June 24, 2013
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32
What lie are you believing?
Adjusting to life with four kiddos (one who only sleeps two hours at a time) has left me feeling overwhelmed these past few weeks. I tried to brace myself for those first few months of new motherhood: irregular schedule, little to no sleep, no regular quite time with the Lord. Yet this past weekend I found myself actually dreading the start of another day. Desperate for God to hear my concerns I turned to my prayer journal this morning.
"I'm tired, God. The baby requires so much of me that I have little left to give to our other three children. I can barely meet the needs of our kids, what about being there for my friends and for those in need? What if I miss out on what you called me to do because I'm so busy caring for our kids?"
And suddenly I realized . . . there it was in black and white.
A big. fat. lie.
This past Sunday my pastor preached about the end of King David's life as David commissioned his son Solomon to build God's temple. In 1 Chronicles 28:20 David says to Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord
God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will
see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly."
Did you catch that last part? David tells Solomon, "Don't get discouraged . . . God will see to it that you accomplish all He has called you to do."
One of my biggest fears is that I will somehow fail to accomplish the work that God made me to do. I've experienced a taste of fulfilling God's call on my life and now I find my appetite for doing God's work insatiable. But as I captured my emotions on paper I suddenly realized that I've fallen for a lie. The word "fear" served as my first clue. Fear isn't from God. Lately I've feared that I would miss God's call because I am in a season where my children consume my every free moment. But Scripture reminds me that it isn't up to me to figure out how I'll ever fulfill God's call on my life. Yes, I must walk obediently with the Lord but God will see to it that I do all He has called me to do.
Clinging to Truth instantly set me free from my bitterness and allowed me to embrace the season in which God has me. As I reflected on other times of bitterness and resentment I realized those times all shared one thing in common--those were times when I had fallen for a lie.
The truth about lies is that they lead us to believe, to settle for something less than what God has promised us through His Word. Rather than believing that God will meet our needs from His glorious riches (Philippians 4:19), we believe the lie that we'll never be able to make ends meet. Rather than believing that God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11), we believe the lie that life will never be full and rich without the ones we so dearly loved.
I could go on but my weary eyes are beginning to grow dim.
What lie are you believing? Allow me to encourage you to replace that lie with Truth. Visit www.biblegateway.com or one of the many other free Bible websites and perform a word search about that which concerns you most. Replace your lie with truth and then the truth will set you free.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
The Culmination of Africa
April 14, 2013
"God answered, 'I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.'” Exodus 3:12
Yesterday marked forty weeks since I returned home from Africa. I realize counting "weeks" may seem like a strange way to track time . . . but that's how they do things in the maternity world. Shortly after my return from Africa God allowed my husband and me to conceive our fourth living child; a child which was born to us yesterday in perfect health.
Many times in Scripture God issues a call to obedience, and then follows that call with a blessing. In Exodus 3 God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses doubted his own ability and God responded by saying in verse 12, "I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” God promised Moses that once he obeyed he would see God in a new light.
The same holds true for the patriarch Abraham and for the shepherd-turned-king David. In Genesis 12 God called Abraham (then known by the name Abram) to leave behind all that he knew with the promise that God would one day bless him and make him into a great nation. Over four-hundred years passed before the culmination of God's promise to Abraham, but Abraham obeyed nonetheless. In 1 Samuel 16:13 God instructed the prophet Samuel to anoint a young boy named David as the next king of Israel. But David waited nearly twenty years and endured many trials before God brought about the fulfillment of David's calling.
About eighteen months ago my husband and I felt God leading us to trust Him with the size of our family. My husband and I always dreamed of having a large family but when you consider finances and logistics and tons of other issues, the decision to have more children proves difficult. "Trust Me. Let Me decide," we felt God say. Believing God as the Author of life we decided to obey.
We conceived two months later in October 2011. But I miscarried just five and a half short weeks into the pregnancy. Though we were disappointed over our loss we moved forward trusting that God had other plans. When I received the invitation last March to teach in Africa it seemed God made His purpose in allowing my miscarriage evident. My due date had been June 12, 2012. Our team left for Africa on June 15th.
Following God's call to Africa proved very difficult. It meant leaving my husband and children behind for three weeks. Our team would spend part of the trip in a region of Africa where violent attacks on women run high. (Indeed, ministering to a group women affected by such attacks was one of the biggest blessing I received during our trip.) The decision to follow God proved difficult. But God in His goodness made it abundantly clear to me through personal prayer time, through His Word and through many other little ways that, "Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you" (Joshua 1:5).
At the risk of sharing TMI I experienced my LMP (I'm using acronyms in attempt to throw off the few male readers who visit this blog) while teaching in the Congo. Congo of all places. A memorable experience to say the least. Four weeks later I found myself adjusting back to life at home and . . . unexpectedly expecting. We would later learn it was a son this time, due two days shy of my husband's birthday. Talk about a blessing.
I share our news with caution. I know many women who struggle with infertility. The enemy would love nothing more than for these women to believe that God has denied them a child because of a lack of obedience on their part. We must remember God never promised us children. However, He does promise that His plan for us is good (Jeremiah 29:11). We must continue to walk in His plan and He will show us the path to life; when we walk with God we experience the joy of His presence (Psalm 16:11).
God did not reward my husband and me with a child because we deserved it. Our son is not a result of our "goodness" to God. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us that even our most righteous deed is like a filthy rag compared to our holy God. The birth of our son is simply an example of an incredible gift from the perfect Father (Matthew 7:11).
I do not want to imply that God only rewards us after obedience or even that He always rewards obedience. Romans 5:8 reminds us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. In other words, God gave us His greatest gift while we were right smack dab in the middle of disobedience. We should follow God's call out of our love for Him, without the expectation of a blessing.
God does not always respond to obedience with a blessing. But sometimes He does. This time we believe He did.
Allow me to introduce our blessing to you. Below is a picture of our son, Tyler Henry, born weighing 9lbs 4ozs, measuring 21 3/4 inches long.
"God answered, 'I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.'” Exodus 3:12
Yesterday marked forty weeks since I returned home from Africa. I realize counting "weeks" may seem like a strange way to track time . . . but that's how they do things in the maternity world. Shortly after my return from Africa God allowed my husband and me to conceive our fourth living child; a child which was born to us yesterday in perfect health.
Many times in Scripture God issues a call to obedience, and then follows that call with a blessing. In Exodus 3 God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses doubted his own ability and God responded by saying in verse 12, "I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” God promised Moses that once he obeyed he would see God in a new light.
The same holds true for the patriarch Abraham and for the shepherd-turned-king David. In Genesis 12 God called Abraham (then known by the name Abram) to leave behind all that he knew with the promise that God would one day bless him and make him into a great nation. Over four-hundred years passed before the culmination of God's promise to Abraham, but Abraham obeyed nonetheless. In 1 Samuel 16:13 God instructed the prophet Samuel to anoint a young boy named David as the next king of Israel. But David waited nearly twenty years and endured many trials before God brought about the fulfillment of David's calling.
About eighteen months ago my husband and I felt God leading us to trust Him with the size of our family. My husband and I always dreamed of having a large family but when you consider finances and logistics and tons of other issues, the decision to have more children proves difficult. "Trust Me. Let Me decide," we felt God say. Believing God as the Author of life we decided to obey.
We conceived two months later in October 2011. But I miscarried just five and a half short weeks into the pregnancy. Though we were disappointed over our loss we moved forward trusting that God had other plans. When I received the invitation last March to teach in Africa it seemed God made His purpose in allowing my miscarriage evident. My due date had been June 12, 2012. Our team left for Africa on June 15th.
Following God's call to Africa proved very difficult. It meant leaving my husband and children behind for three weeks. Our team would spend part of the trip in a region of Africa where violent attacks on women run high. (Indeed, ministering to a group women affected by such attacks was one of the biggest blessing I received during our trip.) The decision to follow God proved difficult. But God in His goodness made it abundantly clear to me through personal prayer time, through His Word and through many other little ways that, "Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you" (Joshua 1:5).
At the risk of sharing TMI I experienced my LMP (I'm using acronyms in attempt to throw off the few male readers who visit this blog) while teaching in the Congo. Congo of all places. A memorable experience to say the least. Four weeks later I found myself adjusting back to life at home and . . . unexpectedly expecting. We would later learn it was a son this time, due two days shy of my husband's birthday. Talk about a blessing.
I share our news with caution. I know many women who struggle with infertility. The enemy would love nothing more than for these women to believe that God has denied them a child because of a lack of obedience on their part. We must remember God never promised us children. However, He does promise that His plan for us is good (Jeremiah 29:11). We must continue to walk in His plan and He will show us the path to life; when we walk with God we experience the joy of His presence (Psalm 16:11).
God did not reward my husband and me with a child because we deserved it. Our son is not a result of our "goodness" to God. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us that even our most righteous deed is like a filthy rag compared to our holy God. The birth of our son is simply an example of an incredible gift from the perfect Father (Matthew 7:11).
I do not want to imply that God only rewards us after obedience or even that He always rewards obedience. Romans 5:8 reminds us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. In other words, God gave us His greatest gift while we were right smack dab in the middle of disobedience. We should follow God's call out of our love for Him, without the expectation of a blessing.
God does not always respond to obedience with a blessing. But sometimes He does. This time we believe He did.
Allow me to introduce our blessing to you. Below is a picture of our son, Tyler Henry, born weighing 9lbs 4ozs, measuring 21 3/4 inches long.
"Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father." James 1:17
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
He Came
March 27, 2013
“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.” John 12:15
I am unfamiliar with the pain caused by abandonment. I know many women whose husbands have left them. I know many children whose fathers have deserted them. I've seen the pain but have not experienced it firsthand.
I've seen the hurt when he fails to show yet again. I've heard the excuses given to these women and children, and the promises as to why next time will prove different . . . though it rarely does. As I listen to their stories I envision these women and children waiting, just waiting for him to show; waiting each time for the chance to shout, "He came!"
But sisters, He did come.
He came for you and for me (Isaiah 53:5).
He came riding on a donkey's colt (John 12:15).
He came willingly, obediently, knowing full well what His future held (Luke 9:22).
He came because He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
He came because He knew He was the only Way (John 14:6).
I do not know what abandonment issues you face. But I pray this Easter you come to know the One who came for you. The One who promises to never leave you or forsake you . . . or your children (Hebrews 13:5).
“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.” John 12:15
I am unfamiliar with the pain caused by abandonment. I know many women whose husbands have left them. I know many children whose fathers have deserted them. I've seen the pain but have not experienced it firsthand.
I've seen the hurt when he fails to show yet again. I've heard the excuses given to these women and children, and the promises as to why next time will prove different . . . though it rarely does. As I listen to their stories I envision these women and children waiting, just waiting for him to show; waiting each time for the chance to shout, "He came!"
But sisters, He did come.
He came for you and for me (Isaiah 53:5).
He came riding on a donkey's colt (John 12:15).
He came willingly, obediently, knowing full well what His future held (Luke 9:22).
He came because He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
He came because He knew He was the only Way (John 14:6).
I do not know what abandonment issues you face. But I pray this Easter you come to know the One who came for you. The One who promises to never leave you or forsake you . . . or your children (Hebrews 13:5).
Saturday, March 16, 2013
What Have You Done?
March 16, 2013
"The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love." Psalm 103:8
What image pops into your head when you hear the question, "What have you done?" Some might imagine arriving home to a surprise party. "Oh! What have you done!?!" Others might picture a haircut gone awry. "Oh . . . what have you done?" I see my dog having chewed yet another toy to shreds in our backyard. "Mattie! What have you done!?!" Sadly as I study the history of the Israelite kings this is the sole question which arises in my heart, "Oh Israel, what have you done?"
After sin entered the
world in Genesis 3 God called His people to be set apart. God expected
those who chose to follow Him to live differently than those who chose
to live a life of rebellion against Him. Beginning in the book of Exodus God used the likes of Moses and
Joshua to lead His people. Following these two godly warriors God used judges to remind His people of how to live according to His ways. But eventually the eyes of God's people began to wander. The people of Israel observed how other nations were ruled by earthly kings. Rather than continuing to recognize God as their King, Israel cried out for a change. In 1 Samuel 8:20 God's people decided, "We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle." Against His better judgement God granted His people their request.
One could summarize the books of 1 and 2 Kings with this phrase: "they did evil in the eyes of the Lord." The first king of Israel, King Saul, began well but his heart soon turned against the Lord (1 Sam 15:10). David succeeded Saul as king, and though David made a few poor choices (including adultery and murder, see 2 Sam 11), he became the only king known as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). We remember David's son Solomon as the wisest king who ever lived. But Scripture tells us that Solomon did not have a heart for God like his father David (1 Kings 11:4). Following Solomon's reign God's earthly kingdom began to fall apart. Repeatedly, the kings of Israel led God's people into sin. God's people drifted further and further away from the path God intended for them. But here's the Good News. No matter how bad the behavior of the king or the people, God stood ready, willing and able to forgive.
King Ahab ruled over the Northern Kingdom Israel for twenty-two years. As with most of Israel's kings, Scripture tells us he did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 1 Kings 16:31 reads, "And
as though it were not enough to follow the example of Jeroboam, he
married Jezebel . . . and he
began to bow down in worship of Baal." Jezebel . . . just the name sends chills up my spine. 1 Kings 16-20 record King Ahab's unfortunate misgivings. But then something unexpected happens. Having been warned by Elijah of God's impending judgment upon him, King Ahab repents. 1 Kings 21:27 reads, "But when Ahab heard this
message, he tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, and fasted. He even
slept in burlap and went about in deep mourning." In the very next verse God responds, “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime."
The same storyline holds true for a young king who ruled over the Southern Kingdom of Judah. King Josiah's grandfather did such evil in the eyes of the Lord that God pronounced a great judgment upon His people. But upon hearing of this judgment King Josiah repents before God on behalf of God's people. 2 Kings 22:19-20 reads of Josiah, "You were sorry and humbled yourself before the Lord
when you heard what I said against this city and its people . . .. You tore your clothing in
despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you,
says the Lord. So
I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and
been buried in peace."
In both instances God still enforced the consequences of sin. God destroyed King Ahab's dynasty and eventually led the Southern Kingdom of Judah into exile. But the men who humbled themselves before God received grace and forgiveness.
Though the consequences of sin pass from generation to generation, Scripture clearly states that "Each man will be punished for their own sin" (Deuteronomy 24:16). On the flip-side, each man (or woman) can receive forgiveness of sin too. Throughout the Bible God's people--including His major rulers--made major mistakes. But all it took for God to forgive their sin was a humble and repentant heart.
In a few weeks God's people will celebrate the life, death and resurrection of a Man named Jesus Christ. Though the punishment for our sin was death God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place. Jesus died one time for all people, for all sin.
What have you done?
The only thing that keeps us from God is a stubborn and prideful heart.
Will you continue to live in the bondage of unforgiveness and shame? Or will you be like the kings who though they were once oh-so-bad, humbled themselves before a loving God and received grace and mercy in their time of need?
"The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love." Psalm 103:8
What image pops into your head when you hear the question, "What have you done?" Some might imagine arriving home to a surprise party. "Oh! What have you done!?!" Others might picture a haircut gone awry. "Oh . . . what have you done?" I see my dog having chewed yet another toy to shreds in our backyard. "Mattie! What have you done!?!" Sadly as I study the history of the Israelite kings this is the sole question which arises in my heart, "Oh Israel, what have you done?"
After sin entered the
world in Genesis 3 God called His people to be set apart. God expected
those who chose to follow Him to live differently than those who chose
to live a life of rebellion against Him. Beginning in the book of Exodus God used the likes of Moses and
Joshua to lead His people. Following these two godly warriors God used judges to remind His people of how to live according to His ways. But eventually the eyes of God's people began to wander. The people of Israel observed how other nations were ruled by earthly kings. Rather than continuing to recognize God as their King, Israel cried out for a change. In 1 Samuel 8:20 God's people decided, "We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle." Against His better judgement God granted His people their request.
One could summarize the books of 1 and 2 Kings with this phrase: "they did evil in the eyes of the Lord." The first king of Israel, King Saul, began well but his heart soon turned against the Lord (1 Sam 15:10). David succeeded Saul as king, and though David made a few poor choices (including adultery and murder, see 2 Sam 11), he became the only king known as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). We remember David's son Solomon as the wisest king who ever lived. But Scripture tells us that Solomon did not have a heart for God like his father David (1 Kings 11:4). Following Solomon's reign God's earthly kingdom began to fall apart. Repeatedly, the kings of Israel led God's people into sin. God's people drifted further and further away from the path God intended for them. But here's the Good News. No matter how bad the behavior of the king or the people, God stood ready, willing and able to forgive.
King Ahab ruled over the Northern Kingdom Israel for twenty-two years. As with most of Israel's kings, Scripture tells us he did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 1 Kings 16:31 reads, "And
as though it were not enough to follow the example of Jeroboam, he
married Jezebel . . . and he
began to bow down in worship of Baal." Jezebel . . . just the name sends chills up my spine. 1 Kings 16-20 record King Ahab's unfortunate misgivings. But then something unexpected happens. Having been warned by Elijah of God's impending judgment upon him, King Ahab repents. 1 Kings 21:27 reads, "But when Ahab heard this
message, he tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, and fasted. He even
slept in burlap and went about in deep mourning." In the very next verse God responds, “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime."
The same storyline holds true for a young king who ruled over the Southern Kingdom of Judah. King Josiah's grandfather did such evil in the eyes of the Lord that God pronounced a great judgment upon His people. But upon hearing of this judgment King Josiah repents before God on behalf of God's people. 2 Kings 22:19-20 reads of Josiah, "You were sorry and humbled yourself before the Lord
when you heard what I said against this city and its people . . .. You tore your clothing in
despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you,
says the Lord. So
I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and
been buried in peace."
In both instances God still enforced the consequences of sin. God destroyed King Ahab's dynasty and eventually led the Southern Kingdom of Judah into exile. But the men who humbled themselves before God received grace and forgiveness.
Though the consequences of sin pass from generation to generation, Scripture clearly states that "Each man will be punished for their own sin" (Deuteronomy 24:16). On the flip-side, each man (or woman) can receive forgiveness of sin too. Throughout the Bible God's people--including His major rulers--made major mistakes. But all it took for God to forgive their sin was a humble and repentant heart.
In a few weeks God's people will celebrate the life, death and resurrection of a Man named Jesus Christ. Though the punishment for our sin was death God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place. Jesus died one time for all people, for all sin.
What have you done?
The only thing that keeps us from God is a stubborn and prideful heart.
Will you continue to live in the bondage of unforgiveness and shame? Or will you be like the kings who though they were once oh-so-bad, humbled themselves before a loving God and received grace and mercy in their time of need?
Saturday, February 9, 2013
My Prayer Bathroom
February 9, 2013
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves." Galatians 5:16
I often hear people speak of a prayer closet. You know, that place to which you escape when you need one-on-one time with the Lord? I would love to retreat to my bedroom closet. However, I've discovered a slight geographical issue when seeking shelter in my bedroom . . . my bedroom simply lies too far away from the rest of our home. Oh, its not that our house is all that big. Its that I lack the self-control needed to keep myself from releasing an emotional outburst before I reach my bedroom closet. Instead I recently identified a more optimal location to which I can retreat--the half-bathroom which sits adjacent to our laundry room.
Lately my emotions seem uncontrollable. I blame it on these last few weeks of pregnancy. Looking back on journals I kept during each of my previous pregnancies my mood swings will not soon end. Either I can continue to boss my family out of house and home or I can recognize my behavior for what it is--a demonstration of my sinful nature.
I do not deny the power of female hormones . . . especially during pregnancy! However, the God I know stands bigger than any hormone. Ephesians 1:19-20 says that the same power which God used to raise Christ from the dead is available to me as a believer through my faith in Him. I may feel as if my emotions overpower me but the Truth says that I can overcome all things through Christ (Romans 8:37 and Philippians 4:13).
In Galatians 5, the apostle Paul tells me how to overcome all things. Galatians 5:16 reads, "Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves." Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our lives proves easier said than done. (Enter my need for the prayer bathroom.)
Escaping to a place of solitude, even if just for a moment, allows me to focus my heart and mind on the Truth. Though I feel like biting the heads off of my husband and children, through the power of God's Spirit in me I can chose to demonstrate love, joy, peace and kindness to my family. In Galatians 5:19-22 Paul explains that "when [we] follow the desires of [our] sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. . . . But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
The secret to living by the Spirit is to capture my thoughts and feelings before they become actions. Second Corinthians 10:5 tells me to make my thoughts [and feelings] obedient to Christ. Though I may not feel like demonstrating fruit from the Spirit, the truth is that I can demonstrate fruitfulness by allowing Spirit to take over me. Sometimes I need a minute (or an hour) to allow the Spirit to take control.
So if you call or stop by and I fail to answer know that I might be in the bathroom . . . my prayer bathroom, that is.
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves." Galatians 5:16
I often hear people speak of a prayer closet. You know, that place to which you escape when you need one-on-one time with the Lord? I would love to retreat to my bedroom closet. However, I've discovered a slight geographical issue when seeking shelter in my bedroom . . . my bedroom simply lies too far away from the rest of our home. Oh, its not that our house is all that big. Its that I lack the self-control needed to keep myself from releasing an emotional outburst before I reach my bedroom closet. Instead I recently identified a more optimal location to which I can retreat--the half-bathroom which sits adjacent to our laundry room.
Lately my emotions seem uncontrollable. I blame it on these last few weeks of pregnancy. Looking back on journals I kept during each of my previous pregnancies my mood swings will not soon end. Either I can continue to boss my family out of house and home or I can recognize my behavior for what it is--a demonstration of my sinful nature.
I do not deny the power of female hormones . . . especially during pregnancy! However, the God I know stands bigger than any hormone. Ephesians 1:19-20 says that the same power which God used to raise Christ from the dead is available to me as a believer through my faith in Him. I may feel as if my emotions overpower me but the Truth says that I can overcome all things through Christ (Romans 8:37 and Philippians 4:13).
In Galatians 5, the apostle Paul tells me how to overcome all things. Galatians 5:16 reads, "Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves." Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our lives proves easier said than done. (Enter my need for the prayer bathroom.)
Escaping to a place of solitude, even if just for a moment, allows me to focus my heart and mind on the Truth. Though I feel like biting the heads off of my husband and children, through the power of God's Spirit in me I can chose to demonstrate love, joy, peace and kindness to my family. In Galatians 5:19-22 Paul explains that "when [we] follow the desires of [our] sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. . . . But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
The secret to living by the Spirit is to capture my thoughts and feelings before they become actions. Second Corinthians 10:5 tells me to make my thoughts [and feelings] obedient to Christ. Though I may not feel like demonstrating fruit from the Spirit, the truth is that I can demonstrate fruitfulness by allowing Spirit to take over me. Sometimes I need a minute (or an hour) to allow the Spirit to take control.
So if you call or stop by and I fail to answer know that I might be in the bathroom . . . my prayer bathroom, that is.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
When Kids Grumble and Complain
January 31, 2013
"The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness." Exodus 16:2
Two days ago the whole congregation of the Hander House grumbled and complained against me. The kids' emotions ran high mostly on account of a lack of sleep. But the constant bickering caused this homeschooling mama to unleash a not-so-godly character in front of her children. How do we as parents keep from becoming entangled in the web of negativity our children inevitably exude?
As the Lord would have it yesterday morning I just so happened to study the account of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. After 400 years of slavery God freed His people from Egyptian rule. The time had come for the Israelites to inherit the land which God had promised them in Genesis 15, a land which flowed with milk and honey. God demonstrated a miraculous love for His people only to receive a mouthful of bitterness and rejection in return.
I can relate. I love my children. I spend much of my efforts trying to make them happy. But often times my actions toward my children fail to ignite the response I desire. Don't get me wrong, my children are plenty sweet. But when my actions toward my children go unappreciated--or worse yet, criticized--I feel overwhelmingly frustrated and bitter toward them. God reminded me yesterday that it isn't about pleasing my children. It is about pleasing the Lord in the way I raise my (His) children.
Each time the Israelites grumbled and complained to Moses, Moses cried out to God. In Exodus 17:4 Moses says to the Lord, "What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!" Each time God responds to Moses by reminding him of the task before him. God essentially says, "Moses, I know its tough. I know my people can be ungrateful. But I want you to continue leading them." God also always provided Moses with whatever it was he needed to keep going.
When the Israelites grumbled and complained to Moses in Exodus14 Moses cried out to God, and God provided a path which no one had seen (see also Psalm 77:19). When the Israelites grumbled and complained to Moses in Exodus 15 Moses cried out to God, and God provided water from a rock. When the Israelites grumbled and complained in Exodus 16 Moses cried out to God, and God provided meat and bread from the sky.
When my kids grumble and complain, the first step I should take is to cry out to God. But as I continued reading in Exodus I discovered a few other action steps I plan to try.
Shortly after the Israelites leave Egypt Moses welcomes a visitor--his priestly father-in-law, Jethro. Jethro observes his son-in-law in action and quickly observes that Moses is in over his head in trying to manage the entire congregation of the Israelites alone. In Exodus 18:17-18 Jethro says to Moses, "The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone." Jethro proceeds to give Moses three pointers in how to lead God's people.
First, Jethro tells Moses to teach God's statutes to the Israelites and to make known to the Israelites the way in which God would have them work and live (Exodus 18:20). Second, Jethro tells Moses to empower the people to manage the smaller quarrels amongst themselves (v21). Finally, Jethro advises Moses to continue to handle the major disputes (v22). "Then," Jethro says in verse 23, "you will be able to endure."
What do we do when we feel worn-out from leading the [little] people God has entrusted to us?
First, we must remember who it is we work for. Colossians 3:23 reads, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." As a mom I must cry out to God and allow Him to remind me of His charge, and trust Him to provide me with what I need (whether it be a secret path through the wilderness, a cold drink of water or a yummy snack).
After enlisting God's help we are wise to follow the words of Jethro: teach our children God's statues, empower them to handle small disagreements themselves and yet still be available (mentally and physically) to handle major disputes. Then, and only then, will we be able to endure this call to motherhood.
"The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness." Exodus 16:2
Two days ago the whole congregation of the Hander House grumbled and complained against me. The kids' emotions ran high mostly on account of a lack of sleep. But the constant bickering caused this homeschooling mama to unleash a not-so-godly character in front of her children. How do we as parents keep from becoming entangled in the web of negativity our children inevitably exude?
As the Lord would have it yesterday morning I just so happened to study the account of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. After 400 years of slavery God freed His people from Egyptian rule. The time had come for the Israelites to inherit the land which God had promised them in Genesis 15, a land which flowed with milk and honey. God demonstrated a miraculous love for His people only to receive a mouthful of bitterness and rejection in return.
I can relate. I love my children. I spend much of my efforts trying to make them happy. But often times my actions toward my children fail to ignite the response I desire. Don't get me wrong, my children are plenty sweet. But when my actions toward my children go unappreciated--or worse yet, criticized--I feel overwhelmingly frustrated and bitter toward them. God reminded me yesterday that it isn't about pleasing my children. It is about pleasing the Lord in the way I raise my (His) children.
Each time the Israelites grumbled and complained to Moses, Moses cried out to God. In Exodus 17:4 Moses says to the Lord, "What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!" Each time God responds to Moses by reminding him of the task before him. God essentially says, "Moses, I know its tough. I know my people can be ungrateful. But I want you to continue leading them." God also always provided Moses with whatever it was he needed to keep going.
When the Israelites grumbled and complained to Moses in Exodus14 Moses cried out to God, and God provided a path which no one had seen (see also Psalm 77:19). When the Israelites grumbled and complained to Moses in Exodus 15 Moses cried out to God, and God provided water from a rock. When the Israelites grumbled and complained in Exodus 16 Moses cried out to God, and God provided meat and bread from the sky.
When my kids grumble and complain, the first step I should take is to cry out to God. But as I continued reading in Exodus I discovered a few other action steps I plan to try.
Shortly after the Israelites leave Egypt Moses welcomes a visitor--his priestly father-in-law, Jethro. Jethro observes his son-in-law in action and quickly observes that Moses is in over his head in trying to manage the entire congregation of the Israelites alone. In Exodus 18:17-18 Jethro says to Moses, "The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone." Jethro proceeds to give Moses three pointers in how to lead God's people.
First, Jethro tells Moses to teach God's statutes to the Israelites and to make known to the Israelites the way in which God would have them work and live (Exodus 18:20). Second, Jethro tells Moses to empower the people to manage the smaller quarrels amongst themselves (v21). Finally, Jethro advises Moses to continue to handle the major disputes (v22). "Then," Jethro says in verse 23, "you will be able to endure."
What do we do when we feel worn-out from leading the [little] people God has entrusted to us?
First, we must remember who it is we work for. Colossians 3:23 reads, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." As a mom I must cry out to God and allow Him to remind me of His charge, and trust Him to provide me with what I need (whether it be a secret path through the wilderness, a cold drink of water or a yummy snack).
After enlisting God's help we are wise to follow the words of Jethro: teach our children God's statues, empower them to handle small disagreements themselves and yet still be available (mentally and physically) to handle major disputes. Then, and only then, will we be able to endure this call to motherhood.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Abraham's What?
Explain Sheol, Abraham's bosom, God's promise to Abe to have lots of children, Abe actually cared for "children" while waiting on the Lord. Shows me that God meant what He said. No one can appear b/f Him. Made OT believers wait until Christ had come. The real deal! Where will you spend eternity?
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