buildingbodies4christ

building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

Archive for the category “Faith”

23 Jan 2013

Hindrance #1

As my usual practice, I sat down to a nice lunch and my internet tuned to one of my favorite pastors. What I thought was going to be a new word about Esther was really an old word on pride. I have been asking God during my devotional time to reveal to me where my heart is deceiving me. It was to my surprise that pride is such an issue currently in my life. I guess the surprise was the surprise. I knew I had many times in the past dealt with pride, but I thought it was in the past. That should have been my first clue. My heart was truly deceiving me. I recognize pride in others – it’s all around me. I see it in the way others boast about their accomplishments. I even have laughed about the fact when it is confronted in others. But really, do I still have issues with it? Oh yeah. One thing the pastor (Mark Driscoll) spoke about was that pride is masked in fear of failure. We lack the effort to try because of our pride issues and not wanting to look bad when we fail. Oh yeah, that’s me.

In the Word, God speaks about how He hates pride. Pride gives glory to me and not to God – hmmm, sounds a lot like idolatry. God says pride is an abomination to Him (Proverbs 16:5 ESV). He also states pride will go before a fall (Proverbs 16:18 ESV). God states that we should be clothed in humility. Humility means we know our place in this world. I am so much more aware of my status in this world after completing my latest book based on my life story. I am nothing without God. I am so blessed to have been taken out of my pit and set upon the Rock of Salvation. God could have left me in that pit of despair. But He didn’t. God looks at my heart and sees the darkness. But God being full of grace and mercy didn’t leave me in my darkness. He brought me out. He bandaged my wounds; healed my heart. He led me away from destruction into His light for His glory, not mine. He is the reason I should have no pride in my heart. I should be clothed in humility.

God is in the process of pruning and purifying me. There’s still so much more work to be done. But I submit to His shears. He has the best in mind for me. God wants us to be submitted to Him, but I have to intentional in my submitting. This isn’t a half-hearted attempt. I’m either all in or all out. It’s up to me to draw near. Here I am Lord!

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:7-10 (ESV)

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
16 Jan 2013
4 Comments

Pennies from Heaven

I was having a bad day. I had been writing all morning. I was struggling to get through writing about the worst days of my life. I was having fits of crying from emotionally draining memories. I listened to a sermon while I ate lunch. It was about worrying. I’m really not much on worrying. Sure I have concerns, but I can’t call them worries, can I? I listened to the sermon and the last point the preacher made was about uncertainties of the future – hmmm… maybe I do have a “worry” after all. He said to bring the whole truth to God, and He would give me peace which transcends all understanding. It really wasn’t about the uncertainty, but about the “fear of the unknown.”

The section of my life I was writing about was the death of my Mom. It was the hardest thing I have lived through in my “relatively” short life. I had to sit down after that sermon and discern what my real concern is about the uncertainty of my future. I am single. My whole life, my parents were my family. Yes, I have sisters but they have their own lives and families. Oh, I know I am a part of their families, but it’s not the same. When push comes to shove as the saying goes, they think of their families before they do me – as it should be. If I was married and had kids, I would be doing the same thing, but I don’t.

A year after my Mom died, my Dad got married again. Praise God, he found someone to live out the remaining years of his life. Once again, I am left in a bit of a predicament. God has shown me my real fear. I am afraid of being alone. I know I have family and friends, but I really am totally alone. This was my deepest, truest revelation I have had in quite some time. As I was in the midst of this struggle on this day, I decided to go for an afternoon walk. I was tired of thinking about these deep issues.

Once again, God opened up my heart to look down. I saw two pennies lying on the street as I walked along. If you remember from a post several months ago, God places pennies in my path to remind me “in God we trust.” I have only one who really is my source of strength and who I can rely upon. The future is uncertain and no one is guaranteed a long life. I could be alone whether I was married or single. I acknowledged God’s providence and continued on. My fear of the financial future came up as well. I don’t have money coming in, and I don’t have any prospects of the future. Again, a penny was placed before me. God will work it out. I have to trust Him with everything! Yes, I have anxious times ahead, but God is faithful in everything. He is in control!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
09 Jan 2013

Endurance

Last week, I listened to the Passion Conference on LiveStream. There were some awesome speakers who brought a fresh word to me. The conference is led by Louie Giglio (Passion City Church) from Atlanta. The teachers brought some powerful words to my ears. I listened with anticipation of what God was going to say to me. This was the first time I had listened in to this conference. I don’t know what previous conferences were all about, but this one was bringing awareness to the plight of 27 million who are held in slavery. The conference is kicking off an “End It” movement (check out the website www.enditmovement.com). Francis Chan spoke about being a part of the battle. Beth Moore spoke on Jesus’ last Passover meal. John Piper spoke on embracing the suffering. And then the conference was wrapped up with Pastor Louie.

Pastor Louie spoke about the dry bones passage found in Ezekiel 37. I love this particular passage. He brought home the fact we are to be anointed with the Holy Spirit in order to work in the power of the Holy Spirit. The night before, John Piper spoke about embracing suffering just as all who are called to the cause of liberation have to endure. There is a prize for those who endure the suffering. The prize is found on the other side of heaven and it is worth it all. In the passage, God had to put the breath (the Holy Spirit) in the slain in order for them to live. Once the breath of God entered the bodies, they stood up and were a vast army.

God is calling us to stand up. There are many who need for us to take up their cause – to fight when they can’t do so. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us, in order to fight the fight. We need to embrace the suffering that will surely come when we take up the cause of liberation. Jesus came for our liberation. He embraced the suffering he knew that was coming on that Passover night. He fulfilled the Scriptures in every sense of the Word. The Passover Lamb was slain, the bread was broken, and the cup (of wine) was poured out for each of us. And once it was finished, He sat down at the right hand of God. The race is before us. The course is set. Will we finish the race or give up because it costs us too much?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
02 Jan 2013

New Year, New Thing

I love new things. I buy new cars and drive them for many years. I love the new car smell (even though I know it’s toxic). I love new houses. I love to watch them start from nothing to become the blueprint in 3D. I love new clothes and how they make me feel. I love to see new ideas come to life. I love new seasons of the year – especially spring and fall. I love to plant things and watch them grow. I love a clean slate when there are no expectations – open mind; ready for anything that comes my way.

2013 is a clean slate. I have no expectations for this year. Oh, I have a few things I want to accomplish. I set some spiritual goals. There are a few things I am praying to happen. But I don’t know God’s direction for me yet. I have been reading several books lately about “purpose.” I got a couple more as gifts for Christmas. I read about the five love languages, and it dawned on me that Jesus has a love language too. He knows our love for him when we are doing “acts of service.” One of the things I will be working on this year is how I will show more love to Jesus. Jesus ask Peter (found in John 21:15-19) if he loved Him. Peter replied “yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus told Peter to “feed His sheep.” What does “feeding sheep” look like in my current city? What is my purpose in this place? What need am I called to fill?

These are the questions that need to be answered this year. I didn’t do such a great job last year. I have been in this city, in this neighborhood for thirteen years. Have I made a difference? God called me to my city for a “job” and I have been wandering in the wilderness wondering where this job is. I was in a new place, found a new church and new friends. I was excited about all the newness. But then the newness wore off, and I’m still here looking for the reason for this particular city at this particular time.

As I sit on the cusp of a new year, I am anxiously waiting to see where the sheep need to be tended. I don’t want to have another year down with little difference being made. It’s time to be busy loving Jesus as He wants to be loved. It’s time for all things to be made new – even my mindset – ready to serve in the name of Jesus. Hold me to it!

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
31 Dec 2012
2 Comments

Forgiveness

With today being the last day of the year, I thought it would be appropriate to end it with a post. I started this year with the theme of victory. I think victory comes through forgiveness. God has done a major work in my heart this year. He took a broken place – one that I didn’t even know I had – and brought about healing, restoration, and forgiveness. I was hurt. I was angry, but it was a passive aggressive type. I didn’t know how angry I really was until God opened my eyes. I was ready to be healed. I asked God to show me the places in my heart that were hindering my walk with Him. There were some obvious places like my Mom’s death, my Dad’s quick marriage, but there was a place buried so deep that I didn’t recognize it. God knew it was there though. And He proceeded to show me inch by inch where I was hindered. I’m sure I am not done with forgiving. I’m sure there are still places that need to be healed. Inch by inch, He is faithful to reveal if I am willing to be open to it.

Now, what do I do with this information? How do I use it for His glory? God has placed in me a need to tell. I first went to the ones I could go to and ask for forgiveness. I went to God and asked His forgiveness. But the ones that hurt me so deeply, they are the ones that I have to forgive. They probably don’t even know how deep I was hurt. They are probably not even aware I have been carrying this around with me for so long. It was hurting me not them. It was hurting my relationship with God, with Jesus and with the Holy Spirit who lives in me. I may not actually talk to them about it. But I offer my forgiveness now. I have laid down my heart: my hurt, my anger, my bitterness, my resentment and have taken up forgiveness because God first forgave me.

It’s time to heal and move on. Jesus forgave those who put Him on the cross – the ones that nailed him, tortured him, spat upon him, and he did it from the cross. His love endures forever no matter what. It’s because of Him and his love that I can go forward with forgiveness. What will God do in 2013? He’s still working on my heart, but it will be for His glory no matter what! Happy New Year!

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

Posted in Faith and tagged , , , ,
26 Dec 2012

Receiving Gifts

I have been looking at the five love languages trying to determine how I receive love. One of the “languages” is receiving gifts. I have experienced the loss of my Mom around special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas because she was a gift giver. This year, I must admit, I have been experiencing more sadness and even a bit of anger over Christmas this year. My focus has been on the loss of Mom and not on what I consider my primary love language which is quality time with my family. The circumstances have changed this year over the last two years. I have given Satan an opportunity in my circumstance. I have kept my focus on things that are temporal instead of focusing on the eternal gift of Jesus. Satan has used my circumstance to cause my anger and keep me focused on what I have lost.

Jesus’ birth was announced by the angel to the shepherds. They went to see for themselves what the angel had spoken about. Once they saw Him, they went out to tell others what they had seen. Jesus came to give an eternal gift of life. God is the author of love languages. He gave us the best gift of Jesus. Jesus came to take away the sins of everyone who believes in Him. How awesome is that gift of the first Christmas? Why should I focus on something so insignificant as temporal gifts rather than the true gift of Christmas? Nothing can compare to His precious gift. When I focus on the temporal, it is disappointing; it is less than I desire. Nothing I get for Christmas will ever compare to what Jesus gave to me first and foremost. I received the best gift about forty years ago, but I have only come to realize how precious that gift truly is.

I am reminded that the shepherds rushed to share what they had been given. They were given a precious gift of being the first to know Jesus. No one else was visited by an angel. No one else went to see the baby Jesus. The wise men saw a new star. They started on a journey to find the true meaning of the star. When they found out about the star, they went to find the child responsible for changing the heavens. They too had an experience with Jesus. Although they took gifts to Jesus, Jesus ultimately gave them the true gift. Did they receive it? We’ll find out the rest of the story in heaven. How awesome will it be when we come to the place where we will hear the rest of the stories in heaven! That is truly a gift to share!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
19 Dec 2012

Worthy of Worship

I am studying Revelation in the Community Bible Study group. We are finishing up chapter 5 as I am writing this blog posting. The chapter is all about worshiping God. I have come to realize I don’t know how to properly worship God. In my past, I have found I have worshiped many idols – oh I didn’t think they were idols at the time – but they were idols nonetheless. Anything that is worshiped instead of God is an idol. Revelation describes the worship going on in Heaven as the angels, the elders, the living creatures and everyone falls down in worship before the One who sits on the throne. They are singing songs of praise and lifting their voices to the One worthy of worship. One of the study questions asked, in essence, about the quality of my worship.

I don’t know why I am so reserved when it comes to worship. Is it fear of showing that kind of “falling down on my face” worship to others? It might be done in heaven, but it surely isn’t done here on earth (or at least in my country/my community of believers). But why is it not done on earth? Why am I so reserved? I know what God and Jesus have done in my life to turn me from my darkness into the light of Christ. I know the forgiveness of my sins and the washing of my heart from its effects. Yet, I can’t seem to gather the courage to really express my devotion to the one true God. I see other people of different faiths fall on their face with passion expressed for their God. I believe I am serving the one true God worthy of all my worship. And I fail to live up to the standards of the living God. I am sure He is not excited to see me worship Him. Revelation chapter 3 tells about the lukewarm church. God spits (translated as vomit) out the ones who come to Him lukewarm. This should be enough to change my way of worship and praise.

Let my heart truly be turned to worship and praise to the One worthy. There is no one else or nothing else that deserves worship other than the Living God. Everything I do should be a reflection of my true heart turned to God in love and passion to serve only Him. Let it be as He says! Amen!

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:13-14

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
12 Dec 2012

Priceless

Did you ever like the commercial from Master Card advertising the uses of the card as priceless? Some of the commercials really did seem priceless in their comparisons. When we consider the temporal and the eternal – nothing can compare to what God sees in us. I was listening to a sermon recently on the fact of being priceless in the eyes of Jesus and God. The sermon topic was on Jesus turning ordinary water into wine (found in John 2). It took a supernatural event by Jesus to turn water to wine.

Wine is as valuable as one is willing to pay for it. Jesus paid a price for us and has made us priceless in His sight. He took an ordinary event of death on a cross but made it a supernatural event when He rose from the dead. He chose to get up on the cross because He saw us as valuable. There is nothing good about us – we are the water. But Jesus turned us into a new creation through His death. He turned the water into the best wine available. He made us into new creatures better than the original. But we fail many times to see our lives as being valuable or priceless. God sent His Son to pay the price for us. It took me a few minutes to get this point. I am not worthless or insignificant. God sees me as valuable enough to send His one and only Son to die for me and for you.

He also made an abundance of wine. It was not just a glass full or a bottle or two. He took six large containers holding from twenty to thirty gallons a piece and filled them full of the really good stuff. He could have just taken one jar and filled it up. But God wants to bless us in abundance. He is a good Father who wants nothing more than to radically bless us with the good stuff. Jesus gave them more than what they could ask for or imagine. Jesus wants more of our lives than what we could ask for or imagine. He is ready to fill us up with the good stuff. The servants were told to do what He says to do. They were consistently obedient. Each time Jesus said to do this, they did it. God doesn’t want to take something from us, but He wants to give to us. We are asked to surrender because He has something better in mind. If we don’t surrender, then we will have no room left to accept the abundance that God wants to give. The abundance is ready if I am willing to be obedient to what Jesus says. The Master card has been used abundantly, but the bill has already been paid. Now, that is PRICELESS!

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV)

Posted in Faith and tagged , ,
05 Dec 2012

But God

Recently, I heard a sermon on hell. I haven’t heard a sermon on hell in forever. It wasn’t a “fire and brimstone” sermon as in the days of old. It was just a matter of fact spoken from God’s Word. It was the reality of eternal damnation. The feeling of the eternal ramifications of those who reject God is sorrow and pain in my heart. But also the gratefulness in my heart that is by God’s grace and mercy that I am His child through the blood of Jesus. I took the path of destruction so many years ago, but God turned my heart toward Him. But God – powerful words. God took my hand and led me back to the path of light. He turned me around and wouldn’t let me go any further down that dark wide road. It was my choice. I chose to change and receive His true gift of salvation through Jesus.

I know of others walking on that dark wide road. I don’t know if they will have a “but God” moment when God will turn them around. I know of many who think there is no hell. They don’t consider themselves to be lost and without hope. Even the demons believe in hell. In scripture, they begged Jesus not to cast them into hell, but send them into the pigs instead (see Luke 8:32). I have known a few who have already died and gone to the place where they now know exists. It’s too late for them. They cannot be saved. I am sure there are others who are ready to hear about God and the saving grace of Jesus’ blood.

Am I ready to tell them my testimony of how God changed my heart? When will I have that burden for my neighbors who may not know? When will I have the conversation with my family members who are not assured of salvation? Many are on the road to destruction and only a few will travel the narrow path. My heart longs to tell, but my mouth stays silent. I cannot let it any longer. Time is too short. Tomorrow is not a guarantee. I have today to open my heart and my mouth to those around me. But God will be with me. But God will never leave me nor forsake me. That’s the testimony of one who believes with all my heart that God lives in me and will speak the truth through me. God’s grace is sufficient to meet all my needs even when I open my mouth to tell my story.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Posted in Faith and tagged , , , ,
28 Nov 2012

Never Married, Never Alone

The blog title sounds like a book title to me. Maybe it will come together for one. I am an expert in it. I have never liked the title of being “never married.” It’s a classification of the singles groups. I think it is a very negative title – like we have fallen short of what we are called to be – married with children. I have never had the desire to be married or to have children. I don’t know why. I love married people; I love children (at least the well-behaved ones!). I believe there is a calling to being single, not everyone can do it. We start life as a single child. Most grow up to have the desire to be married. At some point in life we may end up single again. With singleness there are seasons of being lonely. I have had them. I experience those times less frequently now than I did in my younger years. I think it’s because my focus has changed within the last ten years. I have found when I focus on God, I have the feeling of never being alone. His presence is so real to me. When I am in those seasons of loneliness, I realize I am focused on my circumstance – I am looking down and not up.

There are brief times now when I experience “aloneness”. I have more of these times on holidays than anytime else. I can also experience them when I see families gathered together at church. Searching for a church is a really hard deal. People classify you right off when you come in by yourself. It used to be a rare occurrence when someone reaches out to the singles that walk through the doors. I find it is more acceptable now than ever before. The season of singleness is upon this nation. There is a vast host of us wandering around.

As I stated, I believe I am called to be single. I have no ties to bind me to a place. I am free to move about as the Spirit leads me. I have no obligations except to my own family at certain times. I have the opportunity to draw closer to God. I do not have a divided heart, time or priorities. Like Paul from Scripture, I can go without hindrances. I believe this season that I am currently in will be the greatest season of my life. I believe God will use me beyond my wildest imagination. It’s a long journey, and I am looking forward to the ride of my life! The best is yet to come!

Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me—a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others. I do, though, tell the unmarried and widows that singleness might well be the best thing for them, as it has been for me. But if they can’t manage their desires and emotions, they should by all means go ahead and get married. The difficulties of marriage are preferable by far to a sexually tortured life as a single. 1 Corinthians 7:7-9 (The Message)

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,

Post Navigation

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →