I'm about to get very real here. I've been experiencing some emotions that I was having a hard time defining, until last night when I came face to face with a really ugly label to put on these feelings. It's almost too ugly to even type out, but here it is in all its nasty glory...
JEALOUSY
Ouch!
It seems like such a petty thing, reserved for junior high girls and their ever fickle friendships, yet as a middle-aged woman, I found myself smack-dab in the middle of this (let's call it what it is) sin, and let's face it, there's a reason it's called the green-eyed monster. It can quickly devour rational thought and obliterate emotions. It's crazy how craftily it can sneak into a relationship without my even being aware of its presence until it has reeked all kinds of havoc.
This morning I realized that I had been feeling like the workers in the vineyard who who had worked all day for the same pay as those who only worked an hour. As I re-read this familiar Bible story, it was pretty clear to me that Jesus is represented by the landowner. Only He doesn't just own the vineyard, He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Just as a vineyard owner plants the grape seeds and tends his crops, I asked Jesus to plant His truth deep in my heart and tend to the growth process until I eventually bear the fruit of the spirit. I imagined the landowner's response to the workers as if Jesus were speaking to me.
"Friend".........
Yes, that's about as far as I got for several seconds, because it just blows me away that Jesus calls ME friend! Once that truth sank in, I continued reading, "Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous? So the last shall be first, and the first last."
Immediately following this parable in Matthew 20, the next scene is when Mrs. Zebedee asked Jesus if her sons could sit next to Him in heaven. His response?
"You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?...My cup you shall drink; but to sit on my right and on my left, this is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father...whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
The very next account recorded is when Jesus stopped for the blind beggars and asked them what they wanted Him to do, then He proceeded to heal them. In other words, He served them.
Now I could spend all day writing a lengthy Bible study on all the many truths hidden in these verses, but here is what God showed me this morning and how I prayed to Him concerning what I was experiencing.
Oh, sweet and patient Lord, I want my eyes to be so fixed on You and the work You call me to do that I don't even notice when I'm not included or when someone else gets the recognition. Thank You, Savior that jealousy is one of those ugly sins You took upon Your unblemished body and crucified. I now confess this sin to You in humble gratitude that You are faithful and just to cleanse me from ALL unrighteousness. I bring my spirit back into alignment with the finished work of the cross. This sin is covered by Your precious blood. The only reason it will ever rear its ugly head is if I agree with the lies the enemy whispers in my ear. Holy Spirit, make me so aware in the very beginning stages of those lies, what the devil is up to, so I can say with the authority given to me as a daughter of The King, "Get thee behind me, Satan!"
The landowner said, "Take what is yours and go."
What is mine is my inheritance as my Father's child. Psalm 103 lists some of the benefits that come with that inheritance: salvation from sin, healing of diseases, rescue from the pit, a crown of steadfast love and mercy, ETC! One denarius is worth A LOT in the Kingdom!
The next thing He says to do is "Go". I need to take my inheritance and go preach the gospel, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. I received freely. I must give freely. No strings attached. No accolades. No earning favor. Just serving the One Who so readily serves me. Fixing my eyes on Him at all times.
When my eyes are fixed on Him, how could there be room for jealousy? No friendship, no fame, no earthly treasure can satisfy like The Bread of Life. I taste and see that He is good. And that is enough.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Endings & Beginnings
canyouimaginetryingtoreadabookorevenasentenceforthatmatterwithoutpunctuationmarks
Translation:
Can you imagine trying to read a book (or a sentence, for that matter) without punctuation marks?
For many, the year 2011 simply ends with a period and quietly segues into 2012, but for others the year ends with a question mark or exclamation point.
Perhaps you've had "one of those years" where you just don't understand what in the world is going on and you wrap up 2011 with a big fat question mark. Or you sit and shake your head in wonder that the year is already over, having flown by and you still haven't reached certain goals you've set for yourself.
Still others may be more than ready to grab a permanent marker - one of those gigantic poster-making kinds - and with great gusto, put an end to a year of difficulty, frustration, or heartache with a great big exclamation point.
Whichever punctuation we choose to end 2011, we all get to begin 2012 the same way, with a beautiful, hope-filled capital letter...a new beginning...a fresh start.
And if we choose to do so, we can start our year with the same capital letter - A - as in Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet. Jesus said, "It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End..." (Revelation 21:6).
We've all heard the acrostic, JOY, as an example of how we should live our lives - Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. But shouldn't it really be Jesus, Jesus & Others, Jesus & Yourself? He's not just the Alpha, He's not just the Omega, He's all and everything!
What if we choose to end 2011 by focusing on all Jesus is and did for, in, and through us, with a heart full of thankfulness, instead of focusing on all the enemy attempted to steal from, kill in, and destroy though us? What if we choose to begin 2012 by focusing on all Jesus will do for, in, and through us, instead of focusing on all the enemy wants to steal from, kill in, and destroy through us?
Greater is HE Who is in us...He Who is the ALPHA, the OMEGA, and EVERYTHING else in-between.
So whatever punctuation mark you end 2011 with, I encourage you to begin 2012 with Jesus and all the hope He gives.
Translation:
Can you imagine trying to read a book (or a sentence, for that matter) without punctuation marks?
For many, the year 2011 simply ends with a period and quietly segues into 2012, but for others the year ends with a question mark or exclamation point.
Perhaps you've had "one of those years" where you just don't understand what in the world is going on and you wrap up 2011 with a big fat question mark. Or you sit and shake your head in wonder that the year is already over, having flown by and you still haven't reached certain goals you've set for yourself.
Still others may be more than ready to grab a permanent marker - one of those gigantic poster-making kinds - and with great gusto, put an end to a year of difficulty, frustration, or heartache with a great big exclamation point.
Whichever punctuation we choose to end 2011, we all get to begin 2012 the same way, with a beautiful, hope-filled capital letter...a new beginning...a fresh start.
And if we choose to do so, we can start our year with the same capital letter - A - as in Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet. Jesus said, "It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End..." (Revelation 21:6).
We've all heard the acrostic, JOY, as an example of how we should live our lives - Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. But shouldn't it really be Jesus, Jesus & Others, Jesus & Yourself? He's not just the Alpha, He's not just the Omega, He's all and everything!
What if we choose to end 2011 by focusing on all Jesus is and did for, in, and through us, with a heart full of thankfulness, instead of focusing on all the enemy attempted to steal from, kill in, and destroy though us? What if we choose to begin 2012 by focusing on all Jesus will do for, in, and through us, instead of focusing on all the enemy wants to steal from, kill in, and destroy through us?
Greater is HE Who is in us...He Who is the ALPHA, the OMEGA, and EVERYTHING else in-between.
So whatever punctuation mark you end 2011 with, I encourage you to begin 2012 with Jesus and all the hope He gives.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Have a Strong & Valiant Festival of The Anointed One!
I know it's been awhile since I've posted anything, but at last I am on Christmas vacation and have a few moments to spare.
As I was writing our family advent devotionals the other day, God led me to the song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. I must confess I've never given its lyrics much thought and simply passed them off as outdated, singing them by rote, as yet another holiday tradition. What I discovered was a rich treasure, which was anything but outdated.
First of all, did you know that in the old English, the word merry didn't mean happy? Me neither! It meant strong or valiant. So we don't know if Robin Hood's men were happy or not, but we do know they were described as strong or valiant. So, if sung in more familiar terms to us, the lyrics would be, "God rest you, strong & valiant gentlemen...". But wait, there's more!
What about the word rest? Interestingly, this word didn't mean rest as we think of it - personally a nap on the couch sounds pretty good to me! But this word meant to make. God make you strong & valiant, gentlemen. Let nothing you dismay (There's no need to worry). Remember...
Christ (The Anointed One) was born on Christmas Day. The suffix mas means festival or feast day.
So Jesus Christ, The Anointed One, The Messiah makes us strong if we rest in Him. His yoke is easy, His burden light. Greater is He Who is in us than He Who is in the world. He has overcome the world. In our weakness, He is strong. We can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us.
Cool!
So when we wish one another a Merry Christmas, we are really blessing one another with the heavenly strength of the Anointed One, Jesus Christ. Sounds like a wonderful Christmas gift to give someone, doesn't it?
And a wonderful way to love The One and love the one...
As I was writing our family advent devotionals the other day, God led me to the song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. I must confess I've never given its lyrics much thought and simply passed them off as outdated, singing them by rote, as yet another holiday tradition. What I discovered was a rich treasure, which was anything but outdated.
First of all, did you know that in the old English, the word merry didn't mean happy? Me neither! It meant strong or valiant. So we don't know if Robin Hood's men were happy or not, but we do know they were described as strong or valiant. So, if sung in more familiar terms to us, the lyrics would be, "God rest you, strong & valiant gentlemen...". But wait, there's more!
What about the word rest? Interestingly, this word didn't mean rest as we think of it - personally a nap on the couch sounds pretty good to me! But this word meant to make. God make you strong & valiant, gentlemen. Let nothing you dismay (There's no need to worry). Remember...
Christ (The Anointed One) was born on Christmas Day. The suffix mas means festival or feast day.
So Jesus Christ, The Anointed One, The Messiah makes us strong if we rest in Him. His yoke is easy, His burden light. Greater is He Who is in us than He Who is in the world. He has overcome the world. In our weakness, He is strong. We can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us.
Cool!
So when we wish one another a Merry Christmas, we are really blessing one another with the heavenly strength of the Anointed One, Jesus Christ. Sounds like a wonderful Christmas gift to give someone, doesn't it?
And a wonderful way to love The One and love the one...
Monday, October 24, 2011
Stones of Remembrance
Voice of the Apostles 2011 just ended a couple days ago, and while I didn't get to attend this year, I did watch several sessions online. Hard to believe it's just been a year since the VOA I attended where God completely rocked my world! (See posts from February 1, 2011 and March 30, 2011 for VOA mentions.)
As I watched the web streaming of the conference, I couldn't help but reminisce about last year. So many snapshots forever imprinted in my heart...
facedown on the carpet and broken one moment...overflowing with joy the next!
completely in awe of The Father's deep, deep love for me...
completely surprised at how The Father enjoys playing with His little girl!
encountering new revelation with every single speaker...
leaving with a new passion blazing within me to Love The ONE and love the one...
So many seeds that were planted or watered at VOA last year have already borne fruit.
I could go on and on, but instead I will thank God for all He has done, is doing, and will do.
Now when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,
"Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, and command them, saying, 'Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.' "So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; and Joshua said to them, "Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel. "Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever ." Joshua 4:1-7
Yes, I will thank Him, and I will tell of what He has done! He has brought me across the Jordan of fear and religion into freedom and revelation. I continue my journey with Him step by step on stones of remembrance. I remember He is GOOD...I remember He LOVES ME...I remember He is FAITHFUL...I remember the simplicity of the Gospel - Love The ONE and love the one...
As I watched the web streaming of the conference, I couldn't help but reminisce about last year. So many snapshots forever imprinted in my heart...
facedown on the carpet and broken one moment...overflowing with joy the next!
completely in awe of The Father's deep, deep love for me...
completely surprised at how The Father enjoys playing with His little girl!
encountering new revelation with every single speaker...
leaving with a new passion blazing within me to Love The ONE and love the one...
So many seeds that were planted or watered at VOA last year have already borne fruit.
I could go on and on, but instead I will thank God for all He has done, is doing, and will do.
Now when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,
"Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, and command them, saying, 'Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.' "So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; and Joshua said to them, "Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel. "Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever ." Joshua 4:1-7
Yes, I will thank Him, and I will tell of what He has done! He has brought me across the Jordan of fear and religion into freedom and revelation. I continue my journey with Him step by step on stones of remembrance. I remember He is GOOD...I remember He LOVES ME...I remember He is FAITHFUL...I remember the simplicity of the Gospel - Love The ONE and love the one...
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Operation Christmas Child
I know it's a little early, but if you're like me, it takes time to collect all those wonderful treasures to include in the boxes, so just giving you the heads-up that the deadline for collecting boxes for Operation Christmas Child will be here before we know it.
For more info on what to include, visit Samaritan's Purse's website
<a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org">Samaritan's Purse</a>
Such a simple, yet powerful way to Love The ONE & love the one...
For more info on what to include, visit Samaritan's Purse's website
<a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org">Samaritan's Purse</a>
Such a simple, yet powerful way to Love The ONE & love the one...
Friday, October 7, 2011
Adopted & Accepted
Those of us who live in relationship with God Most High through His Son Jesus, and the indwelling of Holy Spirit, can call ourselves His kids! We have the holy privilege of calling Him not only the more formal term of "Father", but the intimate term of "Daddy", or "Papa".
In Mark 14:36, Jesus called His Father by this intimate term in His language, which was "Abba"...
"And He [Jesus] was saying, 'Abba ! Father ! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will'."
Jesus first established the relationship, then declared the truth which was greater than what He could see with His human eyes: ALL things ARE POSSIBLE for His dad. Because He knew WHO His Abba was, He could boldly ask Him for something, in this case to not have to go through shedding His blood, represented by "the cup" of the Lord's Supper. If Jesus, God Himself in human form could ask such a bold thing of His Father, even though He knew it must be done, why do we hold back in fear that He will say no? Jesus did not limit God at all, yet He wisely ended His petition with "yet not what I will, but what YOU will". Jesus intimately knew His Papa. He knew that His Papa is all-knowing, and especially all-loving. He knew that the only reason His dad would ask such a hard thing from Him was because of His love...because there was a greater plan in place...because His love was much farther reaching than only love for His Son...His love was for ALL the world. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son...
The intimate term of Papa wasn't just reserved for Jesus. Because Jesus DID go through with laying down His life on our behalf, Romans 8:15 tells us this amazing truth:
"For you [that's us!] have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba ! Father !'."
Pause for a moment. Let that sink in.
God Most High...Creator of the universe and all it contains...Holy One...has adopted us as His own! Can we even comprehend what this means???
Galatians 4:6 tells us:
"Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba ! Father !'."
In Mark 14:36, scripture allows us a glimpse into perhaps one of the most intimate Father/Son interactions ever recorded in history. Galatians 4:6 tells us that the same Spirit of Jesus is in our hearts, so we too can interact with God the way Jesus did in the garden that day and every other day He lived on the earth.
John 5:19 tells us that Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing. Jesus was fully dependent on His Father.
I have been adopted as His daughter! I am accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6)!
As His daughter, I can approach Him boldly (Hebrews 4:16). As His daughter I have authority to act in His Name (Matthew 16:19). Even if others reject me or don't include me, my Papa accepts me. Even when I mess up, my Papa loves me.
The last part of Matthew 16:19 says to freely give what I have freely received. I did not have to do anything to earn His adoption or His acceptance, yet how often do I expect that of others?
Oh, Abba Father, thank You for adopting me as Your own. Thank You, Jesus for making it possible for me to become a daughter of The King. Thank You for accepting me just as I am. You have given so freely to me. Now I ask You to give me a heart for those all around me with an orphan spirit...those who don't know their true identity...those who feel left out or lost...those searching for a place to belong...
I want to love them into the family.
When I was a child, we sang a hymn and the chorus is coming to me now:
I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God!
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood.
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod
For I'm part of the family
The family of God!
In Mark 14:36, Jesus called His Father by this intimate term in His language, which was "Abba"...
"And He [Jesus] was saying, 'Abba ! Father ! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will'."
Jesus first established the relationship, then declared the truth which was greater than what He could see with His human eyes: ALL things ARE POSSIBLE for His dad. Because He knew WHO His Abba was, He could boldly ask Him for something, in this case to not have to go through shedding His blood, represented by "the cup" of the Lord's Supper. If Jesus, God Himself in human form could ask such a bold thing of His Father, even though He knew it must be done, why do we hold back in fear that He will say no? Jesus did not limit God at all, yet He wisely ended His petition with "yet not what I will, but what YOU will". Jesus intimately knew His Papa. He knew that His Papa is all-knowing, and especially all-loving. He knew that the only reason His dad would ask such a hard thing from Him was because of His love...because there was a greater plan in place...because His love was much farther reaching than only love for His Son...His love was for ALL the world. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son...
The intimate term of Papa wasn't just reserved for Jesus. Because Jesus DID go through with laying down His life on our behalf, Romans 8:15 tells us this amazing truth:
"For you [that's us!] have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba ! Father !'."
Pause for a moment. Let that sink in.
God Most High...Creator of the universe and all it contains...Holy One...has adopted us as His own! Can we even comprehend what this means???
Galatians 4:6 tells us:
"Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba ! Father !'."
In Mark 14:36, scripture allows us a glimpse into perhaps one of the most intimate Father/Son interactions ever recorded in history. Galatians 4:6 tells us that the same Spirit of Jesus is in our hearts, so we too can interact with God the way Jesus did in the garden that day and every other day He lived on the earth.
John 5:19 tells us that Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing. Jesus was fully dependent on His Father.
I have been adopted as His daughter! I am accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6)!
As His daughter, I can approach Him boldly (Hebrews 4:16). As His daughter I have authority to act in His Name (Matthew 16:19). Even if others reject me or don't include me, my Papa accepts me. Even when I mess up, my Papa loves me.
The last part of Matthew 16:19 says to freely give what I have freely received. I did not have to do anything to earn His adoption or His acceptance, yet how often do I expect that of others?
Oh, Abba Father, thank You for adopting me as Your own. Thank You, Jesus for making it possible for me to become a daughter of The King. Thank You for accepting me just as I am. You have given so freely to me. Now I ask You to give me a heart for those all around me with an orphan spirit...those who don't know their true identity...those who feel left out or lost...those searching for a place to belong...
I want to love them into the family.
When I was a child, we sang a hymn and the chorus is coming to me now:
I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God!
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood.
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod
For I'm part of the family
The family of God!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Justice & Mercy
This past weekend I got to attend the "We Will Go" Missions Conference in Nashville. Friday night Lyle Phillips, founder of Mercy29 Ministries and one of the leaders of Iris Nashville, shared his story of how Mercy29 came to be and some of the stories of what God is doing through this amazing ministry.
Below is from their website mercy29.org
Mercy29 is an anti-profit organization.We are reasonably employed by Jesus to investigate the case of those we do not know giving hope along with a future. Our heart is to deliver the poor that have no helper by sponsoring orphans and rescuing widows, as well as helping entire families suffering from systemic poverty. We build homes and Christian churches, facilitate schools in poor communities, and seek holistic transformation in the world’s most forgotten cities and villages.
Our mission to is to love.
Love the untouchable, the outcast, and the overlooked. Mercy29 was founded on this simple purpose and we believe that everyone, no matter how small or poor, deserves the unconditional blessing of love from their fellow humanity.
Love the untouchable, the outcast, and the overlooked. Mercy29 was founded on this simple purpose and we believe that everyone, no matter how small or poor, deserves the unconditional blessing of love from their fellow humanity.
Job 29:11-17
"For when the ear heard, it called me blessed, and when the eye saw, it gave witness of me, because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the orphan who had no helper. The blessing of the one ready to perish came upon me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind And feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the case which I did not know. I broke the jaws of the wicked and snatched the prey from his teeth."
How about you? Can you see your own name being inserted in these verses?
Do you want to be a spectator who shakes your head and clucks your tongue at the injustice or do you want to be a part of what God is doing to free these precious children of His to be all He created them to be?
I urge you to visit the Mercy29 website to see how you can be a part of God's justice and mercy.
Mercy29 is one of the most beautiful pictures I've ever seen of loving The ONE and loving the one.
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