buildingbodies4christ

building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

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

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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

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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)

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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

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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)

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21 Nov 2012

Pulling Weeds

I wrote a newsletter a few years ago about pulling weeds. I remembered the newsletter one morning when I was outside pulling weeds in my flower beds. I am reminded how diligent I have to be to keep the weeds at bay. But I also have to get down to the root in order to get it removed completely. When it was really hot this summer, I let things go. I didn’t want to be outside in the hot and humid weather pulling weeds. They completely took over my beds. Now, I have to take more time digging down deeper because they have been in there too long. It takes more effort to remove them. This thought leads me to consider the roots of sin in my life. There is sin in my life that relates to just a few small things that really aren’t a big deal when looking on the surface. But it’s the small sins that can get down deep and take more effort to remove them.

When I started writing my story this summer, I realized some of the small sins that really did get in deep soil. I thought I had done a good job in removing the sins in my life, but I didn’t get into the deep soil. I only got the weeds that were sticking out. I have been asking God to show me the places in my life where He wants to prune. Slowly, He has been revealing places in my life where the sin has dug down deep. There was a sin of unforgiveness that I didn’t recognize until He revealed it. There was the sin of pride that keeps sprouting up when I least expect it. Each time I see a sin, I am reminded I need to get down to the depth of the cause. Why is it an issue still? Why haven’t I removed it completely? It’s a lifelong pursuit of becoming like Christ. It is the process of sanctification – of becoming holy. God is still revealing. I am still pulling the weeds out knowing that as they are revealed, I repent and at once I am forgiven!

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23

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14 Nov 2012

Going Public

Several months ago I was questioning God. I asked Him – what’s hindering me from moving forward? What’s hindering my relationship with the Holy Spirit? Why am I not working in the power of the Holy Spirit? I started searching in my soul, in the Word, listening to different speakers and reading a few books. One thing kept coming up: baptism. I considered this answer. I had often thought when I saw others being baptized whether I need to be re-baptized. I had received the gift of salvation at the age of 11. I was baptized soon after. Even though I really didn’t understand any of the ramifications of what being “born again” really meant at the time, I believed I had covered all my bases. But as I was considering baptism this time, one of the speakers spoke about being baptized in the Holy Spirit. I started questioning that aspect since I knew I was not really working in the power of the Holy Spirit, maybe this is what the answer was. I thought about it, prayed about it, read about it and asked a couple of people about their thoughts on the matter. And then let it go.

A few weeks ago, I started questioning God on the matter again. I heard a few sermons soon after this on the Holy Spirit. Two pastors spoke on the subject in length. Both said “we have all we need already in us if we have the Holy Spirit, if we are born again.” I believe I am born again – my life is living proof of it. So if I have all I need already in me, what’s hindering me? God placed baptism in front of me again. Even though I did it when I was 11, I didn’t really start living my life as a born again follower of Christ until a few years ago. This is the time to fully acknowledge His work in me. This is the time to go public.

I started attending a new church a few weeks ago. They are having a baptism this evening. I will be in that group who are being baptized. It’s a simple obedience to what I believe I am to do next in order to move forward in complete surrender to His will. Whether I receive any deeper anointing or find a new power working through me is irrelevant. I am to follow where God leads me. I am excited to find out what’s next in my life. Each small step of obedience leads to another small step. As I take each one, a true walk of faith is occurring. My journey is not about a destination since I know the ultimate destination, but it’s about the process to getting there. Celebrate with me today for I am alive in Christ!

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4 (ESV)

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07 Nov 2012

Foundations and Buildings

I have recently heard two messages on both the foundations of God and Jesus building the church. I don’t believe in consequences. I believe God is giving us a word. Jesus said over two thousand years ago that He is building His church. He is still doing it today. The church has grown from 120 people when Jesus started to millions today. The foundation was laid through Jesus’ ministry. His words came from God. He spoke the truth of God. Then He laid down on a cross. He is building on the foundation that cannot be shaken. It is the Truth spoken by Jesus and through Jesus.

I listen to several sermons a week through different ministries. God is building a firm foundation in me. I am hearing the truth through scripture, the spoken word and the written word. God is building a church through each person that is willing to listen, learn and put the Word into practice. God is not a god of duplication but multiplication. His church is not dying but thriving. There are multiple churches out there in the world that are bringing the Truth to light and people are responding. God is at work.

I am in the process of becoming ready to join the movement in whatever role I am to play. God is preparing my heart. He is preparing my mind. He is preparing my body. He is at work. He is not preparing me for a ministry that is duplicated but is unique to what He is calling me to. Beth Moore recently spoke about rebuilding the temple in Ezra 3. She spoke about the same foundation was used to rebuild temple, the same materials, same architectural plans, but the temple came out different. God didn’t dwell the same in the second temple as He did the first. We are in the temple age where He now dwells in us. He doesn’t dwell the same with everyone. Whoever is ready, let him receive the Holy Spirit for the greater work God is doing. Join the movement – build the church. Others are waiting to be introduced to Jesus.

For those that have ears, let them hear.

Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 3:5,7

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31 Oct 2012

Mountain Tops

I don’t know about you, but I love the mountain tops. I don’t love climbing to get there, but the view from the top is worth the effort. I have been contemplating what God’s vision is for my life. The trouble is: right now, I am on the climb up the mountain. I don’t have the vision from the top yet. As I was considering my vision, I discovered I have had quite a bit of loss in my life. I didn’t recognize it as loss when I was in the midst – except for the loss of a friend in the early 90’s and the loss of my Mom back in 2009 (see “Letting Go” dated February 29, 2012 about the experiences). But when I see the major life events in my life, it was usually a result of loss.

I have had a moment to step to the side of the mountain – a scenic overpass if you will, and look out. This is what I have discerned. I am in the midst of a paradigm shift. I have looked at the loss of loved ones, circumstances or things and have wept for them. The thing about loss is this, there is pain in the midst of it. However, once you get to the other side, there is usually something better in store. I have had to let go of many things, but I have gained something so much better than I would have dreamed possible. I still don’t know what better advantage I have with the death of my Mom, but I know God is showing me a new perspective on that as well.

I had a major life event early in my life. I was devastated. It turned my whole world upside down. We moved from my hometown when I was thirteen years old. I left behind two married sisters and a nephew. What I see from this perspective is a new life that came from that loss. When I was in the middle of the transition, it was the most difficult thing I had faced at the time. If we had stayed in my hometown, I would never have experienced all the things that I experienced in my new city. I went to college in my new city. I joined the women’s basketball team at that college. We experienced winning a national title my senior year. If we had not moved when I was thirteen, I wouldn’t have gone to that particular college – my life would have been totally different. Yes, loss is difficult. If I can focus on the good that will come from it instead of what I am losing, my paradigm shift will give praise and glory to God.

The loss can give freedom to experience something new. It’s time to turn the losses in life to the winning moments instead!

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:21-22

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24 Oct 2012

Fence Posts

I don’t like this political season we’re in. I will be glad when it’s over in a couple of weeks. I also don’t like commenting on the political agendas of either side. However, there are issues that keep coming up that one day, I will have to get off the fence and stand my ground. God tells us in scripture that He doesn’t like us to be lukewarm. He would rather us be either hot or cold (Revelation 3:15-16). He tells the church at Laodicea, “I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Based on the Greek text, spit should be translated as vomit. Those are some pretty strong words.

I have been pretty lukewarm on several topics, understanding in a way of both sides of the issues. Does it make it right that I can sit on a fence post instead of agreeing with God? God has some pretty strong words when it comes to some of the political topics we’re fighting over. And the country is pretty divided right now on those topics. We are a divided nation. Race used to divide us and maybe in some cases still does. God doesn’t care about race, color of the skin, or anything on the outside. He looks at the heart. He also cares about sin. We don’t talk about sin anymore. We have justified our sins now. We’ve allowed many sins to infiltrate our morals without giving them a second thought. God’s book is pretty clear what happens to those who do not repent of their sins.

Jesus said in Mark 3:24 “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” Jesus also said in Luke 12:51 “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” It’s not about how we feel about the Bible. It is the truth of God, and it will stand on its own merit. It is meant to divide. It is the sword of truth. Since I am a follower of Christ, I am to believe what I read. I have to quit setting on the fence. At some point, I have to stand by God’s Word or I will have to deny I know Him.

It’s tough to stand up alone. Peter couldn’t do it. But God wants His people to remember who He is. The Sovereign King, the Holy One, the Lord God Almighty. It’s time to take a stand for what is right in His sight and not in man’s even if that means I lose family, friends or respect from the community. I cannot deny my Savior any longer. He has done too much for me. I am forgiven, and I live because of Him.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

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