Thursday, October 14, 2010
Stillness is a Discipline....
I decided I am going to start blogging my way through recovery. One, it will give me something to do from bed and also, I have such a heart to share the goodness of God with others, and the struggles of our humanity and our journey with God.
In March of 2010, I woke one morning with horrific pain in my head and neck. I went to the doctor and she told me it was just stress and gave me a prescription for some pain medications.
So, as a family we went on vacation in April, and I still suffered tremendous pain. In May, I ended up back at the doctor, and again she said it was just stress. Although, I knew in my heart that something was really wrong with me. At the end of May, I ended up in the hospital with horrific pain, and through a series of events, I found out that I did have something wrong with me. I had one ruptured disc and two herniated discs in my neck. I had something called severe stenosis where the bone was pressing in on my spinal cord!
After months of waiting and praying, I finally had surgery in September. They went in and did a bone transplant, moved my trachea and voice box out of the way to get to the spine. In my mind, I had the idea I would be in surgery and back up and moving in a matter of a week or so. However, in the hospital I came down with a lung infection which has complicated my asthma. The healing has taken longer than expected. So, for the last four weeks, I have been contained to my bed and been forced into stillness, solitude and silence.
I wish I could say, that I handle being forced into bed, with ease and without any rebellion in my heart. However, it is not that simple for this type A, driver personality. I have battled with God. I began to read and study the book of Job. Job has become a dear friend to me. I really like him and I have been able to relate to him in so many ways. Physical pain, the inner heart struggle, the crazy friends saying and doing really bizarre things - yes, this has been my life for seven months now.
My friend Graham often says, "God allows in his wisdom what He could prevent by His power". God in His wisdom knew I needed another dose of stillness and revelation of Him for the season ahead.
This quote by Graham is so true. Even though my heart has struggled intensely with having to be contained to bed, the Lord has used this season to take me deeper into His presence. To take me deeper into His Word and specifically into the book of Job. He has allowed it to help me understand suffering, pain and to see things through Job in a new way. To see more clearly on just how religious we as Christians can be (myself included). Until now, I had not seen how "religious and deceived" were Job's friends. They were operating from religion and not from the heart of God for Job. Not only could I see Job's friends in me, I could see them in those around me. Of course, I have been repenting! Revelation and conviction are two wonderful aspects of our faith.
And God has been using this season to teach me more about the POWER of stillness. And why Satan contends so hard against it. Stop for a moment and really ponder this. Ponder deeply the truth in Psalm 46:10. Ponder the vastness of the power of God that is available in this verse. The revelation and knowledge of God comes through the discipline of stillness!! If we do not have it as a apart of our regular Christian experience either personally or corporately, then how can we bring the revelation of God to others?
We can bring a head knowledge of God, but we can not affect the hearts of people without a head AND heart knowledge (knowing) of Him.
God's Word is so clear, "Be still and KNOW that I AM GOD." Psalm 46:10. In the original language, this word for still is to cease striving, to stop all movement. If we want to be a people who KNOW God and represent Him to others, how can we do this if stillness is not a main part of our Christian experience?
We can not give to others what we first have not seen, nor understood about God ourselves. If we only have a head knowledge of God and we have yet to have a revelatory knowledge of God, then we are just Pharisees (read John 5).
In Philippians 3:7-11, when Paul tells us that all is garbage compared to knowing Christ. The word for knowing here in the original language is a deep, intimate, heart knowing.
The truth and reality is - we can only give to the measure we have received. So, if we only know Jesus as the one who saves us (the lost), that is all we have to offer others. But, if we come to know Jesus through stillness as the one who heals, we can offer Him as the healer to others.
If we come to know Jesus as the Lord Almighty by being with this aspect of His character and nature in stillness (through prayer & the Word), then we can offer a Sovereign King to those who are in the midst of tremendous spiritual warfare.
As people and as His corporate church, we need to rise up and expand our understanding and our knowledge of God. To intimately know Him so we can bring those aspects of His character and nature to others.
My friend Graham says all the time, "who does God want to be for you now in this season, that He could not be for you at any other time in your journey?" This is such an important question for us to ask as we enter into a time of stillness.
What are you facing that only God can displace? Fear? Worry? Being Alone? Who does God want to be for you today? The revelation of God will displace the very thing you are struggling with. Do you need to know God as:
It is important for us to ask the Lord about what aspect of His character and His nature He wants us to know in the season we are walking through.
For me, being in bed, I am in a season of waiting, of transition. I often liken it to being in a hallway and seeing doors on both sides. The room is white, sterile. Some of the doors are open and yet, it is not time to fully walk into them yet. I am sitting with Jesus in the middle of the hallway "on pause". My heart wants to move and yet my body is still healing physically from the surgery and the after affects of it. And so, I am learning more about this hallway of waiting on God and what it means to completely surrender to the sovereign voice and will of God. I am seeing that this season of being in bed is actually an answer to my prayers to know Him more and more (Phil 3:7-11).
My heart's desire has always been to not only be His daughter, but to also be His bondservant. To be like the Apostle Paul, to make an impact for the Kingdom and to do only that which I see the Father doing (John 12:49-50). To do what He asks me to do, and go to where He asks me to go.
What I am learning more about in this season, is that to be really led by God's Spirit, requires a deep inner stillness that can follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. That can follow His gentle promptings. The Apostle Paul and the disciples knew this voice. Just read the book of Acts and see how both him and Peter, were both led into cities and then re-routed by the leading of the Holy Spirit. If we read the book of Acts, we see this happening all the time with the disciples. It is God's desire that we as people, as leaders, as His church comprehend this. They moved boldly with God and the world was changed around them. This comes, from an intimate knowledge of God and of knowing His voice (John 10:27).
And this comes through the discipline of stillness. For once again, God exhorts us, "BE STILL and KNOW that I AM GOD." Psalm 46:10
Lord,
Help us today, no matter what we are doing, to understand and really see the power that is available to us in stillness. Lord, where our flesh fights against it, help us. By your grace empower us to be people of stillness. People who have revelatory knowledge of you, to give as food for others. Lord, we can not give what we have not received from you! Help us to know you intimately in all aspects of your character and nature, and help us to give freely to others what we know about you!
In Jesus name,
Amen
In March of 2010, I woke one morning with horrific pain in my head and neck. I went to the doctor and she told me it was just stress and gave me a prescription for some pain medications.
So, as a family we went on vacation in April, and I still suffered tremendous pain. In May, I ended up back at the doctor, and again she said it was just stress. Although, I knew in my heart that something was really wrong with me. At the end of May, I ended up in the hospital with horrific pain, and through a series of events, I found out that I did have something wrong with me. I had one ruptured disc and two herniated discs in my neck. I had something called severe stenosis where the bone was pressing in on my spinal cord!
After months of waiting and praying, I finally had surgery in September. They went in and did a bone transplant, moved my trachea and voice box out of the way to get to the spine. In my mind, I had the idea I would be in surgery and back up and moving in a matter of a week or so. However, in the hospital I came down with a lung infection which has complicated my asthma. The healing has taken longer than expected. So, for the last four weeks, I have been contained to my bed and been forced into stillness, solitude and silence.
I wish I could say, that I handle being forced into bed, with ease and without any rebellion in my heart. However, it is not that simple for this type A, driver personality. I have battled with God. I began to read and study the book of Job. Job has become a dear friend to me. I really like him and I have been able to relate to him in so many ways. Physical pain, the inner heart struggle, the crazy friends saying and doing really bizarre things - yes, this has been my life for seven months now.
My friend Graham often says, "God allows in his wisdom what He could prevent by His power". God in His wisdom knew I needed another dose of stillness and revelation of Him for the season ahead.
This quote by Graham is so true. Even though my heart has struggled intensely with having to be contained to bed, the Lord has used this season to take me deeper into His presence. To take me deeper into His Word and specifically into the book of Job. He has allowed it to help me understand suffering, pain and to see things through Job in a new way. To see more clearly on just how religious we as Christians can be (myself included). Until now, I had not seen how "religious and deceived" were Job's friends. They were operating from religion and not from the heart of God for Job. Not only could I see Job's friends in me, I could see them in those around me. Of course, I have been repenting! Revelation and conviction are two wonderful aspects of our faith.
And God has been using this season to teach me more about the POWER of stillness. And why Satan contends so hard against it. Stop for a moment and really ponder this. Ponder deeply the truth in Psalm 46:10. Ponder the vastness of the power of God that is available in this verse. The revelation and knowledge of God comes through the discipline of stillness!! If we do not have it as a apart of our regular Christian experience either personally or corporately, then how can we bring the revelation of God to others?
We can bring a head knowledge of God, but we can not affect the hearts of people without a head AND heart knowledge (knowing) of Him.
God's Word is so clear, "Be still and KNOW that I AM GOD." Psalm 46:10. In the original language, this word for still is to cease striving, to stop all movement. If we want to be a people who KNOW God and represent Him to others, how can we do this if stillness is not a main part of our Christian experience?
We can not give to others what we first have not seen, nor understood about God ourselves. If we only have a head knowledge of God and we have yet to have a revelatory knowledge of God, then we are just Pharisees (read John 5).
In Philippians 3:7-11, when Paul tells us that all is garbage compared to knowing Christ. The word for knowing here in the original language is a deep, intimate, heart knowing.
The truth and reality is - we can only give to the measure we have received. So, if we only know Jesus as the one who saves us (the lost), that is all we have to offer others. But, if we come to know Jesus through stillness as the one who heals, we can offer Him as the healer to others.
If we come to know Jesus as the Lord Almighty by being with this aspect of His character and nature in stillness (through prayer & the Word), then we can offer a Sovereign King to those who are in the midst of tremendous spiritual warfare.
As people and as His corporate church, we need to rise up and expand our understanding and our knowledge of God. To intimately know Him so we can bring those aspects of His character and nature to others.
My friend Graham says all the time, "who does God want to be for you now in this season, that He could not be for you at any other time in your journey?" This is such an important question for us to ask as we enter into a time of stillness.
What are you facing that only God can displace? Fear? Worry? Being Alone? Who does God want to be for you today? The revelation of God will displace the very thing you are struggling with. Do you need to know God as:
- Comforter
- Healer
- King
- Lord of Lords
- Love
- Father
- All-powerful
- Always present
It is important for us to ask the Lord about what aspect of His character and His nature He wants us to know in the season we are walking through.
For me, being in bed, I am in a season of waiting, of transition. I often liken it to being in a hallway and seeing doors on both sides. The room is white, sterile. Some of the doors are open and yet, it is not time to fully walk into them yet. I am sitting with Jesus in the middle of the hallway "on pause". My heart wants to move and yet my body is still healing physically from the surgery and the after affects of it. And so, I am learning more about this hallway of waiting on God and what it means to completely surrender to the sovereign voice and will of God. I am seeing that this season of being in bed is actually an answer to my prayers to know Him more and more (Phil 3:7-11).
My heart's desire has always been to not only be His daughter, but to also be His bondservant. To be like the Apostle Paul, to make an impact for the Kingdom and to do only that which I see the Father doing (John 12:49-50). To do what He asks me to do, and go to where He asks me to go.
What I am learning more about in this season, is that to be really led by God's Spirit, requires a deep inner stillness that can follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. That can follow His gentle promptings. The Apostle Paul and the disciples knew this voice. Just read the book of Acts and see how both him and Peter, were both led into cities and then re-routed by the leading of the Holy Spirit. If we read the book of Acts, we see this happening all the time with the disciples. It is God's desire that we as people, as leaders, as His church comprehend this. They moved boldly with God and the world was changed around them. This comes, from an intimate knowledge of God and of knowing His voice (John 10:27).
And this comes through the discipline of stillness. For once again, God exhorts us, "BE STILL and KNOW that I AM GOD." Psalm 46:10
Lord,
Help us today, no matter what we are doing, to understand and really see the power that is available to us in stillness. Lord, where our flesh fights against it, help us. By your grace empower us to be people of stillness. People who have revelatory knowledge of you, to give as food for others. Lord, we can not give what we have not received from you! Help us to know you intimately in all aspects of your character and nature, and help us to give freely to others what we know about you!
In Jesus name,
Amen
Friday, September 3, 2010
Insult for Insult
Well, yesterday I failed an important test. I failed the test of responding well and responding like Jesus. I realized how alive and active my flesh still is and how much I need the grace of God in every moment of my life.
During the day, I got a text from someone and the words were not very kind and loving. I found that my heart wanted to respond in the same way back to them - with attitude. I found this voice in my head that said, "well, you want to insult me, well...I will insult you!" Oh Lord, have mercy on me!
God's Word is so clear, that the world will know Jesus by how we as Christians treat each other. God's Word is also clear in how he wants us to respond to insults, to betrayals, and to persecutions that can come by well-meaning Christians. He wants our heart clean and pure so that when these things do come (and they will) that we respond as Christ would so that He can be seen, known and loved.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34 NIV
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 NIV
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10 NIV
God's Word always gives us a clear answer to those questions. How do we respond to those who insult us, those who speak evil against us, those who persecute us? Here are four simple truths I have found that I stand on when we feel our flesh wanting to respond in the same spirit back. This is the place I take myself back to when I have fallen short of God's best for me.
1. Pray for Them!
First, we need to pray for them. Instead of wanting to respond with the same attitude back. We need to turn our hearts to praying for them!
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
2. Bless Them!
Second, we need to begin to bless them. We need to make choice in our will to not repay evil with evil, or insult with insult, but we must choose to always respond by blessing those who insult us! We must represent Jesus well in our responses if we want the world to know who Jesus is.
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9 NIV
3. Forgive Them!
Third, we need to forgive them and forgive ourselves. God's forgiveness is always readily available to those who turn their heart to him.
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
4. Guard Your Heart!
Finally, guard your heart. Not everyone who is in your life is sent by God, and not everyone is healthy. God's Word is clear, we are to guard our hearts because it is the place where Jesus Christ lives in us. We must be clear and discerning in the relationships we have and walk with those God has called us to walk with in life and in ministry. Even Jesus knew who the 3 were, who the 12 were, who the 72 were and who was in the multitudes. Not everyone can nor should have access to our hearts or our lives.
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23
Lord,
I pray Lord that you would forgive me for that part of my heart, my flesh that still wants to repay insult with insult. Lord, purify my heart to more actively represent you in my dealings and in all my relationships. Continue Lord to show me who YOU have places into my life and help me to have better boundaries with my time, my talent and my treasures. Thank you Lord for grabbing a hold of my heart and bringing me back to truth. Your truth is always a lamp unto my feet, and will never fail in leading us. I love you Jesus, in your name I pray, Amen.
- Have you ever had someone throw a blow at you with words and it hits your heart like an atom bomb?
- When someone insults your heart and your integrity without really knowing you?
- When someone sees you partially and then makes a snap shot judgement of you?
- Do you feel that tug in your heart that whispers, "smack 'em back"?
During the day, I got a text from someone and the words were not very kind and loving. I found that my heart wanted to respond in the same way back to them - with attitude. I found this voice in my head that said, "well, you want to insult me, well...I will insult you!" Oh Lord, have mercy on me!
God's Word is so clear, that the world will know Jesus by how we as Christians treat each other. God's Word is also clear in how he wants us to respond to insults, to betrayals, and to persecutions that can come by well-meaning Christians. He wants our heart clean and pure so that when these things do come (and they will) that we respond as Christ would so that He can be seen, known and loved.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34 NIV
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 NIV
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10 NIV
God's Word always gives us a clear answer to those questions. How do we respond to those who insult us, those who speak evil against us, those who persecute us? Here are four simple truths I have found that I stand on when we feel our flesh wanting to respond in the same spirit back. This is the place I take myself back to when I have fallen short of God's best for me.
1. Pray for Them!
First, we need to pray for them. Instead of wanting to respond with the same attitude back. We need to turn our hearts to praying for them!
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
2. Bless Them!
Second, we need to begin to bless them. We need to make choice in our will to not repay evil with evil, or insult with insult, but we must choose to always respond by blessing those who insult us! We must represent Jesus well in our responses if we want the world to know who Jesus is.
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9 NIV
3. Forgive Them!
Third, we need to forgive them and forgive ourselves. God's forgiveness is always readily available to those who turn their heart to him.
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
4. Guard Your Heart!
Finally, guard your heart. Not everyone who is in your life is sent by God, and not everyone is healthy. God's Word is clear, we are to guard our hearts because it is the place where Jesus Christ lives in us. We must be clear and discerning in the relationships we have and walk with those God has called us to walk with in life and in ministry. Even Jesus knew who the 3 were, who the 12 were, who the 72 were and who was in the multitudes. Not everyone can nor should have access to our hearts or our lives.
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23
Lord,
I pray Lord that you would forgive me for that part of my heart, my flesh that still wants to repay insult with insult. Lord, purify my heart to more actively represent you in my dealings and in all my relationships. Continue Lord to show me who YOU have places into my life and help me to have better boundaries with my time, my talent and my treasures. Thank you Lord for grabbing a hold of my heart and bringing me back to truth. Your truth is always a lamp unto my feet, and will never fail in leading us. I love you Jesus, in your name I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Remembering Grace...
Luke 15:19-24 NIV
I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
Today, I was praying and soaking in God's presence. I began to reflect on my spiritual journey and when I gave my life back to the Lord.The moment when I met Jesus again and experienced His grace. It was the summer of 1996. July in Positano, Italy.
I was reading a book called "The God of Surprises",
written by a Catholic Priest in England.
His name was Gerard Hughes.
I was sitting on a veranda reading the book and journalling.
The sky was sunny, the ocean beautiful.
Flowers blooming all around me...
The villa was bustling with life.
The villa was bustling with life.
And yet my world was filled with sorrow, depression, anger,
and such a feeling of tremendous failure and loss.
I was going through a painful divorce.
I was pregnant by a man I was dating.
My anger was out of control.
My life was spinning into chaos.
I was doing a horrible job trying to manage my own life.
I was lost and in complete darkness.
As I read the book, the God of grace began to reveal Himself to me. His name was Jesus. I began to read about a God who loved people. He loved hanging out with sinners. He loved being with flawed people. I was so flawed.
In that moment of prayer, Jesus held out his hand to me. He did not point out that I was in an adulterous relationship with Mike (my husband now). He did not point out the failures of my marriage. He did not point out that I was pregnant from Mike while still legally married to my ex-husband.
He did not point back to my two abortions.
He did not point back to my rape or my molestation.
No, all I saw was the face of Jesus.
There were tears streaming down His face.
And He was whispering to me.
I leaned in to hear what He was saying.
As I sat in this moment of prayer with Jesus, I wept.
He was not looking at my sin. He was looking at my heart.
As Jesus held out His hand to me,
He whispered to me,
"Do you want to come home Lori?"
He whispered to me,
"Do you want to come home Lori?"
As I heard His whisper, I sobbed uncontrollably.
The tears streamed down my cheek.
"Me?", you actually would want me?".
I could not believe He would want me.
I sobbed for hours in that quiet place.
My heart laid open and bare before the God of grace.
I was still in His presence.
While sobbing, my heart nodded in response to His invitation.
My heart laid open and bare before the God of grace.
I was still in His presence.
While sobbing, my heart nodded in response to His invitation.
"Yes Lord, I want to come home".
"Lord", I said as I kept crying, "I can't lead my own life,
forgive me Lord for all that I have done."
"Lord", I said as I kept crying, "I can't lead my own life,
forgive me Lord for all that I have done."
Jesus pulled me tightly into His arms.
And to this day, He has not let go.
Oh, the sweet presence of grace.
Nothing can wash away our past like His grace.
Nothing can give us a new start and a new life but Jesus.
Nothing can empower us within, except His grace.
Nothing can meet the demands of each day, except His grace.
Nothing can wash away our mistakes of today like His grace.
Nothing can wash away our mistakes of today like His grace.
Tonight, as I am going to bed, I am so thankful for GRACE. I am thankful for the empowering presence of His grace to sustain me each day. Just Give Me Jesus.
The One who looked at me, while in the pit of darkness, and did not rub my nose in my failures. Rather with such intense love in His heart, He whispered, "Do you want to come home Lori"?
Oh Lord, never let me forget the presence of grace (YOU) in my life and always let me be your arm to others of grace. Never let me become religious, or lose sight of all those you desire to extend a hand to. The world needs to know your love more than anything else. People are aching for inner peace. To know they are loved no matter what they have done. People need to know they can have a fresh start every day with you. They need to know you are NOT a God who is pointing out sin, but you are a God who is crying and asking, "Do you want to come home?". Lord, make us into people who are asking people this every day. Help us to reach the 1.9 million people who call the Sacramento region home; those who do not know you.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Moving Us Along
God controls how people feel toward us
John Piper
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them and that you may know that I am the LORD." Exodus 10:1-3
What an interesting statement to ponder. I saw that statement from John Piper as a Tweet on Twitter and it got my heart and a mind a stirring.
So, how do you feel about this statement that "God controls how people feel about you"? What is the feeling or nudge that arises in your heart when you hear that? Be a good Berean and search God's Word.
I know my initial response was, "well, I don't like that Lord nor do I know if I agree with that statement". But as I pondered and looked into the Word, I began to meditate and think upon on this passage in Exodus.
I know my initial response was, "well, I don't like that Lord nor do I know if I agree with that statement". But as I pondered and looked into the Word, I began to meditate and think upon on this passage in Exodus.
That statement by John Piper began to draw up all sorts of questions in my heart.
So, what does John Piper mean? What does God's Word say?
Scripture is very clear that we have an adversary that prowls around like a lion seeking someone to devour. It also tells us that the enemy comes to seek, kill, and destroy.
"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
"The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
Satan hates man (you and I) because man (yes, you and I) are highly favored with God. Not because man (you or I) deserve it, but because Jesus gave His life to redeem man (you and I). This is what Easter is all about. A Divine exchange. Jesus' life for yours. And for mine.
"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
"The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
Satan hates man (you and I) because man (yes, you and I) are highly favored with God. Not because man (you or I) deserve it, but because Jesus gave His life to redeem man (you and I). This is what Easter is all about. A Divine exchange. Jesus' life for yours. And for mine.
When we repent of our ways and ask Jesus into our hearts, Jesus takes us from one kingdom and brings us into another (His). And we become sons and daughters, heirs and co-heirs.
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14
"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:16-18
But, I would say it is safe to say that at times, in the Word there are incidences, like this one with Moses and Pharaoh where God strategically hardens hearts.
Here, God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that the Israelites could be set free and the world would know it was GOD ALONE who did it. God wanted to be seen and to be known in the miracles taking place. God wanted to reveal who He was in the light all the counterfeit gods of Egypt. God wanted to reveal He was LORD.
So, God does allow the hardening of hearts in some incidents in order to bring about His purposes in the earth. Why? Exodus 10:1-3 tells us. So that our children and our grandchildren will know He is LORD.
A short while back, someone was telling a story of time when he was pastoring a church. Late one night, all the elders of that church invited him to a meeting. They did not tell him what the meeting was about. They asked him to come to a meeting at a coffee house at 10 pm at night. When he went to the meeting, he was fired. He was not told why, nor given explanation. For a while, his heart was filled with anger, offense and bitterness at how they went about letting him go from his pastoral assignment. He was a man who deeply loved God and loved his flock. He could not understand nor see God's plan or intentions through it all.
He shared when he was processing this traumatic event with the Lord (seeking to forgive these men), the Lord reminded him how he had been calling and asking him to start building a para-church teaching ministry and yet he had not had the courage to move into that. To step into that would of required a faith he did not have at the time.
Well, this event catapulted this man into his calling. He was forced to begin to develop his teaching material and his heart for ministry, and do what God had created him to do. Now he speaks all over the world to thousands and thousands of people on the topic of prayer.
I would say, this was one of those Divine moments where God hardened the hearts of those elders in order that God's will might be accomplished in the earth. Now, I am not saying this is what happened with this man, only God knows that.
But this story of my friend does comes to mind as I meditate on this passage above in Exodus. God has His way of doing things and moving us along, that are usually NOT the way we would do things.
What we think would be best, often times are not even second best on God's list. His dreams for us entail even more than we could ever imagine.
I don't think this man's ultimate call was to pastor a flock of a few hundred, it was to literally teach thousands of people around the world how to pray.
God had to harden some hearts in order to move this man along in his calling.
God had to harden some hearts in order to move this man along in his calling.
God's ways are not our ways. His way, although sometimes more difficult, is always the best way.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8
Lord, thank you for your word today. Thank you Lord, that in certain times, you harden people's hearts in order for your will to be accomplished. Help us to understand how your goodness, your mercy and your grace are always at the center of your heart and all that you do. You can do nothing apart from love, for love is who you are. You are love. Thank you Lord for moving us along in the way that you believe is best. We love you Jesus. In your name we pray, Amen.
One Another
Are you so foolish?
After beginning with the Spirit...
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Galatians 3:3
Oh Lord. We need you and the help of your Spirit. Help us to grow in the fruit of your Spirit and to live in obedience to your Word. Help us with those grace growers in our lives and to love as you love. Forgive us where we struggle and wash the shame off of us when we fail. Continue to bring forth fresh revelation of your grace and the work of your cross. Let us live the Easter message 24/7, 365 days a year. Let us continue to be a messengers of grace. Always. And to everyone.
Accept One Another
"So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified." Romans 15:7 NLT
Admonish One Another
"Let the words of Christ (God’s Word), in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts." Colossians 3:16 NLT
Agree with One Another
"Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won't be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." 1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT
Bear with One Another
"Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love." Ephesians 4:2 NLT
"You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13 NLT
Be Devoted to One Another
"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:10 NLT
Encourage One Another
"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
"You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God." Hebrews 3:13 NLT
Forgive One Another
"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 NLT
Live in Harmony with One Another
"Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!" Romans 12:16 NLT
"Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds." 1 Peter 3:8 NLT
Offer Hospitality to One Another
"Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay." 1 Peter 4:9 NLT
Stop Judging One Another
"So don't condemn each other anymore. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not put an obstacle in another Christian's path." Romans 14:13 NLT
Serve One Another
"For you have been called to live in freedom--not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13 NLT
Do Not Slander One Another
"Don't speak evil against each other, my dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize each other and condemn each other, then you are criticizing and condemning God's law. But you are not a judge who can decide whether the law is right or wrong. Your job is to obey it." James 4:11 NLT
Submit to One Another
"And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:21 NLT
Love One Another
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 NLT
"Now you can have sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters because you were cleansed from your sins when you accepted the truth of the Good News. So see to it that you really do love each other intensely with all your hearts." 1 Peter 1:22 NLT
"This is the message we have heard from the beginning: We should love one another." 1 John 3:11 NLT
"And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us." 1 John 3:23 NLT
"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7 NLT
Love One Another (Your Enemies)
"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44 NIV
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you." Luke 6:27 NIV
"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Luke 6:35 NIV
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody." Romans 12:17 NIV
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9 NIV
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