I was working at church today, having been given the task of cleaning two ovens. One was a standard, get up to your elbows in grease type oven, and the other was self-cleaning. I set the self-cleaning timer, the oven door locked, and I went to work scrubbing the other one. To accomplish this task, I used two types of cleanser and scrubby pads, and even with all that, some of the gunk was very difficult to remove. All the while, the other oven was getting hotter and hotter, doing it's thing.
As I scrubbed and scrubbed, it reminded me of two types of Christians. There are those, many of those, who are like someone cleaning a standard oven. These people are independent, do-it-yourself-ers, who try again and again to clean up the gunky mess left in their spirits by a lifetime of sinful behavior. They work and work, sweating and scrubbing, doing good deeds and trying so hard to make up for all the sins they've committed. The only difference is, when you scrub an actual stove, the gunk comes off. When you try working your way to righteousness, you end up still grimy and unsatisfied, no better off than before you did all that work.
On the other hand, you have the people who are more like someone cleaning a self-cleaning oven. These people close the door of their spirits, and sit back comfortably while the Holy Spirit goes in and uses the Blood of Jesus to spotlessly scrub every last hint of sin and unrighteousness from their spirits. These people recognize the futility of all that independent scrubbing, knowing that the only way to truly become clean inside is to allow the Holy Spirit to do the work. The end result is a decidedly better-looking spirit, made wonderfully right in God's eyes! Maybe this is not that good an analogy, but that's what it looked like to me as I was scrubbing away at the oven. At any rate, it reminded me that I must let the Holy Spirit do the cleaning in my spirit, that my own work will never be enough. God bless you!
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Free To Be Me!
I gave my life to Christ in April of 2012, and slowly, steadily He has been breaking bondages and destroying yokes off me. Not long ago, He set me free from two particularly burdensome loads I have been carrying for a while. One was, trying to be the Holy Spirit to my husband. You see, ever since I gave my life to Christ, I had been making my own life burdened and miserable by doing everything I could think of to drag my husband to the cross. Then one day God let my husband say something so outlandishly foolish that it pretty much shocked me into freedom! When he made this insane statement, it brought me to the place where I could finally say "wow, I can't fix this kind of spiritual blindness!" So I released him to God to deal with on a spiritual level, which freed me to be able just to love him and be his wife. I've planted plenty of seeds, and God set me free with the understanding that I have ABSOLUTELY no control over whether those seeds become fruit or not.
So then, loving the new found freedom I had been given, I decided that I was going to ask God to make me whole and set me free from the soul-crushing codependency that formed in me from childhood, followed by total social crippled-ness. You see, I have long suffered from the double-edged sword of a desperate need for companionship coupled with a total lack of any idea how to develop friendships with other people. So I began to look at my life to try and figure out who I am, besides a wife, so that I could figure out what type of people I might become friends with. The problem was, friendships begin with people sharing common interests, but I have always been a reclusive person with no hobbies or interests other than reading. I guess you could say I didn't get out much! So then when I became an adult, I rebelled and became a wild party person. No lasting friends there!
So now, fast forward to 2012, and I gave my life to Christ. Now I was wondering what kind of bonds I could make with other Christians. Still, though, no hobbies or interests. I am a really relational creature, so my life has been wrapped up in basically two relationships-one with my husband and the other, more important and lasting, with Jesus. The difference now though, is that I have come to see God as my everything. He is my king, my lord, my Savior, my closest friend, my father, every relationship I ever needed to be in to feel complete is met in Him! Now don't get me wrong, I still have a need for my husband and my two amazing sons, but God has set me free so that I now can say that even if my husband or my two sons were no longer part of my life, I would still be whole, complete and fulfilled in him! Praise Him! And as for friendships, I will be looking for others who share my ultimate passion - the deep and abiding love and need and desire for Jesus. But here's the freedom - if I can't find anyone like that in today's world, I am free to simply be me, with Jesus. If that means hours without others, I no longer see that aloneness as aloneness. I now can see it as it truly is - quality time with the one who loves me more than I could have ever dreamed possible. So am I still codependent? Yes, but not like before. I am totally set free from that unhealthy need for someone else to be with me, at least someone I can touch. Now the only companionship I can't survive without is met in the one person who has promised never to leave me, the one who is always present, even when there's no one else for miles. Jesus is my everything!
So then, loving the new found freedom I had been given, I decided that I was going to ask God to make me whole and set me free from the soul-crushing codependency that formed in me from childhood, followed by total social crippled-ness. You see, I have long suffered from the double-edged sword of a desperate need for companionship coupled with a total lack of any idea how to develop friendships with other people. So I began to look at my life to try and figure out who I am, besides a wife, so that I could figure out what type of people I might become friends with. The problem was, friendships begin with people sharing common interests, but I have always been a reclusive person with no hobbies or interests other than reading. I guess you could say I didn't get out much! So then when I became an adult, I rebelled and became a wild party person. No lasting friends there!
So now, fast forward to 2012, and I gave my life to Christ. Now I was wondering what kind of bonds I could make with other Christians. Still, though, no hobbies or interests. I am a really relational creature, so my life has been wrapped up in basically two relationships-one with my husband and the other, more important and lasting, with Jesus. The difference now though, is that I have come to see God as my everything. He is my king, my lord, my Savior, my closest friend, my father, every relationship I ever needed to be in to feel complete is met in Him! Now don't get me wrong, I still have a need for my husband and my two amazing sons, but God has set me free so that I now can say that even if my husband or my two sons were no longer part of my life, I would still be whole, complete and fulfilled in him! Praise Him! And as for friendships, I will be looking for others who share my ultimate passion - the deep and abiding love and need and desire for Jesus. But here's the freedom - if I can't find anyone like that in today's world, I am free to simply be me, with Jesus. If that means hours without others, I no longer see that aloneness as aloneness. I now can see it as it truly is - quality time with the one who loves me more than I could have ever dreamed possible. So am I still codependent? Yes, but not like before. I am totally set free from that unhealthy need for someone else to be with me, at least someone I can touch. Now the only companionship I can't survive without is met in the one person who has promised never to leave me, the one who is always present, even when there's no one else for miles. Jesus is my everything!
Monday, February 16, 2015
Two Ways Jesus Treated Others
As Christians, we certainly want to behave as closely as possible to the way Jesus did. We constantly pray to be made more like Jesus. We want to be like Him in every way, His forgiveness, His compassion, His mercy, His unwillingness to compromise with sin. So let's take a look at the two biggest, in my humble opinion, attributes Jesus displays in His interactions with people. Let's look at two attitudes Jesus displays.
1) He behaved as holy, but not holier-than-thou. Phillipians 2:3-11 warns us not to have the attitude that we are somehow better than those around us. It explains that even Jesus, who was, in fact, equal to God, humbled Himself to the form of a servant. Folks, if Jesus treated others with respect, who are we to stick our pious noses in the air when dealing with people who we see as "less" holy than we are? We didn't get holy on our own! In fact, scripture says that our own righteousness is filth before God (Isaiah 64:6). So remember that verse the next time you begin to feel self-importance rise up in you, repent, and then represent! In John 4:1-27 we see a prime example of Jesus being holy, but not holier-than-thou. We see the Samaritan woman, who a normal Jewish rabbi would never have considered speaking to, being actively engaged by Jesus. She is treated with care and gentleness. He acknowledged her bad lifestyle, but still allowed her to become one of the first female evangelists! We have to learn from this example that we must never be "too good" to spend time with, and present the gospel to, those that have been marginalized. In Luke 7:36-50 we see yet another example of Jesus treating an unsaved person with grace. Jesus was at a religious leader's home for a meal, and this woman came in and fell at His feet, weeping, and washing His feet with her tears and her hair. In His holiness, He allowed this extravagant display of repentance. In His "not holier-than-thou" attitude, He reprimanded the religious leaders who began to complain among themselves, reminding them that the woman had provided for Him a service that they had been too arrogant to provide. Finally, in Mark 1:40-41 we see Jesus willing to physically touch someone untouchable in order to heal them. This man had a horrible skin disease, and to touch him was considered "unclean". Thus example shows us that we are called to get our precious hands dirty in ministry!
2) He was compassionate, not condemning. Jesus came into contact with sinful people every day. So do we. If we are to be Jesus' representatives, we should behave as He did. He never ignored the sins of those he met, but he confronted them with compassion, not condemnation. In Mark 2:1-12 we read that Jesus meets a paralytic man. We read that not only does He willingly heal the man, but addresses the issue of his sinfulness as well. And how does this happen? Does Jesus say, "you are sinful, I can not be near you"? No, quite the opposite. He says "your sins are forgiven." He shows love, not a judgemental attitude! He never told the man to straighten up his life, and THEN he would be healed. Mercy came first. Another example of Jesus showing compassion rather than condemnation can be found in John 8:1-11. Here we find some poor woman who has not only committed sin, but has managed to get caught. We see that the religious leaders are ready to stone her to death for adultery. But Jesus turns the tables on religious law and exhibits great compassion by giving the religious leaders an ultimatum. He says that the one of them with no sin may cast the first stone. Maybe as He was writing on the ground with His finger, He was writing out a list of their sins (purely speculation of course). Of course, we see that there is a slow shuffling away of any stone-throwers, and Jesus is left alone with the woman. Here we see the great compassion, "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more. " Jesus always showed compassion. Even at the very end of His ministry, when He hung on the cross, He asked the Father to have mercy on the people (Luke 23:32-34).
If we want to be successful as followers, disciples, of Jesus Christ, we must learn to behave as He behaved. We must cast down our self-importance and pour out the Savior's heart before those He loves.
1) He behaved as holy, but not holier-than-thou. Phillipians 2:3-11 warns us not to have the attitude that we are somehow better than those around us. It explains that even Jesus, who was, in fact, equal to God, humbled Himself to the form of a servant. Folks, if Jesus treated others with respect, who are we to stick our pious noses in the air when dealing with people who we see as "less" holy than we are? We didn't get holy on our own! In fact, scripture says that our own righteousness is filth before God (Isaiah 64:6). So remember that verse the next time you begin to feel self-importance rise up in you, repent, and then represent! In John 4:1-27 we see a prime example of Jesus being holy, but not holier-than-thou. We see the Samaritan woman, who a normal Jewish rabbi would never have considered speaking to, being actively engaged by Jesus. She is treated with care and gentleness. He acknowledged her bad lifestyle, but still allowed her to become one of the first female evangelists! We have to learn from this example that we must never be "too good" to spend time with, and present the gospel to, those that have been marginalized. In Luke 7:36-50 we see yet another example of Jesus treating an unsaved person with grace. Jesus was at a religious leader's home for a meal, and this woman came in and fell at His feet, weeping, and washing His feet with her tears and her hair. In His holiness, He allowed this extravagant display of repentance. In His "not holier-than-thou" attitude, He reprimanded the religious leaders who began to complain among themselves, reminding them that the woman had provided for Him a service that they had been too arrogant to provide. Finally, in Mark 1:40-41 we see Jesus willing to physically touch someone untouchable in order to heal them. This man had a horrible skin disease, and to touch him was considered "unclean". Thus example shows us that we are called to get our precious hands dirty in ministry!
2) He was compassionate, not condemning. Jesus came into contact with sinful people every day. So do we. If we are to be Jesus' representatives, we should behave as He did. He never ignored the sins of those he met, but he confronted them with compassion, not condemnation. In Mark 2:1-12 we read that Jesus meets a paralytic man. We read that not only does He willingly heal the man, but addresses the issue of his sinfulness as well. And how does this happen? Does Jesus say, "you are sinful, I can not be near you"? No, quite the opposite. He says "your sins are forgiven." He shows love, not a judgemental attitude! He never told the man to straighten up his life, and THEN he would be healed. Mercy came first. Another example of Jesus showing compassion rather than condemnation can be found in John 8:1-11. Here we find some poor woman who has not only committed sin, but has managed to get caught. We see that the religious leaders are ready to stone her to death for adultery. But Jesus turns the tables on religious law and exhibits great compassion by giving the religious leaders an ultimatum. He says that the one of them with no sin may cast the first stone. Maybe as He was writing on the ground with His finger, He was writing out a list of their sins (purely speculation of course). Of course, we see that there is a slow shuffling away of any stone-throwers, and Jesus is left alone with the woman. Here we see the great compassion, "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more. " Jesus always showed compassion. Even at the very end of His ministry, when He hung on the cross, He asked the Father to have mercy on the people (Luke 23:32-34).
If we want to be successful as followers, disciples, of Jesus Christ, we must learn to behave as He behaved. We must cast down our self-importance and pour out the Savior's heart before those He loves.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
He Wants Us to Want Him
Does anyone remember that old song, "I want you to want me"? Well, I'm not sure about the lyrics, but the title could be the subtitle to the Holy Bible. God's greatest desire is for us, His favored creation, to earnestly desire Him. Reading through the scriptures, you can hear His voice calling down through the corridors of time, declaring His love for us in millions of ways, and asking for that love to be reciprocated. In fact, that is the main reason for our existence: loving our Creator. He tells us that if we will take steps towards Him, He will come to us (James 4:8). Drawing near to God may sound intimidating, but nothing could be further from the truth. All you have to know is how to speak. He is there, waiting for you to ask, seek, knock. He is your Father, he adores you. He has waited for unknown millions of years to have you confide in Him. First Chronicles 28:9 tells us to know God, that if we look for Him, He will be found by us. There is no place you can go where God cannot be found. Wherever you are, whatever you've been through or done, God wants you. He loves you, and He desperately wants you to know and love Him in return. All you have to do is admit that you need the unfathomable love that only He provides, surrender your desires and self-ownership to Him, and believe that He is. He IS. No person you will ever love can match the faithfulness of Jehovah. Jesus was willing to surrender His position as the Son of Glory, to give His body to be tortured in our place. Do you honestly think anyone you know on earth would do that? No. Someone might do a kindness to you, offer a helping hand, provide a needed service, something like that, but no one else besides Jesus is perfectly sinless and able to appease God's judgement for you. No one can take your place on the cross or in hell. No one else can offer you total deliverance from bondage, heal your body, mind and spirit. There is no relationship more important than the relationship between you and Jesus. He wanted you before He formed the earth, and He wants you to want Him. And no matter where you look, you will never find a relationship more satisfying.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Made for Ministry
You matter. He matters. She matters. We all, members together of the body of Christ, matter. We matter to God, we matter to the "church", we matter to each other. The scriptures say we are all part of a building, that we are "living stones" (1 Peter 2:5). We each have an inborn purpose for which we are set apart by God. Each of us was brought into the world with a set of specific skills, and talents, that were meant to be used for the glory of God and the edification of the body of Christ. Now, not everyone will go into "the ministry", because not everyone has been called to the specific offices of pastor, evangelist, prophet, etc. Not everyone will lead Sunday school or work in the church office. But, and hear me on this, EVERYONE who trusts in Jesus as savior and Lord, is called to be in "ministry".
No matter where you work, or even IF you work, you are, as a disciple of Christ, called to munister the gospel to the people you interact with. Whether you are in a boardroom, a storeroom, or your children's bedroom, it's the call of God on your life to speak God's love and redemption, the truth about sin, repentance and forgiveness to your audience. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, healthy or sick, married or single: you have an audience somewhere.
Don't let the enemy tell you that you don't matter. God made you exactly perfect for the ministry He has called you to. He gave you talents, skills and experiences that no one else has. He gave you the right message for just the right moment to bless a certain someone. You matter. You are needed. You are important, immeasurably important. If no one else is telling you that, I am here to tell you that God thinks you are so important that He has you engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16). So get on your knees and accept the love of Jesus, and thank Him for making you perfect for your ministry, and then...GO MINISTER!
No matter where you work, or even IF you work, you are, as a disciple of Christ, called to munister the gospel to the people you interact with. Whether you are in a boardroom, a storeroom, or your children's bedroom, it's the call of God on your life to speak God's love and redemption, the truth about sin, repentance and forgiveness to your audience. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, healthy or sick, married or single: you have an audience somewhere.
Don't let the enemy tell you that you don't matter. God made you exactly perfect for the ministry He has called you to. He gave you talents, skills and experiences that no one else has. He gave you the right message for just the right moment to bless a certain someone. You matter. You are needed. You are important, immeasurably important. If no one else is telling you that, I am here to tell you that God thinks you are so important that He has you engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16). So get on your knees and accept the love of Jesus, and thank Him for making you perfect for your ministry, and then...GO MINISTER!
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Totally Abandoned to God
Matthew 4:18-20 tells the story of some professional fishermen being called into their eternal destiny by Jesus Christ. If you look in your Bible at the last verse, you will notice that the men "at once" left everything and went after Jesus. They didn't make preparation for their business, they didn't go home and let their families in on the plan, they just got out of the boat and went. They became totally abandoned to God. It makes me wonder if I am totally abandoned to God. What have I left behind in order to fully follow after God? Have I fully left everything, have I allowed God total reign? Is there any part of my personal life that still keeps me maybe a little separated from where Jesus wants to take me? Can people who have been around me for a long time tell a difference in me since I started following God? These questions are for you too. What have you sacrificed, what have you put aside to follow after the Master? Take some time to think and pray about these questions. Ask God if there is anything you are doing or saying, or not doing or saying, that's keeping some distance between you and His will for your life.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Are You a Defeated Christian?
If you take an honest look around at church, and if you know those around you intimately, you are going to have to admit that you are looking at quite a few defeated Christians. Today's church is full of people who say they love God, who may never miss a service, they may even be in leadership, but they are in bondage to something. It could be anything: lies, fears, alcohol or drug use, pornography, unforgiveness, anything. But aren't they following Jesus? He said He was the truth, and that if we knew Him we would be made free. So why are there so many people in the church struggling with bondages? I blame political correctness. What? But why? I think the reason most Christian people are locked down by sin is because what is being preached from the pulpit today is so watered down, has so little truth in it, that people aren't able to be made free. So many pastors are afraid of offending the delicate sensibilities of the world, that they speak in softened, feel-good rhetoric and are too afraid to confront the sins that are prevalent in the church today. So, with self-help but no gospel being brought to the people, it has become commonplace and accepted for people to be in bondage. Now, if you like these watery versions of the gospel, God has given us free will, you have every right to stay in bondage. But you don't have to. *John 8:31-32. The answer? Get in the Word! After you know the promise of Jesus to make you free, the next step is to line your mind up with the scriptures* Phillipians 4:8. You have control over your mind, and when bad thoughts come your way, you ARE NOT bound to follow through on them. Replace the bad thoughts with scriptures, recite them out loud until your mind is focused on Christ *Romans 12:2
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