Study

I spend a lot of time studying the Word, I read, ponder, marinate in it. I soak it up like a sponge, I eat it like bread and it fills me with nourishment for my soul. My Bible is the way to know my Savior ever better. It contains the truths of the Father the faith of the Son and is confirmed by the Holy Spirit. But only when I truly study it, truly let my Father in heaven speak to me through it. So tonight I was thinking about how the very word study is used in that great guide book. Here’s what I found:

Ecc 12:12  And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

1Th 4:11  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I love the progression of these verses from idle study of the things of man to growing diligent to the study of the Word revealed to us in the Scripture to show ourselves approved unto God. Let us always heed them. Let us always be in edifying study of Truth.

Put On A New Self

That was the section title for this passage of Scripture I was reading today. It stung my heart chastised me a bit for I have not been doing all it says as well as I God wants me too. I have been struggling with a spirit of grumbling grumpies of late.

I have huffed and fussed when my guys need something, I’ve sighed and hissed over stupid things and generally not been doing all the things this passage reminds me I should be. Now this isn’t all the time but I have noticed it creeping in when I am busy, tired, preoccupied or otherwise distracted. At those times I have a tendency to be a little snappier and sharper with my guys than I should be. Today was one of those days and I think God’s telling me to put my new self back on as I have been letting it slide off a little.

Maybe this passage will encourage some of you my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ as well to put on your new selves as well.

Colossians 3:1-17
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Such A Dead Dog As I

Brothers and sisters tonight as I was reading from Spurgeon the devotionals for today were connected and they smote me to heart with their truth in my own life. In this story of Johnathon’s lame son, a crippled broken man who has struggles and challenges to get by each day I see myself. I see my struggle to find Jesus to come to Him in humble surrender, my path was one of selfishness, anger and utter rebellion. I nearly destroyed my family because of my running away from God and head long into hell. But then one day in what seemed the most unlikely of ways God showed up in my life. My sweet cousin and beloved sister in Christ was visiting our Mama’s as I was, our kids are around the same age and so had been enjoying playing together as we had done as little ones. At one point the babies all got hungry so I took them all in the kitchen to eat and to this day I remember that moment when her precious girls just a few years old sat in a chair together with folded chubby hands and downy heads bowed as they asked grace over their meal. I hugged my own precious boy and cried in my heart to have that.

That was the first time I got a glimpse of the truth, the first time I realized how broken and lost I was. It wasn’t long before I like Mephibosheth was falling at the Kings feet crying what a dead dog am I and placing myself at His mercy. Relying on the truth of His love, sacrifice, grace and mercy I cried out to Him to save me, change me, to come into my heart and make me who he’d have me be. And Jesus, being the great and glorious King, honest, faithful and true did!

“Go now.” I heard whispered in my heart that morning and for a second I couldn’t believe He would have me. I certainly wasn’t worthy, just look at all I’d done ole Slewfoot tried to remind me. “He’s gonna turn around and go back, go.” And peace like a river filled me as I went down to the altar and cried out to my sweet Savior, pleading with Him to save me! His blood washed me clean in love and created a new heart within me. I gave my life to Him that day, October 10,2010, and have sat at His glorious table overflowing with the bounty of His love, grace, mercy, and peace ever since. I am still a dead dog on my own, wholly unworthy of even latching his sandals but with Him I am as a daughter of the King! All praise and honor for who I am goes to the One who made me then bought me.

Ponder this as you too read Mephibosheth’s tale.

“And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.”  (2 Samuel 9:1-13)

I pray if you are reading this and you have not met my King that you especially consider this little nugget of Scripture. We are all broken, we all have a past – every saint has a past, every sinner has a future- don’t let yesterday determine your tomorrow. God’s word tells us that through Adam sin and thus death entered this world and that all have sinned and fallen short of the perfect glory of the holy and just God who created us. It tells us the wages of our sin is death and the only way we can be spared this is if someone pays that debt we owe for us. Nearly 2,000 years ago someone did just that. God loves us so much He died for for us. Jesus Christ was God’s son but he was also God – Emmanuel; “God with meat on Him” as Brother Locke says. God sent His Son to take our punishment, to buy our pardon, which He did on the cross at Calvary. Three days later He rose from the grave and lives today . The tomb is empty sand our Savior lives. Because He lives we have the promise and hope of the same when we believe in Him and put our faith and trust in Him. Scripture tells us to confess our sins and turn from them to repent and accept the free gift of mercy and grace Jesus offers us by His death in our stead and the promise His resurrection secures for us of eternity with Him. If you are not with me at the Kings table would you please cry out to Him to join us!

Marinating

Today I have been doing a little study on saints in Scripture, my husband and I recently read a compelling book on the timing of the rapture – it places it after the tribulation which the author says is 7 years but before the pouring out of God’s wrath which lasts for approximately 3 1/2 years, giving a total of 10 1/2 years for the 7 seals (those are the first 7 years according to Dr. Hovind), then the rapture of the saints both dead and any left living, then the trumpet and bowl judgements. He gets the 10+ years from Daniel as well as his firm stance that the church is here through the seals which he says are what the world not God does. He makes some good points but I am not 100% convinced he has it right. So I am studying and searching Scripture to sort out the matter according to God’s word.

That study today led me to a passage that I found so comforting, it just sorta settled in my heart and is marinating there.

“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”  (Romans 8:24-30)

It is just such a beautiful summing up of the hope that fills me, the joy and promise I cling to. It also beautifully reminds me that no matter if I am raptured before, during or after the tribulation period, Daniels 70th week, I know whose I am because he called me, justified me and in his perfect time he will glorify me! All I have to do is hang on. Hang on to Jesus and know that no matter what happens He’s got it and me.

Seven Miles

Of all that Scripture tells us of Jesus’ resurrection I think I like the seven mile sermon the best. It’s such an apt picture of me when things get a little sideways, all jacked up. I mean here these two dudes thought their worlds had just ended, their Messiah had just been killed – dead and buried. They saw it from our side, with human eyes. Just like I do when things don’t go how I think they should. So they start out from Jerusalem, where in their eyes it all fell apart, and head to Emmaus. They’re mopping along, slowly, feet feeling heavier with each step, trying to make sense of it all. They know Jesus, walked, talked and are with him ; but if he was who he claimed to be, and certainly seemed to be, how could he have been killed. How could that happen, why did it happen?

So anyway there they are just plodding along, heads a hanging when this man comes up to them and asks “Why the long faces fellas, what’s wrong?” Then I can see the wide eyes and hear the disbelief as they reply wanting to know what rock this guys been under, hasn’t he heard Jesus, the Messiah, the one who was supposed to save his people was dead! They say some of the women say the tomb where he was laid is empty, that they saw him that very morning, which was the third day since the terrible tragedy. But they say this almost scoffingly it seems since this stranger rebukes them.

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?”  (Luke 24:25-26)

And that’s when the longest sermon in the Bible starts, and what a sermon it was. Delivered by the very preacher of preachers! He preaches from Moses through the prophets all about himself, lovingly and patiently reminding them that all is well and as it should be. Just as he does with me when I doubt or worry or fear that things have gotten so jacked up that God can’t fix it. (I do get that way now and again and he does have to remind me that he built this world and he can surely keep it!) Well brothers and sisters in Christ just read the 7 mile sermon and the rest of the story for yourself.

“And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.”  (Luke 24:13-35)

I Will Look

I have been thinking a lot about the salvation of God, how merciful He is to us, to save someone as worthless and wretched as me. For without Jesus that is what I am a worthless, selfish, horrible wretch but with Jesus that person is dead and gone. I’m made new in His love, washed clean of my selfish sins and filled instead with a heart that breaks for those who are still stuck where I once was. Who are still trapped on the chains and bondage of sin, death trailing its cold fingers ever tighter around their throats as it slowly chokes the breath of life out of them and makes them beg for more. Now I feel an urgency o reach them with the love and hope I now walk in, live in, to share light with them. This verse tonight sorta summed up how I feel and what I’m all about now. I look and wait and rest secure knowing He will hear me when I pray for all of those who don’t know Him yet.

“Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.”  (Micah 7:7)

Balm For A Weary Heart

Sometimes life as a pilgrim in this world is exhausting – we face challenges, obstacles, even persecution as we follow Jesus on this narrow path carrying our cross . We face pain, frustration, anger, hurt, rejection, hate, deceit, treachery and fear – we run into them almost daily. It hits us hard sometimes, we get hurt when the world attacks us, some of us may even be killed by it. It doesn’t matter though, “cause to live is Christ and to die is gain. “.

Those words have been echoing in my heart for a few days now as God is working in our lives to put us where He needs us. I have been praying for strength and wisdom as we are moving into the next phase he has for us. Tonight I asked again and this was the verse I saw when I looked at my e-sword random verse generator:

Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Praise God for His strength and wisdom and grace and mercy and love! He has promised to be with us “always, even unto the end of the world ‘. “. So my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ hang tight to that which you have, let no man take it from you.

Afterwards

This devotional selection from Morning and Evening by Spurgeon tonight added references to Pilgrims Progress a cherished book that glorifies God.

“Afterward.” — Heb 12:11

How happy are tried Christians, afterwards. No calm more deep than that which succeeds a storm. Who has not rejoiced in clear shinings after rain? Victorious banquets are for well-exercised soldiers. After killing the lion we eat the honey; after climbing the Hill Difficulty, we sit down in the arbour to rest; after traversing the Valley of Humiliation, after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears, with the healing branch from the tree of life. Our sorrows, like the passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them “afterwards.” It is peace, sweet, deep peace, which follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls. See, then, the happy estate of a Christian! He has his best things last, and he therefore in this world receives his worst things first. But even his worst things are “afterward” good things, harsh ploughings yielding joyful harvests. Even now he grows rich by his losses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and becomes full by being emptied; if, then, his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life, what shall be the full vintage of joy “afterwards” in heaven? If his dark nights are as bright as the world’s days, what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid than the sun, what must his sunlight be? If he can sing in a dungeon, how sweetly will he sing in heaven! If he can praise the Lord in the fires, how will he extol him before the eternal throne! If evil be good to him now, what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then? Oh, blessed “afterward!” Who would not be a Christian? Who would not bear the present cross for the crown which cometh afterwards? But herein is work for patience, for the rest is not for to-day, nor the triumph for the present, but “afterward.” Wait, O soul, and let patience have her perfect work.

What Are You Doing For Jesus?

I have thought a lot lately about what I am doing for God, am I following Him, obeying Him, sharing Him? Does my life point others to Him, do I live in a way that honors and glorifies Him? What about you, are you living for Him? I wonder what on earth we are all doing for heaven’s sake!

My devotional reading from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening tonight made me ponder those questions yet again. I strive to live my life in a way that I can stand before God one day and say that I fought the good fight, I kept to the narrow path and kept the course. At last, I will hear Him say “Well done!”

“And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye and your cattle, and your beasts.” — 2Ki 3:16,2Ki 3:17

The armies of the three kings were famishing for want of water: God was about to send it, and in these words the prophet announced the coming blessing. Here was a case of human helplessness: not a drop of water could all the valiant men procure from the skies or find in the wells of earth. Thus often the people of the Lord are at their wits’ end; they see the vanity of the creature, and learn experimentally where their help is to be found. Still the people were to make a believing preparation poi descend. By-and-by there was a singular bestowal of the needed boon. Not as in Elijah’s case did the shower pour from the clouds, but in a silent and mysterious manner the pools were filled. The Lord has his own sovereign modes of action: he is not tied to manner and time as we are, but doeth as he pleases among the sons of men. It is ours thankfully to receive from him, and not to dictate to him. We must also notice the remarkable abundance of the supply -there was enough for the need of all. And so it is in the gospel blessing; all the wants of the congregation and of the entire church shall be met by the divine power in answer to prayer; and above all this, victory shall be speedily given to the armies of the Lord.

What am I doing for Jesus? What trenches am I digging? O Lord, make me ready to receive the blessing which thou art so willing to bestow.

As always my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ may the Father bless and keep you as you are about His work on this earth.

My Utmost For His Highest

My Utmost for His Highest. “. . . my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed . . . .” That’s what I want my life to be about!  Giving my all, my best to serve the one who saved me.  “My determined purpose is to be my utmost for His highest—my best for His glory.”   When I live each day in submission to God’s will for my life then incredible things happen.  God moves me, leads and guides me (ok, sometimes it is more like He has to drag me kicking and screaming – I’m not perfect and I do not like change.)  When Jesus saved me I promised to follow Him, to live for Him.  To quote Brother Locke’s saying “What He feeds me I will swallow, where HE leads me I will follow!”

 

It isn’t always easy or fun exactly.  There have been tough times, changes I have had to make, things and people I have had to give up or choose to love at a distance because they were preventing me from being obedient to God.  I’m not perfect either, I still have days when I struggle, when I want to say I’m out, thanks but no thanks this isn’t what I signed up for.  For example when I clearly felt the call to go up to a total stranger in a parking lot and ask to pray with him.  People I am shy, as in I cried before having to give a family introduction at a homeschool coop a few years ago.  At gatherings, even with family, I tend to be the wall flower, just hanging back taking it all in, never initiating contact.  So when the Holy Spirit led me to go up to this guy bless him and ask to pray with him right there it was HARD, like I was going “really, God, this is what you’re asking?  Couldn’t I just make this short and sweet and move on.”  It’s never a good idea to argue with God, you will loose every single time like I did then.  So I walked up to his truck and right then the Spirit filled me.  “Sir the Lord put it on my heart to come pray with you, would that be alright?”  Well, that man crumbled like a baby into my arms and bawled as I prayed for him.  He kept saying over and over “Bless you sister, God knew what I needed.”  That man will never know how he blessed me that day.  Through listening when God prompted me to do something for Him no matter how strange it seemed, how hard or awkward for me, I learned to just go, trust, follow, submit and obey.  Because He knows best.

Titus 1:1-3
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour

Titus 1:15-16
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

I never want  verse 16 to be said of me, I read i want all who meet me t know who’s  I am and why I’m here.  It gets easier to do with time and I the closer I draw to God the easier it is to hear when He is talking to me.  Each time I hear that still small voice saying “go” and I do then my faith grows, my walk gets stronger and God shows up and shows out in so many ways.  Now instead of dreading those moments I live for them because in them I am closer to the one most precious to me – Jesus.  I do my best to live for Him because He lives in me!  I give my utmost for His highest!