Don't Listen To Your Enemies

The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David,"You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." They thought, "David cannot get in here." Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David.
2 Samuel 5:6-7

Don't listen to your enemies. That sounds like something that a well meaning person would say to me. Yeah right, and how can I not listen to them? Many times there is a place in me that actually believes what they are saying. They are just echoing the lie that I already swallowed.
This morning God brought a memory of a sad thing in my life. The problem wasn't the issue itself. It was because I believed I was unloved by the person involved. I responded with such sorrow and moved in a direction that I never would have chosen if I knew love. God is emphasizing that we make a lot of decisions because we don't know our Father God's love.
Here is a prophecy that came just now."Come and walk with me, My Beloved. I will show you life, true life. You have lived a sham of unbelief. Know my love for you. Be still and know that I am God. I will see you through this trial. I will show you the way. It is not through sheer grit on your part. It is the love of the Father that will be your vehicle. You will conquer. Do not be afraid. I will show you the truth and the lies will flee." (I looked up the word sham, and I found this definition;something false or empty that is purported to be genuine. That means that we actually thought we had unbelief when we really had faith. Remember, faith comes from God.)
Here is a verse from one of my favorite songs that speaks of this.
These sufferings, this passing tide
Under your wings I will abide
And every enemy shall flee
You are my hope and victory
(Praise The Father, Praise The Son, by Chris Tomlin)

My Hope Is In God

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

Yesterday, I really struggled. We have had so many difficult things happen lately that I found myself paranoid, waiting for the next bomb to drop. I couldn't shake it. I cried out to God and he gave me this line, "My hope is in God." I love it when God gives us a weapon, which he does every time I ask. Anyway, it was powerful. Whenever fear or self pity or any other thing tried to overwhelm me, I repeated the line, "My hope is in God." The darkness took off with its tail between it's legs and I was able to continue walking in victory the rest of the day.
That seems to be God's theme for today too. We need God. We need time with him to get to know him so we can really know who he is and what he is doing. When people or circumstances gang up on us we need to encourage ourselves in God like David did. When we tend to judge and criticize others, we need to seek God and get his perspective.

I heard about a band called FFH. They were hit hard by many difficult situations. They came through the fire knowing that their hope is in God. Here is a song that is from their new album, Wide Open Spaces. the song is called Undone. I guess it ministers to me because I know they lived this song as they wrote it.

You Have A Part

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. Psalm 95:7b-8a

God has given my friends and I a vision over and over of us being children in shorts and flip flops. We are in the midst of a fierce battle and yet we are not fighting. We are going forward and taking the castle. We succeed because it is so unexpected and because God is our armor and grants us success.
God doesn't want me to get bogged down in the battle. I tend to grieve because I don't want to be in the midst of the battle. I don't want the soldiers to have to suffer. My tendency is to help others with their part. I think this is because I don't know my own worth. So I try to either just blend in. Or I take up other people's battles. God has a call on my life. He wants me to just be me. This is what I wrote about yesterday.
Others call me to come and join them. Some even bless me for being such a big help in fulfilling their dreams. It makes me feel useful. God is asking me to follow him. I don't have the same call on my life as anyone else. I must be me, unique and wonderful.
God is asking me to lay down my misconceptions. He wants to tell me things that I couldn't hear before because I had expectations that were wrong. Because my call is unique, I can't depend on imitating others or even being praised by them. I must follow God. This is what Abraham, Moses, and David all had to do. This is even what Jesus did. He had to do what his Father was doing, even when it made no sense to anyone else.
God has a call on your life that is unique. Seek his face. Follow him. Today, when you hear his voice do not harden your heart.

Hallelujah! I Am Being Set Free

Rise up O Church of God! Have done with lesser things; Give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the King of kings. Lift high the cross of Christ! Tread where His feet have trod; as followers of the Son of Man, rise up, O Church of God. (written by William P. Merrill)

God is teaching us to not be a victim to our circumstances and the attitude of mankind. This was really obvious to me the other day. I found myself vulnerable, and yet everywhere I went I was being condemned by man for being me. At one point I got hit really hard with this when I tried to speak to a couple in church and they ignored me because I wasn't legalistically doing things how they though it should be done. Right in the midst of the pain I sensed God asking me to be myself, even if others condemn me. He said that it is crucial. He made me on purpose. He reminded me of how he was despised and rejected. It was crucial that he be himself, no matter what others wanted from him. I heard him quote , "Rise up O men of God! Have done with lesser things." He showed me that I have allowed man to play god in my life by dictating who I am to be. He is pleading with me to let go and follow him. There is such joy in what he is offering me, such freedom. Hallelujah! I am being set free.

Confederate Soldier's Prayer

Confederate Soldier's Prayer

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked God for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for
- but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among men, most richly blessed.

Found on the body of a Southern soldier
1861-1865

How Awesome is the Lord Most High

Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
How awesome is the Lord Most High,
the Great King over all the earth!
He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.
God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted.
Psalm 47

Forgive And Be Forgiven

Our Father in Heaven
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our
debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 69-15

As I was praying this prayer, I came to the part that said, "Forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors." I was struck by how crucial it is that we forgive others. It has even been proven that some diseases are connected with not forgiving. We are not made to carry resentment. Jesus says that it is crucial to forgive. So I came up with a new way to pray this prayer. When I got to the part about forgiveness, I paused and asked God to show me who I needed to forgive. God wants to heal us and set us free, but it just can't happen as long as we won't forgive others. So, my advice for today is to forgive and be forgiven. Life will become way more beautiful if you do.

There's Something Fishy About You

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2 Timothy 1:14

I am remembering how in early Christianity the icthus, or fish symbol was used so that Christians could secretly identify each other. God has given each one of us a gifting. None of us is totally right. We are to walk in humility knowing that, yes God has gifted us, but we are only complete in God, not in and of ourselves. Many of us are like a tom cat defending our territory. Our fur is standing on end and our claws are ready for battle. God wants us to let our fur lay down and to put our claws away. Our weapon is to know that we are beloved of God and complete only in him. We will make mistakes. We are also to know we are gifted because God has gifted us. He wants us to become aware of our gifting and walk in dignity in God. On the other hand, he wants us to know that the same is true of others. No one is complete, in and of themselves. Don't expect others to be perfect and judge them because they are not. Be aware that they are gifted. Look for their gifts and encourage them. Let the deep place in you that knows God recognize the deep Godly place in them. You each only have a piece. If you put the pieces together amazing things will happen.

Where's God?

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be darkness to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12

I remember going to a town in Mexico where I found Christianity gone bad. You could enter this place that was considered holy and find a dummy lying there. He was saint somebody or other. Anyway, if you touched him, you were supposedly forgiven of your sins. They forgot that it is through Jesus that we are forgiven. As I sat on a bench watching the people, I began to feel God's presence really strongly. I was very perplexed. Why was God present in this pagan place?
God has had people pray for me that were off track or looked down on me. Boy did that bug me! God showed up in the midst of their deception and bad attitude. God is faithful even when man is unfaithful.
I have watched movies and read books that some Christians even boycott. God used them to powerfully speak to me and draw me close to him.
There is no physical place that is free from evil. There is no person that has no sin. There is no way to create a perfect life here on earth. I know, I keep trying. On the other hand, God is in every circumstance he puts us in. He wants us to sit at the table, right there in the presence of our enemies and hang out with God. We are to dwell in the goodness and mercy of God, not the darkness around us. (Psalm 23)
We are lights that get our power right from God. God's focus for us isn't to run from the darkness, it's to know the light.
I am not saying that everything is of God. I am not saying that we should go everywhere and it will be fine. I just know that God keeps putting me in situations that others avoid and even condemn me for being there. Then he shows up and gives me a huge gift, right there in the presence of my enemies.
Don't be afraid. God is in our midst. God is our champion. God is our perfection. God is our light and life. God will see you through and conquer your enemies. The darkness can't overcome God's light.

Near Miss - God's Kiss

There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. Deuteronomy 33:26

Last night we were in a car accident. Since sleep eluded me, I spent most of the night thanking God for his protection of all the people involved. There was much help from God. At one point I started to worry, and God stepped in and helped me. First he started singing a funny song to me. Then he moved on to funny memories that made me chuckle on the inside. We are blessed to know a God that is our helper in so many ways.

You Aree Mine

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

I am very aware that I have been looking at the symptoms of what is in my heart. I have worked with them from every angle until I am worn out. Recently God has been showing me that my outward symptoms are not what really needs attention. My heart needs healing. God has given me a prayer lately that I would like to pass on to you. When I sin or react in some way to life's circumstances that seems unhealthy, I ask God to shine his glory light down below the symptoms to the real issue. God is setting me free from so many things that have had a hold on me for years.
The above scripture refers to God picking David as king. He didn't look very impressive on the outside, but God knew what was in his heart. He knew that David had a good heart. So I guess I am making two points today. One is that God wants to work with the real issues and not just the symptoms. The other is that God sees your heart. Yes, he is aware of the dark parts that need his light, but he is also aware that your heart is set on him. He is pleased with you.
Our tendency is to look at our outward appearance and try so hard to be good on the surface. I am so thankful that God is going beneath the surface and healing us. I see a picture of him like a scuba diver with a light. He is bravely going into the places within us that even we are afraid to go. He is repairing wounded, broken parts. It looks to me like he is shining his light there and then gently kissing us. He has compassion on us. Remember there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. God is near to the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. He loves you so much and wants you healed and set free. Let him in to do this. Don't focus on what is wrong in your life. Focus on your Lord that loves you. Don't be ashamed for him to go deep in you. Open to him, and give him free reign to bring light into your darkness. Remember, he is the light of the world.
I am passing a song on to you that many of you have never heard. The lyrics are truly beautiful. It is called YOU ARE MINE, and it is by David Haas.

Give Up Your Excuses And Follow

Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me." John 1:43

Jesus asks each one of us to follow him in a unique way. I have spent years studying how to be a good Christian. I know that that sounds very noble, but the truth is that I did it out of fear. I didn't want to mess up. I also did it to avoid following. It's way easier to study about things than to actually do them. Remember how Jesus called Nicodemus to sell everything he had, give it to the poor and then follow him. I am becoming aware that each of us have our excuses. Believe it or not some of us are too busy doing "good" works. Some of us think that if we can just get our ducks in a row first then we will be able to follow more easily. Remember the guy that asked if he could bury his father first? Jesus told him, "Let the dead bury the dead." give up all your excuses and follow.
Jesus is calling you to follow him. It may not look like what the Christian next to you is doing. It may not be like anything that you have ever done before. Just do it. Step out and follow him. He is bigger than any mistakes you have made or will make. Remember, he asked us to trust in him with our whole heart, not our understanding of how to do it. He promised that he would guide us. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Put your hope in him. Give up hoping in you or your ideas of how it should be done. How on earth was Peter to know how to walk on water. No one had ever done it before. Just go. Jesus is calling.

Don't Let Anyone Look down On You

Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Romans 14;16-18

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

When my daughter was in eighth grade she started being picked on. It grew until she was suffering too greatly to leave her in the situation. I pulled her out of school to heal. Then she returned for the last 6 weeks. I asked her one day, "Are they still picking on you?"
She answered, "I don't let them."
Legalism drives me loony. A legalist loves boxes. They love to be in a box. The four walls don't feel oppressive. They feel safe. They will defend those walls to the death.
I hate being in a box. I am someone who thinks outside of the box. I am a square peg that will not fit in a round hole. I am a visionary and an entrepreneur. On the other hand, I am surrounded by box lovers that look like they have their act together. Then there is me. I am not even sure what my act is.
As I prayed this morning and read Romans 14, I understood that I am not to look down on box lovers and I am not to allow them to look down on me. God made all of us unique and wonderful. God is calling us to love who he made us and to love others.
I have been very good at being a victim. God is calling me to not let anyone look down on me. Am I going to believe that God did a good job making me? Or am I going to listen to negative opinions about me? It is my choice. I don't have to remain a victim. In fact, in 1 Timothy, after Paul tells Timothy not to let people look down on him, he encourages him to step out in the gifts that he has.
We all are very gifted by God. We are beloved. God knows us and understands us. God enjoys who we are. Don't let anyone look down on you. It's your choice.

Why should I fear?

Hear this, all you peoples;
listen, all who live in this world,
both low and high,
rich and poor alike.
My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
the uttering from my heart will
give understanding.
I will turn my ear to a proverb;
with the harp I will expound my
riddle.
Why should I fear when evil days come,
when wicked deceivers surround
me-
those who trust in their wealth
and boast of their great riches?....
Do not be overawed when a man grows rich,
when the splendor of his house increases;
for he will take nothing with him
when he dies,
his splendor will not descend with him.
Thou while he lived he counted
himself blessed-
and men praise you when you prosper-
he will join the generation of his
fathers,
who will never see the light of life.
a man who has riches without
understanding
is like the beasts that perish.
Psalm 49

In Your Heart And In Your Mouth

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so that we may obey it?" No, the word is near you; it is in your heart and in your mouth so that you may obey it. Deuteronomy 31:13

Yesterday, when the scripture was being read in church, I was thinking, "I would obey you, God, if you would only make it clear to me what you want." Then this scripture was read, and I almost laughed out loud. God is saying to us that we don't have to run all over the place trying to be taught about God. We don't have to feel desolate because we haven't learned something that we think is crucial. He is saying that his sheep really do hear his voice. He has put his truth in our hearts. God is faithful. It comes back to having our hope in God and his faithfulness to us. We can be at peace and have confidence that God will care for us. Be still and know that he is God. Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you. We live in a humanistic society that says that it is all on our shoulders. Aren't you glad that God is a good Father and that he is responsible for you? Rest in his love. He will show you the way.

A New Righteousness - The Real Thing

God is beginning to teach me about a new righteousness. He showed me a picture of the righteousness that I am trying to live. It is man made. I can't explain it well because I have lots to learn, but God's righteousness looks natural. It is just me, the way God wants me to be without man's goofy intervention.
God is asking me to give up the man made righteousness and choose Jesus'. It is about Jesus giving us his righteousness, maybe like an organ transplant. He took my self righteousness, which is filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), and gave me his righteousness. He became sin, so that I can become righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21) I remember being taught that justification means,just as if I have never done it.(Romans 5:1) In the end, when I stand before God, I will have Jesus' righteousness and not be condemned.(Romans 14:10) There is therefore no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
Years ago, God told me that one day I would be naked and not ashamed. When Adam and Eve sinned they saw their nakedness and were ashamed. God clothed them in the skin of animals that were sacrificed for them. Jesus was sacrificed on my behalf. I am clothed in his righteousness.(Isaiah 61:10) I am naked because I am not wearing self righteousness. I am not ashamed because I am wearing Jesus' righteousness. I am free.

God Sees You

The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.
1 Samuel 26:23

As we read this I felt God's desire to encourage his people. God sees us and our attempts to do the right thing and be faithful to him. He sees the little choices we make for the good. He sees each time we look at him. He sees, no matter how small. He will reward us. Be encouraged. God sees and is proud to call you his own.

God Takes Hold Of Your Right Hand

For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

This morning we read more about David and Saul. I am so impressed with God's divine intervention. David played a trick on Saul and God helped him succeed. I bet God got a chuckle out of the whole thing. I am so aware that David did things according to his personality and yet totally respected God and King Saul. He was given the freedom to be himself, and God even blessed his efforts.
I know, it looks like I am on a tangent about this topic. That is because God is really wanting us to learn this well. We are uniquely made and he will work with us as we step out to be ourselves while following him. He will bless us and intervene on our behalf. He will strengthen us and give us victory.

You Are Not Mary Poppins

This morning we read from 1 Samuel 25 about how God intervened and kept David from making a big mistake. David was going to get even with Nabal by killing him and all the males in his household. God sent Abigail to intervene.
I keep thinking that if I can just try hard enough I will be like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way. Well guess what. I don't have it in me. Neither does anyone else. I tend to be more like Peter. I leap before I look and, God has to go around fixing all of my mistakes. Others tend to look and never leap. Then there are those that appear to have their act together. Finances are in order. Health looks good. They are everyone's hero. Many of them are even nice to be around. Well, I am pleased to announce that they are not perfect either. I have good news for all of us. God is perfect. He knows that we are frail humans that need God. The burden of being perfect is too heavy for any of us. God is the perfect one. He is asking us to lay down this burden of perfection and let him carry it. He wants us to put our hope in him. He is faithful to lead us. He will make everything work together for good in our lives, even our biggest mistakes. The more we hope in God, the more we will be aware that he is at work in and through us. Thank God for what is right in your life. Be more and more aware of God's perfection. Let him carry you. You were never meant to be an independent orphan. You are a child of God, beloved and well cared for. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Put your trust in him. He will never fail you.

Infused With The Truth

Praise be to the Lord, For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalm 28:6-9

I love much because God rescues me from much. Last night the darkness was so palpable that I couldn't be at peace or sleep. I tried to meditate on the truth, but my mind kept going blank. I cried out to the Lord and he rescued me and filled me with his peace. He reminded me of the truth. Actually, it was more like being infused with the truth. The lies had to high tail it out of there and leave me alone. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

Turn To The Lord

We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ has it been taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But when anyone turns to the Lord the veil is taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:13-16

I love learning new things, but there is a tendency to run after knowledge instead of God. Today I sense Jesus continuing to call us to come back to him. I am so thankful for his mercy. I am glad that he is so persistent. It reminds me of the scripture that says, whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21) There are many teachings out there. This is good, because there is much to learn. On the other hand, one can get caught up in teachings and leave God behind. This is how we get led astray. The Apostle Paul had lots of Biblical knowledge and lots of zeal. It wasn't until he encountered Jesus that he knew the truth. I know that I am stuck on this theme of keeping our eyes on Jesus. That is because Jesus is adamant about it. We need him more than anything. He is the truth.

I love music, and as I wrote this blog today this song kept running through my mind. It is even being performed by the actual composer.