By HIS Great Power

November 02, 2017

This morning, as I began to read Exodus 3 in my Bible (the next chronological chapter in my devotions), I was struck by several things.

1. God knows. Nothing was/is a surprise to Him. "I have seen... I have heard... I am concerned... I have come down to save them... I will bring them out... (I will) lead them... I have heard the cries... "
2. God is ever present. Moses was going about his daily business when he saw the bush on fire but not burning up. Moses didn't call out to God and then God finally arrived from some far away distant place. He was already there! BUT, Moses (and we) have to first look, and then draw closer in order to see Him.  
3. God promised HIS help. He is the great I AM. He was. He is. He will always be. He promised to go with them as He sent them out, and He promised to help them. "I care about you... I have seen what has happened to you... I promised I would take you out of your troubles... I will lead you..."
4. God has power. "Only a great power will force him to let you go, so I will use my great power... After I do that, he will let you go." God has "surpassing greatness" (Psalm 150). Nothing is beyond His capability. "Praise him for his acts of power..." (Psalm 150).  
5. God is in control. God used the ordinary to prove His authority. God took Moses' rod, something he used in his day to day life, to show Moses (and later the Egyptians) HE was in control and had the power and authority to save His people. Psalm 140:12 - "The Lord secures justice."
6. God will lead. He doesn't need our ability, He only wants our availability. Who has the power and authority? "It is I, the LORD. Now go! I will help you speak, and I will teach you what to say."

Thank you, LORD, for the reminders this morning. You are the great I AM. You are omnipresent and you are omniscient. Your promises are true. You have surpassing greatness. And no matter what, YOU are in control and you will continue to lead us while we are on this journey. We will continue to trust you and follow you on your footpath.

I still do not believe this path we are on includes sitting across from my sister in a court of law as "he said–she said" plays out in front of a judge. I do not believe a judge in the world's court system is going to determine our fate. (It took a considerable amount of courage to just put my belief down in writing—again!) It's not a comfortable position to be standing at the precipice of a cliff when you know you don't have any kind of safety line to protect you should you fall. I know I will look like a fool and much of what I have devoted seven years of my life to (reading through the Bible and keeping a journal of my thoughts now transcribed into this blog) will be totally discounted should I be proven wrong. BUT, with tears in my eyes I am going to step out on the edge of the cliff and say it again: I do not believe the path we are on includes a trial.

So, if I don't believe there is to be a trial, then what do I believe will happen? What I believe is found in the chapter I read this morning.  

"Only a great power will force him to let you go, so I will use my great power... After I do that, he will let you go." ~ From Exodus 3:19–20

I believe the only way we will be released from the traps my sister and brother-in-law set and from this lawsuit they've filed is by HIS great power. Not a judge. Not the skill of an attorney. Not by luck, happenstance, or a fluke. No. Only by HIS great power!

We have already seen that "time" is not the answer. The lawsuit has dragged on in the court system for over ten years. "Time" has changed nothing. When someone is fueled by revenge and evil intentions, no amount of "time" in and of itself, will ever change their mind.

We have already seen that "reasoning" is not the answer. A mediation attorney spent hours (literally) in their room trying to "reason" with them—and failed. A skilled settlement judge gave it his best effort. He tried to "reason" with them—and failed. All of our "reasonable" offers to sell, buy, or sell to a third party were flatly rejected without any consideration. "Reasoning" is not the answer or the lawsuit would be over.

Shockingly, even though my sister and brother-in-law's lives appear to be fueled by greed, "money" is not the answer either. They have already spent far more than they could ever hope to win even if the judge ruled in their favor on every one of their (false) charges. If you add what they will now have to spend to take the lawsuit on to trial to what they have already spent, it makes no logical or business sense. The judge at the Settlement Conference made a pointed effort to explain to them that even if they were successful in getting a judge to rule in their favor, all we would have to do is go down the hall to another office and file bankruptcy and they would be left with nothing. Yet, the risk of gambling and losing even more money is not enough to make them stop. Not only are they willing to risk spending more money they also rejected the possibility of receiving guaranteed money. We offered to walk away from any share of the money in escrow (over $140,000) if they dropped the lawsuit, and our offer was rejected. So, no amount of guaranteed "money" or no amount of risked "money" is the answer.

Even a ruling by a judge is not an answer. As the judge explained at the Settlement Conference, if you don't like the court's ruling you can always appeal, the lawyers would be glad to take your money.

Time. Reasoning. Money. A court's ruling. None of these are the answer. No earthly thing is the answer.

The way I see it that leaves only two options:

1. A heart and life change; or  
2. By HIS great power.

Oh, how I pray it will be #1. That has always been our prayer and it continues to be our prayer today. If there is a true heart change then their desire to pursue us would soon change and the lawsuit would end. That is still our hope, desire and prayer. However, even after ten years of Grace, there has been no heart change.

If there continues to be no heart change, then by default that leaves #2. "Only a great power will force him to let you go, so I will use my great power... After I do that, he will let you go." Brick by brick a wall being built to force a change in behavior. What a sobering thought. I can't imagine what it would take to force them to stop. I can't imagine, and I can't even allow my mind to go there.

Oh. My. Goodness. I just had a brand new thought!! Soon the judge will set a date for a trial. When we received the news, it felt like an end point was quickly coming and we were running out of time for some sort of intervention to block the impending trial. It felt like we were the ones running out of time. But. Oh. My. Goodness! What if they are the ones who are running out of time? Are the "days of Grace" God has so graciously extended to them these last ten years coming to an end? Are they running out of time to change their hearts and lives? Is there a day of accountability and reckoning coming?

I don't know. All I know is this: we are putting our faith and trust in Christ alone. I wish we could make the same decision for my sister and brother-in-law, but we can't. Only they can choose to surrender their hearts and lives to the King of kings and Lord of lords  I KNOW God wants my sister and brother-in-law's surrendered hearts even more than I want it for them. I KNOW God is a fair and just judge who can be trusted. I KNOW that no matter what, I can have peace and joy in all circumstances because HE is in control and my trust is in HIM.

For the last couple of days the song In Christ Alone has been running through my mind.  Here are the lyrics:

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

I will stand

I will stand, all other ground is sinking sand

All other ground, is sinking sand

Songwriters: Keith Getty/ Stuart Townend

Listen to In Christ Alone here.


Next Entry: THEN They Will Know!

II Chronicles 36:2–23

July 24, 2014

Jehoahaz becomes king. After only three months, the king of Egypt dethrones him and replaces him with another one of Josiah's son. Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt.

Jehoiakim becomes king. He did what the LORD said was wrong. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacks Judah, captures Jehoiakim, and takes him to Babylon.

Jehoiachin becomes king. He does what the LORD says is wrong. King Nebuchadnezzar removes some of the valuable things from the LORD's temple and puts them in his own palace. Then he makes Jehoiachin's uncle Zedekiah (another son of Josiah and brother to Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim), king.

Zedekiah becomes king. He too does what the LORD said was wrong. Josiah's sons (Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah), and grandson (Jehoiachin) all rejected God's teachings. They all witnessed what happened to their father and grandfather. They witnessed Josiah's love for what was in God's word and how things went well for him. They also witnessed what happened when Josiah stubbornly followed his own ways and things did not go well; but still they rejected the LORD's teachings. God sent the prophet Jeremiah to warn Zedekiah, but he refused to change his heart. The people became more and more wicked. "The LORD had made the temple in Jerusalem holy, but the leaders made it unholy."

The LORD, "sent prophets again and again to warn his people." He had pity on them and he wanted them to change, but they ridiculed and made fun of God's people. They despised God's messages. "They refused to listen to the prophets until, finally, the LORD became so angry with his people that he could not be stopped." (NIV and KJV says until there was "no remedy.")

Because of their disobedience and their refusal to listen to the many messages God sent them, and because they refused to repent and change their hearts, God brought the king of Babylon to attack them and God handed all of them over to King Nebuchadnezzar. They were now totally captive. Nebuchadnezzar completely destroyed the temple and took or destroyed every valuable thing. The people were forced to be his slaves. "And so what the LORD had told Israel through the prophet Jeremiah happened." The country was an empty wasteland for seventy years. (Verse 21)

What the LORD said would happen—happened. 

What happened between II Chronicles 36:21 and II Chronicles 36:23, is the fulfillment of God's promise to Jeremiah recorded in Jeremiah 33. Jeremiah was given the promise of the LORD while he was still locked up in the courtyard of the guards. The LORD tells Jeremiah for the second time, "These are the words of the LORD, who made the earth, shaped it, and gave it order, whose name is the LORD: pray to me, and I will answer you. I will tell you important secrets you never heard before... I will bring them back from captivity... they will enjoy great peace and safety." It looks hopeless, but I the LORD am going to do it. Then the people will say: "Praise the LORD All-Powerful, because the LORD is good! His love continues forever."

The country is in ruins—just as Jeremiah said. The people are captive—just as Jeremiah warned. Then what the LORD said would happen in Jeremiah 33—happened. The last two verses in the last chapter of "The Lost Chapters" records it.

"In the first year Cyrus was king of Persia, the LORD had Cyrus send an announcement to his whole kingdom. This happened so the LORD's message spoken by Jeremiah would come true. He wrote:

This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:

The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has appointed me to build a Temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Now may the LORD your God be with all of you who are his people. You are free to go to Jerusalem."

God fulfilled HIS promise to free HIS people.

 

Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) last God-given message to us (given in April of 2008) was Jeremiah 33—God's promise of freedom and restoration. When Jeremiah received the promise from God, he was still locked up in the courtyard of the guards. This was the second time God promised him freedom and restoration. We received Jane's last God-given promise of Jeremiah 33, while we were still locked up in "the storm." Jeremiah 33 is also the second time we received God's promise of protection. Jane's first God-given message to us (given in July of 2007) was Psalm 140—God's promise of His protection. How amazing is that? God fulfilled His promise to Jeremiah and He will fulfill His promise to free and restore us. LORD, SO BE IT. Your word is true. Praise the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth, for HIS great faithfulness.

From the Life Lesson: God used the exile to cause the people to repent, and He used a pagan king to rebuild Jerusalem's Temple.

"They were pushed to the edge of existence where they thought they were hanging on by the skin of their teeth, and they found out that in fact, they had been pushed to the center, where God was. They experienced not bare survival but abundant life... Exile is the worst that reveals the best... disaster seems to be good for people. When the superfluous is stripped away we find the essential—and the essential is God... Exile reveals what really matters and frees us to pursue what really matters, which is to seek the LORD will all our hearts." ~ From Run With the Horses by Eugene Peterson.

Next Entry: The Lost Chapters: Review

Revelation 13:1–18 (Continued)

August 09, 2013

In Jane's KJV Bible, Scofield lists the cosmic principles of Satan.

• Force
• Greed
• Selfishness
• Ambition
• Pleasure

They all boil down to one thing: The love of self above the love of God and a violation of God's very first commandment. Self = Master instead of Jesus = Master. 

The love of self and the promotion of self ALL end in naught. Those who refuse to surrender to Christ are in the end forced to surrender to the beast/Satan. Jesus won't force us to surrender to Him. Christ offered Himself as the final sacrificial Lamb and He offers us full forgiveness and undeserved grace. Offers, but does not force. He gives us every opportunity to accept His free gift of salvation, but He will not force us to accept it.

Satan on the other hand will throw everything in your path to keep you from surrendering to Christ. He will appear to be the answer, but later the truth will be exposed and he will FORCE you to become his slave and worship him.

TODAY, while there is still time, change your hearts and lives and surrender your love of self to Master Jesus.


Next Entry: Revelation 14:1 – 15:8

The Path to Salvation

February 10, 2017

All throughout scripture there is a recurring theme: Change your heart and life. But what exactly does that mean?

Our hearts are sinful by nature. Sin entered this world because of the actions of Adam and Eve. Eve chose to believe Satan's lie and she chose to go against the authority of God. Adam chose to follow her example and by doing so he also chose to disregard God's authority. They both chose to not listen to TRUTH and instead chose to listen to the lie. Because of their choices, all of mankind is now born with a bent towards sin.

You don't have to teach a child to lie, to take from others, or to say MINE! Mine—the original sin and the cause of most (if not all) other sin. I will be in control; I will get what I want; I will do what I want; and I want it so I will have it. Pride. It's all about "I."

P

R

S I N

D

E

Notice what letter intersects pride and sin. The letter "I." Notice also the shape created when pride and sin intersect. It is the shape of a cross.

In the Old Testament, God's very first commandment laid the foundation for all the others. Exodus 20:3 - "You shall have no other gods beside me." Nothing! Not ourselves, not others, not things—NOTHING. The first four commandments all deal with our relationship with God. The rest of the commandments all deal with our relationship with fellow man. Vertical commands: how we relate to God. Horizontal commands: how we relate to our fellow man. When you put a vertical line (｜) and a horizontal line ( ─ ) together you once again get the shape of a cross.

In the New Testament, Jesus gives us the Great Commandment. Matthew 22:37-38 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." Jesus teaches that it requires a change of heart and life to obey the Great Commandment. When our hearts are surrendered and when the sin which pride produces is confessed and repented of, we can then live the second part of the Great Commandment. Matthew 22:39 - "And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."

P.r.I.d.e is what keeps us from obeying God's commandments and surrendering ourselves to His authority. Obedience requires a change of heart and life.

To change your heart and life doesn't mean you take a self-improvement course in an effort to become a better person. We can't do it on our own. No self-effort will ever be enough. The only remedy is the cross. God gave his Son Jesus to take the penalty for our sins. He lived, died, and was raised from the dead so that we might have eternal life.

To change your heart and life means:

• you understand you are a sinner;
• you admit you need a Savior;
• you repent of your sins and seek forgiveness; and 
• you surrender your life to Master Jesus. 

It's all about surrendering your life and being willing to follow HIS footpath wherever it leads. Salvation cannot be obtained through good works or by being or becoming a good person. There is only one path to Salvation, and that is through the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price with His death on the cross. Because of His Grace, salvation is a free gift available to all mankind.

 

 

 

God's amazing gift of Grace can be yours. You don't have to change yourself. When you accept Jesus Christ as God's free gift of Salvation, HE will change your heart and life. HE will free you from the bondage of sin (which leads to eternal death); HE will give you the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. Faith in Jesus Christ is the only path to salvation. When you follow the path God provided, you can be absolutely assured of your salvation.

Here is how you follow HIS footpath which leads to Salvation:

ADMIT you are a sinner and because of man's sinful nature you deserve eternal separation from God.  Romans 3:23 - "All have sinned and are not good enough for God's glory."

ACKNOWLEDGE it is only by His sacrificial Grace that you have been offered the free gift of Salvation.  Romans 5:8 - "But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners."  

BELIEVE by faith that God took on human form in the virgin birth of Jesus, and that although He was innocent of any sin, Jesus took on your sin and accepted death on a cross so you could choose eternal life.  John 3:16 - "God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him may not be lost, but have eternal life."

ACCEPT by faith that God provided the final sacrificial lamb and that He raised that Lamb—His Son, Jesus Christ—from the dead.  HE has the ability to save you from a life of sin and eternal death when you believe and call upon Him.  Romans 10:13 - "Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved."   

CONFESS that Jesus is Lord.  Confess your sins and believe by faith that you are indeed saved.  Because of your confession, Christ Jesus through His Spirit now lives in you.  Romans 10:9-10 - "If you use your mouth to say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved.  We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God.  And we use our mouths to say that we believe, and so we are saved."  

LIVE your new position. You are a child of the King. You are no longer guilty of the sins in your past. You are free from the penalty of sin. You are saved.  Romans 8:1 - "So now, those who are in Christ Jesus are not judged guilty."  

If you have never followed God's footpath to salvation, why not do it now?  You simply follow the path. Here is a prayer of confession. Read it. Think about it. If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior, consider sincerely praying this prayer. Make it your own.

Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I acknowledge it is only by Your Grace that Salvation is available to me. I believe You sent your Son Jesus Christ to be born of a virgin. I accept that Jesus died for my sins and that He arose three days later so that I might have eternal life. Lord, I confess to you my sins and I repent of them. Please forgive me by the blood you shed on the cross. Please change my heart and mind. Give me a new way of thinking through your Holy Spirit. With the Spirit's guiding, help me live my life in a way that is pleasing to you. I surrender ALL to you. I will follow you on Your footpath wherever it leads. Thank you, Jesus, for your promise of Salvation. Thank you, Jesus, for giving your life for me.  Amen.

If you've prayed this as your prayer of confession then Hallelujah! By faith, you have accepted God's free gift of Salvation. Praise the LORD!! I John 1:9 - "But if we confess our sins, He will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done." God is a promise keeping God. When He says He will—HE WILL!!

Now what?   

REMAIN in Him. Read His Word. Continue to grow. Obey His commands. Continue to surrender your will to His will. Get plugged in to a local church where a body of Believers will encourage you and hold you accountable. Tell others. Do what His Word says. At some point you will want to follow God's instructions on baptism as a symbol of your new faith. Doing all these things is not what brings you salvation because we cannot earn our salvation. You do these things because of your salvation.

RESULT: You have a changed heart and your life changes. You are not who you once were. You have a new way of thinking. Your desire is to follow the Master and not your own selfish pride. You choose to turn from the sinful nature you were born with and instead make decisions which are God-honoring. If you fall, you pick yourself back up and confess your failure. You repent of it and make amends if necessary. Your changed heart produces a changed life.

The only way to salvation is by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. If you have any questions or would like help in any way please contact me. I would love to help you. If you have prayed a prayer of repentance for the first time, please let me know. I would love to pray for you as you begin your own personal journey of:

 Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead) 

Still on the fence? Still deciding? Why? What on earth is worth risking your destiny for all of eternity? Don't wait any longer. Do it today while there is still time. A day of accountability IS coming. There IS a heaven and there IS a hell. Eternity IS at stake. Nothing on this temporary earth is worth holding onto at the risk of your eternal soul.

Pride keeps us from wanting to surrender. But while you are deciding understand this: You WILL be a servant or a slave to something. You will either be a servant to Master Jesus—a kind, loving, faithful, generous Savior, OR, you will be a slave to Satan—a conniving, lying thief, and destroyer. There is no middle ground. It IS one or the other.

There are only two paths with two very different end results. The path you choose to take determines your eternal destination. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but the truth is the TRUTH. What would be harsh is for me not to tell you the truth and to stand aside while knowing you were following a path that WILL lead to your destruction.

It is a decision only you can make. Jesus is waiting—but time is of the essence. There is a year, a month, a day, and an hour planned for when accountability WILL happen. No one will escape it. There is coming a day when our lives on this earth will be over and eternity will begin.

Change your heart and life. Surrender your will to HIS will. Follow the Path to Salvation. Do it today. The reward is eternal life. Obedience is a decision you will NEVER regret!

If you have any questions please contact me: walkingonhisfootpath@gmail.com


Next Entry: Revelation 10:1–11

The Book of Revelation

July 23, 2013

Before I begin Revelation, let me make something clear. I am NOT gifted in prophecy or understanding and translating the symbolism found throughout Revelation. That being said, I am sure there will still be much to learn and write about. I am filled with excitement, anticipation, and a little hesitancy. Journaling through the Bible has become a way of life for me. I'm excited to reach the last book, but I am also reluctant to have it over.

LORD, I am so grateful for the journey you put us on. Your love just overwhelms me. Thank you, LORD, for your Son and Your saving Grace. No words will ever be enough to sing to YOU our praises. May my life always bring honor and glory to YOUR NAME.

I'm ready, LORD. Show me what you want me to learn.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ.  

Next Entry: The Beginning of the End

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

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

Hebrews 8:1–13

June 10, 2013

Jesus, through His death and resurrection, replaced the need for a priest. In the Old Testament, the old agreement meant the priest was the only one who could go into the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle. God designed the tabernacle but it was built by human hands. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus the old agreement was no longer needed. HE became the new agreement. Hebrews 8:1–2 - "We have a high priest who sits on the right side of God's throne in heaven. Our high priest serves in the Most Holy Place, the true place of worship that was made by God, not by humans."

The writer of Hebrews quotes Jeremiah 31:31–34.

"Look, the time is coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel and the people of Judah. It will not be like the agreement I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of Egypt. But they broke that agreement, and I turned away from them, says the Lord. This is the agreement I will make with the people of Israel at that time, says the Lord. I will put my teachings in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. People will no longer have to teach their neighbors and relatives to know the Lord, because all people will know me, from the least to the most important. I will forgive them for the wicked things they did, and I will not remember their sins anymore."

The Lord has done His part. Jesus is the promised new agreement. His death and resurrection paved the way for our salvation. The choice of whether to accept His unfathomable gift of grace is up to each one of us. We have made our decision. We choose to believe. We choose to surrender to His Lordship.

I can't help but sing: "What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace; when He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land. What a day, glorious day that will be."

We believe!!


Next Entry: Hebrews 9:1–28

Hebrews 5:11 – 7:28

June 06, 2013

Hebrews 7 explains how Jesus is a priest forever like Melchizedek in the Old Testament. God (through Jesus) has done His part. Hebrews 7:27 - "Christ offered his sacrifice only once and for all time when he offered himself." Forgiveness is available to all mankind because of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Hebrews 6 deals with what we do with the sacrifice Jesus gave. Christ's sacrifice was never intended as just a "get out of hell" free card. While freedom from eternal damnation is one aspect (and certainly an extremely important one), the sacrifice Jesus made was meant for so much more than saving us "from" something. His sacrifice should save us "to" something. Our salvation should be noticeable. It should change our way of thinking, our hearts, and our way of life. We are to be continually growing and maturing in Christ.

The writer of Hebrews talks about how the people "were slow to understand." They were still like babies, understanding very little when they should have learned enough to become teachers. Hebrews 5:14 - "But solid food is for those who are grown up. They have practiced in order to know the difference between good and evil." (See Philippians 1:9–11) To not learn and to not grow is to take God's grace for granted. It is an abuse of His sacrifice and puts you in danger of falling away from His true teachings.   

If you are not turning towards God and learning from Him, you are turning away from God and getting farther away from His will. Our lives should be changing to become more like Him. That is not something that just happens. We need to be intentionally seeking Him and following His teachings. Again, if you are not turning towards, you are turning away. Psalm 78:40–43 - "They turned against God... they grieved him... they did not remember his power... they forgot..."

Hebrews 6:4–6 records what I believe to be some of the most disturbing words in the whole Bible. It makes me incredibly sad to read it because I recognize this happening in people I know. May it never be said about me.

"Some people cannot be brought back again to a changed life. They were once in God's light, and enjoyed heaven's gift, and shared in the Holy Spirit. They found out how good God's word is, and they received the powers of his new world. But they fell away from Christ. It is impossible to bring them back to a changed life again, because they are nailing the Son of God to a cross again and are shaming him in front of others."

Wow! What disturbing words to read. They were in God's light; they enjoyed all of God's gift of salvation; but they fell away; they lost it all; and there isn't a thing we can do about it. And because of their stubbornness and refusal to change, "they are nailing the Son of God to a cross again and are shaming him in front of others."

Oh, how that brings tears to my eyes. The choices we make MATTER!! Be careful! There are consequences for the choices (both the good and bad) we make! Hebrews 6:7–8 - "Some people are like land that gets plenty of rain. The land produces a good crop for those who work it, and it receives God's blessings. Other people are like land that grows thorns and weeds and is worthless. It is in danger of being cursed by God and will be destroyed by fire." (See Psalm 1)

Be patient. God is fair. He will not forget the things you have done by helping His kingdom. It is through faith and patience that you receive what God has promised. There are two things that God cannot change:

1. God cannot lie when He makes a promise, and
2. He cannot lie when He makes an oath.

CANNOT! It's not that God doesn't lie or that He won't lie, HE CANNOT LIE! Hebrews 6:18–19 - "These things encourage us who came to God for safety. They give us strength to hold on to the hope we have been given. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong."

God has promised us His protection and He cannot lie. We are sure of His promise. We do not doubt it in any way. We are especially grateful for the way He gave us the promise because it was not in a way we could have expected, concocted, or manipulated. We didn't look through the Bible to try and find something we could claim as God's promise. We weren't even anxiously looking for or seeking a promise. That is why His promise was even more special. It was totally unexpected. Who (even in their wildest dreams) could ever have imagined that God, in His Sovereignty, would choose to use an elderly woman with dementia in a nursing home as His chosen way to deliver His prayer of blessing, and His messages of Purpose (Psalm 8), Praise (Psalm 150), Protection (Psalm 140), Provision (Isaiah 30), Path (Psalm 1), and Promise (Jeremiah 33) to us? It was humanly impossible. It could have only been the Hand of God, and we are so grateful.

We didn't know we needed a promise, but we sure have appreciated ALL of the promises HE has given us these past six and one half years. It has been an encouragement just like the writer of Hebrews penned. God cannot lie when He makes a promise and He cannot lie when He makes an oath.  Hebrews 6:18 - "These things encourage us who come to God for safety. They give us strength to hold on to the hope we have been given."

Thank you, Jesus for your sacrifice given once and for all. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for giving us your blessings and protection. Thank you, LORD, for your promises and for your "rest." For all these things and more—we thank you!


Next Entry: Hebrews 8:1–13

Hebrews 4:1 – 5:10

June 03, 2013

"By grace of God, I've come to place where I can't work up a worry (rest)." "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." ~ Written in Jane's KJV Bible.

Rest. God has offered to us a place of rest. There is of course heaven, a place of eternal rest. But in addition to eternal rest, we have also been offered a "place of rest" on this earth.

"Now, since God has left us the promise that we may enter his rest, let us be very careful so none of you fail to enter. The Good News was preached to us just as it was to them. But the teaching they heard did not help them, because they heard it but did not accept it with faith." Hebrews 4:1–3 

It wasn't the teaching that failed, the failure came from the choices they made. They "heard" the teaching but they refused to accept it with faith. They chose disobedience. The old hymn has it right when it says: "Trust and obey for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Hebrews 4:5 - "We who have believed are able to enter and have God's rest." Our choices determine our life results.

Obedience → Happy in Jesus → Rest

God rested on the seventh day, His perfect work of creation was complete. God made available to us His perfect work of redemption, and as believers, we can rest in that. God provided the Israelites a way of redemption from the Egyptians. They could have rested in His deliverance and protection, but instead, they chose not to trust and they chose not to obey, and as a result of their choices they lived 40 years wandering around in the desert and they never received His "rest." Those who did not obey and did not trust were not allowed into the Promised Land. Not only did they not get the future reward, they missed out on peace and "rest" in the present, their time on this earth.

The writer of Hebrew again says—TODAY. Hebrews 4:7 - "Today listen to what he says. Do not be stubborn." Stubbornness—the root of the problem. That is what keeps most people from surrendering to God and obeying Him. It's not ignorance—it's stubbornness. It's a refusal to let go of whatever you need to let go of (pride, selfishness, the need to be in charge, etc.) and let God be—God. Hebrews 4:10–11 - "Anyone who enters God's rest will rest from his work as God did. Let us try as hard as we can to enter God's rest so that no one will fail by following the example of those who refused to obey."

The phrase "try as hard as you can" does not mean we are working to earn our salvation. To enter God's rest is to finally "get-it"; to fully understand the

God

↓

man

relationship; and to daily live the "God is God, I am not" concept. If you don't daily commit to surrendering your will to the authority and Lordship of God, you will find the sin of self-sufficiency slowly creeping back into your life.

We can attest to what it means to find God's rest while on earth. Oh, what a change there has been in our thinking. Before we learned to surrender all I used to occasionally have "what if" fears about my husband's business. What if the economy goes bad? What if there isn't enough work? What if? What if? Our entire livelihood and our son's entire livelihood depends on this business. What if? What if? Then "the storm" happens, the economy goes bad, and all my prior "what if" fears which at times clouded my thoughts—happened. BUT! It did not bring fear.

What would have earlier created worry, fear, and angst in our lives, now has no power or control in our lives. We are living in God's rest and it is only because of one reason: we have committed to surrendering ALL to God. Oh, what peace (and rest) that gives. When the economy went bad, we didn't frantically go out searching for work—God brought the work to us. When the lawsuit threatened the very existence of my husband's business and took hundreds of thousands to defend our innocence—God doubled our gross revenues. God is in control and we can REST in that. 

We need to "work hard" at surrendering. God does ALL the rest. TODAY don't be stubborn! Listen to what He says! Hebrews 4:12 - "God's word is alive and working and is sharper that a double-edged sword." It convicts, it prunes, it does whatever is necessary to make us as believers more like Him. For the believer, it brings freedom and rest. For the non-believer, it condemns. "It judges the thoughts and feeling in our hearts. Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is clear and lies open before him, and to him we must explain the way we have lived." (Hebrews 4:12b–13)

I've often wondered if people would change their hearts and lives if they understood that someday they will stand before Christ and have to explain the choices they've made and the way they lived their lives? Would it matter? Would they care? As believers we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and have to explain our choices and how we lived, and we will be rewarded accordingly. A non-believer will stand before Christ at the Great White Throne judgment, and they will be held accountable—eternally—for their stubborn refusal to surrender to Him.

Hebrews 5 - Jesus is our high priest, an intercessor between us and God. Because of Jesus we can "come before God's throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it." When Jesus was on this earth He prayed to God and "his prayer was heard because he trusted God."

Even though He was the Son of God, He learned obedience by what He suffered. The same can be said about us.We learned obedience because of our suffering, and for that we are grateful. Obedience and full surrender is often learned best during times of suffering.

Addendum: 11/29/16 ~ So many people try to avoid times of suffering by trying to "pray away" their problems instead of surrendering and learning from them. Charles Swindoll in Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life says it perfectly.

"Life is difficult... really very little more than an endless series of problems. Do we want to moan and groan about them or face them? Do we want to teach the next generation the disciplines involved in accepting and solving them or encourage them to run and hide? ... The tragedy, of course, is that the substitute itself ultimately becomes more painful than the "legitimate suffering" it was trying to avoid. And, adding insult to injury, the avoidance of legitimate suffering means we also avoid the growth that problems demand of us. Our determination to push pain away instead of meeting it head on creates a vicious circle. Could this explain why God's wisest saints are often people who endure pain rather than escape it? Like their Savior, they are men and women "acquainted with grief." I recall that Jesus "learned obedience from the things which he suffered (Hebrews 5:8) not in spite of those things. Do you have a problem? You're smiling back at me. "A problem? Would you believe several dozen problems?" If you listen to the voices around you, you'll search for a substitute—an escape route. You'll miss the fact that each one of those problems is a God-appointed instructor ready to stretch you and challenge you and deepen your walk with Him. Growth and wisdom await you at the solution of each one, the pain and mess notwithstanding."         

Well said.  


Next Entry: Hebrews 5:11 – 7:28

Hebrews 2:1 – 3:19

June 02, 2013

Jesus is above ALL. He is above man, above Moses, above prophets, above angels—above ALL. He is God.

The writer of Hebrews quotes a portion of Psalm 8. Jane requested that I read Psalm 8 to her in early 2007, long before I understood that God was going to use her to speak words of wisdom, promise, and encouragement to us. I can't adequately express what Psalm 8 now means to us. 

"What is man that you are mindful of him? Or the Son of Man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly angels and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands and put everything under his feet."

While I have quoted this part of Psalm 8 hundreds of times I was always a little confused by it. Are these verses talking about man? Or, are they talking about Jesus? I just wasn't quite sure.

Hebrews 2 explains it. It is about both. Man is made "a little lower than the angels." Jesus, as part of the God three-head is above the angels. But when He came to this earth as God/man, He assumed for a little while this lower place so that by our believing in His death and resurrection He can lift us into His own sphere above the angels at His second coming. Hebrews 2:9 - "Jesus, made for a little time lower than the angels, dies for man that he may lift men above angels into the family of God."

Hebrews 2:10 - "God (including Jesus) is the One who made all things and all things (including us) are for his glory." We are his children, his family. We have physical bodies, so Jesus himself became like us and took on a physical body. Hebrews 2:14–15 - "He did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death—the devil—and free those who were like slaves all their lives because of their fear of death." Jesus has done it all "so we must be more careful to follow what we are taught. Then we will not stray away from the truth."(Hebrews 2:1)   

We cannot accept Grace and then take all He has done for granted. Jesus is the builder, we are the house. Hebrews 3:6 - "But Christ is faithful as a Son over God's house. And we are God's house if we keep on being very sure about our great hope."

We must keep on keeping on. We must continue to follow God. Today! Now! Not later! TODAY!

Hebrews 3:7 - "Today listen to what he says. Do not be stubborn..."
Hebrews 3:15 - "Today listen to what he says. Do not be stubborn..."

Today! Joshua 24:15 - "Choose you this day whom you will serve." Do not be stubborn. Being stubborn cost the Israelites. They were stubborn and wanted to be in control themselves. And the result was they turned against God, and they bore the consequences for their actions. God was angry with them and instead of receiving His promises of blessings they received His promise of anger. Hebrews 3:11 - "They will never enter my rest." It was because of their sin that He was angry. Because they refused to obey "they were not allowed to enter (the promised land) and have God's rest, because they did not believe."

You can't "believe" and not obey. You either believe (and obey) or you don't believe (and you disobey). Saying you believe is not enough. True belief, by its very nature, means you obey. So, "Be careful that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that will turn you away from the living God. But encourage each other every day while it is "today." Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you. We all share in Christ if we keep till the end the sure faith we had in the beginning." (Hebrews 3:12–14)

Today! I want to enter his rest. I choose to believe and obey.

"Usually it is those who have suffered most who are best able to comfort others who are passing through suffering. Our sufferings may be rough and hard to bear, but they teach us lessons which in turn equip and enable us to help others. Our goal should be to learn all we can from what we are called upon to endure, so that we can fulfill a ministry of comfort—as Jesus did. The sufferer becomes the comforter or helper in the service of the Lord." ~ From Unto the Hills by Billy Graham

Addendum: 11/29/16 ~ As I was reading this passage this morning, a statement found in Hebrews 2:2 just pierced by heart. There IS accountability. The writer of Hebrews warned them to be careful. Follow what you were taught. Follow the scriptures. Follow Christ's teachings. FOLLOW!! Follow so you don't "stray away from the truth." Hebrews 2:2 - "The teaching God spoke through angels was shown to be true, and anyone who did not follow it or obey it received the punishment that was earned.

If you don't follow God's teachings, and if you don't obey those teachings, you receive the punishment that was earned. It isn't the fault any(one) or any(thing) else. It falls squarely on the shoulders of the person who has refused to follow and refused to obey. 

I just can't imagine. I can't imagine standing before Christ and coming face to face with the reality of receiving the punishment earned by refusing to follow and obey His teachings. I am determined to follow. I am determined to obey. Like the words of a song from my childhood: I have decided to follow Jesus... no turning back... no turning back. 

I am determined to Walk on His Footpath. I am determined to Follow His Lead.


 Next Entry: Hebrews 4:1 – 5:10

Philemon 1:1–25

May 31, 2013

Philemon was a believer and a worker for the cause of Christ. A group of believers (church) met in his home. As was custom at that time, he owned a slave named Onesimus whose name meant "useful" or "profitable." Instead of being "useful" or "profitable" Onesimus betrayed his master, stole from him, and then fled to Rome. While in Rome he somehow encounters Paul, he accepts the truth of Christ, and it changed his heart and life. Paul understands that Onesimus has changed, but he also understands that he must go back and make amends for his evil actions. So Paul writes Philemon and tells him what has happened.

"In the past he was useless for you but now he has become useful for both you and me."  (Philemon 1:11) 

His name meant useful, but until he found his purpose in life (by surrendering to God), he was useless. Our names may not all mean that, but until we accept God's plan for our lives we are all "useless." It is only through opening our hearts, lives, and hands to God that we become "useful." Paul understood a very important truth. Not only did Onesimus need to go back to seek forgiveness, Philemon needed to give forgiveness. The Bible doesn't record what happened, but by the words Paul wrote about the kind of person Philemon was, we can know what happened—he forgave.

Forgiveness given is equally important as forgiveness asked. If Philemon would have refused to forgive, it would have had far reaching consequences. He would have lost his ability to be a worker for Christ; he would have lost his witness; and the church meeting in his home could not have survived. By forgiving, he modeled the way Paul lived his life and Christ's forgiveness of us. Philemon 1:18 - "If he has done anything wrong to you or if he owes you anything, charge that to me... I will pay it back, and I will say nothing about what you owe me for your own life."

Christ forgave us. We need to forgive others.

I've always said that forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. When you hold onto grudges and hurts it destroys you and harms those around you. Forgiveness can be given before it has been asked for, but it cannot be completed until there is a changed heart. We have forgiven my sister and brother-in-law and we hold no anger or resentment in our hearts. But it cannot be completed until they change their hearts and lives and seek forgiveness. The change has to be real and authentic—THEN— forgiveness can be completed. We experienced/modeled this with our daughter and son-in-law. When change was only "claimed," forgiveness could not be completed. When change was real, it was a done deal. It was over with and completed, with it never brought up or needed to be said again.

If a real change happens with my sister and brother-in-law the same thing will happen. If there ever is restoration, our relationship cannot (and should not) be the same as it was before. It was not based on truth and it was very unhealthy. But that does not mean a relationship cannot exist. When forgiveness is completed then a new relationship can be built on the foundation of Truth and upon God's principles. That's the only way.

Christ's death on the cross—forgiveness given. Surrendering our lives to his Lordship—forgiveness  asked and completed.

It is interesting to think about what kind of person Onesimus was. His name meant "profitable" yet he was a servant. By his actions we can surmise that he hated being a servant and that he felt he should be in charge of his own life. So he took matters into his own hands and stole money and ran away to his independence—or so he thought. When we try to be in charge we mess things up. When his heart changed he changed. It was no longer all about him and Onesimus became profitable FOR the Lord.

Before you can move forward you must FIRST go back and repent. 

***** 

Jane has the following notes written in her KJV:

Philemon – "the loving one"; Paul – "the little one"; Onesimus – "the profitable one"

Real imputation – "that which rightfully belongs to me" (Romans 5:12)
Judicial imputation – that which is reckoned unto one which is not rightfully his own  (II Corinthians 5:21)
     (a) God imputed to Christ the sin of the whole world
     (b) God imputed to (?)* righteousness of God

*Jane often used shorthand symbols (which I can't duplicate here and don't understand) in her writing.

Addendum: 1/16/17 ~ As I was reading this morning a statement in the Introduction for Philemon caught my attention. "As you consider how to respond, consider a higher law. A law which sets all men, slave or nonslave, free."

That statement reminded me of what the judge said during the Settlement Conference. In his opening remarks he said he didn't know why he was assigned this case, but then he went on to say things that made it very clear why he was given the case. He made the statement that even if you think you have been wronged and even if you think you have the right to avenge, consider following the King's law, and grant forgiveness.

He was speaking to my sister and brother-in-law and expressing this very same concept. Consider a higher law. Consider doing things God's way. Consider forgiving (and therefore dropping this lawsuit) even if you have the American right to sue and even if you think you have a case.

As we all know, his plea did not work. It was an amazing thing to watch a judge invoke Biblical teaching. Amazing. Thank you, Lord, for once again speaking Truth to my sister and brother-in-law.


 Next Entry: Hebrews 1:1–14

Titus 1:1 – 2:15

May 29, 2013

God cannot lie!

"God always speaks truth. When he makes a covenant, he keeps it. When he makes a statement, he means it. And when he proclaims the truth we can believe it. What he says is true." ~ From Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado.

God cannot lie. His truth is TRUTH. Titus 1:1-2 - "I was sent to help the faith of God's chosen people and to help them know the truth that shows people how to serve God. That faith and that knowledge come from the hope for life forever, which God promised to us before time began. And God cannot lie."

As believers, His truth should be reflected in our lives. You cannot receive God's grace and remain the same. It changes you. Understanding grace means you can never live your life in the same old way again. Grace is not a license to live however you please. Not only is it not a license, it should not be abused and our lives cannot remain status quo. Instead, understanding grace should lead us on a path towards holiness.

That's why Paul again lists the attributes of an elder. Our Senior Pastor always says that you cannot lead someone where you have never been. So true. An elder (leader) is a manager for God, so his (or her) life should reflect God's. A leader in the church:

• Must not be guilty of doing wrong
• Must not be selfish
• Must not become angry quickly 
• Must not drink too much
• Must not like to start trouble
• Must not try to get rich by cheating others

A leader must be hospitable, love what is good, be wise, live right, be holy, and be self-controlled. They must hold onto truth and help others by using true teaching. Their life example and work points out the truth to those who are against true teaching. But even when you live right and do right, you will still run into people who just refuse to acknowledge and accept truth. Titus 1:11a - "These people must be stopped." It's not just that they are harming themselves so ignore them and let them go. They are harming others and hurting the cause of Christ. These people:

• Hurt and upset entire families by their actions and teachings which they do to get rich by cheating people.
• "They are liars, evil animals, and lazy people who do nothing but eat." (A quote from one of the Cretans prophets in Titus 1:12)

Titus 1:13–16 - "So firmly tell those people they are wrong so they may become strong in the faith... to those who are pure, all things are pure, but to those who are full of sin and do not believe, nothing is pure. Both their minds and their consciences have been ruined. They say they know God, but their actions show they do not accept him. They are hateful people, they refuse to obey, and they are useless for doing anything good." That is why they must be stopped. KJV - "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him. being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." NIV - "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."

So, is this why? Is this why "these people must be stopped"? We have said those very words many times. We strongly felt my sister and brother-in-law had to be stopped because of their actions. Their purpose was to "use" and "abuse," and because of that, we felt "these people must be stopped." So, (as our lawyer commented) we put our heads in the mouth of the lion to do it. But now for the first time, I am understanding more of what "these people must be stopped" means. Us knowing "these people must be stopped" involved so much more than putting a stop to their use and abuse of others and situations. So much more.

It is for the reasons listed in Titus 1:10–16 that they must be stopped. It isn't for the purpose of destroying them, it is for the purpose of restoring them," so they can become strong in the faith." Like we have said so many times, my sister and brother-in-law will either be like the Saul of the Old Testament (destroyed) or the Saul of the New Testament (restored). Once you have known Truth there is no middle ground. You either accept Truth and follow His ways, or you reject Truth (Him) and follow your own destructive, evil ways which will ultimately lead to judgment by the one true and holy Judge.

My sister and brother-in-law's actions did not begin or end with us. It has been a lifetime of choices. I don't know why God chose us to stand up against the lies, but He did, and we will. "These people must be stopped." Not just for the harm they have inflicted on others, but "so they may become strong in the faith." I pray my sister and brother-in-law will choose to surrender, change their hearts and minds, and follow the Truth. Everything we have went through has been worth it because of all we have learned and been taught. How awesome it would be if they would understand this waiting period was their day of Grace, and they would stop and change their ways.

That is our desire and prayer. However this ends, we are grateful for all God has done in our lives, and we are also grateful for the days of grace He has extended to my sister and brother-in-law. Titus 2:8 - "Speak the truth so that you cannot be criticized. Then those who are against you will be ashamed because there is nothing bad to say about us." So live by following the true teaching. Be self-controlled, serious, wise, strong in faith, strong in love and in patience, be holy, be wise and pure, be kind, work hard, submit to authority, encourage others, do good deeds, be honest. In other words: let your walk match your talk.

Titus 2:11–14 - "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to  say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

Titus 2:15 - "These, then are the things you should teach.  Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you."

TEACH!


Next Entry: Titus 3:1–15

II Timothy 1:1–18

May 23, 2013

Use the gifts God gave you. It's all about personal responsibility. If you were raised in a home with people of faith that's great... but that isn't enough. It has to be your faith, and you are responsible for you. Make sure you grow your faith.

II Timothy 1:6b - "Now let it grow, as a small flame grows into a fire. God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid, but a spirit of power and love and self-control." So—tell others. Never be ashamed of your faith. By God's great grace we were saved and He is the one we believe in. That is why we tell the story. It is HIS story.  Faith doesn't grow by accident.  You need to follow His ways, protect His truth, and fan it into flame. When you do that you won't be able to keep the Gospel of Christ to yourself, and you will share it with others—no matter what.

In Paul's case, he was put in prison because of it. II Timothy 1:12 - "I am suffering now because I tell the Good News, but I am not ashamed because I know Jesus, the One in whom I have believed. And I am sure he is able to protect what he has trusted me with until that day."

Reading this chapter immediately brings to mind two different songs. One is a current praise song: "I'm not ashamed of the one who saved my soul." And the other is an old hymn with lyrics straight out of the KJV: "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able, to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."


Next Entry: II Timothy 2:1–26

I Timothy 1:1 – 2:15

May 19, 2013

Get rid of false teachings and focus on what is important—LOVE. I Timothy1:5 - "A love that comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a true faith." Paul goes on to talk about God's grace. He was the worst of the worst. He was "religious" but not a Christ follower. He was a religious unbeliever. But by God's grace he was saved and given the work of "serving him."

Serving God → serving others. We went straight from caring for my husband's terminally ill brother to caring for my husband's parents. I am exhausted and weary. I handle all his parent's medications (over fifteen different kinds each); arranged for and am the liaison for home health care; go to their house three times a day for his mother's insulin shots; handle all doctor calls and visits; develop and keep records to handle the results of their medications; do the grocery shopping; take them meals, etc. If you've ever been the caretaker for someone else you know what I am talking about. It is exhausting and overwhelming.

I always want to be sensitive to whatever it is that God is wanting me to do and I never want to stop doing the right thing just because I am tired. We have honored our Mothers' and Fathers' and we will continue to do so. But there comes a time when we are enabling and not "serving."  We are not honoring God if we don't speak truth and support lies no matter what the age of the person. We have had to confront some behavior issues which are not age related but good old fashioned sin and pride. God is slow to anger and has patience without limits, but He is never "done" with us and we are never given a pass to no longer be obedient just because we are 87 and 86.

We are to fight the good fight to the end. We are to die to self and live for Christ to the end. We are to understand that God is God and we are not to the end. It is not about us!  It is ALL about Him—to the end.

"To the King that rules forever, who will never die, who cannot be seen, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." I Timothy 1:17

There is only one way to God—Christ. We can choose to love God—OR—love self. It can't be both. We either die to sin or we don't.  


Next Entry: I Timothy 3:1–16