~ Hard to find Prosch music on youtube.. not sure why.. but I sure do love his spirit.. he just speaks my heart so articulately.. strictly speaking in terms of his conversations with God and about his conversations with God.. (
~ never having parents and taught to fear God as a good Catholic girl.. God was my parents.. I was alone alot, and all my conversations were with him.. always in fear and respect..., knowing all things were by his hand and according to his will..
Then when I heard the plan of salvation at the age of 19 for the first time.. I so completely fell in love with Jesus. He's the only one who was always there for me, even when I didn't even know he was there, didn't even know he existed. I knew Father God and he was everything to me.. but to know Jesus and to have him open up his arms and want to hold me close and laugh with me and welcome me to sit warmly with him and just talk about everything.. there is nothing more amazing .
~ I was spoiled terribly by my mom the first five years of my life, my dad was a soldier and overseas alot. After she died, I lived in the same houses as my father but saw little of him. At 16, I moved around to six different high schools and lived with family or friends or helped on a horse farm to earn my keep. It was an interesting way to grow up... but every night I would talk to God, and he would always listen. I had no doubt he was there or that he heard me, I didn't look for answers to my requests, I just knew that he was God and I could trust that what ever happened would be right. He was in control of all things.. it wasn't complicated or spiritual or some deep logic, it was simple truth. And before I even fully understood our relationship, he kept his promise anyway -- he never left me and always assured me he was listening. Is it any wonder why I love him so much
~ If you are feeling challenged in ways that make you feel like you are drowning and failing and have no hope, you need to stop that thing in your life. That is not God.
If you are feeling challenged in ways that make you feel uncomfortable so that you take a breath, readjust, and move in a direction that brings encouragement to please God, you need to accept that challenge. That is definitely the leading of his Spirit.
Condemnation robs you of hope, makes you feel smothered, and is not of God.
Conviction will always show you the next step to move toward hope, encouragement, healing and all the good things that God has provided to move you to a win.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
(Rom 8 )
~ I felt like God would say to whoever is reading this today..
"Stop being so hard on yourself."
Whatever that pertains to between the two of you.. your work, how you see yourself, all that you want to do, the excellence you strive for but feel ur not reaching, your life as a parent, your life as someone's adult child... whatever it is that you have been turning over in your heart lately that is robbing you of peace.
Check your heart, you know you both see it, just do the best you can. That's all he is asking of you.
Just breathe.. and stop being so hard on yourself ,
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
a conspicuous object
~ Definition of STANDARD
1: a conspicuous object (as a banner) formerly carried at the top of a pole and used to mark a rallying point especially in battle or to serve as an emblem
2 a: a long narrow tapering flag that is personal to an individual or corporation and bears heraldic devices
b: the personal flag of the head of a state or of a member of a royal family
c: an organization flag carrie...d by a mounted or motorized military unit
d: banner 1
3: something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example : criterion
4: something set up and established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality
~ Lord woo this generation like never before, young and old. Draw them by your spirit, speak to their hearts, open the eyes of their spirits to see your great love for them. Work every good thing according to your mercy and your wisdom so that they are sick with love for you. Let them glimpse your beauty and your holiness so that they claim your banner as the standard in their hearts and lives. In the name of Jesus. Amen
~ "As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and HIS BANNER over me was love.
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love."
(song of Solomon 2)
~ Much seed has been planted in our children.. much seed has been planted in a generation.. despite the messiness and the onslaught of hell in recent times..
Call upon the Lord to bring the increase. Take our hands off of it Lord. Guide us to pour the water of your spirit in prayer and with groanings over every seed planted in their hearts and their spirits and their families.. Send the sun Lord, send the rain..
Bring the increase in this generation like nothing we have ever seen or heard of before. In the name of Jesus. Yes and Amen
~ God is raising up a standard... a word we can claim now..
"According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard aga...inst him.
And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.
As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever."
(Isaiah 59)
~ God is pouring out anointing and power.. I believe even more is coming. Evil will rage against it, but God is present and will shut his mouth. The ppl of God need to be in continual fervent prayer, in the word, and listening for God to speak direction in the big and in the small. Exciting times, but courage and diligence is a must.
------------------------
~ Oh my goodness.. just looked up the definition of PIETY.. unbelievable.. it speaks of a STANDARD and of DUTY.. two things the Lord has spoke about recently.. I love this
Definition of PIETY
1: the quality or state of being pious: as
a: fidelity to natural obligations (as to parents)
b: dutifulness in religion : devoutness
2: an act inspired by piety
3: a conventional belief or standard : orthodoxy
~ DUTY
1. a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility
2. done from a sense of moral obligation rather than for pleasure.
~ Duty is Obedience Owned.
~ Feelings are a precursor to Obedience.. once you sort out where your heart and your loyalties are in the matter, you choose courage, and you own obedience despite how pleasant or unpleasant it feels.
~ It's not that feelings are to be discarded as so many teach.. God made us emotional ppl and he is an emotional God.. emotions are a positive part of who we are and they matter.. the key is keeping them in check, making sure they are in line with the Word and Spirit of God. When we allow ourselves to put our emotions or anything else above what God is directing us to say or do, sin is at the door. ...It sooo annoys me to hear ppl rebuke ppl because they say they feel a certain way as tho feeling emotion is a sin. Like sex and food and everything that was created as good (but that is so readily corrupted by evil) our emotions are a force for good when we submit them to Christ. Sex is not evil, emotions are not evil, when they are kept in the guidelines that God has ordained.
-------------------
Courage is choosing to not be afraid.. when there is every reason to fear. Miracles are coming.. to those who choose courage as they trust in Christ and his Word.
The mantle of a generation is being passed.. God is raising up a standard and pouring a new anointing upon leadership, young and old, not sure what it will look like, but glimpses are beginning to make themselves known.. God is so present and active.
"And the Lord will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
(Deut 31)
1: a conspicuous object (as a banner) formerly carried at the top of a pole and used to mark a rallying point especially in battle or to serve as an emblem
2 a: a long narrow tapering flag that is personal to an individual or corporation and bears heraldic devices
b: the personal flag of the head of a state or of a member of a royal family
c: an organization flag carrie...d by a mounted or motorized military unit
d: banner 1
3: something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example : criterion
4: something set up and established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality
~ Lord woo this generation like never before, young and old. Draw them by your spirit, speak to their hearts, open the eyes of their spirits to see your great love for them. Work every good thing according to your mercy and your wisdom so that they are sick with love for you. Let them glimpse your beauty and your holiness so that they claim your banner as the standard in their hearts and lives. In the name of Jesus. Amen
~ "As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and HIS BANNER over me was love.
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love."
(song of Solomon 2)
~ Much seed has been planted in our children.. much seed has been planted in a generation.. despite the messiness and the onslaught of hell in recent times..
Call upon the Lord to bring the increase. Take our hands off of it Lord. Guide us to pour the water of your spirit in prayer and with groanings over every seed planted in their hearts and their spirits and their families.. Send the sun Lord, send the rain..
Bring the increase in this generation like nothing we have ever seen or heard of before. In the name of Jesus. Yes and Amen
~ God is raising up a standard... a word we can claim now..
"According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard aga...inst him.
And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.
As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever."
(Isaiah 59)
~ God is pouring out anointing and power.. I believe even more is coming. Evil will rage against it, but God is present and will shut his mouth. The ppl of God need to be in continual fervent prayer, in the word, and listening for God to speak direction in the big and in the small. Exciting times, but courage and diligence is a must.
------------------------
"The Ornament of a house is cleanliness.
The Honor of a house is hospitality.
The Blessing of a house is Piety.
The Happiness of a house is Contentedness."
(thanks for sharing this Dave)
Key words that God seems to be bringing back around to get us back on track on so many levels.. cleanliness, hospitality, piety, and contentedness. wow
The Honor of a house is hospitality.
The Blessing of a house is Piety.
The Happiness of a house is Contentedness."
(thanks for sharing this Dave)
Key words that God seems to be bringing back around to get us back on track on so many levels.. cleanliness, hospitality, piety, and contentedness. wow
~ Oh my goodness.. just looked up the definition of PIETY.. unbelievable.. it speaks of a STANDARD and of DUTY.. two things the Lord has spoke about recently.. I love this
Definition of PIETY
1: the quality or state of being pious: as
a: fidelity to natural obligations (as to parents)
b: dutifulness in religion : devoutness
2: an act inspired by piety
3: a conventional belief or standard : orthodoxy
~ DUTY
1. a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility
2. done from a sense of moral obligation rather than for pleasure.
~ Duty is Obedience Owned.
~ Feelings are a precursor to Obedience.. once you sort out where your heart and your loyalties are in the matter, you choose courage, and you own obedience despite how pleasant or unpleasant it feels.
~ It's not that feelings are to be discarded as so many teach.. God made us emotional ppl and he is an emotional God.. emotions are a positive part of who we are and they matter.. the key is keeping them in check, making sure they are in line with the Word and Spirit of God. When we allow ourselves to put our emotions or anything else above what God is directing us to say or do, sin is at the door. ...It sooo annoys me to hear ppl rebuke ppl because they say they feel a certain way as tho feeling emotion is a sin. Like sex and food and everything that was created as good (but that is so readily corrupted by evil) our emotions are a force for good when we submit them to Christ. Sex is not evil, emotions are not evil, when they are kept in the guidelines that God has ordained.
-------------------
Courage is choosing to not be afraid.. when there is every reason to fear. Miracles are coming.. to those who choose courage as they trust in Christ and his Word.
The mantle of a generation is being passed.. God is raising up a standard and pouring a new anointing upon leadership, young and old, not sure what it will look like, but glimpses are beginning to make themselves known.. God is so present and active.
"And the Lord will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
(Deut 31)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
nothing to offer
~ We, the Church as a whole, have abused the freedom given us to worship.. we have failed to see it as the privilege, the miracle, the most humble of things to have the veil ripped wide open by the blood of Christ for us to approach the presence of the God of the universe.. it's not a license to show off or flaunt ourselves in arrogance.. it is an audience with the King, the Savior, the Lord.. to thank him for his amazing ...grace, his love for us, his forgiveness and his desire for intimate relationship with us.. in our messiness and imperfections. We see it as the right to dance around and make a show of our rights.. when it is such a humbling thing.. the privilege to worship him, to approach his presence, to be met with such grace and affection by our heavenly Father.
~ We enter in with nothing to offer.. we enter in and he places gifts in our hands, in our hearts, in our mouths... we respond to his goodness with the skill and talents and beauty that he has woven into each of us as he fashioned us in his heart and mind. He thought us into existence and wired us for expression.. he is like the electricity that flows thru us and empowers us to shine. Who are we to ...enter in and think we can impress him or anyone else..
Shine.. take your gifts and talents to the fullest in expression.. but walk humbly before God, never forgetting that worship is a privilege.. entering into his presence to be ourselves, to be who he created us to be, to express the song in our hearts.. it cost him much to give us that freedom. It is a gift that God gives with all the excitement of a loving father wanting to bless his precious child.. a bridegroom that wants to know his bride in the most intimate of relationships.
~ In truth.. God knew what it would cost him from the beginning.. to make a creation with the freedom to choose to love him back... he knew he would have to die to have such a thing, such intimacy, such a relationship, to expand his family, to have children, to know his bride one to one, face to face, in a truly personl and real relationship.. he knew to give her freedom, he would have to leave his throne and die. He knew what it would cost him.. and yet.. look what he has done to give us that freedom.. how can we take such a thing so lightly, how can we not be absolutely undone by the love of such a great God for us, for the privilege to be loved and chased and fought for by him..
~ We enter in with nothing to offer.. we enter in and he places gifts in our hands, in our hearts, in our mouths... we respond to his goodness with the skill and talents and beauty that he has woven into each of us as he fashioned us in his heart and mind. He thought us into existence and wired us for expression.. he is like the electricity that flows thru us and empowers us to shine. Who are we to ...enter in and think we can impress him or anyone else..
Shine.. take your gifts and talents to the fullest in expression.. but walk humbly before God, never forgetting that worship is a privilege.. entering into his presence to be ourselves, to be who he created us to be, to express the song in our hearts.. it cost him much to give us that freedom. It is a gift that God gives with all the excitement of a loving father wanting to bless his precious child.. a bridegroom that wants to know his bride in the most intimate of relationships.
~ In truth.. God knew what it would cost him from the beginning.. to make a creation with the freedom to choose to love him back... he knew he would have to die to have such a thing, such intimacy, such a relationship, to expand his family, to have children, to know his bride one to one, face to face, in a truly personl and real relationship.. he knew to give her freedom, he would have to leave his throne and die. He knew what it would cost him.. and yet.. look what he has done to give us that freedom.. how can we take such a thing so lightly, how can we not be absolutely undone by the love of such a great God for us, for the privilege to be loved and chased and fought for by him..
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
the Demo
~ "There are two kingdoms at work in our world and both are actively engaged in capturing hearts and minds." Allistar Begg.
~ Sin or rebellion against what God says is good can feel very right and very good.. but it is still sin and rebellion against God... you have to want God.. and you have to choose to receive the blessings of working hard on the team and for t...he team.. rather than choosing to endure the negative consequences that come with living for self or according to a moral code that is in oppostion to the God of the universe. Live clean, live Good, by living Godly ♥
~ According to Jesus this is a sign that u are blessed-“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) from Pastor Lance.
~ wow, read this verse this morning and it hit me so powerfully..
"why are we blessed for having to obey the Word of God?"
Felt like God asked the question.. and then answered it so simply..
"Because it is evidence that you are my children.. because you are doing the work of your Father."
What a great thing! So much wisdom, truth, logic, goodness, simplicity.. love ♥
~ Children are a reflection of their parents.. just as the acorn becomes an oak and throws shade and beauty and blessing on those around it as a mirror image of it's heritage and genetic code.. so are we to be..
Jesus is family.. obeying the Father for our example.. as we obey the Father and all that he commands, we are stating to the world and ourselves that we are God's children, God's family, a mirror image of our brother and our Father and our God..
Despite everything, we declare that God is our Father when we obey his Word.
wow, what an incredible thing.
~ makes me think of the phrase, "Actions speak louder than words.. " We can boast all day that we are Christians, but we aren't really believable until we act like Followers of the example Christ set.
~ My earthly father was a terrible father by definition of what a father should be.. he did a lot of things wrong.. but at the same time he did a lot of things right. It’s just so easy for each of us to immediately grab our parents failures and shortcomings and hold them up as who they are.. and then we criticize them for doing the same to us. Selah.
But the thing is.. quite often, the positive th...ings that our parents instilled in us whether intentional or unintentional were planned by God. I will never be able to thank my dad enough for instilling the importance of truth and honesty in me. He continually stated how much he hated liars.. quite colorfully stated it with not just a few explicatives. He disciplined us quite brutally if we were caught in a lie.
He always told us that if we would tell him the truth, our punishment would be much less than if we were caught lying. And he was true to that.
Yes, earthly parents are not perfect.. sometimes they are far from perfect.. but God placed you under that authority because there is some thing, some key to their personality, that has worked something with great potential in your personality. So even if your mom or dad is a hard pill to swallow, even if they did a lot of things wrong.. shift your focus from the negative and begin to appreciate the positive things about yourself because you were their kid.
I don’t care what anyone says.. there is a love between parent and child, despite all sin, despite all anger and bitterness and regret and failure… your mom loves you in her own way.. your dad loves you in his own way.. and you love them. That’s just how it is with family. Even if it is never said or demonstrated, it’s there somewhere in our hearts. I pray God brings it out in ways that bring him glory and fill your life with incredible blessing. In the name of Jesus. Amen
~ I don't remember ever hearing my father say that he loved me as a kid.. I don't ever remember him hugging me.. but there was no doubt that he loved me. Again it comes back to the word Pastor Lance shared this morning and that actions speak louder than words... I could have a pity party and glorify everything negative.. that I never got the textbook affirmation of my father's love.. but the truth ...of the matter is that he demonstrated his love for me without intent.. which in truth, made it so sincerely authentic and precious to my heart as a kid, and all these years later..
One of the most vivid memories I have of my father was when I was home from school sick with the flu (which was often as a kid). I kept high temps and my mom had passed, so I was home alone sick alot. As a young soldier on a meager income raising four small children alone, he would come home at lunch to check on me. He would bring me coloring books and crayons every time.. and sometimes he would actually color with me. Or he would eat his lunch of bologna sandwiches beside my bed. But every time before he left, he would feel my forehead really intently.. and there was so much concern and hurt in his eyes as he worrried over me and my well being.. I hated to see him hurt like that, I wanted to tell him not to worry, but as a little kid I didn’t really know how to put it into words to assure him I was okay.
I will never forget that. My dad loved me greatly.
He was a good dad.
~ And for all you parents out there feeling that your failures have hindered your children in some way.. be at peace, in the name of Jesus. Of course, do what God puts in your heart to make it right.. but at the same time, know that love covers a multitude of sin. I have prayed devoutly since becoming a mom, that my failures and shortcomings would not hinder my children's walk with God. I don't know... how it will all play out, but I have given it to God and I trust him to fulfill every good thing in their lives that he planned the moment he thought them into existence. Ask God to do the same for you.. and then just be the best parent you can be as his Word and his Spirit guides you. Whether your children are small, or teens or adults.. there is a love between you that will always remain, and that will outshadow any negative thing that tries to oppress either of you. I pray God would fill you with peace and courage and strength as a parent. He is with you and your kids.
~ We can boast all day that we are Christians, but we aren't really believable until we act like Followers of the example Christ set.
~ I think one of my biggest fears is that I become so churched that I only think that I am a reflection of Jesus Christ.
~ Sin or rebellion against what God says is good can feel very right and very good.. but it is still sin and rebellion against God... you have to want God.. and you have to choose to receive the blessings of working hard on the team and for t...he team.. rather than choosing to endure the negative consequences that come with living for self or according to a moral code that is in oppostion to the God of the universe. Live clean, live Good, by living Godly ♥
~ According to Jesus this is a sign that u are blessed-“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) from Pastor Lance.
~ wow, read this verse this morning and it hit me so powerfully..
"why are we blessed for having to obey the Word of God?"
Felt like God asked the question.. and then answered it so simply..
"Because it is evidence that you are my children.. because you are doing the work of your Father."
What a great thing! So much wisdom, truth, logic, goodness, simplicity.. love ♥
~ Children are a reflection of their parents.. just as the acorn becomes an oak and throws shade and beauty and blessing on those around it as a mirror image of it's heritage and genetic code.. so are we to be..
Jesus is family.. obeying the Father for our example.. as we obey the Father and all that he commands, we are stating to the world and ourselves that we are God's children, God's family, a mirror image of our brother and our Father and our God..
Despite everything, we declare that God is our Father when we obey his Word.
wow, what an incredible thing.
~ makes me think of the phrase, "Actions speak louder than words.. " We can boast all day that we are Christians, but we aren't really believable until we act like Followers of the example Christ set.
~ My earthly father was a terrible father by definition of what a father should be.. he did a lot of things wrong.. but at the same time he did a lot of things right. It’s just so easy for each of us to immediately grab our parents failures and shortcomings and hold them up as who they are.. and then we criticize them for doing the same to us. Selah.
But the thing is.. quite often, the positive th...ings that our parents instilled in us whether intentional or unintentional were planned by God. I will never be able to thank my dad enough for instilling the importance of truth and honesty in me. He continually stated how much he hated liars.. quite colorfully stated it with not just a few explicatives. He disciplined us quite brutally if we were caught in a lie.
He always told us that if we would tell him the truth, our punishment would be much less than if we were caught lying. And he was true to that.
Yes, earthly parents are not perfect.. sometimes they are far from perfect.. but God placed you under that authority because there is some thing, some key to their personality, that has worked something with great potential in your personality. So even if your mom or dad is a hard pill to swallow, even if they did a lot of things wrong.. shift your focus from the negative and begin to appreciate the positive things about yourself because you were their kid.
I don’t care what anyone says.. there is a love between parent and child, despite all sin, despite all anger and bitterness and regret and failure… your mom loves you in her own way.. your dad loves you in his own way.. and you love them. That’s just how it is with family. Even if it is never said or demonstrated, it’s there somewhere in our hearts. I pray God brings it out in ways that bring him glory and fill your life with incredible blessing. In the name of Jesus. Amen
~ I don't remember ever hearing my father say that he loved me as a kid.. I don't ever remember him hugging me.. but there was no doubt that he loved me. Again it comes back to the word Pastor Lance shared this morning and that actions speak louder than words... I could have a pity party and glorify everything negative.. that I never got the textbook affirmation of my father's love.. but the truth ...of the matter is that he demonstrated his love for me without intent.. which in truth, made it so sincerely authentic and precious to my heart as a kid, and all these years later..
One of the most vivid memories I have of my father was when I was home from school sick with the flu (which was often as a kid). I kept high temps and my mom had passed, so I was home alone sick alot. As a young soldier on a meager income raising four small children alone, he would come home at lunch to check on me. He would bring me coloring books and crayons every time.. and sometimes he would actually color with me. Or he would eat his lunch of bologna sandwiches beside my bed. But every time before he left, he would feel my forehead really intently.. and there was so much concern and hurt in his eyes as he worrried over me and my well being.. I hated to see him hurt like that, I wanted to tell him not to worry, but as a little kid I didn’t really know how to put it into words to assure him I was okay.
I will never forget that. My dad loved me greatly.
He was a good dad.
~ And for all you parents out there feeling that your failures have hindered your children in some way.. be at peace, in the name of Jesus. Of course, do what God puts in your heart to make it right.. but at the same time, know that love covers a multitude of sin. I have prayed devoutly since becoming a mom, that my failures and shortcomings would not hinder my children's walk with God. I don't know... how it will all play out, but I have given it to God and I trust him to fulfill every good thing in their lives that he planned the moment he thought them into existence. Ask God to do the same for you.. and then just be the best parent you can be as his Word and his Spirit guides you. Whether your children are small, or teens or adults.. there is a love between you that will always remain, and that will outshadow any negative thing that tries to oppress either of you. I pray God would fill you with peace and courage and strength as a parent. He is with you and your kids.
~ We can boast all day that we are Christians, but we aren't really believable until we act like Followers of the example Christ set.
~ I think one of my biggest fears is that I become so churched that I only think that I am a reflection of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
real..
~ "Reminder of the day-Lordship is the attitude of absolute surrender and complete obedience to Jesus Christ." Pastor Lance
~ Good stuff.. so often living in a democratic society causes us to forget that we also live in a KINGDOM as followers of Christ. We serve a Lord, a good shepherd, the perfect King and ruler and Father and Brother and leader.. that's the dream.. we so seldom see it modeled in the world that it has become a fairytale in our hearts and minds.. but in all truth LORD JESUS is real, his KINGDOM is real... the fairytale is REAL ♥
~ Think of that perfect person.. who loves you.. who challenges you to be your best.. who sacrifices for your well being.. who gets in your face and tells you the truth no matter how much it hurts.. who forgives you.. who doesn't give up on you.. who sits silently beside you when there are no words to say in your grief.. who fights for you when anything or anyone comes at you.. who you know you can ...trust, never lies, always thinks positive and is filled with exciting and whirlwind adventures...
they don't exist you say?...
Think again. He is standing right next to you in this very moment inviting you into that kind of relationship, wanting to rule and reign in your life to fulfill all those things I just mentioned and so much more. He is real, and the only thing he asks from you is to welcome him, to enter into his protection and fellowship and love, to let him be your assurance and your trust and your guide.
Talk to him. It's just that easy ♥
~ Listened to some early worship music by Alvin Slaughter yesterday while on the road.. it occurred to me that they have such a choir sound to them.. but the words and general melodies are amazing.. thought how cool it would be if someone took those songs and revamped them into something contemporary but with the same beauty in lyric and rhythms..
then last night, I saw a spotlight on the news abo...ut a group of songwriters who are doing something very similar and taking it on tour. They are taking songs they have each written and revamping them from the versions made famous by the stars.. I just don't think such things are coincidence...
So if music or worship is your thing.. maybe consider taking some of your favorites or some that were not your favorites but that became popular for some reason.. and ask God to breathe a new life into them.. REDEMPTION is the word he is speaking on all levels recently.. I even bought a new prayer cloth to begin entering into intercession like I used to.. God led me to choose a light blue for the spirit of God with a beautiful silver woven intricately into it. He said the Spirit is coming to move in ways of redemption that will be overwhelming.. like a rain.. everything is about to get soaked.. everything we bring into the open into his presence.. he is about to redeem so much in our lives, in his church, that the enemy has corrupted.
He will make the old new again ♥
~ Good stuff.. so often living in a democratic society causes us to forget that we also live in a KINGDOM as followers of Christ. We serve a Lord, a good shepherd, the perfect King and ruler and Father and Brother and leader.. that's the dream.. we so seldom see it modeled in the world that it has become a fairytale in our hearts and minds.. but in all truth LORD JESUS is real, his KINGDOM is real... the fairytale is REAL ♥
~ Think of that perfect person.. who loves you.. who challenges you to be your best.. who sacrifices for your well being.. who gets in your face and tells you the truth no matter how much it hurts.. who forgives you.. who doesn't give up on you.. who sits silently beside you when there are no words to say in your grief.. who fights for you when anything or anyone comes at you.. who you know you can ...trust, never lies, always thinks positive and is filled with exciting and whirlwind adventures...
they don't exist you say?...
Think again. He is standing right next to you in this very moment inviting you into that kind of relationship, wanting to rule and reign in your life to fulfill all those things I just mentioned and so much more. He is real, and the only thing he asks from you is to welcome him, to enter into his protection and fellowship and love, to let him be your assurance and your trust and your guide.
Talk to him. It's just that easy ♥
~ Listened to some early worship music by Alvin Slaughter yesterday while on the road.. it occurred to me that they have such a choir sound to them.. but the words and general melodies are amazing.. thought how cool it would be if someone took those songs and revamped them into something contemporary but with the same beauty in lyric and rhythms..
then last night, I saw a spotlight on the news abo...ut a group of songwriters who are doing something very similar and taking it on tour. They are taking songs they have each written and revamping them from the versions made famous by the stars.. I just don't think such things are coincidence...
So if music or worship is your thing.. maybe consider taking some of your favorites or some that were not your favorites but that became popular for some reason.. and ask God to breathe a new life into them.. REDEMPTION is the word he is speaking on all levels recently.. I even bought a new prayer cloth to begin entering into intercession like I used to.. God led me to choose a light blue for the spirit of God with a beautiful silver woven intricately into it. He said the Spirit is coming to move in ways of redemption that will be overwhelming.. like a rain.. everything is about to get soaked.. everything we bring into the open into his presence.. he is about to redeem so much in our lives, in his church, that the enemy has corrupted.
He will make the old new again ♥
Monday, May 20, 2013
Dance.. open door for error
I believe the church should take a hard look at dance in the church... because I believe it has abused it's freedom in this area.
Just from examples and Scripture and from what I have witnessed, it would seem that there are only really a few avenues where dance is a positive, organized event in the church.. The first is in celebration like when Miriam led the women with tambourines and dance after a great victory was won for the nation of Israel.. or when David led a procession dancing and celebrating the return of the ark to Jerusalem. But both instances were rare and only during special times of celebration.
The second area would be when drama's are performed or special presentations of worship. But again, on rare occasions like Easter or other times of celebration. Dance has it's place in expression... but the door has been so flung open in this area that it is more often an avenue for lust and arrogance to enter. Not just for men, watching women in costume.. but for the women, parading around having the eye and attention of every man in the room.
Many will read this and immediately take offense. They will see it as jealousy or tie other motive to it. But this is just what I have witnessed among dance teams and dance conventions and worship teams and an epidemic of adultery among worshp team members. More often than not, women dancing in costumes during worship are more of a distraction than something that enhances and encourages worship.
Dance has it's place in the church, but there are limits in my opinion and from what I can gather from Scripture. There are really only three areas where dance would seem pure in motive, and all three are in rare cases:
1) Spontaneous dance, when a worshipper is overwhelmed by the Spirit of God and expresses worship thru dance in that moment.
2) Cultural dance, when a time of celebration deems the situation appropriate for the women among the congregation or men, to dance in praise and thanksgiving and joy.
3) Performance dance, when a special play or drama or presentation allows for it in telling a story or expressing a topic shared in the message.
There is an epidemic of lust in the church.. among those calling themselves Christians. Dance and Worship Team members are at the center of much of the adultery.. it would be wise for the church to take a step back and re-evaluate sheepskin from dance that is true worship.
just sayin.. we must all seek God in the matter for ourselves <3
Just from examples and Scripture and from what I have witnessed, it would seem that there are only really a few avenues where dance is a positive, organized event in the church.. The first is in celebration like when Miriam led the women with tambourines and dance after a great victory was won for the nation of Israel.. or when David led a procession dancing and celebrating the return of the ark to Jerusalem. But both instances were rare and only during special times of celebration.
The second area would be when drama's are performed or special presentations of worship. But again, on rare occasions like Easter or other times of celebration. Dance has it's place in expression... but the door has been so flung open in this area that it is more often an avenue for lust and arrogance to enter. Not just for men, watching women in costume.. but for the women, parading around having the eye and attention of every man in the room.
Many will read this and immediately take offense. They will see it as jealousy or tie other motive to it. But this is just what I have witnessed among dance teams and dance conventions and worship teams and an epidemic of adultery among worshp team members. More often than not, women dancing in costumes during worship are more of a distraction than something that enhances and encourages worship.
Dance has it's place in the church, but there are limits in my opinion and from what I can gather from Scripture. There are really only three areas where dance would seem pure in motive, and all three are in rare cases:
1) Spontaneous dance, when a worshipper is overwhelmed by the Spirit of God and expresses worship thru dance in that moment.
2) Cultural dance, when a time of celebration deems the situation appropriate for the women among the congregation or men, to dance in praise and thanksgiving and joy.
3) Performance dance, when a special play or drama or presentation allows for it in telling a story or expressing a topic shared in the message.
There is an epidemic of lust in the church.. among those calling themselves Christians. Dance and Worship Team members are at the center of much of the adultery.. it would be wise for the church to take a step back and re-evaluate sheepskin from dance that is true worship.
just sayin.. we must all seek God in the matter for ourselves <3
failing to be dignified
Make room at the altars.. make room in the church.. you thought mosh pits deserved floor space.. but it is worship pits that are needed.. places where ppl can hit their knees and their faces.. where boxes of tissue outnumber the offering envelopes.. where pews no longer keep ppl hemmed in and limited in their worship and their crying out to God... church was messy when it was birthed.. children were given room to get in the floor and spend intimate time with their father.. we need a return to some embarrassment.. some offense.. some failing to be dignified.. bring it Lord!
Christmas is Coming
~ "God is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to. Trust him."
~ "My memory is nearly gone. But I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great saviour." John Newton
~ This statement is so true for the church, for any nation, as well as any individual or entity: "If you allow ppl in your government to commit crimes in your name without questioning their actions, you are just as guilty as they are. "
~ Presence of God was so near during worship this Sunday. The worship leader and the announcer who spoke about just stopping for a moment and not rushing the work of the Spirit was so in line with what God was speaking to my heart. God asked many things and spoke many things.. and the ppl of God were hearing and obeying. It was something I have not seen in a very long time. And God has promised that... it will increase as our trust and obedience increases. Power is coming.. in the face of great trials and chaos in the world.. an equipping and preparation is being poured out as a pre-cursor. God is asking the ppl of God to examine themselves, and to come together in one mind and one accord, to be his hands and his feet.. to train HIS BODY and get in shape spiritually as ONE, as we live and move and have our being... in Christ.
~ I felt like he said that many are sick among you, because you are taking communion unworthily. Sickness and disease is about to increase in the world as a whole.. this error must be corrected in the church. Divisions of this group and that group being above others.. eating to fill themselves rather that as an act of remembrance. The ppl have not been taught to examine themselves as an act of perso...nal accountability. This was not intentional, merely oversight. But the drift has caused the ppl of God to not keep holy what God has said to keep holy.. and they have made good things into idols as tho they are holy things. Felt like he said.. " keep holy what my word says is to be holy, nothing more, nothing less."
~ But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
(I Corinthians 11)
~ I feel like the church swung too far to the laws in the past.. then over corrected and swung too far toward liberties in recent times.. so many reasons.. but bottom line, the result has opened our eyes to how far we have drifted from God as individuals and as the Church as a whole. Ppl have asked God to bring order back to his church, to lead us once again.. but now is a time of soul searching.. o...f going deep within ourselves with God.. and asking him to bring order to everything in the core of who we are.. one to one.. face to face.. he must deal with us as sheep first, and then we will move as a flock.. one with him.. and then with each other.. I encourage you to enter a time of personal prayer and worship and reading of the word like never before.. not just studying but changing things in your life. Make up your mind to do something different.. as God what to start with.. whether it seems foolish or wise, radical or simple, harsh or fun... go deep with God no matter what it costs you, no matter how weird it feels.. he will honor true sincerity.
~ As the presence of God manifests with greater anointing upon the ppl, the gifts of the Spirit will begin to manifest. He comes with gifts, and they about to manifest and with power as his ppl enter into worship. Leadership needs to be praying for direction of how to maintain order in the church as this begins to happen and yet how not to hinder the operation of the gifts.
When you hand a new bas...eball mitt to a kid.. he is gonna put it on and pound his fist in it a couple times.. toss the ball in the air and catch it lightly right there in the room where he just unwraped it... such is the manifestation of the gifts as God pours them out among the congregation during a worship or praise service. It's just the way it works. The operation is gonna begin to manifest and with power, messages in tongues, prophecy, healing, words, giving, all things that encourage and lift up the name of Christ. It is going to be Christmas in the church again.. for 12 days (12 weeks of Sundays)... not sure when it will begin.. but feel like it will be marked by a pentecost experience somehow.
But if the ppl lose focus and shift their passion to the gifts rather than the presence of God that has come to fellowship with us.. error will ensue without doubt. Christ must remain the focus, the manifestation of his presence in response to our hunger and desire for fellowship with him must always outshadow the sidenote of power and gifts. Someone quoted Smith Wigglesworth earlier... definite word for the church in this hour and for what is about to come...
"Men can become lopsided by emphasizing the truth of divine healing. Men can get into error by preaching water baptism all the time. But we never go wrong in exalting The Lord Jesus Christ"
~ Sometimes, it is wise to remain silent as Christ demonstrated... But sometimes, what you call refusing to stir up drama.. is actually refusing to be a person of courage and character.. aka: being a coward, not wanting to get your hands dirty, not willing to be a friend to ppl who can't return the favor, not wanting to get involved in anything that interferes with your selfishness...
Sometimes, it's not about drama.. it's a "passion play" ... as Christ demonstrated.
This statement is so true for the church, for any nation, as well as any individual or entity: "If you allow ppl in your government to commit crimes in your name without questioning their actions, you are just as guilty as they are. "
~ 'Verily verily..." if we are committing crimes in the name of Christ... he will take action to defend his name.
~ "My memory is nearly gone. But I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great saviour." John Newton
~ This statement is so true for the church, for any nation, as well as any individual or entity: "If you allow ppl in your government to commit crimes in your name without questioning their actions, you are just as guilty as they are. "
~ Presence of God was so near during worship this Sunday. The worship leader and the announcer who spoke about just stopping for a moment and not rushing the work of the Spirit was so in line with what God was speaking to my heart. God asked many things and spoke many things.. and the ppl of God were hearing and obeying. It was something I have not seen in a very long time. And God has promised that... it will increase as our trust and obedience increases. Power is coming.. in the face of great trials and chaos in the world.. an equipping and preparation is being poured out as a pre-cursor. God is asking the ppl of God to examine themselves, and to come together in one mind and one accord, to be his hands and his feet.. to train HIS BODY and get in shape spiritually as ONE, as we live and move and have our being... in Christ.
~ I felt like he said that many are sick among you, because you are taking communion unworthily. Sickness and disease is about to increase in the world as a whole.. this error must be corrected in the church. Divisions of this group and that group being above others.. eating to fill themselves rather that as an act of remembrance. The ppl have not been taught to examine themselves as an act of perso...nal accountability. This was not intentional, merely oversight. But the drift has caused the ppl of God to not keep holy what God has said to keep holy.. and they have made good things into idols as tho they are holy things. Felt like he said.. " keep holy what my word says is to be holy, nothing more, nothing less."
~ But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
(I Corinthians 11)
~ I feel like the church swung too far to the laws in the past.. then over corrected and swung too far toward liberties in recent times.. so many reasons.. but bottom line, the result has opened our eyes to how far we have drifted from God as individuals and as the Church as a whole. Ppl have asked God to bring order back to his church, to lead us once again.. but now is a time of soul searching.. o...f going deep within ourselves with God.. and asking him to bring order to everything in the core of who we are.. one to one.. face to face.. he must deal with us as sheep first, and then we will move as a flock.. one with him.. and then with each other.. I encourage you to enter a time of personal prayer and worship and reading of the word like never before.. not just studying but changing things in your life. Make up your mind to do something different.. as God what to start with.. whether it seems foolish or wise, radical or simple, harsh or fun... go deep with God no matter what it costs you, no matter how weird it feels.. he will honor true sincerity.
~ As the presence of God manifests with greater anointing upon the ppl, the gifts of the Spirit will begin to manifest. He comes with gifts, and they about to manifest and with power as his ppl enter into worship. Leadership needs to be praying for direction of how to maintain order in the church as this begins to happen and yet how not to hinder the operation of the gifts.
When you hand a new bas...eball mitt to a kid.. he is gonna put it on and pound his fist in it a couple times.. toss the ball in the air and catch it lightly right there in the room where he just unwraped it... such is the manifestation of the gifts as God pours them out among the congregation during a worship or praise service. It's just the way it works. The operation is gonna begin to manifest and with power, messages in tongues, prophecy, healing, words, giving, all things that encourage and lift up the name of Christ. It is going to be Christmas in the church again.. for 12 days (12 weeks of Sundays)... not sure when it will begin.. but feel like it will be marked by a pentecost experience somehow.
But if the ppl lose focus and shift their passion to the gifts rather than the presence of God that has come to fellowship with us.. error will ensue without doubt. Christ must remain the focus, the manifestation of his presence in response to our hunger and desire for fellowship with him must always outshadow the sidenote of power and gifts. Someone quoted Smith Wigglesworth earlier... definite word for the church in this hour and for what is about to come...
"Men can become lopsided by emphasizing the truth of divine healing. Men can get into error by preaching water baptism all the time. But we never go wrong in exalting The Lord Jesus Christ"
~ Sometimes, it is wise to remain silent as Christ demonstrated... But sometimes, what you call refusing to stir up drama.. is actually refusing to be a person of courage and character.. aka: being a coward, not wanting to get your hands dirty, not willing to be a friend to ppl who can't return the favor, not wanting to get involved in anything that interferes with your selfishness...
Sometimes, it's not about drama.. it's a "passion play" ... as Christ demonstrated.
This statement is so true for the church, for any nation, as well as any individual or entity: "If you allow ppl in your government to commit crimes in your name without questioning their actions, you are just as guilty as they are. "
~ 'Verily verily..." if we are committing crimes in the name of Christ... he will take action to defend his name.
Friday, May 10, 2013
The Trend
~ The trend.. to shun and run from those that are hurting.. to condemn them because they are raining on our sunny day..
until injustice camps on our lawn and harasses our family coming and going..
It requires a balance of sunshine and rain, but in either case, keeping our focus on Christ no matter which we find ourselves having to weather.. makes us able to minister in any season of life. I love... how Alistair Begg talked about walking with one foot in Scripture and one in the culture so that we can share the goodness of God effectively.
Yes, another person's pain and difficulties are stressful.. it's so easy to quit on that relationship and run from them to some peaceful meadow or wood or party at the creek.. but that's the beauty of the love of Jesus. He left his glory and holy realm to emerge himself fully, unto death, to take on the stress and difficulties and messiness of those lost and hurting in the darkness. Even when they brought it on themselves. You and me.
This is not the time for paradise.
This is a time of warfare and of saving ppl from death.
Are we gonna be about the Father's business or not?
~ "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
(Hebrews 2)
~ His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
(Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)
~ Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are!
~ O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
~ Word for the Church... from several voices lately... brought this song to mind.. so much truth.. so much wisdom and encouragement.. clear direction of taking our thoughts captive, self control and right attitude, rather than denial and turning a deaf ear to those suffering from injustice and attack... focusing on ...Christ is that assurance that he sees all things and is working on our behalf.. we remain active in the battle, but peace rules and reigns over our heart and mind because we know he is Lord of all, lover, friend, father, brother, provider, protector, healer, comforter...
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace."
until injustice camps on our lawn and harasses our family coming and going..
It requires a balance of sunshine and rain, but in either case, keeping our focus on Christ no matter which we find ourselves having to weather.. makes us able to minister in any season of life. I love... how Alistair Begg talked about walking with one foot in Scripture and one in the culture so that we can share the goodness of God effectively.
Yes, another person's pain and difficulties are stressful.. it's so easy to quit on that relationship and run from them to some peaceful meadow or wood or party at the creek.. but that's the beauty of the love of Jesus. He left his glory and holy realm to emerge himself fully, unto death, to take on the stress and difficulties and messiness of those lost and hurting in the darkness. Even when they brought it on themselves. You and me.
This is not the time for paradise.
This is a time of warfare and of saving ppl from death.
Are we gonna be about the Father's business or not?
~ "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
(Hebrews 2)
~ His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
(Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)
~ Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are!
~ O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
~ Word for the Church... from several voices lately... brought this song to mind.. so much truth.. so much wisdom and encouragement.. clear direction of taking our thoughts captive, self control and right attitude, rather than denial and turning a deaf ear to those suffering from injustice and attack... focusing on ...Christ is that assurance that he sees all things and is working on our behalf.. we remain active in the battle, but peace rules and reigns over our heart and mind because we know he is Lord of all, lover, friend, father, brother, provider, protector, healer, comforter...
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace."
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
There is no Magical Eraser
~ "The spent word, like the fired arrow, is never coming back." Alistair Begg
~ This is pretty much true for any sin committed against someone...
the sea of forgetfulness isn't a magical eraser.. it's a... you guessed it... a
choice. God chooses to forget.. the knowledge of the sin is still there.. or
else how will we sing a song for eternity about the redemption of our Savior..
a song the angels cannot sing.. the knowledge of our sin must still be there..
but God chooses to drop that thought any time it comes to mind.. TO NOT DWELL
ON IT.. to take his thoughts captive and force them to go in the direction he
wills..
that is what he asks of us. To follow his example.. no we
never forget deep hurts or the price paid for them.. sin is crippling and
devastating.. but when we refuse to dwell on things that are now set right.. we
follow God's example and we choose to drop those thoughts. Huge part of
forgiveness. And in that forgiveness God brings healing. Just consider the
scars in the hands and feet and side of Jesus that he shows Thomas after his
resurrection. The scars remain, even tho healing and the miraculous has
occurred.
And yet, forgetting when things are not set right or when lies
replace true repentance and sin continues under the mask.. that's denial. And
denial, leads to infection and death. The woman caught in adultery had a
repentant heart and Jesus forgave her.. the Rich Young Ruler that came to Jesus was
denied because Jesus saw that his heart wasn't right. Saying ur sorry isn't the
same as saying "I repent." One is often simply saying "oops, you
got me, I am embarrassed I got caught doing that evil thing." The other is
saying, "I am full of remorse, I acknowledge the pain I have caused, and I
have resolved to change what needs changing in my life to keep it from ever
happening again."
Monday, May 6, 2013
a multitude of sin in the church...
~ A woman who has committed adultery over 20 years of marriage with her husbands best friends, married, single.. was asked, "Did you really think if he divorced his wife that God would bless the two of you if you got married?"
Her response, "Eventually he would have had to."
Thats the message the church is sending out, that's the example Christians are setting... Forgiveness without Repentance... ...Adultery without consequence... How can we fight to define marriage, when we fail to live by the biblical standards that God has set for it. Adultery and Homosexuality are in the same list of sexual sin. How can we wink at one and then rant about the other.
Kinda goes back to the white washed sepulchre thing...
~ It's not rocket science.. it's wisdom. And the Bible is full of it. The answers to this marriage thing are right in front of us in Scripture, it's just a matter of searching it out and asking God our about our specific situation. There may be extreme cases of abuse, at which point you would go to the church leaders.. they would apply Matthew 18.. and in a RARE instance, God may give peace for a se...paration or even a divorce if it cannot be resolved so that you and your children are safe.
But bottom line.. 99% of the reason Christians divorce these days is lust or discontent, selfishness. And the church sanctions it every time they marry adulterous ppl at the altar of God. (Send them to the courthouse, but don't pollute the house of God).
~ Divorce is biblical in the case of adultery... it is also biblical if the other person files against your wishes.. you are not bound to them if they choose to leave (unless you purposely drive them away)..
"12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is a...n unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?"
(I Cor 7)
~ This passage also reveals the evil behind the lie "it's better for parents to divorce than for children to be in a home where there is arguing." Name a home or any healthy relationship where there is not arguing or conflict. Here, in this passage, it says the opposite is true... if you are married to a pagan, who wants to stay in the marriage, it is better for your kids if you remain and seek God to help you and your family than to divorce.
~ We can all look around the church on any given sunday and half the ppl there are divorced for bogus reasons and with someone else.. most committed adultery while still married. And it has simply become acceptable. Do we just sit back and ignore it, put our stamp of approval on it as tho God says "oh well", or do we challenge one another to clean up? What's the answer? I don't have it, all I know is that if everyone just keeps looking the other way or winking at it, it's only gonna continue and more familes will be torn apart. It's heartbreaking and discouraging to a generation, when marriage is viewed as disposable. Yes, there is healing and forgiveness and second chances.. but someone set the standard.. someone claim the Word of God and declare a challenge for ppl to commit to it, to be full of courage rather than quitting, to be repentant rather than to make excuse.. we are all guilty of contributing to the breakdown somehow, we are all guilty of sin that has affected one another.. and it's going to take us as the whole to cry out to God for cleansing and for a return to who God says we are to be. Something's gotta change.
Her response, "Eventually he would have had to."
Thats the message the church is sending out, that's the example Christians are setting... Forgiveness without Repentance... ...Adultery without consequence... How can we fight to define marriage, when we fail to live by the biblical standards that God has set for it. Adultery and Homosexuality are in the same list of sexual sin. How can we wink at one and then rant about the other.
Kinda goes back to the white washed sepulchre thing...
~ It's not rocket science.. it's wisdom. And the Bible is full of it. The answers to this marriage thing are right in front of us in Scripture, it's just a matter of searching it out and asking God our about our specific situation. There may be extreme cases of abuse, at which point you would go to the church leaders.. they would apply Matthew 18.. and in a RARE instance, God may give peace for a se...paration or even a divorce if it cannot be resolved so that you and your children are safe.
But bottom line.. 99% of the reason Christians divorce these days is lust or discontent, selfishness. And the church sanctions it every time they marry adulterous ppl at the altar of God. (Send them to the courthouse, but don't pollute the house of God).
~ Divorce is biblical in the case of adultery... it is also biblical if the other person files against your wishes.. you are not bound to them if they choose to leave (unless you purposely drive them away)..
"12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is a...n unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?"
(I Cor 7)
~ This passage also reveals the evil behind the lie "it's better for parents to divorce than for children to be in a home where there is arguing." Name a home or any healthy relationship where there is not arguing or conflict. Here, in this passage, it says the opposite is true... if you are married to a pagan, who wants to stay in the marriage, it is better for your kids if you remain and seek God to help you and your family than to divorce.
~ "3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What theref...ore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”"
(Matthew 19)
(Matthew 19)
~ I just can't imagine how God views it when adulterous ppl are married at the altar of his church. And how are ppl to view that, if such a passage means nothing.. what other passages can be ignored.
~ Moses wrote in a rule that allowed divorce, but Christ said that was not God's plan for marriage... And he spoke of how God hates divorce..
And somehow, the church has returned to that vomit like a dog.. we allow divorce and remarriage at the drop of the hat. Someone lusts for someone else's spouse (both Christians), they sneak around having adulterous sex, get caught, they say "no one was spose...d to find out, sorry bout that..." they are assured of forgiveness, shuffle the deck, pick another partner, and dance down the aisle of the church with no consequence.. no consequence to them at least.
God is gonna judge the church for putting God's stamp of approval on adultery and divorce in the name of forgiveness.
And somehow, the church has returned to that vomit like a dog.. we allow divorce and remarriage at the drop of the hat. Someone lusts for someone else's spouse (both Christians), they sneak around having adulterous sex, get caught, they say "no one was spose...d to find out, sorry bout that..." they are assured of forgiveness, shuffle the deck, pick another partner, and dance down the aisle of the church with no consequence.. no consequence to them at least.
God is gonna judge the church for putting God's stamp of approval on adultery and divorce in the name of forgiveness.
~ How is it that the church teaches verse 4 so emphatically... but verse three is taught as unforgiveness.. we the church have enabled evil by glossing over repentance and redefining forgiveness..
"And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
(Luke 17)
"And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
(Luke 17)
~ "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
(James 5:16)
(James 5:16)
~ Thought for today: "No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks." — Mary Wollstonecraft, British writer and philosopher (1759-1797)
~ Sadly, it is usually only after it is too late that he realizes that he had God's best in his hands but traded it in a season of discontent.. only when that evil that he holds in his heart suddenly and forcefully slides the dagger home will he see it for what it truly is. But even then, the mercy of God will not abandon a broken and contrite spirit.. even then.. love and grace can heal a multitude of sin
~ We can all look around the church on any given sunday and half the ppl there are divorced for bogus reasons and with someone else.. most committed adultery while still married. And it has simply become acceptable. Do we just sit back and ignore it, put our stamp of approval on it as tho God says "oh well", or do we challenge one another to clean up? What's the answer? I don't have it, all I know is that if everyone just keeps looking the other way or winking at it, it's only gonna continue and more familes will be torn apart. It's heartbreaking and discouraging to a generation, when marriage is viewed as disposable. Yes, there is healing and forgiveness and second chances.. but someone set the standard.. someone claim the Word of God and declare a challenge for ppl to commit to it, to be full of courage rather than quitting, to be repentant rather than to make excuse.. we are all guilty of contributing to the breakdown somehow, we are all guilty of sin that has affected one another.. and it's going to take us as the whole to cry out to God for cleansing and for a return to who God says we are to be. Something's gotta change.
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