02-23-13 Sin and The Wilderness

Luke 4:1-13 "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ” The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ ” The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Don't know, but I think ending the Sin week (now THAT didn't sound right) - this portion of scripture just can't be left out.

I read this version and the version in Matthew 4... very similiar - also kind of odd that they're both in Chapter 4 of the respective books. I read this one slowly and actually learned a thing or two. So many times, we read scripture and either are in a hurry or just want to get it over with or maybe the Holy Spirit just doesn't really doesn't seem to illuminate anything in that particular one - maybe because we didn't ask.... just sayin ;) It is a great idea to ask the Holy Spirit to let you see with His eyes what Father is wanting you to know in that portion of His Word. Remember all scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16)... meaning it is the very essence of LIFE (Judy G - pun intended).

I highlighted some phrases that the Holy Spirit shone His Light on to me.

The first thing I noticed was that Jesus was FILLED with the Spirit. He kept His spiritual tank filled up with the highest 'octane' fuel imaginable (even higher than hydrogen - of course... He did make the components of hydrogen... oh, never mind). I imagine He kept filled up the same ways we would; prayer, listening to Father, reading the Word (huh, even the Old Testament...). He never ran on empty.... hoping to make it to the next town. Just as we need to stay filled up, especially on this long trip of life, because we never know when we're going to be stuck in in the middle of nowhere, the needle's in the red and we don't see any sign of fuel (fumes only last so long)!

Jesus was LED by the Spirit INTO the middle of nowhere. I don't think He just went waltzing in not knowing what He was getting Himself into. For one, He was determined to fast... for forty days. People just don't usually do that for the fun of it - or just because they want to. They have to be LED by the Spirit to do that. Just like in my my illustration above, if a person fasts for that long, they need to have their spiritual tanks filled to the brim... forget the little sign that says 'do not top off'. That person better be topped off with the Spirit... because the Holy Spirit is what is going to fuel them.

I never noticed before that Luke says that Jesus was tempted FOR FORTY DAYS. Wow. I really thought since only three temptations were recorded that he was only tempted those three times. That's not what I just read. Think about this... what if, during those forty days, He was tempted in ALL ways like we are / have been / ever will be tempted (Hebrews 4:15)? He must not have just been physically hungry, but emotionally and mentally tired when these last three temptations came at him.

I tried to fast for 40 days once (notice that I said 'I' - 'I' wasn't led by the Spirit, but I did want to do it just to draw closer to God. I did closer to God, but not as close as I needed to. He showed me the error of my ways - and the pride that I had in my heart because 'I' was trying to do something and wasn't resting in the Lord like I should have been. About day 36, I started to go into starvation mode. THAT was not what I intended. Drinking sips of Gatorade and eating baby food and crackers for the next week or so, was a bit embarrassing (except I really liked the green beans and banana).... It was tiring. I can't imagine going through a 40 day fast AND being tempted - by several things possibly every day!

As for the last three temptations - I see and probably read somewhere that they are likened to I John 2:16 "For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world." The lust of the flesh - food. The lust of the eyes - everything in the world. The pride of life - listening to the enemy and thinking God will save Him, because after all He IS the Son of God. Sort of premeditated or presumptuous acts when not consulting with Father.

Each time, He came back with 'It is written' or 'It is said'... He spoke the Truth of God that was hidden in His heart to combat the devil's tricks and schemes to get Him to fall. This is why the Word of God is so important. Why we may not know the chapter and verse or even the book that a particular scripture is in, but that we start to learn and meditate and memorize the portions that the Lord leads us to. Then when we are tempted... to SPEAK it outloud against the temptation. Read Isaiah 55:10-11. His Word spoken out does not return empty, but accomplishes what He says it will do.

Lastly, satan didn't just tempt His during this one space of time. Luke says that he just went away until another opportunity to tempt Him presented itself. He need to always be on guard against the enemy's tricks. So, I'll leave you today with one last verse... I Peter 5:8 "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Know that our Father has you in the palm of His hand, but stay aware of your spiritual surroundings.

Temptation of Christ - Desert Voice by Eric Becker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phiVW2ycgWU

02-22-13 Sin and The Word Of God

James 1:19-25 "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."

Wow.... I shutter to think how many times I've open my mouth to speak without REALLY listening to the other person... and most of the time, it was in anger. Then when I actually listen to the what the other person is trying to say, I have to apologize (open mouth, insert foot - because I just became a heel). The fruits of the Spirit are what? Oh, love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. "WHAT!! But, You don't know what they did or said to me, God!! They deserved all of that and them some. You expect me to just take that crap from someone without fighting back???" And the Lord comes back with, "I did." Oh.....

So what Father wants is for us to empty ourselves of all the junk we've been carrying around with us all our lives - 'get rid of the moral filth and the evil' that's inside of you. Why would we WANT to keep that stuff anyway? For protection, for self-medicating, for our own comfort.... for what?? The Lord has been planting His Word in us from the moment we started reading His Word and listening to Him. Those seeds are GROWING into beautiful plants and all that other stuff is going to have to go somewhere... it might as well be out! If not, all that junk will begin to choke out the beauty that God has already given us.

Is it scary. Yep. Some of us have carried things for so long, we think it's who we are.... those things have just become a part of us like our eyes and hands are a part of us. "Well, what is it going look like if I give Him these things? Who am I going to be? What will happen to me... the emptiness, the confusion - it will overwhelm me and I won't be able to handle it." Jesus says, "You can do ALL things through ME - because I am strengthening YOU (Philippians 4:13) for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). You are not alone (Hebrews 13:5). I will not leave you comfortless (Isaiah 66:13). You will be filled with ME (Ephesians 5:18). You will have MY mind (I Corinthians 2:16 YOU are MORE than a conqueror through ME (Romans 8:37)!"

Well, alrighty then. That about sums it up.

Our God is FOR us, not against us. Read His Word, but don't just do it 'because I have to do my devotions' :) Do it because you want to learn more about how we're supposed to live out this new life that God has put in us through Jesus. Do what He says to do. Don't do what He says not to do. His Words are ALIVE and bring FREEDOM.

For Such A Time As This - Wayne Watson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXcJUIAJNW0

02-21-13 Sin - Mind Games

James 1:13-15 "When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

So, ok then. God doesn't to sin. He may give us a test or quiz now and then (what good teacher) wouldn't? During those times, He just wants to make sure not only that we have been through training (by reading the Bible, praying, listening to Him), but that we understand and are effectively competent to put into practice what we've learned. Part of my work responsibilites is training/teaching, so I not only want the people to sit through my training and take a little quiz and then forget everything I've said, I want to know if they really 'get it'. In training there are three type of participants, the captives (who have to be there), the vacationer (who just wants to get out of a few hours or a days work), and the absorber (the one who wants to understand and learn a certain skill or idea). God wants absorbers - that we would take His Word - His Presence in like a sponge and apply to our own lives, then give it away to others.

How are we tempted to sin? THAT would be satan's job. But that's not exactly correct.... we have a part to play in it. See, if I didn't like ice cream (not saying I don't like ice cream), but if I didn't like ice cream, satan couldn't tempt me with eating too much ice cream. He can only tempt us in the areas of our weaknesses. I'm saying we haven't overcome them or that the Lord can't or hasn't freed us from certain sins, so they are no longer a temptation.... for now. He tries to trip us up in areas that we are in process of overcoming or have already overcome. Take for example.... ok, me... I quit smoking 6 years ago in a couple months. Every once in a while, I'll smell a unlit cigarette (because they smell the best) - and no one will be around me smoking. I will have this little twinge inside that says, 'Go ahead, have one.' Now, also be an aspiring long-distance runner. I'm not going to do it no matter how mad, glad, sad or afraid (or hungry, angry, lonely or tired) I am. I know I don't want a cigarette, but he still tries to tempt me... to coin a term 'silly rabbit'.

Remember, though what I said a couple days ago... it's only sin, if the Lord is convicting us not the enemy condemning us (or I said something like that.

We're tempted when we dwell just a little too long on the enemy suggestion to sin (yep, starts in the mind - which can be satan's playground). We are enticed, which means that our eyes are taken off of Jesus and onto (usually) a former idol and dragged away by it. After that desire takes over, the enemy takes the sin and implants it into our souls - like a spade thrust into the ground. We go through with that desire (aka. sin). If we continue in that sin, it brings the death and darkenss of satan's clan to a part of us that once held the Life and Light of Jesus by the power of His Holy Spirit.

I Corinthians 10:13 (Italics mine) "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind (ie. you're not alone). And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear (just a little catch here, it's what He knows you can bear). But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

That way out may be calling someone, praying, reading the Word, putting on some praise and worship music, running down the street screaming like a wild person (ok, maybe not the last one - but I have felt like that many times). But if I do want to scream, I can get mad at the enemy and yell at him all I want.... telling it exactly where to go and exactly where I'm NOT going - with him. I already have a Master, thank you very much!

I know sometimes the pull is really, really strong - but we are overcomers - we are born of God - we don't have to be slaves to sin any longer - we bow down to one Master as Lord and King of our Lives - Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Stand Your Ground - Joe King (IMHO Really Cool Singer ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvWmKyxyfIQ

02-20-13 Sin - Perserverance

James 1:12 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

Odd, how God changes our mind at the last minute about what He wants us to say or do.... like today....

Yesterday, we were studying how faith develops perseverance in us. In verses 6-8, James talks about asking God for wisdom to walk in the way of the Lord. When we ask, to not doubt - there are two sins that it seems all other sins hinge upon; one is unbelief and the other is pride. If we doubt God is some areas and have strong faith in others, we are divided... we are double-minded in out trust in Him. Thus, we our lives become unstable - like plumb line swinging back and forth between pride and unbelief. Pride in that we think we know better than God and hold onto our sin (whether it's murder or self-hatred or lying or whatever). Unbelief because we just can't seem to trust that God is for us and our greater good. No, that's not entirely right - it's not that we can't trust Him, we WON'T trust Him.

Maybe we've been hurt once too many times in certain areas that, we just won't open ourselves up again. Maybe we become angry as a self-protection so that we won't be able to receive what He wants to give us. Maybe we hurt so much that all of our sin and/or emotions (anger, hatred, rage, malice, sadness, self-pity and a slew of others, including sin) seem to be balled up in one big ball of rubber-bands that seems like it would take forever to unravel. I'm not about the kind of colorful rubber-band ball we can find at the store, but what we find when we take apart a golf ball - the bland greyish brown rubber-bands).

The Bible says that the Word is a two-edged sword. In Hebrews 4:12, God says, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

I take this two ways:

One, while talking about the armor of God, Ephesians 6 says that "the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God."

Two, John 1 says the Word of God was/is Jesus. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning."

Who is 'He'? Jesus. I my imagination, I see Him taking His Sword and cutting right down the middle of that ball of rubber-bands - and pieces go flying everywhere. I think sometimes, He does do that, but times than not, He gently slices through a few at a time. This is where perseverance comes in and patience with the process, with God and with ourselves. Once He gets through all the 'rubber-bands', guess what He finds? A hard core that all of the rubber-bands were wrapped around. This could be a stronghold, a vow, a demonic influence, a hardened heart, lies that we've believed all our lives, the core trauma. All the rubber-bands were just 'protecting' the core.

The trial in this case going through the temptation to isolate, to medicate, to fight the Lord - the process - those who genuinely are trying to help, to get as far away from our Father, from Jesus - from whatever we THINK is causing us pain right now. The rubber-bands breaking and exposing the vulnerable core only happens if we say yes to freedom, if we want freedom there is a price to pay. To allow the Lord the room to work out of us what and who REALLY caused the pain and to heal and make whole. Standing doesn't mean we always have to be strong and tough, standing sometimes means letting others in and around us to be the Body of Christ in flesh... and to listen to the Lord as transforms that ugly scarred core (like we find in the golf ball - because it does have all the lines from the rubber-bands on it) and turns it into what He originally intended it to look like - filling in those scars with different colors and making us into beautiful brides of Christ.

THAT is 'the crown of Life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.'

Persevere, my friends - please persevere - through the sin and all that the sin covered up. There's freedom on the other side.

Dear X (You Don't Own Me) - Disciple

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaqCQAgVdIM

Hold Fast - MercyMe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWejcH0JWTc

02-19-13 Sin - Temptation

James 1:2-8 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."

We're going to make camp in by the pure, refreshing body of living water called James for a few days.

Now that we know what sin is - anything we're about to do or not going to do that stirs that 'double check' in our spirit - let's move on to temptation.

So, we walk over to the Lake of James and look down. What do we see? A reflection of ourselves. Jesus walks up beside us and out of His reflection we hear the words, "Consider it pure joy (insert your name here), whenever you face trials of many kinds..." SAY WHAT??? "Well, you know this time of trial and testing of your faith is developing perseverance and tenacity and and strength in you to make it to keep climbing this mountain that is in your way." Well, the heck the perseverance and all that other stuff You said. How in the world can I 'consider it pure joy' (insert rolling of eyes). "You don't see what I see in You - I see an overcomer and mountain-climber. You don't see what on the other side of the mountain." Yeah, probably more mountains... "Remember when I took you by the hand and pulled you up from the water that was up to your neck. You were about to drown and I saved you." Well, yeah. "Remember when I faced that gigantic brick wall in your way and wondered how you could scale it." Uh-huh. "What did I do?" You were behind me making sure I wouldn't fall (insert kicking the dirt). "Have I ever lied to you?" No, Lord, you have never lied to me. "Then think about this: You can have My joy inside of you as you're going through this trial or testing, because I am here with you and because I won't let you fall and since I've never lied to you - you can believe that this will make you mature and complete in Me and Me in you so that you will not lack anything."

As He bends down and stirs the water with His finger, He says, "Y'know, if you lack the wisdom to know which way to go - which path to take that will lead you up the mountain in the shortest amount of time, all you have to do is ask and then believe that you're going to get it. So, you may not have happy feelings inside about what you're running into on this mountain, but you can still have joy, because you're not alone and because you are getting stronger."

A bit paraphrased, but we can have joy in the journey - which reminds me of a song....

Joy in the Journey - Michael Card

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD_pd2M4IDk

02-18-13 Sin - The Real Deal

Psalm 36:1-4 "I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good. Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong."

We can only imagine what it would be like if Eve wasn't deceived into biting the apple and Adam followed suit. The verse above says that there is no fear of God in the sinful - they (we) do not hold God in holy reverence and awe of Who He is. Instead, they (we) flatter themselves too much (aka. Pride) and that blinds them (us) so that they (we) cannot even see that they (we) are sinning, let alone hate their (our) sin.

   
40 days from today, we honor the death of Jesus. That sounds so wrong on so many different angles, unless you're a Christian and you know the rest of the story. Jesus honored His Father. He did what His Father told Him to do and said what His Father wanted Him to say. In Jesus, there was NO sin. He held His Father in reverence and knew His place as Son to the Father.

If I sit here and think about how many times I've puffed myself up in pride of my accomplishments or even sometimes even 'glorifying' myself of my past deeds - like I was one bad dude (or dudette).... if I thought about that for long, I'd me face down in humility before my God and my Father. Our accomplishments - our possessions - even the giftings that He has graciously given us mean little to God unless they are given over to Him.

   
But, really, what IS sin? There's kind of a simple answer in the Christian's BIG BOOK. James 4:17 'If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them." For me to pick up a drink, it is sin - but for my husband it's not. Some can go witness in certain places and some cannot. The Lord deals with each of us separately in different areas. But it all boils down to this one verse. If I know that the Lord is telling me to do something, and I don't do it - I'll have to repent for it later. On the flip side, if He tells me NOT to do something and I do it anyway, I'll still have to repent. In each of these instances, there also could be consequences that we may have to deal with.

Psalms 5:4-6 "For You [are] not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man."

Proverbs 8:13 "To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech."

God doesn't hate the sinner - He hates the sin. Sin separated us from Him. Sin made us an abomination to God. Sin marked us for death. Sin - whatever it is - may feel good for the moment, but it grabs ahold of us and pulls us farther and farther down until we are no longer in control... But for the Grace of God...

Today, let's really let James 4:17 sink into our hearts.... let's allow the fear of the Lord to do it's work in us.

This song is a reality check song... there are many, many people out there that truly identify with it. I did. I used to play it over and over. Many people think there is no way out. Here their hearts and your own....

Falling Into The Black - Skillet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO3yXqhTs0I

02-16-13 All Out Of Love

Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

The International Standard Version (so many versions, so little time) - "The Lord your God among you is powerful - He will save and He will take joyful delight in you. In His love He will renew you with His love; He will celebrate with singing because of you."

In the 80's I had quite the eclectic mix of music... from heavy metal to slow ballads. Air Supply was the slow ballad type - but ranked right up there with Iron Maiden.

I think in our teenage years at least some of us have had times where we felt no love (or love was so warped that we were afraid to open up to it). Or maybe even now, you feel empty of love - far and removed from God. Well, as we found out yesterday - He didn't go anywhere. He follows us - He's with us always. So, why don't we feel His Presence like we used to?

When we're 'all out of love' - our lives feel out of kilter... we feel lost, alone, wondering why what we used to feel is no longer there... or wondering if love was even there at all.

Sometimes, maybe it's just as simple as not be 'baptized in the Holy Spirit" - accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord is one thing... receiving His power and love is another. The Holy Spirit usually is given through the laying on of hands of one who has been filled with the Spirit. Not going to get into some theological debate. I'll just leave you with a couple verses... Deuteronomy 34:9 'Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses." Yeah, THAT one surprised me.. (it was in the OLD Testament even). Acts 8:15-17 " When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit."

Sometimes it's because the Lord is developing our faith and trust in Him. He desire that we trust He is near even though we can't feel Him. This is hard and Jesus knew that when He said to Thomas in John 20:29 "Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We learn and grow in Him more and more when we have moved into believing His Word that says He is with us for now and always.

We want God to carry us Home - to His Presence - to feel the Lord reach down and take out hand when we don't have the strength to raise it and tell us that He is there and His love will carry us through. I Corinthians 13... without love we're nothing.... we can't go on. What is there to go on for?

Jesus believes in us. He died for us because He knew we would accept Him and His love that was poured out on the Cross. Father thinks about us ALL the time. He hurts when we can't feel His love. He created us as not just as intellectual beings, but emotional beings... in HIS IMAGE. He knows we need love.

Sometimes, it's because of our sin and/or rebellious OLD nature that may rise up from time to time that causes a break between us and His love, that does NOT mean it's not still there. The Lord disciplines those He loves... Proverbs 3:12. But He ALWAYS does it in Love... to draw us back to Himself.

We say that we were wrong.... but what motivates that? It's when we KNOW deep, deep inside that we were wrong and move into a place of repentance that restores our love relationship with our Father and with Jesus.

Maybe it's time to explore why we aren't feeling His love... next week we will focus on one aspect.

When you watch the video think of you and the Lord.... He love you and will never let you go....

 

All Out of Love - Air Supply

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7doNyZA2gvY&playnext=1&list=PL7D1A4942BE1E6BF7&feature=results_video

 

02-15-13 Because You Loved Me

Psalm 121 "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

Psalm 139:1-12;17-18 "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.... How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you."

The Psalms are FULL of the Love of God.. well, actually, the whole Bible is full of the Love of God, but there's something about the Psalms that we can identify with. Many of these were written by David - in grief, in sorrow, but also in joy and happiness. He knew the TRUTH and no matter what He went through He knew God Loved Him.

A friend and I shared a vision a while back with a church body... I was trying to explain to a group how complicated we can make things sometimes. Then I 'saw' a person standing in the eye of a hurricane or whirlwind and watching everything swirl above and around them, but then they looked up and they could see the clear, blue sky. It took the focus off of the swirling mess. My friend saw that the longer that person looked up, peace was descending and the swirling mess seemed to get lower an lower until it was waist high. What seemed an impossible situation became manageable simply by looking up - changing our focus. .

The Psalms, especially, are filled with hope and the Love of God. Take Psalm 121, for instance... when we lift our spiritual eyes to the Lord - He is our help. He holds us up. He watches over us at every second of every day... keeping us from harm, protecting us. Or Psalm 139 - He knows us COMPLETELY, all our faults and failings, as well as our victories and triumphs - yet, still wants to hang out with us. He knows everything we do and everything we say (even before we say it) - the good, the bad, the ugly - but He still hems us in and lays His hand upon us to protect us. We can try to run from Him, and really I don't think there are many people who have not at some time or other - but we even Usain Bolt (the fastest Olympic runner ever) can not outrun God. He's there - wherever we go. He makes the darkness that we try to hide in as light. Yeah, He'll let us try to hide in the dark, but we will always have this place in us that knows His Light is there. He thinks about us all the time.... individually. He thinks about you ALL the time. He thinks about me ALL the time. He thinks about His Love for us that is all encompassing and all-knowing and covers us in every way. He thinks about all the ways that He can get that Love to 'sink in' to our hearts.

1 Corinthians 12:13 says, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Love is everything we need - we desire. It's the driving force in our lives. God is Love - so God and His Love is everything we need - we desire. God and His love can enable us to say, in Him I live and move and have my being.(Acts 17:28).

Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion ---- OK.... OK... so I jumped to the 90's on this one ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_r8pDziQKE

Praise You In This Storm - Casting Crowns (I sang this at my biological dad's house around Christmas and it was powerful)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCpP0mFD9F0

02-14-13 What About Love

Matthew 10:28-31 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Nahum 1:7 - Yes, This IS a book in the Bible :) The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him..."

What ABOUT Love? What is there about love that 'makes the world go around'? What is there about love that draws us closer to is, like some insatiable desire?

What IS Love?

If I go way, way back in the past to 1938, the Funk & Wagnall's Dictionary has a lot to say about love. I will spare you the long version. If you would look it up though you would see words like; deep,profoundly tender, passionate, ineffable (like indescribable) feeling of affection, devotion, fondness and passion.

The above song title above goes on to say 'Don't you want someone to care about you?" "Don't let it slip away." "You might need it someday." I'm pretty sure that some of you are thinking, 'Well, yeah, that would be nice... for a change Well, good news - There IS someone who cares about you deeply, tenderly, ineffably (incapable of being expressed in words), solicitude (attentive care and protectiveness)

His Name is God - our Father. Now, before you shut me off, I know some of us did not have a good relationship with our earthly dads or didn't have a relationship at all or he hurt you really deeply. Maybe your heart has grown a little crusty... mine did. Actually 'crusty' is an understatement... it was downright protected by a fortress with a moat and big old crocodiles waiting to pounce on anyone who came near.

I'm adopted and I used to talk about my 'real' parents (I've since called them my biological parents), but after many years of learning to trust Jesus - I had some friends tell me that I really had to do something about this 'Father thing'. So, eventually, I decided to give Him a chance. I learned about Him, got to know Him and realized one day that He is REAL Father. Don't get be wrong, I still had/have hurts from my parents that have been healed and some that in process of being healed - but it doesn't change the TRUTH that GOD is our REAL Father, if we've accepted Jesus to come into our hearts (mind, will and emotions).

This Father is different than most. He is a good Father - wanting only to give us - His children - GOOD gifts. Matthew 7:9-11 says,“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

He loves you... and His greatest gift to us was a part of Himself sent to earth in in the form of Jesus - His only Son because they were one... yet separate (oh, never mind). But HE SENT HIS SON AS THE ULTIMATE LOVE GIFT KNOWING HE WOULD DIE A GRUESOME DEATH ALL TO BRING US BACK TO HIMSELF.... So He could be our Father and we could be His children who didn't have to be afraid to come into His Presence anymore.

In light of this, go back up to the words I saw in that dictionary. Really, sit for a minute to three and let those words sink into your heart as the Father's gifts to you this Valentine's Day.

What About Love by Heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQPi9ej_Hg0

How Deep The Father's Love Towards Us - sung by Skillet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx97uc4Yz38

02-13-13 Love Is A Battlefield

1 John 4:7-12 ^"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

Matthew 10:16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

OK, so our God-shaped insides no longer need to be void.... they can and are being filled with His love - some even now are overflowing with His love. Loving others is still a struggle sometimes (OK, most of the time). Granted, some people are easier to love than others, but we can't be partial in this. We really can't pick and choose who we are going to love.... Jesus didn't. He loved the worst of the worst. He even loved those who were killing him as He was bleeding and dying. Well, 'come on, He was God." No, at this point, He was a man.... the Father had turned His face away from Him because of all the sin He was carrying. Talk about heavy burdens, we can't even fathom what it means to literally have the weight of the world on our shoulders... although we feel like that sometimes.

I'm not minimizing our struggles, our pain - but sometimes, love is downright hard! Those who hurt me come to the top of my list... well, they used to, until I went through that battlefield that raged inside of me for vengeance or justice and left it in God's hands. I do get angry, but I try to keep very short accounts with God (so I don't have a list a mile long to repent of at the end of the day)!

There is a battle waged against all of us who call ourselves Christian (Christ-like). Our flesh cries out in anger or maybe our hearts just question why certain things happen they way they do. Some of those questions, God in His grace and mercy answers through that still small voice inside, through His Word, through songs and even through nature. Sometimes, He doesn't answer those questions and we eventually have to just let go of the questions and trust that God is God and He knows exactly what, when, how and why He does what He does. God didn't say life was going to be easy. He's teaching us to be more like Him... to be more like Jesus.

Jesus knew love was a battlefield.... one that would take His life - it didn't keep it for long, but it was long enough for Him to hurt for those He loved. What about intercession? Love is a battlefield in prayer for the people we care about. For people we don't even know who live in different countries... for our neighbors... for our families. We go to war not only for our friends, but for our enemies - because maybe, just maybe, they may turn to see the Light of Jesus shining upon them.

"If we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." He smiles upon us when we get off the sidelines and extend a helping hand to those who have fallen on the battlefield - sometimes helping them walk to 'triage' - sometimes carrying them when they cannot walk (this may take one, two or more people) - sometimes just holding their hand when the Lord is about to take them Home. He smiles because He is make complete in us during those times. God IS Love. Since He is Love, He is made complete in us. When we empty ourselves of ourselves, what He's already put inside of us comes flooding in. See, Jesus gave us everything at the Cross. How empty can we become, to allow Him to reveal what we already have.

I have a song in my head, most of us know it... 'More Love, More Power, More of You in My Life'. When we sing that, maybe we should be singing 'Reveal Your Love, Reveal Your Power, Bring Forth The Life You've Placed In Me.' We don't need more of Him, we need less of ourselves. So we can be equipped for the battle - To put on our armor fight (if the Lord did it in Isaiah 59:16-17 then we can also Ephesians 6). When the enemy advances, to have discernment when to fall back and 'take a breather'. To watch each other's back, not just our own.

We are sent out into the battle as sheep among wolves. I wonder what a sheep looks like with armor? Oh, never mind.... I learned from a friend, we don't have to work harder (or fight harder), we have to work (for fight) smarter. The enemy is sly and smart, BUT we have the mind of Christ and we can know what Jesus knows... He said in I Corinthians 2:15-16 "The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ." NIV. I like a translation I just found called The Voice Bible which says the same thing, but a different way, “Does anyone know the mind of the Lord well enough to become His advisor?” But we do possess the mind of the Anointed One. We have the mind of Christ. We can fight alongside of Him in this war of souls because we possess His mind. Maybe we just need to exercise it more.

So, yes, Pat Benatar, you were basically right in your song, Love IS a Battlefield.... But we have the Victory in Christ when we receive the Love of God that strengthens us to draw our swords, sling our bows and fight.