Go and make disciples

This morning I woke with this on my mind:

"Go and make disciples......"

This part of scripture is also known as The Great Commission. As I began to study it became clear that it was going to be a very interesting morning.

Lord, I'm not sure why this thought was placed in my mind this morning but you do. Help me, as I study, to see what it is you want me to learn and what application looks like for my life. I rely on your leading. Amen.

So let's look at The Great Commission in context:

Jesus was getting ready to ascend to heaven so this passage is essentially giving the disciples their "marching orders".

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16‭-‬20

“When they recognized him, it was natural that they worshipped him, but the whole experience was so mysterious and overwhelming that some doubted…The verb distazo does not denote a settled unbelief, but a state of uncertainty and hesitation.” (France)

I thought, for a long time, that walking with Jesus, in the flesh, must have been so much easier than walking in the Spirit as we do today. That a physical body to look at, to touch, to watch and to hear surely must have made faith easier, trust more abundant, courage and strength a given, obedience natural. No doubt, no uncertainty, no hesitation. ALL IN! What a silly notion. Faith in Jesus (seen) then, is no different than faith in Jesus (unseen) today.

I digress.....

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations....."

Disciple - a person who accepts and assists in the spreading of the good news of Jesus Christ.

That is me! That is everyone who professes Jesus as Savior! It is a command. We are to DO IT!

"Make disciples reminds us that disciples are made. Disciples are not spontaneously created at conversion; they are the product of a process involving other believers. This making of disciples is the power of spreading Christianity." (EWC)

Disciples are not spontaneously created......it's a process.....Hmmmm

Not that I didn't realize it before today but even more so now......being a disciple of Jesus Christ is essential, imperative and commanded for those who have excepted Christ as their personal Savior.

So, I AM a disciple of Christ.....what does it look like in my day to day life? I went on a search to answer, "What does a disciple of Christ look like?" Here are a couple of answers I came across:

1. A disciple is a believer who follows Christ and then offers his own imitation of Christ as model for others to follow (Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1)
A disciple is first a believer who has exercised faith by baptism. (Acts 2:38).

2. It's a devotion to Christ FIRST, then devotion to his teaching because of an existing personal PASSIONATE devotion to the person of Christ. Surrender and dependence on Christ FIRST.

In some ways I was crushed by #2 and in other ways delivered to a deeper, much greater understanding.

Deep down, there is no one more miserable than the lukewarm Christian. They have too much of the world to be happy in Jesus, but too much of Jesus to be happy in the world. (EWC)

I don't want to be a lukewarm Christian. I want to be on fire for Christ!

I must FIRST have a personal PASSIONATE devotion to Christ! THEN devotion to his teaching BECAUSE OF the personal PASSIONATE relationship created by devotion to him FIRST!

When I retired last year I prayed, "Okay Lord use me! Here I am!! I'm ready to serve your kingdom!" I was excited! I was available! To this point doors to serve are being shut. I don't understand why......It's painful! My desires are GOOD things but not HIS plan for me. My things are not God's things. And after fighting it for months I now have a new understanding. I'm not resigned...I have not adopted a "whoa is me" attitude.....I'm not mad....I'm not discouraged.... perhaps resolved. When I look at my role as a disciple I realize that I have some work to do . Why? Because if my role as a disciple is to FIRST have a passionate, personal relationship with my Savior, I've fallen short. I don't think I'm there yet and to be a disciple, as I am commanded to be, I MUST BE passionately devoted to Christ FIRST. And the time I now have gives me the opportunity to cultivate that passion.

I need to embrace where I am. I don't know this but God may be preparing me for something OR maybe the whole purpose of this quieter life is to know him with passion, period. REALLY know him! And just maybe, knowing him passionately is what life is going to look like for my future and that has to be enough. It IS enough.

In allowing God to lead I have to remove my hand from the equation. Honestly, I don't want to orchestrate my own plans. I'm weary. I don't have a desire to make things happen. I'm depleted. The desire to serve the kingdom will always be what my heart wants...but it may look very different than what I see. And I'm really okay with that. There's so much peace in trusting that I'm not in control and that I don't have to be.

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him. And he will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6

"And the peace that passes understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6

I've sufferd from "All IN" OR "ALL OUT" syndrome my entire life. Struggling to find balance is a common occurrence.

But, praise God! I can and should be be ALL IN for Him. No balance needed! How precious is that!!?

The stones will cry out....

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness."
Psalms 96:11‭-‬13

In Luke chapter 19 Jesus rides into town on a donkey. The Pharisees were angry and shouted for Jesus to set his disciples straight because they did not believe Jesus was the promised Messiah.

Jesus' answer was interesting....

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Luke 19:40

Disclaimer: I read a most beautiful story years ago that I've never forgotten. For the life of me I can't remember nor find where or to whom I should give credit. I've even Googled bits and pieces to see if it would miraculously "pop up" to no avail. I mean no disrespect to the author of it....it's just so powerful and bears repeating.

The story went like this:

There was an open field, a great expanse of beautiful tall grass. The author said that it would be quite possible that a wild flower could spring up and bloom in the middle of that tall grass and not a single human eye would ever see it. The question was asked, "Was its beauty wasted?" And it was said, a response I've never forgotten and a response proven over and over in scripture. Plain and quite simple....No, it wasn't wasted. God saw it! God created the heavens and earth and all that is in them for HIS glory and good pleasure. The fact that we might see such beauty and share in it with great delight is not because it was created for us but because he delights in sharing it with us. And if we never see it God did and took great delight in it.

If the people did not praise him he said, "The ROCKS would cry out." Let the sea resound, the fields be jubilant, the trees sing! Let ALL creation rejoice.

I am a nature lover. I am amazed at beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I rejoice at warm sunshine on my skin, a cool breeze on a hot summer day....those wonderful red cardinals that visit at just the right times....those playful squirrels, that I'm convinced are rejoicing that the long winter has come to an end. The geese that waddle ever so slowly across a busy street while all the traffic is stopped....waiting. The birds of the air fly with confidence and worry not about their next meal. The buds on the trees. Yes, God's creation brings him great praise everyday! And if I don't see it and praise him, it already has. Far faithful than I'll ever be.

God doesn't really NEED me.

"People have sometimes thought that God created human beings because he was lonely and needed fellowship with other persons. If this were true, it would certainly mean that God is not completely independent of creation. It would mean that God would need to create persons in order to be completely happy or completely fulfilled in his personal existence."
— Wayne Grudem

Read the full article here:

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-gospel-depends-on-a-god-who-does-not-need-you/

I can't help but be thankful that God doesn't need me to be fulfilled. That I'm not an integral part of his joy. I would fail miserably. I simply can't grasp that he loves me because he created me...not because I have earned it or done anything to deserve it. THAT.IS.LOVE far beyond what I have the ability to comprehend.

Yes, he desires that I follow his commands and to walk in a manner worthy of the calling I received when I proclaimed him as Savior but he will not discard me when I fail. Three strikes and you're out is NOT his modus operandi.

If you know Jesus as your personal Savior you know you are changed. This is why we can't go on living life as we did when we were lost. If you have not accepted Christ as your personal Savior it's really hard to explain....but you become different......in miraculous ways!!

On this Celebration Sunday I pray you know the Savior, Jesus Christ. He created the world for his enjoyment and his good pleasure but by creating us and by placing us in his beautiful creation we get to partake in the beauty! What a gift!!

I pray you know the beauty of the Savior.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Know Him

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6

I was thinking about this powerful Proverb verse last night as I was "trying" to go to sleep. I fail the clear direction often. So I thought, for myself, it might be interesting to break it down, study it and meditate on it.

Trust in the Lord....

Trust - firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.
Firm believe - absolute certainty or conviction that something is the case.
Conviction - a firmly held belief or opinion.

With absolute certainty I am convicted that the Lord is reliable, truthful and strong

With ALL your heart.....

All - entirely consumed

With absolute certainty I am convicted that the Lord is reliable, truthful and strong. My heart is entirely consumed by these truths.

Lean not on your own understanding.....

Lean - deviate or bend

With absolute certainty I am convicted that the Lord is reliable, truthful and strong. My heart is entirely consumed by these truths. I will not deviate or bend from your truths.

In ALL your ways acknowledge him.....

All - entirely consumed

Acknowledge - to recognize the rights, authority, or status of

With absolute certainty I am convicted that the Lord is reliable, truthful and strong. My heart is entirely consumed by these truths. I will not deviate or bend from theses truths. I will be entirely consumed with recognizing the rights, authority and status of the Lord.

And he WILL direct my path...

Will - expressing inevitable events

Direct - by a straight route or without breaking a journey; control the operations of; manage or govern.

Path - a way of life, conduct, or thought

With absolute certainty I am convicted that the Lord is reliable, truthful and strong. My heart is entirely consumed by these truths. I will not deviate or bend from these truths. I will be entirely consumed with recognizing the rights, authority and status of the Lord. And the Lord will inevitably, without breaking my journey, govern my way of life, my conduct and thoughts.

Wow! Okay! In other words, GOD KNOWS and I don't!!

I don't need to rewrite scripture to understand this passage. Just neat to study it. It's really clear what I am to do. It's also clear how often I deviate and try to lean on my own understanding. Rarely, if ever, do circumstances work in my favor when I try to manipulate them.

Sometimes I'm just NOT going to understand what God is doing. Actually, most of the time I don't get it. Interesting thought....sometimes the whole point of a trial is to see if I simply trust him. Simply trust him in the waiting. Simply trust that whatever he uses will grow me more and more into his likeness.

For example, my health scare last summer....I felt incredibly scared but also was strongly convicted that the Lord was saying, "Trust ME". He was continually whispering, "Be still and KNOW ME." I spent a great deal of time alone, pouring in his Word and in prayer. I told only the people that absolutely needed to know. I've never done that before. The more people I could amass that would sympathize with me and distract me, the better. This time was different. Very different. Though I was still fearful I had a strong conviction that God was testing my obedience to trust him. To not go down my usual path of leaning on my own understanding...which always leads me down paths of extreme thinking.

Sometimes the "lesson" is in the obedience response.

Trust - a strong belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone....that someone is Jesus Christ. He IS reliable! I know it to be true! I know he IS my strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

HIS power is made PERFECT in MY weaknesses. Leaning on my own understanding IS one of many weaknesses but I must not beat myself up but instead recognize that my weaknesses actually help me to grow in my relationship with my Savior. Denying that I have them just makes the journey more painful.

Can I just say I LOVE the Word of God! Timothy was absolutely right on the money when he said,

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

If you don't know the Savior and the power of the Holy Spirit.....it's hard to grasp and it's hard to explain but this I know for sure YOU SHOULD WANT TO KNOW HIM!! You'll never be sorry even for a moment. I'm grateful everyday...even the hard days that this world isn't all there is. To live and then die....no eternity...no reunion with my beloved....I simply could not bear it. Thanks be to God I don't even have to think about it.

Come to me....I'm waiting....

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."
Revelation 3:20

Though I can't remember if someone told me or I read it....I have repeated this story too many times to count.....

A friend calls and asks if you'd like to meet for breakfast. You gladly accept. You wake up that morning and it's rainy, dreary (insert whatever) and you just don't want to go out. But you've made the commitment. So you pull yourself up by the bootstraps, get ready and away you go. Now think of that friend being Jesus. Every single day he is waiting....he's waiting for ME. Think about the friend waiting at the restaurant. I would never think of just not showing up...yet my friend Jesus is waiting for me everyday and sometimes I CHOOSE to not show up. How can that be? How do I make that choice? Here are a few of my excuses:

• I'm running late, overslept again
• Early appointment
• I'm just tired
• I'm fearful in my current circumstances (fear distracts me on a fairly regular basis)
• I can't concentrate - too much going on
• Overthinking EVERYTHING
• I just don't want to.....😔

Yet, there he is...waiting for me....wondering where I am. I would never do that to a friend yet I do it to the very person who created me in mother's womb.

Catch the verse at the beginning of this post. Jesus is standing at the door knocking. IF anyone hears his voice AND opens the door, he WILL come in. Not opening the door doesn't mean I don't hear him. The most precious part is this...just because I don't open the door doesn't mean he'll stop knocking.

Again, think about a friend knocking at your door. You're expecting them but when they knock you don't answer. They WILL walk away, perhaps angry. "Why would she invite me over and then purposely not answer the door?"

When we treat our friends with little regard they likely won't put up with it. But God continues to pursue us. Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. Once they ate from the forbidden tree they were ashamed and hid. God pursued them.

"Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:8‭-‬9

He knew what they had done and though there were consequences for their disobedience he still pursued them.

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?"
Psalms 139:7

I can try to hide but:

"Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord."
Jeremiah 23:24

God's interaction with Adam still chills me:

"He (Adam) answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he (God) said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
Genesis 3:10‭-‬11

My relationship with God my Father is not an on and off relationship. I may treat it that way but God is always ON. Always available. Always waiting. Always ready. Forever loving. Forever pursuing. But...and it's a big one.....I have to open the door!!

Back to the friend. You call them and say, "I'm just not going to make it today. I'm not feeling well." Their response may be, "I'm sorry. I'm here if you need me."

While it is really wonderful to have caring friends I should never treat my relationship with the Lord casually. "Thanks Lord. I'll call if I need you." NO!

Most people have heard of The Lord's Prayer even if they are not a follower of Jesus. It begins this way:

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name...."
Matthew 6:9

Hallowed - sacred, holy, set apart

Sacred - dedicated.....set apart, different....holy, revered...

"....one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:5‭-‬6

ONE - a person of a specified kind.

Interesting definition isn't it? God calls us friend yet he is a friend like no other. He cannot be treated nor thought of as we think of earthly friends. I've learned, though very painful, that friends can be for a season and then they leave us. Sometimes it doesn't matter how much we've put into the relationships....it's not always forever. Though I usually am heavily invested I've realized not everyone views friendship like I do.

But Jesus? He calls me child and friend and it's FOREVER. So does this mean I shouldn't invest in earthly friends? Of course not. But when those seasons end I am never alone if I invest heavily in my relationship with my Savior.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28‭-‬30

Lord, you are an amazing Father and friend. I am humbled this morning when I think of how many times I have not answered the door. How many times I have not showed up. How you never stop coming. Never stop pursuing. Never stop loving. How your reliability rating is 100%....100% of the time. Thank you that you are relentless in your pursuit for my whole heart. Thank you for knocking this morning. Thank you for meeting me where I am. Thank you that you are gentle and kind. Thank you that I never have to be ashamed to open the door. May today be for your glory wherever your path takes me.

What is my purpose?

Jesus answered, “It is written: "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only."
Luke 4:8

SERVE.HIM.ONLY

Have you ever wondered why you are here and what your purpose is?

If you think you know your purpose what is it attached to? Your spouse? Your children? Friends? Job? Money? Possessions? Status? Ministry? All of the above?

For along time I attached my purpose and my worth to the roles of wife and mother. I am no longer a wife and my children are raised. The life I knew for so long is now no longer. What is my purpose NOW?

Nearly seven years into this new life, I've been exploring, deeply, my purpose. As a Christian I KNOW the answer. I could write it here and be done. Easy? Not really. At least I don't find it that easy. I've been thinking a lot about Eden....we were created for Eden but we live here.

The Garden of Eden was paradise. "Paradise is defined as a place of contentment, a land of luxury and fulfillment. Paradise is often described as a "higher place", the holiest place, in contrast to this world, or underworlds such as Hell."

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very, very good."
Genesis 1:31

VERY, VERY GOOD.

"Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame."
Genesis 2:25

Eden was perfect. Adam and Eve walked with God himself. Their purpose was to WALK WITH GOD. Yet, just like me, they weren't satisfied. The one thing they were denied is the one thing they were most intrigued by. How well I understand that. Tell me something I can't have and I want it more than anything else. So, through Adam and Eve, sin and disobedience entered the world and ever since mankind has been fighting to get back to his purpose..... TO WALK WITH GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.

Everyday is a battle about something, someone, some circumstance.

Every.single.day!

It's no secret that I love Jesus. I may not be in Eden but my purpose, from the day I confessed with my mouth and believed in my heart that Jesus is Lord, has never changed. I am to WALK WITH GOD.

Adam and Eve found out very quickly what sin does. Emnity was put between her and the serpent but also between us and God.

Emnity can be described as perpetual opposition.

"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile (ENMITY) to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot."
Romans 8:7

"You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means ENMITY against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."
James 4:4

And this:

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
1 John 2:15‭-‬17

And I see me...in perpetual opposition....a tension between the flesh (the worldly) and the Spirit (the Godly).

One might say, "What's wrong with nice stuff? A nice house, a great job, status, beautiful family, friends, great relationships?" Absolutely nothing!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
James 1:17

But this is where I get sidetracked....there is NOTHING in God's Word that says any good and perfect gift should come BEFORE my relationship with Him!

•But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these

 things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

•Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

 Proverbs 16:3
•I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who

 lives in me. Galatians 2:20

•He (God) must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
•If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above,

 where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things

 that are above not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and

 your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life

 appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

The moment the first bite was taken the tension began between living for Christ and living for the world. A perpetual tension. Not that I don't desire to live a life worthy of the calling I've received but apart from Christ I simply cannot do it. And God knows it! That's why he says, "KNOW ME!!"

"I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,"
Philippians 3:10

The POWER of his resurrection! POWER!

IF I walk with God, I am to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Ephesians 4:24

WALK WITH GOD

It's not easy! Oh how I want to...with my whole heart....my innermost being....I am a work in progress and I have to CONTINUALLY turn my thoughts, my feelings, my emotions, my circumstances, my hurts, my hang-ups, my childhood wounds and strongholds toward the One who has the power to pull me out of the muck and mire and set my feet on a firm foundation.

WALK WITH GOD

I love this definition:

"When we enter into an intimate heart relationship with God through faith in His Son (Hebrews 10:22), He becomes our heart’s greatest desire. Knowing Him, hearing His voice, sharing our hearts with Him, and seeking to please Him become our all-consuming focus. He becomes everything to us. Meeting with Him is not an activity reserved for Sunday morning. We live to fellowship with Him."
GotQuestions.org

Jesus says, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
John 14:3

Eden is coming back! Thanks be to God!

(If you want to read about the restoration of The Garden of Eden read Revelation 22. So beautiful. What a day it will be for those who call Jesus Savior.) 🥰

The In-Between

"Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away."
John 19:38

Jesus is dead. Crucified....nailed to a cross...horrific suffering....for ME and ALL who claim him as Savior. Riverwood Chapel had the most beautiful, Jesus honoring, Good Friday service last evening. When it was over hundreds filed out in dead silence.....it was a time of grieving. Grieving.....for what Jesus did for us. But we do not grieve as if there is no hope. No! For we know that tomorrow is an amazing day which brings great joy to a world full of death and sorrow.

I can't stop thinking about Joseph of Arimathea.....several accounts call him "a secret disciple of Jesus"..... scripture says secret because, "he feared the Jewish leaders."

"This burial gave both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus a way to proclaim their relationship with Jesus; it called them out of their state of secret discipleship."
(Enduring Word Commentary)

Two thoughts came to mind and I can't stop thinking about them:

1. I am so very blessed in my country to not to have to hide my love for Jesus. I can wear a t-shirt that declares Jesus is Lord. I can carry my Bible to the local Panera and study. I can stand on a street corner and shout, I can go knocking door to door proclaiming who he is. I can, with great desire and love, tell those who don't know him why they need him. I can be open and honest about my faith....and with great joy!

2. Though I CAN do all of those things in #1, do I? Am I frightened to let Jesus shine through me? Am I worried about what people will say? Am I embarrassed? Am I passive? Am I timid?

Really odd juxtaposition (the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect) of these two images isn't it?

The commentary said Jesus' death, "Called them out of their secret discipleship".

I don't want to be a secret disciple.

In the book of Mark, Joseph is described as a respected member of the Sanhedrin. In Matthew he was described as rich. Mark and Luke both describe him as one who was, "waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God". I read a thesis on Joseph of Arimathea and there is a lot of history as to why each of the gospel accounts are written as they are, what the historical significance is and why some things were seemingly ommitted and other things added. It was a good read, no question... but on a personal level, for me....I go back to my thoughts.....

There are countries in this world where Jesus' name cannot be spoken. People lose their lives if they SPEAK his name.

How many times do I shrink back from the PRIVILEGE of speaking his name? Honestly, breaks my heart. There are times I come home with regret that I didn't use the opportunity that Christ gave me. Why? Because I saw the opportunity and for whatever reason, fear, lack of confidence, concern about the response, or simply chosing not too and because every opportunity Christ provides could be the only opportunity for that person to hear it. Now, I don't know that for sure and God IS sovereign, but I should always be willing to share the Good News and the reason for the hope that I have. Always! Being a Christ follower comes with responsibility....a required obedience response. Disobedience, while often chosen, is always a non-response and that grieves the Lord. I don't want that....but sometimes I choose it.....💔

I don't want to be a secret disciple.

I don't want to choose it.  

I don't want to be hushed by fear.

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
1 Peter 3:15‭-‬16

Today, as I wait in great anticipation for tomorrow, I ponder these thoughts:

• Do I use my freedom to proclaim the salvation of Jesus Christ?
• If not, why not?

Two questions. Two.simple.questions.

On this "in between" day, the day before my Jesus comes out of that grave, I proclaim loudly HE IS LORD!

“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light."
Luke 8:16

"Let your light shine before men..." Let those who come in, those who Christ puts in my path, SEE the light!

Tomorrow is coming! 🙌

Love

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8

•How many times does the word love appear in the Bible?

Depends.....if you count words like "adore" "affection" "devotion" "friend"...you'd find a lot more...but love itself, depending on translation 500 to over 700.

It's important and .... it's tricky....but it's ALWAYS commanded.

What is love? I only needed to look at a small portion of scripture that tells me what it is...what it isn't...what it does.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬8

What it is:

•Patient
•Kind

What it isn't:

•Envious
•Boastful
•Proud
•Dishonoring
•Self-seeking
•Easily angered
•Recording wrongs
•Delighting in evil

What it does:

•Rejoices in truth
•ALWAYS Protects
•ALWAYS Trusts
•ALWAYS Hopes
•ALWAYS Perseveres
•NEVER Fails

This passage continues like this:

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me."
1 Corinthians 13:1

Our child-like ways will eventually come to an end. Right? Or do they just morph into ugly adult behaviors? If you are a victim of ungodly adult behavior it can be very painful. It doesn't mean God isn't working in and through the pain but it's no less painful.

The Bible is literally littered with verses about behavior, how it affects others, how it destroys relationships, how insidious it is.

Here's one:

"A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life, But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4 AMP

The definition of perverse is deliberately behaving badly or improperly, despite knowing that your actions are likely to have bad consequences. An example of perverse is when you disobey your mother even as you know she is watching you disobey her direct order.

And... "Crushes the spirit" 😫

"The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?"
Proverbs 18:14

In really simple terms: WORDS HURT!! In child-like terms: ONCE THE TOOTHPASTE IS OUT OF THE TUBE YOU CANT PUT IT BACK IN!!

Remember the "GOLDEN RULE"? Yep, it's in the Bible!

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 7:12

Remember Bambi?
What did Thumper's mom say, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all."

1 Thessalonians 4 says to "mind your own affairs". My mom's version closely mirrors this: "Mind your own business" and Lord help me if I did not.

2 Thessalonians 3 talks about busybodies and idleness. Don't be the former nor practice the latter.

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
Proverbs 16:24

But...

"A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free."
Proverbs 19:5

If you've ever put furniture together you'll find the instructions will tell you what TO do and what NOT to do. For example: Start with step one....don't tighten all bolts until last......God's Word is an "instruction manual" for the Christ follower. It instructs you on the way you should go and the ways you should turn from.

This passage from Proverbs uses the word "hate". That's a very strong word but God is serious.....he seeks to show us and teach us that our behavior matters.

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community."
Proverbs 6:16‭-‬19

What a gracious, merciful, loving, compassionate God! He tells us beforehand....we know what not to do and sadly, we know what happens when we do and even sadder sometimes we choose to do it anyway.....

And often times when we make the wrong choice the consequences of our actions hurt innocent people.

If you are the innocent person....the actions of others hurts! The innocent person becomes the "fallout" of sinful choices.

The "fallout" might have some advice that goes like this:

1. Don't spread lies.
2. Don't repeat lies (especially if you don't know whether they are actually lies or not).
3. Don't repeat lies to the person the lies are about.
4. If the "lies" have NOTHING to do with you...well, another momism ZIP IT!
5. Don't call out the person who the lies are about as if THEY are the liar. (This is how it

    feels to the innocent person trying to defend the lie as if they have to.)

In all of this love is not the motive.

And one last bit of wisdom:

6. Don't tell someone else's story!! You've got your own!!

It hurts!! I can't say it enough!!

So I was praying this morning.... because I also know what God's Word says about forgiveness and reconciliation...... I prayed, "Jesus, all I want to do is love people and I get this? Why Lord?" And he so gently whispered, "My daughter, that's all I wanted to do too." Brought tears to my eyes. He was despised, beaten and spit on SO THAT I could be forgiven of my sins and LIVE. Can I extend that kind of love to others?

So what does all of this mean for the innocent party? Confront, make right and forgive? The innocent party did nothing, owes nothing, right? Pulled into a conflict they have not created yet called to reconcile and forgive. Seems backwards doesn't it?

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord."
Romans 12:18‭-‬19

Easy? Absolutely not!! Right thing to do? Yes!!! One may never understand why things happen as they do but as a Christ follower it is said, "He (Jesus) cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
John 15:2

Pruning is painful. Transformation is necessary. I can't find a single person in the Bible that actually liked it but chose to endure it...are you ready...with thanksgiving!! Jesus endured the cross for me AND for those who hurt me! He is my perfect example.

Sooooo the comfort?

".....fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2

This world is not my home. I have joy, great joy set before me.

So how does one turn their heart?

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:5

Someone who doesn't know Jesus as Savior might think a relationship with him seeks to take away or quell our humanness and free will. Not true! I sat at the feet of Jesus, crying out, lamenting and shouting, "It's not fair!!!" That is a human response. We are not robots. We were created with emotions and feelings. But the difference is in the working out. The response. The heart's turning. The allowing of the Holy Spirit to work through the pain to actual understanding. To realize that at any moment I could be the one who made the wrong choice and needs the love that covers a multitude of sins. So I end as I began:

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8

Love covers a multitude of sins. Indeed it does. And forgiveness is healing to the soul.

Seek the Lord

"I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands."
Psalms 119:10

Sometimes life is sweet.
Sometimes life is pleasant.
Sometimes life is agreeable.
Sometimes life is satisfying.
Sometimes life is profitable.
Sometimes life is roses.

Sometimes life is mundane.
Sometimes life is uneventful.
Sometimes life is ordinary.

Sometimes life is thorns.
Sometimes life hurts.
Sometimes life is sorrowful.
Sometimes life is painful.
Sometimes life is hard. 

Sometimes life is cruel.

Sometimes..... life is relentless.

In life's natural patterns of highs and lows and even the mundane what should I do? Where should I turn? What or WHO guides my path? As a Christ follower the WHAT is God's Word and the WHO is Christ. But knowing doesn't equal easy. When all is going well I tend to do life on my own... when mundane....I can become complacent.....and when life is between the thorns and relentless......I just want out!

So what does it take to seek the Lord and what exactly drives one to the Word of God?

I know I should:

HEAR IT

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."
Romans 10:17

READ IT

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
Psalms 119:105

STUDY IT

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."
Deuteronomy 11:18

MEMORIZE IT

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
Psalms 119:11

MEDITATE ON IT

"But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night."
Psalms 1:2

But HOW do I get there?

•The "sometimes" I'm experiencing?
•A devotional I'm reading?
•A study I'm doing?
•A podcast I'm listening to?
•Is it all of the above?

Yes! It IS all of the above!! Everything I read, everything I listen to, every study I'm doing, every life experience, good or bad, "should" drive me, physically, emotionally and spiritually to the Word of God.

Not a day should ever go by that finds my Bible closed on my desk, tucked away in a bookbag, laying on the seat of my car or unable to be found.

Every single time I solely use a source other than God's word, I am one step away from 100% truth.

So let me clarify, "should" doesn't always mean I do.... sadly.....being uncomfortable is not something I'm comfortable with. Sometimes God moves greatly when I am most uncomfortable. I've said it before and I believe it, GOD WASTES NOTHING! In every one of the "sometimes" listed at the beginning of this post, God is present in it and working THROUGH it.

God brought this passage to me...I'm not sure through what, but, what an eye opener.

"At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:26‭-‬29

I must never be so naive to think that the testing and trials I go through are not the shaking away of the comfortable things that I think give my life meaning. That which seems more important than the eternal. When I so arrogantly think I can "fix" that which is uncomfortable. 🤦🏻‍♀️

When all is shaken I am NOT without....NO! I am standing in a kingdom that cannot, will not, ever be shaken.

The more I pour the Word of God into me, the more prepared I become for the shaking that will come. Make no mistake, you and I will be shaken. You and I cannot escape it. You and I cannot, in any way, earn a pass.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you WILL have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

In a temporary world that is constantly changing there is this promise:

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Hebrews 13:8

There is NOTHING in this world, NOTHING, that I will experience that Jesus Christ has not already experienced.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:15‭-‬16

God, life has its ups and downs but you remain steady and true, trustworthy and faithful, gracious and merciful. Thank you for sending your son Jesus who lived a sinless life yet experienced all that I will in this earthly life, so that, I can approach the throne of grace with confidence. Hallelujah! What a Savior.