Jude 1–25

July 23, 2013

It's been six years since Jane told us to read Psalm 150 and then Psalm 140. It was the Monday after we learned my sister and brother-in-law filed a lawsuit. God knew the viciousness of their attack and He knew how long this "trial" was going to last, so He gave us hope and encouragement in the most unlikely of ways—an elderly woman in a nursing home. Jane E. Wolfe (who had been unresponsive for months) clearly, succinctly, and without effort spoke God's words of promise and then prayed a prayer of blessing over my life without faltering one single time. We are so grateful and so thankful for God's hands upon our lives. You can read the story of Jane here.

Jude was going to write about salvation but he instead felt the need to write about something else.  Verse 3 - "I want to encourage you to fight hard for the faith that was given the holy people of God once and for all time." Watch out—fight hard.

Watch out—because people had secretly entered their group and if they weren't careful they were in danger from the inside out. The classic frog in the kettle syndrome. If you put a frog in a pot of hot water, he recognizes the danger and immediately jumps out. But put the frog in a pot of tepid water and slowly turn up the heat and he doesn't recognize the threat and he dies without realizing the water became hot.

As Christians, we are more at risk with things we allow in, or things that have maneuvered themselves in, than from a blatant attack from the outside. Jude says be careful. These people (who act one way, but whose hearts are evil) sound good, but it's just a cover-up. Their motives are to destroy. They are against God's authority and are ruled by their own selfish desires. They do not understand "truth" and they think that their own knowledge and self learning is all the truth and wisdom they need.

It is that very way of thinking that will destroy them. Verse 11 - "It will be terrible for them." (See the "How terrible it will be" statements in Isaiah.) These people are like Cain, who because of anger, jealousy, and revenge went after Abel. Like Balaam, their desire for profits and ill-gotten gains led them to do wrong. And like Korah, they have rebelled and fought against authority and God sovereignty which ultimately leads to destruction.

Jude says they are like dirty spots among you. They are like a cancer that starts small and then spreads. They know they are out to destroy you but they have no problem with sitting among you and eating with you. They only care about themselves. They are like a lion in wait. They are like clouds that should produce rain, but they don't. They are instead just blown about. They are like autumn trees that should produce fruit, but they don't. They are no longer useful and they are pulled out of the ground. Not only don't they produce fruit, but the tree itself is dead. They are like waves in the sea, bobbing up and down but getting nowhere. Their shameful actions are tossed in the air like foam. They are like stars in the sky that wander around not knowing where they belong. A day of judgment is planned and reserved for them.

But wait! Don't be proud and think you would never be in danger of falling and becoming the cancerous spot. Verse 5 - "Remember that the Lord saved his people by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. But later he destroyed all those who did not believe." Remember the angels who rejected Gods power. They did not escape God's judgment. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah. Their punishment was an example for all of us to see. Remember!  

Jesus is coming again and we will ALL be judged.

Believers will be judged for their works of faith and will be rewarded accordingly. The judgment for believers is called the Judgment Seat of Christ. But there is another judgment as well. This judgment is for all those who have rejected Master Jesus, and it is called The Great White Throne Judgment.

"Look, the Lord is coming with many thousands of his holy angels to judge every person. He is coming to punish all who are against God for all the evil they have done against him. And he will punish the sinners who are against God for all the evil they have said against him." Verse 14

Jude then describes the people who are against God. Jude 16–19 - "These people complain and blame others, doing evil things they want to do. They brag about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want... these are the people who divide you, people whose thoughts are only of this world, who do not have the Spirit."

While we need to be cautious that we do not allow any small cancerous spots to grow in us, we can have complete confidence in our position with Christ. Nothing can remove us from Him! That is nothing outside of ourselves. Only we can make the choice to be out of God's love. So, keep yourself in God's love. Build your faith up. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Wait for His mercies.

"God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen."  Verses 24–25

"The proof of religious conversion is to demonstrate that we have both added a relationship with Christ and that we have subtracted sin (repentance). And we multiply proof to a weary world by what we do—our deeds, our obedience. What we do must confirm what we say. Our deeds are the proof of our repentance." ~ From Walking With Christ in the Details of Life by Patrick Morley

Wow! How can it be? I'm done with 65 books of the Bible and tomorrow I start the last book—The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Addendum: 12/31/16 ~ Wow! Again! It's the last day of 2016; I'm recording my entry written six years after receiving God's promise of protection and "the storm"; the lawsuit is still ongoing (almost nine and one half years now); Jude clearly lays out and defines the reason for the lawsuit; a day of judgment is coming; I've just started Journal #13 (my last journal); and I'm soon going to be ready to begin recording my journal entries for Revelation. But before I begin the last book, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, I am going to return to where I stopped my earlier review back in May and complete the review and the edits from Philippians to Jude.

I didn't think it would take me this long to get to Revelations, but I've learned long ago not to question God's timing. I am Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead).


Next Entry: The Book of Revelation

III John 1–15

July 22, 2013

There is a line that separates what is good from what is bad.  You are on one side or the other.  You either do:

What is Good (Exampled by Gaius) 

• Truth was in his life
• He followed truth
• He helped others follow truth
• He loved like Christ loved
• He served others
• He wanted truth (God's kingdom) to grow

 _________________________________________________________

 What is Bad (Exampled by Diotrephes) 

• Was arrogant
• Would not listen to truth
• Was self promoting
• He was a liar
• He said evil things about the believers
• He refused to accept the believers
• He tried to stop their ministries
• He tried to stop others from believing truth 

John calls Gaius actions good and Diotrephes actions bad. III John 11 - "My dear friends, do not follow what is bad; follow what is good. The one who does good belongs to God. But the one who does evil has never known God."  

Truth produces love. It has too because God is love.  

"The truth was in Gaius, and Gaius walked in the truth. If the first had not been the case, the second could have never occurred; and if the second could not have been said of him, the first would have been a mere pretense. Truth must enter into the soul, penetrate and saturate it, or else it is of no value..." ~ From Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon

Next Entry: Jude 1–25

II John 1–13

July 22, 2013

The Truth:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."  John 14:6

"Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

You can deny it, try to ignore it, or even question it, but nothing changes the fact—the truth is the Truth—and it is the only thing that can set a person free.

I've often used the air in a beach ball as an analogy to teach this truth. The air in a beach ball represents God's Truth (the Trinity). If you try to push a beach ball down under the water it will put up a resistance and exhaust you as you fight to keep the ball (Truth) submerged. No matter how hard you try, it keeps popping up to the surface. It's a constant struggle. When you finally give up and allow the ball (Truth) to rest on the water, it goes from something you were struggling against to becoming something that saves you. As you hold on to the ball (Truth), you no longer need to work to stay afloat and it supports you and holds your head above water.   

Truth is the only thing that can set you free from the bondage of sin caused by selfish desires. 

In the Old Testament, the law commanded that we love. In the New Testament, Christ came to fulfill the law. Jesus is love and we are to love each other the way He loves us. II John 6 - "And love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love." II John 9 - "Anyone who goes beyond Christ's teaching and does not continue to follow only his teaching does not have God. But whoever continues to follow the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son."

"... The best way to keep the enemy out is to keep Christ in." ~ From Renewed Day by Day by A.W. Tozer

Next Entry: III John 1:1–15

I John 4:1 – 5:21 (Continued)

July 22, 2013

So, how do you love God?

You love God by obeying His commands. I John 5:3–4 - "Loving God means obeying his commands. And God's commands are not too hard for us, because everyone who is a child of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world—our faith."

Faith. Believing all of what God said is true. Believing in the Trinity and that Jesus is the Son of God. Believing Jesus' life, death and resurrection was the sacrifice that fulfilled God's plan of redemption for a lost world. Believing His sacrifice was necessary for your personal salvation and accepting Him as your Savior.

Believing means action. It means confessing, repenting, and surrendering your will to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Believing by true faith and obedience. Not just a simple nodding of the head and saying, yeah... I believe all those things, while having no outward sign of a changed heart or life. Only giving lip service to God when His act of Love requires us to acknowledge Him as Lord and to accept His position as Master of our lives, is like spitting in the face of God and calling Him a liar.  

To believe—means to obey all His commands. If you refuse to obey His commands, then it means you really don't believe. I John 5:12 - "Whoever has the Son has life, but whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."  What does has/have truly mean? What is the definition of "has"?  I looked it up in my old 1957 Thorndike-Barnhart Dictionary.

To possess; be obliged; obtain; show by action; experience; allow; permit; maintain; keep; retain; know, understand; hold in the mind; be in a certain relation to, etc.  

We can't just say He is the Son of God, we must have Him as the Lord of our life. When we have Him as Lord of our lives we can "ask God for anything that agrees with what He wants" and we can know that He hears us. I John 5:15 - "If we know he hears us every time we ask him, we know we have what we ask from him." When He is in us and our desires line up with His desires, then we can know that He hears our prayers, because our prayers are not selfish or self serving. It is ALL about Him and doing His will.

God has given us everything we need to understand and know Him. I John 5:20 - "We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we can know the True One. And our lives are in the True One and in the Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and the eternal life."

"God's holiness demands that all sin be punished, but God's love provides the plan and way of redemption for sinful man. God's love is the cross of Jesus, by which man can have forgiveness and cleansing. It was the love of God that sent Jesus Christ to the cross!" ~ From Peace with God by Billy Graham

God used these chapters, really the entire book of I John, to explain a lot of TRUTH to me. I John puts in condensed form the message of the entire Bible: the promises of blessings for obedience and the inescapable consequences for disobedience. It breaks my heart that people we know and love are missing out on the blessings God has made available to them and are instead living lives of consequences for the choices they have made. Instead of a life of joy, they appear to be living a life of punishment and torment.

Last Friday morning (July 19, 2013), as I was reading I John 4:1–5:21, I literally wept when I began to understand the meaning of what God's word was saying. It was a new Truth to me. It explained the "why" behind my husband's mom actions and the resulting issues we have been having to deal with—and I wept.

My husband and I have been both disgusted and frustrated with his mother's behavior. She is literally consumed by fear and has been for as long as we can remember. She is manipulative and uses "I didn't know" lies as a means to excuse her unacceptable behaviors. I personally had been getting more and more frustrated and even angry that she has gotten by (and keeps getting by) with that kind of inexcusable behavior—for years!

But then I read I John 4:18. It is punishment to live a life of fear. Punishment!! She isn't "getting by" with anything! She is living a tortured, tormented, punished life for the years she has refused to surrender all to God, and my heart broke for the consequences she is living and in compassion for her—I wept. There was no more anger. Just a broken heart for her.

How many times have we excused my mother-in-law's or my sister's behavior by saying, "Oh, that's just _____ (my sister) or "that's just _____ (my mother-in-law)?  NO!! NO! A thousand times NO! It isn't "just so and so," it is SIN!! Let's call it what it is—SIN! My sister is living a life of fear, anger, revenge, lies, and control because of SIN! My mother-in-law is living a tormented punished life of fear because of SIN!

What are we going to do about my husband's mom? We don't know yet. We are praying and asking God what, when, and how He wants us to do something. One thing we know. We cannot have this truth revealed to us and do nothing. Love requires action. Eternity is at stake.

When I quit making excuses for my sister's behavior and when I finally accepted the whole ugly truth it broke my heart. There was no anger, only a deep concern for her soul. I wanted to reach out to her because love does require action. But what could I do? We are in the middle of a lawsuit. There is no communication. It seemed hopeless.

When I felt led to begin this journal I had no idea God would use it to allow my voice to go to my sister as a witness to her of God's truth. It certainly wasn't anything I orchestrated. When the judge reopened discovery over some random issue and I realized I was going to have to send my private words and thoughts to someone who was seeking our ruin, it seemed like my worst nightmare. Yet, it was God's plan to reach my sister with HIS words and to free me from any responsibility for her ultimate choices. Now, we are seeking God's will for how He wants us reach out to my husband's mom. We will continue to seek His plan and wait on His leading.

Understanding scripture better has explained so much. I used to wonder why it would drive me crazy to be around my sister for very long. I've often wondered why there were times I found it difficult to even like my mother-in-law. I loved both my sister and mother-in-law, but there were times it was very difficult to like them. I've discovered it has nothing to do with a difference in personalities, it is because of the difference of who we are at our very core. It wasn't my sister's clutter, or the fidgeting, or the obsession with my brother that was driving me crazy; it was the difference in our core values that was separating us. It wasn't my mother-in-laws fears and unacceptable behaviors that was driving me crazy; it was the difference in our core values.

And my heart breaks and my soul weeps for both of them.

LORD, thank you for giving me an opportunity to share Truth with my sister. LORD, I pray that you will give us direction on who should speak Truth to my husband's mom. LORD, I pray that they will each understand that without you they are nothing and that they would both desire nothing but you.  LORD, may they surrender their hearts to Master Jesus, and change their hearts and lives. May they each live to see the day where they understand for the first time the fullness of your amazing Love.  LORD, we surrender them both to you. We lay our concern for them at your feet.

Addendum: 1/3/2017~  So, what happened? I wish I could say there was some sort of miraculous change in my mother-in-law's life. There wasn't.

I had two different opportunities to talk in depth with my mother-in-law. The first was in early 2014. We had recently moved both of my husband's parents to an Assisted Living facility. My mother-in-law developed an UTI which required a visit to the emergency room. While in the emergency room, the nurses wanted her to get up and walk a few steps before they released her. Even with two big burly men on each side of her, and even though their arms were wrapped securely around her in total support, my mother-in-law was paralyzed by the fear of falling and would not attempt a small single step. In the privacy of her room I talked to her about surrendering her fears. She didn't want to hear anything about it.

The last opportunity I had was shortly before my mother-in-law died in August of 2015. She would look up and smile whenever a nurse came into the room but she rarely ever acknowledged the presence of any of her family members. Knowing she could hear me, I went through all the steps of salvation even though I knew she grew up knowing them. I sang hymns to her, and I prayed for her. There was no visible response. While I believe her salvation was secure, I wanted to make sure she had every opportunity to surrender ALL.

The only thing we have any control over is our own personal response to Jesus. As for me, I choose to surrender—ALL.

All to Jesus I Surrender


Next Entry: II John 1:1–13 

I John 4:1 – 5:21

July 20, 2013

John continues to drive home the point: God is love and if we have God living in our lives, God's love will be reflected in us and through us. Love comes from God. He sent His son to die so that we may have life. Real love is not our love for Him, it is His love for us. Psalm 8:4 - "What is man that you are mindful of him?" Because God is love we can trust Him. When we confess Him as Lord (Master) we live in His love, and He lives in us. I John 4:17-18a - "This is how love is made perfect in us: that we can be without fear on the day God judges us, because in this world we are like him. Where God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear."

Our lives (actions) reflect the truth of who we are. If we have God's love in us, that is what we reflect. If we are instead fueled by our own desires (own = evil) we may try to mask it, but it IS what we reflect and it will be revealed. After John talks about there being no fear if you are living in God and in His love, He makes a statement I never noticed before. I John 4:18b - "It is punishment (KJV says torment) that makes a person fear." And why is it punishment? Because when someone refuses to surrender to God they do not have God's perfect love that drives out fear. The refusal to surrender becomes a punishment as fear runs rampant in their lives.  

God's perfect love is available to us. When we refuse to submit to it we are punished by living in fear. You would think people would "get it" and choose to live in God's love. But selfish pride (the very core of sin) gets in the way. They would rather live a miserable existence and think they are in control (and be punished for it) than to unconditionally trust God.

I used to think fear is what kept some people from trusting God, but my thinking was all wrong. My "aha" moment came when I finally understood what John was saying. Fear is not the cause that prevents someone from surrendering their life to the Lordship of Christ; it is the result of refusing to surrender your life. It is punishment received for choices made. How sad. What a waste of precious time, energy, and effort, and what a shame to live in fear when God has provided us His perfect love.  

John goes on. I John 4:19 - "We love because God first loved us." You can't say you love God and hate your brothers or sisters. The two actions cannot mix, and John says that person is a liar. I John 5:3a - "Loving God means obeying his commands." His commands are not hard to follow IF you are surrendered to Him, but they are impossible to follow if you are controlled by your own selfish desires.

As a child of God you can conquer the world. It has nothing to do with who you are. It has everything to do with whose you are. The ability to conquer the world comes from having faith in the One who created the world, sent His Son to save the world, and will return again to rule the world. God's Spirit, who is in us, is greater than the spirit of this world.

II Kings 6:16 - "The army that fights for us is larger than the one against us." I John 4:4 - "My dear children, you belong to God and have defeated them; because God spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world."

It is God who gets the victory and God who gets ALL glory.


Next Entry: I John 4:1 – 5:21 (Continued)

I John 3:1–24

July 18, 2013

We are loved by the Father so much that we are called "children of God." And that is what we are—"children of God." There is a reason why we don't fit in with the world. It is because we are strangers. The world cannot possibly understand us because they don't know Him.

Christianity is a concept you really cannot understand without experiencing it. As Christians, we know we were made in the image of God; we are children of God; and when Christ returns we will be made like Him because we will see Christ as He really is. What a day that will be!! While we eagerly await that day, it is a foreign concept to people who have not accepted Christ as LORD.

Until that time, we have the responsibility to live as Christ taught.

• Christ is love—we must show love
• Christ is pure—we need to keep ourselves pure
• There is no sin in Christ—we cannot go on sinning
• Christ is all that is right—we must do what is right
• Christ is light—we cannot have darkness in us

Those who are God's children do not continue sinning because the new life from God is in them. I John 3:9 - "They are not able to go on sinning because they have become children of God." I John 3:6 - "Anyone who goes on sinning has never really understood Christ and has never known him."

Those two statements are very clear. If Christ is truly living in you, then He is Master and you are not able to continue in sin. The reverse is also true. If you do not change your hearts and lives and you continue to sin and live a lifestyle contrary to God's Word, then the truth is you never really understood Christ; you've never truly known Him; you are not a child of God; and He is not your Father. The narrow road is in fact—narrow. I John 3:10 - "Those who do not do what is right are not God's children, and those who do not love their brothers and sisters are not God's children."

It doesn't get much plainer than that.

From the very beginning of the Bible there has been one clear message: you must love God and you must love others. And from the very beginning, both teachings were broken. Cain killed Abel because he was jealous of him. Cain was corrupt, his heart was evil, and he was out to destroy his brother who had done nothing against Him.   

Our actions reveal the truth about our hearts. Sin (darkness) and Truth (light) cannot co-mingle. It should be no surprise that people of the world (as slaves of Satan) seek to harm you and hurt you. However, it was shocking to us when our own family members purposely set out (using trickery and then this lawsuit) to seek our destruction, especially since we thought we were like minded with them. What we now know (by the evidence of their actions and by searching God's Word) is that my sister and brother-in-law's actions show the truth about their hearts. I John 3:15 - "Everyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderers have eternal life in them." Jesus taught in Matthew 5:21–26 that hating someone in your heart is the same as the act of murder.

Hatred. Is there another way to describe the actions of my sister and brother-in-law. I wish there was. To purposely deceive and trick us and then file a lawsuit to try and ruin us—is hatred. Oh, they've couched it as "business" or "unfortunate" or whatever, but the bottom line is that in their interest of self-promotion, everything is on the table and nothing is sacred even if it means the destruction of others. There is a whole of list of other family and friends (as evidenced by my brother-in-law's list of broken relationships) who were victims of the same thinking, and there are others who are still unaware of the truth behind the scenes. I'm sure my sister and brother-in-law don't see their actions as a hatred of others. Whatever happens to the other person is just collateral damage to what they want or think they deserve. But, it is hatred. I've witnessed first hand the clenched teeth, the pointed fingers, and the squinted eyes.

God in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament taught the same message. They commanded that we love one another. I John 3:18 - "We should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring." You cannot be a child of God and seek the harm of other people. Cannot. I John 3:23 - "This is what God commands (not suggests): that we believe in his Son, Jesus Christ (Him as Master and we as servants) and that we love each other, just as he commanded."  (Emphasis and comments mine.)

You cannot purposely and intentionally choose to go against God's teachings and Jesus' clarifications and still have the blessing of being at one with God. I John 3:22 - "God gives us what we ask for because we obey God's commands and do what pleases him." This verse isn't referring to selfish "things." When we do what He commands and when we do what pleases Him, THEN our desires align with His desires and God gives us what we ask for, and we are in fellowship with him. I John 3:24 - "The people who obey God's commands live in God, and God lives in them. We KNOW that God lives in us because of the Spirit God gave us." Reminds me of the old camp song, "We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.... they will know we are Christians by our love."

Matthew 22:37–39 - Jesus said (quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18), "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and most important command. And the second is like the first: Love your neighbor as yourself."


Next Entry: I John 4:1 – 5:21

I John 2:1–29 (Continued)

July 16, 2013

I don't know where the line is. How much leeway is there between saved and lost? How narrow is the narrow road? 

After carefully reading, studying, and writing about God's Word for these past 44 months, it seems as if the road is even more narrow than I thought. What I know is this: I want to be as close to the center of that road as I can get. I do not want to flirt with the ditches and become accustomed to the edges.

John describes the enemies of Christ. These were people who used to be part of the group of "believers" but they left the group which showed that they weren't "believers" at all. What they said they believed and the truth about their lives, were polar opposites. I John 2:21b–22 - "No lie comes from truth." He goes on. "Who is the liar? It is the person who does not accept Jesus as the Christ. This is the enemy of Christ: the person who does not accept the Father and his Son."

This is the point where people start going through a check list to convince themselves that they are OK.

1)  Have no other gods
          ✔  I don't do that
2)  Don't take the Lord's name in vain
          ✔  I don't do that
3)  Don't grieve the Holy Spirit
          ✔  I don't do that
4)  Accept Jesus as the Christ
          ✔  Yup—I've done that

WAIT A MINUTE!! WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE?!?

We say we have no other gods, but is anything in my life more important than Him? Self? Work? Family? Christian "service"? Anything? We say we don't take the Lord's name in vain, well maybe you aren't swearing, but what about the times you should have told someone about Christ and you didn't? What about that? You say you don't grieve the Holy Spirit by cursing His name, but any time you choose to not follow God's commands and instead do things your way, you are indeed grieving the Holy Spirit. You say you accept Jesus as the Christ—really? Is He Master of all areas of your life or are you using Him for (what you think will be) your get-out-of-hell free card?

Much of modern Christianity has made Jesus into this feel-good, lukewarm, I-just-want-you-to-be-happy guy. Where do you hear Him being talked about as Master and how often do we hear messages about being a "servant" of Christ? We don't want to hear that! We want to be our own master. Jesus is our back-up plan. We are capable. We will be in charge—thank you very much.

The problem with that way of thinking is that it is heresy. It is not God's teachings. We sure have messed things up. We strive to teach our children from little up to be self-confident, independent, and critical thinkers. Where is that scriptural? Scripture says our confidence comes from Him, it is in whose we are not who we are. Our dependence should be on Him, that is where freedom comes from. Our thoughts should be like His thoughts.

Where on earth did this Americanized view of Christianity come from? Certainly not the Word of God. World view says make it to the top—Christ says serve. To confess Jesus as Lord does not mean mere lip service. He must be LORD!

God has given us everything we need. Jesus clarifies everything in the Old Testament. His teachings show us how to live. His Holy Spirit is in us. I John 2:27 - "Christ gave you a special gift that is still in you so you do not need any other teacher. His gift teaches you about everything, and it is true, not false." He is Truth and His Spirit guides us. I John 2:29 - "If you know that Christ is all that is right, you know that all who do right are God's children."

I've still been thinking about II Peter 2 and the concept of servants—verses—slaves. Jesus is to be our Master Jesus. If He is Master we are servants. If we aren't HIS servant, we are a slave to whatever controls us, our own lusts, selfish desires, and ultimately—Satan. Hmm. Servant to Christ—OR—slave to Satan. We are one or the other. We are not our own boss. We are either surrendered to the Lordship of Christ and we are HIS servant, or in our futile effort to remain in control, we have relinquished ourselves to Satan and we become his slave.

Master Jesus—kind, loving, compassionate, Father, gentle, patient, etc. As His servant we are the beneficiary to all those things and we in return live our lives in service to Him. We bend our knee and allow Him to guide us and direct us, and our hearts desire is to follow His commands and to bring honor and glory to Him.

Satan on the other hand is a cruel dictator that seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. Like a roaring lion he devours. And while you think you are independent and master of your own domain, you are not. Instead you are a slave to a cruel dictator whose only mission is to destroy your soul.

Servant to a Loving God

OR

Slave to a cruel dictator

It truly is one or the other. I choose to surrender and bow my knee in submission to Master Jesus, to live my life in service to Him, to listen and accept His instructions, and to do everything I can to bring honor and glory to His name. When my life on this earth is over, I want to hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21–23)  

Being a servant to Christ brings freedom. Selfish desires only brings bondage. 


Next Entry: I John 3:1–24

I John 2:1–29

July 15, 2013

Just because we have a Savior who will forgive us from our sins doesn't mean we have a license to sin. We are to become holy as He is holy. If we do sin Jesus is our intercessor between us and God. But we most certainly are not to remain in sin. There are two simple questions to ask yourself if you don't know where you stand in your fellowship with God.

1)  Am I obeying His commands? Yes or No? Remember, He is Master Jesus and we are to be His servants. We don't get to pick and choose which commands we want to obey. 

2) Do I say I know God but still follow my own ways and do not obey His commands? Then the answer is simple—He is not your Master. The disobedience of His commands show you are are not willing to be a servant to Master Jesus.

John says you are a liar and the truth is not in you if you say with mere words that He is Lord but your actions don't support your words. I John 2:6 - "Whoever says that he lives in God must live as Jesus lived."Jesus explains the teachings of the Old Testament.  We must go to Jesus for salvation, instruction, guidance, direction, clarification, etc. I John 2:9 - "Anyone who says, "I am in the light" (Christian) but hates a brother or sister, is still in the darkness."

Someone who lives in the light will not hate a brother or sister and will not harm anyone. But someone who hates (hate = angry, seeking revenge, harm, etc.) a brother or sister is:

• in darkness
• lives in darkness
• does not know where to go, and
• the darkness has made them blind.

Darkness—the absence of light. What a horrible way to live. When you "say" you are a Christian but your actions show you are out to get your brother or sister then the truth is not in you, and you are in darkness, you live in darkness, you wander around without clear direction, and you are blind because of the darkness. Your actions trump your claims.

I clearly remember how disturbing it was to watch and listen to my sister and brother-in-law's depositions in early 2009. There were just so many conflicting lies in their answers. On the way back home our hearts were just broken for them. At one point, my husband and I looked at each other and said, "There is no truth in them." Now in July, 2013, I understand more about the accuracy and horribleness of that statement.

The Truth/God can set them free. But standing in the way of God's forgiveness is that little (big) word—IF. There has to be confession AND repentance. There has to be a turning from and a turning towards. 

I John 2:15 - "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. These are the ways of the world:

• Wanting to please our sinful selves
• Wanting the sinful things we see 
• Being too proud of what we have

None of these come from the Father, but all of them come from the world. The world and everything that people want in it are passing away, but the person who does what God wants lives forever."


Next Entry: I John 2:1–29 (Continued)

I John 1:1–10

July 13, 2013

"When it comes to salvation, there aren't several roads... there is only one road... there aren't several ways... there is only one way... there aren't several paths... there is only one path. And that path is Jesus himself. Jesus is not one of many options. He is the only option or nothing at all. ~ From NCV Introduction to John

I John 1 is comprised of only ten short verses, but those ten short verses are packed full of TRUTH. If the only page you had of the entire Bible contained I John 1, it would be all you needed to understand God and the way to salvation. 

John knew Jesus. He was there. He heard Him. He saw Him. He watched Him. He touched Him. He knew about God through Him—and he couldn't keep it to himself. He had to tell others what he knew. He wrote it down and he announced to others who Jesus/God was/is and how we can be in fellowship with God and what prevents that oneness with God from happening.

Here is John's message (my paraphrase):

God has always existed. Jesus is the "Word" and the Word gives life. Jesus walked, talked, and lived among man. His life continues forever. Jesus is part of the trinity. He was with God before the world began. God was revealed to man through Jesus during His time on earth. The way to God is through His Son Jesus. Knowing God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ brings joy to your life and unity with other believers. Jesus shows us that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. None. Sin puts a barrier between God and ourselves. Denying the barrier doesn't make it go away. To think sin does not cause a barrier is only fooling ourselves and calling God a liar. The only way to remove the barrier is to confess our sins. IF—we confess our sins, THEN—the blood of Jesus cleanses us from every sin. We can trust God. We can trust God to do what is right. We can live each day in God's light.

You cannot have darkness (sin) in your life and also be in fellowship with God. I John 1:8 - "So if we say we have fellowship with God, but we continue living in darkness, we are liars and do not follow the truth." Continuing to live in sin is refusing to be a servant to Master Jesus. It is asserting your own will over the will of God.  It is self choosing to live in darkness while saying you are a follower of God who is light. Light and darkness cannot co-exist. Light is a symbol of goodness and truth. God is light. If God allowed darkness in it would alter the Light of God.

God cannot change and cannot be changed. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But, while God is eternal, man is mortal. If we have accepted God's Light into our lives and then allow darkness in, it doesn't change who God is but it does change us. Our light loses its brightness and if we do not get rid of the darkness, the darkness takes over. I John 1:7 - "But if we live in the light as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other. Then the blood of Jesus, God's son, cleanses us from sin." The only way to have fellowship with God (and others) is to live in the light of God's truth.

IF we say we have not sinned we make God a liar and we are fooling ourselves. IF that is our attitude then the bottom line is we have rejected God's teachings and His truth is not in us. But IF—we confess our sins, THEN—He WILL forgive us of our sins and He WILL cleanse us from all unrighteousness. But it all hinges on one thing: IF we confess.

"We cannot be in a right relationship with God unless we live humbly, honestly, and dependently on him." (Life Lesson Observation)

Max Lucado, in his book The Applause of Heaven says it this way:

"If we confess our sins..." The biggest word in Scriptures just might be that two letter one, if. For confessing sins—admitting failure—is exactly what prisoners of pride refuse to do.

Justification. Rationalization. Comparison. These are the tools of the jailbird. They sound good. They sound familiar. They even sound American. But in the kingdom, they sound hollow...

When you get to the point of sorrow for your sins, when you admit that you have no other option but to cast all your care on him, and when there is truly no other one that you can call, then cast all your cares on him for he is waiting."

Excuses. We are all good at making excuses and rationalizations. Well I'm not perfect but I'm better than so and so. I'm not that bad. It's not really sin... at least not the big ones. I do a lot of good. I'm certainly not worse than most. I read my Bible... sometimes. I put money in the offering plate... sometimes. I give the things I don't want to charities. I'm a good person... at least most of the time. I'm sure God is glad I'm part of His team. Excuses. Excuses. No more excuses!!

God is faithful with the THEN, but it all hinges on the IF. 

IF—we confess our sins... THEN—I will forgive. 

IF—my people who are called by my name... THEN—I will hear. (II Chronicles 7:14)

 "True repentance is not just confession of sin but a sincere willingness to not do that sin again." ~ From Life Lesson for Hebrews 9

Next Entry: I John 2:1–29

II Peter 3:1–18

July 12, 2013

Jesus will come again. Just because it is 2013 and it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it isn't going to happen. To the LORD, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day.

God isn't slow—He is patient—and I am so grateful that He is. He doesn't want anyone to be lost. He wants ALL people to change their hearts and lives. So, He patiently waits. He patiently waited until Noah finished building the boat. He patiently waits—and for six years He has extended "days of Grace" to my sister and brother-in-law while having a judge withhold judgment.

Our prayer continues to be that my sister and brother-in-law would change their hearts and lives and that they would become servants of the Master Jesus. Whether we live or die, the only thing that truly matters is how we lived our lives for Him. Whether He comes in 2013, whether we live to a ripe old age, or whether today is our last day—none of that matters. The ONLY thing that matters is HIM. 

We don't know when our time is up, so "you should live holy lives and serve God" (II Peter 3:11) as you wait for Him. II Peter 3:13 - "We are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth where goodness lives." We are waiting for Him. While we are waiting we should not be idle. We need to grow in grace and knowledge; we need to be without sin and without fault; we need to be actively pursuing Him; we need to be doing our part to build His kingdom; and we need to be ready.

LORD, I pray that you will actively pursue my sister and brother-in-law. Get in their face. Make it impossible for them to ignore YOU. Please continue to be patient with them. Give them another opportunity to surrender to YOU. Amen.


Next Entry: I John 1:1–10

II Peter 2:1–22

July 11, 2013

Watch out for false teachers. Who is a false teacher? Someone who is master over their own life and not a servant of the Master Jesus. There are many people who say they believe Jesus is the Son of God; who say He is the way to salvation; who even say they are "Christian"; and yet they refuse to become a servant to the Master Jesus. The only person they "serve" is self. They are the masters over their own destiny, and their outcome is sure.

II Peter 2:1 - "...they will bring quick ruin on themselves." Everything they do is motivated by self.

Peter calls the actions of people who live their lives motivated by self—evil. If you don't follow God's way then you are against God's way. It really is that simple. If you are not for you are against. If your actions are not following God's teachings, then your actions are against HIS words and you are leading people (being a false teacher) away from Christ by your actions. You have chosen to ignore the fact that Master Jesus bought your freedom with His life and you have installed yourself as master.

"Those false teachers only want your money, so they will use you by telling lies." That one sentence, found in II Peter 2:3, in just fifteen words explains the basis for the lawsuit my sister and brother-in-law filed six years ago.

Peter describes the attributes of a false teacher:

• They are bold
• They do anything they want
• Nothing is sacred to them—nothing is off limits
• They speak as if they have knowledge—but they don't
• They are like animals—they act on instinct
• They cause many people to suffer
• They are proud of their acts—"we are on the cutting edge of everything"
• They delight in trickery while eating meals with you —they have no conscience
• They plan and strategize their trickery methods
• What they want—they go after
• They always want more—they are never satisfied
• They lead others into the trap of sin
• They are greedy
• They've left the right road—they've lost their way
• They cannot be used as God intended—they are void of kingdom value (springs without water)
• They brag about things that mean nothing
• They scheme ways to entice other people to follow them so they can fulfill their own evil desires of power, wealth, fame, etc.
• They promise "freedom" when they themselves aren't free 
• They are slaves to things—but those "things" never satisfy
• They think they are in control—but they are actually slaves to what drives them and what drives them ends up controlling them
• They hate authority

You cannot be the person Peter just described and also be a servant of the Master Jesus. Cannot. God is either God of everything or He is a god of nothing. You can't pick and choose. Either you surrender to His will or "self" is in control and you are master of your own life—or so you think. "Thinking" you are in control is a false illusion. God is in control whether you surrender or not. Your actions cannot change that irrefutable truth. God is in control. Period.

Peter describes the facts of what will happen to those who refuse to surrender to the Master Jesus.

• Their actions will bring quick ruin on themselves
• They won't get by with their actions
• "Their judgment spoken against them long ago is still coming."  

Just because accountability hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it isn't going to happen. God's timing will determine the "when." It isn't "if," it is "when." I Peter 3:20 - "God waited patiently until Noah finished the boat."

• Their ruin is certain
• They will suffer like they have caused others to suffer
• They are paid back (by God) for what they have done 
• God will punish them
• They are slaves to what controls them—temporary and earthly "things"

God is the one who separates the wheat from the chaff. When angels sinned God did not ignore it. He separated them from those who did not sin and He sent them to caves of darkness where they are held for judgment. In the days of Noah God brought a flood to destroy the world that was full of evil people. But first He provided a way of salvation and He saved Noah and seven others. He separated and protected the righteous while He judged the people who lived against Him.

The same thing happened with Lot. He provided a way of escape and He saved Lot, but He destroyed those who chose to live "filthy lives." God provides a way out for those who have surrendered their lives to Him. He separates the righteous from the wicked. II Peter 2:9 - "So the Lord knows how to save those who serve him when trouble comes."

In Jane's KJV she has written: "The Lord knows how to ______ fill in your need." We can have complete confidence in that. The Lord KNOWS! We don't have to do anything but trust, obey, and believe Him to protect us and right the wrong.  Psalm 140:12 - "I KNOW the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy."

Those who insist upon being their own god are walking a very dangerous path. They at one time were made free by knowing Jesus, but if they insist upon returning to their evil ways, they become blinded. They fool themselves into thinking they are still free, when in reality they are actually controlled by their sin and it will be worse for them than if they had never known the truth of Christ. Peter says they are like a dog that returns to his vomit or a pig that returns to the mud after being washed.

You will be a servant of something. I choose to be a servant to the Master Jesus rather than a slave to sin. One choice ends in reward. The other ends in destruction.

I found this chapter disturbing to write about. The reality is difficult to think about. But, if I am going to be a servant of Christ, I must accept ALL of His teachings and I must accept that a judgment does await those who refuse to bow to His authority. Unfortunately, I believe the description of a false teacher that Peter describes, line by line describes the actions of my sister and brother-in-law.

LORD, may they change their hearts and lives before it is too late.


Next Entry: II Peter 3:1–18  

II Peter 1:1–21

July 10, 2013

We have everything we need for life and godliness IF—we know Him. We have the very words of God available at our fingertips. It is through His words that we have knowledge of Him and we can receive His power and promises. THEN—we have everything we need to live a successful godly life. He has made it ALL available to us.

For too many years I didn't take full advantage of His Words. I wish I would have because:

• We have these things—because we know Him.
• Through these—He gives us promises and power.
• With these—you become more godly.

Our protection from the world's snares come from KNOWING Him, and the only way to truly KNOW Him is to be carefully reading HIS words.

II Peter 1:5 - Because you have these blessings, do your best to add these things to your lives: Faith (it all begins here)  →  Goodness (virtue)  → Knowledge (of God) → Self-Control (temperance) → Patience (perseverance) → Service for God (godliness) → Brotherly kindness (no selfish motives) → Love (Charity; Christian love)

It all begins with faith IN Him, knowledge OF Him, and action THROUGH Him. 

II Peter 1:8 - "For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." If you don't have these qualities growing in your life, then you are not effective and you can no longer clearly see truth and are instead blind to what truth is, your faith experience is in the distant past, and you are in danger of falling away. If you follow God's plan "you will never fall" and you will be able to do great things for Him and by Him, and you will be welcomed into eternal heaven by Jesus with a "well done thou good and faithful servant."

Prophecy—God showed Peter what lay ahead for him. His life was going to end in martyrdom. Peter didn't moan and groan. He spent his time building up fellow believers and doing as much for the cause of the kingdom as he could in the time he had left. He saw the greatness of Jesus with his own eyes and he was forever changed. He heard God tell Jesus that He loved him with his own ears and it increased his faith. He stood strong, and he continued on.

God sent a light in the darkness. He did it with the prophets in the Old Testament, the apostles in the New Testament, and He still does it today.  II Peter 1:20 - "Most of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in the Scriptures ever comes from the prophet's own interpretation. No prophecy ever came from what a person wanted to say, but people led by the Holy Spirit spoke words from God."

Jane can be explained in no other way.


Next Entry: II Peter 2:1–22

I Peter 5:1–14

July 09, 2013

Continue to do what is right—no matter what. Don't give up. Stand firm and continue to do what is right. Be humble and serve others. "God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble." (I Peter 5:5 and Proverbs 3:34)

Your humility should not come from a "I'm no good" attitude. That isn't humility. Humility is understanding the awesomeness of God and the

God

↓

man

relationship. It's ALL about Him. I Peter 5:6 -"Be humble under God's powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes." He will do the rescuing. It isn't us who have to pull ourselves up to save ourselves. The key is to let Him (surrender) and wait for Him. Only He knows the "right time." In the meantime,  I Peter 5:7 - "Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you."

Don't hold on to worries or fears because that is a reflection of you trying to assume control. Let go and trust Him. Control yourself—NOT the situation. Be careful to keep yourself grounded in God's Word. The devil prowls around looking for someone to devour. He is "like a roaring lion." There are times your head is in the mouth of the lion because you are doing the right thing. It is not your power that saves you, it is God's power that prevents the mouth of the lion from shutting and harming you. Our responsibility is to stand strong and refuse to give in to him (the evil one) or the fear he wants to create.

I Peter 5:10 - "After you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever. All power is his forever and ever. Amen."

So stand strong. He is in control. Pass it on. Share who HE is and what HE has done. Mentor others. I Peter 5:2 - "I beg you to shepherd God's flock, for whom you are responsible. Watch over them because you want to not because you are forced." Do it because it is the right thing. Be happy to serve. Don't do it because it is a way to make a monetary gain or to bring notoriety to yourself. Don't do it to be in charge. As a servant of Christ—serve. As a recipient of Grace—give grace. "This is how God wants it." (I Peter 5:2) In everything you do, please God—not self.

"When the temptation of pride comes knocking... as it will... we must lock the door against it—whatever that takes... The best protection I have discovered is accountability. Since we all have blind spots, we must, as we mentioned earlier, submit ourselves to those who can see the logs floating in our eyes." ~ From The Body by Charles Colson

Next Entry: II Peter 1:1–21

I Peter 4:1–19

July 08, 2013

Change your hearts and lives. You WILL have to give an account of your life and explain your actions to the only Judge that truly matters. Be done with the old, get rid of sin in your life, and LIVE for the will of God. Think clearly, control yourself, pray, love each other, be giving, serve others, give grace. Don't serve for recognition of self. Serve so that God will be honored and praised. ALL power and ALL glory belong to Him forever and ever. 

Don't be surprised or upset by troubles that come your way. I Peter 4:12 - "Do not think that something strange is happening to you." Be happy and full of joy!

When people insult you because of Christ you aren't hurt—you are blessed. If you are suffering because your problems are coming from sin in your life, there is no happiness, joy, or blessings. I Peter 4:15–16 - "Do not suffer for murder, theft, or any other crime, nor because you trouble other people. But if you suffer because you are a Christian, do not be ashamed. Praise God because you wear that name."

Judgment will happen for all people. We will all be held accountable for what we have done in our lives, whether it be the good we did for the cause of Christ or the evil acts we did against Him. "If it is very hard for a good person to be saved, the wicked person and the sinner will surely be lost." (I Peter 3:18 and Proverbs 11:31)

I Peter 4:19 - "Those who suffer as God wants should trust their souls to the faithful Creator as they continue to do what is right."

Continue on. Stand strong. 


Next Entry: I Peter 5:1–14

I Peter 3:1–22 (Continued)

July 04, 2013

The phrase I wrote about yesterday—"God waited patiently"—keeps running through my mind. The world was full of evil; God warned them; He put in place a plan by which they could be saved; Noah by faith was obedient; and then I Peter 3:20 - "God waited patiently for them while Noah was building the boat." The judgment had already been decided. The years of waiting was God's "day of grace." In the end only eight people took God's way of salvation. The rest of the people refused to repent and change their ways and they rejected God's plan for salvation. The "day of grace" was over; the rains began; and the people who rejected God's plan were destroyed. God gave them every opportunity. He waited patiently for them, and then the rains began.

For the last several years, whenever anyone has asked why we think the judge still has not made a ruling on the lawsuit, I have had one response—we believe it is God's "day of Grace" for my sister and brother-in-law. I didn't have a Bible reference to point to, I just strongly felt that it wasn't because a judge decided on his own not to rule yet. I felt the delay had to be God-arranged. Somewhere along this process we started to believe it was God's "day of Grace" for my sister and brother-in-law. I believe this scripture in I Peter 3 confirms that belief, and this time of waiting is indeed God's "day of Grace" while "God waited patiently for them while Noah was building the boat."

As God reminded me in the shower (after the judge made a ruling on some insignificant motions several months ago) we are NOT waiting on a judge. We are waiting on the Lord.

July 05, 2013

I went back to read the account of Noah in Genesis. It talks about how God's heart was filled with pain because of the peoples' evil actions. That is what our sin does to the heart of God. God came up with a plan on how He was going to deal with the evil, and then He waited patiently. The people had a choice. They could have repented, changed their hearts and lives and climbed aboard the boat for safety, but they didn't do that. They ignored the warnings. They convinced themselves that Noah was a fool and nothing was going to happen. But there came a day when the opportunity for grace was over and the door of the ark was shut and the destruction began. Only Noah—who was a good man; who was innocent; who walked with the Lord; who obeyed God's commands; and who pleased the Lord—was saved. He and his family.

Will my sister and brother-in-law accept God's day of Grace? Will they repent and change their hearts and lives? Will they get on the boat provided for salvation? Will they disregard God's warnings? Will they continue to live the way they want believing nothing will happen? I don't know. What I do know is God is patiently waiting until something is completed. O Lord, may they heed your call and get on the boat.

From early 2007 to this day, we have often used the analogy of a boat to describe the lawsuit situation we are in. I never once thought about our boat analogy in comparison to the ark Noah built, but it all fits. The analogy we have always used is this: we are in the boat with the Lord; my sister and brother-in-law are in the water in danger of drowning; God is extending His hand for them to cling to so He can bring them safely aboard the boat; and my sister and brother-in-law refuse to grasp His hand.  Instead of reaching for His hand, they are intent upon grabbing our hands to pull us out of the boat, so they push His hand out of their way. God has offered them salvation, but He will not force them. They have to surrender their desires and reach for HIS hand.

As I went back to Genesis to look for the story of Noah, the heading for Chapter 9 jumped out at me—The New Beginning. The flood is over, the destruction is complete and there is a NEW BEGINNING. 

My heart jumped. What? New Beginning?? That is what it was called?? Let me explain. 

It was one year ago (July 2012), that my husband and I went back to hike the Appalachian Trail for the first time since the "the storm" began. We were hiking the A.T. in July 2007 when we found out my sister and brother-in-law were most likely going to sue us. Now here it was five years later, and we unexpectedly had the opportunity to return to the trail we love. On the drive out we spent the entire time reminiscing and recounting the incredible blessings God had provided for us. It was humbling and overwhelming as we began to realize anew how the Hand of God had been on our lives throughout this process. God has been so faithful, and the tears flowed in gratitude and gratefulness for His mercies so abundantly given.

We were staying in our favorite area of Carlisle, PA. We had been there for just a day or so when during the middle of the night I very clearly understood that we were to begin praying about a "New Beginning." It was a random thought out of nowhere, but I KNEW. The next morning during breakfast, I told my husband I felt we were to begin praying about a "New Beginning." We didn't know what that meant or what it was, but we began to include praying about a "New Beginning" in our prayers.

It was shortly after we returned from hiking the A.T. that I KNEW we were supposed to remove all "the storm" things from the house. It seemed crazy, but we purged our home of everything that had anything to do with the lawsuit. It was during this same time that I updated our written testimony of Jane to include the phrase "a New Beginning is coming." We didn't know what the "New Beginning" was, but we were praying for it; we were listening for God's directions; and we were being obedient to His leading.

Life went on. Another year passed. And now I am reading in I Peter 3 about Noah and how "God waited patiently for them while Noah was building the boat." God shows us this is indeed my sister and brother-in-law's day of Grace; the analogy of a boat available to them for their salvation is an accurate description; God is waiting patiently for them; and a NEW BEGINNING is coming.

I am just amazed. You can't make this stuff up. God is real. He is in control, and we trust Him. Our prayer remains the same. May my sister and brother-in-law understand they are nothing without God, and may they desire nothing but Him. I'm so glad that we serve a loving God who is willing to wait patiently in order to save those who will turn to Him.

I have come to understand an important truth. When God has a thought or phrase get "stuck" in my mind there is something more He wants me to learn. Thus was the case with "(He) waited patiently for them while Noah finished the boat." Thank you, Lord, for continuing to show me YOUR truth.

Addendum: 1/15/17 ~ Here is a link to what we've learned about the "New Beginning" since I originally wrote this entry. The New Beginning: The Path Unfolds

I clearly remember when the analogy of a boat began to form in my thoughts. It was almost ten years ago. I could take you to the exact spot. My husband and I were doing what we did every day; we were walking hand and hand and praying aloud as we walked together. It was dark outside. As we were just about to leave a wooded area and enter the clearing, the analogy of us being safe in the boat with Christ; my sister and brother-in-law struggling to stay afloat in the water; Christ leaning over the edge of the boat to extend His hand of salvation to them; and my sister and brother-in-law rejecting His hand while grabbing at and attempting to pull us out of the boat—visually came to my mind. I shared my thoughts with my husband. We stopped and stood there at the edge of the woods talking about this new thought, then we joined hands and once again prayed for my sister and brother-in-law to accept God's offer of salvation.

Seven years after the God-given analogy of a boat came into my consciousness, we became the grateful owner's of a beautiful antique wooden flat bottom row boat that is almost 90 years old. It was the summer of 2014. It happened in the most unusual way.

We were looking for a new "old" cupboard for our kitchen. I found one on Ebay that was located near where our daughter lived in northern Ohio. We drove out to take a look at it. The home was located towards the back of a subdivision. We found the home, loved the cupboard, and told them we would take it and left to get the cash to pay for it. On our way back out of the subdivision, we drove past a home we passed on the way in. In the yard, leaning against a tree was a wooden boat with a sign that said—FREE. Free? Really? We stopped, backed up, and got out to see it. It wasn't in the yard when we drove past the house just ten minutes before. 

The boat was beautiful and in almost perfect condition, and it was free. It turned out a family was getting ready to move their elderly parent into assisted living (something we had just done as well) and they were giving this boat away. They had just walked back into the house from setting the boat out when we drove past. It had been stored in the garage for years, but now because of the changing circumstances the family was ready to get rid of it.   

We live by a seven acre pond and we loved the boat. We weren't sure what we were going to do with it, but we were happy to have it. Maybe the best part was getting to meet the elderly gentleman whose boat it was. He was in his late 80's or early 90's and he remembered going with his father to buy this brand new wooden boat when he was only four or five years old. He loved that boat and recalled the many times he and his father would go fishing on Lake Erie. We took a picture of him standing beside the boat. He beamed with happiness knowing the boat was going to someone who loved it.

We brought it home. It amazingly is still float worthy. We stored it in our shop for several years still not sure what to do with it. And then last year, as we were finishing the Praise Shelter, we decided to take the boat out of storage to see what we could do with it. Maybe it would fit hanging under the shelter eaves, or maybe we could make it into a table—something. So, we got the boat down and took it to the shelter. It took up too much room to hang from the eaves. As we were talking and brainstorming other ideas we started talking about the analogy of the boat we had been given seven years earlier and how God has so graciously been our protector.

We finally decided it was crazy to keep the boat stored in a shop building where no one could see it. So, even though it is going to weather over time, we decided to display the boat as a symbol of God's faithfulness in front of a pine tree we planted by the shelter. The pine tree has special meaning to us. One of my life verses is Hosea 14:8 - "I, the LORD, am the one who answers your prayers and watches over you. I am like a green pine tree; your blessings come from me." (New Century Version) What a blessing to have this old boat beside the pine tree. Matthew 4:19 says we are to be "fishers of men." So, I am having a sign made that says, "Gone Fishing" with the reference of Matthew 4:19. The sign, along with an authentic old fishing net, will be hung on a post behind the the old boat.   

The boat fits perfectly with the simple timber peg construction Praise Shelter, the cobblestone path of God's promises engraved in stone, the fireplace/altar of praise, the pine tree representing God's blessings, and the boat representing His safety. I'm hoping we will have many opportunities to share our story—which is HIS story—with all those who come to our home. 

A beautiful old wooden boat—FREE! Set out along the road during the small window of time we were going to be driving by. What are the random chances of that? An old wooden boat symbolizing His protection and our purpose. "Follow me...and I will make you fishers of men." A NEW BEGINNING is coming.

Next Entry: I Peter 4:1–19

I Peter 3:1–22

July 03, 2013

Do your part to get along. Be kind. Be humble. Be understanding. Be loving. Be agreeable. Don't repay a wrong with a wrong. Don't repay an insult with an insult. When others seek to hurt you do not respond with anger.

Christ teaches us to love, and when we respond by following His teachings we are blessed. That doesn't mean the offense committed against you is excusable. It means you understand what Jesus taught when He said (through Paul in I Corinthians 6), "What's wrong with being wronged?" It means you've decided to follow Christ's example of enduring the pain and, "He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him." (I Peter 2:23)

Scripture gives such clear guidelines. Do you want to be happy and enjoy life? Then don't say evil things; don't tell lies; stop doing evil; do good; don't look for fights; do look for peace; and pursue righteousness.

The Lord sees the good people (eyes are on them)
     and listens to their prayers (ears are attentive)
But the Lord is against (face is against)
     those who do evil.

I want to live my life so the Lord's face is turned towards me. What a mental picture of the Lord leaning in, interested, and listening closely. I never want to experience what it would be like to have the Lord against me with His face turned away and refusing to listen. What a horrific thought.

When you live your life according to God's teachings who can harm you? No one. You may suffer from those who seek your harm, but they cannot truly harm you, and you are instead blessed. You do not need to be afraid of their threats and you do not need to be frightened by them. Make sure Christ is Lord of your life. Always be ready to answer anyone and everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have which is found in Christ! Answer in a gentle respectful way. Keep a clear conscience "so that those who speak evil of your good life in Christ will be made ashamed." (I Peter 3:16) There is no shame in suffering because of doing the right things. Christ suffered for our sins so we would be eternally protected from evil. We can (and should) be patient and wait upon the Lord.

Sometimes we wonder... hmm. Why six years? Why has "the storm" lasted six years and counting?

God showed me something new today. In Noah's day the world was evil. Messengers were sent to warn the people that accountability was going to happen. God provided a plan for their salvation. He offered, but He knew few were going to listen. He instructed Noah on what to do. Noah obeyed. And then—God waited patiently while Noah built the boat. God waited for years to fulfill HIS plan to hold the people accountable. He knew what He was going to do; He promised Noah His protection; He warned people to change their hearts and lives; and then—He waited patiently—while Noah built the ark.

Why six plus years? I don't know, but He does. He has promised us His protection. His words declare what happens to those who refuse to obey Him. He has a plan and He is waiting for whatever needs to be finished. At the right time He WILL fulfill it. We will be faithful and wait for Him. It isn't a judge who has delayed a ruling, it is God patiently waiting for something in HIS plan to be completed.


Next Entry:  I Peter 3:1–22 (Continued)

I Peter 2:1–25 (Continued)

July 02, 2013

I Peter 2:20–21 - "But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased. This is what you were called to do..." Wow. How do those who support the idea of a "feel good, God just wants you to be happy" religion reconcile that "belief" with what Peter says about suffering? "This is what you were called to do..."

Christ suffered for us and gave us an example of how to suffer and be patient. I Peter 2:21 - "So you should do as he did."

• He was innocent—He had not sinned
• He was truthful—He did not lie
• He was insulted—but He did not seek to strike back at those who accused Him
• He suffered—but He did not threaten

I Peter 2:23 - "He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him." He let God. What a powerful statement and a creed we should all live our lives by and be known by.

He let God!

Christ suffered and took our sins so we would:

STOP—living for sin

START—living for what is right 

When we suffer we need to examine our lives.

1. Is there anything I need to stop doing?
2. Is there something I should begin doing?

If you have wandered away—accept God's healing, and return to the Shepherd and Protector of souls. If you are falsely accused and suffering unfairly—hold on, be patient, endure the pain, and LET GOD TAKE CARE OF IT!

As my husband and I were talking about this passage, my husband began to reflect back on what happened to him while we were on a missions trip to El Sembrador boy's school in Honduras. I don't think I've written about it before. I want to make sure it gets written and not lost so I am recounting it here.

We arrived in Honduras on a Saturday. On Sunday we went to their church service in their simple but beautiful chapel. All the boys sat up front. We sat on the hard wooden pews towards the back. The worship songs were in Spanish and the preaching was also in Spanish. We understood little to nothing that was spoken, however the Spirit of the Lord was there and we understood much.

During the service my husband became very emotional. He sat there and wept with tears running down his face. I put my arm around him. I didn't know what was happening. Was he thinking about his brother who had just passed away a few weeks earlier? What was going on? What was causing him to become so emotional?

Later my husband shared with the group what was happening. God was running the events of the last six and one half years of "the storm" through his mind and God was grilling him with questions.

"You wanted to go on mission trips but because of the lawsuit you thought it was impossible. Where are you sitting? You thought there was no way your business could pay for its portion of the expenses caused by the lawsuit. What did I do for your business in 2007? What am I still doing today? You thought because the economy tanked and because of the lawsuit and the loss of revenue for services rendered that your business wouldn't be able to survive. Look at what I have done!! You are now in a specialized field and busier than ever!"  

And the tears rolled as God replayed the events of the last six and one half years through his mind. Jane, our walks, the sky opening up, witnessing the hand of God, and on and on. You thought—verses—the reality of God's power and His plan. God is so good. I Peter 2:19–20 - "A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and stands the pain, God is pleased... if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased."

Christ suffered. But He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of Him. We have chosen to let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of us.

He has proven Himself faithful!!


Next Entry: I Peter 3:1–22

I Peter 2:1–25

July 01, 2013

So, how do you live your life making sure you are focused on doing things that have eternal value? You start by getting rid of all the evil in your life. Get rid of all lying, get rid of all hypocrisy, get rid of all jealousy, and get rid of all evil speech. Get rid of the old and desire the pure and simple teachings of God. Build your life on the "cornerstone" of Christ. I Peter 2:5 - "Let yourselves be used to build a spiritual temple." We are to be holy people whose lives bring praise to His name. Christ is to be the cornerstone, the very foundation, for us to build our lives upon. When we build our lives on Him and not upon our own giftedness, abilities, finances, or desires, we will never be disappointed. Isaiah 28:16 - "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed." NEVER!

To those of us who trust Him, He gives the understanding of what a valuable gift He has given us. But to those who have chosen not to put their trust in Him, a shield is over their eyes and they cannot even begin to understand the concept of trusting in Him alone. To them He becomes "a stone that causes people to stumble, a rock that makes them fall." (Isaiah 8:14) What a difference. To those who trust in Christ He becomes the solid cornerstone that cannot be moved but for those who do not trust and obey Him He becomes the very thing that trips them up, "which is what God planned to happen to them." (I Peter 2:8)

I cannot imagine being on the receiving end of God's plan to make someone stumble. Who would want to trade God's blessings for God's punishment? Psalm 1 says it so clearly. There are two ways to live and two choices to make, but with two very different end results. We either believe, obey, and trust Him—and receive His blessings. Or, we instead rely on self, and we fool ourselves into thinking we are in control when in reality we are not—and we receive His punishment. When we are surrendered, God can use us for His glory. I Peter 2:9 -  "You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

We have a God-given testimony to share, and we need to share it. Not everyone will be supportive. Peter warns that people who do not believe (non-believers and religious unbelievers) are all around us and most likely will try to discount our testimonies or try to prove us wrong. Peter says not to stoop to their levels and to continue to do what you have been doing. Live good lives; live as free people; live as servants of God; show respect for all people; love others; and respect God. Continue to do good in spite of what others say. The truth will be revealed, and the truth brings honor and glory to God.

There is no shame in being falsely accused. We can personally attest to this. When "the storm" first began we thought we would feel shame, but that was very short lived. We soon discovered there is no shame when you are innocent before Christ. I Peter 2:19 - "A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and stands the pain, God is pleased."

Peter goes on to say in verses 20–21, "If you are beaten for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for being patient in your punishment. But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased. This is what you were called to do..."

Addendum: 1/17/17 ~ "We have a God-given testimony to share, and we need to share it." A little over a year after writing this I realized for the first time how He wants me to share that testimony. It came as a complete surprise. As I look back over my writings, I can see how God was laying out the plan for years before He eventually revealed His plans to me. 

LORD – What Am I to Do?
The LORD Answers!
I Didn't Know—BUT GOD DID!!

We were totally unaware. The key is this: Be available and remain faithful. You never know how God may choose to use your life.


Next Entry: I Peter 2:1–25 (Continued)

I Peter 1:1–25

June 30, 2013

Praise. Hope. God's Power.

Praise—First, foremost, and always! Praise— to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When your life is filled with praise there is hope, a living hope.

Hope—because Jesus rose from the dead. Hope—because God blesses his children. Hope—because those blessings cannot be destroyed or spoiled. Hope—because His blessings are eternal, will never lose their beauty, and are kept secure for us in heaven.

God's power—above all, in all, and through all. I Peter 1:5 - "God's power protects you through your faith...." God's power— protects you through troubles and storms. Through! It does not say prevents troubles and storms, and it does not say helps you avoid trouble and storms.

Like I've said before, the "deep" is not a place to avoid, it is a place to embrace. "Deep" water times come to grow us, change us, strengthen us, and get us ready for HIS service. And while it may be hard, difficult, and at times cause sadness, it is worth every moment. I Peter 1:7 - "These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire but will ruin." And that purity of faith brings blessings beyond measure. And as a result, "You are filled with a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory. And you are receiving the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls." (I Peter 1:8)

God used the prophets of the Old Testament to teach others HIS truth. God uses us and the situations we are in to grow us, but it is also for the purpose of teaching others what we have learned. I Peter 1:13 - "Prepare your minds for service and have self-control... be holy in all you do just as God, the One who called you, is holy."

We are to live our lives with respect for God. We were bought for a price, a very steep price. We were bought by "the precious blood of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb." (I Peter 1:19) If we believe that and understand that, we cannot live our lives the same again. We are changed and we have no desire to go back to our old life. Our faith and hope are in God, and we make our souls pure by obeying the truth, and love for others flows out of that. I Peter 1:22 - "So love each other deeply with all your heart."

The things we do bears witness to the truth (or lie) about our lives. Words are easy. Our actions prove whether our words are truth or lies. Our lives on this earth are so short. Scripture says we are like a mist that is only here for a short time, or like grass that dies or flowers that fade away, but that "the word of the Lord will live forever." (I Peter 1:25 and Isaiah 40:8) The only things that matter are eternal things.  

How are you doing? How much time this last week was spent on things that are temporary with no eternal value and how much time was spent on things with Kingdom value? Do any changes need to be made? Remember:

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
C.T. Studd

Next Entry: I Peter 2:1–25