before I arrived. Another was that you never know what someone is struggling with. I'm sure other people on that plan saw Eli and myself and thought, "there is a nice mother and a cute kid...wonder if they are going to see grandparents?" I bet some people even thought I was rude as I raced past them hauling all my gear. Heck, I probably even unintentionally bumped a few people with my backpack as I ran.
Wow, so I never did get to my blog entry today! Our pastor in Cincinnati would do a similar thing. He would preach this incredible sermon. I mean one of those memorable sermons. At the end he would inform us that was not his prepared sermon and we would have to attend next week to hear the planned one! The Spirit moved him in another direction and I guess that is what has happened to me tonight. I do not have any huge revelation tonight other than we must be compassionate and slow to judge. You just never know what someone is dealing with. The other day I was behind a car that slowed and turned without using their turn signal. Heaven forbid! I was so offended at first! Did they NOT know I, Anna Limbird, was behind them?! A second later I thought to myself maybe they just found out they had cancer. Maybe their baby was just diagnosed with leukemia. Maybe they just lost their job and had no idea how they would feed their family or pay their rent.
As I close tonight I reflect on the last year. It held great pain. This is the kind of pain that takes your breath away and literally makes your heart hurt. I would be lying if I said I do not feel that degree of pain anymore. At times I do and those are the times I cry and desperately miss the most important woman in my life. The pain does not last forever and in those precious times I see God's grace. I hear His ever-so-quiet voice reminding me of the person I have become over the last year. Let's challenge each other to be more loving, compassionate, and patient.
To all of those people out there that have been on this journey with me I thank you. I thank you for your shoulders to cry on, ears to listen, loving voices, and of course, prayers. I thank you for all the wonderful memories you have shared of Mrs. Dinah Kruse. I am thankful for your love, compassion, and patience.
February 22nd is a very memorable day to me. February 22nd, 2011 lives in infamy to me. On February 22nd my dad called and said mom does not have much time left. I was scheduled to fly to Ohio on the 23rd. In the course of a few hours me and Eli's flights changed and was on board to fly to Ohio. I talked about this quite sometime ago in another blog. As we sat on the plane from Augusta to Charlotte I hoped we could make the connection because it was a tight one. My stomach churned and heart beat fast. I begged God to allow our flights to run smoothly and be on time. We even had the back seats on the tiny plane and I knew getting out would take time. Looking back I should have asked to be moved up. At any rate, I literally thought about running over 100 people to get off that plane so I could catch the next one. Once off the plane in Charlotte I ran at full speed pushing a toddler in a stroller and carrying two bags and of course a big stuffed horse named Floppy. "Please God, hold that plane," I pleaded.
We made it to the next gate just in time to board the plane that would take us from Charlotte to Dayton. My in-laws were awaiting our late night arrival in Dayton. My mother-in-law, Lou Ann, lost her mom to cancer at an early age so she fully understood what I was going through. I have thanked God for Lou many times for many reasons, but one big one for me is that she 'gets it.' I think I thanked Him about 150 times in a five minute window for allowing us to make that connection! I desperately wanted her to hold on...even though I thought I said my good-byes a few weeks earlier when I was home for my grandmother's funeral. I learned quickly you are never ready to say good-bye to your momma. I needed one more. As I sat on the plane I had many thoughts go through my head. One was how I would manage if I missed her, if she died minutes before I arrived. Another was that you never know what someone is struggling with. I'm sure other people on that plan saw Eli and myself and thought, "there is a nice mother and a cute kid...wonder if they are going to see grandparents?" I bet some people even thought I was rude as I raced past them hauling all my gear. Heck, I probably even unintentionally bumped a few people with my backpack as I ran.
Wow, so I never did get to my blog entry today! Our pastor in Cincinnati would do a similar thing. He would preach this incredible sermon. I mean one of those memorable sermons. At the end he would inform us that was not his prepared sermon and we would have to attend next week to hear the planned one! The Spirit moved him in another direction and I guess that is what has happened to me tonight. I do not have any huge revelation tonight other than we must be compassionate and slow to judge. You just never know what someone is dealing with. The other day I was behind a car that slowed and turned without using their turn signal. Heaven forbid! I was so offended at first! Did they NOT know I, Anna Limbird, was behind them?! A second later I thought to myself maybe they just found out they had cancer. Maybe their baby was just diagnosed with leukemia. Maybe they just lost their job and had no idea how they would feed their family or pay their rent.
As I close tonight I reflect on the last year. It held great pain. This is the kind of pain that takes your breath away and literally makes your heart hurt. I would be lying if I said I do not feel that degree of pain anymore. At times I do and those are the times I cry and desperately miss the most important woman in my life. The pain does not last forever and in those precious times I see God's grace. I hear His ever-so-quiet voice reminding me of the person I have become over the last year. Let's challenge each other to be more loving, compassionate, and patient.
To all of those people out there that have been on this journey with me I thank you. I thank you for your shoulders to cry on, ears to listen, loving voices, and of course, prayers. I thank you for all the wonderful memories you have shared of Mrs. Dinah Kruse. I am thankful for your love, compassion, and patience.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Abiding
I apologize for my departure from my usual study book and blog entries. My other book has been my inspiration these past few days. Love that Joyce Meyer!
Today we will look at another "church-y" phrase, abiding in Christ.
John 15:4-5) Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Abiding in God is a supernatural experience. It is a personal intimate experience of me with God. It is living every moment with Jesus right next to me. When I draw near to Him He draws near to me. Sin keeps me from abiding in Christ. The more I abide in Christ the more I experience His internal radiance shining through me. I exude joy and peace and the remaining fruits of the Spirit. When I abide with Christ those moments have eternal value.
Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
What does the word abide really mean? The definition is to wait for, to endure, to bear patiently, to accept without objection, to remain stable or in a fixed state, to continue in a place, to stay, to endure. To wait for the Lord means that I do not act in the arm of the flesh and I seek His will over mine. I bear patiently even when I don't feel like it or when it seems like He is not acting or holding up His end of the bargain. I wait for His revealed plan and will. I do not object Him and continue to live a life of submission. I do not let my feeling control me and I remain stable. Continuing in a place means I spend more time with Him out of love and not duty.
Abiding in Him is a learned discipline. It does not happen over night and is part of my journey to becoming more Christ-like. As I mature in my relationship with the Lord abiding becomes my chosen location and way of life. According to www.gotquestions.org there is proof that someone is truly abiding in Christ with their whole hearts. The following really made me look inside my own life and realize how far I have come and how far I have yet to go. Joyce always says, "thank God I am not where I was!" I love that! Here is a great list to use to evaluate our own lives.
1. Do I obey His commands?
John 15:10) If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
2. Do I follow His example?
1 John 2:5-6) But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
3. Do I live free from habitual sin?
1 John 3:6) No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
4. Am I aware of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of my life?
1 John 4:13) This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
I was completely uncomfortable when I read through this list. Here is the awesome thing...He knows we fail and loves us anyway! He picked us when we were in our rotten state. He didn't say, "oh Anna has really got it together now so I pick her to be on my team." Nope, He picked me before I had the Spirit in me. I think that is just fantastic! Abiding in Christ is not all that confusing of a phrase especially when you can read the list above and see where you need work. I love the safety of abiding in Christ and the joy and peace is provides.
Today we will look at another "church-y" phrase, abiding in Christ.
John 15:4-5) Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Abiding in God is a supernatural experience. It is a personal intimate experience of me with God. It is living every moment with Jesus right next to me. When I draw near to Him He draws near to me. Sin keeps me from abiding in Christ. The more I abide in Christ the more I experience His internal radiance shining through me. I exude joy and peace and the remaining fruits of the Spirit. When I abide with Christ those moments have eternal value.
Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
What does the word abide really mean? The definition is to wait for, to endure, to bear patiently, to accept without objection, to remain stable or in a fixed state, to continue in a place, to stay, to endure. To wait for the Lord means that I do not act in the arm of the flesh and I seek His will over mine. I bear patiently even when I don't feel like it or when it seems like He is not acting or holding up His end of the bargain. I wait for His revealed plan and will. I do not object Him and continue to live a life of submission. I do not let my feeling control me and I remain stable. Continuing in a place means I spend more time with Him out of love and not duty.
Abiding in Him is a learned discipline. It does not happen over night and is part of my journey to becoming more Christ-like. As I mature in my relationship with the Lord abiding becomes my chosen location and way of life. According to www.gotquestions.org there is proof that someone is truly abiding in Christ with their whole hearts. The following really made me look inside my own life and realize how far I have come and how far I have yet to go. Joyce always says, "thank God I am not where I was!" I love that! Here is a great list to use to evaluate our own lives.
1. Do I obey His commands?
John 15:10) If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
2. Do I follow His example?
1 John 2:5-6) But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
3. Do I live free from habitual sin?
1 John 3:6) No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
4. Am I aware of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of my life?
1 John 4:13) This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
I was completely uncomfortable when I read through this list. Here is the awesome thing...He knows we fail and loves us anyway! He picked us when we were in our rotten state. He didn't say, "oh Anna has really got it together now so I pick her to be on my team." Nope, He picked me before I had the Spirit in me. I think that is just fantastic! Abiding in Christ is not all that confusing of a phrase especially when you can read the list above and see where you need work. I love the safety of abiding in Christ and the joy and peace is provides.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Works of the Flesh
Today I read through the next chapter in the book I'm studying with my friends. It is titled Be Anxious for Nothing and is authored by Joyce Meyer. Joyce is one of those teachers that is able to convict me with everything she says. Her book Battlefield of the Mind was life-changing for me. I highly recommend it along with many of her books. You can also catch her on TBN. I set my DVR to record her show. It comes on while I'm at the gym in the morning. My usual blog entries are based on the other book I'm studying, but I had some random thoughts as I read my Joyce Meyer book today.
I have heard the phrase "works of the flesh" tossed around a lot at church. I think it is one of those "church-y" phrases. The chapter I am on is titled "Cast Your Care, Not Your Burden." Everything she says or writes is for me. When I watch her on T.V. it feels like she's staring right at me while she talks! The section of the chapter I will focus on today is about how only frustration comes out of working in the flesh. At first I did not think much about the phrase mentioned earlier because I have heard it so much. Works of flesh are useless to God I have been taught. I began to think, maybe I don't know what it really means.
Joyce says there is a difference between work and works. I have never thought about the difference. Here is her definition of each. Work is doing by the grace of God what He has called us to do. Works is doing by our own strength and ability what we want done. I use my energy to try and make happen what only God can do. God is the only one who can make anything happen so participating in works is self-defeating from the get-go.
Here is another point that hit home for me. I will explain a little why. I have mentioned this before on this blog, but I have had serious hormonal issues for many years. No doctor could tell me what was going on or why. They did not know why I could not have a child than after going through I.V.F. they could not tell me why I still felt awful. It is scary to have something wrong with you and no one can tell you why. After being put on hormones like I was a 50+ year old woman I was hopeful to feel better. Wrong. I became obsessed with trying to figure it all out myself. No one could help me or tell me anything. My doses were changed many times without any relief. I started this journey almost three years ago with close to zero estrogen and progesterone and then toss in a thyroid condition and you have a real party! It was discovered I literally had toxic levels of progesterone in me (due to being overdosed), but my treatment was not changed. I didn't know enough to question much of anything. It was not until over a year later and a move to Georgia when a new pharmacist discovered my dosing was VERY wrong. It was also discovered that my estrogen went from 8 to over 100 with 10 being the cut off in four months. It was also recently discovered another hormone in my thyroid was not properly working. So as you can see the swings have been drastic and wild. I am not sure which is worse...no hormones or toxic levels of them. Let's just put it this way...I literally feel like I've been pregnant for three years and that does not count the time before being diagnosed with this mysterious hormone condition. Dave and I joke that I could give birth to a three year old! I do not tell you this to complain and there are incredible things I have learned along the way...most spiritual, but not all.
My point is I have desperately wanted to understand it all. I have read at length about hormone conditions, hormone replacement therapy, natural cures, etc. I have totally and completely overwhelmed myself wanting to know why and how I can get better and when and when will this 12 pounds of hormone-weight come off and when will this or that symptom go away and when will I feel like Anna again and what if I am always so tired my eyes pulsate and how it will all happen and who is the best doctor to help and what did I do to cause it all and how can I be sure to not have that happen again and when will my hair stop falling out and why did my old compounding pharmacist not see that a progesterone level of 11,391 was NOT healthy (I started at 15 for reference), etc. If your head spun reading this my head spun typing it! I typed it that way so you could understand the idea of works of the flesh. I have been working in my brain which means I have worried, reasoned, and tried to figured out how to make things happen according to what I want and when I want it. We can literally get ourselves in a tizzy reasoning. So works of the flesh are not necessarily doing something physical. For me, works of the flesh happens in my mind, my thoughts.
Satan wants us in a tizzy. He does not want us to live in joy and peace in the MIDST of trials. The Apostle Paul shares his heart in the verses below. On a side note, I am sure that Paul was one of the first people my mom wanted to meet in heaven!
Philippians 4:11-13) "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
These are fighting words to Satan. Satan feeds us lies. He says when you FEEL great you will have joy, when your favorite jeans fit again you will be happy, when you have that promotion at work you will be content, when your driving that new SUV you will have joy, etc. The list goes on. We spend a majority of our time trying to figure out how we can get all the above. In my own life the devil has used works of the flesh to steal my joy. A reasoning mind is not a peaceful and restful mind. He loves when I'm all stirred up and worried that I will feel this way forever. Paul says we can be content in anything and we can have peace though it all. We can even find rest when life is not restful. How? ONLY by the grace of God. My whole situation has confused not only me, but very capable professionals. Satan loves confusion.
There have been times when frustration has owned me. I have screamed, cried...ask Dave and some close friends. Frustration rears its ugly head when I am acting in the works of the flesh. Only by God's strength can I wait for Him to move in His own way and in His own timing. In closing I will share a Bible verse for encouragement to anyone reading and to myself.
Psalm 46:10) That's enough! Now know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted throughout the world!"
Here is another translation.
Psalm 46:10) He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
I must decide to drop my hands, let the burdens fall, quiet my soul, relax, breath deeply and say, "You are God and I am not. Your ways are not my ways. I do not understand what you are doing, but I will NOT act or think in the ways of my flesh."
I have heard the phrase "works of the flesh" tossed around a lot at church. I think it is one of those "church-y" phrases. The chapter I am on is titled "Cast Your Care, Not Your Burden." Everything she says or writes is for me. When I watch her on T.V. it feels like she's staring right at me while she talks! The section of the chapter I will focus on today is about how only frustration comes out of working in the flesh. At first I did not think much about the phrase mentioned earlier because I have heard it so much. Works of flesh are useless to God I have been taught. I began to think, maybe I don't know what it really means.
Joyce says there is a difference between work and works. I have never thought about the difference. Here is her definition of each. Work is doing by the grace of God what He has called us to do. Works is doing by our own strength and ability what we want done. I use my energy to try and make happen what only God can do. God is the only one who can make anything happen so participating in works is self-defeating from the get-go.
Here is another point that hit home for me. I will explain a little why. I have mentioned this before on this blog, but I have had serious hormonal issues for many years. No doctor could tell me what was going on or why. They did not know why I could not have a child than after going through I.V.F. they could not tell me why I still felt awful. It is scary to have something wrong with you and no one can tell you why. After being put on hormones like I was a 50+ year old woman I was hopeful to feel better. Wrong. I became obsessed with trying to figure it all out myself. No one could help me or tell me anything. My doses were changed many times without any relief. I started this journey almost three years ago with close to zero estrogen and progesterone and then toss in a thyroid condition and you have a real party! It was discovered I literally had toxic levels of progesterone in me (due to being overdosed), but my treatment was not changed. I didn't know enough to question much of anything. It was not until over a year later and a move to Georgia when a new pharmacist discovered my dosing was VERY wrong. It was also discovered that my estrogen went from 8 to over 100 with 10 being the cut off in four months. It was also recently discovered another hormone in my thyroid was not properly working. So as you can see the swings have been drastic and wild. I am not sure which is worse...no hormones or toxic levels of them. Let's just put it this way...I literally feel like I've been pregnant for three years and that does not count the time before being diagnosed with this mysterious hormone condition. Dave and I joke that I could give birth to a three year old! I do not tell you this to complain and there are incredible things I have learned along the way...most spiritual, but not all.
My point is I have desperately wanted to understand it all. I have read at length about hormone conditions, hormone replacement therapy, natural cures, etc. I have totally and completely overwhelmed myself wanting to know why and how I can get better and when and when will this 12 pounds of hormone-weight come off and when will this or that symptom go away and when will I feel like Anna again and what if I am always so tired my eyes pulsate and how it will all happen and who is the best doctor to help and what did I do to cause it all and how can I be sure to not have that happen again and when will my hair stop falling out and why did my old compounding pharmacist not see that a progesterone level of 11,391 was NOT healthy (I started at 15 for reference), etc. If your head spun reading this my head spun typing it! I typed it that way so you could understand the idea of works of the flesh. I have been working in my brain which means I have worried, reasoned, and tried to figured out how to make things happen according to what I want and when I want it. We can literally get ourselves in a tizzy reasoning. So works of the flesh are not necessarily doing something physical. For me, works of the flesh happens in my mind, my thoughts.
Satan wants us in a tizzy. He does not want us to live in joy and peace in the MIDST of trials. The Apostle Paul shares his heart in the verses below. On a side note, I am sure that Paul was one of the first people my mom wanted to meet in heaven!
Philippians 4:11-13) "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
These are fighting words to Satan. Satan feeds us lies. He says when you FEEL great you will have joy, when your favorite jeans fit again you will be happy, when you have that promotion at work you will be content, when your driving that new SUV you will have joy, etc. The list goes on. We spend a majority of our time trying to figure out how we can get all the above. In my own life the devil has used works of the flesh to steal my joy. A reasoning mind is not a peaceful and restful mind. He loves when I'm all stirred up and worried that I will feel this way forever. Paul says we can be content in anything and we can have peace though it all. We can even find rest when life is not restful. How? ONLY by the grace of God. My whole situation has confused not only me, but very capable professionals. Satan loves confusion.
There have been times when frustration has owned me. I have screamed, cried...ask Dave and some close friends. Frustration rears its ugly head when I am acting in the works of the flesh. Only by God's strength can I wait for Him to move in His own way and in His own timing. In closing I will share a Bible verse for encouragement to anyone reading and to myself.
Psalm 46:10) That's enough! Now know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted throughout the world!"
Here is another translation.
Psalm 46:10) He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
I must decide to drop my hands, let the burdens fall, quiet my soul, relax, breath deeply and say, "You are God and I am not. Your ways are not my ways. I do not understand what you are doing, but I will NOT act or think in the ways of my flesh."
Friday, February 17, 2012
A Special Place Called Heaven
Dave Veerman served as a senior editor for the Life Application Bible and has authored many other books. He and another man founded the Livingstone Corporation which is an editing company that has authored and edited over 250 books. His writing regarding heaven inspired my entry today.
John 14:2) "There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you, If this were not so, I would tell you plainly."
First off, as I was writing this blog entry the song Heaven by Bryan Adams came to mind. Funny, huh? Now that I mention it you probably will not be able to get it out of your head.
And baby you're all that I want
When your lyin' here in my arms
I'm findin' it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I find it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven
Okay, on to more spiritual things... It sounds crazy to say but so many times I have wanted to call Mom to see what heaven is like. She was ALWAYS a phone call away. Deleting her number off my phone was a pretty big deal.
In John 14:2 Jesus is referring to heaven. God lives in heaven and currently Jesus sits at His right hand. It is a debated issue, but some believe the angel Gabriel sits on God's other side. I have read a few books regarding heaven and they are Heaven is for Real and Ninety Minutes in Heaven. There is also a children's version of Heaven is for Real which is fantastic. I started a book by Randy Alcorn titled Heaven that I am yet to complete. It is D-E-E-P, DEEP! None of these books can do heaven justice. Actually, the authors of the Bible had trouble doing it justice. John speaks of heaven in Revelation 21-22. If you are feeling brave please read Revelation...and know that my head spun too.
Revelation 21:1) Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."
We speak quite often about heaven in our household for several reasons. Deuteronomy 6:7 says," Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This verse is talking about the principles of God. One of the main goals of parenting Eli to Dave and myself is for Eli to live and breath God. We do not want God to be a Sunday-only thing. We want Him intertwined in our everyday life and conversations. Heaven is also a hot topic because Eli knows Grandma Dinah is there. In fact, he rubbed her hands minutes before she entered those pearly gates. Eli likes to ask questions about the New Earth...will Floppy be there, will my Christmas toys be there, etc.? For those of you who do not know who Floppy is he is an enormous stuffed horse that was bought by my mom for Eli many years ago. Floppy is our fourth family member and has been restuffed and restitched more times than I can remember. Eli will say in the car, "mommy, when we are on the New Earth I'm going to have X,Y,Z and will give Grandma Dinah a big hug." To him, the New Earth is just another fact of life. Doesn't the Bible say something about having the faith of a child?! Eli doesn't spend any time contemplating what the New Earth will be like. He just believes it will come and it will be dreamy.
The Bible does share some information regarding heaven. Here are a few verses that clue us in to heaven. Heaven will be...
1. A kingdom- 2 Peter 1:11) and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2. An inheritance- and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you...
3. A country- Hebrews 11:16) Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
4. A city- Hebrews 11:16) Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
5. A home- 2 Corinthians 5:8) Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
I wish I could know more details of heaven. At times I have wanted to know exactly what it is like. I have even felt fearful when the thought of heaven comes to mind. Satan loves when the thought of heaven scares me which is strange coming from someone who comes from hell and will spend eternity there. Now the thought of that is scary and should be! When I set my curiosity aside I do not really want to know what heaven will be like because if my mind can comprehend it it would not be heaven.
Heaven is a real place. Nor every one is privileged enough to spend eternity there.
John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:36) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
John 14:6) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 17:3) And this is eternal life,that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Acts 4:12) And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Jesus means He is the only way to heaven. There are no good works, gifts, money, religiosity (thanks Bobby Smith for using this word last night at J-Group) or anything else that will enable me to go to heaven.
I know enough about heaven to know I want to go. God has shown compassion by letting those who study Scripture in on a few details. How to get there is clear and is rather black and white. At times I more details...what else IS there? My mind cannot comprehend what it will be like. Here is what I know for sure WILL NOT be there; death, sorrow, crying, pain.
Revelation 21:4) ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
After writing this entry I have decided I want to go to heaven for what will NOT be there!
John 14:2) "There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you, If this were not so, I would tell you plainly."
First off, as I was writing this blog entry the song Heaven by Bryan Adams came to mind. Funny, huh? Now that I mention it you probably will not be able to get it out of your head.
And baby you're all that I want
When your lyin' here in my arms
I'm findin' it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I find it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven
Okay, on to more spiritual things... It sounds crazy to say but so many times I have wanted to call Mom to see what heaven is like. She was ALWAYS a phone call away. Deleting her number off my phone was a pretty big deal.
In John 14:2 Jesus is referring to heaven. God lives in heaven and currently Jesus sits at His right hand. It is a debated issue, but some believe the angel Gabriel sits on God's other side. I have read a few books regarding heaven and they are Heaven is for Real and Ninety Minutes in Heaven. There is also a children's version of Heaven is for Real which is fantastic. I started a book by Randy Alcorn titled Heaven that I am yet to complete. It is D-E-E-P, DEEP! None of these books can do heaven justice. Actually, the authors of the Bible had trouble doing it justice. John speaks of heaven in Revelation 21-22. If you are feeling brave please read Revelation...and know that my head spun too.
Revelation 21:1) Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."
We speak quite often about heaven in our household for several reasons. Deuteronomy 6:7 says," Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This verse is talking about the principles of God. One of the main goals of parenting Eli to Dave and myself is for Eli to live and breath God. We do not want God to be a Sunday-only thing. We want Him intertwined in our everyday life and conversations. Heaven is also a hot topic because Eli knows Grandma Dinah is there. In fact, he rubbed her hands minutes before she entered those pearly gates. Eli likes to ask questions about the New Earth...will Floppy be there, will my Christmas toys be there, etc.? For those of you who do not know who Floppy is he is an enormous stuffed horse that was bought by my mom for Eli many years ago. Floppy is our fourth family member and has been restuffed and restitched more times than I can remember. Eli will say in the car, "mommy, when we are on the New Earth I'm going to have X,Y,Z and will give Grandma Dinah a big hug." To him, the New Earth is just another fact of life. Doesn't the Bible say something about having the faith of a child?! Eli doesn't spend any time contemplating what the New Earth will be like. He just believes it will come and it will be dreamy.
The Bible does share some information regarding heaven. Here are a few verses that clue us in to heaven. Heaven will be...
1. A kingdom- 2 Peter 1:11) and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2. An inheritance- and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you...
3. A country- Hebrews 11:16) Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
4. A city- Hebrews 11:16) Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
5. A home- 2 Corinthians 5:8) Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
I wish I could know more details of heaven. At times I have wanted to know exactly what it is like. I have even felt fearful when the thought of heaven comes to mind. Satan loves when the thought of heaven scares me which is strange coming from someone who comes from hell and will spend eternity there. Now the thought of that is scary and should be! When I set my curiosity aside I do not really want to know what heaven will be like because if my mind can comprehend it it would not be heaven.
Heaven is a real place. Nor every one is privileged enough to spend eternity there.
John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:36) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
John 14:6) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 17:3) And this is eternal life,that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Acts 4:12) And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Jesus means He is the only way to heaven. There are no good works, gifts, money, religiosity (thanks Bobby Smith for using this word last night at J-Group) or anything else that will enable me to go to heaven.
I know enough about heaven to know I want to go. God has shown compassion by letting those who study Scripture in on a few details. How to get there is clear and is rather black and white. At times I more details...what else IS there? My mind cannot comprehend what it will be like. Here is what I know for sure WILL NOT be there; death, sorrow, crying, pain.
Revelation 21:4) ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
After writing this entry I have decided I want to go to heaven for what will NOT be there!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
T-R-U-S-T
Max Lucado is today's author. He is probably one of my favorite authors and his book, He Still Moves Stones is in the top five best books ever in my opinion. Google him to see a complete list of books. He is incredible at being able to create an image with his words that is clear as day in your brain. On to the study.
John 14:1) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me."
Sometimes I think I know the definition of a word, but I really don't. I decided to look up the word 'trust' and see what I could learn.
Trust- firm reliance on the integrity, ability, etc. of a person or thing
- confident expectation
- to have confidence in
- to hope (the feeling that something desired is possible) in
In today's study Max is discussing the return of Christ. If you are anything like me the thought of the unknown is scary. I am not one for change either. I have a hard time imagining this earth is not all there is. Because I decided to believe the Bible I trust there is something else, something better ahead. I am not willing to mess with eternity here. Years ago I remember seeing a bumper sticker that simple said, "What if it is true?" How impacting! I KNOW it is true because I trust the Word of God. I rely on it's integrity because the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. There are many details I do not understand and I am slowly learning that is okay.
2 Timothy 3:16-17) Every Scripture is inspired by God (God-breathed) and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.
Like I said earlier, Max is writing about the Second Coming and how we are to trust His timing. Only God knows when Jesus will return. Jesus wanted to comfort His disciples when He spoke these words and also wants to comfort us in our present struggles. He knew we would wonder about His return and heaven. Max advises to trust God that Jesus will arrive again just at the right time and that He has prepared a place for us.
John 14:2) In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
There is something I must share though. It is on my heart today since we are discussing trust. When my mom got sick it really shook my faith. Then she died an atrocious death and I've found it difficult to trust Him. As I pray through my own health struggles it has been a challenge to pray with confidence. When people remind me He knows best I want to do one of three things, 1) agree because deep down I know He does, 2) cry because it does not seem like it, 3) smack them and say, "yeah well tell me that (and my family and mother) as mom writhed and screamed during the last hours of her life." When all the emotions pass I come back to one fact. He does know best and I trust Him.
I mentioned before there are many details of the Bible I do not understand. Why does this happen? Why does that happen? Questions are healthy, but God knows our hearts in the reason we are asking them. He knows why I am asking why. Why did a woman, who desperately loved God, die a torturous death? The list could go on. What good is there in these situations? The details on heaven are very scarce in the Bible. Why? Because He wants me to trust Him. I believe the second after Mom's heart stopped beating she met the Lord face to face. I thought about that fact as I sit beside her body...WOW. This will be the case for every person, follower of Jesus or not. I believe He may have even showed her the good that came from her suffering and subsequent death. There is not Biblical basis for my thought other than He is rich in mercy.
Ephesians 2:4) However, God is rich in mercy...
Mom believed the Bible because she trusted God. Quite frankly, the strength she displayed throughout her battle was nothing short of miraculous. She wanted desperately to live. She loved life! In the end, when her brain was completely destroyed I believe her soul shouted, "I trust you God."
John 14:1) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me."
Sometimes I think I know the definition of a word, but I really don't. I decided to look up the word 'trust' and see what I could learn.
Trust- firm reliance on the integrity, ability, etc. of a person or thing
- confident expectation
- to have confidence in
- to hope (the feeling that something desired is possible) in
In today's study Max is discussing the return of Christ. If you are anything like me the thought of the unknown is scary. I am not one for change either. I have a hard time imagining this earth is not all there is. Because I decided to believe the Bible I trust there is something else, something better ahead. I am not willing to mess with eternity here. Years ago I remember seeing a bumper sticker that simple said, "What if it is true?" How impacting! I KNOW it is true because I trust the Word of God. I rely on it's integrity because the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. There are many details I do not understand and I am slowly learning that is okay.
2 Timothy 3:16-17) Every Scripture is inspired by God (God-breathed) and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.
Like I said earlier, Max is writing about the Second Coming and how we are to trust His timing. Only God knows when Jesus will return. Jesus wanted to comfort His disciples when He spoke these words and also wants to comfort us in our present struggles. He knew we would wonder about His return and heaven. Max advises to trust God that Jesus will arrive again just at the right time and that He has prepared a place for us.
John 14:2) In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
There is something I must share though. It is on my heart today since we are discussing trust. When my mom got sick it really shook my faith. Then she died an atrocious death and I've found it difficult to trust Him. As I pray through my own health struggles it has been a challenge to pray with confidence. When people remind me He knows best I want to do one of three things, 1) agree because deep down I know He does, 2) cry because it does not seem like it, 3) smack them and say, "yeah well tell me that (and my family and mother) as mom writhed and screamed during the last hours of her life." When all the emotions pass I come back to one fact. He does know best and I trust Him.
I mentioned before there are many details of the Bible I do not understand. Why does this happen? Why does that happen? Questions are healthy, but God knows our hearts in the reason we are asking them. He knows why I am asking why. Why did a woman, who desperately loved God, die a torturous death? The list could go on. What good is there in these situations? The details on heaven are very scarce in the Bible. Why? Because He wants me to trust Him. I believe the second after Mom's heart stopped beating she met the Lord face to face. I thought about that fact as I sit beside her body...WOW. This will be the case for every person, follower of Jesus or not. I believe He may have even showed her the good that came from her suffering and subsequent death. There is not Biblical basis for my thought other than He is rich in mercy.
Ephesians 2:4) However, God is rich in mercy...
Mom believed the Bible because she trusted God. Quite frankly, the strength she displayed throughout her battle was nothing short of miraculous. She wanted desperately to live. She loved life! In the end, when her brain was completely destroyed I believe her soul shouted, "I trust you God."
Monday, February 13, 2012
A New Kind of Love
Today I moved onto to the next study in my book. Jonathan Edwards is today's writer. He is often called "America's greatest theologian." He was born in 1703 and went to be with the Lord in 1758 after receiving a small pox inoculation. He was a pastor, theologian, and missionary. He was a missionary to the Native America's in the new America. At age 13 he entered Yale College and later graduated as Valedictorian! He was a Calvinist of Puritan heritage. He played an important role in the shaping the First Great Awakening and stood for gender equality.
John 13:34) A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you may also love one another.
As a Christian the true mark of the Holy Spirit is my ability to love. Jesus knew what was ahead of Him on this night. He must have felt it important to stress love to His disciples. To fully understand this I must also understand the relationship between Jesus and the Disciples and the relationship between all the men.
Each of these men had completely dropped EVERYTHING to follow Jesus. They left jobs, family and friends. They left their reputations to follow this crazed man called Jesus. They were beaten, imprisoned, and I have a feeling knew they also may be martyred eventually. They loved Jesus and felt the world needed to know Jesus' love for all mankind, Jew and Gentile alike. Jesus knew His men would need to fully understand divine love because they would watch Him be tortured and murdered...and would need to forgive those responsible.
Then there was the relationship between all the Disciples. We all know familiarity can breed contempt so I am guessing there were issues among the men. They probably did their share of arguing. Being the humans they were they may have jockeyed for position with Jesus. I bet they argued who loved Jesus the most and who Jesus loved the most! Often when times get stressful we take our worries out on those closest to us. I have read statistics on the amount of families that split up after a family tragedy. It is rather high. Judas and Peter's actions probably let the other men down. Each man may have had their own personal worries about what happens next. Jesus was going to be killed and He told them He had to leave them. Remember they did not have the end of the story laid out in a book before them. Jesus wanted to be sure they continued to love each other through their angst and heartbreak.
My guess is He knew the Disciples would need to love those who were responsible for His death. He also knew their lives would not get easier. Off the top of my head I believe all the Disciples were martyred except Judas and John. Judas killed himself and John died of old age. Jesus had profound words as He hung on the cross.
Luke 23:34) Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing..."
We are to forgive just as God has forgiven us. I believe He is reminding His men to show love towards those who will kill Him. True love and forgiveness go hand in hand.
As usual with a few short words Jesus offers so much instruction. He knows the challenges He and His men have already gone though and knows what is ahead. He knows true, divinely-inspired love is needed to continue His mission. Without the type of love spoken of in 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 we are useless to His cause. He has a mission at hand for us. Jesus never said this type and degree of love would be easy. I, for one, have not perfected it. I am pretty good at loving the easy people...those I like and like me back. It is the rest I find a challenge! With my own will it is impossible. With God it is not impossible.
Luke 18:27) Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
1 Corinthians 13:1-7) If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
John 13:34) A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you may also love one another.
As a Christian the true mark of the Holy Spirit is my ability to love. Jesus knew what was ahead of Him on this night. He must have felt it important to stress love to His disciples. To fully understand this I must also understand the relationship between Jesus and the Disciples and the relationship between all the men.
Each of these men had completely dropped EVERYTHING to follow Jesus. They left jobs, family and friends. They left their reputations to follow this crazed man called Jesus. They were beaten, imprisoned, and I have a feeling knew they also may be martyred eventually. They loved Jesus and felt the world needed to know Jesus' love for all mankind, Jew and Gentile alike. Jesus knew His men would need to fully understand divine love because they would watch Him be tortured and murdered...and would need to forgive those responsible.
Then there was the relationship between all the Disciples. We all know familiarity can breed contempt so I am guessing there were issues among the men. They probably did their share of arguing. Being the humans they were they may have jockeyed for position with Jesus. I bet they argued who loved Jesus the most and who Jesus loved the most! Often when times get stressful we take our worries out on those closest to us. I have read statistics on the amount of families that split up after a family tragedy. It is rather high. Judas and Peter's actions probably let the other men down. Each man may have had their own personal worries about what happens next. Jesus was going to be killed and He told them He had to leave them. Remember they did not have the end of the story laid out in a book before them. Jesus wanted to be sure they continued to love each other through their angst and heartbreak.
My guess is He knew the Disciples would need to love those who were responsible for His death. He also knew their lives would not get easier. Off the top of my head I believe all the Disciples were martyred except Judas and John. Judas killed himself and John died of old age. Jesus had profound words as He hung on the cross.
Luke 23:34) Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing..."
We are to forgive just as God has forgiven us. I believe He is reminding His men to show love towards those who will kill Him. True love and forgiveness go hand in hand.
As usual with a few short words Jesus offers so much instruction. He knows the challenges He and His men have already gone though and knows what is ahead. He knows true, divinely-inspired love is needed to continue His mission. Without the type of love spoken of in 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 we are useless to His cause. He has a mission at hand for us. Jesus never said this type and degree of love would be easy. I, for one, have not perfected it. I am pretty good at loving the easy people...those I like and like me back. It is the rest I find a challenge! With my own will it is impossible. With God it is not impossible.
Luke 18:27) Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
1 Corinthians 13:1-7) If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Communion Wrap Up
This was a fun study to complete and of course, it could have gone on and on. The verse from the first day of my Communion study really inspired me. The New Covenant is the major theme of the New Testament. The hours before Jesus crucifixion is called the Passion. I think back to that old Mel Gibson movie about the Passion. I know the next time I take Communion the meaning will be greater, my gratitude will be larger, and my ability to quickly forgive another will have grown...hopefully. Communion should not become an Old Testament-like ritual. All too often it is something I just do. My desire is Communion becomes who I am
Luke 22:20) In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
I wrote the above paragraph a few days ago when I completed my Communion study. It's a funny thing because we took Communion today at church! So let me explain what happened. Saturday night was a particularly difficult evening. I will not go into details, but let me just explain that something REALLY bothered and frustrated me. Something that I cannot change no matter what I do. Actually, I am doing all the right things, all the things my compounding pharmacist and his assistant (if you have read other entries you will understand how important the relationship is with these two) are telling me to do. The only instructions I can't seem to follow are the ones that say "be patient." Have you ever been so frustrated you just sat and cried your eyes out? I was there last night. Let me just add a plug for my gracious, Godly, and ever-so-loving friends...you all are amazing! Oh and David, he's just...well, a gift from God. When I get frustrated I get angry. Here is a great definition of 'frustration' from dictionary.com.
Frustration- a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.
When I get frustrated I not only get angry, but I get anxious or down because it APPEARS the situation will never change. It APPEARS my needs are not being met and my problem will never be resolved. This is why I get angry. I feel hung out to dry. I feel deserted or even betrayed. With my situation only God can change it. Not me, not another person, no one. Heck, I am even doing all the things I am supposed to be doing. When I was brutally honest with myself last night, I was holding this issue against God. He is the only one who can work this out and it APPEARS He is not. So how does this factor into my Communion experience? Let me explain.
Matthew 5:23-24) Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift.
Matthew 6:14-15) "If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins."
As I sat blankly through worship time this morning I felt numb. There was no fire within me. Then Pastor Bobby started the sermon on...worship. One thing I will say about Bobby if you have never heard him is this, he tells it like it is. If you want to feel frilly and fluffy when you leave church Journey is not the place for you. He strips you down and makes you take a good, hard look at yourself. As he spoke (and the Lord too) I realized I was frustrated at God. I was exhausted and just really frustrated at God. I would even go as far as to say I was holding a grudge against Him. I struggle with thinking how I feel or how things appears is reality when actually, it is not. Just because it appears He is not working or not working quick enough for me does not mean that is really true. So basing all my worship on how I feel is really ridiculous. I was reminded this morning that worship is not just singing. True worship is making God big in everything. I worship Him with my everyday attitude and especially my attitude when it comes to my struggles. I can worship Him in how I handle this situation...with the words I speak and the thoughts I have.
Then Bobby said it was time for Communion. Oh boy. So I thought back to the study I have posted on here and thought through the list I had made. I could not come up with the right words because I felt numb and my frustration lingered from the night before. Then I decided to sit humbly in front of Him just worshiping. No words. I just pictured myself right there bowed down before Him. Interestingly, I never see God, but rather a huge bright light. As the time for Communion came and went I had another thought. The two verses in Matthew came to me. Was it possible that I needed to deal with my grudge against God before I took Communion? I think so. The two verses in Matthew are talking about relations with another human and being angry with them. It is talking about unforgiveness. How can I consume Communion in the spirit I am supposed to if I will not forgive another? Communion is about gratitude for Christ's death on the cross relinquishing me of my sins. I should have applied the above verses to my relationship with God. Granted He never does anything to harm me, but my perception is He does. My perception is skewed.
Remember I said I felt numb during worship (singing) and could not find the words to use during my quiet time just before Communion? I was upset with God. What I should have said while I bowed before the Light was this, "You are God and I am not." Fortunately for me, it is not too late for me to say this even though Communion time has come and gone. I said this as I wrote this blog and will probably need to say it a whole bunch more before the mentioned situation is resolved.
Luke 22:20) In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
I wrote the above paragraph a few days ago when I completed my Communion study. It's a funny thing because we took Communion today at church! So let me explain what happened. Saturday night was a particularly difficult evening. I will not go into details, but let me just explain that something REALLY bothered and frustrated me. Something that I cannot change no matter what I do. Actually, I am doing all the right things, all the things my compounding pharmacist and his assistant (if you have read other entries you will understand how important the relationship is with these two) are telling me to do. The only instructions I can't seem to follow are the ones that say "be patient." Have you ever been so frustrated you just sat and cried your eyes out? I was there last night. Let me just add a plug for my gracious, Godly, and ever-so-loving friends...you all are amazing! Oh and David, he's just...well, a gift from God. When I get frustrated I get angry. Here is a great definition of 'frustration' from dictionary.com.
Frustration- a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.
When I get frustrated I not only get angry, but I get anxious or down because it APPEARS the situation will never change. It APPEARS my needs are not being met and my problem will never be resolved. This is why I get angry. I feel hung out to dry. I feel deserted or even betrayed. With my situation only God can change it. Not me, not another person, no one. Heck, I am even doing all the things I am supposed to be doing. When I was brutally honest with myself last night, I was holding this issue against God. He is the only one who can work this out and it APPEARS He is not. So how does this factor into my Communion experience? Let me explain.
Matthew 5:23-24) Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift.
Matthew 6:14-15) "If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins."
As I sat blankly through worship time this morning I felt numb. There was no fire within me. Then Pastor Bobby started the sermon on...worship. One thing I will say about Bobby if you have never heard him is this, he tells it like it is. If you want to feel frilly and fluffy when you leave church Journey is not the place for you. He strips you down and makes you take a good, hard look at yourself. As he spoke (and the Lord too) I realized I was frustrated at God. I was exhausted and just really frustrated at God. I would even go as far as to say I was holding a grudge against Him. I struggle with thinking how I feel or how things appears is reality when actually, it is not. Just because it appears He is not working or not working quick enough for me does not mean that is really true. So basing all my worship on how I feel is really ridiculous. I was reminded this morning that worship is not just singing. True worship is making God big in everything. I worship Him with my everyday attitude and especially my attitude when it comes to my struggles. I can worship Him in how I handle this situation...with the words I speak and the thoughts I have.
Then Bobby said it was time for Communion. Oh boy. So I thought back to the study I have posted on here and thought through the list I had made. I could not come up with the right words because I felt numb and my frustration lingered from the night before. Then I decided to sit humbly in front of Him just worshiping. No words. I just pictured myself right there bowed down before Him. Interestingly, I never see God, but rather a huge bright light. As the time for Communion came and went I had another thought. The two verses in Matthew came to me. Was it possible that I needed to deal with my grudge against God before I took Communion? I think so. The two verses in Matthew are talking about relations with another human and being angry with them. It is talking about unforgiveness. How can I consume Communion in the spirit I am supposed to if I will not forgive another? Communion is about gratitude for Christ's death on the cross relinquishing me of my sins. I should have applied the above verses to my relationship with God. Granted He never does anything to harm me, but my perception is He does. My perception is skewed.
Remember I said I felt numb during worship (singing) and could not find the words to use during my quiet time just before Communion? I was upset with God. What I should have said while I bowed before the Light was this, "You are God and I am not." Fortunately for me, it is not too late for me to say this even though Communion time has come and gone. I said this as I wrote this blog and will probably need to say it a whole bunch more before the mentioned situation is resolved.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Contemplating Communion, Part 4
Today we will dig into another reason we are to celebrate Communion, and take it very seriously.
Of the list I have composed thus far, I have taken each one for granted. I take for granted that the Holy Spirit operates in a far wider capacity under the New Covenant and I slack on the fact that I am a minister of this covenant. I feel very far removed from having to offer animal sacrifice or having a priest do it for me. The far out rules of the Law seems archaic to me and I often do not value the freedom I have as a follower of Jesus Christ. The next reason I give regarding Communion really hit me between the eyes. So here goes...
As a follower of Jesus Christ we have direct access to God. God! Any time I want I can talk to Him which, incidentally, does not happen enough. Talking about taking something for granted. I can talk to God ANYTIME I want and often find myself too busy or distracted. Are you kidding me?! If a person in the Old Testament wanted to talk to God they had to jump through some major hoops. Remember reading about ceremonial laws yesterday? Enter them now.
In Israel there was a particular temple that held great significance. The Temple was the hub of activity. Here the Law of Moses was carried out and where animal sacrifices were given. It was a holy place which is why Jesus was so angry about the tax collectors being there. People had turned it into a commercial marketplace (see Matthew 21:12). I wonder if you could even buy a goat that could be used for sacrifice. I wonder if these goats were priced very high because the sellers knew people needed them badly.
In the temple was a veil. This veil separated the Holy of Holies from man. The Holy of Holies was God's earthly dwelling place. It separated a sinless God from depraved man. Actually there was even a second curtain separating the Most Holy Place. Hebrews 1:1-9 discusses the details of the Temple and is certainly worth reading in it's entirety. Even with the rules and sacrifices it was not enough for man to enter this holy place. Sin separated people from God EVEN with the blood sacrifices. Once a year the high priest could pass through the veil to the inner room.
Hebrews 9:3) There was a tent behind the second curtain called the holy of holies.
Hebrews 9:7) But only the high priest enters the second tent once a year. He never does this without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people committed in ignorance.
Hebrews 9:9) This is a symbol for the present time. It shows that the gifts and sacrifices that are being offered can't perfect the conscience of the one who is serving.
The Temple and the veil were real things. This is not figurative. The first temple (Solomon's Temple) was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar II in 587 B.C. then a second temple was built in 516 B.C., renovated by Herod the Great in 19, and was destroyed in 70 by the Romans. Kings and Chronicles are two chapters that give details of the Temple, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place. The Bible is such a rich history book! The Dome of the Rock stands where Herod's Temple once stood.
Acts 17:24) God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands...
When Jesus Christ took His last breath the veil was ripped in two. The dividing wall was removed. Now believers in Jesus Christ had direct access to God. He bridged the gap. It was the ultimate intercessory. No longer was a priest needed to sacrifice animals. Now there was a way to God, a way that cleansed the conscience of a repentant sinner. Hebrews 9:9 tells us the offering could not cleanse the conscience and I would dare to say ease the pain of guilt. The blood of animals was never enough, but Jesus sacrificial blood was enough, then and now.
Matthew 27:50-51) Again Jesus cried out with a loud shout. Then He died. Look, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split...
I'll close with the lyrics to one of my all-time favorite songs. PLEASE look up MercyMe on iTunes and download the song "All of Creation."
Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all
Captivated but no longer bound by chains
left at an empty grave
the sinner and the sacred resolved
and all of creation sing with me now
lift up your voice
and lay your burden down and all of creation sing with me now
fill up the heavens let his glory resound
Time has faded and we see him face to face
every doubt erased forever we will worship the king
Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all
the reason we breathe is to sing of his glory
and for all he has done praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one
Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all
Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all
and every knee will bow oh and every tongue praise the Father praise
the Son and the Spirit in one
Of the list I have composed thus far, I have taken each one for granted. I take for granted that the Holy Spirit operates in a far wider capacity under the New Covenant and I slack on the fact that I am a minister of this covenant. I feel very far removed from having to offer animal sacrifice or having a priest do it for me. The far out rules of the Law seems archaic to me and I often do not value the freedom I have as a follower of Jesus Christ. The next reason I give regarding Communion really hit me between the eyes. So here goes...
As a follower of Jesus Christ we have direct access to God. God! Any time I want I can talk to Him which, incidentally, does not happen enough. Talking about taking something for granted. I can talk to God ANYTIME I want and often find myself too busy or distracted. Are you kidding me?! If a person in the Old Testament wanted to talk to God they had to jump through some major hoops. Remember reading about ceremonial laws yesterday? Enter them now.
In Israel there was a particular temple that held great significance. The Temple was the hub of activity. Here the Law of Moses was carried out and where animal sacrifices were given. It was a holy place which is why Jesus was so angry about the tax collectors being there. People had turned it into a commercial marketplace (see Matthew 21:12). I wonder if you could even buy a goat that could be used for sacrifice. I wonder if these goats were priced very high because the sellers knew people needed them badly.
In the temple was a veil. This veil separated the Holy of Holies from man. The Holy of Holies was God's earthly dwelling place. It separated a sinless God from depraved man. Actually there was even a second curtain separating the Most Holy Place. Hebrews 1:1-9 discusses the details of the Temple and is certainly worth reading in it's entirety. Even with the rules and sacrifices it was not enough for man to enter this holy place. Sin separated people from God EVEN with the blood sacrifices. Once a year the high priest could pass through the veil to the inner room.
Hebrews 9:3) There was a tent behind the second curtain called the holy of holies.
Hebrews 9:7) But only the high priest enters the second tent once a year. He never does this without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people committed in ignorance.
Hebrews 9:9) This is a symbol for the present time. It shows that the gifts and sacrifices that are being offered can't perfect the conscience of the one who is serving.
The Temple and the veil were real things. This is not figurative. The first temple (Solomon's Temple) was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar II in 587 B.C. then a second temple was built in 516 B.C., renovated by Herod the Great in 19, and was destroyed in 70 by the Romans. Kings and Chronicles are two chapters that give details of the Temple, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place. The Bible is such a rich history book! The Dome of the Rock stands where Herod's Temple once stood.
Acts 17:24) God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands...
When Jesus Christ took His last breath the veil was ripped in two. The dividing wall was removed. Now believers in Jesus Christ had direct access to God. He bridged the gap. It was the ultimate intercessory. No longer was a priest needed to sacrifice animals. Now there was a way to God, a way that cleansed the conscience of a repentant sinner. Hebrews 9:9 tells us the offering could not cleanse the conscience and I would dare to say ease the pain of guilt. The blood of animals was never enough, but Jesus sacrificial blood was enough, then and now.
Matthew 27:50-51) Again Jesus cried out with a loud shout. Then He died. Look, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split...
I'll close with the lyrics to one of my all-time favorite songs. PLEASE look up MercyMe on iTunes and download the song "All of Creation."
Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all
Captivated but no longer bound by chains
left at an empty grave
the sinner and the sacred resolved
and all of creation sing with me now
lift up your voice
and lay your burden down and all of creation sing with me now
fill up the heavens let his glory resound
Time has faded and we see him face to face
every doubt erased forever we will worship the king
Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all
the reason we breathe is to sing of his glory
and for all he has done praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one
Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all
Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all
and every knee will bow oh and every tongue praise the Father praise
the Son and the Spirit in one
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Contemplating Communion, Part 3
Let's jump right in and look at some more reasons that make Communion awesome!
As New Testament believers we are no longer bound to the Law. I had always heard "The Law" mentioned in church growing up, but never really understood it until I got older and really educated myself on what it is and what it meant to Old Testament believers. Having an understanding of it also sheds light on the wonderful sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I think of the laws of the Old Testament being broken down into two categories. Nowhere in the Bible does it do this, but it is just my way of making sense of them.
The moral law is just that, laws based on what our actions for living should and should not be. The Law was full of such ordinances. There are similarities to the Old Testament moral laws and the rules Jesus Christ laid out for us. These rules are meant for our own good. I have heard people say they do not want to come to Christ because of all the rules and regulations. God takes all the fun of life away. Interestingly enough when I really got serious about my faith walk I felt tremendous freedom. There were rules in the Old Testament also that were meant for the people's welfare. The best example of Old Testament moral laws are the Ten Commandments. The moral law is meant to highlight the depravity of the fallen man and does not point people to the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ. We are no longer under the Law, but there is still a moral code we are to follow according to the principles of the Bible. Are we bound by the Ten Commandments since that is an Old Testament law? Great question. I will never pretend to know all the answers. I believe the principles contained in the Ten Commandments are also touched on in the New Testament, therefore, it is wise to follow the Ten Commandments. I believe the Ten Commandments are binding now.
2 Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.
Romans 6:15) What, then? Shall we sin, because we are not under Law but under God's grace? By no means!
Ceremonial laws touch on the rules of sacrifices and ceremonies. There are instructions for the 'unclean' and how to become clean. We talked a lot about animal sacrifice yesterday. These rules were included in the ceremonial laws. I quoted a verse yesterday about how the priest could enter into the Most Holy Place. This would be a ceremonial law. There were instructions on what animals you could and could not eat and what one had to do to be able to approach God. There were rules used to separate Israelites from the pagans (Gentiles). A Jew could not wear clothes made of linen mixed with wool. Circumcision and rules of the Sabbath were ceremonial laws. Even today there are differing opinions on portions of the law and if they should still be observed. For example, some think there is still a Sabbath and others do not. To me, if keeping the Sabbath means your able to love God and others in a deeper and more meaningful manner then by all means do it. Unfortunately, Sunday has become just another day of the week and people do not really take a rest day. We all need rest days. Days that we unplug and really focus on the Lord. I'm getting off topic. Surprise, right?!
Galatians 3:23-25) But before the time for faith came, the Law kept us all locked up as prisoners until this coming faith should be revealed. And so the Law was in charge of us until Christ came, in order that we might then be put right with God through faith. Now that the time for faith is here, the Law is no longer in charge of us.
Now that I think about it, there were also laws directed at civility. I think of these as the traffic-type laws of our time. Okay, so maybe there are three categories! Maybe I'll call this section the law laws! These laws represent the civil code. Included in this section would be laws on what happens to people caught in adultery or those who murder. These laws were for regulating the Nation of Israel. For example, those guilty of sexual sin were stoned. Life in the Old Testament was brutal!
Romans 6:14) Sin must not be your master; for you do not live under law but under God's grace.
I am by no means a Biblical scholar and I certainly do not have all the answers. My intention of categorizing different parts of the Old Testament Law is for you (and me) to see how complicated life was in the Old Testament. Life revolved around the keeping of these laws. We have all heard the term 'legalism.' Being legalistic involves emphasizing a system of rules and regulations and believing that strict adherence to the rules and regulations provides both salvation and spiritual growth. Legalism is a great detriment to Christianity. We are to be truthful and graceful just as Jesus was. The covenant of the blood has provided tremendous freedom from all the rules and regulations of the Old Covenant. So the next time we take Communion let's take a minute to thank God for FREEDOM in Christ!
As New Testament believers we are no longer bound to the Law. I had always heard "The Law" mentioned in church growing up, but never really understood it until I got older and really educated myself on what it is and what it meant to Old Testament believers. Having an understanding of it also sheds light on the wonderful sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I think of the laws of the Old Testament being broken down into two categories. Nowhere in the Bible does it do this, but it is just my way of making sense of them.
The moral law is just that, laws based on what our actions for living should and should not be. The Law was full of such ordinances. There are similarities to the Old Testament moral laws and the rules Jesus Christ laid out for us. These rules are meant for our own good. I have heard people say they do not want to come to Christ because of all the rules and regulations. God takes all the fun of life away. Interestingly enough when I really got serious about my faith walk I felt tremendous freedom. There were rules in the Old Testament also that were meant for the people's welfare. The best example of Old Testament moral laws are the Ten Commandments. The moral law is meant to highlight the depravity of the fallen man and does not point people to the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ. We are no longer under the Law, but there is still a moral code we are to follow according to the principles of the Bible. Are we bound by the Ten Commandments since that is an Old Testament law? Great question. I will never pretend to know all the answers. I believe the principles contained in the Ten Commandments are also touched on in the New Testament, therefore, it is wise to follow the Ten Commandments. I believe the Ten Commandments are binding now.
2 Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.
Romans 6:15) What, then? Shall we sin, because we are not under Law but under God's grace? By no means!
Ceremonial laws touch on the rules of sacrifices and ceremonies. There are instructions for the 'unclean' and how to become clean. We talked a lot about animal sacrifice yesterday. These rules were included in the ceremonial laws. I quoted a verse yesterday about how the priest could enter into the Most Holy Place. This would be a ceremonial law. There were instructions on what animals you could and could not eat and what one had to do to be able to approach God. There were rules used to separate Israelites from the pagans (Gentiles). A Jew could not wear clothes made of linen mixed with wool. Circumcision and rules of the Sabbath were ceremonial laws. Even today there are differing opinions on portions of the law and if they should still be observed. For example, some think there is still a Sabbath and others do not. To me, if keeping the Sabbath means your able to love God and others in a deeper and more meaningful manner then by all means do it. Unfortunately, Sunday has become just another day of the week and people do not really take a rest day. We all need rest days. Days that we unplug and really focus on the Lord. I'm getting off topic. Surprise, right?!
Galatians 3:23-25) But before the time for faith came, the Law kept us all locked up as prisoners until this coming faith should be revealed. And so the Law was in charge of us until Christ came, in order that we might then be put right with God through faith. Now that the time for faith is here, the Law is no longer in charge of us.
Now that I think about it, there were also laws directed at civility. I think of these as the traffic-type laws of our time. Okay, so maybe there are three categories! Maybe I'll call this section the law laws! These laws represent the civil code. Included in this section would be laws on what happens to people caught in adultery or those who murder. These laws were for regulating the Nation of Israel. For example, those guilty of sexual sin were stoned. Life in the Old Testament was brutal!
Romans 6:14) Sin must not be your master; for you do not live under law but under God's grace.
I am by no means a Biblical scholar and I certainly do not have all the answers. My intention of categorizing different parts of the Old Testament Law is for you (and me) to see how complicated life was in the Old Testament. Life revolved around the keeping of these laws. We have all heard the term 'legalism.' Being legalistic involves emphasizing a system of rules and regulations and believing that strict adherence to the rules and regulations provides both salvation and spiritual growth. Legalism is a great detriment to Christianity. We are to be truthful and graceful just as Jesus was. The covenant of the blood has provided tremendous freedom from all the rules and regulations of the Old Covenant. So the next time we take Communion let's take a minute to thank God for FREEDOM in Christ!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Comtemplating Communion, Part 2
I first want to say thank you to my Bible study girls! We are studying a Joyce Meyer book together and it's a great study. The book is title Be Anxious for Nothing and it gives you practical tips on how to really live a worry-free life. Yes it can be done we are learning. We are learning to not fly off the handle when something happens that throws us off. Joyce calls it a wild-spirit.
Funny story regarding flying off the handle...I was getting ready to head over to my friend Kim's house this morning for our study. She just lives down the street which is awesome! I look down and notice my wedding ring is gone! I FREAK OUT! Here is a little background to my wedding ring. As you all know, my mom passed away of cancer last February. My father gave me her wedding ring which I cherish. For a gift my father and David let me design a new ring using the diamonds from my wedding ring, my engagement ring, and my mom's ring. It was completed in November and words do not do it justice. It literally takes my breath away for not only what it looks like but the meaning behind it. Not that losing ANY wedding ring would be good, but my mom's diamonds cannot be replaced. I mean I freak out, I start bawling and my heart is racing. I call Kim crying saying I will be late because I lost my ring. I had been at the gym, Eli's school, and Wal-Mart this morning so it could be anywhere! She calmly talks me down. As I'm talking and running around my house I find it in a very odd place on my bathroom vanity. I definitely had that wild-spirit Joyce mentions in our book!
Back to Communion! Here are a few more interesting reasons why Communion is so important. I used to think the Old Testament was so hard to study and really not worth reading. I said that out loud. I just did not get it. Pairing it with the New Testament is very important. Looking at the transition from old to new with the shedding of Christ' blood is necessary.
The Old Testament is full of stories about animal sacrifices. Being the animal lover that I am I was always greatly impacted by the stories. I mean I can only eat meat if it's chicken and I know it's organic, raised humanely not in cages, fed a vegetarian diet, etc. You get my point. The blood from the animals was used for consecration. Consecration means to make sacred or to dedicate for some purpose. The people of the Old Testament had to see that life had to be given for sin. They sinned and something had to die. Old Testament sacrifices were a foreshadowing of the blood shed by Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 9:22) Indeed, according to the Law almost everything is purified by blood, and sins are forgiven only if blood is poured out.
So we see here that sacrifice was an important part of the Mosaic Law. Animals had to be sacrificed over and over and over again. Why?
Hebrews 9:3-4) As it is, however, the sacrifice serve year after year to remind people of their sins. For the blood of bulls and goats can never take away sins.
If you go on to read further into Hebrews 9 you will see where Jesus comes into this picture and the conversation He has with God about His body being prepared as the one and only sacrifice. I encourage you to read these verses. There was never enough blood shed from the innocent animals to atone for sin. My personal opinion is that animal sacrifice prepared people for the Lamb that would be slain on the cross. They could literally see with their own eyes that something had to die for their depravity.
Not always but most of the time the priest made the sacrifice on behalf of his people. There were occasions of others making sacrifices. I think of Cain and Able and the trouble that arose out of that sacrifice. Both new they needed to offer a sacrifice before approaching God. Can you imagine having to go find a stellar goat to kill before you could talk to God?! Now there alone is a great reason to celebrate Communion! Abel offered the best animal from his flock. Cain, well, he offered fruit and vegetables. God demanded blood.
The high priests of the Old Testament were the supreme religious leaders of the Israelites. Their lineage traced back to Aaron. Aaron and Moses were brothers. A certain time of year the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place behind the veil to approach God. He had to offer animal sacrifice on behalf of himself and the people. He had to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat which is God's throne.
Leviticus 16:14-16) He shall take some of the bull's blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the lid and then sprinkle some of it seven times in front of the Covenant box. After that, he shall kill the goat for the sin offering for the people, bring its blood into the Most Holy Place, and sprinkle it on the lid and then in front of the Covenant box, as he did with the bull's blood. In this way he will perform the ritual to purify the Most Holy Place from the uncleanness of the people of Israel and from all their sins. He must do this to the Tent, because it stand in the middle of the camp, which is ritually unclean.
Sound pretty complicated, huh? I just picture there being blood all over the place. As I mentioned before as long as people kept sinning (which WILL happen) animal blood had to keep flowing. There is only one thing that could stop it or should I say one person. It is Jesus Christ. I love the following passages in Hebrews.
Hebrews 10:10-14) Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted Him to do, we are all purified from sin by the offering that He made of His own body once and for all. Every Jewish priest performs his services every day and offers the same sacrifices many times; but these sacrifices can never take away sins. Christ, however, offered one sacrifice for sins, and offering that is effective forever, and then He sat down at the right side of God. There He now waits until God puts His enemies as a footstool under His feet. With one sacrifice, then, He has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin.
There is no longer a need for animal sacrifice under the New Covenant. I absolutely love this next verse from Colossians! It offers an awesome visual!
Colossians 2:14)...he cancelled the unfavorable record of our debts with its binding rules and did away with it completely by nailing it to the cross.
So the next time we take Communion let's close our eyes and picture The Law being nailed to the cross.
Funny story regarding flying off the handle...I was getting ready to head over to my friend Kim's house this morning for our study. She just lives down the street which is awesome! I look down and notice my wedding ring is gone! I FREAK OUT! Here is a little background to my wedding ring. As you all know, my mom passed away of cancer last February. My father gave me her wedding ring which I cherish. For a gift my father and David let me design a new ring using the diamonds from my wedding ring, my engagement ring, and my mom's ring. It was completed in November and words do not do it justice. It literally takes my breath away for not only what it looks like but the meaning behind it. Not that losing ANY wedding ring would be good, but my mom's diamonds cannot be replaced. I mean I freak out, I start bawling and my heart is racing. I call Kim crying saying I will be late because I lost my ring. I had been at the gym, Eli's school, and Wal-Mart this morning so it could be anywhere! She calmly talks me down. As I'm talking and running around my house I find it in a very odd place on my bathroom vanity. I definitely had that wild-spirit Joyce mentions in our book!
Back to Communion! Here are a few more interesting reasons why Communion is so important. I used to think the Old Testament was so hard to study and really not worth reading. I said that out loud. I just did not get it. Pairing it with the New Testament is very important. Looking at the transition from old to new with the shedding of Christ' blood is necessary.
The Old Testament is full of stories about animal sacrifices. Being the animal lover that I am I was always greatly impacted by the stories. I mean I can only eat meat if it's chicken and I know it's organic, raised humanely not in cages, fed a vegetarian diet, etc. You get my point. The blood from the animals was used for consecration. Consecration means to make sacred or to dedicate for some purpose. The people of the Old Testament had to see that life had to be given for sin. They sinned and something had to die. Old Testament sacrifices were a foreshadowing of the blood shed by Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 9:22) Indeed, according to the Law almost everything is purified by blood, and sins are forgiven only if blood is poured out.
So we see here that sacrifice was an important part of the Mosaic Law. Animals had to be sacrificed over and over and over again. Why?
Hebrews 9:3-4) As it is, however, the sacrifice serve year after year to remind people of their sins. For the blood of bulls and goats can never take away sins.
If you go on to read further into Hebrews 9 you will see where Jesus comes into this picture and the conversation He has with God about His body being prepared as the one and only sacrifice. I encourage you to read these verses. There was never enough blood shed from the innocent animals to atone for sin. My personal opinion is that animal sacrifice prepared people for the Lamb that would be slain on the cross. They could literally see with their own eyes that something had to die for their depravity.
Not always but most of the time the priest made the sacrifice on behalf of his people. There were occasions of others making sacrifices. I think of Cain and Able and the trouble that arose out of that sacrifice. Both new they needed to offer a sacrifice before approaching God. Can you imagine having to go find a stellar goat to kill before you could talk to God?! Now there alone is a great reason to celebrate Communion! Abel offered the best animal from his flock. Cain, well, he offered fruit and vegetables. God demanded blood.
The high priests of the Old Testament were the supreme religious leaders of the Israelites. Their lineage traced back to Aaron. Aaron and Moses were brothers. A certain time of year the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place behind the veil to approach God. He had to offer animal sacrifice on behalf of himself and the people. He had to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat which is God's throne.
Leviticus 16:14-16) He shall take some of the bull's blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the lid and then sprinkle some of it seven times in front of the Covenant box. After that, he shall kill the goat for the sin offering for the people, bring its blood into the Most Holy Place, and sprinkle it on the lid and then in front of the Covenant box, as he did with the bull's blood. In this way he will perform the ritual to purify the Most Holy Place from the uncleanness of the people of Israel and from all their sins. He must do this to the Tent, because it stand in the middle of the camp, which is ritually unclean.
Sound pretty complicated, huh? I just picture there being blood all over the place. As I mentioned before as long as people kept sinning (which WILL happen) animal blood had to keep flowing. There is only one thing that could stop it or should I say one person. It is Jesus Christ. I love the following passages in Hebrews.
Hebrews 10:10-14) Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted Him to do, we are all purified from sin by the offering that He made of His own body once and for all. Every Jewish priest performs his services every day and offers the same sacrifices many times; but these sacrifices can never take away sins. Christ, however, offered one sacrifice for sins, and offering that is effective forever, and then He sat down at the right side of God. There He now waits until God puts His enemies as a footstool under His feet. With one sacrifice, then, He has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin.
There is no longer a need for animal sacrifice under the New Covenant. I absolutely love this next verse from Colossians! It offers an awesome visual!
Colossians 2:14)...he cancelled the unfavorable record of our debts with its binding rules and did away with it completely by nailing it to the cross.
So the next time we take Communion let's close our eyes and picture The Law being nailed to the cross.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Comtemplating Communion
I educated myself a bit on Clement of Alexandria. His life spanned from 150 to either 215 or 217. He was a Christian theologian who was the head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. This school was founded by the Apostle Mark! Clemens was the teacher of Origen and an early Church Father. He advocated vegetarianism and was the son of wealthy pagans. You could read for days about his theologies! Let's move on!
Luke 22:20) In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
Clement starts out by saying that Jesus never taught in a human manner, therefore, His teachings cannot be heard with human ears. I have stressed in other posts that we have to study His words. There is always a deeper meaning. Luke wrote in parables and from the outside His teachings sound elementary, but they are far from it.
It is important to read Scripture with spiritual eyes. God will surely provide divine insight when we ask Him to. It is an act of worship to desire to study Him and follow through. I am definately not as smart as I sound when it comes to Scripture! God sheds much grace on me when I study Him. I picture a light beam shining on to His words. The Holy Spirit works within me to reveal Himself to me. His words have unspoken meanings that, I believe, go from His Spirit to mine. I cannot humanly retain all He has for me, but my spirit can. This helps me feel not so overwhelmed by the magnitude of the information in the Bible.
We have all heard of communion I assume. We have probably heard that verse in Luke hundreds of times also. We have probably taken part in it many, many times. It was not until my decision to be 100% for for God that I really GOT Communion. I mention this turning point in my life in my 'about me' section. It also dawned on me how lightly I had been taking Communion. Did you know that if you have ANYTHING against another you go make that right BEFORE you take Communion? That is off-topic though. I would imagine the mood was anything but light on that first Communion. Communion is sobering and quite humbling. On the flipside it should be a joyous occasion too. It symbolizes the forgiveness of sins. The last line of Luke 22:20 is powerful. It reads, "...which is poured out for you." This verse refers to the Blood.
You may have heard of the Old Covenant (or the Mosaic Covenant) and the New Covenant. Luke 22:20 refers to the new covenant of the blood. For a greater understanding of the significance behind the new covenant of the blood let's look deeper at the differences btween the two. The Old Testament and the Old Covenant go hand in hand as does the New Testament and the New Covenant. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ took us from old to new. When we really understand the impact of moving from the old to the new we cannot help but take Communion with a grateful, reverant, and joyous heart.
There are some interesting differences between the two covenants. A person could study for days in greater detail, but I think an overview will be enough to prove my point. I'll discuss a few today and then more over the next few days.
Moses was the minister of the Old Covenant. The story of Moses is absolutely incredible. Moses is a real person just like you and I. He had struggles and told God He chose the wrong guy! The adventures of Moses and his wife, Sarah, are rather interesting to say the least. God worked many miracles though Moses and we all know the Red Sea story. He also had to endure the constant whining of the Israelites as they wondered the wilderness. I love how Joyce Meyer says they made an eleven day trip take fourty years! That's me...I go around the same mountian about 56 times a day! I'm wondering off my point. Moses (and Aaron) was the go-between the people and God. Guess who the ministers of the New Covenant are?! Well first it was Jesus Christ and now it is the disciples of Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit. That would mean you and I! You read right. Us Christians have a big responsibility to the lost and unsaved...and each other.
1. John 1:17) For the Law was given though Moses; grace and truth come though Jesus Christ.
2. 2 Corinthians 3:6) He has made us competant at ministers of a new covenant- not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
I'll discuss one more wonderful reason we should celebrate Communion. Here is a difference that really strikes me! People in the Old Testament had the Holy Spirit in a different manner than we do now. Even Old Testament believers had to be born again or experience rebirth. No human is capable of saving themselves by works and good deeds. Human being are spiritually dead before the Spirit does a work in their hearts. So Old Testament believers did experience the Spirit in some manner. I am not clear if the Spirit kept working in their hearts to follow God or that they clung to the letter of the Law. If anyone has good insight on that issue please feel free to let me know. The Old Testament does discuss the Spirit leaving people though and that fact cannot be ignored. The Spirit came upon people so they could execute certain tasks. The Spirit would come in that manner than depart. Now we have Him all the time! He will never leave a child of God. I will not pretend to understand exactly the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, but I am perfectly clear on His role in the New Testament or under the New Covenant.
1. Micah 3:8) But as for me, the Lord fills me with His Spirit and power, and gives me a sense of justice and the courage to tell the people of Israel what their sins are.
2. John 14:26) The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.
2a. John 14:16-17) I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive Him, because it cannot see Him or know Him, but you know Him, because He remains with you and is in you.
I'll end with these two points today. After studying the Holy Spirit issue regarding the Old and New Testaments my eyes are crossed! It is some deep stuff! I'll pick up another day on more reasons to celebrate Communion. I am hopeful these two reasons alone will help you understand the importance of Communion even more.
Luke 22:20) In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
Clement starts out by saying that Jesus never taught in a human manner, therefore, His teachings cannot be heard with human ears. I have stressed in other posts that we have to study His words. There is always a deeper meaning. Luke wrote in parables and from the outside His teachings sound elementary, but they are far from it.
It is important to read Scripture with spiritual eyes. God will surely provide divine insight when we ask Him to. It is an act of worship to desire to study Him and follow through. I am definately not as smart as I sound when it comes to Scripture! God sheds much grace on me when I study Him. I picture a light beam shining on to His words. The Holy Spirit works within me to reveal Himself to me. His words have unspoken meanings that, I believe, go from His Spirit to mine. I cannot humanly retain all He has for me, but my spirit can. This helps me feel not so overwhelmed by the magnitude of the information in the Bible.
We have all heard of communion I assume. We have probably heard that verse in Luke hundreds of times also. We have probably taken part in it many, many times. It was not until my decision to be 100% for for God that I really GOT Communion. I mention this turning point in my life in my 'about me' section. It also dawned on me how lightly I had been taking Communion. Did you know that if you have ANYTHING against another you go make that right BEFORE you take Communion? That is off-topic though. I would imagine the mood was anything but light on that first Communion. Communion is sobering and quite humbling. On the flipside it should be a joyous occasion too. It symbolizes the forgiveness of sins. The last line of Luke 22:20 is powerful. It reads, "...which is poured out for you." This verse refers to the Blood.
You may have heard of the Old Covenant (or the Mosaic Covenant) and the New Covenant. Luke 22:20 refers to the new covenant of the blood. For a greater understanding of the significance behind the new covenant of the blood let's look deeper at the differences btween the two. The Old Testament and the Old Covenant go hand in hand as does the New Testament and the New Covenant. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ took us from old to new. When we really understand the impact of moving from the old to the new we cannot help but take Communion with a grateful, reverant, and joyous heart.
There are some interesting differences between the two covenants. A person could study for days in greater detail, but I think an overview will be enough to prove my point. I'll discuss a few today and then more over the next few days.
Moses was the minister of the Old Covenant. The story of Moses is absolutely incredible. Moses is a real person just like you and I. He had struggles and told God He chose the wrong guy! The adventures of Moses and his wife, Sarah, are rather interesting to say the least. God worked many miracles though Moses and we all know the Red Sea story. He also had to endure the constant whining of the Israelites as they wondered the wilderness. I love how Joyce Meyer says they made an eleven day trip take fourty years! That's me...I go around the same mountian about 56 times a day! I'm wondering off my point. Moses (and Aaron) was the go-between the people and God. Guess who the ministers of the New Covenant are?! Well first it was Jesus Christ and now it is the disciples of Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit. That would mean you and I! You read right. Us Christians have a big responsibility to the lost and unsaved...and each other.
1. John 1:17) For the Law was given though Moses; grace and truth come though Jesus Christ.
2. 2 Corinthians 3:6) He has made us competant at ministers of a new covenant- not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
I'll discuss one more wonderful reason we should celebrate Communion. Here is a difference that really strikes me! People in the Old Testament had the Holy Spirit in a different manner than we do now. Even Old Testament believers had to be born again or experience rebirth. No human is capable of saving themselves by works and good deeds. Human being are spiritually dead before the Spirit does a work in their hearts. So Old Testament believers did experience the Spirit in some manner. I am not clear if the Spirit kept working in their hearts to follow God or that they clung to the letter of the Law. If anyone has good insight on that issue please feel free to let me know. The Old Testament does discuss the Spirit leaving people though and that fact cannot be ignored. The Spirit came upon people so they could execute certain tasks. The Spirit would come in that manner than depart. Now we have Him all the time! He will never leave a child of God. I will not pretend to understand exactly the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, but I am perfectly clear on His role in the New Testament or under the New Covenant.
1. Micah 3:8) But as for me, the Lord fills me with His Spirit and power, and gives me a sense of justice and the courage to tell the people of Israel what their sins are.
2. John 14:26) The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.
2a. John 14:16-17) I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive Him, because it cannot see Him or know Him, but you know Him, because He remains with you and is in you.
I'll end with these two points today. After studying the Holy Spirit issue regarding the Old and New Testaments my eyes are crossed! It is some deep stuff! I'll pick up another day on more reasons to celebrate Communion. I am hopeful these two reasons alone will help you understand the importance of Communion even more.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Can Blood be Extravagant?
Today's study is inspired by Os Guinness. He is the great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, a Dublin brewer. He was born in China and witnessed the heights of the Chinese Revolution. The Chinese Revolution of 1949 was the final stage of a civil war. During this state the Communist took over China. Os then moved to England where he received his education. He led L'Abri in the 1960's. L'Abri was an evangelical Christian organization founded in Switzerland. The organization is still active. He moved to the U.S. in 1984 and has authored more than 25 books. He also founded a Christian-cultural organization in 1991. If you were wondering, yes it was THAT Guinness...an Irish stout you see on the grocery store shelves. Incidentally, it also makes wonderful homemade ice cream...dark chocolate and Guinness ice cream! One of Dave's favorites!
Luke 22:20) In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
In my reading today Mr. Guinness talks about the drawing of the Pieta for Vittoria Colonna. I looked it up on Wikipedia. Wow! Please do the same! It is thought that Michelangelo pencil drew this piece in 1546. It is absolutely gripping. I will not describe the drawing with mere words but will tell you what the vertical bean of the cross says. It says, "no one thinks of how much blood it costs." Wow.
My online dictionary source defines extravagant as spending much more than is necessary or wise, exceeding the bounds of reason, or going beyond what is deserved. He spent more on us than we were worth in our sinful state. I do not think of blood as extravagant. Usually where there is blood there is a problem. Not in this case. Where there was Jesus' blood there were no more problems. He took them all upon Himself. The word extravagant seems like a fancy word. His blood was not fancy though. It flowed from a physically tortured and innocent man. The blood was necessary and excessive.
When you take the time to look at the Pieta for Vittoria Colonna this will make sense. We all should be like Mary in that drawing. We all must raise our arms toward heaven with a grateful heart. One day we all will acknowledge God.
Romans 14:9-12) For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
It is easy to lose sight of the extravagant blood that was shed for me. I grew up hearing the Bible. The words contained within the book were imprinted upon my heart at an early age. My prayer is that it can stay extravagant to me and that all you reading will know that His extravagant blood was shed for you.
Luke 22:20) In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
In my reading today Mr. Guinness talks about the drawing of the Pieta for Vittoria Colonna. I looked it up on Wikipedia. Wow! Please do the same! It is thought that Michelangelo pencil drew this piece in 1546. It is absolutely gripping. I will not describe the drawing with mere words but will tell you what the vertical bean of the cross says. It says, "no one thinks of how much blood it costs." Wow.
My online dictionary source defines extravagant as spending much more than is necessary or wise, exceeding the bounds of reason, or going beyond what is deserved. He spent more on us than we were worth in our sinful state. I do not think of blood as extravagant. Usually where there is blood there is a problem. Not in this case. Where there was Jesus' blood there were no more problems. He took them all upon Himself. The word extravagant seems like a fancy word. His blood was not fancy though. It flowed from a physically tortured and innocent man. The blood was necessary and excessive.
When you take the time to look at the Pieta for Vittoria Colonna this will make sense. We all should be like Mary in that drawing. We all must raise our arms toward heaven with a grateful heart. One day we all will acknowledge God.
Romans 14:9-12) For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
It is easy to lose sight of the extravagant blood that was shed for me. I grew up hearing the Bible. The words contained within the book were imprinted upon my heart at an early age. My prayer is that it can stay extravagant to me and that all you reading will know that His extravagant blood was shed for you.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
University Bible Fellowship is an organization found on many college campuses. Their said goal is evangelism. Today's writing is inspired by their entry in my daily study guide.
John 13:16) "I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him."
If a master lowers himself he becomes like the servant. When Jesus Christ lowered Himself and served His Disciples, or all humanity in His sacrificial death, He lifted us up. He did not lower Himself to our level, but rather lifted us up to heaven. Humility and manual labor were loathed by the Greeks and Romans. Historically, Rome was the center of it all. I love the History Channel and a few years ago they ran a series about ancient Rome. It was like no other place on earth at the time. Understanding who Jesus' audience was is an important part of grasping the full meaning of the passage. Knowing that makes His actions even more powerful.
When I serve another, with a good attitude, I become Christ-like. That is our goal as Christians, to become Christ-like. We are to strive for holiness. I read a book titled, The Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry Bridges, a few years ago. I highly recommend it, but be prepared to be challenged. It was very eye-opening. In His last hour He demanded no respect. He never scolded the men or accused them of learning nothing over the past three years. He simply lead by example.
I think of many times where I have been offended by other's disrespectful actions. Jesus certainly would have been justified in feeling offended on this, His last night. The Disciples should have done everything in their power to ease His stress, make Him more comfortable, but He reached out to them instead.
I think of my own life and am convicted. I have shared some details of my health struggles in other posts. Some of you reading know personally my husband Dave and others do not. Let me share something about Mr. Limbird. He is incredibly calm, patient, supportive, compassionate, the list goes on. His support over these many years has been crucial. When he walks in the door he is a breath of fresh air. He is so appreciative of our spotless home and healthy and delicious meals. He reminds me of what a great mom I am to Eli. He makes sure I know it how thankful he is. He pitches in with dinner dishes, laundry, you name it. This is all after working hard and long hours at Procter and Gamble managing multi-million dollar projects. I have felt guilty at times because my health has been such an issue in our lives for so many years. He assures me God is working in tremendous ways in both our lives. He makes me feel safe which is a blessing because I have not felt safe in my own body and feel utterly helpless in changing any of it. He gives me back, shoulder, and foot massages whenever I ask which helps my tired muscles. I have never, ever heard him complain about anything.
Dave serves me. He loves me unconditionally and is my biggest fan when I am discouraged. I could easily take advantage of his generous heart and focus on me and what I need. Actually, I have done that at times and for that I ask for his forgiveness. The Disciples took a great deal from Jesus and in the end He continued to serve them. If I am not careful I can take from Dave all the time. I must get better at washing his feet.
John 13:16) "I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him."
If a master lowers himself he becomes like the servant. When Jesus Christ lowered Himself and served His Disciples, or all humanity in His sacrificial death, He lifted us up. He did not lower Himself to our level, but rather lifted us up to heaven. Humility and manual labor were loathed by the Greeks and Romans. Historically, Rome was the center of it all. I love the History Channel and a few years ago they ran a series about ancient Rome. It was like no other place on earth at the time. Understanding who Jesus' audience was is an important part of grasping the full meaning of the passage. Knowing that makes His actions even more powerful.
When I serve another, with a good attitude, I become Christ-like. That is our goal as Christians, to become Christ-like. We are to strive for holiness. I read a book titled, The Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry Bridges, a few years ago. I highly recommend it, but be prepared to be challenged. It was very eye-opening. In His last hour He demanded no respect. He never scolded the men or accused them of learning nothing over the past three years. He simply lead by example.
I think of many times where I have been offended by other's disrespectful actions. Jesus certainly would have been justified in feeling offended on this, His last night. The Disciples should have done everything in their power to ease His stress, make Him more comfortable, but He reached out to them instead.
I think of my own life and am convicted. I have shared some details of my health struggles in other posts. Some of you reading know personally my husband Dave and others do not. Let me share something about Mr. Limbird. He is incredibly calm, patient, supportive, compassionate, the list goes on. His support over these many years has been crucial. When he walks in the door he is a breath of fresh air. He is so appreciative of our spotless home and healthy and delicious meals. He reminds me of what a great mom I am to Eli. He makes sure I know it how thankful he is. He pitches in with dinner dishes, laundry, you name it. This is all after working hard and long hours at Procter and Gamble managing multi-million dollar projects. I have felt guilty at times because my health has been such an issue in our lives for so many years. He assures me God is working in tremendous ways in both our lives. He makes me feel safe which is a blessing because I have not felt safe in my own body and feel utterly helpless in changing any of it. He gives me back, shoulder, and foot massages whenever I ask which helps my tired muscles. I have never, ever heard him complain about anything.
Dave serves me. He loves me unconditionally and is my biggest fan when I am discouraged. I could easily take advantage of his generous heart and focus on me and what I need. Actually, I have done that at times and for that I ask for his forgiveness. The Disciples took a great deal from Jesus and in the end He continued to serve them. If I am not careful I can take from Dave all the time. I must get better at washing his feet.
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