A Precious Mess

I honestly believe most people think that when they begin the pursuit of God that it's one simple decision and then they land in the holiest of holies and like Moses will descend from the mount needing face covered lest the glory of God overwhelm the people.

Perhaps this happens to a few amazing people who actually do make a quick transition from decision to a life poured out

BUT

for most of us it is a process.

It's a process because we don't even know ourselves.

As we begin the slow and painful journey to dwelling in the presence of God (Notice I did not say destiny, ministry, or our dreams.)  things come up along the way.

Offenses, character issues, faults, bad habits, mind sets, fear, and yes,  sin.

Many of these issues we may or may not be fully aware we possess but, as we draw near to God, He chooses to put them on

BLAST.

Not fair we may say?

Here we are praying, fasting, reading, meditating and then something occurs and we respond in a way that cause others to question our salvation.  Heck, we question our own salvation.  (Did I hear someone say amen?)

Family, as we draw near to God we are approaching the Consuming Fire.  We are entering into Holy Ground and anything that is unholy within us shall be revealed.

THIS    IS   A   GOOD   THING

Unfortunately many give up when they behold God and like a mirror He reveals the ugliness
inside.

I say

DON'T  QUIT.

Let's allow ourselves be humbled in His mighty presence and rejoice that with each spot, blemish and wrinkle revealed He still loves us and beckons us to come closer.

Be the precious mess you are wrapped in the arms of your Heavenly Father.

This is the only place where we can be made like Him.

Embracing Your Inner Stupid

As a child I was a horrible student.

From being painfully slow to learn my ABC's, to falling behind in grade school, to almost flunking my sophomore year of high school I felt that I indeed was hopeless.

Growing up I was always painfully aware that I lacked what so many others seemed to have.  I made dumb decisions, I said dumb things, and often lost sleep regretting my actions of the day.

As an adult I was determined to be different.  To be a woman who others respected.  Really I just became hard hearted.

I remember in my 20's I was proud to say people could call me any word in the book and it would not faze me.

Any word but

STUPID.

In the military I got in a couple of drunken fights over that word.

As a single mother in college I studied late into the nights to earn grades that would wash the pain of that word out of my mind.

But once saved in 1995, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, I found that being teased or even rudely told I wasn't that bright still hurt.

Once again I found myself tossing and turning in regret over something I said or did. I would painfully go over every detail and word wishing I could just take it all back...be different somehow...

CHANGE.

That is until one day in

PRAYER

I had the most awesome revelation!

I       AM      STUPID!!!!

Without the leading of the Holy Spirit and knowledge of the Word of God I say stupid things, I do stupid things, I am a stupid woman.

Can you say

FREEDOM?!!!

In my heart I was rejoicing over the very thing that had caused me much pain, tears, and rage since a little child.

Without Him I am a stupid woman.

My only job in life is to get as close to the Holy Spirit as I can, listen to His voice, and obey.

He will tell me what to do, where to go, what to say, how to think.

It is His absolute joy to lead and teach me how to

BE.

And if I really desire to hear His voice I will hear it in my children, my spouse, my leaders, a sinner, or even nature.

I will desire the pain of every rebuke because I know it's making me like Jesus and I will receive his every encouragement and press on.

I will hear it if it's said sweetly or rude.  I will hear it if it's loud as thunder or a faint whisper.

And here is the kicker folks.  (I'm smiling ear to ear even as I write this.)  YOU ARE STUPID TOO!!!

I don't care what your title is, how long you have been saved, what degrees you hold, or how much knowledge you have.

If you and I insist on doing things our own way instead of intently, DESPERATELY, listening for the voice of the Spirit ALL DAY LONG and, obeying what He tells us to do, we are 

STUPID.

So don't be mad.  Embrace your INNER STUPID (OK now I'm laughing.)  Let the knowledge that you NEED Him drive you into deeper prayer and a quietness of the soul that will enable you to hear Him.

Be liberated in your loud and fervent declaration that apart from HIM you can do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

We cannot go wrong following Him.

He will lead us directly to Himself.

Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord.  Proverbs 8:34-35

 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. Psalm 119:99

 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Gal 5:16

Guard Your testimony...At ALL Times

Anyone who loves Jesus works hard to guard their testimony.

At work, school, the market, or any other public place we are constantly on guard.

We talk right, act right, walk right. The fruit of the Spirit appears to be abundant and ripe for the picking in our lives.

Whether they love us or hate us the unbeliever can clearly see we are Christ's.

At least on the outside.

But what about at home?

When the door is closed to the outside world what do your kids see?  Your spouse?

But you don't understand!  All this being good all day makes me tired.  When I get home I just want to let my hair down.  Be MYSElF!

Our families do not need us to be ourselves (shuddder).  They need to see Jesus in us just as much as this unbelieving world.  Maybe more.   When our families are walking in doubt or going through trials they need to see that there is indeed someone near to them that is strong and doesn't waver in the face of hardship. They also need to see the mercy and compassion of Christ when they are acting like the devil.

What about at church?

Hold on now sister.  At church I am the epitome of a Christian.

Really?  Hmmmm....

Try asking your Pastor, your closest friend, those who work under you in the church, or the new comer who smells funny, if you're as Christlike as you could be.

Are you easily corrected or do you kick against the pricks? Do you give instruction or direction clearly and patiently or are you one to bark out orders?  Are you sarcastic, mean, guarded or suspicious or are you friendly, open, and cheerful?  Are you touchy and easily offended or are you quick to forgive or even overlook a slight?

Do you greet those who are new and treat them as if they are important or do you stick to your circle of friends?  Do you make it a point to make everyone feel welcome even if they are dirt poor and smell like urine?  Or do you only give honor to those who are just like you?

Can you love those of a different color?

The people at church need to see to see Jesus in you too.

Yes, I understand we must all work out our own salvation and, yes, we are each responsible for our own walk with God.  But, we must understand that our insensitivity and lack of compassion could be the straw that breaks the camel's back in the life of a brother or sister that is weak in their faith.

Whether at home, in public or at church Jesus should always shine through you...through me.

Let's tighten up ship and guard our testimonies, wherever we are,  and to God be the Glory!

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to himthrough whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.  Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” Luke 17:1-4

From Detox To Detox...

It used to be that the word detox was only used by the health nuts.  Now as more and more people gain understanding of the poison that is in fast or prepackaged food, meat, and dairy and how it can literally destroy your health, that word is fast gaining popularity.

Basically a detox diet is when you stop eating all the junk and choose living healthy food. Thereby gently  purging your body of all manner of poison.

The problem is people think they can detox for a season and then go back to the same old junk food.

Not so.

It does no one any good to cleanse their bodies for a season and then turn around and put the same poison back in.

Can you say heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and an odd assortment of diseases their is no cure for except to stop taking in the toxins.

Well it's the same in our Christian walk.

Take a typical fast for instance.

We commit a certain amount of time to reject the world and focus on God.  We stop eating, stop watching television or movies, we turn off our phones and social media, we dive into the Word and spend more time in prayer and meditation.  

In other words we stop taking in the toxins of this world and we feed on Jesus.

So why is it once the fast is over we run back to the world as fast as we can.

As it is in the natural so it is in the spirit.

We think we are so righteous having fasted for this or that many days but...

....does it really do anyone any good to cleanse their spirits for a season and then turn around and put the same poison back in.

 Can you say luke warm, disconnected, unfruitful, uninspired, bitter, struggling with all manner of sins, blind, deaf, and utterly without a vision to do the work of the Lord?

A well versed nutritionist would say stop feeding on death and choose life if you would be well.

And if we want a healthy spirit?

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! Deut 30:19

Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. 2nd Peter 2:8 NLT

Let Go

When I was in the Army all I really owned was what I was issued.

I purchased a few civilian clothes to kick around in, a microwave, and a TV but that was it. 

Why? 

Because I wanted to be prepared to leave fast if and when THE CALL came to transfer to another post or go to war. 

When I got orders to leave packing was easy.

Uniforms went in the duffle bag, civilian clothes and toiletries in the suitcase, grab the television and microwave, lug it all downstairs where all I owned in life fit in the trunk of my small car, clean my side of the room, say goodbye to my roommate, and hit the road.

Fast forward twenty-five years.

Our family recently moved out of the house we lived in for fourteen years.

After six children, an assortment of pets, many purchases, and just as many hand-me-downed items moving was a nightmare.

Honestly most of our clutter went into the garbage. Other things were claimed by strangers looking for treasures in the midst of our trash. Yet we still had boxes and boxes of stuff that I longed to just leave behind.

I missed the days of fitting all I owned in my trunk and rolling, unencumbered by life, down the highway.

Too many things make me feel...

old.

Can a veteran share a secret with you?

Let go.

Get rid of all the clutter and the garbage. Throw it away, sell it, give it away. Everything that isn't necessary for life but you're holding on to...

just in case.

How many compromising decisions are we making just because things that perishes with the using?

How many times have we said "NO" to God because of our desire to own more stuff?

How much of what we own requires hours of our time spent in maintenance, upkeep, or cleaning. Time that could have been spent for the kingdom.

So many of us believe but are bound to this world by what we own.

We've lost a hunger, a drive, to be used by God and the clock is ticking as we grow older and old amid our possessions.

He's calling you.

Let go.

It's all going to burn anyway.

 I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards.  I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees.  I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves.  I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me.  I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire... But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.  Eccl 2:4-11 NLT

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God and keep His commandments:  For this is the whole duty of man.  Eccl 12:13 KJV

He's Coming Back Soon...?

Many Christians are declaring that with the shape our world is in Jesus surely is coming soon.  We talk about the crazy weather, the wars, and the multitude of natural disasters as we shake our heads at the wonder of it all.

BUT

There is no frantic study of the Bible or turning off of the television. 

There is no change of life, no lengthening of our time in prayer, no reaching out to the lost or running after those who have turned from the faith.

We go on as before living our lives as if we did not just say...

He must be coming back soon.

The fact that we know this makes the lack of dramatic change in our lives all the more tragic.

Yes, Jesus is coming soon and we need to take a biblical assessment of our lives and repent. 

He will not overlook our willful ignorance, nor our blatant sin, nor our apathy in the face of His coming.

But He is good to have told us in advance the signs of His coming and even now His Spirit is urging us to make ready.

It is His will that we all be saved.


"People get ready Jesus is coming soon we'll be going home!" Crystal Lewis

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  Matt 24:37-39

Results or Obedience

If you're a results driven person you may find that life can be very frustrating when your labor doesn't bring the desired results.  When you have done all you can do yet you have not met your goals most likely the word

FAILURE

is bouncing around your head.

Let me set you free.

God is not looking for results of your work He is looking for your obedience.

Often times obedience to God does not bring what we would call success.

Let's take Jeremiah for instance.

Called at a young age to be God's prophet he had to call an entire nation to repentance.

While others were speaking positive words of victory and peace Jeremiah was speaking death and enslavement.  The judgement of God.

So yeah, he wasn't too popular.

As a matter of fact Jeremiah was persecuted and hated for speaking what God gave him to say.  Not exactly the results he was probably hoping for.

If it was me I would have thought that as I preached the anointing would be so strong that the everyone within the sound of my voice would begin to wail, rend there clothing, and throw dirt on their heads as they fell upon their knees in repentance.

Perhaps Jeremiah felt the same.  But, instead of repenting, Israel turned a deaf ear.

The end result was that Israel was overthrown by their enemies and taken into captivity to Babylon.  Those who refused to be enslaved were killed.

Our obedience to God does not always have a happy ending but it does facilitate the will of God.  It does bring a reward.

Jeremiah and his scribe were blessed with their freedom while Israel was being taken to Babylon as slaves.  Yet I imagine even this was bitter sweet as God's servants surveyed the burnt ruin all around them.  Jerusalem was destroyed....desolate.

If we look for the results in our obedience to God we will be disappointed.

BUT

If we, like Jesus, just seek to obey the will of the Father we will have peace knowing we simply did

what we were commanded to do. 

...you shall go to all to whom I send you,
And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces,For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.  Jer 1:7-8