Archive | July 2014

Choose to cast your cares on Him!

Jul30
1 Peter 5:6,76 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6,7 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

This week I heard some disturbing news.  It was something that I have been concerned about in the past and it is now reoccurring. The event itself doesn’t matter. My response however does. When I first heard my heart grew heavy and I felt incredibly frustrated. I want the situation to be resolved immediately and without any upsetting consequences. It has been a reoccurring concern for some time and it would be great to see it finally resolved.  However, it may not happen that way. It may continue to drag on for some time.  I have had to make the decision to trust God in this matter. To lean on Him to take care of the situation and any of my concerns regarding it. This is how we must live.

In the past I have often allowed my emotions to run wild with the onset of disturbing news. I have given in to the discouragement that often accompanies it. It has never helped me or the situation to improve. In fact it has left me with a poor attitude that kept me from being useful in doing the things God would have me do. At times I have sulked thinking somehow that would get God’s attention and He would step in and fix the situation immediately. All of these responses are those of an immature follower of Christ, of which I have been guilty! 🙂

Yesterday when I heard this disturbing news I grumbled for five minutes and then remembered I follow a Savior who understands all things. A Savior who is able to take any situation and work it out for good, no matter how difficult that may seem to me.  I follow a Savior that loves me and loves those whom I love even more than I do! I follow a Savior that has told me to cast my cares on Him for He cares for me!

This Savior does not owe us an explanation of why some things happen and why there is often a waiting period on our answer. His Word is good enough and His Word tells me in 1Peter 5:6,7 NKJV

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

So instead of fretting, whining and allowing any situation to upset my peace and joy I choose to humble myself before Him and cast my cares on Him for I do know He cares for me just as He cares for you!

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Prepping the heart for the future

Jul24

Years ago I read Corrie Ten Boom’s book, “The Hiding Place”.  I remember thinking it must have been so difficult during those dark days of World War 2. Corrie shared the sorrow of losing her family members to the Nazis. She also shared how God sustained her during those dark days, even in the little things like providing a tissue when she desperately needed one.  With the growing wars and rumors of wars we are experiencing in the world right now, I can’t help but think how important it is that we remain close to Christ. That we don’t allow anything to come between our intimacy with Him. I believe we have some difficult days ahead of us.

The church has been undergoing intense persecution during this last century with numbers increasing drastically within the last ten years. Anti-Semitism is steadily increasing.  We are experiencing the birth pangs the book of Revelation warned us of. It is time for the church to lay aside things that would beset us and share the gospel with unbelievers. It is time we lay aside our denominational differences and follow the Word of God wholeheartedly. It is time we pray for the peace of Jerusalem as we have been instructed. It is time we live out our faith lovingly and in boldness.

I know I need to spend more time in the Word. It is through spending time in the Word that we gain spiritual wisdom and knowledge. It is also through reading the Word that our faith increases. If there was ever a time we needed wisdom, knowledge and an increase in faith, this is it. God wants His people spiritually prepared for what is coming. He wants us free of fear. He wants us equipped to minister to those He puts in our path. It is not a time for lounging or idling. We need to be ready for whatever is coming. We need to have the assurance that nothing is too big for us to go through with Christ!

God does not want His church ignorant of the times we are living in. We are to be wise as serpents, yet gentle as doves. Matthew 10:16 NKJV 16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:  be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
He does not want us fearful of what is coming  because fear shows our lack of trust in the only ONE who is truly trustworthy. Instead He wants us to be full of faith, trusting in the ONE who has it all under control, standing firm in our faith and in the ONE  (Jesus Christ) in whom we believe.

2 Timothy 1: 7-13 NKJV 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: 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.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 21:8 NKJV 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Jesus has called each of us to follow Him. Some days are easier to do this than others. Regardless of the circumstances we may find ourselves facing, we can be assured that HE is with us through every step of the way. This is His promise to us.  The book of Hebrews has some pertinent words for us today. Words of encouragement and counsel.

Hebrews 13: 1-8 NKJV 13 Let brotherly love continue.

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

So let’s encourage each other with these words as we watch prophecy unfold before us. Let us live sold out and fully for Christ and allow Him to use us for His glory and purposes as we wait on His beautiful return!

 

Honoring marriage is still God’s plan

Jul17

This coming weekend our son is going to marry his long time sweetheart at our home. My husband and I are  looking forward to the wedding and the coming marriage. We have waited for this day for a long time. 🙂

In a day when marriage is not always esteemed, I am glad they have made this decision. Marriage, though not easy, is still God’s designed plan for a man and woman that wish to be together. The Bible is full of verses on marriage. Today I want to take a look at one of my favorite verses on marriage.

Hebrews 13:4 NIV  4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.  

Though this flies in the face of political correctness today, God’s view on marriage hasn’t changed. It is a state to be honored by all. It is so important that those of us who follow Christ uphold the value of marriage and offer our support to those who have chosen it.  It still remains God’s environment for sexual intimacy and for raising a family.

It is so important that we show our support by praying for those choosing marriage. We live in a society that puts all kinds of temptations and distractions in our way. For marriage to work, couples have to have the resolve that they will commit their lives to one another regardless of the obstacles and difficulties that come their way. They both must make this commitment. One person cannot a marriage make! For those who are followers of Christ, this commitment is vital. The seriousness of this commitment before God is revealed in Malachi 2:16 NIV 16 “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.

We live in a society where people marry without seriously considering it is a lifetime commitment. Though there are definitely cases of  Biblically  justified divorce (unrepentant infidelity and/or abuse), many marriages are broken because of a casual view of the state of marriage.  People say they no longer feel affection for or love their spouse and leave. Some leave having found someone they love more.  Others decide they don’t want the responsibility of marriage and want their freedom back. Too often kids are dragged into the mess of a broken family and suffer the consequences of their parents decisions.

The church has a responsibility to show support to it’s married couples with  prayer, sound Biblical  advice when needed and on occasion with practical help. When a couple in our church body suffers, we all suffer. When a family is broken, it hurts us all.  We must do all we can to help couples stay together but if and when that is not possible, we need to be there to help with the fallout.

My husband and I have been married over thirty five years. We have had some wonderful years. We have also had some very difficult years marred by selfishness, immaturity and on a few occasions heartache and the loss of loved ones.  Our marriage has forced us to  learn to mature in ways that can only come from sharing your life with another person. Our marriage has challenged us to be more Christ like in our behavior. We have had to learn to listen to each other, respect each other, love each other in word and deed and be kind to one another even when we don’t feel like it!  These things to do not come easy or natural for most of us. When we neglect to do any of these things, it isn’t long before we need to have a talk  and get things back on track  😉

I am so grateful that I have been able to share my life with my husband over the years. It has been a good thing. We have gone through so much together and I believe our love is deeper now and more secure now than it ever was.  I wish the same for our son and new daughter-in-law, maybe with a little less difficulty but even that helped mold us! I am glad they have chosen marriage. Though it has become less popular over the years, it is still a good thing in God’s eyes.  I am excited for them and the journey it will take them on. My prayer is that they will have the support of their families and the church as they walk their journey together.  After all, marriage is to be honored by all!

 

 

The smooth season of Summer!

Jul11

This Summer we have been having such beautiful weather.  After a long grueling winter full of snowstorms, incredibly low temperatures and little sunshine, and a Spring that was colder than usual, I have determined I will not complain about the high temperatures or the intense sun but will enjoy every little bit of both!  I am thankful for the Seasons but must say the Summer is my all time favorite! It is a wonderful reprieve from the cold, difficult days of winter, rainy days of Spring and busy cool days of Fall preparing for a country Winter. I’ve come to compare Summer to the smooth seasons in my walk with Christ.  A time when life moves along rather comfortably. I am determined to enjoy it fully, knowing it will not last forever. Before long, the cooler temps and  thunder storms of Fall will appear and then the blizzards of Winter, of that I can be sure!

Solomon tells us in the book of Ecclesiates chapter 3:1-8 that to every thing there is a season.

3 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

2 A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak;
8 A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace.

I believe that for those of us who follow Christ we must learn to be content in every season of life. Embrace each natural and spiritual season for what it offers. Enjoy the seasons of ease,  grow in the seasons of difficulty and know that no matter what season we may find ourselves in, the lover of our soul is right there with us! For now, I will continue to enjoy the blessings of  Summer knowing that soon enough Fall will come and then before I know it, Winter! Out of the challenges of Fall  and the difficulties of Winter,  will come spiritual growth that will prepare me for new beginnings of Spring.

Song of Solomon 2:12 NKJV  The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

Have you missed a few roots?

Jul2

Yesterday I was able to spend the majority of the day in my gardens. It’s only been a few weeks since I last weeded but in that time the weeds wasted no time coming back. Where there had been beautiful clean spaces, now stood multiple weeds. A few things occurred to me. One, that weeding has to be done a little more frequently to keep the gardens looking clean and secondly, clearly I had missed many of the roots when I pulled up the weeds.

If I don’t pull up the root along with the weed, the weed will  rear it’s ugly head back in no time flat making my garden unattractive and cluttered. Sounds a lot like sin in our lives. When we don’t deal with the root of any sin and just try and cover it over with niceties, it will eventually reappear. We can’t hold it back by hiding it. It must be pulled out of us by confession to the ONE who is able to forgive us, cleanse us and restore. As long as the root is still there it will eventually surface above the ground and affect our walk and our witness to others.

When I confess my sin I am  pulling  up and exposing  the root of my sin to Christ. He has promised to forgive me and cleanse me of all my sin thereby, enabling me to move forward without shame.  If I choose to keep the root of my sin buried and just clean up the surface, the root will enable the sin to continue to sprout growth that will manifest in my life. Freedom from the sin can only come from pulling it up by the roots and exposing it to our Master Gardener, Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter if this sin comes in the form of a lowly dandelion or a gigantic hog weed, He is able to kill the root of all sin when we confess it to Him and ask His forgiveness.

1 John 1:8,9  NKJV  8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If you have been trying to keep sin hidden in your life, don’t waste anymore time. Confess it to Jesus Christ. Ask for His forgiveness. His Word assures us that if we confess it HE is faithful and just and will forgive us!  Join me in cleaning out my garden, roots and all!