The Blueprint

6/30/2020

Matthew 5:25 “Agree with thine adversity quickly.”

Our nation is at war with both a virus of the body and an infection of the soul. There is unrest and fear in both of these areas. Not only is love lacking, but so is a general respect for others. Both issues have become polarizing, creating deep division between young and old, right and left, and putting undue strain on families. Does arguing and digging your heals in ever help to strengthen understanding? Is staying silent the answer? What are we, as believers, to do? The Bible is our blueprint for life, and it is there we should seek our answers. God is very clear how we should treat others in His word.

Luke 6:31 ESV

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Matthew 7:12 ESV

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Philippians 2:4 ESV

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

John 7:24 ESV

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (The word of God)

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Matthew 7:1-6 ESV

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ...

Galatians 5:14 ESV

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Romans 12:10 ESV

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

John 15:12 ESV

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Matthew 5:44 ESV

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

1 Peter 5:5 ESV

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Romans 13:10 ESV

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Hebrews 13:2 ESV

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Luke 6:27 ESV

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Leviticus 19:18 ESV

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

1 John 4:20-21 ESV

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

1 Timothy 5:1-2 ESV

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Romans 13:8 ESV

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Matthew 25:40 ESV

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Leviticus 19:16 ESV

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

Matthew 19:19 ESV

Honor your father and mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:39 ESV 

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Ephesians 5:21 ESV

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

John 13:34-35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Chambers gives this encouragement, “Jesus Christ is laying down this principle—Do what you know you must do, now, and do it quickly; if you do not, the inevitable process will begin to work and you will have to pay to the last farthing in pain and agony and distress.” If you think this is unachievable, I have one more verse for you.

Luke 1:37 ESV

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Excised

6/29/2020

Matthew 5:30 “And if thy right hand offended thee, cut it off and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

Wow, very strong words; cut away the offending appendage. So, do we take this literally? I would say that whatever it is that is the offending act, thought, or motive that pulls me away from God’s will is what needs to be excised. Anything that promotes sin in my life needs to be expunged, even if that is a person. People may support or encourage me in an area if they do not see it as an issue, but I must remember that I should hold my standard to what God would have me do. Chambers writes, “When God alters a man by regeneration, the characteristic of the life to being with is that it is maimed.” I undergo a transformation the moment I yield to the call of Jesus. If my life is not changed, I must ask myself why, and I MUST let my old ways perish. If I am altered in my spirit and my life becomes clearly different others may not understand, but hopefully they will be interested in the why. This curiosity may open the door for sharing the gospel. I am NOT called, however, to try drag anyone into transformation through judgement. I am only called to go through the conversion myself, and then ask God every day to help me be my very best for Him.

Apprehended

6/28/2020

Philippians 3:12 “If that I may apprehend that for which I am also apprehended.”

I have had a time when I was totally apprehended by God. I was captured by the Holy Spirit all day long, every day. This was both the worst and best period of my life. I was fighting a debilitating illness, and yet walking with God in a way I never had before. I was trusting Him with every minute of every day because I could do nothing in my own strength. The closer I drew to Him, the more fearless I was in my witness, because each day I was out in the world and on my feet was a victory. I shared how the love, grace, mercy, and strength of my Savior was the only way to healing. It was a very powerful time in my life in every way.

Sadly, during this time of unrest in our world, I have not allowed myself to be held by God in the same way, even though I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He wants me to release all to Him as I did during my personal battle. So, what is the difference? Is it because the issues that are raging in this world are not yet personally affecting me? Even though life is drastically different than it was in early March, not one person I love has been affected by Covid-19 or any of the protesting that is going on. Sure, I pray multiple times every day, but I have yet to allow the Holy Spirit to seize me so that all of my focus is on God. Chambers writes, “We are not here to work for God because we have chosen to do so, but because God has apprehended us.” This being totally held by God, for me at least, is very different than just reading my Bible and praying, it is being totally still, awed, and humbled before the power and majesty of my Lord. It is living a life that glorifies God and everything He is as Creator and Savior.

I have wrestled the past few days, as I felt God leading me back into that place of being once again captured by Him alone. I read these verses this morning, and was drawn back into deeper communion with my Savior.

Proverbs 3:1-8 “My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

 in all your ways submit to Him,

 and He will make your paths straight.

 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

 fear the Lord and shun evil.

 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

As we all maneuver this unusual time, let us also remember these words of Chambers: “Never water down the word of God, preach it in its undiluted sternness; there must be unflinching loyalty to the word of God; but when you come to personal dealings with your fellow men, remember who you are—not a special being made in heaven, but a sinner saved by grace.”

Just Be Held – Casting Crowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIZitK6_IMQ

Deliver

6/27/2020

Jeremiah 1:8 “I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.”

These times we live in certainly are wearying. Bad news covers all manner of technology, and many of us feel helpless. I know I am searching for purpose and my role in all of it, but I’m often times sad or muddled. As states reopen, and I must begin looking towards the end of my time working from home, I have to prepare mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually to launch back into the world. This has me anxious and praying for God’s help and grace. Chambers writes, “Wherever God sends us, He will guard our lives. Our personal property and possessions are a matter of indifference, we have to sit loosely to those things; if we do not, there will be panic and heartbreak and distress.” I agree. There is nothing that God cannot deliver me from, and the more my focus is on Him, the better I will hold fast to this truth. All else I must offer up to Him.

 My Deliverer - Mandisa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWX4_RRjc0k

Overwhelming Grace

6/26/2020

2 Corinthians 6:1 “We…beseech you that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”

“Grace is the overflowing favour of God; you can always reckon it is there to draw upon.”

~Oswald Chambers

I am so grateful for the overflowing grace of God every day of my life, no matter what the circumstances. We are living in an exceedingly difficult time where people are deeply divided, and there is a pandemic that is once again surging. If not for the love and grace of my Lord, we would not survive. He extends His grace, and in turn, we need to extend that grace to others. Where am I in my offerings of grace? Do my actions during this time glorify my God and clearly show love to others?

The Light in Sorrow

6/25/2020

John 12:27-28 “What shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour? But for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name.”

I am always asking God for deliverance and help, both for myself and especially those I love. I want Him to save everyone from the hurt and sorrow of this life. I want those I love to be healthy, safe, and blessed. This life, of course, is never totally free from pain, loss, and sadness. We all go through seasons of blessing and seasons of trial. I know all of my prayers have not prevented times of distress, but instead brought comfort to a weary soul.

In 2012, my mom, Lorraine, suffered a massive stroke, and her life was radically changed in an instant. She had already lived through many a difficult season, chief of which was losing her husband, my dad, far too soon. They were apart for much of their marriage because his job took him away for long stretches of time, and I know she missed him desperately during these periods. After he died, she had to live through the shock and mourning of not just his sudden loss, but the loss of promised time together as they looked toward the future. He was her everything, the sun that generously gave warmth and which our entire family revolved around. The one constant in her life, through all of the joy and sorrow, was her faith in her loving Savior. She never questioned for a moment where my father would be going, and if she would see him again; she knew she would. She even wore white to his funeral, something not done in our circle, as an outward sign of the hope she had even in her distress. I will never forget that.

This strength of faith was even more evident after the stroke that left her paralyzed and dependent on others. I would always pray for a miracle, for her to jump up out of her bed totally healed. She truly believed God could heal her, as did I. That was, however, not His plan, yet she glorified His name by sharing His love with everyone that came into her sphere. She had become bold and outspoken in her love for her Lord. This time in her life was at once tragic and also beautiful. She, in her infirmity, loved louder and stronger than anyone I had ever seen. She listened to, forgave, and loved everyone her bright blue eyes saw, and she drew everyone in. She was a beacon of Holy Spirit power whose sole purpose was to bring glory to her Lord.

Chambers writes, “Sorrow burns up a lot of shallowness, but it does not always make a man better.” This is so true. In my mom’s case, sorrow did burn off almost every other care but that of her love for and relationship with Jesus. Chambers also writes, “If you receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people.” This was so true of Lorraine, a faithful child of God, who is now with her Savior and her love.

Miss you, mom. Love you to the moon and back again!

True Darkness

6/24/2020

Luke 22:53 “This is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Sin is dark, and so very prevalent in our world today. We are a broken people and a broken society full of division. This surely is not of God. It is easy to stand in self-righteousness and claim I know best, but if my knowledge is not aligned with the Bible and guided by the Holy Spirit, then I am on the wrong course. This sanctimonious attitude sows seeds of discord instead of peace and understanding, and it is sinful. I am called to love out loud, not judge, be fully devoted to Jesus, and not be pompous in my Christian walk. I am to always yield to my Lord and be sensitive to the sin in my own life. Chambers says, “If you reconcile yourself to the fact that you sin, you will realize the danger at once—Yes, I see what that would mean.” I try never to choose to sin, but is my spirit sensitive enough to that certain darkness in my soul? The only weapon I have in this fight is to surrender all that I am to Jesus. 

Iniquity

6/23/2020

Isaiah 53:3 “A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”

Sin is a part of the human condition that no one can escape. It is certainly a cause of much sorrow and grief in life. Chambers writes, “We have to recognize that sin is a fact, not a defect; sin is red-handed mutiny against God.” Again, very strong but powerful words from Chambers. If we actually considered this to be true, would we fight against our own sin nature more fiercely? Do any of us want to be part of or lead a “red-handed mutiny against God”? Just the thought of that statement makes me shiver, yet I know some of my habitual sin I place in a category of personal defect. Looking at sin this way is more palatable, but it is not the truth. Sin is sin is sin, and there is no softening that fact.

Chambers writes, “If sin rules in me, God’s life in me will be killed; if God rules in me, sin will be killed.” My deepest desire is to always submit to God’s rule in my life, and to recognize the sacrifice that Jesus made on my behalf. I should never be cavalier about that truth…EVER!

The Measurement

6/22/2020

Matthew 7:2 “For with what judgment ye judge, us shall be judged; and what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

Pretty sobering words. The way I judge others will come back to me in judgment, except that judgement will be an eternal one. This verse alone should be enough of an encouragement not to appraise the behavior of others, and yet I falter. Chambers says, “This statement is not a haphazard guess, it is an eternal law of God. Whatever judgement you give; it is measured to you again.”

Especially for such a time as this, we as believers must strive to live and lead with compassion and understanding. We must model non-judgmental behavior in both word and deed. We must truly love others, for love conquers judgement. How do I want to represent Jesus in this world? If we all would ask ourselves this question more often, we would regain our focus and help to heal this hurting world.

Strive

6/21/2020

1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are…a royal priesthood.”

Today, Chambers says this bold statement: “There is only one place where we are right, and that is in Christ Jesus.” Anything outside of our walk with Jesus is merely distraction from our purpose. We are, by in large, self-centered creatures. This, however, is NOT how God would have us be. Our inheritance is nothing less than Heaven, so why are we always so concerned about the temporal things of this life? The world presses in and often becomes bigger than our God. Why is that? Why do we have such a difficult time focusing on the Atonement and our purpose? I know for sure that this is true for me. Staying focused as everything around me pushes in is tough, although I think God expects me always to strive for exactly that.  

I am, as always, a work in progress.

Stop, Drop, and Pray

6/20/2020

Job 42:10 “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends.”

“I cannot make myself right with God, I cannot make my life perfect; I can only be right with God if I accept the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ as an absolute gift.” ~ Oswald Chambers

After a time of battling in my faith-walk, I had to yield. I had to come to a place where I realized that the Atonement of Christ needed to be real in my life; I had a head knowledge, but not a heart and soul connection. In my infancy, this was all my new faith could handle, processing the magnitude of such a gift of love.  As I matured, however, I knew that more was expected of me. This is what Chambers calls entering into the “ministry of the interior”, and it is what Job did when he prayed for his friends. Intercessory prayer has become a vital part of my time with God, and blesses me in ways too profound to explain in a brief blog post.

There is always an immediacy with this kind of focused petition, whether you are praying for a new request from a friend or loved one, or praying for someone to come to that place of yielding to Jesus. There is immediacy to intercession, in all things that we come to the Father with, for prayer does not have to only happen in a certain way at a prescribed time. Chambers writes, “Wherever God puts you in circumstances, pray immediately, pray that His Atonement may be realized in other’s lives as it has been in yours. Pray for your friends, now; pray for those with whom you come in contact with now.” There is nothing more powerful than praying on behalf of another in the exact moment it is needed; to stop all you are doing to lift another up to our precious Savior.  

The Substitution

6/19/2020

John 21:16 “Lovest thou Me?... Feed My sheep.”

“Jesus did not say—Make converts to your way of thinking, but look after My sheep, see that they get nourished in the knowledge of Me.” ~ Oswald Chambers

 In today’s society, a lot of people have the idea that “if you are not for me then you are against me.” Many of us seem to have lost respect for those who do not hold the same beliefs we do, either politically or morally. This attitude causes nothing but division, anger, hatred, and unrest.  We need look no further than the constant news feeds to see this is true. This mindset can be thoroughly destructive to any society, group, or family.

Now I ask, what about the church? How are we doing in this area? Are we people who feed God’s sheep, for isn’t that what every single one of us is? Jesus lived and died to save all of humanity. Do we view people or communicate with others holding on tightly to this truth, always? Shouldn’t our single purpose in life be to nourish every individual with His word and through our love? This current time in our world could be a time of true revival. Are we, as God’s people willing to feed others with the truth of the Bible and acts of love, putting aside any and all difference of opinion as irrelevant?

Chambers writes, “Today we have substituted credal (creed/doctrine) belief for personal belief, and that is why so many are devoted to causes and so few devoted to Jesus Christ.” The power of this statement shakes me to my core, and is so timely even though it was written 85 years ago. Think about that. We, sadly, have not come very far. I, for one, am duly challenged.

The Tempest

6/18/2020

Matthew 14:29-30 “And Peter…walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid.”

When Peter left the boat, he did not see the danger; all he saw was Jesus. When Jesus was his sole focus, he could walk on the tumultuous water, but when he took his eyes off Jesus, that is when he sank. This is so true of me as well. Right now we have all manner of storms raging around us that can easily produce fear and sorrow. Yet for me, during this time of uncertainly and unrest, when my eyes are focused on Jesus, I feel His power to walk through anything. However, when I take my eyes off of Him, I sink just as Peter did. I confess I look into the storms much more that I should, and that pulls my focus from Jesus. Instead of living in the joy of the Lord, and resting in the truth of His care for me and my family, I still feel like I need to “handle” all the factors that come with this time in our world. In reality, what I need to do is release ALL to Jesus and keep my eyes focused totally on Him, for He is the only way to peace. I need to be recklessly abandoned to my Lord, and keep my focus squarely on Him, especially when the tempest comes.

Chambers writes, “We step right out on God over some things, then self-consideration enters in and down we go.” I am tired of fighting the waves that batter; I want to walk on top of the storm and into the arms of Jesus. I need to get away from self and focus on my Savior. It is the only way I will not drown.

Critic

6/17/2020

Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

I have been taking a break from social media recently. During this time of unrest (on so many levels) in our country, some social media platforms have become hateful, awful places of judgement. People have the right to free speech as part of the First Amendment, but we as believers need to hold ourselves to a higher standard. There is a fine line, I feel, between being convicted about a topic, and being judgmental of another person’s feelings on the subject. Conviction is something that is internal, and judgement is external. Just because we feel convicted by God in a certain area does not mean that we should feel the need to drag others there with us, or speak or think badly about them if they believe differently. It is just not something a child of God should do, ever. Chambers writes, “Jesus says regarding judgement—Don’t.” It is pretty clear. We are to act out of love and show mercy, always.

Judgement poisons the soul and pulls us away from God. Chambers says, “It is impossible to enter into communion with God when you are in a critical temper; it makes you hard and vindictive and cruel, and leaves you with the flattering unction that you are a superior person.” I would much rather be in communion with my God, and doing my best to love others, than stand in judgement. Just like anger, it is a destroyer.

Greater Love

6/16/2020

John 15:13, 15 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend…I have called you friends.”

Would I lay down my life for a friend? Would I lay down my life for Jesus? Chambers writes, “If I am a friend of Jesus, I have deliberately and carefully to lay down my life for Him.” Have I done so? Do I live my life as a sacrifice to the Savior, or do my selfish desires impede this? Do people know that I am a disciple of the King of Kings? Does it show in my actions and through my speech?

Chambers encourages, “Stand loyal to your Friend, and remember that His honour is at stake in your bodily life.”

I have much work to do.

Add

6/15/2020

2 Peter 1:5-7 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” (NIV)

“No man is born naturally or supernaturally with character, he has to make character. Nor are we born with habits; we have to form habits on the basis of the new life God has put into us.” ~ Oswald Chambers

Character is something developed as we grow and learn; this, of course, can go either in an affirming positive way, or an aggressive negative way. I believe that some of what makes character is nature, but a lot of it is nurture.  We are all products of our upbringing and environment. Some parents do very well with very little, and some parents do very poorly with much, and of course the opposite is also true. The same can be said for habits. For example, if a child is raised with a good work ethic, he/she will probably develop a habit of not procrastinating and bringing tasks to completion. Conversely, if a child is never taught how to persevere, he/she will more than likely develop the habit of giving up when something becomes challenging.

So what does God expect of His children and their character? In the daily routines of life, as well as its highs and lows, God wants us to make every effort to build on those traits stated in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Even if these things do not come to us naturally or through nurturing, we are still called to add them. As I read these words, especially in today’s volatile climate, I cannot help but think about how we Christians are called to be different, aliens of this world. Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love are not what gets attention, but they are traits and habits that, if added together as habitual acts, could change the world.

A Fixed State

6/14/2020

John 15:4 “Abide in Me.”

Abide – intransitive verb

1.       to remain stable or fixed in a state

2.       to continue in a place    (Merriam-Webster)

Going by the definition, it is very clear that Jesus wants us to remain with Him always and no matter what; to continue in a deepening relationship with Him all of our days. If we can abide in Him every minute of every day, walking in the light and truth of His mercy and love, than we would live according to His teaching. We would seek out His will through prayer and reading the Holy Word, learning the language of faith. We would be able to trust in Him always and not fear. We would become warriors of prayer, truth, and love. Satan would never be able to shake us, because we would be calling on the Holy name of Jesus our Savior. No circumstance could upset our foundation or conviction of abiding in Him. We must stay loyal to our Savior and no one else. We must not be pulled away by the things of this world, whether positive or negative. We must continue in a place of committed fidelity to Christ.

Chambers writes, “God will not make me think like Jesus, I have to do it myself: I have to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”