Category: God’s Word

Suppose…

Posted on by Dorci

“Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God … What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.”
~John Adams, 2nd President of the United States of America and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

There will come a day when those of us who have put our faith in Jesus Christ will see that Utopia.  When the new heaven and new earth are unveiled, and we are its city set on a hill, gleaming as a trillion bright lights.  When love is the banner and God is its King.  And we’ll understand freedom on a whole new level.

The freedoms our Founding Fathers wanted to bring us in this country were only a shadow of the aching of every soul for spiritual freedom.  As much as we want to bring heaven down to us, no matter how good we could make it, its always going to be less than our hearts desire.

But we have that freedom inside us now, purchased for us on another hill, the hill of Calvary.

And each of us carries the light of that freedom when we agree with Joshua and say

But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15b

Suppose we took those words of Joshua to heart and lived them out in all their righteous glory, and light the darkness around us in a spectacular display of God’s immeasurable love, grace and mercy.

We would allow the Holy Spirit to move us to love passionately, to give wholeheartedly, and to bring the greatest, most joyous message of freedom the world has ever known.

We would let the Word of God permeate our thoughts and actions and it, not the world, would dictate how we would change and who we would become.

We would fling open the gates of heaven into our lives with our prayer and obedience, dispelling all fear and flooding our lives with God’s boldness and power.   And we would serve the Lord with as much dedication and courage and bravery as those who fought to purchase and keep our earthly freedoms, living out the greatest commission to “..go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20

We would live out the light of the glory of that future Paradise, right here and right now, and set the world around us on fire for Christ.

Oh, what a world that would be.

The Most Powerful Place on Earth

Posted on by Dorci

I listened to this interview on John Piper’s site a few months ago and wanted to share it with you.  Rosaria Champagne Butterfield tells of her journey from living as a radical lesbian, as she puts it, to being confronted with the truth of Christ, putting her faith in Him, and leaving the gay lifestyle.  But this is not just a story of a lesbian who got saved.

I believe there is a bigger, more universal lesson.  It’s a compelling story of someone who was enslaved by sin, as we all were before Christ freed us, whose soul was moved and whose life was changed by the power of God’s living, breathing Word.

And I think we can learn something very powerful from her story.  Actually, two somethings.

(I would encourage you to listen to the 23-minute interview first if you can, then read the rest of the post.)

            1. There is power in the Word of God.

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.” Hebrews 4:12

The Bible is not just another book.  In all the places in the world, the Bible that we have tucked on our shelves, maybe laying on our laps on Sundays, and possibly read a day or two during the week, is the only place we can be assured to find the truth of God.   And there is nothing more powerful than truth.  

If God can use His Word in such a powerful way in the heart of someone who was not yet saved, what could He do in and through those who are saved and dedicated to reading and studying His Word? 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

I’m convinced that the Church–those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ–would be tastier salt and brighter light to the world if we would be continually filled with the precious, life-giving truth on the pages of God’s Word. 

And that brings me to the second something.

            2. People don’t need our judgment.  They need Jesus. 

‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’  How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” Romans 10:13-15

It is our feet, yours and mine, that bring the good news of Jesus Christ.  We are the called and we are the sent ones–not just to those who make us comfortable, or whose sins are not readily apparent, or more specifically, not like ours.  But to everyone.   Had a Christian man not befriended Dr. Butterfield, she might not be saved to this day, and many lives would be radically different. 

Christians can get a bad rap and sometimes that reputation is earned.  When we choose to stand in judgment, or speak words of hatred, or refuse to share the love of Jesus to someone because of their particular brand of sin, we’ve failed in our calling.

There is no unforgivable sin.  “Everyone who calls…”  That statement is very clearly all-inclusive.  It isn’t hate or judgment or rejection, but God’s loving kindness that brought us to repentance, and will bring others, too.

Grace and Peace,

 

 

Material distributed by By John Piper. ©2013 Desiring God Foundation. Website: desiringGod.org
Image credit: prezoom / 123RF Stock Photo

The Joy of the Lord Really is Your Strength

Posted on by Dorci

I recently came across a video tape (yes, an actual VHS tape) of our oldest son sitting in a highchair conflicted over the beets on his tray, and I was instantly transported back 20 years ago.

I so much wanted to crawl through that screen and do things differently.  Better.  With the bit of wisdom I’ve picked up in the years since.

As the lyric goes, I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger..

My kids stood there watching with me and they commented that even my voice is different now.  Granted, I’m not talking to three year olds anymore, but still.  I’ve changed and I could look back and see my mistakes so clearly.  And it grieved me. 

It seems the older and closer I get to the end of my life, the more I can look back at decisions I’ve made and my heart breaks with disappointment.  If I’m not careful, I can get stuck in the mud of regret.  

The Israelites almost did that very thing.

The walls of Jerusalem had been torn down and the city lay burned to the humiliation of the Israelites for over 100 years until God called Nehemiah and His people to rebuild the city.  They worked non-stop for months rebuilding while being armed and ready for enemy attacks. 

It had been a long haul, but God had restored them. 

The Israelites gathered and stood while Ezra, the priest, read the Word of God from daybreak until noon.  As they heard the Truth, they became overwhelmed with conviction. 

God’s Word will do that. 

Standing in the holiness of God in the reading of the Word they felt the depths of their sin.  They mourned from the pit of their souls and they wept. 

But the people were told..

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

The past was gone and God had forgiven them.  He had restored their city and their people and now was a time for rejoicing! 

God never intends for us to carry around regret. He so desires rivers of living water to flow through us, not for us to stand in a quagmire of regret.  That’ll only slow down our journey, weaken our faith and our testimony.

The word strength in this verse means “a fortified place; a defence, a fortress, a rock.”

The enemy had continually tried to pull the people away from God’s work of rebuilding through taunts, lies and deception.  But they were unsuccessful because Nehemiah kept his focus, and the people’s, on the Lord and the work they were called to do.

Just as a wolf will attack a sheep that is injured or sick, God’s enemy (and ours) will seek out someone who is spiritually weakened.  It’s easy prey.

Living in a state of grief over past sins weakens us.  Refusing to forgive ourselves cripples our spirit.

There is a time for grieving over our sin, but that grief should take us directly to the feet of Jesus in repentance. 

And when we do, God’s forgiveness is immediate.  His grace gives us the freedom to let it go, accept the joy He gives and move on.  And that brings us His strength.  We’re free to step out of the quagmire and onto the Rock. 

We join with the Lord and He becomes our fortress, our defence against attacks from the enemy.  Our faith grows stronger and our testimony brings Him glory.

The past is gone and God’s mercies are new every morning. 

My feet may be a little muddy, but I’m stepping out, washing them in the river and standing on the Rock.

How about you?

 

 

Lord Jesus, help us to repent, forgive ourselves, and accept the joy we have in You!”

 

Image credit: gerper / 123RF Stock Photo

Glorious Resolutions

Posted on by Dorci

I used to think making New Year’s resolutions was useless.  I thought, what’s the point? Maybe you make it through the month of January, maybe you don’t.  But now I think that’s a defeatist attitude.  

And that the only goals that are sure to fail are the ones we don’t make. 

So go on!  Set a goal.  Be intentional.  Change your life. 

Just be sure that what you do is in the will and strength of God.  Because when we do something out of God’s will and in our own strength, we may go along fine for a while, but sooner or later something’s going to trip us up and we’re going to find ourselves eating a little floor. 

So whatever you do, whether it’s setting new fitness goals, communicating better with your spouse or children, being a better employee or {insert your own goals}, there is one God-given goal we have in all of them. One ultimate reason we’re here. 

To give God glory. 

In all we say, in all we do, we were made to glorify the King of kings. 

To praise and worship Him in all we do.  To proclaim His great love and the great things He’s done for us. To let the joy He gives us spill out onto everyone around us.

Can you grasp how great a mission that is?  That we’re given the gift of relationship with the Almighty God and are filled with His Holy Spirit to walk in Him and glorify Him to others is an amazing gift.  And we should use that gift wisely.

There are two kinds of people who need to see the glory of God through us:

1. Unbelievers

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

In case you’ve been under a rock, the world is going to hell in a handbasket. And if we have even an inkling of the love of Christ, we’ll care that they are. It’s crazy out there and getting crazier by the minute. People are lost, hurt, and suffering.  And they need to know that there is a God Who loves them and whose glory is unmatched. 

They need to know that all the world’s gold doesn’t shine as glorious as He does. That no amount of fame knows the glory we know in Jesus Christ. They need to know that there is a glory that will give them peace–peace with God and peace with themselves. They need to know the glory that is so great it’ll carry them into eternity, if they receive it by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

They need to see the glorious love of Jesus in words and actions and we’re the ones elected to bring it to them.  Unfortunately, all too often they see Christians as hypocritical and judgmental.  They can get that from the world.  We need to show them the glory of Christ instead. 

2. Believers

“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.” Romans 15-5-7

It’s a tough world out there for Christ-followers, and it’s easy to get discouraged.  The sad thing is that at times I’ve been most discouraged by my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Why?  Because their eyes have been opened. They have the Holy Spirit and they know the truth. They should know better. 

And so should I.

But sometimes we get lazy. We spend too much time in the world and let it mold us. We forget to put on Christ’s attitude and allow His glory to flow through us.  We’re human and we’ll fail.  And then we have the God-given ability (and commandment) to forgive and ask for forgiveness. 

Instead, let’s determine to love each other.  To protect each other.  To shine the glory of Christ through our love and kindness and help others on their way. After all, we’re soldiers in a spiritual war and we’re in the trenches together.  We can’t afford to turn on each other by being unkind, critical, snarky, or rude.  The enemy loves it when we do.    

So how do we do it?  How do we glorify the Lord to everyone around us?

We get up in the morning and we sit with Him.  It doesn’t have to be a big production.  Just grab your Bible and find a quiet corner.  Pray.  Read His Word.  Even a verse or two.  Just let God prepare you for what He knows you’ll encounter that day, before you have a chance to act or react in your human, sinful flesh.

His Presence = His Glory

There is nothing like starting a fresh new day with the Lord and letting Him fill us up with His glory and power and strength.  No matter what happens, our perspective will be His, our attitude and our words will be His. And all day long we’ll exude Jesus and bring Him glory. 

Only God knows what He can do through a man or woman who is determined to glorify the One Who holds the future and all its dreams and visions. 

So pray big prayers!  Set big goals.  We have a big God.

And He’s given us the treasure of His glory.

 

God bless you in the new year!

 

Jesus is the Answer

Posted on by Dorci

I sat across from the woman who’s been making my nails presentable for a couple of years now. She smoothed the jagged edges while we discussed the day’s horrific events. Another client sat next to us, giving us information as it unfolded on the internet in the palm of her hand.

His mother was dead, too.  They can’t find his girlfriend.  He was 24. No 20.

My nail miracle-worker began to tell me about a client she had seen not that long ago.  He sat across from her and told her that he saw no purpose for living. Within two days he got sick and died.  So many people living without purpose, she said.  I nodded. 

Jesus gives us purpose, I told her.

Twenty-four people are dead, no twenty-six.

And like the rest of the country, we began to ask why.

And inevitably after the whys come the finger-pointing.  We want to blame something, someone…  We want to list the whys and fix it so it’ll never happen again.

I know.  I’ve asked why about a hundred painful things in my own life.  I want to fix it so it’ll never hurt me again.

The best I’ve been able to come up with so far is sometimes there are just no answers. Not in this life anyway.  There are no whys to grasp and wrap in a neat, little, labeled package, keeping them forever locked away so they never hurt anyone again.

No answers as to why a young man would want to cause so much pain. Nothing concise as to why other young men before him took the same path.

No clear-cut answers to why any of us hurt another, whether it’s with a gun, a knife, or cutting words.

Except that we live in a world diseased with sin. Including our own.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans 3:23

And the only cure is the blood of Christ.

Unless we turn to God, we have no purpose, and we act and react in our natural, sinful state. We bully, we become angry, we refuse to forgive, we reject, we neglect, we belittle, we lie, we cheat, we steal. 

Little by little, day by day, our sins affect us and the people around us. The darkness of sin seeps into our hearts and twists our minds so that good is bad and bad is good. 

And through the world the enemy of God whispers in our ear that there is an escape to the pain of our sin.  So we pick one up–a bottle, a baggie, sex—any sex outside the God-given bounds of marriage—pornography, depression, violence. 

But we will inevitably discover that our intended escape is really a dead end that only added to the pain we were trying to forget. 

Unless we turn to God, we will attempt to be our own god and lord it over others weaker or unable or unwilling to fight back: a spouse, a friend, an employee, anyone on the other side of our computer screen, the elderly, children.

Unless we turn to God and invite Him to overwhelm us with His grace and love and forgiveness, a lifetime (no matter how short) of our own sins and the sins of others heaped upon us will overwhelm us.

Add into the mix a mental illness and a society that continues to attach stigma to it which makes it even more difficult to admit and seek help, and the mind can be even less capable of handling the stresses of this world. 

And in a world that glorifies violence as the answer, some will pick up a gun. Or a knife. Or a bomb.

It’s as simple, and complicated, as that.

It’s easy to sit in self-righteous judgment of someone who’s ended a life.  But God looks at the heart. Our hearts.

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’  But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28

All sin destroys.

Each choice to sin, without repentance, is a step away from God. Sometimes we’ve taken so many steps we lose sight of Him. The good news is that it’s always only one step back.

At any time in this process, God invites us to turn to Him and ask for forgiveness.  He is always waiting with open arms.  And when we do, He smoothes our jagged edges.  He pours out His love. He works miracles in our lives.  He gives us hope and brings us peace.

Whatever the question is, Jesus is, was and always will be the answer.

We live in difficult times and we need Jesus every minute of every day.  We need to stay close by His side through prayer and the study of His Word.  We need the Holy Spirit to continually flow through us so we can be a light to the dark world and show God’s love no matter what.

It’s time we stop conforming to the world and let Jesus live through us.  It’s time to stop playing around with our faith, put away sin and start living to the glory of God. The world needs us to show them Christ, right now. 

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”  Philippians 2:1-11

Grace and peace to you,

Giving Thanks for Fleas

Posted on by Dorci

Corrie ten Boom and her sister, Betsie, walked into their assigned barracks at Ravensbrück concentration camp.  The windows were broken and fall was quickly giving way to winter.  The room was filled with nothing but piers stacked three high, the stench of broken plumbing, and fleas.

“Betsie, how can we live in such a place!” Corrie asked her sister.

As Betsie asked God to show them how, she remembered what they had read that morning in 1 Thessalonians. Corrie read it again.

“Comfort the frightened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.”

But there was more, Betsie remembered.

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

So they obediently gave thanks for everything.  They gave thanks that there had been no inspection so that they were able to keep their Bible.  They gave thanks for the inhumanely tight quarters, that more women would hear the Word of God.

And then Betsie gave thanks for the fleas.

That was going too far, Corrie thought.  Thanks?  For the fleas that were making a meal of their legs? She didn’t understand it, but she went along.

Corrie and Betsie began holding worship services for the other women being held in their barracks with the Bible that had escaped the guards’ detection.  Day after day, they noticed that the guards refused to go into their barracks. Why?

They soon understood the reason they could be thankful for the fleas.

Guards wouldn’t step foot into their barracks because of the fleas.  If they had, the Bible would have been confiscated, and they might have been punished, or worse.

Because of God’s provision, they were able to continue reading the Word of God–the light for their very dark path, the truth that pierced the lies of the enemy, their hope in the face of certain tragedy.

Everything we have to be thankful for isn’t always easily noticed.  It isn’t always what we want to be thankful for.  Sometimes it’s the very thing that we pray God will take from us that He wants to use for His glory and our growth.

Sometimes we’ll see the reasons now for the fleas in our own lives–those things that keep after us, making our lives uncomfortable and sometimes downright miserable.  But I suspect we won’t fully understand until the day we can sit down with Jesus under a shade tree in heaven and He reveals the beauty of it all.

You can read the story of Corrie and Betsie ten Boom in The Hiding Place.