This I Know, that God is for ME!....
Grief has been a word often heard in my circle lately. It has me considering all the ways we grieve and all the reasons we may grieve or mourn.
Maybe loss is your experience currently.
Loss of a job
Loss of a friend
Loss of an important item in your life. (Even though we know possessions are temporary, we may feel grief when something very important is lost to us.)
Perhaps it is loss of expectation.
Loss of closeness with family
Loss of good health
Loss of a dream
Maybe death has impacted you.
Death of a friend, family member or pet.
Maybe disappointment has overwhelmed you. Perhaps you've recently moved away from all you know. Starting over is difficult. You feel sadness and grief.
We feel grief over mistreatment, over watching loved ones self destruct, over marriage ending, over knowing your life is not how you pictured it would be.
Not getting into the school of our choice, rejection letters....Hurt and disappointments come in many forms. What do we do with all our grief?
Verses I have leaned on in times of grief.
Psalm 56:8 & 9b
You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?
This I know, that God is for me.
I also had to learn that if I do not allow myself to grieve, it can easily turn into anger. Grief was a gift in that aspect.
A time to lean on God (and sometimes others) brings sweet fellowship.
Out of grief can come fruit & blessings.
Prayer journaling creates an outlet to release our grief to God. When Jesus grieved, he cried-and cried out to God.
We have Christ's example, we have a GOOD GOD who makes NO mistakes, we do have a future and we have fellowship with others through sharing our grief.
Romans says, "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another...."
God is the God of endurance and encouragement.
This I Know, that God is for ME!....
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The Christian's 3 Enemies
Truth from Billy Graham Decision Magazine
http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=359
The Bible specifically mentions three enemies: the world, the flesh and the devil. They combine to form a powerful foe to defeat and frustrate God's plan and purpose in the lives of His people.
The First Enemy: The World
First, the Bible teaches that the world is at war with the spiritually minded Christian. Worldliness is a mood, a tempo, an attitude of the soul that peers out horizontally upon life. Its head is never lifted upward in recognition of God. Its gaze is manward—never Godward. It is a materialistic, sensual view of life that centers its attention on the gratification of the lower appetites and desires, completely blind to the things of the Spirit. In this kind of world, God is not just denied, He is forgotten.
The Bible warns us, "Do not love the world or the things in the world" (1 John 2:15, NKJV). And again, "friendship with the world is enmity with God" (James 4:4, NKJV). Thus, we Christians find ourselves in daily conflict with the world around us. But we are not to yield an inch.
The Second Enemy: The Flesh
Second, the flesh is at war with the Christian. The word "flesh" is the biblical word for our old nature, the nature of sin.
The Apostle Peter, who knew a great deal about the struggle with the flesh, said, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11, NKJV). The flesh is the enemy within, the spiritual infiltrator. Thus, as Christians, we find that our greatest conflict is often within ourselves.
In spite of the fact that we have come to Christ, the wretched bent toward sin is ever-present to drag us down. War has been declared. We have two natures in conflict, and each one is striving for the victory. The Bible teaches, "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh" (Galatians 5:17, NKJV). It is the battle between the self-life and the Christ-life.
The old nature cannot please God. It cannot be patched up. However, Scripture does give great hope for us in this conflict, because when Christ died He took us with Him to the cross. The old nature can be made inoperative, and we can by faith "reckon [ourselves] to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God" (Romans 6:11, NKJV). Victory can be obtained.
Paul said that he had "no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3, NKJV); he had no confidence in the old nature. On another occasion he stated, "make no provision for the flesh" (Romans 13:14, NKJV). On yet another occasion he said, "I discipline my body and bring it into subjection" (1 Corinthians 9:27, NKJV). We are to yield completely and surrender ourselves to God so that we can by faith consider the old nature dead unto sin.
The Third Enemy: The Devil
The third enemy that wars with the Christian is, of course, the devil himself. The devil is out to defeat the Christian. He well knows that the child of God is a dangerous enemy to his cause. He made every effort to tempt and defeat Christ, and today the devil concentrates on Christ's followers. He is the commander-in-chief of the powers of evil, and his main attack is launched against those who have taken sides with Christ and righteousness.
The devil harasses, accuses, tempts, deceives and lies in his dealings with Christians. He works through his allies, the world and the flesh. The devil uses the world and the flesh to wreak havoc among God's people, to hinder the progress of righteousness, to discourage and distress Christians, to stop the Gospel from being proclaimed and to weaken the Christian offensive in advancing the kingdom of God.
The Bible says, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV). The devil is a powerful foe who is called "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4, NKJV), "the ruler of this world" (John 14:30, NKJV) and "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2, NKJV). Don't ever underestimate the power of the devil.
Defeating the Enemies of Our Soul
Scripture teaches that we are not to love the world and that we are to make no provision for the flesh. Scripture also teaches us how to deal with the devil. If we stand up and resist the devil, he will flee from us. We are not to give any place to him. The Bible says, "submit to God" (James 4:7, NKJV), and it promises that if we have fully submitted ourselves to Jesus Christ, then we can resist the devil, and he will flee from us. The devil will tremble when we pray. He will be defeated when we quote or read a passage of Scripture to him.
But we can resist the devil only when we submit ourselves to God. In relation to the world, the Bible says, "This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith" (1 John 5:4, NKJV). In relation to the flesh, it says, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16, NKJV).
There is glorious news to those of us who are fighting these battles and temptations. We are not asked to fight the battle alone. Remember, Christ promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us. Jesus promised that after He left the earth, the Father would send another, the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, who is called the Comforter (which actually means "One who helps"), that He may abide with us and live in us forever.
It is the Holy Spirit living within us who produces the peace of God in our hearts in the midst of the struggles of life. This is a peace that the world cannot know; it is known only to the child of God. This peace that God gives is based upon our faith in Him.
As Christians, we do not pretend to believe, we do not half believe, we do not believe today and doubt tomorrow. We believe now and forever. We believe that the hairs of our heads are numbered. We believe that not even a sparrow falls to the ground but that the Father knows. We believe that the universe is held in place by a loving Creator.
Finding Peace for Our Souls
So when we look at the conflicts and wars around us, and as we look at the wars within ourselves, we have peace because we have faith in the Prince of Peace. Do you know this peace that comes from God? You can make your peace with God today by surrendering your life to Jesus Christ. He shed His blood and rose from the dead that you might have your sins forgiven. You will find peace with God only at the cross of Jesus Christ.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Teens Tweens and Toddlers
For those who have recently asked for a family update....
It's August. The end of summer, homeschool starts in a few weeks. We look forward to Fall weather and an end to the Summer Drought of 2012. It also means we will begin a long stretch of celebrating each of our birthdays, starting with our Tween Joel (the dude in the ear phones)!
I love everything about Joel-Pole, especially that he is methodical, organized, a thinker, and very friendly. He is enjoying his Jr. High status in youth group. This is Joel's 6th grade year. Can't believe he's old enough for that! He still is young enough; however, that he plays with his little sister so well.
Laura, our toddler mommy of the house, thinks she is extra special these days. Potty trained, self-dresser, princess pretender, and dancer extraordinaire! She is so clever at getting us to agree to give her candy. We call her LaurAdorable, as you can see! She will soon be 3, going on 13! She loves playing outside and getting into her brothers' stuff!
Eric (AKA: BIG E), is my big giant teenager! He is soon to be 14, and is about 5'8" all ready. He is a super big brother and often looks after his siblings while Mom runs errands. I love his tender heart, his desire to please God, his love of all things "manly", and his witty sense of humor. He is starting the 8th grade and is looking forward to attending the local school for computer class after his homeschool day is done.
Scott and I enjoyed learning how to landscape this summer. The border around the back and sides of the house was only grass until Scott one day decided to give it a facelift. New plants and mulch, a tree dubbed as "Laura's" Christmas Tree, and flowers completed the look. Man that was grueling!
I am busy prepping and planning out the school year. Last year went so well, and this year a teacher friend will be assisting when we need some tips, I anticipate to sail thru the year fairly easily. I am also looking forward to helping in woman's ministries and in Bible study at church.
It has been a good year thus far. We are thankful for God's blessing and pray for continued guidance and care over us and our loved ones.
It's August. The end of summer, homeschool starts in a few weeks. We look forward to Fall weather and an end to the Summer Drought of 2012. It also means we will begin a long stretch of celebrating each of our birthdays, starting with our Tween Joel (the dude in the ear phones)!
I love everything about Joel-Pole, especially that he is methodical, organized, a thinker, and very friendly. He is enjoying his Jr. High status in youth group. This is Joel's 6th grade year. Can't believe he's old enough for that! He still is young enough; however, that he plays with his little sister so well.
Laura, our toddler mommy of the house, thinks she is extra special these days. Potty trained, self-dresser, princess pretender, and dancer extraordinaire! She is so clever at getting us to agree to give her candy. We call her LaurAdorable, as you can see! She will soon be 3, going on 13! She loves playing outside and getting into her brothers' stuff!
Eric (AKA: BIG E), is my big giant teenager! He is soon to be 14, and is about 5'8" all ready. He is a super big brother and often looks after his siblings while Mom runs errands. I love his tender heart, his desire to please God, his love of all things "manly", and his witty sense of humor. He is starting the 8th grade and is looking forward to attending the local school for computer class after his homeschool day is done.
Scott and I enjoyed learning how to landscape this summer. The border around the back and sides of the house was only grass until Scott one day decided to give it a facelift. New plants and mulch, a tree dubbed as "Laura's" Christmas Tree, and flowers completed the look. Man that was grueling!
I am busy prepping and planning out the school year. Last year went so well, and this year a teacher friend will be assisting when we need some tips, I anticipate to sail thru the year fairly easily. I am also looking forward to helping in woman's ministries and in Bible study at church.
It has been a good year thus far. We are thankful for God's blessing and pray for continued guidance and care over us and our loved ones.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Thoughts on Love, Peace, Grace & Glory
Difficult person?
God's Word says to love one another. That seems pretty straight forward.
So why is it we somehow can't figure out how to love when loving them means we might have to give up what we want?
Why do we waste so much time being selfish?
If we were wise, we'd see how important it is to quit pursuing our desires and simply pursue filling their need as our service to Christ. And isn't that sacrifice? Isn't that the whole essence of true love?
Love is: giving of myself to meet another's need whether they deserve it or not and expecting NOTHING in return. It's coming along side another when they need me there. It's giving, supporting, and sometimes giving up my need or wish in order to meet their need.
The Bible doesn't have to have a chapter and verse for every aspect of our lives or every circumstance. But it does seem to have all the answers!
The Bible commands we love. It's up to us to know how to show each individual love.
God's Word says to love one another. That seems pretty straight forward.
So why is it we somehow can't figure out how to love when loving them means we might have to give up what we want?
Why do we waste so much time being selfish?
If we were wise, we'd see how important it is to quit pursuing our desires and simply pursue filling their need as our service to Christ. And isn't that sacrifice? Isn't that the whole essence of true love?
Love is: giving of myself to meet another's need whether they deserve it or not and expecting NOTHING in return. It's coming along side another when they need me there. It's giving, supporting, and sometimes giving up my need or wish in order to meet their need.
The Bible doesn't have to have a chapter and verse for every aspect of our lives or every circumstance. But it does seem to have all the answers!
The Bible commands we love. It's up to us to know how to show each individual love.
An important point not to miss is that when possible, live at peace, but always LOVE. Show grace, but not at the expense of God's glory. Yes turn the other cheek, but walk away if it will result in God's glory being stolen.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
True or False
Exodus 23:1 “You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness."
This verse stood out to me so strongly when I recently read it. It was as if the Holy Spirit turned the page blank except for these words. It was an answer to prayer I needed and came from an unexpected text. Like God had said, "Behold! Pay attention!
We don't have to have a text tell us to avoid falsehood, wickedness, maliciousness. Most of us want to avoid that naturally. But there it is. God says it anyway. I think it is interesting that this is worded differently than other texts that say "do not lie". God wasn't just talking about speaking the truth. There is responsibility, honest actions, and warning against secret agreements implied as well. The NKJV says, “You shall not circulate a false report." One commentary described the duty to uphold truth and justice, walk in integrity and consideration for all men, and never be in collusion with one who had raised a false report.
Chapter 23 is full of specific examples of dishonesty, and stealing. Maybe because there are so many who think the phrase "do not lie" doesn't apply to their situation. After all, they didn't actually say an un-truth exactly.
Or in Psalms 1:1, "Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners". This verse and many more throughout God's Word give the same message, don't follow counsel from someone who has done wickedly.
"Well, God. I know I'm not supposed to lie, or align myself with those who lie or are being dishonest or have done wicked things....but....I need to keep appearance, or need their advice, or want their approval"
OH HOW FOOLISH!
The Wycliffe commentary says, "To do such a thing puts one in opposition to a Holy God who will not justify wickedness."
Oh God, give me wisdom to keep far from unrighteousness and the strength to uphold truth.
This verse stood out to me so strongly when I recently read it. It was as if the Holy Spirit turned the page blank except for these words. It was an answer to prayer I needed and came from an unexpected text. Like God had said, "Behold! Pay attention!
We don't have to have a text tell us to avoid falsehood, wickedness, maliciousness. Most of us want to avoid that naturally. But there it is. God says it anyway. I think it is interesting that this is worded differently than other texts that say "do not lie". God wasn't just talking about speaking the truth. There is responsibility, honest actions, and warning against secret agreements implied as well. The NKJV says, “You shall not circulate a false report." One commentary described the duty to uphold truth and justice, walk in integrity and consideration for all men, and never be in collusion with one who had raised a false report.
Chapter 23 is full of specific examples of dishonesty, and stealing. Maybe because there are so many who think the phrase "do not lie" doesn't apply to their situation. After all, they didn't actually say an un-truth exactly.
Or in Psalms 1:1, "Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners". This verse and many more throughout God's Word give the same message, don't follow counsel from someone who has done wickedly.
"Well, God. I know I'm not supposed to lie, or align myself with those who lie or are being dishonest or have done wicked things....but....I need to keep appearance, or need their advice, or want their approval"
OH HOW FOOLISH!
The Wycliffe commentary says, "To do such a thing puts one in opposition to a Holy God who will not justify wickedness."
Oh God, give me wisdom to keep far from unrighteousness and the strength to uphold truth.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT and BE RESCUED!
Lately I have been reminded of ways God has rescued me.
Psalms 18:16-19 has become my go-to verses recently.
16 He sent from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
17 He rescued me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me.
David wrote these words when he was being surrounded by Saul who sought to kill him. He had to run away from his enemy on several occasions. 1 Sam 23:15 says, "And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hands." David even hid out in a cave in the wilderness with his men until the enemy gave up for a time or was stopped.
The thing that stands out to me in this story is that Saul was once David's friend, became jealous of the success of David, and was angry that the Lord was with David and wanted him dead.
What an awful experience for David to go through. He constantly was oppressed by his own king. Someone he once obeyed and had pledged allegiance to, he now had to fight against and run and hide from. Oh, and did I mention... during this time, Saul became his Father-in-Law! Fight or flight? David chose flight on many occasions because he couldn't reason with Saul, it was safest to get away, and it gave David time to call on God for strength and guidance.
Something else I liked in this story is that God continually appointed David's protection. His brother-in-law and good friend, Jonathan gave David a heads up about Saul's evil desires. He encouraged David to go find a secret place of safety. Saul's daughter (David's wife) helped David escape, and David's men stood on guard to watch out for the enemy. David obviously needed that support. His enemy was too strong for him, but not for God! The Lord, through people who loved David, continued to be the support he needed.
The instinct of fleeing an enemy, the safety of escaping the enemy, the space and distance required to find rest and security from the enemy...all of this God ordained for David. The NIV says that God brought David into a spacious place. That was part of God's plan to rescue David from his enemy.
At the beginning of the relationship between David and Saul, we read how David helped comfort Saul when Saul was having some kind of mental stress or sickness. We read in I Samuel 16:23, And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him." While this is very mysterious to me, it is clear in God's sovereignty that His "big picture" purpose was at work. At the beginning of Saul's pursuit of David, it was that same music playing that ticked off Saul and the harmful spirit would return. God knew all of this, and God had a plan.
And why did all of this happen? Why this relentless, exhausting battle? What was the good in this familial feud? That is the beautiful part of the story.
God was orchestrating events in the lives of both Saul and David. He was strengthening David's character, and giving others in David's life opportunity to come along side him and support him. I think God was revealing Himself to David in fresh ways, preparing him for battles still to come. This was really God's rescue story in David's life. God wanted David to know how much He cared for him, how much He delighted in him, and how much He was lovingly watching over David's life.
David's confidence in God challenges me. He wrote in Psalm 31:7-8
7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
8 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.
The cross reference to this verse is Ps 18 where we started out.
I was brought to tears when I read this text-the last verse especially.
19 He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me.
God has taught me to see the beautiful sovereignty of HIS story in my life through affliction and distress. I have seen how God brought me through battles and relentless struggles that have lasted years. And how He brought me into a spacious place protected from the enemy, gave me protection, and built up a support system around me. He rescued me because He delighted in me and He has a "bigger picture" plan in store for my life.
O,Lord I say, “You are my refuge. Your steadfast love alone sustains me. What can man do to me? When men may fail me, you are for me."
Sometimes we have to fight, sometimes it's best to flight, and sometimes, many more times than we may even know, we are being rescued!
April Morgan -- one in whom God delights and who has been rescued!
Psalms 18:16-19 has become my go-to verses recently.
16 He sent from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
17 He rescued me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me.
David wrote these words when he was being surrounded by Saul who sought to kill him. He had to run away from his enemy on several occasions. 1 Sam 23:15 says, "And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hands." David even hid out in a cave in the wilderness with his men until the enemy gave up for a time or was stopped.
The thing that stands out to me in this story is that Saul was once David's friend, became jealous of the success of David, and was angry that the Lord was with David and wanted him dead.
What an awful experience for David to go through. He constantly was oppressed by his own king. Someone he once obeyed and had pledged allegiance to, he now had to fight against and run and hide from. Oh, and did I mention... during this time, Saul became his Father-in-Law! Fight or flight? David chose flight on many occasions because he couldn't reason with Saul, it was safest to get away, and it gave David time to call on God for strength and guidance.
Something else I liked in this story is that God continually appointed David's protection. His brother-in-law and good friend, Jonathan gave David a heads up about Saul's evil desires. He encouraged David to go find a secret place of safety. Saul's daughter (David's wife) helped David escape, and David's men stood on guard to watch out for the enemy. David obviously needed that support. His enemy was too strong for him, but not for God! The Lord, through people who loved David, continued to be the support he needed.
The instinct of fleeing an enemy, the safety of escaping the enemy, the space and distance required to find rest and security from the enemy...all of this God ordained for David. The NIV says that God brought David into a spacious place. That was part of God's plan to rescue David from his enemy.
At the beginning of the relationship between David and Saul, we read how David helped comfort Saul when Saul was having some kind of mental stress or sickness. We read in I Samuel 16:23, And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him." While this is very mysterious to me, it is clear in God's sovereignty that His "big picture" purpose was at work. At the beginning of Saul's pursuit of David, it was that same music playing that ticked off Saul and the harmful spirit would return. God knew all of this, and God had a plan.
And why did all of this happen? Why this relentless, exhausting battle? What was the good in this familial feud? That is the beautiful part of the story.
God was orchestrating events in the lives of both Saul and David. He was strengthening David's character, and giving others in David's life opportunity to come along side him and support him. I think God was revealing Himself to David in fresh ways, preparing him for battles still to come. This was really God's rescue story in David's life. God wanted David to know how much He cared for him, how much He delighted in him, and how much He was lovingly watching over David's life.
David's confidence in God challenges me. He wrote in Psalm 31:7-8
7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
8 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.
The cross reference to this verse is Ps 18 where we started out.
I was brought to tears when I read this text-the last verse especially.
19 He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me.
God has taught me to see the beautiful sovereignty of HIS story in my life through affliction and distress. I have seen how God brought me through battles and relentless struggles that have lasted years. And how He brought me into a spacious place protected from the enemy, gave me protection, and built up a support system around me. He rescued me because He delighted in me and He has a "bigger picture" plan in store for my life.
O,Lord I say, “You are my refuge. Your steadfast love alone sustains me. What can man do to me? When men may fail me, you are for me."
Sometimes we have to fight, sometimes it's best to flight, and sometimes, many more times than we may even know, we are being rescued!
April Morgan -- one in whom God delights and who has been rescued!
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