buildingbodies4christ

building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

17 Oct 2012

Ouch!

Don’t you just hate when your toes are stepped on? In my self-righteous moments, praying for divine wisdom, asking God to show me what area in my life is hindering my relationship with Him – thinking, all is well in my little world. Not! Not too long after praying about what is hindering me to greater understanding, I heard a sermon that knocks me down a peg, steps on my toes and leaves me feeling about two inches tall. The Holy Spirit is not condemning me – that’s not the case at all. He is pointing out exactly what I did that is causing this blockage. I heard the sermon, and knew exactly what I had done. There was one point but two branches that smacked me on the head.

The pastor’s main point was: greed will kill the work that God wants to do in and through you! This sermon was from Perry Noble (Senior Pastor NewSpring Church). The title was actually on generosity – and I thought, “I don’t really need to hear this; I’m a pretty generous person.” That should have been my first clue. I also heard a sermon recently on insecurity. I think both are pretty relevant for this particular point through the Holy Spirit’s nudging. I don’t trust God to provide for my needs. I am insecure about my financial picture. I have said I believe God can do more than I can imagine, but I guess I don’t believe that relates to my financial well-being.

But greed can be about forgiveness as well. If I don’t forgive as Jesus forgave me, then I am being greedy. Greed is selfishness and focuses on my needs instead of others needs or what God wants. God can deal with the situation. We have to leave it in His hands. I am asked to forgive just as God has forgiven me. Jesus asked forgiveness for those that were hanging Him on a cross. Why can’t I forgive the one that hurt me? It’s time to let it go. It’s time to seek forgiveness, and ask to be cleansed of these sins that have kept me from experiencing His presence. I am ready to experience His fullness. And it only comes when my heart has been made clean.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
10 Oct 2012

Jesus Wept

I hate to cry. It makes my eyes all puffy, my nose run forever, my sinuses get all messed up, etc. But there is a benefit to crying. They say that tears of grief are different from tears of joy. I know in my heart, it feels different. I was reminded on this particular morning how different my heart feels when I cry. I was experiencing a good morning of joy in my heart. I had a good devotional time rejoicing in my freedom from death due to my sin. I picked up one of the many books I am currently reading and read another chapter from the Magnificent Obsession by Anne Graham Lotz. The book follows the life of Abraham. This particular chapter was on Sarah’s death. Anne writes about the death of her beloved Mother. It brought the memories of my Mom’s death to the forefront of my mind. And I wept.

My Mom’s death was three years ago this month. I don’t have many spells of grief anymore, but on days like today, it comes back like a wave. Thankfully, the wave doesn’t last long not like when the grief was still fresh. My grief doesn’t come without hope. I have the hope that one day I will see her again. I mourn on this day because I miss my Mom’s presence. I miss her calls. I miss the opportunity to have a hug, a kiss or just sit with her talking about the ordinary stuff.

I take comfort that Jesus knows my grief. He knows my heart grieves for my loss of fellowship with my beloved Mom. He felt the loss of Lazarus through Martha and Mary. He felt their pain, and wept with them. I believe my tears were felt as well. Jesus knows that the tears that came after the tears of joy were different. He saw my heart went from joy to sorrow. But my heart didn’t stay in sorrow. I am more joyful now because I know one day I will see her again. She is with Jesus, and she will be meeting me one day in a joyful place. My heart rejoices in the promises of Jesus. I have included one of Mom’s favorite verses below. She knew the promise and wanted her family to remember it as well. I believe it!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
08 Oct 2012

What’s My Role?

I picked up a book several months ago by Suzanne Somers called “Knockout.” The more I read the angrier I get. It’s not the topic that has me angry but the deception behind the topic that has me angry. The book is about the cancer industry and the alternatives to the standard care protocol. The book is very informative.

October is the anniversary of my Mom’s death. She died from pancreatic cancer. She lasted eight weeks from diagnosis to death. One of the blessings of her diagnosis was the decision of chemotherapy was taken out of our hands. She was too far gone in order for it to do any good (in theory). Instead she was taken to surgery to find out how invasive the cancer was. She came back with tubes and bags hanging from strategic locations around her digestive tract. It was horrendous. I am assuming the bags did allow her a few more weeks of life together. In the end, she died from infection and starvation (my opinion). The cancer did not kill her but the treatment did.

So why am I angry? I am angry that the billions of dollars spent on research ends up in the hands of corporations, stockholders and lastly doctors. No one is going to prevent cancer; the industry is too big. No one is going to fight to change people’s thoughts about having a healthy lifestyle. It’s too difficult to change. Yet, when the diagnosis comes, and it will at some point, we are left feeling angry and sad that nothing has changed in the last thirty years to prevent this dreaded disease. And the thousands of dollars we have to spend to do treatment will bankrupt the family and cause everyone to suffer through the agony of this disease.

One of the things that I have been considering of late is what’s my role in this life? One of the things I have pondered is what makes me sad, glad or angry. I think I found my sore spot. But what would God have me do about it? Yes, I’m angry, so where do I begin to fight the fight? Where do I sign up to join the rank and file to teach others how to care for the body God gave them?

A tumor will start with just a few cells. By the time it is detected, the tumor has been alive and well for years. It takes education to help those that are in the early stages – whether they are aware of it or not – to make changes now to kill the cells or at least slow the growth. I don’t have the big name as Suzanne Somers or the credentials of a doctor to get the word out. But I do have a voice. I have the limited ability to write. Maybe this is my small part to change the world – one person at a time.

And the Lord answered me:“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:2-3 (ESV)

Posted in Health and tagged , ,
03 Oct 2012
2 Comments

It’s Official

I love watching people. When I go to the gym, while I am resting between sets, I watch the people around me. One day, I was stretching out in a room that was surrounded by mirrors. A guy came walking in. I didn’t notice anything at first, but then I turned my attention to him. He was flexing his muscles. Looking in the front, the side and the back mirrors to see how he was looking (I’m assuming). He did this for a couple of minutes then walked out.

I also noticed there are quite a few people who are very angry. I came in the other day with a fellow who was a bit irate at the gym for charging his credit card after he quit coming. He was beyond livid. I noticed a guy not too long ago throwing a mini tantrum when the machine he wanted was already occupied. Were these really issues to do with the circumstances at the gym or was it about something else totally? As I was observing people’s behavior, I realized this is all pretty normal stuff for the average population.

I came in one Sunday after church. I hadn’t exercised all week due to lack of facilities on my vacation (and lack of desire!), and I wanted to get back into it. It was relatively early since my church has an early service. There were more people there than I would have thought, but less than the average number when I usually go. The crowd was definitely more men than women. Actually, I probably could have counted the women on one hand. As I was looking around, I realized we all worship something.

I also realized I am no longer normal. Its official, I’m weird. I don’t worship the same things others do, I worship only God. My heart experiences joy and hopefully my face (and body language) reflects it. My attitude has changed, and I don’t get upset like I used to. I am much more patient than I have ever been. I am not in a rush to get anywhere. I may still get discouraged and have a bad day with some loneliness or grief or something. But my life is no longer normal compared to the average population. I used to want to be like everyone else, but now I want to stand out and be different. It’s weird how things have changed. It’s official. I am different but in the “weird for Jesus” way. And I’m okay with that!

When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:6-7 (NLT)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Posted in Faith and tagged , , , ,
26 Sep 2012
2 Comments

Walking the Wire

A couple of months ago, I viewed a man on a wire walking across Niagara Falls from the US to Canada. It was exciting to see in person, I’m sure. The anticipation of it all. Can he do it? Will he fall? As I contemplated, I am reminded he took a risk. Even though he knew he trained well for it; even though he had done many stunts before; he still had to get up on the wire (cable) and take that first step, then the next step until he reached his destination.

I know I am capable of taking risks. I used to climb trees in my younger years. I don’t remember my first time. I’m sure I was scared to do it if I had thought about falling. But I know I took the first step, then the next step was right there, so I took that one until I reached the top of the tree. I didn’t stop climbing that particular tree until a few years later. I don’t know if I outgrew climbing trees or the reality that I could fall and break a leg changing my climbing endeavors. A friend had fallen out of a tree and broke her leg so I knew then it was a possibility.

I love when scripture keeps popping up for me to contemplate. I was reminded recently that Peter took that first step out of the boat. Many others could have done it as well, but he was the only one that took the chance. I have taken a few risks over the years. I have left jobs to move to other cities or just recently left a well-paid job to follow where I believe God is leading. I am reminded it takes more than one step. It takes many steps to reach a destination. I have to remember I take the next right step. I follow the course before me, just as the fellow did on the wire. What was amazing to me during that walk, he kept praising God and thanking Jesus (and they televised it!). Maybe it’s not a risk after all. Maybe it’s just the life of a follower of Jesus, take a step and praise God for it. Having the hope and assurance that no matter what, Jesus is walking with me. Let me be bold like Peter, have the faith of Abraham and the walk of Jesus.

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:28-29

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
19 Sep 2012

Greater Things

I have heard two messages in the last week that tie in with this season of my life. God has placed a new theme over the last few years called “greater things.” He is calling me to greater things. The sermon I heard first was from Steven Furtick at Elevation Church. The scripture was 1 Kings 19:19-21. In this scripture we see Elijah placing his cloak on Elisha – Elijah is passing the mantle. Elisha took up the cloak and followed Elijah. Elisha went on to do greater things than Elijah. But Elisha first had to burn his plow. He had to get rid of the thing that would tempt him to go back. He was called to a higher purpose than plowing fields. Everything changes when the mantel is passed to us.

Then the next message was from Beth Moore from her simulcast on Saturday (September 15). Her message began with “the Lord speaks; many, many women spread the good news!” Psalm 68:11 (NET) The story continues with Elisha and two women (found in 2 Kings 4:1-33). One woman had almost nothing, and the other had almost everything. Both needed a miracle. The one with nothing knew she needed a miracle. The other thought she had everything and didn’t need a miracle. Girl A had nothing but a little oil. All she needed was more jars. With more jars, she received a blessing of a personal testimony for God’s unending supply to fulfill needs. Girl Z had about everything but lacked a son. She didn’t want to be disappointed again and decided “doing fine” was good enough. We are not called to a “fine” life but a faith life. If we have everything we need, then we are not living a big enough life. We have taken faith out of faithfulness. We have given ourselves over to fear instead of faith. (From my notes from Beth)

The mantle has been passed. There’s nothing to go back to. God has called each of us to tell, and it’s my turn to tell my story. Time is getting short. This is the season for being prepared to offer people the hope of which God gives in abundance. God has an unending supply of everything needed for an abundant life. The only thing that will keep the oil (the Spirit of Truth) from flowing is a closed jar (mouth).

Let this jar of clay shine the brightest light through all the cracks so that others may be drawn to the Light.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

Posted in Faith and tagged , , , ,
12 Sep 2012
1 Comment

Opinionated

My sister called me opinionated. Is that a good thing or bad thing? I was commenting on her reading material during our beach trip. I offer my opinions on healthy lifestyle adjustments too. Yes, maybe I am opinionated and offer them way too much. When people are not ready to hear the truth, then they might take offense to what I am saying. I have come a long way from where I started. Truth be told, a few years ago, my reading material was not the best either. I was filling my mind with junk. I was filling my body with junk too.

God filled me with the Holy Spirit many years ago. But I became more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting a few years ago after I started to pray for a hunger and thirst to know God more. I realized I could not keep doing the things that I used to do and develop a closer walk with God. When I started to pray that specific prayer, I became more aware of the things I was doing that was not honoring Him. I began to realize the junk that I was subjecting my mind and my body to. I was not only harming my physical body with junk food but also my spiritual body with mindless trash. I could not keep doing these things and walk with God at the same time.

If Jesus came back when I was reading the junk or watching the junk at the movies, would I have been embarrassed for Him to catch me? I began to realize I couldn’t continue to do it and feel God being pleased with my choices. I dumped the trash out of my life. I must admit, I still watch some things on TV that I should probably not watch as well. Every day is about choices. I need to remember the choices I make will either please God or not. But I also need to remember that not everybody is where I am, and I need to keep my opinions to myself.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
05 Sep 2012

Nobody Touched Him

I was listening to one of my favorite preachers one Sunday morning speak on one of my favorite miracle stories from scripture. The passage was concerning the bleeding woman found in Mark 5:25. I identify with this woman. I had a problem similar to hers – mine didn’t last 12 years though, and I can’t imagine what I would have done if it had!

The preacher was talking about the facts surrounding this woman. She was an outcast in her community. She wouldn’t have been able to touch anyone because of her condition. She would not have been able to be in crowds such as this. She would not have been able to cook, clean, touch a thing because it too would have been unclean. The fact that she came on this day to see Jesus when the crowds had gathered around him was a big step of faith. She could have been stoned on the spot. But she came anyway – death would probably have been a welcome relief to her after what she had gone through for 12 years!

Hearing the story this time, I heard something different. Jesus had a large crowd around him. And if someone touched him in faith, they would have been healed. But she was the only one healed that day. I’m sure people had bumped into him. It was crowded. I’m sure there were many there that day that needed to be healed from something. But nobody was healed. Nobody touched him with faith as she did. She reached out with a determination to just reach him, knowing He could heal her. She had heard about Him. She thought to herself, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” And she was.

I have heard about Jesus all my life. I have heard the stories of how He heals. Have I thought to myself, if I could just reach Him, I know He will heal me? I might have bumped up against Him many times in my life, but have I actually had His power touch me? We all need to be healed from something. We all have sin that has left us broken and hurt. In faith, reach out and touch Him. His power heals.

When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. Mark 5:27-29

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
29 Aug 2012

Drifting Through

I had a bit of a wake-up call the afternoon I wrote this post. I was reading a book I received for my birthday. It’s called “Outwitting the Devil” by Napoleon Hill (Sterling Publishing Co, 2011). The book is has an odd feel to it. It was actually written in 1938, but was not published until last year. It features an interview with Satan. In it, the writer asks a series of questions concerning the devil’s schemes in how he controls the world. The devil says it is through the mind. It is easy to control a mind when there is no purpose or people who do not think for themselves. Whether you believe there’s a devil or not, this book is right on target with many of its theories and observances. However, as I said, this was written over 70 years ago.

My wake-up call was the definition of a drifter. A drifter is easily conquered; someone who has little to no imagination, a person who lacks enthusiasm or initiative, or someone who starts many projects but finishes none (pg 91-92). There was a formula for drifting as well: laziness + indifference = procrastination = drifting (pg 86). This was me several years ago. Do I see myself in this way now? No, but I could easily fall back into old practices. The writer uses the word “habit.” Laziness is an old friend. Procrastination is easily available to me. I do not want to fall into the habit of drifting through life again. I don’t want to walk on a whim. There is a reason for my presence in this world. I don’t want to miss the opportunities put before me. “The non-drifter has a mind of their own and uses it for all purposes.” (pg 94) Reality check: am I drifting or am I considering plans for the future? It’s not the time to drift but to live with purpose.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
27 Aug 2012

Rest and Weariness

I have a study book I am using from Anne Graham Lotz. During this week in August, the study is focused on resting. God set aside a time to rest. He gave us the example when creation was formed. It was what He did on the seventh day. The day was to be set aside, and He called it Holy. I wrote one of the early newsletters on this topic. I also included a chapter in my book “Living Victoriously in Health and Wholeness” for the benefits of rest. Rest is beneficial to the body, to the mind and to the spirit. God knows best. He had the best in mind for us when He declared the day as Holy. Unfortunately, we have neglected this practice. Some have to work on Sunday, but it isn’t a “Sunday” Sabbath but a day of Sabbath. For the ones who work on Sunday, do they take another day and rest or continue on working?

The scriptures that Anne used to fortify the reason for rest, Exodus 23:12 spoke most clearly to me. It referred to not only the benefit of resting for the one taking the Sabbath, but also for those that help. The donkey and the ox rest, the servants rest if one takes a Sabbath. The reason this stood out is the idea of gathering in a restaurant for the Sunday dinner. When I was growing up, we ate at home after church. I can remember coming home and smelling the roast beef cooking in the oven. I would walk in the door and the smell made my mouth water. I couldn’t wait to sit down and eat the wonderful meal my Mom had prepared before she left for church. My Mom worked hard that morning to prepare the meal. My sisters and I worked hard after the meal to clean up. Then we all rested in some form or fashion.

Rest is a great way to combat weariness. God did not create us to be weary. He wants us to rest in Him, to bring our burdens to Him, and to live in abundance. I believe the abundance is not a material benefit but a spiritual benefit. I believe if we do as we are instructed and keep the commands that He put forth, we will have the abundance of energy needed to be the hands and feet that He created us to be. He is an amazing God. He loves us so much that He gave us a day of rest. Hallelujah – we are called to rest!

Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed. Exodus 23:12

Posted in Health and tagged , ,

Post Navigation

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →