Delight*Abide*LoveFor People in Pursuit of God

The Smack Down

Church! It’s Free!

Gossip Ave., Judgment St. & Deceitful Way

Faith and Logic do not Meet

And much more…

September 2012

Dear Reader:

Wow! Time flies whether you’re having fun or not. This has been an interesting month, one in which my desire to reach out to my Spiritual siblings has been all the more intensified. A while back I read the verse that says, neither he who plants, nor he who waters is anything, but God gives the growth. I know that many people would focus on the concept of God being the only One that grows people and things, and while I would certainly not negate that truth, I am struck by the fact that Paul delineated between two different jobs, one plants, one waters. I have probably told you this before, but I truly feel that I am more of a waterer than a planter.

There is a longing inside me to reach out to other believers that they might be encouraged in their Faith, that they might be hugely fruitful and demonstrate the salinity and Light we are called to. Obviously, I am not saying that I am super luminescent or extra salty, I just want to be. Perhaps you feel the same way?

I pray that this month brings you closer in your walk with the King, that you have an undying thirst and hunger for His Kingdom, that you seek Him with every ounce of your being and that you fall madly and deeply in love with the Savior of your soul. God is worthy to be praised and though we aren’t worthy to praise Him, that’s exactly what He desires of us. He wants us to show our love for Him in everything we do, say and think. May He fill your heart with thoughts of Christ Jesus and His Amazing Grace so that it overflows into every aspect of your life that you might bring Him the Glory He so deserves!

Peace and blessings,Ginny Mink

www.delightabidelove.com

The Smack Down

“Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have deprived you of good.”Jeremiah 5:25 (NRSV)

It’s most amazing that there are “believers” who think that they can continue in blatant sin and God will bless them. God will not be mocked. He will not be ignored and He will not be disrespected. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and thusly those who don’t fear Him are fools.

There are “churches” that allow a vast array of sins to infiltrate their congregations and yet continue to preach prosperity and abundance from the pulpit. In this verse, the things that have been cut off, turned away, removed, are the rains and the harvests. This means there’s no growth, nourishment, or sustenance in the midst of sin. There’s no profit in evil, bottom line.

In an age where tolerance is the catch phrase and “all-inclusive” the norm, true believers are accosted by the necessity to put their Biblical feet down. We must stand up for what the King has taught us, we must defend the morality designed by our Creator.

If you jump to verse 31 (though feel free to read the section in between as well) we find that the prophets are lying and the preachers are following suit. Then, the kicker, the question we must ask ourselves if we’ve any inkling towards loving the lies, “What will you do when the end comes?” God’s not going to settle for an, “I plead ignorance,” response because He’s provided every instruction necessary in His Word.

We must quit slapping Him in the face with our blatant rebellion and sins because it’s guaranteed that He’ll put the smack down on us. How will we then stand?

Go Away

“And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, ‘Go away for the

present, when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.”Acts 24:25 (NRSV)

First, I need to point out that the KJV, NIV, NLT and NASB all use the word righteousness in place of the word justice used in the NRSV. Interestingly enough, the word in Greek is dikaiŏsunē (dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay) and it means equity (of character or act), justification. The implication, according to Strong’s is innocent or holy.

So, Paul’s been imprisoned falsely, and Felix is making him meet with him. That’s the background and context but let us note what happens. Paul starts to teach him about being righteous or just (innocent and holy), that leads to the necessity of self-control. This is an obvious progression because no one can behave righteously, justly or innocently, with equity of character, unless he/she learns how to control him/herself. Then, Paul transitions into the consequences of failure to do so, the coming judgment. He tells Felix how he must live and what will happen if he doesn’t, and naturally, Felix gets frightened. The KJV says, he trembled, the NIV says he was afraid, and the NLT says he was terrified. With good cause, hell is a terrifying place for those who choose not to walk with God. Believers recognized that dread and willingly accepted the Grace that pardoned them.

However, there’s a multitude of Felix’s in this world, those who will tell us to “Go away…” thinking that they can call us back to hear more when they feel like it, or that our message will change the next time they see us. But, God’s Word is immutable and those people aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.

Church! It’s Free!

“Moreover, that whole generation was gathered to their ancestors, and another generation grew up after them, who did not know the

Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.”Judges 2:10 (NRSV)

Does that sound familiar? Contextually, this is in reference to the Israelites, the ones who outlived Joshua son of Nun and the ones who were gathered to their ancestors and then the next generation is one that doesn’t know God or the things He’s done for their people. Verse 11 tells us the consequence of this lack of knowledge, it says they did evil in God’s sight and worshipped the Baals. Verse 12 goes a step further, it begins by saying they abandoned the Lord.

I asked, initially, if this sounded familiar and I did so because we live in an age in which the next generation doesn’t know God and all we have to do is turn on the news for a few minutes to see that people are doing evil in the King’s sight and ultimately abandoning Him. If we lived in the Little House on the Prairie period of American history, we’d find that every kid in the one room school house knew something about the Bible. That’s because prayer was still allowed in school and no politician or lawyer or whatever had coined the phrase, separation of church and state. God was acceptable, if not wholly relevant. Such is not the case in this age.

This is why it is so important for Christian parents to provide a Biblical education for their children. I’m not saying we all need to send our kids to private Christian schools, heaven knows we can’t all afford that, but we can take them to church (it’s free) and we can read the Bible to and with them. My best friend’s parents used to get onto me about getting my son (I only had one child at the time) in church and I blew them off, but the more of the world my eyes are opened to, the more thankful I am that my children are in church. I certainly wouldn’t want them to be part of those in verses 10-12. Ya know?

Heck Yes!

“Rejoice always.”1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NRSV)

The KJV says to, “Rejoice evermore.” I kind of like that, it has an eternal intensity that “always” seems to lack to me. The NIV and NLT say to “be joyful always.” For whatever reason, those don’t have the same affect for me, to me they say, “Be happy always.” Not that there’s anything wrong with that certainly, but being happy, at least from my perspective, is an emotion whereas rejoicing is an action, a conscious decision. Sure, there are people that will argue that we can choose to be happy and I wouldn’t debate the fact since I believe we should rule over our emotions and not the other way around. I’m just offering my initial response to the different translations.

When I read this verse, I have to tell you, my initial reaction was a physical one, I smiled. Did you? It’s interesting to me, actually, because I’m well aware of verse 17, pray without ceasing, but for some reason (though it’s underlined in my Bible) verse 16 never comes to mind. Obviously I know we’re supposed to be praising God and being content in little and much and all that jazz, but “rejoice always?” Heck yes, rejoice always! God loves you! He’s written you on the palm of His hand, He knows the number of hairs on your head, you’re the apple of His eye; you were created to bring Him praise.

It’s funny to me actually, that this verse would come to my attention because rejoicing in the King is something that’s become more evident in my Spiritual walk. I’ll catch myself just randomly telling Him how incredible He is, while in the midst of my attempt at ceaseless prayer. The Spirit within me talks to Him and sometimes I get the joy of consciously joining in. Rejoice always, God Rocks!

Praise-Inducing-Stuff

“When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.”

Psalm 91:15 (NRSV)

This is a verse with a number of incredible assurances from our Father. First, we can rest in the knowledge that not only does He hear us when we call, but He answers us. While that Garth Brooks’ song, “Unanswered Prayer,” has some nice sentimentality to it, it’s not an accurate depiction of our King. There are no unanswered prayers for His children, there are prayers with immediate answers, delayed answers, or just plain “no,” answers, but they’re all answered. God assures us of that here.

The next comforting aspect of this verse is the fact that He’s with us in trouble. I know that our human response, when things are rough in our lives, is to wonder where God is in it all, but once again, this verse tells us matter-of-factly, that He’s with us in all trouble. That makes me think, if God is for us, who can be against us? Why do we let trouble create attitudes of defeat and fear in us? God is with us in those moments too and there’s none greater than He!

The final thing to note is that He will rescue us. So, not only will He be with us in the midst of the torrents of life and answer us when we call, He says He’ll rescue us! Verse 11 tells us that He’ll command His angels to guard us in all our ways. Look, if we know God answers us, that He’s always with us, and that He’ll save us, why in the world do we doubt Him? Believers have lost their power for miraculous glory and praise-inducing- stuff simply because they doubt Him. Ya know, when you think about it, doubting God is like calling Him a liar. Read His Word, believe it and trust Him and see what He can do in and through you!

Get Back Up

“strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations

we must enter the kingdom of God.”Acts 14:22 (ESV)

This verse is incredible for a number of reasons. The first amazing aspect is that Paul got stoned in verse 19 by some Jews from Antioch and Iconium. In verse 20, the disciples gathered around him (after he’d been thrown out of the city because the people thought he was dead) and he gets up, goes back into the city, Lystra, and the next day continues on to Derbe.

I don’t know about you, but when I envision someone getting stoned, I see some real damage done. Obviously such damage was done to Paul because everyone thought he was dead! How then does he get up and keep going? I can only assume (forgive me) that the disciples gathering around him had something to do with it. Disciples here, means other believers, not just the 12 apostles (who probably weren’t there); other believers, surrounding us in hardships strengthens us!

That said, in verse 21, Paul finishes winning souls in Derbe and returns to Lystra (where he was stoned) and Iconium and Antioch (where the stone-throwers resided) and while there he accomplishes verse 22. Listen, most of us would have probably died outside Lystra after being stoned, but even if we’d survived, I doubt we’d want to go back to those cities and people to strengthen and encourage them. Yet, imagine what those believers experienced when Paul came back to them, walking. He told them they’d have to go through many tribulations to attain the Kingdom, and he was living proof that it was possible. Oh what a testimony! If people are witnessing your tribulations, make sure you’re glorifying the King by getting back up!

Why are we Wasting Time?

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you – that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by

each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”Romans 1:11-12 (ESV)

Paul is writing this to the Romans (obviously) but specifically, to those he says have been called saints (v. 7). That is, he is writing this letter to other believers. His words here thrill my heart, but they also make it heavy. Oh to be as zealous as Paul, to be vividly aware of how great a Grace saved him (and you and me) that he deeply desired to bless others regardless of what it would cost him. Ya know, Sunday’s, Bible studies and other such communal time with the saints should spur us to the desires mentioned in verse 11-12. We should be thrilled to be with other believers, with our Spiritual siblings, and not just thrilled in an “oh-this-is-nice” way, but a “what gift or blessing can I bestow upon them so that they’re strengthened and encouraged by my Faith?” way.

The NLT says Paul wants to see them so he can share a Spiritual blessing that will help them grow in the Lord, that they’ll be encouraged and blessed by one another’s presence. Listen, we live in a country, which, as of this moment, does not hinder our meetings with one another. We have multiple opportunities via technology and face-to-face interactions to bless, encourage and strengthen each other. Why oh why are we wasting time talking about work, the public school system, home schooling options and sports? People in our churches and Bible studies are starving for Spiritual blessings, for edification and encouragement. Paul had many hindrances yet his heart screamed for every opportunity to build up the Body. We’ve got to do the same thing. Jesus didn’t just hang out with people; He imparted wisdom that led to growth and eternal life. The student isn’t greater than the teacher, but we should be actively pursuing that greatness, don’t you think?

Faith and Logic do not Meet

“Claiming to be wise, they became fools.”Romans 1:22 (ESV)

I was discussing with my eight year old son how the world will do everything it can to deceive him, to steal his Faith. This conversation came up when he asked me, “Besides God, who wrote the Bible?” I told him that this was just the question the world would have him ask because it seeks to make him doubt the origination of Scripture. He said, “Well, I said besides God. I know He wrote it through other people’s hands.” So, I told him a short list of people that were used by God to pen the Scriptures. I also shared with Him that God personally wrote the 10 commandments in stone with His own finger.

Ultimately we moved into conversations about academia (yes, I used that word with him). I told him that “educated” people would try to convince him that there is no God, to which he explained to me that “they can’t prove there’s no God.” Of course, I had to remind him that neither could he prove (by scientific, intellectual measures) that there is One. He pondered this a while. Then, I set my hands on the counter, apart from one another. On my right (in the illustration) were those who said there was a God and the left, those who said there wasn’t. Since, I told him, neither can “prove” the other wrong, each have arrived at their conclusions by Faith. He went into a long spiel about gas and soil not suddenly creating a “being,” trying to refute evolution obviously. To which I explained to him that initially, science served as a means to prove the very existence of God but now it’s the exact opposite.

I say all this to remind each of us, that the more we attempt to intellectualize Faith, the more we try to logicize Biblical foundations, the more readily swayed by those claiming wisdom, in the midst of foolishness, we’ll become. Faith and logic do not meet. Faith is based on hope (which is only found in God) and logic trusts in man’s reasoning abilities which is mere foolishness.

Rock Solid

“but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Luke 22:32 (NASB)

If you’re familiar with this verse at all, then you know Jesus is saying this to Peter after informing him that satan has requested to try him. I suspect that most writers dealing with this verse have a tendency to focus on the fact that Jesus says He prayed for Peter. People seem to take great comfort in the idea that when satan petitions the Father to mess with us; we’ve got an Awesome Messiah who lifts us up in prayer. Indeed, that’s a wonderful thing, but this is not where I desire to go with this particular passage.

What resonates with me is that Jesus gives Peter an instruction. He tells him that when he returns to the Faith he’s to strengthen his brothers. I have to wonder if this isn’t a message for all prodigals, all those who wandered from their Faith. Peter denied Christ, wept profusely and went back to his old life, fishing, undoubtedly believing he was accursed. Yet, when the Messiah arises from the tomb, He makes a point of ensuring that Peter is notified. He wants Peter, He loves Peter, and He has a plan for Peter even after seemingly horrific failings. It is the same with us. Yet, how many of us, when we return to our Faith, go and strengthen our brothers?

The word strengthen here is, stērizō (stay-rid'-zo) and it means to set fast, turn resolutely and confirm. So, it’s a bit deeper than just encouraging and building one another up, it’s instilling a steadfast, immovable resolution within one another that we may be rock solid in the Faith. Thusly, if you’ve known the anguish of Spiritual failure, and the magnificence of His Grace, go and strengthen your brothers!

Share it

“But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the

worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.”

1 Timothy 1:16 (NLT)

Some people may not appreciate the use of the NLT here, so please, feel free to read whatever translation you prefer, I just found this version of the verse to be the most clear and explanatory. That said, this verse is quite convicting for me. I’ve often admitted that I understand Paul’s statement about being the chief of sinners. Therefore, having lived an utterly wretched life, and having been showered by Grace, mercy, divine compassion, I am in awe of Christ’s perfect patience (ESV) and longsuffering (KJV) towards me, to the point that He would take one such as me and with open arms, welcome me unto Himself. Perhaps you’ve known such unlimited patience (NIV) from the Savior and have happily received His mercy unfathomable. And while that’s a wonderful experience, a tremendous blessing, it’s not for your sake alone, just as it wasn’t just for Paul’s.

What I’m attempting to say here is that Christ pulled you out of the pigpen, raised you out of the dunghill, ransomed you from the fires and pits of hell so that your life might be an example to others. That your salvation might enable them to realize just how deeply they are loved by Christ and that they too, regardless of the heinousness of their sins, can be saved. Now, here’s the hard part, you might be walking a positive Christian life, you might be doing your best to be a Light in the world, but if the world only knows you as your redeemed, new creation, self, then they don’t gain the realization that you were once as wretched as they are. We must share our testimonies; we must not fear telling people from whence we came and from what vileness we’ve been saved. Testimonies are powerful, that’s why you have one. Share it.

Get Your Fill

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Hebrews 3:13 (KJV)

Before we go anywhere with this verse, let us realize that the translations give us some variations. The NIV and the NASB both use the word encourage in place of exhort. The Amplified and the NLT say warn. This presents some confusion and thusly it seems relevant to look at the Greek word utilized herein, parakalĕō (par-ak-al-eh'-o), and Strong’s tells us that it means to call near, invite, invoke. I have to admit that when I first read exhort in the ESV I envisioned encouragement and yet, the rest of the verse seems to imply a warning. Perhaps that’s why I feel so much is gained by studying the words in Hebrew and Greek. You see, if we call one another near, if we invite and invoke one another to participate in Spiritual things, not only will we encourage others, but we’ll warn them as well. You cannot be accosted by the Living Word, as a believer, and not feel encouraged and warned simultaneously.

Now, let me get to the real issue at hand, this verse tells us to exhort each other every day. There are some snags here, in that, a good number of believers only come in contact with their Spiritual siblings on Sundays, and sometimes Wednesdays. So, how then can they fulfill this directive? I’m asking myself how to do this as well. Supposing then, that a vast majority of us have facebook or twitter accounts, not to mention cell phones with texting capabilities, it would seem to me that utilizing said technology might enable us to call one another near. Thusly, if we’ve solved that problem, it remains still, how do we invite others to draw nigh to God and refrain from sin? Well, Scripture tells us that the Word is useful for such things. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that each member of the Body spend time in the Word! We cannot exhort, encourage, warn our brethren, if we’re empty springs. Get your fill at the Living Well, and share its sustenance every day.

Vigor with Force

“that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”

Ephesians 3:16 (ESV)

It would take me a long time, and more space than is allotted here, to break down all the supremely important words in this verse. So, instead, I’m going to rewrite it utilizing the meanings and perhaps that will allow you to understand the magnitude of what Paul was praying for the believers at Ephesus. Essentially, this is what he said, “That He would give you the fullness of the wealth (abundance, richness, bestowments) of His very apparent glory to be empowered, increased in vigor with force and miraculous power by His Spirit inside you.” Now, maybe that’s a little too wordy for you, so in a simpler form: that the Holy Spirit would give you some serious power on the inside.

This is significant because we know that the flesh is really nothing, but the Spirit that indwells us is the very Spirit of God and can thereby accomplish all things through our obedient Faith. Perhaps I’m a little cynical, forgive me, but it would appear that many believers are stuck in neutral, or else on cruise control; there’s little vigor with force. It is this state of stagnation that makes us sterile, we don’t water or plant that God might give the growth. Do we not realize that the fullness of His wealth and power is readily accessible to us? You’d think we’d be gung-ho to live radical lives and yet we live in suppression. This saddens me greatly, to an extent beyond measure.

One more thing though, Christ’s very apparent glory, that which He would willingly share with us, is something to consider. If we read the Gospels we do not find the Messiah bashing individual sinners, in fact, He doesn’t even point out their wretchedness. However, His Presence, His very apparent glory, deeply affects them. Peter fell on his knees and asked Jesus to leave him because he was a sinful man. Zacchaeus declared his own thievery and plan to repay and the woman at the well admitted that she didn’t have a husband. I suspect that the very apparent glory is the Light, the same Light we’re to show others. Oh that we’d be empowered from within by His Spirit because then we’d have no need to point fingers, we’d

Great Things He Has Done

“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart, consider what great things he has done for you.”

1 Samuel 12:24 (NIV)

Israel wanted a king and though this was displeasing to Samuel and the Almighty, they were ultimately given Saul and in this verse Samuel is attempting to warn them to stay firmly devoted to the true King lest they continue to do evil and be swept away (v. 25). Now that you’ve gotten the context, let us apply it to our lives. Serving God faithfully isn’t about working for God, it’s not about church attendance, or nursery volunteerism, it’s about relationship, it’s about understanding that He has the power to do way worse than take your last breath and remove you from the face of the earth; it’s about recalling all that He’s done for you.

I understand that some who read this fall into a category of people who have keeping testimonies, meaning that for the most part they’ve pretty well adhered to the narrow path and thusly our finite wisdom has the tendency to minimize the concept of Grace bestowed thereupon. Of course, there are others of us who spent plenty of time with the pigs and thereby grasp His perfect patience and mercy with us. At least we get it when we’re first set on fire by our Faith. What seems to happen though is as we progress, as we begin to ripen in our fruit production, the enemy steals our memories of just how bad we were and we become judgmental, forgetting what the Most High has done for us.

Oh, brothers and sisters, what GREAT things He has done for us, ransomed us with His own blood, purchased us from the pit, called us friends, adopted us and made us heirs, justified and glorified us, raised us up with Him. Let’s make sure we never succumb to that Pharisaical prayer about tithing and fasting, etc, but let us remain humble tax collectors acknowledging our sin and praising Him for His redemption.

Illuminated in the Midst of Darkness

“You are my lamp, O Lord, the Lord turns my darkness into light.”2 Samuel 22:29(NIV)

The beginning of chapter 22 tells us that David sang this song to God after He delivered him from Saul and his enemies. David was one of the original hymn writers, I guess, and I have to wonder why more of us don’t sing songs to the King? Yes, I know we sing along with the teleprompter in Sunday morning worship and perhaps we sing some of the old hymns or new Christian contemporary songs, but what about moments in which we’re just so thankful that we create our own songs? What happened to that ability, or that desire within us? I’ll tell you, in all honesty, that I can’t carry a tune (even in a bucket – and I feel sorry for the lady who sits in front of me and has to hear it) and maybe you use the same excuse, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to be so filled with the Spirit that some original and unique praise song echoed from our lips? Of course, this isn’t the point I’m going after, so I’ll move on, but it’s something to think about!

When I read that darkness is turned into light, I have to admit that the concept is seemingly foreign. Well I know that the Most High is the Father of Light, but the natural man in me has a hard time grasping the concept in a literal sense. The figurative meaning of course is that these present troubles are serving a purpose for our good and thusly the dark times lead us into the joy of day. Yet, when we’re in our midnight hours, in the black bleakness of extreme heartache, it’s hard to believe that anything good can come of it. The truth is, sometimes we can’t even see the good until years later. For instance, when my brother was in a terrible car accident at 19 years old and sustained third degree burns over 50% of his body, had to have part of his left arm amputated and was in a coma, well, that was a dark time. However, almost losing him taught me to quit holding grudges (we were fighting and not speaking to each other prior to his accident) and to always tell him I love him just in case it’s the last time I see him. I guess we find that the most valuable lessons we ever learn are illuminated for us in the midst of darkness.

The Appearance of Bountiful Fruit Production

“He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.”

2 Chronicles 25:2 (NIV)

This verse is about Amaziah, king of Judah, who initially did things that were pleasing to the Almighty, but then in verse 14 we find that he brought back the Edomite gods and worshipped them. God sent a prophet to warn him of his coming destruction (v. 15) and he basically told him to shut up (v. 16). Thusly, his lack of whole hearted service is made abundantly clear: he worshipped idols and ignored God’s prophet. His half-baked, middle ground, obedience can be likened to the lukewarm reference we find in Revelation. You see, God’s all or nothing, He’s black or white, there’s no middle ground, no fence riding. Jesus tells us either we gather or we scatter, if we’re not for Him, we’re against Him.

I suspect there’s a great deal of people claiming to be on God’s team, on Christ’s side, and in fact, they may even believe they are, but they’re not wholeheartedly doing what’s right in His eyes and that’s going to make a huge difference in their eternity. The Word tells us that God doesn’t judge based on appearances, so your cross necklace and in case of rapture this car will be unmanned bumper sticker, and your Beth Moore devotional and Joyce Meyer conference attendance, and your nursery volunteering, or offering collecting isn’t going to make a bit of difference if your heart’s not wholly devoted to serving Him, for He sees the heart and tests each man’s motives.

I hate to think this, but a lot more people are lost than we know and great numbers of them sit in our churches every Sunday and smile and sing along and even serve therein, but their hearts are far from Him. I know we’re to know one another by our fruit, and a lot of time service minded people have the appearance of bountiful fruit production, that’s why it’s so important to get to know the people you go to church with. Sure, fruit is often shown in deed, but the true revelation is in word, in conversation, what do they talk about? Or better yet, Who, do they talk about?

Are We Even Remotely Ready?

“And I, because of their actions and their imaginations, am about to come and gather all nations and tongues, and they will come

and see my glory.”Isaiah 66:18 (NIV)

The heading in the NIV for this chapter is Judgment and Hope, two words that seem as if they’re on the opposite ends of the spectrum and yet, this is exactly what chapter 66 declares, judgment on the King’s foes (v. 14 and 24) and hope to His children (v. 10-13). Though this may sound a bit weird, I kind of have a compassion for the Father. In verse 4, He talks about being ignored and defied and since I know (in my minute human capacity) how deeply He loves His children, and I know, as a mother, how heartbreaking it is when my son ignores my directions and behaves disobediently, I hurt for God. Why in the world does He put up with us? This is something Jesus, Himself, wondered, He asked, “How long must I put up with you?” Oh how we hurt our Redeemer, how we disrespect and disregard our Savior. What is wrong with us?

In verse 18, quoted here, we see that it’s not just the actions of His people that provoke Him to wrath, but their imaginations, their thoughts, are also a problem. We’re so full of sin it’s a wonder we could ever hope to be clean, even dream of being a Light, seems like any Light we might reflect would be so dimmed by our filthy flesh that few would see it anyway. Yet, He loves us and that’s the reason for our hope. He’s coming to gather the nations, He’s coming to call His children home, to beckon them like a mother hen, cover us with His wings and comfort us like a mother; more importantly though, He’s coming so that all will see His glory. I have to ask though, are we even remotely ready? Will He find Faith on the earth?

Road Blocks

“Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good.”Jeremiah 5:25 (NIV)

We really enjoy reading Romans chapter 8, the whole concept of being deeply loved by the King of the universe is thrilling, it makes us feel special. We readily embrace the Scriptures that imply (and state directly) that God is love. This love phenomenon creates within us a sweet sense of joy, a positive emotion. We’re more than willing and perfectly happy to let God’s love be a central focus in our lives. What we neglect though, are the Proverbs and other verses that tell us He disciplines those He loves. No one likes getting a butt whoopin’, no one likes having privileges taken, resources withheld. Yet, if we’ve the blessing of parenthood in our own lives we know full well that we discipline our children for the sake of making them better people. God disciplines us for the same reason. He wants us to grow up into the image of Christ, but like this verse says, our sins deprive us of good.

Now, contextually, He’s speaking to the Israelites, His chosen people, of whom, via His Grace we’ve obtained kinship, adoption and heir status through. So while historically, He warned them that their sins would screw up the great plans He had for them, I feel it’s safe to say we’re in the same boat. Our God desires to do good for us, and to us, but we’re so enveloped in self, running after all kinds of useless ventures, suppositions and vanities that we set up road blocks for His gift-giving. Oh, that we’d learn to be more obedient children; that we’d give Him no reason for discipline, but, we’re often just as obstinate and foolish as the Israelites were. Perhaps we should invest more effort in prayers for self-control?

No Faith?

“He said to his disciples ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Mark 4:40 (NIV)

Jesus is sleeping when a storm comes and rocks and ravages the boat severely. His disciples freak out, thinking they’re going to die and He gets up and calms the tempest. I find it interesting that He questions them after He fixes the problem. You’d think He’d be slightly irritated with them and thusly question their unbelief immediately and then display His power. Yet, He doesn’t. After everything they’d seen Him do, He gives them one more demonstration before asking them what their problem is.

It seems to me that believers have also seen Him work mightily in their lives, they’ve seen Him answer their prayers and randomly and miraculously apply provision in their lives and yet they (myself included) still fear when the storms rage. *Case in point, at the writing of this piece, Isaac, the storm that’s about to hit Florida,* I know believers who are concerned they’ll lose their homes, or great damage and trouble will befall them. Why?

Why are we still so afraid if we claim to know the One True God, the One Who’s totally in control of the raging winds and the sea? The One Who sets tornadoes and storms in motion has a plan for their paths. If His plan is to allow us loss, then we should understand that there’s a greater good that will come of it. Do we really still have no Faith? I think it’s interesting too to note the use of no faith instead of little faith. People, we serve a Mighty God, all things obey and are subject to Him. Why do we still fear? Surrender, He’s in control!

*Isaac didn’t bother Florida, as you well know. Let’s not forget to pray for those in Louisiana who did sustain its damage.*

It’s Stolen

“As long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will

utter no deceit.”Job 27:3-4 (NIV)

I suspect that if you’ve ever read Job you were able to figure out that he had an issue with pride. God really points that out to him in the end. Yet, I think he truly believed that he would be capable of controlling his mouth to the degree he declares here. Obviously he hadn’t encountered James who explains to us how wretched our tongues truly are. Wouldn’t it be incredible though, if we were able to maintain them to the point that we never spoke in a wicked or deceitful manner?

The other day my husband was joking with me about having stolen some gum I’d gotten for him, since he had no idea where the money to get it had come from (I had some left on a gift card). I joked back with him and then I said, “I’m no thief.” To which my Spirit prodded me, “Really?” it asked. And thusly I had to rethink my comment so I said, “At least I try not to be.”

No doubt some of you are thinking, “She’s a thief?” Well, as I’ve said many times, “I won’t deny the worst you can say about me,” to quote a song. You see, any time I’ve accepted too much change at the store, sold something for more than it’s worth, or played around at work, I’ve been a thief. Certainly people don’t consider such minute things thievery, but just because we can rationalize our behaviors, that doesn’t mean God does.

If it’s not rightfully yours to take, regardless of the magnitude of its value, it’s stolen. I say this to point out the fact that anytime we deny a negative label and forget previous infractions that make the label accurate, we’re being deceitful. Oh that we’d do a little better job of watching what we say and adhering to Godly honesty.

Practice Makes Perfect“Boys (lads) let no one deceive and lead you astray. He who

practices righteousness [who is upright, conforming to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action, living a consistently conscientious life] is righteous, even as He is righteous.”

1 John 3:7 (Amplified Bible)

Choosing the translation to use for the discussion of this verse was hard. I wanted to use the ESV, but the word I was focusing on, practices, ended up not being what I expected when I looked it up in the KJV which says, doeth. Ultimately, the Greek word used here is, pŏīĕō (poy-eh'-o) and it means to make or do. Thusly, I chose the Amplified Bible because of its ability to give examples of doing righteousness. I say all this to tell you that when I read in the ESV that the one who practices righteousness is righteous, I felt insanely encouraged. Why? Well, because the concept of practicing means trying to reach a goal.

When I was in high school, I practiced for several hours every night to ensure my ability to retain first chair flute status. In college, I went to soccer practice in hopes of helping my team win a game (we didn’t, but that’s beside the point). You see, we have to work at righteousness; we have to, as the Amplified text suggests, live a consistently conscientious life. I found hope in the idea that if I’m making a sincere effort to do righteous things, to live a righteous life, if I’m striving toward the righteousness of Christ, that His wonderful Grace calls me righteous.

I’ve always been slightly concerned by the verse that says to be perfect as He is perfect. Certainly I understand that this flesh can accomplish nothing righteous or perfect, however, I also know I’m to work out my salvation with fear and trembling and that I’ll show my faith by my works. Thusly, I intend to practice righteousness. What about you? Perhaps then, practice will make perfect as we’ve often been told.

The Holier-Than-Thou Spirit…

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been

born of him.”1 John 5:1 (ESV)

What a call that is. I think sometimes we find it easier to love our neighbor, those people we don’t know, than our Spiritual siblings. How many times have we attended churches full of malicious gossip, popularity contests, and political control issues? Paul warns the Corinthian church of this very problem because they were full of jealousy and strife. Are not many churches imitating the church at Corinth in this way?

My husband, (whom I adore, by the way) recently referred to believers as righteous wretches, and I couldn’t help but think, that’s the problem, we forget that we’re wretches under the cover of righteousness, under the blood of redeeming Grace. It is that tendency to forget our true natures that has led us into the horrific sin of judgmentalism. We enter our churches forgetting that Jesus came to save the sinner, that it’s His adoption of us that makes us clean! Look, we’re all vile creatures under those white robes and thusly we need to remember that not one of us is any better than the other, no, not one!

I suspect that once we view ourselves, and the deceitfulness of our hearts, in the Truth of our own wretchedness we’ll discover that every other believer is loveable. Here’s the thing, if God loves them, if Jesus sacrificed Himself for them, who are we to judge, deny love or withhold forgiveness? The holier-than-thou spirit, which by the way must surely come from the pits of hell, is wreaking tremendous havoc on our churches and the growth of the Body. Let us love His children like He loves us!

Gossip Ave., Judgment St., & Deceitful Way

“Avoid it; do not go on it: turn away from it and pass on.”Proverbs 4:15 (ESV)

Solomon offers a three step method to avoid wickedness and evil (see v. 14). The first thing he tells us to do is avoid it. So, whatever your proclivity, your poison, is, just don’t go anywhere near it. If drinking is an issue, stay away from bars and liquor stores. If sexual immorality is the problem, steer clear of strip clubs (and their heinous signs), pornography and toy stores. If lying, don’t do anything you’d be ashamed to tell the truth about.

However, Solomon acknowledges here that we can’t always avoid evil, thusly, he says, when opportunities present themselves, don’t go down that road. If you’re given the option (and we always are, Scripture tells us that He will provide a way of escape), walk away, don’t do it. Yet again though, Solomon understands how wide the path is and how easily we find ourselves on it. I suspect that’s why he tells us to turn away, if we’re already in the midst of wickedness and evil, the Spirit within us will let us know and at that moment we need to get the heck out of Dodge.

It seems to me that one of the easiest paths of wickedness to find yourself on is the one named Gossip Ave. I used to deceive myself by rationalizing that if I wasn’t the one saying anything, then I wasn’t guilty. “I’m not gossiping,” I would tell myself, “they are.” Well, now I’ve got two bad roads under my feet, Judgment Street and Deceitful Way. You see, I’m judging them by labeling them gossips and I’m deceiving myself by thinking I’m innocent. So, when we find ourselves in a situation in which other people are chatting, or behaving, wickedly, we can get up and leave, or we can be even bolder and speak out against the attitudes and actions. Whatever choice we make, let it be one that keeps us from wickedness and evil, and if they’re convicted, even better!

Incredible!

“And they said to him, ‘If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you

answer them, then they will be your servants forever.” 1 Kings 12:7 (ESV)

When I read this chapter in 1 Kings, I was amazed. I hope that it will affect you as deeply. Let me set the stage since you’ve only one verse here. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, is about to be made king. All of Israel came to him and informed him that Solomon had been hard on them so they asked Rehoboam to be nicer. He told them to come back in three days (that’s probably significant). Then he consulted with the old men who had been Solomon’s advisors and verse 7 explains their recommendation.

Ok, so here’s the amazing thing, I’ve often assumed that Jesus was the first instance in which the concept of a King who served ever came up. Yet, here, Rehoboam is told that if he’ll deal kindly with the Israelites, if he’ll serve them by granting their request then they’ll serve him forever. So, this concept of someone in power behaving as a servant was not first introduced with Christ (though He is the only One to accomplish it and thusly those whom have accepted His service are forever His servants – Amen and Hallelujah!)

Anyway, there’s more, Rehoboam ignores the old guys and gets advice from his buddies, who no doubt, were power hungry and they tell him to be harsh with the Israelites (v. 8-11). Thus he does and here’s the crazy revelation, the Israelites go back to their own homes/tents and we find in verse 19, “So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.” Do you see that? A king was instructed to serve His people (Israel) to gain their loyalty and he refused and that turned all Israel away from the house of David, from Jesus, the King who would come to serve, to sacrifice and be raised again on the third day! Incredible!

Quit Running

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

Before we discuss this, I’d like to study the words used here. The word bear is, bastazō (bas-tad'-zo) and according to Strong’s it is: through the idea of removal, to lift. The word burdens is, barŏs (bar'-os) meaning weight. Ok, so we’re to remove and lift one another’s weights. Obviously there are weights, loads, burdens that we cannot remove from the lives of those we call brothers and sisters, but even when we can’t remove them, we can help lift them. That lifting, that alleviating of the turmoil of traveling a grievous road seemingly alone, can come in different forms, we can pray with them (notice that I say with, not, we can pray for them. There’s infinitely more value and lifting when we take the time to pray with instead of just for someone in need), we can listen to, and cry with, them; we can encourage and build them up with the Word and/or our presence.

Here’s the problem I see, we’re so programmed to be happy-go-lucky, church-face, Christians that we rarely even know the burdens and weights our Spiritual siblings are enduring. If you’ve ever tried to share your struggles, in complete honesty, with your church-friends, no doubt you’ve seen how instantly uncomfortable they become and how quickly they try to end your disclosure with promises to pray for you. Oh my brothers and sisters, we’re supposed to love each other in truth, not with mere eye and lip service. Notice the end of this verse, by lifting or removing their loads, you’re fulfilling Christ’s law which is to love your neighbor as yourself. Wouldn’t you like someone to lighten your burden? Then, quit running from theirs!

Spiritual Adultery

“I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.”

Hosea 8:12 (KJV)

God is speaking about Israel, Ephraim specifically, here. He says that He’s told them everything He expects and to them it’s become like a different language, a concept that cannot be understood. The word, strange, here is the Hebrew word, zûwr (zoor) and it means: to turn aside, to be foreign, strange, profane [and specifically], to commit adultery. That last aspect of its meaning really catches my attention because verse 11 reveals that Ephraim has made many altars to sin. When they left God’s law, when His Word became strange to them, it was due in part (a huge part I’m sure) to their idolatry.

Idolatry in whatever form it plagues us, creates an inability to understand, comprehend and demonstrate the Living Word. No doubt Paul’s comment about the Word being spoken Spiritually has great validity here. Have you ever heard a non-believer say that the Bible makes no sense? Well, that’s why, their flesh, their self, is their idol, and whenever we’re in the midst of worshipping other gods we cannot grasp the Word of the Most High.

Have you ever noticed that when you veer from His path in your life you have a significantly depleted desire to read His Word, and the less time you spend in the Word the deeper in, and longer on, the path you go? Well, this verse is a prime example of how that happens, we stray and His statements to us, His laws, become alien. You know, Spiritual adultery is the worst kind, come back to your True Husband and abide in and with Him.

God’s Got a Great Sense of Humor

“As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.”

Proverbs 11:22 (NASB)

I think I’ve underlined this Proverb in almost every Bible I’ve ever read. I guess whenever I encounter it something about it rings true. Interestingly enough, though, I’d never looked up the word discretion in the Hebrew until tonight. It’s the word, ta'am (tah'-am) and it means taste, perception, intelligence.

I wonder if this verse makes you laugh, I know it does me, namely because I have a tendency to visualize what I read and what I see here, is a big fat, dirty, pink oinker with a gold ring through its septum (the skin between the two holes in its snout) as if that beautiful adornment would change its repulsive appearance.

Now, having researched the above mentioned word, I see a woman, who’s gorgeous by the world’s standards and yet she’s got poor taste (maybe her clothes don’t match or she speaks with the mouth of a sailor) her perception is distorted (maybe she thinks she’s smart?) and she’s a stupid-dummy as my husband likes to say (not about people, he’s just joking when he uses the terminology – well, I thought it was funny anyway).

So basically, this outer shell, this gold ring, is an attempt to dress up an ugly and intellectually-challenged, wisdom-less, being. I don’t find much value there for sure. Unfortunately, the world focuses on the outer shell, it’s almost like they prefer the gift wrapping over the gift itself. Give them a pretty, empty box and they’re elated? Sounds stupid, doesn’t it? Well, so is a pig with a gold ring in its nose and desiring someone based solely on his/her appearance. Surely we know that we’re not to judge by appearances.

By the way, have you ever noticed that some of the least physically attractive people (according to the world’s standards) happen to be the most internally beautiful people you could ever

God Leaves Them?!

“I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me.”

Hosea 5:15 (ESV)

I read this verse earlier today and was bothered by it. At the time I was in an NRSV Bible and happened upon it. I’ll tell you, honestly, that though that’s the page I opened to (which is my usual method of choosing verses for devotion writing purposes) I didn’t want to write about it, the verse disturbed me greatly. Yet, here I am again, randomly opening the Word and what should appear? Hosea 5:15! So, maybe my angst is warranted and maybe you need to feel a little bit of it as well. When you read this verse, did you immediately think, “God left them?!” Well, that was my initial reaction anyway, and then the verses that say He will never leave us or forsake us came to mind. So what then? Honestly, I don’t know, maybe we can figure it out together…

Contextually we find that Ephraim and Judah are really screwing things up. God’s really upset with them and Israel as a whole. He says that they’re so far gone they can’t even come back to Him (v. 4). Verse six is an intense one because it reveals that even if they seek Him they won’t find Him because He’s withdrawn from them (I guess He’s really left them!) He promises to pour out His wrath on them (v. 10) because they go after filth (v. 11) and when they realized they were in big trouble they went to their human king who was completely unable to help them (v. 13). So, God says He’s going to rip them apart (v. 14) and leave them until they seek Him wholeheartedly (v. 15).

That’s some pretty heavy stuff and I have to say that though I was initially troubled by this passage, I understand that He never leaves or forsakes His children and that there are some who claim to be His, to be descendants of Abraham, that are not His. I get the concept that He tolerates the vessels of destruction to be glorified by the vessels of honor, that the children of wrath are here for Him to demonstrate His awesome power and His love for us. But man-oh-man do I feel bad for those He leaves.

Pray for “Good” People

“Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”Romans 8:8 (ESV)

That’s a pretty straight forward statement, and it’s a bit of a sad one too. Have you ever talked to someone you care deeply for and listened to him/her give account of how good a person he/she is? There’s a show on one of the Christian television channels, I think it’s called 360° Life (if I’m wrong forgive me, and I’m not supporting or bashing it), anyway, I was watching it one day and the makers of the show were going around asking random people, “What kind of person are you?” Every single person interviewed said he/she was a good person. They asked them what they thought others would say about them and what they thought God would say about them. Most of them seemed to believe that God would think they were “ok” and a number of them shared why, via their lists of good deeds. There were a couple though who admitted that they’d made some “mistakes” but that they were “doing better” and they hoped God would acknowledge that. I had to think, in reference to that select few, “there might be hope for you!” I mean, at least they admitted their short-comings instead of pridefully exalting themselves like the rest of those interviewed.

There’s still a problem though, there are no good people, and our doing better can continue until we’re blue in the face and it won’t make a bit of difference without Jesus. Good people need Jesus desperately because they’re the ones most likely to neglect and reject Him. Here’s a true story, my brother, in the midst of great anguish, began to tell me that he thought he and God were ok, that he’d get into heaven, because he’d been a good man. He started telling me about being a good father and a good friend and trying to help others when he could and finally I couldn’t take it any more, I interrupted him and said, “Brother (that’s what I call him), none of that means anything without Jesus, you can’t get to heaven any other way.” I wish I could tell you his life was changed. Instead, I’m still praying for him. Join me? Pray for all the good people you know too!

Pay Attention to the Fruit

“The field is the world, and the good seed is the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one.”

Matthew 13:38 (ESV)

Ok, I’m about to get a little controversial here. I’d prefer you not get riled up, but if you must, then please utilize your irritation to seek the Truth for yourself. Notice that Jesus describes two sets of people, His and the enemy’s? These two sets, us vs. them, are on the earth and He lets them grow together (v. 30) until the appointed time. The controversy then lies in the concept of free will (which isn’t found in the Bible) and predestination (which is, many times, here included).

Some would say, if the children of the Kingdom are already known, if they’ve already been labeled thus and placed here, what is the point of evangelism? Ah, dear ones, the point is, we don’t know who is His and who is his. Everyone must be given the opportunity to hear the Word that those who are the children of the King can be awakened from their slumber and begin to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, that they might fill their positions in the Body thereby strengthening it.

I’m not sure why people find it so hard to believe that God knows His children prior to their conception, and prior even to creation. This whole thing is His design; He declared its end from the beginning, so the Word says. I think people are burned up by the predestined issue because it takes away pride; we want to believe we had something to do with our redemption. However, we’re told that we didn’t choose Him, He chose us.

Obviously I could spend vast amounts of time debating the issue but truly, it has no bearing on our salvation, I just really wanted to point out that we shouldn’t be surprised by the evils people do, the blasphemies and wars against believers, the enemy’s sons are here with us. What else should we expect? They are like their father and he’s a liar, an accuser of the brethren and the anti-christ, they will act just like him. Therefore test the spirits and pay attention to the fruit.

Why’d You Make Cockroaches?

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze

upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

David is quite a writer! Psalm 27 is beautiful; you should go read the whole thing, go ahead, I’ll wait…

Though I’m certain that David asked the King for other things, I suspect that what he means here is that above all those things, his desire is to dwell with the Most High. I like that he says it’s the major thing he’s seeking after, it’s the main thing he’s striving for. I wonder if David understood, when he wrote this, that he’d have eternal life? I mean, he says he wants to be in God’s abode all his days, did he know he was searching for eternity with the Father?

The next thing that’s so heartpoundingly wonderful about this verse is his desire to gaze upon the Father’s beauty. You know, the Scriptures tell us that no one has seen Him but the Son. I guess even when we’re told that Moses spoke to Him face to face there was some kind of veil there. Yet, Moses came down from the mountain glowing so brightly the people couldn’t even look at him. I’ve often said I want my face to shine like that. Even more so though upon reading this, I want to view the face of my Abba, the Father who loved me enough to die for me in a most cruel way. I want to be enraptured by His magnificent and glorious beauty, to be awe-struck in His presence. Oh man, can you imagine?

Finally, David says he wants to inquire in His temple. Perhaps there are things David desires to ask Him, questions he’s pondered since his youth. Maybe some are silly, “Why’d you make cockroaches?” Perhaps some are more profound, “What’s Enoch’s whole story?” Then again, maybe he’s looking forward to asking Him, “Why me? Why did you choose to love me?” Whatever the case may be, I hope that we’ll all desire to dwell in His house, to see His beauty and to talk to Him. We should be doing more of the latter even now!

Please consider subscribing to our magazine and contributing to our mission. You can find more information about Delight*Abide*Love Publications at: www.delightabidelove.com.Thanks for reading! Peace and blessings to you this day and every day to follow.