buildingbodies4christ

building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

08 May 2013

May I Help?

One of my friends sent me one of those blast emails of the story of an encounter in a busy airport. Salesmen in the rush to catch a plane upset an apple cart. All of the men rushed to catch the plane, but one man turned back to help the young lady. It turns out the young lady was blind, and no one was helping her retrieve the apples. She was groping blindly looking for her apples and everybody was passing her by without helping. This email reached into my soul. I have seen this email in the past, but this time it opened my eyes. I had been passing others by as well. How many times have I passed others who needed help without stopping because I was too busy or maybe just didn’t see them because I wasn’t looking?

I remember having my own airport experience from several years ago, which has stayed with me. I was on a business trip with my boss and a colleague. We were leaving the airport on our way to a meeting. As we were heading to our rental car, we passed a lady who was obviously upset. I noticed her. My soul was stirred. But I kept on walking. What could I do after all? I was in a different city. I didn’t know this lady or what was making her so upset. I could justify my passing her by with all my excuses. However, this could have been a life changing moment. It could have taught me a powerful lesson or it could have been what she needed for a better day. I’ll never know how God was going to use that moment. And I let it pass me by.

For far too long, I have been avoiding encounters with those around me who are blind and need help. For those who are actually seeking sight, I could be the help they need to find what they have lost. Jesus spoke about the blind seeing, celebration happening when the lost are found, and loving others as one loves themselves. I hope I never pass by another person who needs the help without at least offering to help. I may be turned down, but it never hurts to offer. It may be inconvenient. I may have to sacrifice something. But what difference will it make? It could be the difference between life and death. It could be a life-changing, divine appointment encounter. I’ll never know if I don’t stop to ask.

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37

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01 May 2013

Expectation

Have you ever encountered God’s word with a “duh – I knew that” moment? I get that all the time. It happened again when I was reading the passage about the church praying while Peter was in jail. The angel of the Lord appeared in the cell with Peter. Peter was sound asleep, even though he was probably slated for execution in the next day or two. Ah, to have that kind of peace! Meanwhile, the church is in a house praying – not sure what they were praying but they were praying nonetheless. Were they praying for Peter’s release? Were they praying for protection for him? Just what were they praying? Scripture is silent about the prayer. After the angel supernaturally freed Peter, Peter shows up on the doorstep of the house where the church was praying. The one who went to the door was overjoyed to hear Peter’s voice on the other side of the closed-door. She was so excited she forgot to open the door for him. Was she seeing the answered prayer right in front of her?

How many times have I prayed specifically for things to occur, and I totally miss the answer? Or how many times have a prayed not really expecting God to answer my prayers? Why then do I even pray? If I am not expecting God to answer, why even go through the motions? Do I believe God hears me? Do I have such small faith that I just don’t think He’ll come through for me? These are the questions I have been pondering since I’ve read about Peter’s release (found in Acts 12:1-18). I was reading this passage the day after I heard a sermon on Expectations. Jesus couldn’t do any miracles in His hometown of Nazareth because of their lack of faith. I realized I have been praying for specific things with little faith. I don’t really expect Jesus to come through for me. I don’t know why. He has been faithful in the past, but I am not expecting much in the future.

Oh, I believe Jesus can do all things. I believe nothing is impossible for God. But obviously I don’t think the prayers I have been praying will amount to anything. I am not anticipating the great things God is capable of or else I would be excited about the future. I would be watching with anticipation, like a child anticipating Christmas. The countdown is on for the fulfillment of the promise; just like the month before Christmas and the child is counting the days. I guess it’s because the future is “out there” with no end in sight. The faith comes in when there is no sight of the end. How long will I have to wait until the promise?

Regardless, my prayers need the expectant attitude. The anticipation of what is to come. God is good all the time. He knows where we are and what we are waiting on. He is also looking in our hearts to see the smallest of seeds of hope and faith. Are they growing or are thy withering? How long will they grow or how long will it take for them to start to die? For those who endure, the promises of blessings will come. If there are no blessings, then it’s not the end. Pray unceasing and with expectation until the blessing comes. God is faithful to fulfill all He has promised! Praise God now for what He is going to do!

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22-23

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24 Apr 2013

Proven!

Many years ago, I received the gift of salvation. I was around eleven years old. It was on Easter Sunday. I did not understand everything that occurred that Sunday morning. I didn’t understand the budding relationship that happened. I know Jesus came into my heart. I know I heard the Holy Spirit speak into my heart to “Go!” The trouble is I didn’t change anything. However, I do believe I was covered with the blood of the Lamb. I believe God protected me just as He protected His children in Egypt as the angel of Death moved throughout Egypt. I know there were many times I was not walking as I should. But I had a moment in 1993, where I turned around. I saw I had moved far away from God. I had wandered away. It was not something that I had done intentionally. I just didn’t make wise choices. I never understood I couldn’t change on my own. I had the power of the Living God in me, but I didn’t know what that truly meant.

Since 1993, I started changing. It was a slow progressive step toward Jesus. I began the walk home. Today, I am vastly different from who I was in 1993. I am actually even different from who I was in 2012. I have a progressive growth attitude. It is intentional. I am intentionally seeking. I do not rest in my relationship but seek to be more like Jesus. Oh, I am still far from where God wants me, but I am so much further than I was. It is a process of change that began on the day Jesus came into my heart. I didn’t do what I should have done then, but the fruit is evident today. Jesus says we will know each other by our fruit. It’s a wonderful gift Jesus has given us. I am truly grateful for the new life He has given me. I am no longer a slave to my old sin nature. It’s dead to me – Praise God! When I am faced with the old me, I can simply say “I’m dead to that!”

I know I don’t handle all situations perfectly. But I know today that what happened when I was 11 has been proven in my life. I am changed. And I am still changing. I’m not done yet. God is still at work! The places where I stumble are less frequently on my path. I recognize those old roots and try to avoid them as much as I am able. It’s not by my strength but the One who lives in me. I know I cannot live this life without the Holy Spirit’s power. And it’s because of Jesus that I can say – I am CHANGED!

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

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17 Apr 2013

Growing Up

I was in the gym one day contemplating my muscularity. I know, there’s really not much to contemplate there. After a few years of working out, I should have lots of definition in my body if I am doing it properly. I should see growth from one year to another. That thought led me to another thought about my spiritual growth. There should be a growth from one year to another spiritually. I was listening to a sermon at lunch time before I went to work out. There was a point in the message about personal ministry growth. Each of us should have an increase year over year of our personal walk with the Lord. But the pastor said in most cases, that is not what is occurring. We get to a plateau then actually start a decline for whatever reason.

I thought about this point as I was working out. I know for many years there was no growth at all in my spiritual walk. I was still such a spiritual baby. I didn’t read my Bible. I didn’t attend study groups. I often didn’t attend church – these were my college years and a few years beyond. Joyce Meyer made a comment in one of her lectures, if we birth babies and only feed them on Sundays for one hour, what were the chances the babies would grow or even live? Babies need to be fed constantly in order to grow (and live). I believe this is the case as well for spiritual growth. We need to be self-feeders. Just getting the one hour a week feeding will not sustain us. We need to learn on our own and not rely on others to feed us.

As muscles develop, they need to be put to a strength test in order to become stronger. As we age, it actually takes more effort to keep the muscularity that we have. So as I am becoming stronger, I need to build even more muscle in order to show growth. My responsibility as a follower of Christ is to become more like Him. If I am not putting in the effort to grow, then I will hit the plateau. I have to be intentional about my growth. Last year, I was intentional about learning about the Holy Spirit. This year, I am concentrating on love. I have been reading what Jesus says about love. I have been reading books on the subject. I have accepted the challenge of going on mission with my church. I am growing up, but I am still so far from where I need to be. God is not finished with me yet, since He hasn’t taken me home yet. So be patient with me, God is not finished His work yet. I am a work in progress!

Do you see a difference in your spiritual walk?

No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. Ephesians 4:14-16 (The Message)

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10 Apr 2013
1 Comment

Be Ready

I am getting married! Are you shocked? I was totally unprepared for that emotional elation, that after all this time I might actually want to get married! I read in Revelation 19 that Jesus is preparing His church (people not a building) for the wedding feast that will be happening in His kingdom. His church is His bride and even today, He is preparing us for that day. I have been on the reading adventure through Revelation since September through the Community Bible Study group. It’s been a wild ride through all the symbols and wraths of God, but in chapter 19 there is a continual celebration of all that is taking place. It’s a breath of fresh air.

In chapter 19, John sees the celebration of the wedding ceremony. As I was reading, I pictured the readiness of a bride-to-be and all the preparations that take place before her big day. As the bride-to-be begins the process of dressing for the event – her big day, she wears the dress of white (typically). In Revelation, we see the attire being fine linen, bright and clean (verse 8). John was instructed to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” As I was reading this particular section, the commentary suggested looking at Matthew 22.

Jesus tells a story in Matthew 22 about a wedding banquet. Several groups were invited to come, but they all had excuses why they couldn’t make it. Eventually strangers were asked to attend, and they came wearing their wedding clothes, except for one fellow. He was put out because he didn’t have the right clothes. Every other time I had read this passage from Matthew 22, I thought that was a bit harsh to throw him out just because of the clothes. However, I am reminded that when Jesus told stories it was for a spiritual purpose. Since reading Revelation 19, I see the clothes now as the righteousness of those who attend His wedding feast. Not everyone will be allowed in and those who are not clothed in righteousness will be thrown out. Wow – what a powerful word.

I get it. I understand I need to be in preparation for that big day. But also, the church needs to be ready as well. I believe time is growing short, and there’s much to do to be ready for that big day. I want to be a part of the ceremony, don’t you? There is nothing in this world worth losing that wedding invitation. Revelation 19 begins with “Hallelujah!” which means Praise to God! Yes, I am excited to be wed to Jesus. It’s going to be a glorious day! Amen!

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Revelation 19:6b-8

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03 Apr 2013

Love Letter

My dear Child,

I want you to know I am with you. I have never left your side. I feel your heart beating next to mine. I know you probably don’t feel me next to you, but I am here. I wanted you to know, I have not left you to walk alone. I want you to feel my presence. I want you to know how much I love you. I want you to grasp how wide and long and high and deep my love is for you. I want you to understand there is nothing you could do that I would take my love from you. There is nothing you could do that would cause me to love you more. My love surpasses your understanding. Know this, I came for you. I came to bring you healing and hope. I came to show you the love that only comes from my Father. I did not come to condemn you. I came to love you so much so that I died for you. I stretched out my arms for you and said “I love you this much.” I lived and died so that you could live with me for eternity. Do you believe me when I say I came for you? I love you with all my heart, and I want you to love me as well.

I know there are some things keeping you from giving me your heart completely. That’s okay, I’ll take whatever you want to give me today, just let me in. I have waited for you. I know there are obstacles in front of you, and I am prepared to go with you through them. Let me walk with you. I see you where you are right now. All I ask is for you to reach out for me. Let me help you. Let me heal you. If you really don’t know me well, I have a whole book about my life. My Father had His servants write about me before I was born to tell of my coming. He had others write about my life here on earth. The whole Book is written so that you will know me and love me as I have first loved you. My servant John was allowed to see things that have yet to come. I have made a place for you, and I am coming back for you.

I long for you to open the words and let me speak into your heart. There are so many things I have to tell you, but you have to be ready to hear. Are you ready to listen? Be still with me for just a little while, and I promise you, I will be made known to you. It’s never too late to start a relationship with me. I promise when you look for me, I will be found. I am here and I am ready. My peace I give to you this day if you will just ask. I am knocking on your heart, please let me in.

Your friend,

Jesus

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

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27 Mar 2013

Pleasing God

A couple of weeks ago, I heard a sermon on longing for approval by Craig Groeshel. I didn’t think I had any issues in this area, but the more I thought about it the more I realized I was a people pleaser. I wanted my parent’s approval when I was growing up. I wanted my friends to like me and to fit into their circle. But what about now? Do I still want to please others? Yes, I care what others think of me. I even care if people read my posts or my newsletters. I want people to like me. Is this so wrong? Yes, it is.

The Pastor pointed out from Scripture (Proverbs 29:25), it’s a snare that actually leads people into idolatry. If we care more for others opinion than we do for God’s, then we are actually putting people ahead of God, which is idolatry. Oh boy. I wasn’t expecting that. People are fickle. Why would I try to please fickle people? Why would I seek another person’s favor when God’s favor is the best? It’s more important what God thinks about me than what other people think about me. If I am living like I should, which is pleasing to God then others will not like me.

Jesus is a divider. He didn’t come to make a peaceful world. He came to shake up the world. He brought peace, but most denied Him. They were not looking for peace. He separates love from hate. He separates light from dark. He took the old and made something new. He took the old covenant and made a new one. He took a promise from God and fulfilled it. If others did not like Jesus, then we will not be liked by others if we follow His teachings. His teachings were hard. Most of His followers left Him. Only a handful remained at the end of His life on earth. But who did remain, fulfilled their mission. They made Jesus known in their world. He was made known all the way to my heart.

I am left with the dilemma. Do I chose to follow Jesus or do I follow people? Who do I please? Who do I worship? Okay, it’s not much of a choice. I choose God. But if I choose God, then I need to carry the mission in my world. It’s going to be hard. That’s okay. Jesus died for me and that was hard on His part. Praise God – it’s all about Him! It’s time to be bold in the name of Jesus and quit playing it safe. I can’t please everybody, but I can please God!

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

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20 Mar 2013

Between the Rains

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about waiting patiently. It was a profound moment when God answered my ranting. Sitting still is hard. I have been studying the book of James for the last eight weeks with Beth Moore’s study called “James Mercy Triumphs.” Beth has been instrumental in my last few years of growth. She has the right teaching leadership that I can relate to. Her heart is so tuned to Jesus that it resonates with me. I want that kind of relationship with Jesus too. I know I can’t compare myself to her. I have my own relationship, but I want it to grow deeper still (yes, that’s a play on words – she has a teaching conference called Deeper Still)!

As I am writing this, I have just sat through one of the sessions in the James study. She spoke into the camera for a Holy Spirit moment that struck a chord so deep in me, I had to stop and praise God for it. She titled the session “Between the Rains.” She spoke about the times when we experience the dry seasons when God is silent. These are the times when we have to walk by faith and not by sight. I am in that season right now. I am looking for answers but none are found right now. She reminded the listeners that crops cannot grow at flood stage. The waters have to recede in order for the ground to be ripe for growing. It’s in the dry seasons of our lives when real growth happens. It’s all great when God is speaking and faith becomes sight. The mountain top experiences are wonderful, but that’s not where we live out our lives. We walk in the valleys.

When the season is dry and lonely, prayer becomes a necessity. We never walk through the valleys alone. It’s good to have reminders that God never leaves us or forsakes us. This is the promise I have been given many years ago. I have held on to it. Even when I don’t feel His presence, I hold to the promise – He’s here with me. Beth’s teaching on this particular morning, was spot on with what I needed to hear. The underlying message was on patience. God is all about the process to get us to the promise. We have to be faithful and remember He is faithful and trustworthy. He is a good God. He has the best in mind for us. Even when we pray for our hearts desire, we have to remember He will only give us our answer when it is in alignment with His will. Our process is about getting in alignment. This is the purpose of patience. He is doing a great work, and masterpieces always take time. Praise God for the process!

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:7, 10-11

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13 Mar 2013

He Missed It

I have just finished studying the Book of James through Beth Moore’s James Mercy Triumphs. I just love her teachings. One thing she pointed out and has stuck with me; James lived with Jesus. I know that’s understood, but really – HE LIVED WITH JESUS! He didn’t understand who his half brother was. He missed the Glory of God living with him – the “Shekinah” Glory – the abiding presence. Those of us who follow Christ, we too have the Glory of God abiding in us through the Holy Spirit. What a gift we have! But James insists we not miss this fellowship we have with the Holy Spirit. Beth commented in the study of James, there is nothing worth the risk of losing fellowship with the Shekinah Glory. She was commenting on the section of Scripture on how anger can lead us to break fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Any sin which is not confessed can break the fellowship.

I have also just finished reading a small book from Brother Lawrence called “The Practice of the Presence of God.” He was a French monk who lived in the 17th Century. He practiced his focus on God every day no matter what tasks he was involved in. It must have been easy in a monastery living in that century. I mean, he didn’t have the technology that could have distracted him. He didn’t have the fast paced life that we live today. He didn’t have the temptations we experience every day. Yet, I’m sure for his life, he had all the distractions he needed – since Satan was just as hard at work then as he is now.

I want to be able to practice the presence too. I want to experience all I can experience in this earthly existence. We will have an even greater life in the future fellowship after this existence. But I want to know what is to come, don’t you? I want to experience all that I am able in this time, in this place; to practice the presence of God. We will get the full effect in heaven, but we can experience heaven on earth by practicing now – practice makes perfect, right? To live fully aware of our great God; to live with His power working through us; the power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us! How great is God! How awesome is His Name, the great I AM! How awesome that He decided to send the Holy Spirit to us when we first believed so that we could have fellowship with Him now!

This just overwhelms me to know how awesome He truly is. That He consider our sinful nature and knew we couldn’t live the Christian life without a helper. He thought of it all. There is no detail that He hadn’t considered and had an answer for before the earth was formed with His spoken Word. Yes, I stand (or sit) in awe while I am writing these words. I am just overwhelmed to know the presence of God is available to me. I don’t want to miss it!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)

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06 Mar 2013

Waiting Patiently

One morning I was feeling a bit impatient. I was struggling in my waiting time. I asked God in my quiet time, “Why am I waiting?” “What am I waiting on?” I have been waiting for two years to find my purpose. Well, longer than that. I have been waiting for the last two years for the next step. I left my job two years ago in February. I thought the plan was set, and I was moving out in faith. But it didn’t go as planned. The leads fizzled out. The income stream dried up. I was questioning did I hear correctly? In the meantime, my body has done some great healing. My spirit has grown significantly. I am listening more intently than ever before. I have enjoyed the opportunity to write. I had made a comment to my Aunt one night as we were having dinner long before I quit my job. I said, “I just want to quit and write.” Well, that’s what I have been doing. The lesson – be careful what you say (or pray for)!

This year, I decided to get out an old classic to read during my quiet time. I had been given “Streams in the Desert” by my Mom for Christmas in 1981. I probably hadn’t read a word of it in at least twenty years or more. This year, I felt pulled toward it. I opened up the cover on January 1st and saw my Mom’s handwriting. She wrote “Denise, I hope this devotional book will mean as much to you through the years, as it has to me.”  How special is that? Well, this is the year that it comes to fruition. This is the year when God has placed the need to read it before me.

So how did God answer my quiet time rant on my impatience? “I do not believe that we have begun to understand the marvelous power there is in stillness. We are in such a hurry – we must be doing – so that we are in danger of not giving God a chance to work. You may depend upon it, God never says to us “Stand still,” or “Sit still,” or “Be still,” unless He is going to do something.” (February 5th devotional) Can this actually be the answer to my impatience? Reading further, “Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! Nor deem these days – these waiting days – as ill! The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way, hath not forgotten thy great need today! And, if He waits, ‘tis sure He waits to prove to thee, His tender child, His heart’s deep love.” Okay, I will wait patiently, and let God do the work in me that needs to be done. God’s got this under control.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14

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