Love to the End

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him (John 13:1-5).”

Jesus...knowing that He was about to endure the painful torture of the cross (the most painful death the Romans ever concocted)...knowing that He would experience the betrayal of His closest friends....knowing that His body would be beaten to a pulp – literally...knowing that it was just a matter of time before the Roman guards came to lead Him away...found a nice, secluded place away from people to meditate His impending doom.

Can I just say (or write) NOT!!!

Jesus, our King, knew His end was coming, and what does John's Gospel say that He did? He didn't run away to contemplate or be concerned over what was going to happen in the near future. Instead, He did the same thing He commands us to do by example. He loved them, by serving them “to the end.”

We get so busy with our own lives, meditating on what we are going through or having to deal with at the moment, that we forget to LOVE to the end. We feel “the right” to find a place to hide away from the rest of the world. We've convinced ourselves that we need that much MORE than we do and end up treasuring those times of “get away” MORE than we should.

If you are anything like me, and hopefully you are not, you tend to draw back...to pull away when things get out of control. I want to run and find some quiet place to pull the covers over my head, sometimes giving the excuse that I simply need some time alone.

I'm not saying that time alone is necessarily a bad thing. What I am saying is that I think sometime I use it as an excuse not to push through and LOVE. Jesus pushed through. He sat at that table and heard the disciples wondering who was the greatest. He sat there, looking at each one, knowing that they would all eventually desert Him. He knew it all...their hearts...their minds...their misconceptions about Who He was. And to top it off, He knew His imminent, horrid death was approaching quickly. It was time...and yet, He didn't use that as an excuse to not love. Instead, He loved them - even to the end.

I think that's one of our problems as Believers, today. We don't love to the end. We love until it gets uncomfortable or makes us frustrated. We love until we're too busy, but not to the end. We don't put everything that God has put into us – His own presence and power - into our relationships with our family, our friends and definitely not our enemies.

If you don't belong in that description, I applaud your walk with the Lord and pray that He continues to use you mightily in the lives of those you serve. Yet, if you are like me, and find yourself lumped into the earlier paragraph, let's change. Let's decide to take our lives that were purchased with the precious, precious blood and suffering of our Savior and use them for Him.

I've always heard that the highest complement one could be paid was imitation. Let's pay Christ the highest compliment. Love...to the end.

Father, forgive me for when I don't love and don't love till the end. I desire to make You proud...to show others what a great and loving God You are. Help me do that through service for You and to You, alone. I love You, Lord.

To Complain or Not to Complain

Conviction...that's about it - sheer conviction.

Normally, I don't think of myself as a "complainer."  As a matter of fact, I have always tried to purpose in my heart, NOT to do so. However, as I sat and listened to the Word proclaimed, I was convicted of the very thing that I disdain so much.

The pastor taught on Philippians 2:14,15 - "Do everything without grumbling or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky."

I've heard these verses many times.  I've written about these verses...taught on these verses.  Even more than that, I have tried to instill them in my children with a passion - "You are a light in this world.  Act like it.  Don't grumble or complain, so as to dim your light for Christ."

Yet as I was put in an unusually unnerving position today, my first thought was a complaint.  I wish I could say that I immediately kicked that thought right out of my mind, and my heart was content and cheerful from then on.  However, that wasn't the case at all.  As a matter of fact, all I wanted to do was to get up and get out, so I could speak freely of my displeasure in the car to my husband, away from others.  It's alright to complain to your spouse, right?!?  NO.  The more I listened, the more convicted I became - the Spirit showing me my own pride and arrogance for the very verses I say I hold so dear.

So, I decided in my heart that I would not complain in the car, nor anywhere else for that matter.  Do you know how difficult that was?  Every time something was mentioned about the service, I really wanted to share my story.  It WAS true, but it wasn't edifying.  

Jesus took me to another verse, early yesterday, which probably is why these verses hit so hard today. Proverbs 10:19 says, "In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise."  Know what that means to me?  Belinda, BITE YOUR TONGUE - literally, if you have to.

And that's what I have had to do today.  Everyone thought there was something wrong, because I have been so quiet.  Little did they know - it was all I could do to STAY that way.

I wonder if you struggle with this as I have?  I wonder if there is some part of you that is even at this moment feeling remorse for words said in aggravation.  I can guarantee you - it's not gonna get any better until you deal with it.  You've gotta ask God to forgive you and help you remove that complaining spirit as far as the east is from the west.  Then, you gotta keep quiet for a while, guarding the door of your lips to make sure that nothing escapes, except that which is "helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph. 4:29).

Forgive me, Lord, when my heart is so far removed from You that I focus on everyone and everything else besides You.  May my speech at all times, reflect what I say I believe and Who I say I serve.  I love You, Father.  Thank You for being patient with Your child.  

The Blood of the Lamb

I want chickens, but there's a problem.  I have been told by many owners of the productive fowl that when they stop laying, it's time for Sunday dinner.  

Now, some of you may think I am silly.  It's okay. I've already been told.  I just don't think I would be able to end the life of something that I have coddled and fed and petted and held and laughed at and kept warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  A chicken in my yard would be more like a precious pet, I'm afraid.  So, the idea of taking its life really doesn't "sit well" with me. 

Because of that, I can't imagine what the Old Testament Israelites must have had to go through in order to present a proper and useful sacrifice to the Lord.  Because sin was so vast and filthy in His sight (and still is, by the way), He required the most valuable - the most perfect specimen - be offered in place of the family's sin as a sacrifice.  

Often times, I'm sure the "sacrifice" was the most prized possession of the family.  It was their pet. The children raised it from a small little helpless creature, knowing that one day, that precious animal would have to spill it's life's blood for theirs.  

You see any other sacrifice wouldn't work.  The lamb had to be spotless, without defect - the best the family could bring.  

So, while reading I Peter 1:18-19 today, my mind got stuck there: "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 

The Israelites were required to bring their best as an offering to the Lord, because HE would one day, BRING HIS BEST, as an offering for them.  The God of Heaven - the God of love - would one day, take the life of His own Son, because as precious as those lambs were to the people, they were never good enough.  They weren't perfect.  God knew it.  The only perfect "Lamb" was Christ.  
So, let me encourage you to "get stuck there" today.  "Get stuck" in the idea that you no longer HAVE to bring something precious and valuable to God to appease His wrath.  You no longer HAVE to take the life of something that you love in order to just be able to stand in His sight.  

For through Jesus, HE did that for you. 

Thank You, Father, for the great gift of Your Son...really.  Forgive me when I take His death and preciousness of His gift so casually.  I thank You for Your love for me, even when I do.  Cleanse this calloused, hard heart and fill it with Your precious Spirit.  Thank You, Father, for Jesus.  

The Power of the Tongue

Finally, they were home.  The only thing left to do was to go in and take over.  

I'm speaking of the Israelite people, by the way.  They had been in slavery their whole lives, and yet now, they would finally have a land of their own...a freedom of their own.  No one and no thing - except God, Himself - would ever control them again.  No more beatings.  No more punishment through lack of food. No more torture.  Their lives would be their own, so to speak.  All they had to do was cross the Jordan and chase those who were on their property out of town. 

So, Moses sent twelve spies across the Jordan to spy out this Promised Land and to bring back samples of what was to be theirs.  The bounty they found was amazing.  It was just as God had told them.  All the spies agreed.  It was indeed a land flowing with milk and honey.  It was heaven on earth...  

BUT...  

You know, sometimes, that can be a really great contraction, boasting of great things to come. However, in this case, that three letter word meant huge trouble for the Israelites.  "But (ten of the spies said) "the people who have settled in the land are strong, and their cities are greatly fortified. We also saw the descendants of Anak (a giant).  Amalek lives throughout the Negev while the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country.  The Canaanites live by the sea and on the bank of the Jordan" (Num. 13:27-29).

In other words, ten of the spies came back freaking out.  They were scared to death of the "giants" and wanted nothing to do with the warring tribes they would have to face once they crossed over. 

Did they forget who God was?  Seems like it.  

It doesn't stop there, though.  Caleb and Joshua tried to quiet the people and encourage them, but the ten retaliated: "We can’t attack those people,” the men who were with him said, “because they’re too strong compared to us.” So they put out this false report to the Israelis about the land that they had explored: “The land that we’ve explored is one that devours its inhabitants. All the people whom we observed were giants. We also saw the Nephilim, the descendants of Anak. Compared to the Nephilim, as we see things, we’re like grasshoppers, and that’s their opinion of us!" (Num. 13:31-33).

And how do you think the Israelites responded?  How did God's people who watched the Egyptian army that threatened them be swallowed up in the rushing Red Sea respond to the news of the spies?  Why, of course, they trusted their God!  They decided that He was strong enough and big enough to conquer anything and any foe that they faced...giant or not!  

NOPE.  

Instead, the WHOLE assembly - hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of people - lifted up their voices and wept.  They were in such anguish at the thought of what was to come that they decided slavery was better than God's plan.  Aaron and Moses?  Well, they should be stoned, and then we'll find a new leader...one that would lead us back to Egypt.  

Sound silly?  Of course, it does, but more than anything, it sounds convicting.  James 3:5-6 says, "in the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things.  Consider how small a spark sets a great forest on fire.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body.  It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire and is itself, set on fire by hell."  

Now, that's not to say the tongue does not have benefit when controlled by the Spirit.  However, when we allow the tongue to wander on its own, not minding what spews forth from it, people get hurt.  That particular generation of Israel NEVER got to see the Promised Land.  They never got to go home.  Instead, because of their disbelief, God condemned them to die in the wilderness. Their children would inherit the land, but only after dealing with being homeless for 40 years.   

And the reason...the uncontrolled, unbridled tongues of ten men.  We are talking hundreds of thousands (probably a million or more people's lives) were incredibly, detrimentally altered because of a few words.  

Now, does that put the power of our tongues in perspective? 

I hope it does for you, because it sure does for me.  I have the power of life and death wrapped up in this little tiny organ in my mouth.  May I choose today - and every day for the rest of my life - to speak words of life...to allow my speech to be directed by the One who created it.  I pray you will join me.  

Father, challenge my heart and convict me of anything that I have said that does not reflect who YOU are.  Forgive my disbelief and my disgruntled speech.  I trust You, Lord...in all things.  

Don't Turn to the Right or the Left!

Migration - it's GOT to be a God-thing!  Year after year, creatures from the tiniest of birds to the largest of mammals trek their way, fly their way, and swim their way to a specific place at a specific time for a specific purpose.   Some travel thousands and thousands of miles to arrive at a destination they may see for the first time, never even stopping to rest!  They fight through raging storms, torrential waterfalls, heavy wind and various other obstacles, only to STILL arrive at their destination on time.   

How do they do it? Well, God has placed within each of these creatures a sort of homing device called "instinct" to direct them to their appointed end.  And scientists have determined - it works really well.  I mean REALLY, REALLY well.  

This homing device isn't something man-made or even something that man can duplicate.  We can't even create a GPS system that is as accurate as the directional device implanted in the brains of these creatures.  Pretty cool, huh?  

I wish I had a homing device like that. I wish I had something that would push and drive me to my appointed end, giving me complete freedom to trust the destination will be exactly where I am supposed to be at a particular time for a particular purpose.  

Guess what?  I do!  In fact, I have THE most accurate homing device.  You do, as well, if you are a Believer.  It's the actual Creator of the homing device - the Creator of animal instinct - God, Himself, with His Word as our Guide.  

Just like He never lets a bird wonder where in the world to fly before the winter, God didn't leave us directionless. He chose to have human hands write down His Words, so that you and I would always know the direction to go and which paths to choose.  

But do we really need His Word? Can't we just pray and ask God for direction? Yes. Yes, we can. We can pray.  He actually tells us to do that - in His Word!  However, prayer is just ONE of the ways God reveals His will to us - with His Word being the main way.  Therefore, if we choose to neglect His Word, not following it intentionally and fervently, then we will miss the mark every time.  

  

To illustrate this concept, try this.  Stand at one corner of the room and focus on a specific point at the other end.  Square your body to that object, so that you will come directly into contact with that object.  Now, pivot your feet - just a little - to the right or to the left. This doesn't need to be a large adjustment.  Just an inch or so should do it.  Now, make a bee-line toward your object, but by walking in the new path you have chosen.  Did you ever reach it? See what I mean?  It only takes a little variation in your pathway to miss your directed end.  

That's why God told Joshua in Joshua 1:7, "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go."

Friend, God wants you to reach your expected end at the expected time for the expected purpose.  He wants you to focus your attention on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith, not getting side-tracked to the right or to the left by bad things...or GOOD things.  We don't often think of "good things" as things that redirect our paths, but any "good thing" that takes your eyes off of Christ, even for a little bit, ends up being a bad thing.  Therefore, keep your gaze straight ahead...focused on Christ. Listen as the Spirit reveals God's pathways for you through His Word. Migrate properly through this life, holding onto the Word of God for every step.  

Jesus, help me migrate this life, by revealing Yourself to me through Your Word.  May I not turn to the right, nor to the left, but keep my eyes fixed on You, Lord.    

Salt and Fries

"You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men," Matthew 5:13.

While speaking to a little girl today in the baptismal waters, my husband - the pastor - mentioned to her that as a Believer, she is the salt of the earth.  Trying to further explain, he mentioned how salt flavors everything it touches.  He added, "like your French fries."  In other words, as a Believer, that little one is to allow Christ to use her to make a difference in the lives around her.  Her life was to not only exhibit change, but to ENACT change. 

I guess my stomach was growling, because my thought processes went further with the fries.  So, you know how your French fries taste WITH salt, right?  Okay, so how do your French fries taste WITHOUT?  Pretty bland, huh?  There's not much worse than a soggy, unsalted, tasteless French fry. 

Do you get the analogy?  You and I - as Believers - are the salt of the earth, and as true Believers, we change people and things around us, just by being who Christ created us to be.  However, if we choose to lose our saltiness through allowing sin into our lives, then we will not be effective for Christ.  We will not ENACT change.  Our life is good for nothing.  Empty.  

I don't want to be unfruitful with my life.  Do you?  I didn't think so.  What do you say that you and I simply BE who we were created to be - salt - without additives, without dirt, without the gunk of sin. 

Now, who's ready for some French fries!

Thank You Father.  Help me to allow You to ENACT change in the lives of others around me through my faith in Jesus Christ.   

The "Other" Christmas Gift

"And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord'"  Luke 2:10-11.

That passage is read more this time of year than probably any other time.  However, the older I get, the more I think it should be read all throughout the year and not just at Christmas.   

You see, Luke 2:10-11 speak not just of the salvation provided by Christ through His birth, but also of another amazing gift afforded to us who live far to the right side of the timeline. 

I'll give you a hint.  What else does the angel say, apart from the actual birth announcement?  Look closely.  It's two little words at the very beginning.   

You got it, didn't you?  That's right; Fear not. 

Because Christ came in the fullness of time, we have nothing to fear.  Nothing.  No doubt.  No struggle.  No person.  No cancer.  Nothing.  Christ's birth not only brought us salvation, but it brought us "fear-less-ness." 

"But Belinda, you don't know what I'm facing.  You don't know how I am being bombarded - even now - at a time when I should be excited about Christmas.  You have no idea.  How can I NOT fear?" 

Well, you're right.  I don't know what you are facing.  I'm sure it is scary.  If it helps at all, we all have those things in our lives that grip our heart and make our blood pump so fast our head spins.  Yet, I have found that when I focus on those things, nothing gets any better.  Instead, it only gets worse. 

So in those times of fear in my own life, when I don't feel very "fear-less," I need to remember to "fear not." 

Care to join me? 

Father, help me to truly realize You are WITH me...that You will never leave me or forsake me...that nothing can touch me that doesn't come through Your hand and is in Your control.  Please replace my anxiety and fearfulness with peace and fearlessness.  In Your Name...Jesus.