I have recently started So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore. The chapter I read yesterday made mention of some"false positives" we carry around with us. You know them. They are the one thing or one area where we believe if we could just get that (or get it right) we would be secure and set in everything else. Must admit I have a couple of those.
At the same time I am reading about Solomon. The man had it all. Money, fame, favor of the Lord, adoration of his kingdom and other kingdoms. The dude was set. Yet it was not enough to keep him focused on God. He still turned from the God who had personally visited him twice.
He still turned to other gods.
My " false positives" are just like the gods Solomon chased. They can no more bring me security than, well, anything. It does not matter how much I have or don't have, the only security I can count on, that I can cling to, is found in Jesus Christ. What my false positives can do is turn my eyes from the God who loves me. They can make me blind to all the things I do have, all the things the Lord has been gracious to me with.
As I was reflecting after reading today I just kept picturing myself going back to Jesus daily saying " My security is in You". Not just about money, a job, or material things but in relationships as well. When I see someone at work promoted and I wonder why not me. When I see someone serving in the ministry in a manner I want to or would like to at least try. When I see someone with friendships like I want. Whatever it is, my security has to rest in Christ and in Christ alone. I have to trust that He has a plan, knows the plan, will execute the plan and that it is a good plan. That is what will make me secure.
For me, I will have to be purposeful about it.
I will have to choose each day.
I may even have to be audible in it.
Repeatedly.
I will have to, daily, be deliberate in my choice to be secure in and with Him.
After all, He was and is deliberate in delivering me.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
THE TEMPLE
I have been reading about the temple Solomon built for the Lord. The great detail with which everything was made. The great detail that is recorded in the book of 1 Kings and in 2 Chronicles. How every little thing was planned for and designed by God. Even the smallest thing. I often wonder why God had the specifics recorded with such great accuracy. Why do I need to know how many cubits the vestibule was or how each cart was made?
I think one of the reasons why is that we don't forget we serve the God of details, even the smallest ones. Yes He sees the big picture, but that doesn't overshadow the details. He is all about the details.
1 Corinthians 3:16 reminds us that we are the temple of the Spirit of God. Just as God planned for and designed the very details of Solomon's temple, He has planned for and designed the details of you. From that freckle that you hate to those dimples you love, He has cared for them all. He sees the big picture He has for us physically, mentally , emotionally and spiritually, but don't think for a second He has left the details for you to work out. He hasn't. He is on top of each and everyone of them. Are we co-laborers in building our temple? You bet, just as Solomon was with his temple. But we are not left to sort out the details on our own. He has the specifics. He has a plan.
A plan that is for your good.
Because you and I were deliberately delivered.
And that is a detail we must not overlook.
Be blessed dear ones.
I think one of the reasons why is that we don't forget we serve the God of details, even the smallest ones. Yes He sees the big picture, but that doesn't overshadow the details. He is all about the details.
1 Corinthians 3:16 reminds us that we are the temple of the Spirit of God. Just as God planned for and designed the very details of Solomon's temple, He has planned for and designed the details of you. From that freckle that you hate to those dimples you love, He has cared for them all. He sees the big picture He has for us physically, mentally , emotionally and spiritually, but don't think for a second He has left the details for you to work out. He hasn't. He is on top of each and everyone of them. Are we co-laborers in building our temple? You bet, just as Solomon was with his temple. But we are not left to sort out the details on our own. He has the specifics. He has a plan.
A plan that is for your good.
Because you and I were deliberately delivered.
And that is a detail we must not overlook.
Be blessed dear ones.
Monday, May 31, 2010
MULTITUDE OF ANXIETIES
I have battled anxiety for a few years now. Early on it was pretty bad. Now, it is just every once in a while, and I can usually tell when it is coming on. I know the cues for what sets it off. There are a couple of things that are sure fired triggers. I also know what reigns it in- for me it is scripture. I have a spiral set of "go to" index cards when I feel it building up. It is actually my second set because I gave the first one away:)
One of things I hate about anxiety is the feeling of being out of control. I can't control what is going on around me, so my mind and my body try to physically go out of control as well. I hate the shaky, nervous feeling anxiety brings with it. I also hate feeling like I am the only one. I know I am not, but when it hits, I kinda feel isolated.
In my quiet time the other day, I found this verse-
In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.
Psalm 94:19
Now I have researched anxiety in my Strong's Concordance and managed to miss this verse.
I can not tell you how it comforted me to know the psalmist not only had one area of anxiety, but a multitude. Can I get a witness? Anxieties that he takes ownership of. They are not God's anxieties.
God brings a multitude of comforts.
For each and every anxiety I have, He has an answer.
That does delight my soul!
One of things I hate about anxiety is the feeling of being out of control. I can't control what is going on around me, so my mind and my body try to physically go out of control as well. I hate the shaky, nervous feeling anxiety brings with it. I also hate feeling like I am the only one. I know I am not, but when it hits, I kinda feel isolated.
In my quiet time the other day, I found this verse-
In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.
Psalm 94:19
Now I have researched anxiety in my Strong's Concordance and managed to miss this verse.
I can not tell you how it comforted me to know the psalmist not only had one area of anxiety, but a multitude. Can I get a witness? Anxieties that he takes ownership of. They are not God's anxieties.
God brings a multitude of comforts.
For each and every anxiety I have, He has an answer.
That does delight my soul!
Friday, May 21, 2010
PLACE
Hubs and I were having an *ahem* discussion about "place", mostly mine, and operating within it. More specifically, defining it's boundaries.
You know...
It's not your place to say
You spoke out of place
What place is it of yours to tell me blah blah blah
So here is the question for you (and oh how I hope you answer) :
What is our place?
I talked about calling out blatant, unrepentant sin the other day.
That is all our place in my opinion.
But what about things that are just tweeks? Things we see others doing that are damaging to the body that they may not even recognize are hurting anyone.
That woman or young girl at church whose skirt is repeatedly just a little too short or shirt just a little to sheer.
The young man who repeatedly is demonstrative in his play for girls or in his attempt to exercise his dominance over other guys.
That teenager who is popping off at their parents in front of everyone.
The mom who loses it on her kids A LOT.
What about people you know well who are acting out of emotion and the result is hurting others?
What about that group of women or men who went out for a night and things got a bit, just a bit, carried away?
That wife who belittles her husband at bible study. Or on the phone?
The husband who bad mouths his wife in front of others.
Where is your place to speak to those issues?
Is relationship the determining factor?
Does it matter how well you know them?
Or do you have a place as a woman and man of God to address it regardless of how well you know them?
So we don't spend time arguing over this point, yes the how matters.
Absolutely.
In truth and in LOVE.
You don't do it with either of these you are acting out side the bounds of your place.
So lets pretend we are all mature enough we can do address the issue with both of those.
Where is the line that you are not allowed to cross?
I would love to hear from you minister wives, as I am sure you have had your fair share in dealing with this.
Looking forward to the insight!
You know...
It's not your place to say
You spoke out of place
What place is it of yours to tell me blah blah blah
So here is the question for you (and oh how I hope you answer) :
What is our place?
I talked about calling out blatant, unrepentant sin the other day.
That is all our place in my opinion.
But what about things that are just tweeks? Things we see others doing that are damaging to the body that they may not even recognize are hurting anyone.
That woman or young girl at church whose skirt is repeatedly just a little too short or shirt just a little to sheer.
The young man who repeatedly is demonstrative in his play for girls or in his attempt to exercise his dominance over other guys.
That teenager who is popping off at their parents in front of everyone.
The mom who loses it on her kids A LOT.
What about people you know well who are acting out of emotion and the result is hurting others?
What about that group of women or men who went out for a night and things got a bit, just a bit, carried away?
That wife who belittles her husband at bible study. Or on the phone?
The husband who bad mouths his wife in front of others.
Where is your place to speak to those issues?
Is relationship the determining factor?
Does it matter how well you know them?
Or do you have a place as a woman and man of God to address it regardless of how well you know them?
So we don't spend time arguing over this point, yes the how matters.
Absolutely.
In truth and in LOVE.
You don't do it with either of these you are acting out side the bounds of your place.
So lets pretend we are all mature enough we can do address the issue with both of those.
Where is the line that you are not allowed to cross?
I would love to hear from you minister wives, as I am sure you have had your fair share in dealing with this.
Looking forward to the insight!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF....
You.
Me.
Them.
Us.
If you could look back over your life, your life exactly one year from today, what would you see?
Who would be standing there 365 days ago?
How is that person different today?
What struggles have you faced?
What victories have you had?
What new seasons of life have you embraced and which have you moved out of?
I can tell you the girl typing this is not the same as she was 365 days ago.
She was broken over the past year in ways she never dreamed of.
The places that have healed have made her stronger.
There are still places that are mending.
Decisions were made that she never saw coming.
She has many joys.
She has regrets.
She wishes she would have more quickly acted like Christ and not given so much time to the enemy.
She has a heart for the poor that was not there before.
Well, it was in theory.
Now it burns within her.
She has a heart that longs for integrity.
A heart that has been forced to trust.
She has been humbled.
She has exercised forgiveness.
She is aware of her resentments and not just justifying them.
She is more purposeful in her life.
She is making the choices instead of just letting them happen.
She is still afraid at times.
Days she would still like to run in a cave and hide.
But they are fewer.
Prayers for justification have been changed to prayers of mercy and grace.
Prayers for truth.
Prayers for integrity.
She still messes up, she still sins.
She has learned to repent quicker.
She has learned to obey sooner.
She still battles pride and self-seeking, but she recognizes it sooner.
She lays it down before Him.
So how about you?
What would be your testimony of the past year?
Are you different?
Better or worse?
Have you come to know Jesus more?
Do you even know Him at all?
Please share with us.
Your testimony matters.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."
Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)
Me.
Them.
Us.
If you could look back over your life, your life exactly one year from today, what would you see?
Who would be standing there 365 days ago?
How is that person different today?
What struggles have you faced?
What victories have you had?
What new seasons of life have you embraced and which have you moved out of?
I can tell you the girl typing this is not the same as she was 365 days ago.
She was broken over the past year in ways she never dreamed of.
The places that have healed have made her stronger.
There are still places that are mending.
Decisions were made that she never saw coming.
She has many joys.
She has regrets.
She wishes she would have more quickly acted like Christ and not given so much time to the enemy.
She has a heart for the poor that was not there before.
Well, it was in theory.
Now it burns within her.
She has a heart that longs for integrity.
A heart that has been forced to trust.
She has been humbled.
She has exercised forgiveness.
She is aware of her resentments and not just justifying them.
She is more purposeful in her life.
She is making the choices instead of just letting them happen.
She is still afraid at times.
Days she would still like to run in a cave and hide.
But they are fewer.
Prayers for justification have been changed to prayers of mercy and grace.
Prayers for truth.
Prayers for integrity.
She still messes up, she still sins.
She has learned to repent quicker.
She has learned to obey sooner.
She still battles pride and self-seeking, but she recognizes it sooner.
She lays it down before Him.
So how about you?
What would be your testimony of the past year?
Are you different?
Better or worse?
Have you come to know Jesus more?
Do you even know Him at all?
Please share with us.
Your testimony matters.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."
Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)
Thursday, May 6, 2010
FOR OUR NATION
Psalm 2
Why do the nations rage,
and the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against His anointed,
saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces
and cast away Their cords from us."
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
and distress them in his deep displeasure:
"Yet I have set My King
on My holy hill of Zion."
"I will declare the decree:
the Lord has said to Me,
'You are My Son,
today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
the nations for Your inheritance,
and the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' "
Now, therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
and you perish in the way,
when his wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
GOOD NEWS IN ACTION
Psalm 106...you can read it here.
Over and over they messed up.
They failed.
They rebelled.
They ignored.
They turned away.
They suffered consequences.
Then verse 44 happens.
Nevertheless He regarded their iniquity when He heard there cry.
And for their sake He remembered His covenant,
and relented according to the multitude of His mercies.
Psalm 106:44-45 NKJV
The good news...regardless of how you and I have messed it up,
He hasn't.
In no way shape or form has He
failed,
rebelled,
ignored,
or turned away.
He is here today for you and for me.
Confess.
Repent.
Come to Christ.
He came for you.
Over and over they messed up.
They failed.
They rebelled.
They ignored.
They turned away.
They suffered consequences.
Then verse 44 happens.
Nevertheless He regarded their iniquity when He heard there cry.
And for their sake He remembered His covenant,
and relented according to the multitude of His mercies.
Psalm 106:44-45 NKJV
The good news...regardless of how you and I have messed it up,
He hasn't.
In no way shape or form has He
failed,
rebelled,
ignored,
or turned away.
He is here today for you and for me.
Confess.
Repent.
Come to Christ.
He came for you.
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