Scripture Buffet

When we fail to be in God's Word and read what He has to say - we tend to create our own litmus test as to how we are doing spiritually, how obedient we are, how much better we are doing than our neighbor. We take certain Scriptures we want to give ourselves wholeheartedly to and others we conveniently pass over because they don't appeal to us, require too much of us, or they are a challenge to our personality. We deceive ourselves when we think we can pick and choose.  God isn't into serving buffets.

"Man does not live on bread alone, but on EVERY word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

And in all truth, as obedient as we may be in the Scriptures we handpick, we are still living in disobedience.

"For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws." James 2:10

Please don't misunderstand me. I am in no way saying we are saved by our works or that our works define our Christian faith. We need the Holy Spirit working in us to be able to live a life pleasing to God. It is nothing we can do in and of ourselves. BUT it is our responsibility to align ourselves with the Holy Spirit. It is our job to cooperate with His working in us to make adjustments in us that line up with what God desires from His children.  If we truly desire to serve God, our actions will line up with our confession.

 

 

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." John 14:26

We point fingers and we whisper about others, but are we lacking in an area that just might be different? OF COURSE WE ARE! We have to get our eyes off of judging others. We have to quit comparing our lives to them and look at our lives in comparison to the Word - the whole Word. It is one thing to be concerned for a fellow believer. We should be! BUT if it is out of a heart of love, we will not shun or condemn the person, but will reach out to them.

We are saved by His grace. It's all about what Jesus did and nothing of ourselves.  We all need His continued grace and mercy each and every day because we all fall short. In different areas? Yes. Other's faults tend to look worse in our eyes when put next to our own, but not to God. He sees all shortcomings, all sin the same. We all need the same shedblood to cover us.

I think if we start viewing it as God does, the time we spend gossipping and throwing stones at others can then be used to seek Him with our whole heart. It becomes "How am I measuring up to Jesus?" Rather than "Look at them. I can't believe they call themselves a Christian."

 

If we are seeking Him with our whole heart, we will have His heart. We will view others differently. We will love them differently. We will reach out to embrace, not to crush.  We Christians are all foreigners TOGETHER in the earth. It's time we stick together, spur one another on, build one another up in the faith.  Our strengths are different. Our weaknesses are different, but we are all on the same team.


Lord, we need our eyes opened, our hearts humbled, our spirits hungry for Your Word. Jesus is the Word made flesh and we know apart from the fullness of Your Word, we limit ourselves in knowing You.  All too often times we create a god in our own image that suits our ways and our lifestyle. We want to serve You, the ONLY true and living God.

We ask for Your help to stay focused; that we wouldn't let any church tradition or teaching bind us up from searching You out more; that there'd be no sin we'd rather hold onto than You. We refuse to let this flesh of ours rule us - whether it be what we consider big sins of adultery, stealing, addiction and the like or what is categorized as small sins: "white" lies, dishonest gain, gossip, speaking ill of others etc. Help us to realize that sin is sin. It cost Jesus the same price for each and every one of them.  He paid a debt we could never pay. How dare we think it okay to take it for granted and okay "little" sins in our life as if You don't see. May our eyes be opened, Lord, to see our lives, our hidden lives how You see it. Just as Jesus told the people, "You must leave all and follow Me." May nothing in our lives be too precious to let go of for Your sake, Lord.  Please shine a light on those things we are holding onto tighter than we are You.

Kindness

 

 

Many people are inclined to react negatively due to undealt with, unhealed issues in their own lives. Every person is fighting a battle of some sort. That is why it is important to lay aside your natural response to take offense, and love the "unlovely."

We haven't been called to give people what they deserve. God has commanded us to treat others as we wish to be treated. We are also shown in Scripture that whatever it is we do to another (negative or positive) we are doing to Jesus Himself. And YES, this includes our spouses and our children :)  

So before you lash out and choose harshness over kindness, pause and picture Jesus standing before you. All hurt inflicted on another is grieving the very heart of God.

"Rudeness, yelling, anger, and swearing are a weak man’s imitation of strength." (Author Unknown)

Let's be kind to one another. Kindness makes you more attractive :)

(Ephesians 4:31-32, Matthew 7:12, Luke 10:27, Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 29:20, James 1:19, Matthew 25:45)

Power in His Name

 

 

I overheard my 4 year old son, out of the blue, declaring, "There's power in the Name of Jesus! Grrr!"

Made me chuckle at the surety in the statement coming from such a small vessel, but it threw me quickly into a moment of reflection. How often we forget what's behind that Name: JESUS.

"Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the Name above all other names, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

EVERY other name is subject to the Name of Jesus!

What "name" are you battling? Is it sickness? Depression? Anger? Addiction? Poverty? Relationship problems? Begin to speak His Name over your situation. Even if you can only muster enough strength to whisper, "Jesus" - continue to do it over and over again. There is unfathomable power and authority behind that Name! (Matthew 28:18)

 

Salvation in the Name of Jesus:

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

 

Demons flee and protection found in the Name of Jesus:

“But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.” Acts 16:18

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17

 

Strength and soundness of mind in the Name of Jesus:

“And His name, through faith in His Name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16

 

Healing in the Name of Jesus:

“Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the Name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. By faith in the Name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ Name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” Acts 3:6

 

The Name that saves. The Name that heals. The Name that strengthens. The Name that calms the storm. The Name of hope. The Name of victory. Jesus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXH0MjGe10s

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.” John 20:30-31

Follow the Leader

 

 

Are you trying to lead the Lord where you want to go or are you allowing Him to lead you where He wants you to be? Time to relinquish control and play "follow the Leader." You can trust Him...

"Those who are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5

"Thus says the Lord, Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8

“For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.” Psalm 48:14

Stones

 

Mistake is made

Which way to turn

Judged and battered

Bruised and torn

 

What got her here?

Can anybody tell?

Or will you just join

And throw stones as well?

 

Does anyone here

Know her heart?

Why she was weak?

Why she fell apart?

You’d rather assume

Make a judgment call

Any of you standing

Beware lest you fall

 

You expose others

Yet hidden you remain

How quick you forget

I see all sin the same…

Remember the Scriptures about the teachers of the law who threw a woman caught in the act of adultery at Jesus’ feet saying, “The Law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” Jesus then stooped to the ground, writes in the sand, and tells them, “He without sin, cast the first stone.” The men walk away one by one. Jesus says to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one condemn you? Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:1-12)

Many of us have read that passage and marvel at God’s mercy. We imagine ourselves in this broken woman’s shoes and the relief she must have felt having her life miraculously spared. We look at the “accusers” and are disgusted at how heartless they were, how devastating a public display of sin must have felt like, and feel a sense of thankfulness that “nowadays” is not like that anymore.

As I read these passages again, I found myself zooming in on the “accusers” once again, but in a totally different light. Could it be that we could fall into the same religious trap as these men? Sharing on public venues, text gossip, and calling to give “prayer requests” for one of our brothers or sisters in Christ who has fallen head face into sin? Merciless just like the Pharisees; parading around with a sole desire to make other’s wrongs known.

So is it really any different than it was that day in the temple yard? With the technology today, news travels fast. Within a day’s time a global gossip network has been formed, fully armed with stones in hand. Just like that… overnight – you become a leader of “sowing discord among the brethren” – leading others, many in whom you do not even know, into abomination.

“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, the seventh is an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Jesus is saying the same thing to us, “Is any among you without sin? If not, then drop the stones. Stop mimicking the enemy of your soul, the accuser of the brethren. If you love Me, walk as I walked.” (Rev. 12:10, 1 John 2:6)

As Christ followers, we are called to be like Him. The Christian life is about being transformed daily into His image, His likeness, His way of doing things. With that said, let’s look again at the opening passage of Scripture. “He without sin, cast the first stone.” Notice – Jesus, 100% sin free, yet you never see Him pick up a stone. He didn’t come to demolish what was already broken, but to restore it. (John 3:17) 

“If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.” (Galatians 6:1)

 

Prayer:

Lord, may our hearts break for the hurting, for their reconciliation to You. May we never use another’s brokenness as a sick form of entertainment that fuels our self-righteousness. You are not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance. We want that heart. We want a heart that is broken for the lost and for our fellow brethren who have entangled themselves in the affairs of another path.

We know that bad company corrupts good habits, so Lord, help us remove ourselves from those who choose to gossip and slander, from those who pull us away from doing Your will, from those who keep us flesh conscious rather than spirit conscious. We want to be promoters of unity not sowers of discord. 

 

Forgive us for the damage we have caused others when we have not used our tongue to bring life.

(Rom. 1:29, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Cor. 5:20, Prov. 20:19, 2 Thess. 3:11, 1 Cor. 15:33, Psalm 133:1, Prov. 6:14, Psalm 34:13, Prov. 18:21)

Peace

 

 

Written for those who have endured emotional or verbal abuse… I know the battle that rages, and I understand the roller coaster that you can’t seem to walk away from. It may not leave outward bruises and scars, but the inward “soul scarring” is a pain that doesn’t just go away with a band-aid and time.

 

Only the One who made us can restore us back to wholeness. In the midst of your raging storm, I pray you look to Him ~ where your release and your peace is found.

Peace

Crashing waves

Bruise my shore

Howling winds

Blow in once more

Torrential rains

Pelt my skin

Lightning bolts

Come again

 

Turbulent waters

Staggered stance

Cycle repeated

In this dying dance

 

Trembling knees

Strike the ground

Eyes glance up

To where help is found

An instant hush

The storm to cease

All at once

A soul at peace…

Are We Walking in the Truth?

We must stop bending the Word to suit our lifestyle and start bending ourselves to the Word. When we don't, we are creating a god in our own image. What a harsh reality to face one day that we served the god of self rather than the God of the Bible.

 

Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to being a Christian. We are told in the Word to study to show ourselves approved to God. It's not an option if we truly desire to know the God we say that we serve. If we truly love Him, we will want to do all we can to get to know Him. The Bible is a detailed manual of who He is and His plan for His children.

Time to dive into the Bible. If we lack the desire, what is it that we are loving more than Him? Is it possible we ARE erecting a god that suits us like the children of Israel did in the wilderness? They even worshipped this "god" saying it is the Lord who delivered them out of Egypt! How easily we can be deceived into thinking we are serving Jesus when really we are only picking and choosing Scriptures that suit us.

Let's examine our lives. What parts of our lives are we not surrendering to God's ways? What Scriptures do we skip over because it will force us to face the fact that we are living disobediently in areas of our lives? What traditions do we hold onto rather than challenge our thinking with what the Word really says?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind."

(Exodus 32, 2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 2:8, Mark 7:8, Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 4:1-4)

 

SEEK TRUTH... not your idea of truth, but absolute truth only found within the context of Scripture.

Drop the Cape

Many of us carry a "superman" persona where we feel less of a person if we need others. Being weak is not always a bad thing. It pushes us to look at our humanness that is not wired to carry things alone. Why would God send us the Holy Spirit, our Comforter? Why would He tell us to bear one another's burdens? Why did Jesus send the disciples out 2 by 2? Because we need help! We need support! Time to drop our capes! It's ok, really! :)

Work in Progress

We are a work in progress. The "cracks" in the sidewalk of our life can become a fertile place of growth if we turn our perspective around. The person we are, the circumstances we face, are all part of our journey. It's human nature to get frustrated when our life appears to be producing more weeds than flowers. We need to rejoice in the growth rather than get discouraged that we are not yet in full bloom. :)

Father, You are the Master Gardener. We give You ourselves. We submit to the pruning process so that we can bear the fruit that You desire to see in our lives... Amen.