I've listened to and read so many debates about this subject, even tried to articulate my own feelings about it. However, I think this is by far the best, I've read. We're all sinners, nobody has a right to judge, God is the final authority.
For He is Good and Loves Mankind: The Church, the Culture, Tolerance, Repentance and...: Crowning, June 2013 I've been disappointed in much of what I have read online the past few days in the wake of the Supreme Court'...
Monday, June 29, 2015
Sunday, June 28, 2015
From the Ruins of Life
God's beauty will always triumph over the ruins of our life. We all have those areas in our life from time to time that seem to be in ruins, weather they are relationships, financial situations, dreams, or even your reputation. Sadly, there are people who are unaware of the redemption they can experience in the ruins of life.
A year ago I was just starting to see the beauty God was beginning to rise up out of the ruins and ashes of my life. The dreams I had of a loving, caring, sober, husband who wasn't full of rage and walks with the Lord; dreams of loving and being loved; dreams of security; dreams of a future; and hope, were all in ruins. However, God was doing something new!
The Lord planted a seed in my heart and the heart of an amazing man I never expected to cross my path. Our hearts, so we thought, were in ruins and beyond repair from our past mistakes, failures, destroyed marriages, and straying from God. Instead of rebuilding the hearts we had, there began new growth of something completely other! It filled up the cracks, intertwined the broken pieces, and bound our hearts together in such a way that we could not undo.
A year ago July 3rd, after only knowing each other for slightly over two months, this amazing man and I got married!! More detail about that can be found in my second blog post,
http://deeds4him.blogspot.com/2015/06/continuing-in-greatest-adventure.html?m=1
We were two people in ruins who chose not to give upon God. We made a decision to surrender, invite, and keep Him in the center of everything, unlike we ever did in previous relationships. All our decisions were and continue to be brought to Him first, from our very first meeting to our mini driving adventures we now take on the weekends.( sightseeing on back country roads are all we can afford for now) How else could so much strength and beauty come in and transform two people with out His name, being on the seed He planted in our hearts!?
We've endured some pretty harsh trials in our short time together, but by keeping God in the center, and He keeping us on the edge, we've seen miracles and provisions out of unexpected places. There was a time when we were fairly new to our city, with out many connections, and didn't know how to get our utilities turned back on, where our next meal would come from, how rent would get paid, or where a good paying job would be, and God provided in ways we never thought possible, ways we knew could only be from him and our faith was strengthened.
We still have a few few hurdles to overcome and as long as we're alive and striving to serve the Lord we'll have struggles to endure. Like a mentioned in an earlier post, we do have an adversary who doesn't want to see us succeed. But I have faith, my Hope and Future rests in HIM. I've seen what HE can do with ruins, I can't wait to see what HE is going to do with the beauty HE's creating around us. As long as we seek His will and keep Him in the center He'll continue to restore, rebuild, and renew our lives, even during the tests and trials.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Order in a Chaotic World
God is a God of order. He has a set way of doing things. If you look to creation, the sun has to rise from the East and set in the West to make a day, it always follows that order; always. Crops always grow in the Spring and Summer months and are harvested in the Fall. That order never changes.
I am thankful that when our world seems chaotic and out of order, I serve a God who will forever stay the same and will always be a God of order. One day He's going to return and bring our world back to His order, in the mean time I will grow where He plants me, look to serve, and love those who are put in my path. And when the way seems too rough I'll take time out to stop and see the beauty and order in His world when there seems like there isn't any.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
HIS MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING
My last few blog posts were pretty long and pretty heavy! It wasn't my intention to appear closed minded or unloving. It's because I love and care and have these Christian beliefs, that I share. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however I pray that options are considered with the same open mindedness that people are calling Christians to have.
I believe homosexuals that are honest, fine, hardworking people and many even consider themselves Christian. I have known people who consider themselves part of the LGBT Community and have never had any negative issues or experiences with them. I do not consider myself better than any one. I do believe they are trapped in sin. There are many sins and homosexuality is just one of them, we all sin and fall short of what God originally intended for our life. Again, it’s not my place to judge.
I have a greater concern now, that gay marriage has opened the door to some real problems. While it seems as a group of people have gained some new rights and equality, some have lost theirs. Say a pastor cannot marry a gay couple because he believes it is wrong according to his faith, he will be looked at as wrong for denying them their constitutional rights. His religious rights become condemned. What about polygamy, incestuous or other relationships considered outside the norm? People would and could use the same argument that was used against gay marriage, like it is unnatural, or a perversion, or it destroys the definition of marriage. But by making that same argument, you become hypocritical. Where do you draw the line? Is there a line any more? Now it seems any one can go to court and have them define what love is and who is allowed to love whom. The squeaky wheel may have been greased but what will the consequences be?
All any Christian can do now is, give those things to God. Make sure that we live in His image. It's not for us to judge, we can't hold others to the same standards God set for us. Remember, as I said in a previous post, God's word was written for the believers. The ignorant will to test our values. We need to hold true to them, with out condemnation. It's okay to share beliefs but not to condemn others for not believing.
NOW ON TO OTHER THINGS! I need a mini adventure with my amazing man today! It's time to check out if this drama filled world for a time today and go seek out some beauty in it. I'm excited to see what God has in store for us today!
The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease
The squeaky wheel gets the grease
At the beginning of time God created a perfect Paradise for what has been called the crown of His creation, mankind, beginning with Adam and Eve. There were boundaries set for Adam and Eve, not to keep them under rule, but to keep them safe, physically and spiritually. They were given free will to choose to follow the guidelines of those boundaries or to go their own way.
Since the beginning of time man has been pushing the boundaries God has set. Each time man chooses to do things their own way instead of God's way, bend and rewrite His laws, cry out and complain like the "squeaky wheel", God turns them over to their own desires, only to be met with great consequences! They learn the reason behind the why God set those boundaries to begin with.
Adam and Eve crossed God's boundaries, the only ones set for them and ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
The consequences brought on by this defiance include: separation from God, painful childbirth, weeds in our garden, and, ultimately, death. The worst part is the separation from God, as it introduced fear and death which further puts more division between God and mankind.
Cain, who who was the first son of Adam and Eve kills his brother Able out of jealousy. During this time God required mankind to make sacrifices or offerings as a show of obedience (another consequences from the first breach of God's boundaries). There were instructions as to how the offerings were to be conducted. It was a symbol of what was to come in a Messiah (Jesus). Able, Cain's brother followed God's instructions and God was pleased.
However, Cain chose to do it his own way, he disobeyed God's instructions. The consequences; God rejected Cain's offering. Jealousy and anger grew in his heart, which led to the murder of Able, followed by further separation between Cain and God. In Genesis 4:7 God said, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
Now Jonah was a prophet of God and his story is one I can relate to, it's found in the book of Jonah. I feel as though many times I would fight God about some sort of conviction until I'm sitting in the belly of a whale and finally give up. God told Jonah to go to the Nineveh and tell the people to repent of their wickedness and turn to the Lord. But Jonah didn't think the people were worthy, in fact he thought it would be pointless, nobody would listen to him.
He was so against it he tried to run away from what God wanted him to do. He was only interested in doing things his way, preaching to those he thought were redeemable. He found himself on a ship in the middle of a storm far far away from where God was trying to lead him, only to get thrown overboard by the sailors on the ship. Jonah knew God was chasing him down. Jonah 1:5-2:10 continues the story about how sailors were afraid, (consequences of Jonah doing things his way) they all cried to their gods, but when Jonah had them throw him overboard the seas calmed the Sailors saw the power of the Lord and Jonah got swallowed by a big fish, where he stayed there for three days and three nights, still struggling to do things his own way. When he finally saw God's wisdom, the fish vomited out Jonah on dry land. He then went and followed God's will and the people of Nineveh DID repent!
As time passed the people of Israel wanted a king, as told about in the book of 1 Samuel. All the other nations were setting up kingdoms and having Kings rule over them. The Israelites had the Lord God, the one true king. But they complained to Samuel the prophet of God about their desire for a king. 1 Samuel 8:19-22 says, "But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”"
Saul was later appointed king and he too disobeyed God. He didn't follow the instructions for offerings, (at this time it was the job of the priests or Levites). When God's favor left him, he sought out mediums to speak to the dead when all the prophets didn't give him the answers or words he wanted to hear, he was still trying to do it his way. He spent more time trying to rule his way, than the way God instructed, and the people were handed over to the Philistines. The people of God got what they wanted, a human king with human faults, giving into human sin, which led to his death and their captivity. In 1 Samuel 12:14-15 again, were reminded to obey for our own good,"If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good! But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors."
Throughout Biblical history as well as man's written history we can see cycles of how God provides and blesses, man grows discontent, wants things his way, and complains until God turns man over to their own ways. If and when man wises up enough, he turns back to God once the lesson is learned. Today is no different.
Today we see the confusion and immorality brought in by being discontent. One that is in the forefront of our society today... Yes I'm going there... Sexual immorality. Now before I go any farther, know that a sin is a sin in God's eyes. Weather your involved in sexual immorality, a liar, a drunk, or a murderer it's all a sin. I'm not one to judge, God is. I've got plenty of sin in my past and if I'm honest, in my present and future too. I'm no better than any one else and God is no respecter of persons. Nobody is better than any one else. That being said, I know what the Bible says about sexual immorality and can only use that as a standard to live by, with the best of my ability.
The current squeaky wheel of our time, the Gay and Lesbian community got what they asked for. Do I agree with it, not when I look to what God's word says. Do I condemn and judge those who do? No, that isn't my place. I fully expected this to happen. Many Christians if not all saw this coming. It's upsetting, not because they are judging but because Christians know the consequences of sin and know that we reap what we sew. The government should not be involved in matters of conscience, telling the people what they should believe, or that what they believe is wrong, anymore than Christians should tell another their beliefs are wrong, that's God's job. It is our job to listen to God and follow him.
This whole country, the USA has drastically changed over the course of a few years due to being discontent. My heart has grown so heavy over it, as I'm sure many other Christians have too. The biggest reason my heart is so heavy over it is that through out history people or even nations felt conviction and or regret over their sins. Sadly today, people celebrate sin. Sin is becoming normalized or moralized and those who stand against it, are called immoral and narrow minded. But Christians have seen it before, it's predicted in the Bible.
Every aspect of our society is being permeating with sexual sin as being "normal". We can't escape it. For the first time in history sin is being institutionalize.It all stems from being discontent and wanting to do it man's way. Sadly, if you don't follow the ways of the world, you are no longer free to speak your mind with out being condemned.
Never thought I'd have a blog that spoke about such controversial things.
We know from history, every time man is left to doing things his own way, distraction follows...
"But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband." (1 Corinthians 7:2)
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexualimpurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. ( Romans 1:24)
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men.. (1 Corinthians 6:9)
It's what the Bible says, not I. Does our Hope and Future still lie in the one who created it, or in the squeaky wheel?
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Through Anxiety and Depression
ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION...
Things I discovered and learned...
These emotions and feelings have been a constant in my life. They're not as prevalent as they once were, however. (I discussed that period of time in my first blog post) God has done an incredible work in my life when it comes to the way I'm able to deal with the tests and trials of life!
Christian or not, lots of stress in life or little, people will encounter times of anxiety and depression. While it is very common to have bouts of depression or anxiety at least once in a person's life, there is a mark of disgrace or shame when it comes to admitting to experiencing it, especially in Christian circles.
When a person dealing with anxiety and depression is brave enough to seek Godly counsel they are often met with well meaning statements like, "Don't focus so much on your anxiety, give thanks and count your blessings, keep praying and I'll pray for you too". Following it up by handing you helpful little Bible verses to reinforce their statements like, Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." And, " Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." from Psalms 139:23 or something like, 1Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." When this happens fellow believers are left feeling rejected, like God isn't working in your life because you don't have enough faith, you're not praying hard enough, or somehow you're not good enough which only leads to a deeper depressed state of mind.
Then there are those in the world who want depression and anxiety accepted as this mental illness that needs to be medicated and kept under control. Or even worse accepted as part of there identity or something to own. " it's my depression, it's who I am, a person with depression and anxiety." Don't get me wrong, there are people who have a chemical imbalance and God has given man the ability to create medicine to correct it.
All emotion is created by a chemicals in your brain. Oftentimes when a person experience difficult situations like a death of a loved one or loss of a job that may bring on depression or anxious feelings about life in general. After some time that depression can go away using typical coping skills. However, when a person is in a constant state of depression and or anxiety and unable to over come it on their own, when it is caused by something like mental and physical abuse, or even an environment that caused great mental stress like financial hardship for long periods of time, or a dead end/unsatisfying job, that constant exposure that causes depression and anxiety and causes the brain to create the chemical that brings on those feelings and emotions.
Over long periods of time the brain gets used to creating this chemical and it becomes difficult to balance it out. That's when counseling to develop better coping skills, sometimes accompanied by medication can be helpful while learning and putting those new coping skills in practice. Medications shouldn't be used for life or as a crutch. Who wants to continually be dependent on medication to control your emotions?
So to tie together the first two things I learned about depression and anxiety: 1, maybe my faith wasn't strong enough, maybe I needed more prayers; better prayers. 2, I needed lots of mental help and counseling as well as medication to keep me safe, maybe even for life! None of those options or explainations about the deep depression and anxiety I experienced sound too promising. Especially, if I turn to what the Lord has told me. (Not just throwing out Bible verses here) "For 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."(Jeremiah 29:11) "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." ( Psalm 23:18) And, one of my favorites: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7) God didn't say, pray harder, take these drugs, do this, or that. He already has a plan, given me a hope and a future, and He has given me a sound mind! So how should depression and anxiety be approached?
I don't discount prayer, counseling, and taking a serious look at your walk with the Lord, and sometimes (less than prescribed today) medication . However, I do suggest that you view what you're going through from a different angle. Remember, as I mentioned in my last blog post that we battle more than just the things we see with our eyes. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For 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." If God gave us a sound mind, a hope, and a future, if fear doesn't come from the Lord, where does it all come from? Weather we realize it, want to admit it or not, we're under attack we're in spiritual warfare! The favorite place Satan loves to attack is our mind. If he can get us there, he has us! Every action, feeling, response, and reaction begins in the mind before it is carried out. That's why the following two passages are important and worth mentioning again: "10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.."(Ephesians 6:10-17) "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (2 Corinthians 5:10) That's how we're able to fight the battle!
Besides realizing we're in a spiritual battle know that, "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."
(1Corinthians 10:13) God allows temptation in our lives, He allows trials and battles to rage. I've learned that from each battle, I've grown. I'm starting to learn, when I'm overcome with some kind of anxiety over a new situation or even anxiety that comes upon me with no explanation at all, (like yesterday's all day ordeal) God is about to show me something or make a move in my life and Satan is using the distraction to keep me from seeing God working. The Devil doesn't have any new tricks, he's been using the same ole' ones since the beginning of time. Yet, no matter what Satan throws at us and God allows, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."(Romans 8:28) God uses ALL THINGS and all means all, to work together for His good! God may at least I believe in my life be using these trials that cause anxiety and depression in my life to draw me closer to Him allowing me to see my need for Him in my life, and to realize my limitations. When I realize how limited I am in what I can do myself or my way, it opens that door to communication. I seek Jesus and His ways and when that happens, eventually everything lines up. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."(Proverbs 3:5,6)
So here's the key, it's not about how good you are, how well you pray, how great your faith is, or how thankful you are. God will increase all of that as YOU ALLOW HIM to work on and through you. Battling anxiety and depression isn't easy, but when you can view it for what it is, a spiritual battle that can be fought and won, it leaves you with the hope that you will overcome.
You're not alone! We serve a God who is bigger than depression and bigger than anxiety. We just have to "HONESTLY" yield to HIM. Let go of the control you think you have, there may be areas in your life you're not willing to lay at the foot of the cross, yet that keeps you in bondage to your depression and anxiety, that doesn't have to be you. Your identity is in Christ, not your depression or anxiety! Reading those well meant verses, are helpful only if you can apply them to your life.
Another huge key is knowing you can apply the verses to your life, as I mentioned in the previous blog post God's word was for the believers. Mark 4:11-12 states, "He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’”
Be sure that you know, that you know, God is in control. "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"(Romans 8:31)
I'm not a doctor, I have no medical expertise, I'm not a preacher, it isn't my intent to cram religion down anyone's throat. I'm just have the desire to share my heart and my experience in hopes it may help or touch someone's heart.
~Deeds
Monday, June 22, 2015
Where does your hope and future lie? How far from the altar are we as Christians?
My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
Even the Sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young-
a place near your altar,
Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
(Psalm 84:2-4)
Racism, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, cisgender movement, the militant Muslims, Christianity, Judaism, plain ol' religious zealots, wars, rumors of wars, the right to bear arms or lay them down, anti this, pro that, conservative, liberal, left wing, right wing, and wing nuts; all of these movements and institutions are all noisemakers, creating noise manufactured by Satan himself (Yes, I said it!) to distract from the reality of what is really going on!
I realize that I risk sounding like one of those Bible thumping Christians who want to cram Christianity down a person's throat. While I have a passion to see people come to Christ, it is the Christians who have given Christianity a bad wrap and create stumbling blocks for those seeking Christ and those who have yet to accepted Him. It is that group of people I've become most frustrated with.
The reality is, if you truly believe in God's word, then you know how relevant it is to the times we're living in. As His Word WAS written FOR the believers. "He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables."(Mark 4:11)
We're being distracted by all the noise around us. Distracted from the bigger picture. While we're being distracted, we're being disarmed and disillusioned and led to believe in the stripped down watered down version of who Christ is, why he came, the fact he is coming again, and what we are to do about it. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms". In today's "modern world" that sounds like a line from an upcoming superhero movie. Who can save us from the scary spiritual forces of evil? Jesus, the Son of Man can!
Joking aside, all of the issues mentioned earlier and more, have the the church squabbling, fighting, and ripping apart at the seams, or worse than that passively backing down, taking no stands for or against anything, and being afraid to step on toes. Christians today are so afraid to speak the truth! The live in fear of being politically incorrect, hurting people's feelings, stepping on toes, and not retaining people who give generously. So these stripped down, watered down sermons, we now call messages in our church are given as quiet little talks to tickle the ears of man and bring no offense to anyone. Surely we can't offend or make anyone uncomfortable, Jesus never did that right? Remember that little scene in the temple where he had a fit? He took a dramatic stand for what was right! "Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves."(Matthew 21:12)
I've heard it said, "Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comforted ". There are those who are comfortable just being a Christian who earned that free ticket to get into heaven and there are those who refuse to hear the truth. Being a Christian never guaranteed you an easy life. In fact Jesus said, "Remember what I told you, ' A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." (John 15:20) So why would we as Christians be persecuted, we love, tolerate, and live peacefully with everyone, right?
As a Christian we ARE called to love one another. When we love someone, BECAUSE we love someone, and see them going the wrong way, aren't we going to try and guide and direct them in the right way to keep them from harm? In fact Galatians 6:1 states, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." If you're in a relationship with a person who is constantly causing you or themselves harm, and nothing you say or do will get them to see the truth of what they are doing and turn from it, will you continue to tolerate and allow their actions to affect your life? What if the very thing they are doing is holding on to beliefs, ideas, possessions, or relationships, that are preventing them from moving forward due to the pain and destruction they cause? What if it is the very thing preventing them from having certain blessings in life or a deeper walk with the Lord? Worse yet, you can see by them not letting go of that belief, idea, or possession, it's keeping them from accepting Christ and He'll is what will await them when this life on Earth is over? As a Christian do we want their blood on our hands because we were afraid to make them uncomfortable?!
Matthew 19 speaks of the young ruler who believed he was doing everything right in the eyes of the Lord and asked Jesus, just what he needed to do in order to gain eternal life. Jesus answered him by telling him to sell all of his possessions and give to the poor, then follow Him. The man hung his head and walked away, as he was a wealthy man. Jesus let the man walk away, He didn't chase after him. He let him go and gave him up to his own devices. He didn't stick buy him and say, well I see it hurts you too much to give up your lifestyle, and the things and people you love so much, it's okay then, you can come with me any ways. No he didn't tolerate it at all, I'm sure He still loved him and had compassion for him, as it must have grieved His heart to know that the man choose his own worldly desires over eternal life. Jesus walked in with his disciples to share the Good News About The a Kingdom of God!
Christians need to be careful with who and how God's kingdom is shared. Jesus refers to the Kingdom as a treasure or pearl. Not everyone willing accepts His gift or treasure, being careful not to cram it down people's throats. “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."(Matthew 7:6)
The Good News of The Kingdom and the power of that Kingdom is not to be taken lightly. It's not some made up story to keep the people in check. It's not a far away place somewhere in the clouds where we might get to live one day, if we're good. It is here, it is now, not in full, but in part until the return of Jesus. What are we to do with this God News of the returning of Jesus? How are we to live until he returns? 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;" The word peculiar as we understand it today means to be odd or stand out, isn't that how many Christians are viewed any more? At the same time Christians don't want to be odd or stand out, they want to fit in and be like everyone else. Is that what we're called to do? The word peculiar comes from the Latin and late Middle English words: peculium; meaning property, and peculiaris; meaning private property, and peculiar; meaning particular and special. Christians have evolved from being special and belonging to God to people who are different and stand out. Either way, for our time the word fits! In an ever changing world, God's word remains true! We are to stand out for God. Take a stand don't lie down and try to fit in. Jesus took a stand and people took noticed everywhere He went. Many didn't like it!
While the distraction of Satan's noise is all around us, Christians fail to draw near to the alter of God and are missing out on his blessings. We are just laying down all of our convictions to fit in. While Christians in America are trying to comfortably fit in with the world, there are Christians GETTING THEIR HEADS CHOPPED OFF!! That's what we are being distracted from. God has called us, chosen us and set us aside for His return. Satan is threatened by this and knows the time is near! If Christians weren't such a threat they wouldn't be persecuted. If there wasn't something special about coming to the Lord and being a Christian, Satan wouldn't care and Christ followers wouldn't be persecuted. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1 Peter 5:8) it is happening here, it's happening now! ISIS may not be acting out on our American soil today but Satan's noise is distracting and killing us just the same.
So Christians stay distracted continue on building these churches full of peace, love and grace. However, is the peace, love, and grace Christians are showing the real deal? There are Christians, my self included who have no problem admitting how messy, broken and imperfect they are and have a desire to come along side and invite the messy, broken, and imperfect people on the journey to follow Jesus with them. Now, there is nothing really wrong with that desire and practice. The problem comes when Christians become content in their mess and just woller around in it. Christians become so complacent about their messiness, brokenness and imperfections (we should just call it out here, SINS) that the body of Christ, the church isn't being edified. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to encourage and edify one another so we can, as the previous 10 states we can live with Him. The word edify comes from Middle English: from Old French edifier, from Latin aedificare ‘build,’ from aedis ‘dwelling’ + facere ‘make’ The word originally meant ‘construct a building,’ also ‘strengthen,’ hence to “build up” morally or spiritually. By staying in our current state not looking to build up keeps us from having a deeper relationship living with Christ on earth. And you know in the process of building up, sometimes you need to tear down. Tear down and remove the things the things that hinder the construction of our lives in Christ.
Hebrews 3:13-15 says, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice do not harden your heart as you did in the rebellion."” Sadly, that's what has happened to Christians in America. Christians have become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Instead of sin it's called or treated as messiness, brokenness, illness, defect, or even a mistake God allowed or created.
When we realize we live in a fallen and sinful world, and put light on the dark places sin hides in and expose it for what it is, the power that comes with the Kingdom that Christians are supposed to be sharing becomes more apparent and alive. Matthew 10:7&8 says, "As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." The disciples were given Kingdom power and were told to use it and to pass it on to others. This is another truth Satan's noise keeps us from. The power that was gifted to the apostles, was passed along, and is still alive today if we choose to use it. It doesn't of course give us a license to be weird and totally out there but it does give us the ability to naturally tap into the supernatural.
While we have the ability to use that Kingdom Power in part and are called to live at peace with mankind, that doesn't mean that we give up the right to protect ourselves from the evil in the world. There won't be peace on Earth until Jesus returns, which is why Full Kingdom power isn't here now. It is important to continually pray for His power and presence to fill us up. So as we walk on this Earth during these times we need take stands, be bold and peculiar, tap into the supernatural, edify the body of Christ, step on the toes of those who just want to sit there and blend in, don't get caught up in the noise Satan creates to distract us from the truth!
The truth is that souls need to be saved. People are hurting and have needs that aren't getting met in churches today, they are turned into projects, instead of brothers and sisters in Christ. Many times in the Bible, God's love letter and guide to the world, there are examples of the apostles speaking boldly to the people inside and outside of the church. Christians in America, we are called to speak boldly for the Lord! Being bold is, not being hesitant or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff. It takes courage and a daring spirit. I fear that spirit is lacking today.
In today's world, in the so called Christian world, the focus is more on the noise than the Kingdom. The Reality is, Christ came, wherever Christ is, so is His rule and reign. His spirit lives and dwells in the hearts of Christians. Christians hold on to of that Kingdom power. We were given a treasure and will be held accountable for how we used it. Jesus taught this many times. Matthew 13:44 again speaks of the kingdom as a pearl: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." The pearl had so much value, that when it was put in the ground the man sold EVERYTHING to buy up the whole field where the pearl was buried! We as Christians are like that field, the pearl or Kingdom is hidden within us and Jesus bought us, we belong to Him and contain His power. What are doing with it? Are we blending in letting the Earth grow up around and reclaim us? Sadly, I believe that's what we're doing. We're comfortable in our mess, listening to the noise, sitting back while others take a stand and die for Christ. We close our eyes and turn our head, and we will be caught by surprise and have no more excuses to give when Jesus returns!
Christians, draw near to His altar. Make His house a house of praise not a comfortable place to blend in. Be bold, take stands, and edify one another. Stay aware of who the battle is for and who it is against. There is a greater reality than what we can see with human eyes. Stay aware "...greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4)
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