"Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen" Jude 1:24-25 (NLT)
Interesting thing about this little book of the Bible called Jude. It kind of reminds me of the entry hall before you step into a huge theater. It sort of prepares you for what you are getting ready to see and experience in the final book called Revelation.
More than likely this little book named Jude was written by Jude the half brother of Jesus. He probably doesn't specifically tell us which Jude he is out of humility. No desire for recognition here. The only thing important is the message that he is bringing. That message could probably best be summed up in 2 one syllable words--Watch out!
You see, the book of Jude was written to prepare us for the last days. Each generation has assumed that they are in the last days but we need only to turn on the evening news to see that we very likely are living out the reality of the times he is describing.
False teachers are everywhere. Sadly, many are sprinkled throughout bookstores and christian television. Jude says they have "wormed their way into Your churches, saying that God's marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives" (vs 4). Later on in verse 8, he also tells us that " these people - who claim authority from their dreams--live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings."
Sobering, isn't it? What's an everyday believer like me to do? I sure don't want to get swept up into deception and fall away! Jude reminds us that all glory belongs to God and He is able to keep us from falling away. Our job is to stay faithfully anchored and connected to Him and He will do the rest.
Now isn't the time to slack off in reading the scripture, attending church, spending time in serious prayer, keeping ourselves accountable to other believers and those God has put in spiritual authority in our lives. Those things are His "safety net" so to speak for us His children.
Let our sincere prayer be "Lord, Keep Me From Falling!"
Friday, September 20, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
...And Wisdom To Know The Difference
"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you..." James 1:4
The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Neihbur is likely repeated thousands, perhaps millions of times each week in recovery settings of all shapes and sizes throughout this country and probably around the world.
I first became familiar with this prayer when my mother in law (who is now at peace in the arms of Jesus) proudly scotch taped it on the front of her side by side refrigerator as she reached out in desperation to the Lord to help her conquer the relentless foe of addiction. Relentless is a pretty accurate adjective to describe the enemy of our souls. Whether it's substance addiction, sexual addiction, anxiety, depression, co-dependency, rejection (the list could go on and on) the determination of Satan to bring us down one way or another is merciless.
The prayer begins with that familiar introduction - "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference..." No matter how many times I repeat these thoughtful words, I always land in the same spot - "AND WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE." Maybe I get stuck there because I've spent so much time in trying to figure out the difference between what I can change and what I can't.
In my twenties and early thirties I thought I knew so much. The older I get the more I realize that I don't know. I thought that if everyone would do things the way I was doing them (or planning on doing them anyway) the world would be a much better and more well adjusted place. Maybe I didn't actually voice that attitude but trust me - it was in there. Several times in my journey I fell face first into a puddle of brokenness. Sometimes it was my own foolishness and other times it was as a result of someone else's choices that overflowed into my world. Brokenness. Yes, it started to become a familiar camping spot on my journey. Maybe that's a good thing. It's humbling to often have to admit how really clueless you are.
I started asking for wisdom from the Lord to know the difference between what I could and couldn't change--in myself and in others. I realized that admitting I couldn't change some things or people in my life didn't mean that He (emphasis on "He") couldn't or wouldn't change them. And then I started doing something that was at first so contrary to my nature that it made me very uncomfortable. I started giving up--not on life or people or God. No, I started giving up on my ability within my own flesh to fix everyone and everything in my life. I'm still learning little by little exactly what that means but so far it's a much smoother ride.
I love the NIV translation of James 1:4, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you."
I do. I did. And he continues to give.
The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Neihbur is likely repeated thousands, perhaps millions of times each week in recovery settings of all shapes and sizes throughout this country and probably around the world.
I first became familiar with this prayer when my mother in law (who is now at peace in the arms of Jesus) proudly scotch taped it on the front of her side by side refrigerator as she reached out in desperation to the Lord to help her conquer the relentless foe of addiction. Relentless is a pretty accurate adjective to describe the enemy of our souls. Whether it's substance addiction, sexual addiction, anxiety, depression, co-dependency, rejection (the list could go on and on) the determination of Satan to bring us down one way or another is merciless.
The prayer begins with that familiar introduction - "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference..." No matter how many times I repeat these thoughtful words, I always land in the same spot - "AND WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE." Maybe I get stuck there because I've spent so much time in trying to figure out the difference between what I can change and what I can't.
In my twenties and early thirties I thought I knew so much. The older I get the more I realize that I don't know. I thought that if everyone would do things the way I was doing them (or planning on doing them anyway) the world would be a much better and more well adjusted place. Maybe I didn't actually voice that attitude but trust me - it was in there. Several times in my journey I fell face first into a puddle of brokenness. Sometimes it was my own foolishness and other times it was as a result of someone else's choices that overflowed into my world. Brokenness. Yes, it started to become a familiar camping spot on my journey. Maybe that's a good thing. It's humbling to often have to admit how really clueless you are.
I started asking for wisdom from the Lord to know the difference between what I could and couldn't change--in myself and in others. I realized that admitting I couldn't change some things or people in my life didn't mean that He (emphasis on "He") couldn't or wouldn't change them. And then I started doing something that was at first so contrary to my nature that it made me very uncomfortable. I started giving up--not on life or people or God. No, I started giving up on my ability within my own flesh to fix everyone and everything in my life. I'm still learning little by little exactly what that means but so far it's a much smoother ride.
I love the NIV translation of James 1:4, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you."
I do. I did. And he continues to give.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Burn The Boats!
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
In February 1519 Hernando Cortez set sail on the final leg of a voyage from Cuba to the shores of the Yucatan in Mexico. The story of this particular voyage had started years prior to this trip as Cortez had spend a tremendous amount of time searching for and persuading men to accompany him on this journey. You see, Cortez was convinced great treasure awaited those who were willing to take the risk to go in and conquer.
Cortez successfully convinced nearly 600 ordinary soldiers and sailors that indeed, "They could do it!". And so, together they set sail. Once on the ocean a good number of the faithful "lost their faith". As motivational speaker Andy Andrews remarks, "There are always whiners." Cortez made it to Cuba where he rested the still faithful and let the quitters get off the ship. Next stop - Mexico!
As the group finally landed on the shores of the Yucatan, Cortez began his "motivational seminar" with the remaining crew of "Average Joe's". He complimented their courage and reminded them of the vast treasures that awaited their taking. They were "psyched"! As they prepared to move on in for the final conquest, Cortez gave one more directive. Legend tells us that he leaned in and said three simple words, "Burn the boats." Can't you hear the gasps? Burn the boats? "Yes," he repeated, "because if we are going home, we are going home in their boats." And he torched them. By burning his own boats, Cortez took his army of ordinary men to a whole new level. Boy did they fight! And boy did they win! For the first time in six centuries the wealth in that part of the world changed hands.
The Apostle Paul knew something about "burning the boats." He knew that he would never be totally surrendered to his Lord if he kept looking back at "Plan B." For Paul, turning back was not an option. Actually even looking back was not an option.
Face forward, straight ahead. The treasures of a heavenly kingdom await. Are you willing?
Burn the boats!
In February 1519 Hernando Cortez set sail on the final leg of a voyage from Cuba to the shores of the Yucatan in Mexico. The story of this particular voyage had started years prior to this trip as Cortez had spend a tremendous amount of time searching for and persuading men to accompany him on this journey. You see, Cortez was convinced great treasure awaited those who were willing to take the risk to go in and conquer.
Cortez successfully convinced nearly 600 ordinary soldiers and sailors that indeed, "They could do it!". And so, together they set sail. Once on the ocean a good number of the faithful "lost their faith". As motivational speaker Andy Andrews remarks, "There are always whiners." Cortez made it to Cuba where he rested the still faithful and let the quitters get off the ship. Next stop - Mexico!
As the group finally landed on the shores of the Yucatan, Cortez began his "motivational seminar" with the remaining crew of "Average Joe's". He complimented their courage and reminded them of the vast treasures that awaited their taking. They were "psyched"! As they prepared to move on in for the final conquest, Cortez gave one more directive. Legend tells us that he leaned in and said three simple words, "Burn the boats." Can't you hear the gasps? Burn the boats? "Yes," he repeated, "because if we are going home, we are going home in their boats." And he torched them. By burning his own boats, Cortez took his army of ordinary men to a whole new level. Boy did they fight! And boy did they win! For the first time in six centuries the wealth in that part of the world changed hands.
The Apostle Paul knew something about "burning the boats." He knew that he would never be totally surrendered to his Lord if he kept looking back at "Plan B." For Paul, turning back was not an option. Actually even looking back was not an option.
Face forward, straight ahead. The treasures of a heavenly kingdom await. Are you willing?
Burn the boats!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Consider It "What"?
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." James 1:2
This verse in James chapter one has been circulating through my always busy mind lately. That's usually a sign to me from the Lord that it's time to get something out on paper. "Consider it pure joy..." I'm being really honest here - that makes no sense whatsoever!
I am definitely in one of those "facing trials of many kinds" seasons in my life. Everything in me, above me, on each side and underneath is being stretched these days. You know the place I'm referring to. The, " just when you think you might have a few things figured out - Wow, what just happened? kind of places." My rational mind says, "hold on, hang tough, push through, surely this won't last forever." But my spirit keeps rehearsing this directive in James, "Consider it pure joy". Am I reading that correctly? It doesn't say just joy. It says - pure joy!
How can I do that pure joy thing? I'm guessing the key is in the next verse, "because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." Hmm. OK. So these trials are producing perseverance. Webster's defines perseverance as, "continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition." So I understand that every trial is an open door for joy if I keep in mind that each one brings with it the opportunity to get stronger in the face of failure or opposition. These are not just random things being blown in my direction. They are my chances to grow! I can run away or I can stand strong in "His mighty power" and face them down. With each one He walks me through, I stand a little taller and walk with a little more confidence than the last because my faith in Him shined through the struggle.
Pure joy - huh? Sounds pretty good to me.
This verse in James chapter one has been circulating through my always busy mind lately. That's usually a sign to me from the Lord that it's time to get something out on paper. "Consider it pure joy..." I'm being really honest here - that makes no sense whatsoever!
I am definitely in one of those "facing trials of many kinds" seasons in my life. Everything in me, above me, on each side and underneath is being stretched these days. You know the place I'm referring to. The, " just when you think you might have a few things figured out - Wow, what just happened? kind of places." My rational mind says, "hold on, hang tough, push through, surely this won't last forever." But my spirit keeps rehearsing this directive in James, "Consider it pure joy". Am I reading that correctly? It doesn't say just joy. It says - pure joy!
How can I do that pure joy thing? I'm guessing the key is in the next verse, "because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." Hmm. OK. So these trials are producing perseverance. Webster's defines perseverance as, "continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition." So I understand that every trial is an open door for joy if I keep in mind that each one brings with it the opportunity to get stronger in the face of failure or opposition. These are not just random things being blown in my direction. They are my chances to grow! I can run away or I can stand strong in "His mighty power" and face them down. With each one He walks me through, I stand a little taller and walk with a little more confidence than the last because my faith in Him shined through the struggle.
Pure joy - huh? Sounds pretty good to me.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
An Anchor For The Soul
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." Hebrews 6:19
I have an affinity for certain words. By that I mean, I just like the way they sound when you say them. A few of my favorites are: blessing, peace, winsome, and fervent. I don't know--they just sound calming or peaceful or reflective.
One of my all time favorite words is the word "anchor". Whenever I hear that word, somewhere in the back of my mind I see an old worn and weathered anchor drop from the side of a fishing boat and plunge right straight to the bottom of the ocean. Anchors are secure, they stay right where they are put. They don't bend and they aren't moved by the waves or the currents. A fisherman never says, "Now where did I put that anchor anyway?"
Anchors don't change with the newest fad or custom, they don't get confused or fearful. They just are. When your boat is tied to one--you're all set. No need to worry. You aren't going anywhere.
Hebrews 6:19 is the only scripture in the entire Bible that mentions the word anchor in a context other than the traditional use of the word. By that I mean that this is the only place in the scripture where anchor is used to describe something very precious that we have as believers. That something is hope--more specifically our hope that is anchored in Jesus. Stay with me now. . Everyone in Biblical times (and even now for that matter) was pretty familiar with anchors. The Apostle Paul knew that the word anchor wouldn't be wasted on anybody. We all get it! Don't we?
When the storms come - and they will, (someone once said either you're just coming out of one or just heading into one) what is the anchor for your soul? Our wisdom, knowledge, position, money, relationships, won't be the anchor we need. If you know Christ you already have the anchor. Turn around and look for it--it's your hope in Him. Verse 19 says that's the hope that takes us thru to the inner sanctuary behind the curtain and verse 20 says that's where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He's already gone ahead to intercede for us. Pretty amazing, huh? No need to worry or be afraid. Just grab onto your anchor and hold on.
Oh yeah. There's another word that I like the sound of. You guessed it--it's HOPE.
I have an affinity for certain words. By that I mean, I just like the way they sound when you say them. A few of my favorites are: blessing, peace, winsome, and fervent. I don't know--they just sound calming or peaceful or reflective.
One of my all time favorite words is the word "anchor". Whenever I hear that word, somewhere in the back of my mind I see an old worn and weathered anchor drop from the side of a fishing boat and plunge right straight to the bottom of the ocean. Anchors are secure, they stay right where they are put. They don't bend and they aren't moved by the waves or the currents. A fisherman never says, "Now where did I put that anchor anyway?"
Anchors don't change with the newest fad or custom, they don't get confused or fearful. They just are. When your boat is tied to one--you're all set. No need to worry. You aren't going anywhere.
Hebrews 6:19 is the only scripture in the entire Bible that mentions the word anchor in a context other than the traditional use of the word. By that I mean that this is the only place in the scripture where anchor is used to describe something very precious that we have as believers. That something is hope--more specifically our hope that is anchored in Jesus. Stay with me now. . Everyone in Biblical times (and even now for that matter) was pretty familiar with anchors. The Apostle Paul knew that the word anchor wouldn't be wasted on anybody. We all get it! Don't we?
When the storms come - and they will, (someone once said either you're just coming out of one or just heading into one) what is the anchor for your soul? Our wisdom, knowledge, position, money, relationships, won't be the anchor we need. If you know Christ you already have the anchor. Turn around and look for it--it's your hope in Him. Verse 19 says that's the hope that takes us thru to the inner sanctuary behind the curtain and verse 20 says that's where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He's already gone ahead to intercede for us. Pretty amazing, huh? No need to worry or be afraid. Just grab onto your anchor and hold on.
Oh yeah. There's another word that I like the sound of. You guessed it--it's HOPE.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Attitude of Gratitude
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1
I have a little ceramic pumpkin that I keep on my kitchen window. I keep it there to remind me when my focus gets off balance of how truly blessed I am. It says simply, "Nothing is more honorable that a grateful heart."
The longer I live on this planet the more I understand that without Christ I am totally insignificant. My worth and value is found only in Him. When I begin to get that attitude (you know which one I mean) that says, "What about me?", "Why not me?" or "No one asked me!", I know it's time to seek out my ceramic pumpkin.
I want to be honorable. You don't hear that word much these days. We are encouraged to strive to be seen as important, significant, valuable, powerful, self-confident, and self-sufficient. But those qualities don't lead us up to the front door of honor. The scripture tells us that God "resists the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6) Further on in Proverbs 15:33 we read that "...humility precedes honor."
I don't believe I've ever met anyone that I truly considered honorable who didn't have an evident attitude of gratefulness. Sometimes the holiday of Thanksgiving is so commercialized that we forget what it really means. Psalm 107:1 isn't talking about the Thursday late in November on our calendar. For many, Thanksgiving is a jacket you throw on once a year. But gratefulness is something different altogether. Gratefulness is a familiar sweater that you pull on every morning. Gratefulness to God should be the filter through which every thought, situation and circumstance must pass through to get to us.
The quotable G.K. Chesterton when speaking about gratitude penned these words..."Nothing taken for granted, everything received with gratitude, everything passed on with grace."
I think I'll hang on to my little ceramic pumpkin. Need one?
I have a little ceramic pumpkin that I keep on my kitchen window. I keep it there to remind me when my focus gets off balance of how truly blessed I am. It says simply, "Nothing is more honorable that a grateful heart."
The longer I live on this planet the more I understand that without Christ I am totally insignificant. My worth and value is found only in Him. When I begin to get that attitude (you know which one I mean) that says, "What about me?", "Why not me?" or "No one asked me!", I know it's time to seek out my ceramic pumpkin.
I want to be honorable. You don't hear that word much these days. We are encouraged to strive to be seen as important, significant, valuable, powerful, self-confident, and self-sufficient. But those qualities don't lead us up to the front door of honor. The scripture tells us that God "resists the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6) Further on in Proverbs 15:33 we read that "...humility precedes honor."
I don't believe I've ever met anyone that I truly considered honorable who didn't have an evident attitude of gratefulness. Sometimes the holiday of Thanksgiving is so commercialized that we forget what it really means. Psalm 107:1 isn't talking about the Thursday late in November on our calendar. For many, Thanksgiving is a jacket you throw on once a year. But gratefulness is something different altogether. Gratefulness is a familiar sweater that you pull on every morning. Gratefulness to God should be the filter through which every thought, situation and circumstance must pass through to get to us.
The quotable G.K. Chesterton when speaking about gratitude penned these words..."Nothing taken for granted, everything received with gratitude, everything passed on with grace."
I think I'll hang on to my little ceramic pumpkin. Need one?
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Parking Your Faith
"Let all that I am wait quietly before God; for my hope is in him." Psalm 62:5
Get ready. I'm going to date myself here. For those of you who are from "my era" as my husband likes to say, I'm sure you probably remember Bob Dylan's song, "You Gotta Serve Somebody". I'm not quite sure what exit ramp Bob Dylan took after that song but at that particular point in time he was exactly correct. We have to choose. As the Existentialist/Philosopher Kierkegaard stated in so many words, you can't choose not to choose because, in essence,you've already made your choice. For the record, Kierkegaard took a few exit ramps himself but he was spot on with that thought.
I am human. I am sinful. I am in need of a Savior. I need a place to "park my faith and my hope". I'm certainly not foolish enough to think I can park it in the spot designated "ME". No, I learned a long time ago that won't work. This world of materialism and selfishness won't suffice. Even those dearest to me on this planet can't possibly be the object of my faith and hope. You know where I'm going with this. There is only one - The One.
A beautiful old hymn by a dear lady named Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (Lidie H. Edmunds) has been wandering through my mind the last couple of days.
My faith has found a resting place
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead .
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He'll never cast me out.
My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior's Name,
Salvation through His blood
My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
I've found my parking space. :)
Get ready. I'm going to date myself here. For those of you who are from "my era" as my husband likes to say, I'm sure you probably remember Bob Dylan's song, "You Gotta Serve Somebody". I'm not quite sure what exit ramp Bob Dylan took after that song but at that particular point in time he was exactly correct. We have to choose. As the Existentialist/Philosopher Kierkegaard stated in so many words, you can't choose not to choose because, in essence,you've already made your choice. For the record, Kierkegaard took a few exit ramps himself but he was spot on with that thought.
I am human. I am sinful. I am in need of a Savior. I need a place to "park my faith and my hope". I'm certainly not foolish enough to think I can park it in the spot designated "ME". No, I learned a long time ago that won't work. This world of materialism and selfishness won't suffice. Even those dearest to me on this planet can't possibly be the object of my faith and hope. You know where I'm going with this. There is only one - The One.
A beautiful old hymn by a dear lady named Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (Lidie H. Edmunds) has been wandering through my mind the last couple of days.
My faith has found a resting place
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead .
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He'll never cast me out.
My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior's Name,
Salvation through His blood
My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
I've found my parking space. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)