DELIGHT-COMMIT-TRUST

“Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and He will give you the desires of your heart.

 Commit your way to the Lord;
    Trust in Him, and He will act.” (Psalm 37:4-5)

I have read the above scripture many times but never looked at its deeper meaning until now? I love the word “delight.” It has a joyous ring to it. But what exactly does it mean to delight oneself in the Lord? The New Oxford American Dictionary defines delight as taking great pleasure in something or someone; to glory in; adore, love, relish, savor. The Greek meaning is to rejoice in; to have joy. The Hebrew word for delight is anag, which commands us to find enjoyment in God and His Word.

C.S. Lewis perceptively said this about the nature of man, “Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” God tells us, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). True happiness is joy that comes from a heart that rejoices in knowing God, abiding in Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic struct the world, we have been denied many external pleasures and freedoms that offered a sense of security and happiness. Unfortunately, we quickly and painfully learned that this world offers no guarantees—only false promises.

God, who is THE promise keeper, is calling us to look to Him as the guarantor of security, hope, and faith. He is our only lasting joy, our true happiness, joyfulness, and triumph. That is why we are called to pray and to make His Word a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). Without His Word to comfort, encourage, correct, guide, and warn, we are like sheep, aimlessly wandering about without a shepherd’s protection. True joy and peace of mind can only be attained when we take pleasure in His Word that reveals His character, truth, and preeminence in all things. 

I especially love God’s invitation in Isaiah 1:18 to “Come now and let us reason together.” He is giving us the opportunity to talk with Him as two friends, sharing thoughts and forming judgments by a process of logic, so they can come to a mutual understanding. Then He says, “Though your sins are like scarlet they shall be white as snow.” This is an invitation to see the logic of surrendering our heart and will to God, so we can receive both the rewards of His forgiveness and His blessings. However, to receive, we must first commit our way and plans to the Lord.

How do we commit our way to the Lord? God does not want a divided heart that loves both the world and Him. He said to the church of Laodicea, who had grown lukewarm in their zeal for Jesus, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:15-16). We are either all in for God or all in for the world. There can be no compromising—no middle ground. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

God is omniscient, so He knows the road ahead of us. He also knows the obstacles to avoid and the correct road to take when reaching crossroads. At that moment, we can commit our way to the Lord and follow Him, or we can choose our own path, which leads to destruction. 

Adam and Eve lived in a perfect utopia of unmatched beauty in the Garden of Eden. What is most astonishing is that God daily walked in the Garden and communed with them as with a friend. They enjoyed an amazing life, but they exchanged their unparalleled relationship with God and all of His provision for Satan’s false promises. Their failure to trust and believe God forever separated them from their Creator. Unfortunately, their disobedience and lack of trust became part of our human DNA. So, their failure to choose wisely brings us to the word trust. 

Psalm 37:5 tells us to trust God and He will act. In other words, He will take action on our behalf. Personally, I would rather have God on my side, because everything else connected to this world is subject to failure. He even warns us not to be conformed to this world for it deceives. Instead, we are to be transformed by the renewal of our mind through His Word, so that by testing we may discern what is the will of God, and what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2). In other words, we are able to discern what is truth and what is a lie.

The last eight months have held great uncertainties about the future, deaths of loved ones, and quarantines of family members in nursing homes. Children are experiencing fear, sadness, anxiety, depression, and varying emotions. We have realized, to a greater degree, our vulnerability and how quickly we can lose our freedoms. The daily reminder of life’s brevity has caused many to turn their hearts and thoughts to God for comfort and hope. And many Christians, including myself, have been taking personal inventory of their life.

King David’s moral failure cause him to take inventory of his life. To his great sadness, he realized that the sin of pride, had opened the door to adultery, treachery, and murder. Not wanting to repeat that sin, he said to God, “… who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression" (Psalm 19:12-13, NIV). 

What was the great transgression that David was referencing? This sin is characterized by pride, which challenges God and His Word and rejects the Holy Spirit. Without repentance, it leads to apostasy. Unfortunately, our Adamic nature makes us prone to sin; therefore, like David, we must humbly ask God to “reveal any hidden faults and willful sins” that we carry within our heart (Psalm 19). 

My desire is to be in God’s will; therefore, I daily invite Him to search me and reveal anything that needs correction and change. And yes, there have been times when God painfully pointed out past and recent sins, that I had not recognized as sin, which required repentance. If we fail to submit to God, we become our own worst enemy. For nothing and no one can separate us from the love of Christ. Only we have that power. 

PRAYER:  FATHER, I pray as David prayed. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:24 NKJV). In Jesus’ name, amen.

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O' AMERICA

We all need to have hope that this nation will return to its godly roots. God tells us that “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, (anything that contradicts the Word of God),  then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV).  

King Solomon finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and successfully carried out all the sacrifices to the Lord. He then sent the people to their homes with joy and gladness in their hearts because of the good things the Lord had done for Solomon and for Israel (2 Chronicles 7:10).

Unfortunately, the Israelites had a reputation of joyfully following God for a period of time but then backsliding and returning to their pagan ways…very much like America. So, the Lord appeared to Solomon one night to remind him of God’s agreement with Israel—if the people obeyed God and followed His precepts, they would be blessed. If they disobeyed, they would be judged, for judgment was meant to bring the people to repentance. God then assured Solomon that He would surely deliver them from judgment, if they humbled themselves, prayed, and repented (2 Chronicles 11-12).

This scripture is God’s reminder of His faithfulness to America and to those who will humble themselves, repent, pray, and seek His face. Then He will hear those prayers and fulfill His promise to heal our land, for the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective (James 5:16). 

What is God’s definition of righteous? “The righteous live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). “For only by faith in Christ are we made righteous” (Romans 5:19). To possess righteousness is to have right standing with God. God is looking for people of faith who look to Him, believe His Word, and live by His Word. We cannot place our faith in the government, leaders, the economy, wealth, health, ourselves, or anything else that we might depend upon. God wants us to wait upon Him.

What does it mean to “wait upon the Lord?” Waiting upon God requires a total dependence on Him and our willingness to accept His terms, including the timing of His plan. His timing is never our timing and His ways are far above our ways, “for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9) That is why He calls us to trust Him and not what we see.

Recently, I was listening to “O’ America,” written by Irish lyricist, Brendan Graham. He had written the song for the Irish singing group, Celtic Woman, who had requested a song that would show their appreciation for America’s opened arms to their ancestors who came through Ellis Island for a new beginning in “the land of opportunity.” 

As I was listening to the beautiful lyrics, I heard in my spirit a different interpretation. I was hearing this song as God’s response to all who have been praying and fasting for America to repent and turn back to her Christian roots. This song ministered to my heart, so I took the liberty to capitalize the pronouns and change “sun” to (Son). Hopefully, this will fill your hearts with hope and encourage you to keep praying for America and for her leaders.

O’ AMERICA

O, America you're calling,
I can hear you calling Me,
You are calling Me to be true to thee,
True to thee I will be.

O, America no weeping,
Let me heal your wounded heart.
I will keep you in my keeping,
Till there be, a new start.

And I will answer you, and I will take your hand,
And lead you to the [Son]
And I will stand by you, do all that I can do,
And we will be as one.

O, America I hear you,
From your prairies to the sea,
From your mountains grand, and all through this land,
You are beautiful to Me.

And, O, America you're calling,
I can hear you calling Me,
You are calling Me to be true to thee,
True to thee, I will be.

And I will answer you, and I will take your hand,
And lead you, to the [Son]
And I will stand by you, do all that I can do,
And we will be, as one.

O, America you're calling,
I will ever answer thee.

PRAYER: FATHER, I humbly come before You and ask for Your mercy, according to Your lovingkindness, for I acknowledge my transgressions and my failure to place You first in my life. Help me surrender my will to Your will each and every day. Create in me a clean heart and an unwavering spirit that boldly follows You without fear. In Jesus’ name, amen.

O’ America’s original music, sung by Celtic Women, can be viewed on YouTube.            

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One Decision Away From Regret

Haven’t we all made a decision that we later regretted? Over my lifetime, I have painfully learned that a decision birthed from a willful, prideful heart only yields regret. Thus, it benefits me, before making plans, to first seek God’s council and direction, so that He can make my way straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). For He tells us that He knows the plans He has for us. They are plans for our welfare and not for evil, so that He can give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Human nature is such that we want to move forward with our plans. This propensity to do things without first seeking God has been a problem since Adam and Eve made the regrettable decision to willfully disobey God—a decision that has affected humanity in perpetuity. Adam and Eve may have been the first to make what proved to be a fatal decision, but throughout biblical history, mighty men, devoted to God and chosen by Him to accomplish His will on earth, also had their moments of weakness, which led to decisions they would regret.

Hezekiah, the son of the very evil King Ahaz, was not like his father. There was no one like Hezekiah among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He cleansed God’s house of all pagan altars and idols, and destroyed the temples. He destroyed the bronze serpent that Moses had made in the desert, because the people had made it an idol of worship (Numbers 21:9; 2 Kings 18:4). He reopened and cleansed the temple that his father had nailed shut. He reinstated the Levitical priesthood and the Passover and a new awareness of God was revived. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following Him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. The Lord was with him, and he was successful in all that he undertook (2 Kings 18:6-7). 

Shortly after his victory over the Assyrians who had been a threat to Judah, Hezekiah became very sick, so he called for the prophet, Isaiah, who told him that he would die. Hezekiah pleaded with the Lord to spare his life and God extended his life 15 more years (2 Kings 20:10). 

Not long after Hezekiah’s healing, the Babylonians heard that he had recovered from an illness and asked to come under the pretense of bringing him a gift. Hezekiah could have said that because Judah’s trust was in the one true God, he was not interested in partnering with pagan Babylon. Instead, his ego was stroked by their desire to bring a gift, so he accepted the Babylonian emissaries as his guests. He then showed them all of his treasures, all his wealth, possessions, and everything in his arsenal. He kept nothing from them, as if trusting that Judah would make a good partner with Babylon. 

God sent Isaiah to confront Hezekiah for his pride and carelessness in entertaining the pagan Babylonians and revealing his vast wealth and arsenal. Thus, God pronounced that the day would arrive when the Babylonians would come and take all that Hezekiah had, along with some of his descendants. No doubt Hezekiah suffered tremendous regret.

When the Israelites complained to Moses that they did not have water, God told Moses to take the staff and assemble the congregation. Then God said, “Tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water (Numbers 20:8). Then Moses and Aaron gathered the people before the rock, and Moses said, “Hear now, you rebels! Shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water gushed forth, and the congregation and livestock drank.

Moses’ prideful and willful disobedience had usurped God’s authority by displaying authority not given by God. He must have felt great regret when God told him to stand atop Mount Pisgah and view from afar the Promise Land he would never be allowed to enter.

King David made a very regrettable choice. “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab (a Jewish military commander), out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army” (2 Samuel 11:1). In the spring, after the rains, it was customary to resume military activity with the king leading his armies. Instead of joining his men, David ordered Joab to launch an invasion of Rabbah, the capital of Ammon. David made the unfortunate decision to remain in Jerusalem. That careless decision to avoid his duties as king, lead to the sins of adultery, lying, murder, and the eventual death of his son. 

Jonah is another man whose pride led him to disobey God, who had ordered him to go to Nineveh and preach against wickedness. Jonah had decided in his own mind that the Ninevites were so wicked, that they did not deserve a chance to repent. Therefore, he disobeyed God and went to Joppa to catch a ship to Tarshish. If nothing else is learned about pride and disobedience, it should not be forgotten that there is no escaping God’s discipline.

God sent a great wind that threatened the destruction of the ship and the death of all the sailors. The sailors cast lots to determine the sinner, and with the lot falling to Jonah, he was thrown into the sea and swallowed by a whale. From inside the belly of the whale, Jonah (who was against the Ninevites repenting) ironically prayed a prayer of repentance and God caused the whale to vomit him onto dry land. Only then did Jonah reluctantly obey God. The king and over 120,000 citizens repented of their wicked ways and God spared the city (Jonah 1-2).

We know that Satan lost his place in heaven because of his pride. How does the Bible define pride? Pride is hubris, arrogance, conceit, self-importance, egotism, and preferring self-will to God's will. And it is self-will that gets us into trouble, because it opens the door to sin. For pride counters God’s will and His purposes. “Pride goes before destruction; a haughty spirit before a fall.” And what is haughtiness? It is arrogance, vanity, and self-importance? (Proverbs 16:18)

It is safe to say that we are not like Hezekiah, Moses, King David, and Jonah. Yet, what we do have in common is our fallibility and susceptibility to the sin of pride. Thankfully, regrets do not need to be an albatross hanging around the neck, for the Word tells us that all things work together for good for those who love God; therefore, God urges us to guard our heart above all else, for it determines the course of our life (Romans 8:28; Proverbs 4:23).

PRAYER: FATHER, I repent of those choices that brought about regrets. Help me to guard my heart from pride and self-will. Help me to trust You, so that I do not rely on my own limited understanding. Through Your Word and by the Holy Spirit, instruct, teach, and guide me in the way I should go, and open my heart to Your counsel. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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GOD'S LOVE SONG

Thursday morning, I awoke to a crisp, 48-degree day of sunshine and a cloudless azure sky. I quickly dressed and took my fur-baby out for her walk. As I was waiting for her to complete her morning “duty,” my attention was captured by a bird’s lilting song, a glorious symphony of one, calling to another. It stopped for a few moments, as if politely waiting for a response. Then, in the distance, a short rhythmic reply arose throughout the morning air. This exchange went on for several minutes, and I wondered if the one being called would go the distance to find the one who was calling. 

As I listened to this beautiful, melodic exchange, I thought about how God’s love song calls to His betrothed (we who are in Christ), and then He patiently awaits our response. Are we going the distance to meet with the One who is calling us to come?

We can all acknowledge that we are living in trying and dangerous times. Uncertainty and worry have taken hold of many hearts with the fear that America will never again be the country of freedom, hope, and safety once enjoyed and often taken for granted. However, God is lovingly calling to His Church, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). 

If there was any person who was weary and burdened, it was the Apostle Paul, who suffered more than any one of us will ever endure. Five times he received forty lashes, minus one, from the Jews. Three times he was beaten with rods. Once he was pelted with stones. He was shipwrecked three times and spent a night and a day in the open sea. He was constantly on the move and in danger from rivers, bandits, fellow Jews, Gentiles and false believers. He knew cold, nakedness, and lack of sleep. He was hungry, thirsty, and often without food. And he daily felt great pressure and concern for all the churches. Despite the many dangers and what he suffered, he said, “Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?” (2 Cor. 11:23-29). “For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10).

Why did Paul say he was strong in his weakness? Because in recognizing and admitting his human limitations, God was able to bring His strength to Paul’s life. Like Paul, it is in our weaknesses, that when we let go and allow God, He makes a way and shows His strength and power through us and His ability to change our circumstances. 

Paul drew his strength from God, through His faith in Jesus Christ. Daily, he faithfully responded to God with unshakable, immovable trust and faith. So, we must each ask in this season of life, despite all that is going on in the world, whose voice and song are we hearing and believing? For the Lord God is in our midst, a mighty one who saves; He rejoices and quiets us by His love and exults over us with loud singing (Zephaniah 3:17). So, when we hear our God call with His song of love, will we respond to Him?” 

PRAYER: FATHER, Your Word tells me not to be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and petitions, with thanksgiving, I am to make my requests to You (Philippians 4:6). I am so grateful that I can turn to You at all times of the day and night. Help me respond to Your song of love and yield my will, my self-reliance, my plans, my hopes and fears to You. Daily be my strength, and help me grow in Your Word that I may have unshakable, immovable, and unrelenting faith and trust in You. Give me courage not to fear but to entrust each day into Your capable hands. I ask these things in Jesus’ name, amen.

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HOPE

The world is in chaos and people are looking to humans and the government for solutions, while they tenaciously cling to hope that things will get better. So, what is hope? Hope is defined as having optimism, expectation, faith, trust, belief, confidence, and conviction. 

Recently, the Lord placed two questions in my heart that asked where my hope resides: “In what and in whom do you place your hope? Is it in a person, the government, world leaders, a political party, groups that represent causes, or is your hope solely and firmly grounded in Me and the truth of My Word? 

The following examples reveal that man does not have all the solutions to the world’s problems. We can do what is humanly possible, but God is our only hope, and He is the One to whom we must turn. He makes a way and parts the seas of despair and hopelessness, bringing deliverance to all who call upon Him.

THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA

The Israelites, after years of servitude to the Egyptians, cried out to God, and God heard their prayers and sent Moses to lead them to the Promise Land. Unbeknownst to them, they would need to call out to God again as the Egyptian army pursued them to the Red Sea.

Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm (stand on God’s Word) and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today—you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still (wait). ” Wait on the God of hope who will fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

The Lord then said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me?” (Even Moses was momentarily  overwhelmed with hopelessness). “Tell the Israelites to move on.” God then told Moses to raise his staff and stretch it over the sea to divide the water, so the Israelites could pass through. “I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them.” “The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen” (Exodus 14:15-18). Not one Israelite perished that day, but all of Pharaoh’s army drowned. 

BOSTON HARBOR’S MIRACLE

October 1746, upon the orders of King Louis XV of France, Admiral Duc D’Anville set sail for the Boston Harbor with a flotilla of 70 ships and an army of 13,000 men. His orders were to pillage and burn the city and secure the territory for France. The 15,000 citizens were defenseless. 

Sunday, October 16, 1746, was a beautiful, clear day with calm seas. The townspeople, with hope in their hearts, gathered at Boston’s Old South Meeting House to pray for deliverance from the approaching enemy. Rev. Thomas Prince began to pray, “Deliver us from our enemy. Send Thy tempest, Lord, upon the waters to the eastward! Raise Thy right hand. Scatter the ships of our tormentors and drive them thence.” 

As the skies grew darker and more ominous, Rev. Prince said even more earnestly, “Sink their proud frigates beneath the power of Thy winds.” Just then, mighty gusts of wind caused church bells to ring erratically and loudly. As they rang, the Reverend shouted through the noise of the storm, “We hear Thy voice, O Lord! We hear it! Thy breath is upon the waters to the eastward, even upon the deep. Thy bell toils for the death of our enemies!” 

Hurricane-force winds sank the French ships, and only a few sailors survived. Because of prayer, the enemy had been defeated by the very breath of God.

THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE

The bloody Battle of the Bulge occurred in the Belgian town of Bastogne. Twelve thousand American soldiers were surrounded by German forces who demanded they surrender. Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe replied to the German major, “Nuts!” 

General Patton planned to break the siege and save the American troops, but was hindered by terrible weather. He knew that their only hope was in God, so he summoned Third Army Chaplain Colonel James O’Neill and told him to craft a prayer that would break up the weather and allow him to rescue McAuliffe and his troops. Patton had the prayer distributed to his men on 250,000 wallet-sized cards. As the men prayed, the weather abruptly cleared and allowed the Third Army to reinforce Bastogne.

THE MIRACLE OF DUNKIRK

In May 1940, Adolf Hitler unleashed his troops against France and Belgium. The Allied troops were surrounded by the Germans on three sides with the sea behind them. The German High Command boasted that their troops were “proceeding to annihilate the British Army.” 

King George VI knew that all hope for deliverance from the enemy, rested in the hands of God. So, he called for a National Day of Prayer and the British people filled churches to pray. At the same time, the military decided to evacuate all the soldiers it could. Without enough military ships to carry all the endangered troops, a call went out asking for vessels, willing to cross the English Channel, to assist in saving the trapped men. Miraculously, more than 800 vessels responded.

As Allies raced to mitigate a catastrophe, Hitler called his troops to a halt. For three days, Nazi tanks and soldiers stood idly by as the Allies frantically evacuated their men. At the same time, poor weather grounded the Luftwaffe (German aerial warfare branch) allowing Allied soldiers to reach the beaches for evacuation on unusually calm seas. 

Historians are baffled as to why Hitler suddenly called a halt to his advance when victory was assured. The German generals questioned why they were not allowed to chase down and obliterate the Allies. Once again, prayer had moved God to intervene.

I leave you with this profound statement made by Robert J. Morgan, author of 100 Bible Verses that Made America: Defining Moments That Shaped Our Enduring Foundation:  “. . . Those who pray do more for the world than those who fight; and if the world goes from bad to worse it is because there are more battles than prayers…” 

PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for failing to be diligent in praying daily for this country and its leadership. Help me to keep my hope in the truth of Your Word, for Your eyes are on the righteous and Your ears are attentive to our prayers, but Your face is against those who do evil. (I Peter 3:12). And if we know that You hear us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of You (1 John 5:15). For Your Word that proceeds from Your mouth will not return to You empty, but it will accomplish what You please and it will prosper where You send it (Isaiah 55:11). Lord, my hope for a healed nation rests in You alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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WORDS MATTER

Words matter. I learned that at the young age of seven when classmates began bullying me with hurtful, demeaning words. Then the bullying progressed to physical attacks. As a very precocious and gregarious child, I was confused and hurt. I soon became withdrawn and doubted my worth and intelligence. I became so fearful of going to school, that my skin broke out with severe eczema. My grades dropped from “excellent” to “poor and “not passing.” I had mentally surrendered to the bullies’ lies. 

When I was 16, my Dad passed away at the age of 45. It was during that time, I resolved not to allow people to determine my destiny. I believed with hard work and determination, I could succeed in whatever challenge faced me.

Years later, at age 26, I was newly divorced and a very broken woman. It was then, that  I surrendered my heart to Christ and received a new identity in Him, a new beginning, and the knowledge that I am eternally loved by my Creator. 

I learned that my true value and worthiness can only come through my Redeemer, for “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). I soon understood that hurting people hurt people; therefore, we are required to forgive, love, and pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

The vitriol and hatred that we are witnessing throughout the world is beyond the pale. People trust in and identify with causes and not with Jesus Christ. Civility has gone out the window. Even many Christians, who are called to be a voice of hope and love, have joined in the negative discourse.

Hateful words have a way of negatively shaping the mind of the speaker and of those who are on the receiving end. Positive, affirming words encourage and give hope to both the one speaking and to the one who receives. For “your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel (Proverbs 11:17). “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4). “Kind words are like honey…sweet to the soul and healthy for the body” (Proverbs 16:24). 

We learn the power and importance of our words when we understand that God spoke the Word and the worlds came into exitance. “By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth.” “For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded and it stood firm” (Psalm 33:6;9).

“Let the one who has My Word speak it faithfully.” “Is not My Word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:28-29). When we speak God’s Word, we tap into His power, for His Word does not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).

We should never underestimate the power of our words. The devil does not ignore faithless, self-defeating self-talk nor words that demean, criticize, or devalue another person.

The enemy is very good at capturing negative words we speak to make them profitable for evil (Ecclesiastes 10:20 ESV). Conversely, Satan responds to God’s Word when it is coming from a place of unshakable faith. We see that exchange when Satan encountered Jesus in the desert and attempted to cause Him to fall. Jesus responded three times, It is written and then quoted Scripture that quelled Satan’s plans 

As spirit-filled believers, we have been given God’s authority through His Son Jesus, who is the living Word. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believe in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:12-14). 

The words we speak matter. “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21). How often do we speak negative words about ourself? “I’m fat.” “I’m stupid.” “I can’t…” “I’m sick.” “I’m afraid of…” “I’m not smart enough.” The list of negative self-talk is endless. Then there are words that we speak about other people. Are they uplifting, affirming, and encouraging, or do they accuse, condemn, criticize, and judge? Are we spending time praying for others and ourselves, or are we criticizing?

I shamefully admit that I would vocalize angry, critical comments during the national news until the Holy Spirit reminded me of the following scripture: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37 NIV). This sobering scripture has redirected my thoughts to what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). We must daily guard our thoughts and put a guard over our mouth, because by our words we are either acquitted or condemned.

People often ask if the enemy can read our thoughts. He may not know what we think but he can certainly hear the negative things we speak about others and ourselves. Those negative words give Satan ammunition to perform that which we speak. That is why we cannot allow corrupt talk to come forth from our mouths, but only those words that build up to give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29). For that reason, we must carefully choose our words.

How do we combat negative or critical thoughts that are too often voiced in social media, in the news, and on the streets of America? I have discovered within my own life that in choosing to have compassion, my heart opens to pray for that person or situation. And love and prayers are the most powerful weapons against hatred, division, and misunderstanding.   

This nation is a boiling cauldron of hatred, lies, criticism, and judgment. Nothing will change for the better until Christians unceasingly pray God’s Word over this nation, our current President, and the world. We are urged “that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (I Timothy 2:1-2). Unless we Christians intercede for this nation, we will not live the peaceful and quiet lives that we long to have.

PRAYER: FATHER, I ask Your forgiveness for speaking empty and unfruitful words that have judged and criticized. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere [You.]  For [You] spoke, and it came to be; [You] commanded, and it stood firm. [You foil] the plans of the nations; [You] thwart the purposes of the peoples. The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of [Your] heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people [You] chose for [Your] inheritance” (Psalm 33:7-12). I pray for mercy on this nation and that we turn away from wickedness and turn to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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OUR ADVERSARY

Peter gave this warning, “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Paul said, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

We walk in the flesh, yet we do not war according to the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Ours is a spiritual battle and our adversary, the devil and his demonic forces, oppose the things of God, the church and every born-again believer. Just as God uses people to show Jesus’ love and eternal life through Him, Satan uses people to show hatred and bring about destruction and death. 

The United States is engaged in a spiritual battle. Satan has taken his fight to homes, the streets, the media, and in the halls of government. Manufactured lies, manipulation, hate, disunity, and destruction have been used for the purpose of creating division. A spirit of antichrist is behind those who cause divisions for they are worldly-minded and devoid of the Spirit (Jude 1:19). We are in an all-out war between God and Satan for the souls of mankind. 

God is calling all Christians to unite in prayer and humble ourselves, seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways, (anything that opposes the Word of God). Then He will hear from heaven and forgive our sin and heal our country (2 Chronicles 7:14).

How are Christians opposing the Word of God? We have been apologetic, timid, and tolerant of sin. We have, along with church leaders, remained silent as 61 million babies were murdered and continue to be slaughtered on our watch. For God formed their inmost being and knit each baby together in its mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-14). Only now have a small number of Christians, pastors, and organizations rallied for the protection of the unborn and offer help to women who suffer from that decision to end their child’s life. 

Then there is tolerance of the immoral, sexual sin and depravity (I Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5.) Jesus said, “The cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). This is why God is calling us, the Church, to seek Him with all our hearts, turn from our wicked ways, repent, and pray for this nation. THEN He will heal our land. 

Many dismiss the 2 Chronicles prayer because of the word, “wicked.” Most see wickedness as a person who does evil. However, the Hebrew word for wickedness is “rish`ah,” meaning “guilt.” If used as an adjective it is “rasha,” which means “criminal” or “guilty one” or “guilty of crime.” So ultimately, God views disobeying His Word as wickedness.

2 Timothy 3:2-4 defines wickedness:  Lovers of self: a preoccupation with one's feelings, interests, or situation.

Lovers of money: seek wealth and things, but are not satisfied.

Boastful: excessive pride and self-satisfaction in achievements, abilities, and possessions. 

Arrogant: an exaggerated sense of importance or abilities.

Revilers: someone who criticizes rather than encourages.

Disobedient: disrespects authority and refuses to obey God. 

Ungrateful: not showing gratitude to God as provider of all things. 

Unholy: sinful. Doing things that are contrary to God’s Word. 

Unloving: lacking love, forgiveness, and compassion towards others. 

Irreconcilable: uncompromising, inflexible, bitter, disagreeable.

Malicious: spiteful, vindictive, vengeful, speaks unkind words.

Gossips: whisperers, tattlers, rumors. 

Without self-control: lacking self-discipline and willpower.

Brutal: without mercy, heartless.

Haters of good: haters of what is moral, excellent, outstanding, acceptable. 

Treacherous: disloyal, deceptive, unreliable, untrustworthy.

Reckless: rash, thoughtless, impulsive, foolhardy, irresponsible.

Conceited: proud, arrogant, boastful, self-centered.

Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God:  pleasure takes precedence over God.

We have the unmatchable power of God’s Word that enables us to walk in holiness and defeat the enemy, but we have neglected His Word, prayer, and fasting—a mighty force against the enemy’s agenda for a Godless society. Know that Satan is relentless and will set up strongholds to deter God’s people, the Church, and anything that brings truth and advances the Kingdom and knowledge of God. 

Unfortunately, many Christians allow those strongholds by failing to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Is it possible that some believe their prayers would not make a difference and prefer to leave the praying and interceding to other Christians and pastors? However, many strongholds are personal habits and thoughts that keep us in bondage. During six weeks of fighting pneumonia and other complications, God revealed that I had allowed a stronghold of unbelief in my mind. When I repented and prayed against that lie, the stronghold was broken.

“The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out our enemies before us, saying, ‘Destroy them!’” In other words, when we seek God for direction, He exposes the enemy and his plans, as He did for me. Then He gives us the command, “Destroy them!” (Deuteronomy 33:27) Unfortunately, many Christians assume that it is God’s responsibility, when in fact, God gave us that authority. Just as I did during my illness, we must ask God to search us, try us, know our thoughts, and see if there is any evil way (unbelief) in our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24). 

Without faith and belief in the power of God’s Word, the enemy will not regard our words as having authority. Even the disciples struggled with their faith to believe. When they tried to command a demon to leave a boy, they failed. Later they ask Jesus why they failed in their mission. He replied, “Because you have so little faith” (Matthew 17:20).

God said, “My Word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it (Isaiah 55:11). We have been given that authority to speak His Word and expect it to produce fruit. For He said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Do we believe that God’s Word is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword? 

The Word of God tells us that Satan is very intentional in his opposition to God and to those who love God. His agenda is to deceive, steal, kill, and destroy. He is fully aware that we parish for lack of knowledge of God’s Word (Hosea 4:6). So, to accomplish his goal, he distracts Christians with many things, so that studying the Word, praying, and fellowshipping with other Christians is neglected. 

Storm clouds have been gathering over America, but there is a ray of hope, and that hope is the praying Church. We, as the Church, must be united in one purpose to defeat our adversary and reclaim the godly values that established America as a Christian nation—a nation that welcomes all to live in peace with liberty to practice their faith without interference. May God order our steps in these difficult days (Psalm 37:23).

PRAYER: FATHER, reveal anything within me that requires change and repentance. Place a hunger in my soul for Your Word and a passion for prayer. Give me wisdom and discernment to know Your truth and recognize the enemy’s agenda to destroy Your people and this nation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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HOLY SPIRIT

I was born into a family that referred to themselves as Christian, yet church attendance was minimal and mostly reserved for Easter and Christmas. And a Bible was not an item found in our home.

I was taught that Jesus was a “good” man­­—a prophet who taught moral principles to guide a person’s life. There was no mention of Him being the Son of God. I was also taught that all “good” people went to heaven and “bad” people went to hell. That premise troubled me, because I knew that there were times when I was “bad” and times when I was “good.” Therefore, I faced a troubling conundrum.

At age 26, my sister-in-law introduced me to Jesus Christ and asked if I wanted to accept Him as Lord and Savior. My response was a resounding, “Yes!” She then proposed a second question, “Do you want all that God has for you? If so, invite the Holy Spirit to guide and direct your life and empower you to follow and obey God with all your heart.”

Luke 11:13 tells us that if we know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Without hesitation, I asked the Holy Spirit to fill me to the fullest. As mentioned in previous blogs, when I invited Jesus to be Lord of my life and asked the Holy Spirit to dwell within me, my life took on a new direction with new desires.

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3:5). We were once entombed within our mother’s womb in a water-filled environment. When her water broke, it indicated that birth was imminent—the birth of our flesh. But Jesus was saying that we must also be born of the Spirit. That is what it means to be “born again.”

How are we born again? First, we confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead. We are then saved and become sons and daughters of the King (Romans 10:9). Those who verbally acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior can then invite the Holy Spirit to dwell within them.  

The Holy Spirit is vital to the Christian walk. He is part of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and the One who counsels, guides, and directs our steps. If we ask God for discernment, wisdom, and knowledge, those things come through the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who gives revelation to His Word. The Spirit speaks into our spirit truths that we never knew. “Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

Imagine walking through life without vision and hearing. The Holy Spirit gives us a new “vision” and a new “hearing” that we never before experienced. He opens our spiritual eyes to clearly see and understand truths found in His Word. He gives us spiritual ears to hear from Him and to discern between truth and deception. These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God (I Corinthians 2:10). His Spirit empowers Christians as they bear witness to the gospel.

Jesus told the disciples, “I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper (Holy Spirit) will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:7-8). 

We learn in Acts 4:31 that after [the disciples] prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly. Before the Holy Spirit was upon them, they were fearful, timid, and had little faith. After the Holy Spirit came upon them, they went forth and preached the gospel with boldness.

God wants us to live our best life by seeking Him with all our heart. That can only happen when we seek His guidance, which comes through the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit directs our steps, we are no longer self-directing. Our spiritual ears and eyes are opened to His leading. 

God made this promise to those who seek Him with all their heart, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV).

The Holy Spirit is a gift available to all who have surrendered their heart to Jesus Christ. The follower of Christ only needs ask to receive the Holy Spirit. Then when prayerful petitions are made to God for wise counsel, discernment, understanding, and direction, the answer comes through the Holy Spirit—an inner voice by which God’s “sheep” hear Him (John 10:27). 

God wants to help us negotiate the ups and downs of life through the power of the Holy Spirit, who guides, mentors, and teaches. However, He gave us free will to choose; therefore, we have all liberty to accept or reject His amazing gift. I chose to accept His gift and in doing so, discovered a joy and purpose for my life.

PRAYER: “LORD, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I ask that You open my heart, mind, and spirit to all the gifts of the Spirit. May the Holy Spirit fill me and direct and guide my life, so that I may boldly live for You and be a living testimony of Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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FIRST LOVE

I will never forget that snowy, wintery night in 1971 when I met Jesus, who became my First Love. I was overcome by His love, His forgiveness, and the knowledge that He loved me before I loved Him (1John 4:19). I rejoiced in my “new life” and voiced my gratitude for His willingness to suffer an undeserved death, so that I could receive His gift of salvation (John 3:16). 

In 1972, I began praying for a Christian husband. God spoke into my heart that He would send him soon. I have since learned that God’s timing is not our timing, and one day is like a thousand years to God (2 Peter 3:8). Two years passed, then three more years, and not seeing an answer to my prayer, I became angry with God. 

In 1977, I was introduced to a charming man, who was far from being a Christian and everything I should have run from. Unfortunately, as we started dating, I began to embrace worldly values. As this man became my priority, Jesus was no longer first in my life, though I continued attending church. 

Several months into the relationship, God, in His loving mercy, began to convict my heart of the dangerous road I had taken. I repented of my backslidden state and severed the relationship that I knew in my heart was not of God. Shortly after, God sent a godly man, who became my husband. 

I learned a difficult lesson. Had I trusted God and sought Him first and His righteousness, instead of surrendering to my soulish desires, I would have not suffered the deep regret and pain that I experienced in walking in rebellion. God had proven to be faithful in His promise to me, but I had not been faithful in my promise to love Him first.  

Jesus told John to write a message to the Ephesians in the church of Ephesus and let them know that although He praised them for their hard work, endurance, and refusal to accept evil, they had abandoned the love they first had for Him. They were told to remember where they had fallen, repent, and do the works they did at first” (Revelation 2:2-3). 

The Ephesians once had a first love for Jesus which was characterized by their passion and appreciation for their salvation. They tested teachers to see whether they were real followers of Christ. They persevered when many around them worshiped the goddess of Artemis. But then, the Ephesians focus turned to doctrine and hard work, to the exclusion of a true love for Christ. 

The Old and New Testament of the Greek Lexicon defines “first love” as “first in time or place, first rank.” When Jesus said to the Ephesians that they had lost their first love, He was saying that He no longer held first place in their hearts. 

I have learned over the years, that what we place first is what we love the most. Of course, many a professing Christian would never admit or even realize that God is not first in their life. Jesus said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Matthew 15:8). 

If we were to examine our hearts, what would we consider to be most important in our lives? Would it be a spouse, a child, grandchildren, a job, success, entertainment, health, our own life, money, security, etc. A parent would give their life to save the life of their child, but what if they were told they could only save their life and maybe the child’s life, if they renounced Christ? Would they put the Lord above their own life? Jesus said, He who denies me before men, I will also deny knowing them before My Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:33).

We can learn a lesson from the early church and ask ourselves if we are going through religious maneuvers, believing we have God’s approval and a place in heaven. Or, do our hearts burn within us to love the Lord above all things. Would Jesus say of us, “Their hearts are far from me?” 

Had Christ not sacrificed everything for us, our fate would be hell with an eternity of torments. In these difficult and challenging days, God is calling Christians to re-examine their hearts to see if He is truly their first priority. 

How do we make the Lord our first priority? Each day we seek Him by setting time aside for prayer, the Word, worship, thanksgiving, and daily repentance for wrong thoughts, words, and actions. This requires dedication and discipline, because our soulish, carnal flesh will resist. 

The Lord wants to hold first place in our hearts, thoughts, and plans. Are we dedicated to our own agenda or are we disciplined to make Him our first priority—our First Love? 

PRAYER: Lord, forgive me if I have failed in making You my first priority. Help me discipline myself to spend time with You in Your Word, in prayer, worship, repentance, praise, and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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"Thy Rod and Thy Staff"

Many have memorized Psalm 23, but how many understand everything in the psalm? Each time I recited the prayer, I would pause at “thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me” and question its intended meaning, until I finally researched the rod and staff and discovered a spiritual parallel. 

As we all know, shepherds used a staff to herd and guide their sheep. In modern-day Israel, shepherds still dress as the biblical shepherds dressed and still use a staff. Although most people are familiar with the staff and its function to keep the sheep close to the shepherd, did you know that shepherds also carried a rod? My question was, “What was a rod, and what was its purpose?” 

The shepherd’s rod was his most important lethal weapon for protecting his sheep from wild animals or thieves. It was approximately 2 ½ feet long with the end embedded with heavy pieces of iron. Likewise, our Savior stands between us and the enemy, ready to defend us. He will punish the wicked with the rod (Psalm 89:32). His Word is the rod of authority that defends and drives off Satan and his minions. That is why it is so important to speak the Word when the enemy comes to deceive, inflect doubt, confuse, and torment. 

The shepherd’s staff is the symbol of our Shepherd's constant care and guidance through the Holy Spirit. The LORD is our Shepherd; therefore, we lack nothing. He gives us rest, He refreshes our soul, and guides us along the right path. Even if we walk through the darkest valley, He is with us; His rod and staff comfort us. (Psalm 23:1-4). 

Shepherds have reported that the allure of green grass will draw a sheep away from its master’s care, because it is oblivious to dangers. Its sole interest is to enjoy the sweet taste of grass. The shepherd must then search for and rescue his lamb, ewe, or ram before a wild animal finds it. Like sheep, the human heart is always looking for greener pastures. Unfortunately, sheep nor humans can recognize hidden dangers when they leave the safety of the Shepherd’s watchful eye. 

God likens us to lost sheep that have gone astray. Jesus said, “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one wanders away and is lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others and go out into the hills to search for the lost one? And if he finds it, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine others safe at home!” (Matthew 18:12) Jesus, the Good Shepherd, with staff in hand, guides His wandering “sheep” back into the fold. 

The Word urges us to “be sober, be vigilant; because [our] adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). We find in Job 1:6-7 that the angels came one day to present themselves before God, and Satan came as well. The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Satan is the god of this world and his goal is to destroy mankind.

We are living in challenging and frightening times that pose more questions than answers. Confusion, anger, and fear have gripped this nation as many worry about what the future may hold. But know that we are in a spiritual war. The powers of darkness are working to snuff the light of truth in each life and throughout this world. Doubt and fear fight for our minds every day. If ever there was a need for the people of God to pray, repent, and to praise God, this is the time. 

God is calling this nation to return to Him, for many have wandered away from the Shepherd and many more have rejected Him altogether. But we have hope in God’s Word that promises, “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment” (Ezekiel 34:16). The fat and strong are the proud and self-sufficient enemies of the true gospel and of the true believers.

2 Timothy 4:4 instructs us that in the last days there will be those who turn their ears away from the truth and instead, accept myths (2 Timothy 4:4). The only way that we can know the truth is to know God’s Word for “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). We can count on God’s faithfulness to carry out His Word, so if we place our hope and trust in the truth of His Word, we will find rest in Him (I Samuel 7:28).

God—our true Shepherd—is calling us to remain under His protective care, because those who are lured to what they perceive to be greener pastures are vulnerable to the enemy. For that reason, God reminds us to seek Him first and not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known to Him. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

PRAYER: FATHER, we live in dangerous and uncertain times, but You are my Shepherd who keeps me safe from the enemy. Help me not to wander or be drawn away from Your protection by Satan’s false narratives and evil schemes. Open my eyes and ears to Your truths and cause my heart to follow You and You only. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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THE ARCHITECT

Recently, Psalm 16:2 grabbed my attention, “I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord, apart (separately, independently) from You, I have no good thing.” David knew that God had a plan for his life and that apart from His leadership and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, he could not receive one good thing that God had for him.

The sincerest Christian, who faithfully prays, reads the Word, attends church, gives their tithes and offerings, and does good works for the Lord, will stumble, if making decisions and choices independently of God. Independence is part of our carnal nature, so if we are not careful, we will look to self to find ways to solve problems or to have what we want.

Problem solving and decision making must include God. If we function apart and independently from Him, how can we know His plans and purposes for us? A builder depends on architectural plans. We are the builder of our destiny. If we want the life created and designed uniquely for us by God, the ultimate Architect, then we must follow His plan and directions. 

As I was meditating on Psalm 16:2, the woman with an issue of blood came to mind. She had touched the hem of Jesus garment as He passed by. Jesus said, “Someone touched Me. I know that the power has gone out from Me.” When the woman admitted she was the one who had touched His garment, He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace” (Luke 8:46-48).

Faith was built into those architectural plans, but we have that prerogative to change or delete those plans. However, if we need physical healing, direction, comfort, or help of any kind, it must be faith that connects us with Jesus. Just as a light switch connects the electrical current to a lamp, faith is the switch that connects us to Christ’s healing, saving, delivering virtue — but do we make that connection? 

The woman who touched Jesus’ hem, had come searching for Him, and when she found Him, her faith connected her with His healing power. Jesus said, ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). God calls us to search for Him through prayer, worship, and reading His Word.

I was then reminded of Mary and Martha. Mary sat quietly at the feet of Jesus, listening to Jesus’ every Word. Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:40-42).

God’s architectural design provided room in each heart for prayer, praise, and worship, but how often do we visit that room. When we do use that room, are we truly “sitting at the feet of Jesus,” listening, learning, and praying? Jesus was saying to Martha that time invested in His presence and learning His Word are gifts of great worth, never to be lost. For it is in those intimate moments with the Lord that we build a strong foundation of faith. 

God longs for communication, which is the exchange of views and information. Therefore, a true relationship with God is not one-sided. Job had no communication with God until after he suffered his many losses. Job’s great losses made him realize that He had honored and obeyed God out of fear­—not love. Up to that point he did not know God. So, when God challenged Job in a conversation, he finally responded, “My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6). For the first time Job really knew God. And it was then that God restored to him more than he had before.

Trusting the Architect of our lives can only happen when we pursue Him through His Word, pray, give thanks, share our thoughts with Him, and then silently wait for the Holy Spirit’s to communicate with our spirit. It is in that process that we build a relationship of trust and faith with our Lord. Then we see God’s power and blessings released to us.

We are promised that those who thirst (having a strong desire) for Him will be satisfied (Matthew 5:6, Psalm 107:9). Those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10). Although many are the afflictions of the righteous, the LORD delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:19). So, we trust in the Lord with all our heart and do not lean on our own understanding. In all our ways, we acknowledge Him, so He can make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-8).

The Lord tells us to be attentive to His words; incline our ear to His sayings and let them not escape from our sight, but keep them within our heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all our flesh (Proverbs 4). His Word is powerful, for it is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus, who was weak and vulnerable from 40 days of fasting in the desert, was approached by Satan to tempt Him into sinning, but Jesus spoke the Word three times and the devil left. 

Satan is persistent in his efforts to cause us to fall. But like Jesus, we must remain steadfast and speak God’s Word when the enemy attacks with his lies, fears, and doubts. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from You. Come near to God and He will come near to you” (James 4:7-8). 

Whatever life throws at us, whether it is illness, financial problems, relationship problems, simple day-to-day issues, or anything else that presents a challenge requiring direction and a solution, God is calling us to first seek Him for guidance and direction, for He alone is the Architect of each precious life.

PRAYER: FATHER, help me to discipline myself to seek You first for direction so that my decisions and choices result from prayer and not by willful choices made independently of You. I ask that the Holy Spirit give me understanding of Your Word, so that I may know You and grow in faith. May I never grow slack in “siting at Your feet” and listening for the Holy Spirit to speak truth into my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THIEVES THAT DESTROY

Adam and Eve were the first to encounter the thieves of disobedience and pride that bring destruction. For the thief comes to rob, kill, and destroy. The following examples reveal how the spirit of pride elevates itself above God. Then disobedience takes the lead, while refusing to acknowledge and repent of sin.

Moses and Aaron were leading the people of Israel through the desert, when they gathered to oppose them. They said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!” (Numbers 20:5). 

Moses and his brother went where they could pray and the glory of the Lord appeared and said to Moses, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the [people] together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water”  (Numbers 20:6-7).

Moses took the staff as God commanded, and He and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock. Moses then said, “Listen, you rebels. Must we (Aaron and I) bring you water out of this rock?” (Moses was taking credit for the miracle that God was about to do). God does not tolerate pride.

In frustration and anger with the people, Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the Lord was angry and said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in Me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring [them] into the land I give them.” (Numbers 20:9-12).

Why did Moses’ actions anger God? The rock was symbolic of Christ, the Rock and Cornerstone, who would be struck for our sakes. The risen Christ would bring forth streams of living water, representing the Holy Spirit. 

In Exodus 17, God had initially told Moses to strike the rock once, which represented Christ’s beating and crucifixion. Moreover, Christ died unto sin ONCE: but in that He lives, He lives unto God" (Romans 6:9-10 NKJV). Striking the rock twice symbolized crucifying the Son of God afresh and putting Him to open shame (Hebrews 6:6).

Moses pleaded with the Lord: “Sovereign Lord, You have begun to show to Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works You do?  Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.” Then Moses blamed the Israelites for his failure to obey God. “But because of [the Israelites] the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the Lord said. “Do not speak to Me anymore about this matter. Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” Deuteronomy 3:26-28). His pride and disobedience prevented him from entering into the Promise Land.

The thief of disobedience is rebellion that resists and often ignores authority. It is as the sin of divination (witchcraft), and presumption (assumption, arrogance, disrespect). It is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23). Satan’s rebellion caused his expulsion from heaven, along with 1/3 of the angels.

King Saul, another example of disobedience, ignored God’s explicit orders to destroy the Amalekites (the first nation to attack Israel). God then sent the Prophet Samuel to give Saul a message. “The Lord sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord?” And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 

The common denominator in both narratives is that Moses and King Saul disobeyed God’s instructions and then blamed others for their failure to obey Him. Thus, they forfeited the blessings that God had for them.

God has His reasons for giving specific instructions; thus, He does not tolerate disobedience. Disobedience began in the Garden of Eden, when Eve wanted to be like God. She sinned and when questioned by God, blamed the serpent. Adam had joined her in sin, yet he blamed God and Eve for his disobedience. Moses blamed the people for his prideful disobedience. Aaron blamed the people, even though he had instructed them to bring their gold jewelry to form the golden calf. Saul’s greed motivated him to disobey God and then blamed his soldiers for his own failure in not carrying out God’s explicit orders. And the stiff-necked, complaining Israelites walked in unbelief. They all refused to acknowledge their sin of rebellion and disobedience.

God has a purpose in everything He does and requires of us. His love and purposes were established before we were born. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart…” (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV). “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

God does not rob people. People rob themselves when they choose to follow their own willful plans and desires and ignore God’s counsel. They excuse their behavior and either blame God or others for what is wrong. But this is God’s word to the rebellious, disobedient, and unrepentant. “I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out My hand and no one has heeded. Because you have ignored all My counsel and would have none of My reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you” (Proverbs 1:24-26 ESV).

God gives warnings because He loves us and because He knows the future and we do not. His warnings and instructions are for our protection and not for the purpose of denying us something that we believe to be good. If we choose to listen to the voice of God, then we will recognize those thieves of disobedience and pride that come to rob, kill, and destroy.

PRAYER: FATHER, help me to recognize any pride or disobedience in my life, so that I may repent. Guide me and direct my steps so I do not stray and give the enemy a foothold to rob the plan You have for me and the blessings that accompany that plan. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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UNEXPECTED ANSWERS

Have you prayed for an answer, but the answer has not yet arrived? Would you recognize the answer if it were to come today? 

The story of Peter’s supernatural rescue from prison gives us a glimpse into the heart of God and how His ways and thoughts are so much higher than our ways and thoughts. He answers prayer, but not always according to our timing and expectations.

Acts 12 tells us that Peter was arrested and delivered to four squads of soldiers. Typically, a squad included eight soldiers. So, it took thirty-two soldiers to guard one non-violent, unarmed man. Meanwhile, the church was earnestly praying for Peter’s release.

Peter, bound with chains, fell asleep between two soldiers with sentries posted at the door of the prison. In thinking about his situation, it is doubtful that I would have had enough peace to fall into a sound sleep, as did Peter. 

An angel of the Lord stood next to Peter, struck him on the side, and woke him saying, “Get up quickly.” Before we go further, it is important to note that Peter’s chains did not fall off until he obeyed the angel’s command to get up without hesitation. Has God told you to do something and yet you have hesitated and refused to obey His command? Disobedience enslaves us and obedience releases us to obey God’s instructions and receive from Him. 

When Peter stood in obedience, his chains fell off and the angel ordered him to dress, wrap a cloak around himself, and follow him past the two guards. As they approached an iron gate, it opened of its own accord and they went out along a street, and the angel left. 

Peter quickly went to the house of Mary, the mother of John where they were all gathered together praying for Peter’s release. When he knocked at the door of the gateway, Rhoda, a servant girl, came to answer the door. She recognized Peter’s voice and instead of opening the door, she ran to tell the others that Peter was at the door. They responded, “You are out of your mind!” Despite her insistence that Peter was waiting at the door, they argued, “It is his angel!” Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking on the door. When they finally opened the door, they were shocked to see him standing before them (Acts 12:1-17).

How often do we pray and either we do not fully expect our prayer to be answered, or we have our own idea of how that prayer should be answered? So, when the answer comes, we, like those who were praying for Peter, fail to recognize or believe that God has answered our prayer. 

God not only knows our every need, He promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). We might want a new home or a new car, even though what we have is adequate, but He knows what the future holds and whether we will have the ability to keep up with payments. That is not to say that He does not provide for our “wants.” But first, He looks at the heart and our level of obedience to see what is most important to us. Is our focus more on acquiring things, or do we love God enough to accept His will and be at peace with what He does provide?  

We have the blessed assurance that if we abide in Him and His Words abide in us, we can ask whatever we wish, and it will be done for us (John 15:7). God tells us that before we even call to Him, He will answer. While we are yet speaking, He will hear us (Isaiah 65:24). 

I cannot tell you how many times God has answered a “need” and even a “want,” before I expressed it to Him in prayer, for He knows the intentions of the heart. We can have confidence in Him, that He hears us, if we ask with the right motives, according to His will (John 5:14). Though He knows our every thought and desire, He wants us to vocalize those to Him. Then when that prayer is answered, we know to give Him all praise and thanksgiving. 

My husband and I pray before making any purchases or any decisions and ask God for wisdom and guidance. When we place His authority and direction before our own desires, He never lets us down. Jesus said, “…whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." But we must ask with right motives and that His will is done? (Mark 11:24)

I have learned this about answered prayer: when we ask God for something, the response will come in one of three ways: Yes, No, or Wait. Of course, we all want to hear yes. However, God has His reasons for no and for wait. Regardless of the answer, we must trust Him. 

It is very difficult to have faith if we do not trust God. If we trust in God’s goodness and His perfect will, then we can trust and have total confidence that He will do the right thing for us. Peter had such great confidence in God and His plan for his life, that he was able to sleep peacefully in chains between two soldiers, in a cold and damp prison.

Are you caught in a prison of circumstances that you have no control over? Or maybe you have a need that requires God’s intervention. If you and others have been praying and waiting, yet the answer has not yet come, keep believing and trusting God, so that when the answer arrives, you will recognize its appearing and give thanks to Him. 

PRAYER: FATHER, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Help me to surrender my will to You and trust You in all circumstances. Prepare my heart to recognize, receive, and accept Your answer. Thank you for Your unwavering love and the fulfillment of Your promises. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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You Have Great Value

What determines the value of a person? The world associates a person’s “value” with monetary worth, usefulness, importance, significance, intelligence, appearance, popularity, behavior, and sadly—skin color. However, God sees each person as having great value because He created man in His own image and when God saw all that He had made, He said, “It was very good” (Genesis 1:27;31). It wasn’t just good…it was VERY good. 

Jesus, the incarnate God, sees value and the deepest needs and potential within the human heart. One such example is in the story of the blind and dirty beggar, Bartimaeus.  

Bartimaeus, sat by the roadside, begging for alms. When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he began to urgently and repeatedly shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  The crowd rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:46-47). Bartimaeus’ physical need was apparent, but Jesus knew the state of this man’s heart and his greater need was for salvation. Jesus would meet both needs. 

God sees us through His son Jesus, who is the embodiment of love. That love is not the world’s superficial “love.” It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud. It does not dishonor others; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails (I Corinthians 13:4-8). 

Jesus taught that we should have that same kind of love for others, a love that can only come when we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It is His love that filters the impurities of life and leaves the richness of His mercy and grace within us. 

Like Bartimaeus, God sees far beyond our faults and imperfections. He searches the heart and understands every desire and every thought. Those who seek Him [urgently and fervently] will find Him, but those who forsake Him, He will reject forever (I Chronicles 28:9).

God wants intimacy with us. He knows when we sit and when we rise. He perceives our every thought and discerns our coming and going and when we lie down. He is familiar with all our ways and before we speak a word, He know it completely. He is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of every heart (Psalm 139:2-4; Hebrews 4:12). In pondering how God intimately knows each person and sees their value and potential, I was reminded of Michelangelo’s David and the story behind the world’s most celebrated and beloved sculpture.

Standing seventeen feet tall, the statue of David was created from a six-ton piece of neglected marble. Initially, a sculptor, Agostino di Duccio, had been commissioned to create a statue of David from the mammoth piece of Carrara marble, but he only got so far and then abandoned the project. Untouched for ten years, Antonio Rossellino was commissioned to finish the statue; however, for unknown reasons, he too abandoned the project. 

The massive piece of marble sat exposed to the elements for 26 years when 26-year-old Michelangelo, a highly respected and revered sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of his day, was given the opportunity to finish the project.

Michelangelo had a clear vision of what he saw hidden within the massive piece of marble. He was quoted in saying, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” Unfortunately, the first two sculptors lacked that vision for what the marble could become.

Before we were born, God had a clear vision for our potential when He created our inmost being and knit us together in our mother’s womb. Our frame was not hidden from Him, when we were made in the secret place and woven together. His eyes saw our unformed body. All our days were ordained for us and written in His book before one of those days came to be (Psalm 139:13-16). 

We are precious in His eyes and greatly loved, because we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which He prepared beforehand the we should walk in them (Isaiah 43:4; Ephesians 2:10). God not only had a clear vision for who and what He designed us to become, He charted a path customized for each of us, so that we could have a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). 

God sees each person as having great value and worth. All too often, the world and even family can say or do things that cause us to doubt our value. But the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7). Though we are flawed, imperfect, and we fail and make mistakes, God, like Michelangelo, looks beyond what can be seen and sees the beauty and potential that is within each and every person. 

Have you allowed negative comments to drown out the truth of who you are in God’s eyes? Have you allowed past failures and negative comments to define your worth? Have you had a particular dream but never believed it was achievable? The truth is, we can be and achieve all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).

Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus fully knew his need, but He wanted him to voice that need. Bartimaeus answered, “Master, I want to see!” Jesus told him, “You may go. Your eyes are healed because of your faith.” Right away the man could see, and he went down the road with Jesus (Mark 10:51-52). Not only could Bartimaeus physically see, but his eyes had been opened to the spiritual reality and truth of Jesus Christ as Savior and His redemptive love for him. 

Spiritual truths overcome the world’s opinions and judgements and allow us to see ourselves as Christ sees us. We are then able to see past the lies that we have believed and finally see our great value and the beauty that is within. Today, Jesus is asking, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

PRAYER: FATHER, thank you that you are the Sculptor of my life. Where others reject me, You see value and worth that even I cannot see. Open my eyes as you did for Bartimaeus that I may see all that You have for me in this life and the life beyond. Help me to see that my value and worth were purchased at Calvary’s Cross by the blood of Jesus Christ. He is the One whom I desire to be the rhythm and joy of my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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DON'T BACK DOWN; DON'T GIVE UP

In a world that has so much negativity, hostility, violence, and hatred, it is tempting to focus on what we see, read, and hear. The enemy of our soul would have us succumb to discouragement, which breeds fear, doubt, unbelief, frustration, and anger. However, God encourages us, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

We see evil escalating and wonder if God’s Word is true. We all, at some point, have struggled or will struggle with fear, discouragement, and unbelief. Many great men of faith experienced those same struggles and felt like backing down and giving up. 

The Prophet Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel, but when he received death threats from evil Jezebel, he fled to Beersheba. There, he sat down under a juniper tree and prayed that he might die (1 Kings 19). Why would he, after numerous successes of proving God’s power and authority, back down and give up? 

Elijah was tired, hungry, emotionally spent, and his mental state was off kilter, so he became immersed in self-pity, as he complained to God. Haven’t we all, at one time or another, complained and wanted to give up? Like Elijah, we believed we had done all that God had required, yet life continued to press in with unrelenting challenges. Possibly you are currently in that place of discouragement and questioning God.

God ministered to Elijah’s needs, but He also pointed out he had a heart issue that had embraced unbelief and self-pity. God did not release Elijah from his duties, instead, He gave him new instructions to return the way he came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. There he would anoint Hazael king over Aram, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha to succeed Elijah as prophet. Elijah continued his ministry and mentored Elisha until he was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).

Moses asked God to take his life, because in his false pride, he complained to God that he was the burden bearer for Israel and failed to see God as the burden bearer (Numbers 11:11-15). The Prophet Jeremiah angerly cursed the day of his birth because of his enemies (Jeremiah 20:14-18). God told the prophet Jonah to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh; however, his pride judged the Ninevites as deserving death and unworthy to hear the message. After God severely dealt with Jonah for his disobedience, he repented and preached to the people of Nineveh (Jonah 4:3).

The Apostle Peter passed through the fiery trial and failed the test when he denied knowing Jesus three times. He would later say, “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you (I Peter 4:12). 

God understands our humanness, because He came to earth, taking on the form of a man, yet was fully God, and experienced all the human emotions and fears that we experience. He understands our struggles, doubts, and fears, doubt being the most dangerous because it sabotages faith in God’s goodness, His faithfulness, and His promises. Doubt will always give birth to ingratitude and complaining.

The Israelites defeated the Canaanites, but instead of praising and thanking God for their great victory and provision, they complained about the bread He had provided. Angered by their ingratitude, complaining, and lack of faith, God sent a plague of fiery serpents. 

When life is not going in the direction planned or hoped for, if we are not careful, we can become ungrateful and complaining? We are told to give thanks in all things, because God has the power to take any circumstance or problem and turn it into a blessing. Do we really believe that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose?” (Romans 8:28).

Discouragement comes when we fail to trust God’s wisdom and goodness. We struggle with His timing and purposes, because we have our own timing, so if events do not line up with our agenda, we become discouraged and begin to doubt God. 

The enemy’s goal is to weaken the resolve of God’s people and to render them spiritually impotent, so they will back down and eventually give up. But the Apostle Paul tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (I Corinthians 10:13 NIV).

Jesus set the example in overcoming when the Spirit of God led Him into the desert to fast and pray for 40 days. Without food and water, He was at His lowest reserves. Seizing the opportunity, Satan came to temp Jesus with the same three destructive forces against the human spirit that he had used to tempt Eve: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Despite, the enemy’s efforts, Jesus refused to back down or give up. Instead, He wielded the Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word) and defeated the enemy in all three areas.    

The difference between these great men of faith and Jesus was that those men gave into the lust of the flesh (how they felt), the lust of the eyes (what they saw), and the pride of life (a prideful arrogance, preferring one’s will over God’s will). 

Christians are called to be overcomers through the power and authority given to them through Jesus Christ’s suffering and His shed blood. He overcame and defeated the enemy in the desert, in the Garden, at the cross, and at the tomb. It is up to us to pick up the Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word) and wield it against the enemy. Christians must not succumb to feelings or to what is seen, “for a man’s [prideful] heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). God said, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). 

Mighty men of faith allowed discouragement, fear, anger, and pride to overwhelm them. God is telling His Church, “You must persevere! Do not back down! Do not give up when things are difficult!” In these troubling and confusing days, God is calling Christians to be strong, courageous, unafraid and encouraged by His Holy Spirit, believing and not doubting that He is with us as we move forward with Him.

PRAYER: FATHER, Forgive me if I have been focusing on what I see and how I feel. Forgive me for any false pride that looks to my will and not Yours. Help me to take my concerns, worries, and fears to You in prayer and trust that You have the answer and will direct my steps. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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WHY REPENT?

I am always grateful for God’s correction and spiritual realignment. He is calling His Church and the world to repentance, so it was not surprising when He urged me to revisit repentance and prioritization of time with Him.

Each day, we become preoccupied with worldly things, and in the difficulties, irritations, and business of daily living, we sin with our words, thoughts, and actions, yet we often dismiss those things. Therefore, in our humanness, repentance is required, and like King David, we must ask God to search our hearts and reveal any sin within us.

What does it mean to “repent?” 

The Hebrew of the Old Covenant has two words for repentance: NACHAM -(nay-hom) to lament; to grieve; to change

SHUB - a radical change of mind toward sin; a decision to forsake sin and agree with God.

The Greek of the New Covenant has two words that parallel the Hebrew. METAMELOMAI (met-a-mel-o-my) - to change one’s mind; to have concern or remorse.

MATANOEO - (met-an-o-a) - to repent; to radically change and turn to God and away from sin.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “repent” is a sincere regret or remorse for an action. The world’s definition of regret does not require “change” as indicated by Scripture. You can express contrition about an action, yet commit the sin again and again.

True repentance requires a heart-change that motivates change in behavior and thoughts. We may not commit murder or adultery, but have we lied, stolen, gossiped, judged, or criticized. Do we hold grudges or unforgiveness in our hearts? Do we have secret sins? Are our hearts set on worldly things or on God? 

When Jesus was addressing the Pharisees and the people, He said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules” (Matthew 15:8-9 NIV).

Saul, a Pharisee and persecutor of the Christian church in Jerusalem, went house-to-house, dragging Christians to prison. If a believer was found guilty of what Saul considered blasphemy, he demanded their death by stoning. Speaking threats and murder against the disciples, he asked the high priest for letters to give to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if Saul found any who were of the “Way,” he could bring them to Jerusalem for trial (Acts 9:2; 26:10).

People might have said that Saul was unredeemable. For him to become a Christian would be like changing a frog into a prince, yet God had a plan for Saul’s life. So, as Saul journeyed on the road to Damascus, “a light shone around him from heaven. He fell face-down on the ground and heard a voice, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” When Saul asked who was speaking, the Lord answered, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Saul asked, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Saul’s question revealed an immediate repentant and changed heart. Jesus then told him to go to Damascus, where he would receive instruction. 

Saul, blinded by the light, was led to the disciple, Ananias, whom God had instructed beforehand to pray for Saul, who would become Paul. Ananias knew of the great harm Saul had done to the Christians in Jerusalem and the authority he had from the chief priests to arrest all who were Christians. However, Ananias obediently prayed and immediately Saul received his sight. He was then baptized and after a few days with the disciples, he began to preach the Gospel. Now that is a transformed heart!

Numerous times, Israel was warned to repent because of her apostasy, yet she refused. So, in God’s great love for His people, He sent the Prophet Jeremiah to issue another warning to Israel—a warning that holds true for America: “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand, Israel. If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it” (Jeremiah 18:5-10). Despite numerous warnings, Israel, refused to repent and suffered God’s judgment. 

America, like ancient Israel, suffers from a heart issue that refuses to repent. Many confess they are Christians, but their lives reveal that their hearts are far from God. That was proven when the Church remained silent as America turned to apostacy in 1963 and removed prayer and Bibles from schools. Since then, we, like the Israelites, have co-joined the worship of God with the gods of self, materialism, and pleasure. All that God calls sin, society has redefined as good and acceptable, even the killing of children. 

The Coronavirus has killed numerous people, decimated our economy, destroyed livelihoods, and caused people to commit suicide. Recovering alcoholics and rehabilitated drug users have relapsed. Spousal abuse, violence, rioting, hatred, anger, and killing have escalated. If America refuses to repent and turn back to God, the violence and apostasy will continue to grow and America will fall under God’s mighty hand of judgement.  

Before our world turned upside down, were Christians investing time with God in prayer and studying His Word? Were they praying for our nation? As I previously shared in the blog, “Seek Me,” posted April 7th, I thought I was doing all that was needed to build a relationship with God. Yet He revealed that He wants all of my heart, which requires daily reprioritizing of my time and repenting of those missteps in obedience, ungodly attitudes, behaviors, and speaking careless, unprofitable words (Matthew 12:36).

God invites all. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29). God is calling America and the world to repent from apathy, disobedience, arrogance, pride, acceptance of evil, apostasy, sexual sin of every kind, and from failing to speak truth when truth is known. 

Today is the day to seek God while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. Pray the wicked forsake their way and the unrighteous turn to the Lord. Like Saul who became Paul, the greatest and most prolific advocate for Jesus, God will have compassion and will abundantly pardon all who turn to Him (Isaiah 55:6-7).

PRAYER: FATHER, forgive me for not seeking You with all my heart. I ask that Your Holy Spirit daily reveal any actions, words, or deeds that require my repentance. Evil surrounds us and we need Your protection, intervention and a healing of our land. Please initiate change and repentance in the hearts of the lost, the backslidden, and the apathetic Christian, so that there is a turning to You and a surrendering of hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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WARRIORS WHO SACRIFICED ALL

In 1776, George Washington and two Commissioned a flag of red, white, and blue.

Red for courage—and blood shed for liberty, Blue for justice and freedom from tyranny. 

White for the innocence that is taken by war Sacrifices made for peace and freedom, evermore. 

The American flag—symbol of a united effort by all To preserve treasured freedoms, lest we fall... 

…Fall to tyranny and loss of blood-stained freedoms, A tyranny that dishonors soldiers, airmen, and seamen. 

Freedom comes at a very great cost; Lives are marred, and lives are lost. 

But what greater gift can a man or woman give, Then to lay down their life, so that others may live.

The sacrifices our military and families made each day, Are sacrifices beyond what this nation could repay. 

May these words express America’s heartfelt indebtedness To warriors who sacrificed all and went to their rest.

Joy Bollinger

Greater love has no one than this, Than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13

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The Importance of Pentecost

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,  He cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5).

Nicodemus, a Jewish Rabbi and Pharisee, was a scholar and a teacher of the Word, yet he did not understand that Jesus was the fulfillment of Scripture. He asked Jesus, “How can a man be born again when he is old?” Jesus answered, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:4-6). We were formed in a water-filled environment and entered the world with a sin nature. Though we were born physically alive, our spirit was dead. Therefore, our spirit must be reborn. 

The Pharisees and Sadducees were meticulous in all writings pertaining to the Law of Moses. They were self-righteous and held to their traditions and interpretations of the law, even nullifying portions of God’s Word. (Nullification of various biblical truths is evident in many of today’s churches.) These men believed that their knowledge and holy acts would save them; however, their actions revealed what was in their hearts. So, when they came to the Jordan River, John the Baptist denounced them as hypocrites who needed to repent and turn from their wicked ways. 

There are many wonderful and good-intentioned people who have attended and followed the traditions of their church for most of their lives but never verbally invited Jesus to be Lord of their life. They know about Christ, but they have never formed a relationship with Christ. Their hope of heaven has rested in church membership, works, and baptism as an infant. This deception has lulled many into a false security. A pastor once said, “Sitting in a garage doesn’t make you a car and sitting in Church doesn’t make you a Christian.”

Jesus gave warning through the prophet, John the Revelator, to the seven churches of Asia. Of those seven Christian churches, five churches had compromised God’s Word with their apathetic acceptance of immorality, idol worship, and backslidden ways. These ancient churches are a spiritual paradigm for today’s Church that tolerates, and in some cases, embraces sin. God is looking for a godly people whose hearts are fully committed to biblical truths. However, godliness can never be achieved through human strength.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, but before His ascension into heaven, He spoke to His disciples about the “promise” that was soon to come. He told them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the “promise of the Father” of which He had spoken. He said, “John truly baptized with water; but [you] shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:3-5). Jesus then told them, “You shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). 

Pentecost is celebrated every year, 40 days after Easter. It marks the day when the disciples were all gathered in one place waiting for that “promise.” Suddenly a sound, like a rushing mighty wind, came from heaven. There appeared cloven tongues like fire, which sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:2-4). Today, that same promise is for those who have accepted Christ. Although the Holy Spirit no longer appears as cloven tongues, a person who receives, has a keen awareness of His presence and His “voice” speaking into their spirit.  

God wants us to be infilled with the Holy Spirit, thereby enabling us to be bold and faith-filled Christians. We need a power beyond ourselves. It was for that purpose, that Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before going out into the world. They needed wisdom, discernment, knowledge, direction, truth, peace, and all the gifs of the Spirit to empower them in overcoming worldly temptations, trials, and dangers. 

The Holy Spirit enables us to live with power and authority in Jesus’ name. With God’s Spirit, we no longer struggle in our own strength, for He becomes our strength, our fortress, and our high tower. His Spirit leads, guides, and equips us to obey Him and to love others as Christ loves us. The Holy Spirit gives us insight, wisdom, discernment, courage, and faith to live a victorious life—no longer servants and slaves to fear, sin, death, and the world. 

The Holy Spirit speaks to our heart and empowers us to be witnesses for His kingdom (Acts 1:8). His Spirit empowers us to love and forgive as Christ loves and forgives. For the human spirit has no power to generate God’s love, forgiveness, power, and strength. Nor does it have power to generate discernment, revelation, and wisdom. That power comes only from God’s Holy Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples with a new faith and vigor, His Spirit will empower us, if we invite His Spirit to fill us. When God asked King Solomon what He could do for him, he requested God’s wisdom, because wisdom is not inherent to humans. And because he asked for wisdom and not riches, God supernaturally gave Solomon wisdom, riches, and power. 

Today, God is calling all to repentance for being apathetic towards the things of God. For those who have not invited the Holy Spirit to dwell within them, ask Him to empower you with His Holy Spirit that you may walk in faith and victory.

God’s Spirit will never fail us nor forsake us. For He said, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

PRAYER: FATHER, I ask that you fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit. Forgive me for having a casual relationship of convenience. Help me to seek You each day through Your Word, prayer, and in conversation, as one who speaks with a friend (John 15:15). May Your Holy Spirit daily guide me according to Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

AN INVITATION: During my first 23 years on earth, I believed in God; ergo, I was a Christian? Then one winter’s night, I was presented with an invitation that forever changed the trajectory of my life. Maybe you have been in church most of your life, or possibly you have been a casual attendee, but neither have verbally confessed before God, “Jesus is Lord.” If so, I invite you to say the following prayer:

LORD God, Your Word says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but if I declare with my mouth that‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Romans 10:9). Today, I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. He was crucified, died, was buried, and arose from the grave. I am a sinner who needs a Savior. I welcome Jesus Christ into my heart and ask that I be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Congratulations! Today, you have embarked on a new and exciting Spirit-filled journey with God. May God bless you as you pray and seek Him each day.

Do Not Lose Heart

Recently, Michael and I were running errands. As we were going through the stores, I saw many who were wearing masks but many were not. And social distancing, for the most part, was being ignored. Although there are differing opinions regarding these extra precautions, if unity of purpose is not universal, then failure chases and nips at the heels of success. Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand (Matthew 12:25 NKJV).

There is much uncertainty in today’s world as we see our nation divided. Added to that stress, we are dealing with a pandemic, unusual weather changes and storms, pestilence, food shortages, lost jobs, lost business, lost lives, and much more. However, God’s Word addresses the challenges of this world and makes the following declaration:   

"Therefore, we do not lose heart." Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things, which are seen, but at the things, which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (II Corinthians 4:16-18).

To “lose heart” means to become discouraged, demoralized, cast down, depressed, disappointed, dismayed, deterred, intimidated, or crushed. The enemy wants us to lose heart so that we are depressed, doubting God, and losing faith. Conversely, God wants us to have a trusting heart for it is good medicine that makes a cheerful countenance, but a sorrowful heart crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:33; 17:22).

The verse, “…we do not lose heart,” is a declarative statement. God did not say, "We should not lose heart." He makes a declaration that as Christ followers, we DO NOT LOSE HEART. That is part of our re-born DNA. So why do we allow trials and disappointments to dishearten us? Could it be that fissures of fear have formed in our hearts, allowing doubt and unbelief to lodge and contaminate our faith?

Lately, God has been impressing upon my heart that there is a spirit of fear moving across this nation and the world. It is generating negative thoughts and shaping negative actions that fuel the fear. As I have shared in another blog, Scripture tells us not to fear 365 times, which is an admonition not to fear each day of the year. Fear is destructive and debilitating, because it attacks faith and prevents us from trusting God. 

God wants us to face trials with confidence that He will take whatever the enemy has intended for evil and work those things together for our good and for the good of those whom we love and keep in our prayers (Romans 8:28). He has promised to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). If our carnal eyes focus on a problem, then the enemy has an inroad to our heart. If our spiritual eyes focus on God's Kingdom and the leading of His Holy Spirit, then faith and trust emerge to conquer darkness and achieve victory over fear.  

Christians are called to be God's warriors, standing firm in their relationship with Christ, filled with His Holy Spirit, and clothed with the whole armor of God that they may bring forth His truth and power to a world that is encased in spiritual darkness and driven by carnality.

Satan's goal is to make God's people ineffective through intimidation, discouragement, depression, and fear. The good news is this: God daily calls us to boldly move forward with faith, confidence, and an unfettered trust in His strength and ability to take us through any problem and come out the other side as victors. Why? Because "WE DO NOT LOSE HEART," and we know that our "INWARD MAN IS BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY." That is a fact that we must believe.

Our hearts can only be strengthened when we apply the deep truths of His Word that instruct, bring revelation, and lovingly correct us. They all are a source of growth in faith and ultimate joy in the One who loves us.

When I ponder the profound truth that “we do not lose heart,” I am reminded of Corey Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian watchmaker and author of The Hiding Place, who suffered unspeakable atrocities in Hitler’s Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. Yet in all her suffering, she never lost heart and chose to trust God. And that unmovable trust in Him delivered her from the enemy. 

Yes, there will be those times when we struggle not to “lose heart,” but God assures us that He built inside of our re-born heart a profound and settled truth that "we do not lose heart." Therefore, it becomes a matter of what we choose to believe. Will we believe God’s truth that we are confident overcomers, or will we accept Satan’s lie that we are weak, broken, and cast down? As we daily live and walk in God’s truths and believe that we are victorious through Christ, our hearts will learn to trust God, regardless of the circumstances.

PRAYER: FATHER, You, who are sovereign, embedded my heart with DNA that tells me “not to lose heart.” As I daily walk in Your truth, help me to trust You that I may continue to grow in faith, regardless of circumstances. I thank you that I need not fear, because when I trust You, Your perfect love comforts me as You lead, guide, and direct my steps each day. In Jesus’s name, amen. 

A PLACE OF SAFETY

Recently, we experienced heavy rains and high winds that blew the outdoor carpet, forming a perfect tunnel (as pictured). I was in the kitchen preparing dinner when I was suddenly startled by loud banging. I turned to see a squirrel, that had apparently accessed the porch by scampering up the brick pillars. With the grace of an aerialist, he flew through the air and landed onto the sliding screen door. Then, as if his tiny legs were springs, he repeatedly bounced back and forth from the porch floor to the screen.

I was distracted by his antics, when my eye caught a little head peeking out from the end of the “tunnel.” Then I saw another at the opposite end of the “tunnel.” Now there were three juvenile squirrels romping and tumbling about the porch. As darkness closed in, the downpour continued, so we closed the vertical blinds, assuming our furry visitors would leave when the storm ended.

The following day, at 7:00 a.m., we were rudely awakened by loud banging. Entering the kitchen area, I realized that the sound was coming from the porch, so I drew back the blinds to find FOUR little guys playfully scurrying back and forth through the “tunnel,” jumping about the deck, and repeatedly launching themselves onto the sliding screen door. As I watched these entertaining fur-balls frolic and play, it occurred to me that in the midst of fierce winds, those same winds had provided shelter for the little critters. If God provides for His creation, how much more will He provide for us? (Matthew 6:26-34).

Right now, the world is in turmoil with dangerous and unsettling events taking place. Like those squirrels who sought a shelter from the storm, people are looking for a place of refuge and safety from the Coronavirus that has decimated America’s economy. Businesses have been forced to close, with some never to reopen. People have lost their jobs and many have lost their lives. They worry about what the future may hold as they struggle to find their footing. However, our security is not and can never be in the things of this world, a government, or a leader. Our security and place of safety, strength, protection, and peace is in God who is our provider and sustainer.

All the success and wealth in the world cannot erase fear of the unknown nor provide lasting security. The Word of God warns that in the last days, men's hearts will fail them because of fear and apprehension of those things coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven will be shaken (Luke 21:26). The world is going through a shaking, and we, like those young squirrels, are all looking for that place of safety, where we can once again experience joy, security, and peace. 

God promises us that those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. There we will say, “The Lord is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:1-2). He is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). He is my hiding place; He protects me from trouble and surrounds me with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7). Therefore, in peace I will lie down and sleep, for He alone makes me dwell in safely (Psalm 4:8).

Some might angrily ask, “You can quote Scripture all day, but how will Scripture feed my family or find me work?” I can personally attest to the power of God and His faithfulness as The Provider to those who pray, believe, and trust Him. 

A terrible recession hit the U.S. between 1973 and 1975. Many lost their jobs, their savings, and their homes. I was among the 600 of 3,000 in our company whose jobs were terminated. As a divorced mother of a two-year-old, what was I to do? I turned to God, and what had become a nightmare proved to be the greatest blessing, as God miraculously provided for our every need.

Throughout Biblical history and America’s history, God has proven to be Sustainer, Provider, and Deliverer. He delivered the Israelites from their oppressors as He led them through the desert. Yet they disobeyed and murmured and complained against God, even though He had protected them and supernaturally provided for their every need. Unbelief and distrust of God caused them to sin with their attitudes, their mouths, and their actions. Finally, they demanded that Aaron construct an idol to worship. 

Shockingly, Aaron complied. It is difficult to imagine how Aaron, a Godly man whom God had appointed to be the spokesman for Moses, could have been persuaded to make and worship an idol. Yet we have been warned that in the last days people will be lovers of themselves and not of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power? (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

God is holy and will not tolerate disobedience and sin, so He said to Moses, “I have seen these people and they are a stiff-necked (arrogant, stubborn) people. Now leave Me alone so that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation” (Exodus 32: 9-10). Moses quickly interceded for the people and asked God not to kill them. “Then the Lord relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had threatened” (vs 14). Had it not been for Moses interceding on behalf of Israel, God would have destroyed them all.

With the onset of a deadly virus coupled with unprecedented divisiveness and fighting among our elected officials, we see prosperity, peace, safety, and security hanging in the balance. Yet how many are turning to God? Instead, America, once known as the bright beacon of hope, faith, and prosperity has become a floundering nation of stiff-necked people, not unlike the rebellious ancient Israelites. 

God is urgently calling the Church to cry out on behalf of our nation as Moses cried out for the nation of Israel. Warning bells have been sounding, but the majority of people have been ignoring the warnings. We, the Church, can no longer ignore God’s call to daily intercede for America’s leaders and for people to repent, turn from apostacy, and turn to God. Only then will this nation again become “One nation under God.”

PRAYER: FATHER, You have said that if Your people, who are called by Your name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek Your face, and turn from their wicked ways, You will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land (II Chronicles 7:13-14). Therefore, I repent for not boldly and relentlessly interceding for this nation. I repent on behalf of "We the People" of the United States of America, who, as a united body, once believed in Your sovereignty over their lives and this nation. Now they embrace false religions, all forms of pleasure, and abominations. They exchange the truth for a lie and worship and serve the world and the things in it, instead of their Creator. I ask that Your Holy Spirit draw the hearts of people back to You, so that our land may be healed and people will again embrace, “In God We Trust.” In Jesus’ name, amen.