Not too long ago, we got a call that Steve's dad was in CCU at a hospital in GA. He'd had a "Widow Maker's Heart Attack." The name still gives me the creeps. During the attack, his 6'4" frame fell to the concrete face-first, causing his brain to swell and his lungs to fill with fluid. It didn't look good, and even though I was having serious pain in my leg (I'd had surgery a week earlier), we both knew Steve HAD to go.
In hind's sight, I think God didn't want me to go to GA, because if I had felt ANY better, I would have hauled myself into the car and stayed by my husband non-stop. BUT, God evidently wanted Steve to be able to focus on his family this trip and not focus on taking care of me. So, Steve packed a few things and left...without me.
I don't know if any of you have ever been in a place like that before. I'm sure you have. It's a very "alone" feeling...not knowing what's going to happen to your loved one...hurting for yourself, but hurting more for the one who you love...not being able to "be there" to help comfort and strengthen your family member. My heart desperately ached for my husband...for all that he was going through and would have to go through when he got to GA.
And I was here, in NC, hours and states away.
It was during this time that God reminded me of a verse He had shown me many years ago when I battled a similar "helpless" feeling. Is. 59:1 says Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.
I couldn't physically be there for Steve...for Dad...for anyone...but GOD could. His arms are not short like mine. My arms barely reach a few inches in front of me, but nothing hinders the long arms of God. He could wrap a hug around my husband, when he needed it. God could hold Steve's hand, while he sat in the waiting room. He could hold Steve's head up, when he was too tired to do it himself.
And He did.
Truly, God's arms are not too short to save...to reach out to you and into your situation. Beloved of God, you may be unable to "be there," but God is already there, using His arms to minister to the ones you love through your prayers for them. Remember that today.
Praise You, Father that You are big enough to reach out...big enough to fulfill every need that could ever grab us and take us by surprise. Thank You that You hold our very life and the lives of the ones we love in Your hand, and You gently wipe our furrowed brows and assure us of Your love. Praise You, Jesus. Praise You.
Oh and if you're wondering...Steve's dad is doing well. He is truly a miracle, seriously. Even the doctors are amazed - not just that he's alive, but that he's doing as well as he is.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Seeking and Finding Good News in the Garden
Squash bugs...the name just naturally lends itself to "squashing bugs," don't you think?! I've actually not been squashing too many of them. Instead, I have developed a better plan for dealing with the little critters bent on destroying my plants.
Earlier in the summer, I tried using Neem Oil to get rid of the pests, and it did a pretty good job killing off the little ones. The big ones, however, seem to be wrapped in some pretty tough armor, adding new meaning to the phrase, "thick-skinned."
I still use the Neem Oil every other week, but the rest of the time, my plan is simple. Kill as many of them as I can, before they destroy my crop. They're avid feeders, killing plants within just a few days. The bugs suck the juices from the stem, causing the plant to wilt and the fruit to rot on the vine. Miserable, I say...just miserable.
So, to fight an infestation of these bugs, you have to have a plan...and I do! First of all, when I see any bug eggs, I immediately tear off the portion of the leaf they're on and shove it into my container of soapy water. Sounds simple, right? Well, it's not as easy as it sounds. The bugs are smart and most of the time, they lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves to protect them. So I can't just rely on removing the ones I see at first glance. I have to turn the leaves over, as well as check the base of the plant. Doing this requires some patience and fortitude, because squash plants have a rough outer covering, that can cause itching and burning of the skin.
After I have sufficiently found as many eggs as I can, I flood the base of the plant with water. In a few seconds, the adult bugs who spend most of their time hiding in the mulch, scramble to get to higher ground, so they can breathe. At that point, I meticulously pick them off one by one (yes, I know this sounds gross, but they don't bite and it's me or them!) and put them in my container of soapy water. After I've done this, I go back and check the plants again, because sometimes the squash bugs will climb to the very top of the plant to dry out after getting soaked.
This morning, while doing this, a thought came to me - I should seek out the sin in my life and destroy it, as desperately as I seek out and destroy these bugs. Doing that will take time, patience, energy, focus, sacrifice, and diligence. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that seeking out sin is not Biblical. Scripture does tell us to confess our sin and be forgiven (I John 1:9), but as far as "seeking sin," I just couldn't find any ground to support that thought.
However, I did find something else along the same lines. Instead of "seeking" my sin, the Word tells me to "seek" God. Over and over again, I came across verses like Deut. 4:29 which says, But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul and Lamentations 3:25 which says, The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,to the soul who seeks Him.
When I seek after God - when I spend time getting to know Him - when I use my time, patience, energy, focus, sacrifice, and diligence to find Him - He will show me the dark, hidden things in my life that need to be removed and destroyed. HE will reveal my sin, so that I can confess, be forgiven and bear much fruit. If I just focus on getting rid of my sin without focusing my eyes on the Savior, sure, I might find a few obvious trespasses here or there, but the dark, hidden things will stay covered. By focusing on God and building my relationship with Him - by seeking Him with everything that I am - the dark, hidden things will surface automatically...things that I never could have found in my own seeking.
So, I challenge myself and you too, Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon Is. 55:6-7.
Dearest Jesus, give me the determination and desire to focus completely on You...to seek after You with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength...to spend time (lots of time)in Your Word, getting to know You. And then, Lord, may I repent of the sin that surfaces and be forgiven. Thank You, Lord that You will bring light to the darkness. I praise You, Jesus. I praise You.
Earlier in the summer, I tried using Neem Oil to get rid of the pests, and it did a pretty good job killing off the little ones. The big ones, however, seem to be wrapped in some pretty tough armor, adding new meaning to the phrase, "thick-skinned."
I still use the Neem Oil every other week, but the rest of the time, my plan is simple. Kill as many of them as I can, before they destroy my crop. They're avid feeders, killing plants within just a few days. The bugs suck the juices from the stem, causing the plant to wilt and the fruit to rot on the vine. Miserable, I say...just miserable.
So, to fight an infestation of these bugs, you have to have a plan...and I do! First of all, when I see any bug eggs, I immediately tear off the portion of the leaf they're on and shove it into my container of soapy water. Sounds simple, right? Well, it's not as easy as it sounds. The bugs are smart and most of the time, they lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves to protect them. So I can't just rely on removing the ones I see at first glance. I have to turn the leaves over, as well as check the base of the plant. Doing this requires some patience and fortitude, because squash plants have a rough outer covering, that can cause itching and burning of the skin.
After I have sufficiently found as many eggs as I can, I flood the base of the plant with water. In a few seconds, the adult bugs who spend most of their time hiding in the mulch, scramble to get to higher ground, so they can breathe. At that point, I meticulously pick them off one by one (yes, I know this sounds gross, but they don't bite and it's me or them!) and put them in my container of soapy water. After I've done this, I go back and check the plants again, because sometimes the squash bugs will climb to the very top of the plant to dry out after getting soaked.
This morning, while doing this, a thought came to me - I should seek out the sin in my life and destroy it, as desperately as I seek out and destroy these bugs. Doing that will take time, patience, energy, focus, sacrifice, and diligence. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that seeking out sin is not Biblical. Scripture does tell us to confess our sin and be forgiven (I John 1:9), but as far as "seeking sin," I just couldn't find any ground to support that thought.
However, I did find something else along the same lines. Instead of "seeking" my sin, the Word tells me to "seek" God. Over and over again, I came across verses like Deut. 4:29 which says, But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul and Lamentations 3:25 which says, The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,to the soul who seeks Him.
When I seek after God - when I spend time getting to know Him - when I use my time, patience, energy, focus, sacrifice, and diligence to find Him - He will show me the dark, hidden things in my life that need to be removed and destroyed. HE will reveal my sin, so that I can confess, be forgiven and bear much fruit. If I just focus on getting rid of my sin without focusing my eyes on the Savior, sure, I might find a few obvious trespasses here or there, but the dark, hidden things will stay covered. By focusing on God and building my relationship with Him - by seeking Him with everything that I am - the dark, hidden things will surface automatically...things that I never could have found in my own seeking.
So, I challenge myself and you too, Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon Is. 55:6-7.
Dearest Jesus, give me the determination and desire to focus completely on You...to seek after You with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength...to spend time (lots of time)in Your Word, getting to know You. And then, Lord, may I repent of the sin that surfaces and be forgiven. Thank You, Lord that You will bring light to the darkness. I praise You, Jesus. I praise You.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Freedom's Cost
I hate to admit it, but I didn't have a great love for history growing up. However, the older I get, the more passionate I become about the things of the past. I love watching the The History Channel, when I can. Their war documentaries are fascinating. They not only show you pictures and videos from the different wars we've participated in, but they show you interviews with the soldiers that actually fought in those battles.
Sometimes though, it's hard to watch. To the people being interviewed, these war stories are not just stories, they are reality. Tears are often shed, and you can see in their eyes the horror of their participation in the conflict. That's when the history comes alive...when you realize that war really did cost someone something. To those of us who've never fought in a war, we don't recognize the price as much. But to those who fought to secure our freedom, the cost was great. It's a price they'll always remember, no matter how hard they try to forget.
You and I are beneficiaries at their expense. We have freedoms that so many people in the rest of the world only dream about and will never receive, simply because there were a few men and women who believed in freedom for all. So to those brave soldiers and their families, I say, "Thank you for paying the cost for MY freedom. I will not forget."
And to the One who paid the ultimate price for MY freedom - to the One who became sin for me - who took the stripes that I was meant to bear - who took the weight of the sin of the world on his shoulders - to Him who writhed in pain over my well-being - to the One who truly paid it all at great cost, without cost to me - to Him I say, "Thank You for paying the price for my freedom. I will not forget."
Dearest Jesus, thank You for redeeming me. Thank You for giving me the opportunity and the privilege of living a life of freedom - a life that some people only dream about. As we remember the price that was paid for our American freedom, let us not forget to remember the price You paid for our ultimate freedom. Praise You, Jesus. I praise You.
Sometimes though, it's hard to watch. To the people being interviewed, these war stories are not just stories, they are reality. Tears are often shed, and you can see in their eyes the horror of their participation in the conflict. That's when the history comes alive...when you realize that war really did cost someone something. To those of us who've never fought in a war, we don't recognize the price as much. But to those who fought to secure our freedom, the cost was great. It's a price they'll always remember, no matter how hard they try to forget.
You and I are beneficiaries at their expense. We have freedoms that so many people in the rest of the world only dream about and will never receive, simply because there were a few men and women who believed in freedom for all. So to those brave soldiers and their families, I say, "Thank you for paying the cost for MY freedom. I will not forget."
And to the One who paid the ultimate price for MY freedom - to the One who became sin for me - who took the stripes that I was meant to bear - who took the weight of the sin of the world on his shoulders - to Him who writhed in pain over my well-being - to the One who truly paid it all at great cost, without cost to me - to Him I say, "Thank You for paying the price for my freedom. I will not forget."
Dearest Jesus, thank You for redeeming me. Thank You for giving me the opportunity and the privilege of living a life of freedom - a life that some people only dream about. As we remember the price that was paid for our American freedom, let us not forget to remember the price You paid for our ultimate freedom. Praise You, Jesus. I praise You.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
My A-ha Moment with God
Uneasy. That's the word I'll use to describe the week before my surgery. I couldn't shake the feeling, no matter how hard I tried.
We'd gone to the beach a few days before the screws and plate in my knee were to be removed, and I was hoping I'd find some peace there - that I'd have an "A-ha" moment with the Lord.
We swam in the pool, fought the ocean waves, fished off the pier, and ate out. It was a wonderful getaway, but my mind constantly kept reverting back to the surgery and the sense of dread that I felt.
I trusted God. I truly believed He could work all things together for good. I just couldn't seem to "feel" it.
Yet God, being patient with me as usual, met me the last morning of our trip. My very perceptive husband knew I needed some time away, so he suggested I go for a walk on the beach before the kids got up. I gladly took him up on the offer. I slipped on my flip-flops and quietly headed out the door, talking to God as I went.
I stepped down off the deck, onto the beach and automatically began to scan the surface of the sand for treasures the tide had brought in overnight. I picked up a few things - a white pebble smoothed by the salt water - a shell that used to be the home of a wonderful little sea creature - and then, I heard God say to my spirit, "Look up, Belinda." I answered, almost as if He were standing there with me, "But if I look up, I might miss a shell." He replied, "But if you don't look up, you might miss Me."
So I looked up, fully expecting to see dolphins leaping in the air or a beautiful out-of-place rainbow, but there was nothing. No "A-ha" moment, only waves for my entire journey back. Yet, every time I found myself looking down to find shells, my mind and heart would remember what God had spoken to my spirit - "Look up."
I am (and was that day) reminded of the verse in Col. 3 that says, "Set you heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things for you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Earthly things: surgery; sickness; cancer; loss; hurt; painful relationships; the list goes on and on.
Things above: Christ; His plan; His purpose in the hard things; His GOOD plan for me; His heart towards me; thankfully, this list goes on and on, too.
You know, I never did have that "A-ha" moment at the beach...at least the "A-ha" I expected. What I did receive was something even more precious - something that would carry me through a lot more, than a moment in time. I received a reminder from the Lord to "Look up;" to keep my eyes focused on the One who makes everything right and has my good and His glory in mind; to keep my attention on Him, Who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all I could ask or imagine; to faithfully acknowledge the One Who is able to counteract everything life can throw at me; to see His possibilities and not my own helplessness.
"A-ha."
Thank You, Lord, for speaking to us through Your Spirit - for always nudging our hearts to look up at the heavenly things...for reminding us that the things we see here on this earth are but temporary and the things of You are eternal. Thank You for using these earthly things to produce in us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. Thank You.
We'd gone to the beach a few days before the screws and plate in my knee were to be removed, and I was hoping I'd find some peace there - that I'd have an "A-ha" moment with the Lord.
We swam in the pool, fought the ocean waves, fished off the pier, and ate out. It was a wonderful getaway, but my mind constantly kept reverting back to the surgery and the sense of dread that I felt.
I trusted God. I truly believed He could work all things together for good. I just couldn't seem to "feel" it.
Yet God, being patient with me as usual, met me the last morning of our trip. My very perceptive husband knew I needed some time away, so he suggested I go for a walk on the beach before the kids got up. I gladly took him up on the offer. I slipped on my flip-flops and quietly headed out the door, talking to God as I went.
I stepped down off the deck, onto the beach and automatically began to scan the surface of the sand for treasures the tide had brought in overnight. I picked up a few things - a white pebble smoothed by the salt water - a shell that used to be the home of a wonderful little sea creature - and then, I heard God say to my spirit, "Look up, Belinda." I answered, almost as if He were standing there with me, "But if I look up, I might miss a shell." He replied, "But if you don't look up, you might miss Me."
So I looked up, fully expecting to see dolphins leaping in the air or a beautiful out-of-place rainbow, but there was nothing. No "A-ha" moment, only waves for my entire journey back. Yet, every time I found myself looking down to find shells, my mind and heart would remember what God had spoken to my spirit - "Look up."
I am (and was that day) reminded of the verse in Col. 3 that says, "Set you heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things for you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Earthly things: surgery; sickness; cancer; loss; hurt; painful relationships; the list goes on and on.
Things above: Christ; His plan; His purpose in the hard things; His GOOD plan for me; His heart towards me; thankfully, this list goes on and on, too.
You know, I never did have that "A-ha" moment at the beach...at least the "A-ha" I expected. What I did receive was something even more precious - something that would carry me through a lot more, than a moment in time. I received a reminder from the Lord to "Look up;" to keep my eyes focused on the One who makes everything right and has my good and His glory in mind; to keep my attention on Him, Who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all I could ask or imagine; to faithfully acknowledge the One Who is able to counteract everything life can throw at me; to see His possibilities and not my own helplessness.
"A-ha."
Thank You, Lord, for speaking to us through Your Spirit - for always nudging our hearts to look up at the heavenly things...for reminding us that the things we see here on this earth are but temporary and the things of You are eternal. Thank You for using these earthly things to produce in us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. Thank You.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
God's Garden
Someone commented a few days ago that my garden, “looked great.” They then added, “I’m impressed.” Can I just tell you – that did my heart good. I have diligently taken care of the plants to make sure nothing hurt them or their production. Why even yesterday, I was pulling squash bugs off my zucchini by hand and disposing of them - properly of course! I have agonized over each plant's water intake, as well as delighted myself in finding every blade of grass and destroying it. I may sound a little like the “Terminator,” but when it comes to my garden, I guess that name is appropriate.
It makes me proud to look at my garden...to see that my effort has paid off. To know that someone else noticed my hard work is just icing on the cake. I wonder if God feels that way, too. Ps. 19:1-4 says: The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays His handiwork. Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals His greatness. There is no actual speech or word, nor is its voice literally heard. Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth; its words carry to the distant horizon. In the sky He has pitched a tent for the sun.
There were no accidents in creation. It didn’t just come into being-God created it. He formed it. He worked at it. And after creation was finished, Scripture says He looked at "everything He had made, and indeed it was very good..." (Gen 1:31).
I wonder if anybody’s noticed lately. I wonder how many of us have looked up at the bright blue of the sky and said, “I’m impressed.” I wonder if we’ve taken the time to really look at a flower – to see the multitude of colors represented, sometimes in just one petal. I wonder if anyone has simply taken a drink of fresh water when they were thirsty, without acknowledging the One who created it for them.
Let’s not be like that today. Let’s take time to look around at the beautiful creation God has not only given us, but made for us and tell Him, “Your garden looks great, God. I’m impressed.”
Father, thank You so much for the beauty of the earth…for the color of the trees and the beauty of the flowers that dangle from their branches. Thank You for the mountains and the valleys, literally. I’m impressed…incredibly impressed.
It makes me proud to look at my garden...to see that my effort has paid off. To know that someone else noticed my hard work is just icing on the cake. I wonder if God feels that way, too. Ps. 19:1-4 says: The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays His handiwork. Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals His greatness. There is no actual speech or word, nor is its voice literally heard. Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth; its words carry to the distant horizon. In the sky He has pitched a tent for the sun.
There were no accidents in creation. It didn’t just come into being-God created it. He formed it. He worked at it. And after creation was finished, Scripture says He looked at "everything He had made, and indeed it was very good..." (Gen 1:31).
I wonder if anybody’s noticed lately. I wonder how many of us have looked up at the bright blue of the sky and said, “I’m impressed.” I wonder if we’ve taken the time to really look at a flower – to see the multitude of colors represented, sometimes in just one petal. I wonder if anyone has simply taken a drink of fresh water when they were thirsty, without acknowledging the One who created it for them.
Let’s not be like that today. Let’s take time to look around at the beautiful creation God has not only given us, but made for us and tell Him, “Your garden looks great, God. I’m impressed.”
Father, thank You so much for the beauty of the earth…for the color of the trees and the beauty of the flowers that dangle from their branches. Thank You for the mountains and the valleys, literally. I’m impressed…incredibly impressed.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A Lesson Learned From an Epi-Pen
As I stood there about to make brownies for our home-school party, a terrifying thought struck me – I just made chocolate chip PEANUT BUTTER granola bars for my family’s snack, and there’s a young man in our group that’s severely allergic to peanuts. I immediately washed my hands over and over again, just to remove any residue that might be lingering. You see, when this young man comes in contact with the allergen, his throat immediately constricts, and his face begins to swell. Even the slightest contact with peanuts can cause a potentially fatal reaction. So, when the parents fix snacks or go anywhere as a group, we have to make sure we don’t bring foods that contain peanuts or have even been anywhere near them!
Thankfully, God reminded me about his condition, before I began making the brownies. As I stood there stirring, I began to think about how he manages this unwanted condition. Then, I remembered hearing his mom talk about carrying an epi-pen with her wherever she went, just in case he started to have a reaction. If she didn’t, he could be in serious trouble within a matter of minutes.
Think about that for a moment: his epi-pen is LIFE to him, literally.
Now, think about this for a moment (or more!!!) – God’s Word is LIFE to you and me. I know I wrote about the importance of God’s Word last week, but the thought is still with me this week. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. On the contrary, I think it’s a wonderful thing.
In Matthew 4, Christ had been fasting for 40 days. This time period was immediately following His baptism by John. Scripture says, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (vs.1). Then, in vs.2, the Word tells us that Satan waited until Jesus was “good and hungry” (my paraphrase) before he tempted Him to turn stones into bread. Jesus told him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
Was Jesus saying we don’t need food? No, of course not…we need food to feed our physical bodies. Christ was saying that our life doesn’t just depend on how many cheeseburgers we can consume in a day. Instead, our life…our spiritual life (which affects our physical bodies)…is dependent on the Word of God – the Bible. Our health, our strength, our mental status – all of these things and more – are wrapped up in the Word.
In order to see what I mean, let me share a few examples. When you are fearful, use God’s Word to dispel that fear by quoting I Tim. 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” When you feel worthless and condemned as a believer in Christ, speak Romans 8:1 into your situation: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus for those who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” When you are tired of doing good, and seeing no results – when you are tired of praying for that loved one to come to Christ and haven’t seen it happen yet, speak life to that feeling by quoting Gal. 6:9: “And let us not grow weary in doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Do you see what I mean? Do you see what I’m talking about, and how God’s Word is our very lives?
In light of that, grab your spiritual epi-pen and don’t leave home without it. Memorize God’s Word, so you’ll be able to carry It with you wherever you go. After all, your very LIFE is at stake!
Dear God, help us, as YOUR people to memorize the life-giving Words You have spoken, so that we can not only exist, but have life and have it more abundantly through the power of the Spirit.
Thankfully, God reminded me about his condition, before I began making the brownies. As I stood there stirring, I began to think about how he manages this unwanted condition. Then, I remembered hearing his mom talk about carrying an epi-pen with her wherever she went, just in case he started to have a reaction. If she didn’t, he could be in serious trouble within a matter of minutes.
Think about that for a moment: his epi-pen is LIFE to him, literally.
Now, think about this for a moment (or more!!!) – God’s Word is LIFE to you and me. I know I wrote about the importance of God’s Word last week, but the thought is still with me this week. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. On the contrary, I think it’s a wonderful thing.
In Matthew 4, Christ had been fasting for 40 days. This time period was immediately following His baptism by John. Scripture says, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (vs.1). Then, in vs.2, the Word tells us that Satan waited until Jesus was “good and hungry” (my paraphrase) before he tempted Him to turn stones into bread. Jesus told him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
Was Jesus saying we don’t need food? No, of course not…we need food to feed our physical bodies. Christ was saying that our life doesn’t just depend on how many cheeseburgers we can consume in a day. Instead, our life…our spiritual life (which affects our physical bodies)…is dependent on the Word of God – the Bible. Our health, our strength, our mental status – all of these things and more – are wrapped up in the Word.
In order to see what I mean, let me share a few examples. When you are fearful, use God’s Word to dispel that fear by quoting I Tim. 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” When you feel worthless and condemned as a believer in Christ, speak Romans 8:1 into your situation: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus for those who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” When you are tired of doing good, and seeing no results – when you are tired of praying for that loved one to come to Christ and haven’t seen it happen yet, speak life to that feeling by quoting Gal. 6:9: “And let us not grow weary in doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Do you see what I mean? Do you see what I’m talking about, and how God’s Word is our very lives?
In light of that, grab your spiritual epi-pen and don’t leave home without it. Memorize God’s Word, so you’ll be able to carry It with you wherever you go. After all, your very LIFE is at stake!
Dear God, help us, as YOUR people to memorize the life-giving Words You have spoken, so that we can not only exist, but have life and have it more abundantly through the power of the Spirit.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
People of the Word
My eyes need help…lots of help. So, I wear contacts during the day and glasses at night. This “need” became more apparent to me one night last week, after I took out my contacts. I didn’t realize that I hadn’t placed my glasses in the usual place the night before. Needless to say, I was basically blind. I searched and searched, but to no avail. I looked like Velma on Scooby Doo trying desperately to find her glasses, but unable to see they were right in front of her face.
I usually read my Bible at night, but this night, I couldn’t see It to read It. I actually tried, but to no avail. As I lay there thinking about the fact that I couldn’t read my Bible whenever I wanted to - an unusual thought came to my mind. If my Bible was ever taken away from me, what would I do? Would I know enough Scripture to be able to quote it back to myself, when I needed it? Would my mind pull up the verses I needed for strength and comfort, or would I flounder, wishing I’d spent more time memorizing what I said was most important to me?
I’m sorry to say - the latter would probably be my lot.
That thought caused a deep stirring in me to memorize more of the Word of God. I had made it a practice several years ago to study and memorize the Word faithfully, but in the last few years, other things have seemed to take precedence. That’s just like Satan, don’t you think – convincing us that other things are more important, so that we won’t be able to use the Sword of the Spirit against him when we need to.
Ps. 119:11 says “I have hidden Thy Word in my heart that I might not sin against You,” Ps119:105 says “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” and Colossians 3 challenges us to “let the Word of Christ dwell richly” in us.
I know it’s hard to memorize. I know it’s hard to focus, but if we are to call ourselves the “People of God,” then we need to be “People of the Word.” We need to know what God desires, and the only way to do that is to know what He says.
Whether we realize it or not, God’s Word is our very Life…our Source of Strength…our connection to God, Himself. And yet, few of us could make the claim that we have secured more than 20 verses of His precious Word in our hearts. I challenge you, along with myself, to begin now. If you don’t think you can do it, get someone else involved. Memorize Scripture together and encourage one another to do so. Just like walking for your health, it’s a whole lot easier to do when there’s someone else knocking at your door, waiting on you to appear dressed and ready to sweat!
May our lives be characteristic of those filled with the Word of God. May our Bibles truly be our Swords. May Satan tremble as we stand in opposition to him and quote Truth against his lies. May we be “People of the Word”…really.
Thank You, Lord, for Your Word, for it is our very connection to You. Thank You that as we seek to cause Your Word to dwell in us, You are pleased. Thank You, Lord for Your promises. Thank You.
I usually read my Bible at night, but this night, I couldn’t see It to read It. I actually tried, but to no avail. As I lay there thinking about the fact that I couldn’t read my Bible whenever I wanted to - an unusual thought came to my mind. If my Bible was ever taken away from me, what would I do? Would I know enough Scripture to be able to quote it back to myself, when I needed it? Would my mind pull up the verses I needed for strength and comfort, or would I flounder, wishing I’d spent more time memorizing what I said was most important to me?
I’m sorry to say - the latter would probably be my lot.
That thought caused a deep stirring in me to memorize more of the Word of God. I had made it a practice several years ago to study and memorize the Word faithfully, but in the last few years, other things have seemed to take precedence. That’s just like Satan, don’t you think – convincing us that other things are more important, so that we won’t be able to use the Sword of the Spirit against him when we need to.
Ps. 119:11 says “I have hidden Thy Word in my heart that I might not sin against You,” Ps119:105 says “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” and Colossians 3 challenges us to “let the Word of Christ dwell richly” in us.
I know it’s hard to memorize. I know it’s hard to focus, but if we are to call ourselves the “People of God,” then we need to be “People of the Word.” We need to know what God desires, and the only way to do that is to know what He says.
Whether we realize it or not, God’s Word is our very Life…our Source of Strength…our connection to God, Himself. And yet, few of us could make the claim that we have secured more than 20 verses of His precious Word in our hearts. I challenge you, along with myself, to begin now. If you don’t think you can do it, get someone else involved. Memorize Scripture together and encourage one another to do so. Just like walking for your health, it’s a whole lot easier to do when there’s someone else knocking at your door, waiting on you to appear dressed and ready to sweat!
May our lives be characteristic of those filled with the Word of God. May our Bibles truly be our Swords. May Satan tremble as we stand in opposition to him and quote Truth against his lies. May we be “People of the Word”…really.
Thank You, Lord, for Your Word, for it is our very connection to You. Thank You that as we seek to cause Your Word to dwell in us, You are pleased. Thank You, Lord for Your promises. Thank You.
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