I have an old experience that is like the bobble-head doll; it just keeps coming up again and again. Every time it comes up I think--I took care of this! Why is it bothering me now?
I've told you about it, I think, or at least I have referred to it. Something that crashed into me and laid me low, like Job. And I had friends, like Job, who tried to make me believe that it was all my fault, too. But it wasn't, dag nab it! But it is my fault for getting caught up in it again!
In Job 17:3, Job prays, "O God, pledge your support for me. Give it to me in writing with your signature. You're the only one who can do it. " That's what I want--God's support. I want to believe that I'm His, and I'm OK.
Is it a matter of my pride that makes me stumble once again with broken spirit? Perhaps it is. Where is the scripture lesson which tackles that pride and helps me to regain God's support? Well, they are all over the bible beginning with the 23rd Psalm, which nearly everyone knows. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow death, He is with me.
His rod and his staff comfort me. He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He covers my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall live in the house of the Lord forever."
Well, it seems I already have God's support! Why the long face, friend? We have His rod and staff!We have God's right arm! We have His love! Yes, He loves us like nobody else can ever love us! We have Him! Praise the Lord!!!!
I'm better now. Thanks for listening! jo
Friday, October 26, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
GIVE US A HEART FOR THIS WORK
I know, I know...I'm back so soon. Well, the Lord has me alert and listening. Maybe it's a change in me; maybe it's a change in the world.Yesterday's journaling got stuck in my brain, so here I am; back again!
I journaled on Nehemiah 4:6 which read: "We kept at it, repairing and rebuilding the wall. The whole wall was soon joined together and halfway to its intended height because the people had a heart for the work."
The builders of the wall came from many sources with one thing in common--they each wanted to help rebuild the wall of Jerusalem because they loved God and God was supporting their work.What kind of people were they? The high priest worked with his fellow priests, the men of Jerico, and families who lived in Jerusalem each worked on the walls in front of their homes. Goldsmiths, perfumers, mayors of the various districts, sons of other importnt men, and the Temple support staff, plus merchants of all kinds all, willingly worked together to restore their city just as God had requested of Nehemiah.
You might wonder what kind of wall could we have in this day when there are few walls around cities, and what cities might need to be built up. I suppose there might be real cities that do need rebuilding, but, in my opinion, there are walls that do need re-building of a totally different nature.
I recently read in the Arizona Republic that the percentage of Godly believers has radically fallen, and those who may believe in God but do not go to church has sharply risen. I believe that such a time as this is worthy of investigating by prayer if the Walls of Faith are falling down. Without churches can our faith in God stand the tests our world may extend to us? Can isolated study and prayer by individuals take the place of the church where we work, praise God, and study together?
When I was a young woman I hungered for the church and the church body. Not raised in the church, I wanted to know the peace of God, the joy of fellowship. I wanted to learn about Him with others.The church ain't perfect, but then, neither am I! And where better to learn forgiveness than with other imperfect cusses like me!
This task that I propose we do together, this wall that's falling down, this breach in our faith journeys- can't we join together and breach this gap? Maybe it's time to increase our desire to think of others. Think of the lady down the street who is a widow and has no one to go to church with. How is her faith life without support? Or the kids down the block that might be friendly toward an invitation to Sunday School. How will they learn about a loving Father? Or the man at the coffee shop who always sits alone--could he like the company of your small group? Or the woman with a doctor appointment and no car; does she know she is not forgotten?
I'm guilty, guiltier than all of you. I have the time to go to the lonesome lady, the wistful kids, the old and the weak. I need to hustle and pull my britches up, stimulate my get up and go, and pray like mad that God would erase my selfishness and double my faith so that I might fill my heart with the infectious Spirit that only God can give. I want a heart for this work.
Help us, Oh Lord, to clear away the debris in the world by starting with our own hearts and giving us a HUGE desire to build up the faith of this nation, FAITH IN YOU AND YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS.
I appeal to all who read this to spread the word. God wants us to build us a wall of faith in Him.
(And I thank you, Lord, for giving me the courage to blog this message.)
jo
I journaled on Nehemiah 4:6 which read: "We kept at it, repairing and rebuilding the wall. The whole wall was soon joined together and halfway to its intended height because the people had a heart for the work."
The builders of the wall came from many sources with one thing in common--they each wanted to help rebuild the wall of Jerusalem because they loved God and God was supporting their work.What kind of people were they? The high priest worked with his fellow priests, the men of Jerico, and families who lived in Jerusalem each worked on the walls in front of their homes. Goldsmiths, perfumers, mayors of the various districts, sons of other importnt men, and the Temple support staff, plus merchants of all kinds all, willingly worked together to restore their city just as God had requested of Nehemiah.
You might wonder what kind of wall could we have in this day when there are few walls around cities, and what cities might need to be built up. I suppose there might be real cities that do need rebuilding, but, in my opinion, there are walls that do need re-building of a totally different nature.
I recently read in the Arizona Republic that the percentage of Godly believers has radically fallen, and those who may believe in God but do not go to church has sharply risen. I believe that such a time as this is worthy of investigating by prayer if the Walls of Faith are falling down. Without churches can our faith in God stand the tests our world may extend to us? Can isolated study and prayer by individuals take the place of the church where we work, praise God, and study together?
When I was a young woman I hungered for the church and the church body. Not raised in the church, I wanted to know the peace of God, the joy of fellowship. I wanted to learn about Him with others.The church ain't perfect, but then, neither am I! And where better to learn forgiveness than with other imperfect cusses like me!
This task that I propose we do together, this wall that's falling down, this breach in our faith journeys- can't we join together and breach this gap? Maybe it's time to increase our desire to think of others. Think of the lady down the street who is a widow and has no one to go to church with. How is her faith life without support? Or the kids down the block that might be friendly toward an invitation to Sunday School. How will they learn about a loving Father? Or the man at the coffee shop who always sits alone--could he like the company of your small group? Or the woman with a doctor appointment and no car; does she know she is not forgotten?
I'm guilty, guiltier than all of you. I have the time to go to the lonesome lady, the wistful kids, the old and the weak. I need to hustle and pull my britches up, stimulate my get up and go, and pray like mad that God would erase my selfishness and double my faith so that I might fill my heart with the infectious Spirit that only God can give. I want a heart for this work.
Help us, Oh Lord, to clear away the debris in the world by starting with our own hearts and giving us a HUGE desire to build up the faith of this nation, FAITH IN YOU AND YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS.
I appeal to all who read this to spread the word. God wants us to build us a wall of faith in Him.
(And I thank you, Lord, for giving me the courage to blog this message.)
jo
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
ONLY A PRAYER AWAY
Why is it I can't stay one with Jesus all the time? How come there are times that I fall into disharmony with Him and others, and then finally with myself? What's wrong with me anyway? Well, I'm human and because I'm human I'm a sucker for anyone who will tell me that I'm right and others are wrong. Or I'm a sucker for feeling satisfied with things as they are and there is no need to change. In other words, I want to believe I'm exceptional!
Remember Simon? The guy who later was called Peter? He was like that. He loved Jesus, in fact he thought he loved Jesus even more than anyone else. Maybe he did....and maybe he didn't. But he disowned allegiance to Jesus three times! Simon was human, like me. In fact, Jesus warned Simon and the others (with great love and understanding) of what was to come--his death on the cross. In Luke 22 verses 31 and 32 Jesus says, "Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start."
Jesus knows the human conditions and so warned his former disciples as well as those disciples of today to be wary of Satan and his messages to us. Jesus knows our weaknesses, our strengths, our sins and our moments of goodness and joy. We are His--all the way--yet there are moments when we are weak and Satan moves in to "try his best to separate" us from Him, Jesus, the One who is Ours, our very own Savior.
At this point I must not give in to the tantalizing message of Satan who always causes me to see ME with capital letters and it becomes easy for me to capitalize on my own will. I give in to the message of Satan, "You are important." Giving in, I might give up the fight for the Lord's leading. I may give out the wrong message to those around me, to those I love, wrongly telling them Jesus doesn't matter in these circumstances. Protection for ourselves becomes of utmost importance. No matter what words we use, we have given in, given up, and given out wrongly.
I must remember. Stick with the guy what brung ya! Stick with the Lord who found you, carried you, taught you, loved you, and will always love you! Stick with the guy who saved you!
Peter did! So can I! And Jesus is only a prayer away! Jo
Remember Simon? The guy who later was called Peter? He was like that. He loved Jesus, in fact he thought he loved Jesus even more than anyone else. Maybe he did....and maybe he didn't. But he disowned allegiance to Jesus three times! Simon was human, like me. In fact, Jesus warned Simon and the others (with great love and understanding) of what was to come--his death on the cross. In Luke 22 verses 31 and 32 Jesus says, "Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start."
Jesus knows the human conditions and so warned his former disciples as well as those disciples of today to be wary of Satan and his messages to us. Jesus knows our weaknesses, our strengths, our sins and our moments of goodness and joy. We are His--all the way--yet there are moments when we are weak and Satan moves in to "try his best to separate" us from Him, Jesus, the One who is Ours, our very own Savior.
At this point I must not give in to the tantalizing message of Satan who always causes me to see ME with capital letters and it becomes easy for me to capitalize on my own will. I give in to the message of Satan, "You are important." Giving in, I might give up the fight for the Lord's leading. I may give out the wrong message to those around me, to those I love, wrongly telling them Jesus doesn't matter in these circumstances. Protection for ourselves becomes of utmost importance. No matter what words we use, we have given in, given up, and given out wrongly.
I must remember. Stick with the guy what brung ya! Stick with the Lord who found you, carried you, taught you, loved you, and will always love you! Stick with the guy who saved you!
Peter did! So can I! And Jesus is only a prayer away! Jo
Monday, October 8, 2012
STAY WITH IT!
I hope you are not having to carry a huge burden today, and feel as if it is too much of a burden to lug around anymore. I truly hope your life is burden free. But if it is not, you are not alone. Each of us at different times are asked to carry a heavy load, and sometimes those loads just seem to be too much.
But, there is hope and consolation! Luke 21:18 says, "Every detail of your body and soul--even the hairs of your head--is in my care, nothing of you will be lost. Staying with it--that's what is required." The first part of this verse is comforting, isn't it? Everything about me is covered in care by Jesus. I can trust this. I can praise God for this. And I do. Yet something is required of me--to stay with it, it being whatever trials or tribulations, sorrows or sickness, I may be called to endure.
When my children are under seige, I cover them with care, pray for then, hold them near to me--and they can trust this. I choose to trust Jesus to do the same for me when I am burdened with sorrow, blame, shame, or whatever. I know that He will cover me because He has done so for me already.
But, it's hard to stay with it. It's hard to thank God for His care when we are burdened. It's hard to stay with it when we want to run from it. But thanking God is important as it keeps us open to staying with it. The its of life surely can be tough and talking about them to others can momentarily feel good, but sometimes can fog the necessary action one needs to endure. I just keep reminding myself that God has me in His care. I am His. He owns me, body and soul, and therefore I will not be lost. And all I have to do is "stay with it."
Lord Jesus, help those today that sense the need to stay with it when they find a task that they must endure.
Just sayin'---Jo
But, there is hope and consolation! Luke 21:18 says, "Every detail of your body and soul--even the hairs of your head--is in my care, nothing of you will be lost. Staying with it--that's what is required." The first part of this verse is comforting, isn't it? Everything about me is covered in care by Jesus. I can trust this. I can praise God for this. And I do. Yet something is required of me--to stay with it, it being whatever trials or tribulations, sorrows or sickness, I may be called to endure.
When my children are under seige, I cover them with care, pray for then, hold them near to me--and they can trust this. I choose to trust Jesus to do the same for me when I am burdened with sorrow, blame, shame, or whatever. I know that He will cover me because He has done so for me already.
But, it's hard to stay with it. It's hard to thank God for His care when we are burdened. It's hard to stay with it when we want to run from it. But thanking God is important as it keeps us open to staying with it. The its of life surely can be tough and talking about them to others can momentarily feel good, but sometimes can fog the necessary action one needs to endure. I just keep reminding myself that God has me in His care. I am His. He owns me, body and soul, and therefore I will not be lost. And all I have to do is "stay with it."
Lord Jesus, help those today that sense the need to stay with it when they find a task that they must endure.
Just sayin'---Jo
Monday, October 1, 2012
TAKE A PICTURE OF ME!
The story behind the title of today's blog begins when I was a little girl. Someone was taking pictures, and a little friend made a scene because she wanted her pcture taken. I remember being embarassed and thought it was very childish as she kept on and on saying over and over, "Take a picture of me! Take a pcture of me!" Yet I find that oftentimes I, too, want recognition. I, too, want the attention just like that little girl wanted so long ago. Perhaps, it is true that we all suffer from not being noticed once and awhile.
But, when I read the scriptures, when I discover how Jesus felt about attention, I become aware that Jesus did more work for the Father when he got no recognition. How can I be like that?
I read verses from Zechariah this morning. Chapter 10, vs. 3-5. "God'll revive their spirits, make them proud to be on God's side. God will use them in his work of rebuilding, use them as foundations and pillars, use them as tools and instruments, use them to oversee his works. They'll be a workforce to be proud of, working as one."
Nobody stood out! Nobody got more attention than another! Nobody got their picture taken! Yet I can imagine the many times these verses have been read and praised, how many people have taken them to heart, how many have prayed that they, too, might have these verses as their life's goal. I hope thousands upon thousands have rejoiced throughout the ages upon reading this message. It, like all of God's Word, was sent to bless us, awaken us, teach us and refine us.
How I desire to bring the joy of God and His Word to those I love. I would have them know how their spirits can be revived and how they can be proud and joyful to know God and be on God's side. To know we are not alone; we always have God. He is always there to help us when we ask. He only wants to be asked and trusted and to always be first with us.
Sometimes, when I feel a need to have my picture taken, I know I am not putting Him first. This is important to God...that He be first! Not me! Never me!
God, may you always be first to me. May I shine only with your Glory and not with my own. Forgive my need to want recognition. I want you to be recognized even if others forget me all together!! It will be hard for me, I know. But it is there that I must go; because I need you. Amen
PS. Do they take membership pictures in Heaven? (No, I'm just kidding!)
Your friend, Jo
But, when I read the scriptures, when I discover how Jesus felt about attention, I become aware that Jesus did more work for the Father when he got no recognition. How can I be like that?
I read verses from Zechariah this morning. Chapter 10, vs. 3-5. "God'll revive their spirits, make them proud to be on God's side. God will use them in his work of rebuilding, use them as foundations and pillars, use them as tools and instruments, use them to oversee his works. They'll be a workforce to be proud of, working as one."
Nobody stood out! Nobody got more attention than another! Nobody got their picture taken! Yet I can imagine the many times these verses have been read and praised, how many people have taken them to heart, how many have prayed that they, too, might have these verses as their life's goal. I hope thousands upon thousands have rejoiced throughout the ages upon reading this message. It, like all of God's Word, was sent to bless us, awaken us, teach us and refine us.
How I desire to bring the joy of God and His Word to those I love. I would have them know how their spirits can be revived and how they can be proud and joyful to know God and be on God's side. To know we are not alone; we always have God. He is always there to help us when we ask. He only wants to be asked and trusted and to always be first with us.
Sometimes, when I feel a need to have my picture taken, I know I am not putting Him first. This is important to God...that He be first! Not me! Never me!
God, may you always be first to me. May I shine only with your Glory and not with my own. Forgive my need to want recognition. I want you to be recognized even if others forget me all together!! It will be hard for me, I know. But it is there that I must go; because I need you. Amen
PS. Do they take membership pictures in Heaven? (No, I'm just kidding!)
Your friend, Jo
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