Galatians 6:9 English Standard Version
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
I have been praying the past few years for an ungodly establishment to be closed, and the other day I just drove past and it was closed down!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
How I Got My Bible
I was perhaps 12 years old, full of a child-like faith. My father had purchased me a "teen study Bible" when I was 10, because I was an advanced reader and old for my age. At 12, I decided I was tired of my teen Bible, and wanted a Bible that was for adults.
The problem was that I had no money to buy a new Bible. My parents had just purchased the Bible I had, so I figured they wouldn't buy me another one. At 12, there aren't that many other resources. Also, I wasn't sure which version to get. King James? NIV? One of the more modern translations? I didn't know what to do. So I went to God and prayed.
Not too long after, I went with my father to take the trash to the transfer site. We lived in an area that was too far for the city garbage pick up. The vehicle we took sat high up, so I was eye-level with the edge of the dumpsters.
While my father threw the trash out, I looked over, and eye-level to me was a purple Bible, perfectly set on the edge of the dumpster. By that time, my father had just gotten into the car and was shifting gears to drive away.
"STOP!!!" I cried.
My father nearly had a heart attack. "What is the matter?" he asked.
"MY BIBLE!" I indicated the purple Bible on the dumpster.
"What is it doing there?!" my father asked. I could tell he thought I tried to throw my Bible away, and was disappointed in my behavior.
"No, Dad, I prayed and asked God for a Bible and there it is!"
"Well you better get it then," he said.
I got out of the car and ran over and grabbed my Bible. It is the version that I read to this day, a New Revised Standard Version Bible. It has really excellent maps and commentary on difficult verses. There have been many verses that I have had questions about that the commentary gives insight to. Granted, I take time to study and come to my own conclusions, but I value the opinions of others who are wise and have studied the Word as well.
At any rate, the Bible has been very well-worn and loved. I had to use duct tape (it's an Alaskan thing) to hold it together. But it just goes to show you how God will provide the little things. He's a God of details.
The problem was that I had no money to buy a new Bible. My parents had just purchased the Bible I had, so I figured they wouldn't buy me another one. At 12, there aren't that many other resources. Also, I wasn't sure which version to get. King James? NIV? One of the more modern translations? I didn't know what to do. So I went to God and prayed.
Not too long after, I went with my father to take the trash to the transfer site. We lived in an area that was too far for the city garbage pick up. The vehicle we took sat high up, so I was eye-level with the edge of the dumpsters.
While my father threw the trash out, I looked over, and eye-level to me was a purple Bible, perfectly set on the edge of the dumpster. By that time, my father had just gotten into the car and was shifting gears to drive away.
"STOP!!!" I cried.
My father nearly had a heart attack. "What is the matter?" he asked.
"MY BIBLE!" I indicated the purple Bible on the dumpster.
"What is it doing there?!" my father asked. I could tell he thought I tried to throw my Bible away, and was disappointed in my behavior.
"No, Dad, I prayed and asked God for a Bible and there it is!"
"Well you better get it then," he said.
I got out of the car and ran over and grabbed my Bible. It is the version that I read to this day, a New Revised Standard Version Bible. It has really excellent maps and commentary on difficult verses. There have been many verses that I have had questions about that the commentary gives insight to. Granted, I take time to study and come to my own conclusions, but I value the opinions of others who are wise and have studied the Word as well.
At any rate, the Bible has been very well-worn and loved. I had to use duct tape (it's an Alaskan thing) to hold it together. But it just goes to show you how God will provide the little things. He's a God of details.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Confrontation
Matthew 18:15-17 (NASB)
If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
There was a young man at church who had an issue that was very obvious to me, but not to other people. I wasn't being judgmental. As a youth-leader, someone had approached me with a complaint in regards to this young man's behavior. Being a young woman myself, I had felt the same complaint in regards to this young man. As a leader, I knew I had to do something. But what?
I hate confrontation. The Bible talks about the proper way of confronting someone in Matthew 18:15-17. You don't go and gossip to everyone else first. You go straight to that person. You deal with them directly, one on one. There's a chance that if you talk to them, they might have a chance to repent without being dragged through the dirt... gossip only hurts, doesn't heal. Jesus knew this when he laid out the plan for confrontation.
I knew better than to gossip, but like I said, I hate confrontation. I did not want to confront this young man. So I went to God, and I prayed about what I ought to do.
Whenever confronting someone, you really ought to examine your heart. If you do not have a right heart about it, you are actually wrong in confronting them. I felt in this particular situation that my heart was right. Only...
Only, I felt like a rebuke coming from me would not be well received. I was no one in authority in this young man's life. I thought about going to the youth pastor that I worked under for help, but it didn't seem Biblical in the order of confrontation. Or was it? I wasn't sure, so I prayed. And waited.
An opportunity to confront this young man arose, but I really felt that God told me not to.
So I waited. I really hoped I was being obedient. It really felt like an issue that not only I noticed, but also God.
God totally intervened by laying it on another person's heart to confront this young man. The man that did so had so much authority and did it in such a way that the young man received every ounce of it and made a total 180 change of heart and direction. I have seen such a change in this young man's life from that point on, it is incredible!
Not every situation is the same, but there are a few things I learned:
If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
There was a young man at church who had an issue that was very obvious to me, but not to other people. I wasn't being judgmental. As a youth-leader, someone had approached me with a complaint in regards to this young man's behavior. Being a young woman myself, I had felt the same complaint in regards to this young man. As a leader, I knew I had to do something. But what?
I hate confrontation. The Bible talks about the proper way of confronting someone in Matthew 18:15-17. You don't go and gossip to everyone else first. You go straight to that person. You deal with them directly, one on one. There's a chance that if you talk to them, they might have a chance to repent without being dragged through the dirt... gossip only hurts, doesn't heal. Jesus knew this when he laid out the plan for confrontation.
I knew better than to gossip, but like I said, I hate confrontation. I did not want to confront this young man. So I went to God, and I prayed about what I ought to do.
Whenever confronting someone, you really ought to examine your heart. If you do not have a right heart about it, you are actually wrong in confronting them. I felt in this particular situation that my heart was right. Only...
Only, I felt like a rebuke coming from me would not be well received. I was no one in authority in this young man's life. I thought about going to the youth pastor that I worked under for help, but it didn't seem Biblical in the order of confrontation. Or was it? I wasn't sure, so I prayed. And waited.
An opportunity to confront this young man arose, but I really felt that God told me not to.
So I waited. I really hoped I was being obedient. It really felt like an issue that not only I noticed, but also God.
God totally intervened by laying it on another person's heart to confront this young man. The man that did so had so much authority and did it in such a way that the young man received every ounce of it and made a total 180 change of heart and direction. I have seen such a change in this young man's life from that point on, it is incredible!
Not every situation is the same, but there are a few things I learned:
- When you see something, it is your responsibility to do something about it! Chances are you noticed or were made aware of a situation because God is directing you to do something. Obey.
- Pray about it-- chances are, God will take care of them, or you if you are the problem.
- If God directs you, follow the Matthew 18:15-17 procedure
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Tehilla Worship
This is perhaps not an original word, but one I was taught by wise leaders in the worship ministry and one I have found true myself.
Tehillah! I was perhaps ten years old when I first heard the word. No, not tequila, the alcoholic beverage and song, but the Hebrew word tehillah, which means a spontaneous new song. This is a song that you make up as you go on the spot, an ad-lib song, one that's not rehearsed. If you attend a church where they use this kind of praise, it's the portion where they stop singing the words on the projector and start singing whatever comes out. Sometimes it's a variation of the words of the song or completely different.
I think some people might wonder why the worship team does that. The answer is in Psalm 22:3. I like how the King James puts it:
If you do a word study for praise, you will find out that there are seven different kinds of praise, but specifically the spontaneous song is mentioned here. Apparently, this word is also used in Psalm 34:1, 40:3, 66:2, and 2 Chronicles 20:22, but that is what I found with an internet search.
I don't know about you, but when I go to worship God, I certainly want to create an atmosphere that brings His presence. I have found over years of worshipping that one of the best ways to encounter God or to catch his notice (that's the best way I can find to put it) is to sing a spontaneous song. Play a chord or chord progression, and sing what comes to mind.
If you are new to the form of praise, you will probably feel stupid at first. But once you practice spontaneous worship (ha... sounds like an oxymoron, but you can practice by doing), you will gain confidence and not only touch God's heart but be refreshed.
Of course, this isn't a formula of "How to Bring the Presence of God". There's definitely lifestyle issues that have to be addressed, heart-issues, relationships even. But this is certainly an avenue of pursuing God's heart that I've taken, and have had many rich encounters. When I say, rich, I mean velvet-rich.
The best thing about God is that He is so big that you can experience this awesomeness yourself. Need new life, or want the presence of God? Sing a tehillah song!
Tehillah! I was perhaps ten years old when I first heard the word. No, not tequila, the alcoholic beverage and song, but the Hebrew word tehillah, which means a spontaneous new song. This is a song that you make up as you go on the spot, an ad-lib song, one that's not rehearsed. If you attend a church where they use this kind of praise, it's the portion where they stop singing the words on the projector and start singing whatever comes out. Sometimes it's a variation of the words of the song or completely different.
I think some people might wonder why the worship team does that. The answer is in Psalm 22:3. I like how the King James puts it:
Psalm 22:3But you are holy, O you that inhabit the praises of Israel.The word praise right there is the word tehillah. God inhabits, or sits enthroned on our tehillah praise. The spontaneous song.
If you do a word study for praise, you will find out that there are seven different kinds of praise, but specifically the spontaneous song is mentioned here. Apparently, this word is also used in Psalm 34:1, 40:3, 66:2, and 2 Chronicles 20:22, but that is what I found with an internet search.
I don't know about you, but when I go to worship God, I certainly want to create an atmosphere that brings His presence. I have found over years of worshipping that one of the best ways to encounter God or to catch his notice (that's the best way I can find to put it) is to sing a spontaneous song. Play a chord or chord progression, and sing what comes to mind.
If you are new to the form of praise, you will probably feel stupid at first. But once you practice spontaneous worship (ha... sounds like an oxymoron, but you can practice by doing), you will gain confidence and not only touch God's heart but be refreshed.
Of course, this isn't a formula of "How to Bring the Presence of God". There's definitely lifestyle issues that have to be addressed, heart-issues, relationships even. But this is certainly an avenue of pursuing God's heart that I've taken, and have had many rich encounters. When I say, rich, I mean velvet-rich.
The best thing about God is that He is so big that you can experience this awesomeness yourself. Need new life, or want the presence of God? Sing a tehillah song!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Clothing Saga II: A Wardrobe
Matthew 6:30 (NIV)
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
I've written before about how God gave me back a sweater I'd asked for. I will now tell you of how God answered a larger prayer: I asked him for a wardrobe.
I've written before about how God gave me back a sweater I'd asked for. I will now tell you of how God answered a larger prayer: I asked him for a wardrobe.
Yes, I told God one day, as an adult, "God, I just wish you'd give me a new wardrobe."
Yes, I know that I am an American, I live like a king compared to others. I've been to the Philippines and South Korea. I've seen people here in the states who pray for food every day.
But I asked God for that. And he delivered.
Within a week, a coworker came over to me and asked me, "What size are you?"
I was a little offended. But then I told her.
"I've got something for you," she said.
She brought a white garbage bag full of clothing over to my desk. There were at least six pairs of pants and at least that many shirts.
God said: Is this sufficient?
I told God, "Yes, I know... Your grace is sufficient for me. I wish I could wear that. It's a lot more trendy than these clothes."
God said: You already are.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Defeat May Be Your Greatest Victory
Samson's story is told in Judges 13 - 16. His story is perhaps one of the most well-known of the Judges, at least in my knowledge. Sadly, a lot of the generation coming behind me don't know the Bible stories like many my age or the generations before me. I encourage you to read the entire story; there is much to be gleaned from it.
I felt drawn to read Samson's story and refresh my own self as to the particulars. As I re-read this, there were a lot of parallels to my life, particularly the part about the incredible physical strength. Wait... I guess the parallels were more figurative than literal.
One of Samson's most memorable triumphs is told in Chapters 14 and 15.
Before you think that I am justifying catching foxes and setting fire to them because of heartbreak, I need to point out the fact that Samson undoubtedly had a pretty bad temper. Compounded with the supernatural strength given to him, if he acted on his anger, the results were disastrous. His actions were definitely ungodly. Not only was Samson defeated in his relationship, but he was also defeated by sinning in his response to his pain.
We learn in the second part of verse 6 that Samson's wife (or his companion's wife, rather) and father were burned by the Philistines because they were the cause of so much destruction, an action which further disgusted Samson and brought out his anger. Not only was the woman he loved taken away from him, but she was also murdered! Talk about defeat in in the lowliest sense of the word to a man in love. Samson's temper flares again, and in verse 8 you see that he again takes revenge on the Philistines, killing many.
Where is the victory in all this pain, anger, and slaughter? The victory lies in the fact that God is God, and he knew exactly how much of a temper Samson had, and how much destruction would come from hurtful actions. I am not saying God inspired Samson to murder or that God inspired the Philistines to murder to make him angry, however God has a way of using free will (especially our blunders!) for the good of those he loves. God used Samson, a man of incredible strength, in his weakness to set into motion the deliverance of his people.
The Philistines were the Israelite's enemies. They were oppressive. They were cruel (seen in burning Samson's love and her father!). Israel needed to be delivered, and God used Samson's utter defeat and heartache to lead to his greatest victory.
Samson's story did not stop at foxes. That was only the beginning. The rest of his story can be read in Judges 15 - 16. It is an incredible tale of how one man's defeat and even death were the greatest triumph of his life.
If you are feeling defeated, remember Samson. Your pain, your weaknesses, and your troubles seem so large to you now, but they are all a part of a greater picture. While you may not know if you can keep going, I encourage you to be strong and courageous! What seems like your utter defeat may just be the greatest victory of your life.
I felt drawn to read Samson's story and refresh my own self as to the particulars. As I re-read this, there were a lot of parallels to my life, particularly the part about the incredible physical strength. Wait... I guess the parallels were more figurative than literal.
One of Samson's most memorable triumphs is told in Chapters 14 and 15.
Judges 14:1-2New International Version (NIV)Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”It is only fair to start off here stating that Samson made a mistake to choose a wife from among the people who did not believe in God. I guess it is best said that defeat and ruin come to those who step out from under the covering of God that is for those who are obedient. Samson loved God, and God loved Samson, but the Bible tells us that those that truly love God obey his commands. God told his people, the Israelites, to not marry those who did not worship Him. It was not because He is a terrible and mean God, but because by marrying "pagans", their hearts would be led astray. If you read Samson's whole story, you will find that is actually what was Samson's undoing with the infamous Delilah. If Samson had kept away from the Philistines, he would never had fallen in. But, as Romans 8:28 states, God worked even Samson's blunders for the good of Samson (by restoring his name) and for the good of his people.
At any rate, Samson wishes to marry a Philistine woman. There is a lot of drama, and when you get to Chapter 15, you can read of Samson's own heart-wrenching, utter defeat. He goes to see his wife and finds that her father has given her in marriage to another-- a man that was in his bridal party at that!
I find the romance in Samson's reaction. In verse 4, you get a pretty detailed picture on how Samson handled his heartbreak.
Judges 15:4-6New International Version (NIV)Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took torches, and turned the foxes tail to tail and put one torch in the middle between two tails. When he had set fire to the torches, he released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines, thus burning up both the shocks and the standing grain, along the vineyards and groves. Then the Philistines said, "Who did this?" And they said, "Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he took his wife and gave her to his companion." ...All I have to say is 300 foxes? I live in a rural area where I might, if I'm lucky, see a fox run across the road. But 300? How do you even trap that many? Or did he catch them with his bare hands? And then to set fire to them? The man was mad, or driven by some pretty strong emotion.
Before you think that I am justifying catching foxes and setting fire to them because of heartbreak, I need to point out the fact that Samson undoubtedly had a pretty bad temper. Compounded with the supernatural strength given to him, if he acted on his anger, the results were disastrous. His actions were definitely ungodly. Not only was Samson defeated in his relationship, but he was also defeated by sinning in his response to his pain.
We learn in the second part of verse 6 that Samson's wife (or his companion's wife, rather) and father were burned by the Philistines because they were the cause of so much destruction, an action which further disgusted Samson and brought out his anger. Not only was the woman he loved taken away from him, but she was also murdered! Talk about defeat in in the lowliest sense of the word to a man in love. Samson's temper flares again, and in verse 8 you see that he again takes revenge on the Philistines, killing many.
Where is the victory in all this pain, anger, and slaughter? The victory lies in the fact that God is God, and he knew exactly how much of a temper Samson had, and how much destruction would come from hurtful actions. I am not saying God inspired Samson to murder or that God inspired the Philistines to murder to make him angry, however God has a way of using free will (especially our blunders!) for the good of those he loves. God used Samson, a man of incredible strength, in his weakness to set into motion the deliverance of his people.
The Philistines were the Israelite's enemies. They were oppressive. They were cruel (seen in burning Samson's love and her father!). Israel needed to be delivered, and God used Samson's utter defeat and heartache to lead to his greatest victory.
Samson's story did not stop at foxes. That was only the beginning. The rest of his story can be read in Judges 15 - 16. It is an incredible tale of how one man's defeat and even death were the greatest triumph of his life.
If you are feeling defeated, remember Samson. Your pain, your weaknesses, and your troubles seem so large to you now, but they are all a part of a greater picture. While you may not know if you can keep going, I encourage you to be strong and courageous! What seems like your utter defeat may just be the greatest victory of your life.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
I Asked God For a Car
Matthew 7: 7-10 (NASB)
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!"
When I was a teenager, my walk with God was something else. I think that I didn't have some of the hindrances that I have as an adult. I had pure motives, not the convoluted motives I find I sometimes have.
My brother and I didn't grow up with great wealth. I remember eating hotdogs and ramen as a kid. My family didn't have all the things other families had. When we were teenagers, my parents were able to buy a house and I think our lifestyle was better than it was before. However, my parents' better income did not provide for my brother and I to have a car to get around in.
We lived 11 miles from our high school. My brother and I frequently biked to the school during the summer for cross country running practice. Need I point out that part of the ride was downhill and then uphill in both directions, so I biked 22 miles uphill both ways to get to running practice? Now, we didn't do sprints. We both ran cross country. So that was 22 miles with at least a mile of running in-between. If you are impressed, just think about the (INSANE!) days I decided to bike back to the school in the evenings to weight train for an hour or so...
I wish I was as in shape now as I was then. Ahem.
At any rate, the church we attended was at least double this distance. My brother and I both were involved in youth group. Plus we were growing up, and it would be nice to have wheels. So, having simple faith, I went to God.
Me: God, will you give my brother and I a car to drive?
Not long after, my neighbors came over and were chatting with my parents. They brought my brother and I in and they said that they weren't going to a church at the time but they were Christians and wanted to give God their "tithe". So, they decided to give my brother and I their old car.
That car ran for nearly ten years, and only recently my brother got rid of it.
God doesn't just provide, he plans ahead with his provisions. How much more will your heavenly Father give indeed!
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!"
When I was a teenager, my walk with God was something else. I think that I didn't have some of the hindrances that I have as an adult. I had pure motives, not the convoluted motives I find I sometimes have.
My brother and I didn't grow up with great wealth. I remember eating hotdogs and ramen as a kid. My family didn't have all the things other families had. When we were teenagers, my parents were able to buy a house and I think our lifestyle was better than it was before. However, my parents' better income did not provide for my brother and I to have a car to get around in.
We lived 11 miles from our high school. My brother and I frequently biked to the school during the summer for cross country running practice. Need I point out that part of the ride was downhill and then uphill in both directions, so I biked 22 miles uphill both ways to get to running practice? Now, we didn't do sprints. We both ran cross country. So that was 22 miles with at least a mile of running in-between. If you are impressed, just think about the (INSANE!) days I decided to bike back to the school in the evenings to weight train for an hour or so...
I wish I was as in shape now as I was then. Ahem.
At any rate, the church we attended was at least double this distance. My brother and I both were involved in youth group. Plus we were growing up, and it would be nice to have wheels. So, having simple faith, I went to God.
Me: God, will you give my brother and I a car to drive?
Not long after, my neighbors came over and were chatting with my parents. They brought my brother and I in and they said that they weren't going to a church at the time but they were Christians and wanted to give God their "tithe". So, they decided to give my brother and I their old car.
That car ran for nearly ten years, and only recently my brother got rid of it.
God doesn't just provide, he plans ahead with his provisions. How much more will your heavenly Father give indeed!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)