Saturday, May 31, 2008

Back to the Hebrews study

Verses 1-2
1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
Observation/Spiritual Lesson: Application/ Steps:
To come short of His rest because I chose to not walk in faith of what I have heard or even learned. If I am not in a place of resting in Christ clearly this verse shows me that it is because I have chosen to not walk in the manner that God is requiring me to walk. Having just had to say goodbye to my sweet dear friend, Peggy Evans, I got a sweet gift from my Jesus in the midst of grieving, which shows a bit of what this is all about.
The morning after her earthly death, I woke up after only having about 3 hours of sleep. I was lying in my bed thinking of how she died and what she was doing at that time. You see Peggy had just had knee surgery 3 weeks prior. She was at her home having in home physical therapy. Now if you don’t already know it PT is really hard, painful and absolutely no fun at all. However, Peggy knew that she needed to push herself, to allow the hard uncomfortable, painful work to happen , so that she would be able to walk correctly. So here she was working hard, enduring the pain and discomfort in order to one day walk without the pain, to walk rightly. She had just finished up her PT and now it was time for her to take her walk, to work out the hard work of the PT with just simply walking. Then just as my sweet Jesus often does for me, He spoke such wisdom to my heart that morning. Isn’t that just how we are supposed to be living our life in Christ, allowing the hard trials, the discomfort, the pain to come our way and we are to push through, daily. Doing whatever is required in order for us to walk rightly this Christian walk abiding in our Lord Jesus. I don’t really understand it, I’m sure it has a lot to do with God’s promise that His compassion is new every morning.
Lamentation 3:22-23 The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

But hearing this truth, gave me such peace and comfort – the ache in my heart went away and I could see the absolute beauty of God had done.
Wednesday morning, Peggy was about Gods work, working on ministry things for her husband, Pastor Maury. She had written sweet emails of thanks, sent out cards. Her heart was pure and sweet being about others, loving on people and taking care of the task and duties that would make her husband’s ministry easier for him. All this in the midst of her pain and right before her PT. For this amazing pillar of God’s beauty here on earth was living out His Word, she was running the race well and she won!
1Corth. 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but {only} one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

Peggy lived in a place of rest in Jesus even when it was painful. This is an example for me to remember when the storms come ( which is now) that they are there by His Hands and I can find rest in and through it if I simply endure and persevere and run, run this race. Putting feet to my faith and going forward ,no matter what! Thank you Peggy for what my seem simple to others, yet powerful once again wisdom for me, from your life. The timing is perfect and I fell blessed to have this gift from her life.
This one is for you Peggy, all the hours you spent spanking me ;0) your efforts were not in vain. I chose to walk, I chose to run. Right now I am being crushed yet I find rest. If He is doing the crushing, then His hands are the ones on me. Thank you Jesus.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Bye Peggy see you soon sweet friend!

Today I had to say goodbye to one of the great ones, one of the really really great ones. Our faithful, sovereign, good Lord Jesus chose today to call our beloved Peggy Evans, home to Him. To know Peggy, to really know her was to know that you were spoiled to be loved and cared for by an amazing pillar of Gods love, wisdom and great joy. I have been blessed beyond blessed to have shared the past 11 years knowing this gem. To have Peggy mentor me, and care for me over these last 11 years was one of my greatest rewards here on earth. One of the things I love about Peggy is she is one of the funniest women I have ever known. We have laughed many hours together. All the retreats I got to hang out with her, are counted by far my most memorable retreats. Today as I received many phone calls from friends thanking me for sending them to Peggy for her guidance and counsel in the trials of their lives, made me realize what an amazing legacy this gift has left behind. I am a far better women of God today having known, and loved Peggy Evans. I have a million funny Peggy stories and maybe later I will share a few but for now I say goodnight and scream it from the mountain top that this night in heaven the saints are rejoicing a little more than normal because their lives just got better with Peggy in their presence. I love you my friend and yes we will look after Maury.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

i love it when the daily devotion is timely - WOW, i wonder who could have orchastrated that ;0)

enjoy!


The Process that Magnifies the Treasure


But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
New covenant servants (followers of Jesus Christ) are "earthen vessels" (ordinary clay pots). Yet, in the container of their redeemed humanity dwells "this treasure" (the Son of God Himself). This arrangement calls for the treasure (Jesus), not the vessels (you and me) to be the object of all trust and the recipient of all glory: "that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." Appropriately, the Lord has also arranged a process that magnifies the treasure.
This process involves the every day pressures of life, which come from all sides. "We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed." Clay pots cannot withstand much pressure, but the treasure within us (Christ) is able to keep us from being smashed. "Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1).
The process that draws attention to the treasure also involves many perplexities. "We are perplexed, but not in despair." We face difficult decisions and impossible issues, but our Wonderful Counselor protects us from hopelessness: "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).
Persecutions are included in the process: "persecuted, but not forsaken." People accuse us, misunderstand us, or lie about us. Still, we know we are not abandoned by our Lord who lives within us. "For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).
Even catastrophes are a part of the process that magnifies the treasure who indwells us: "struck down, but not destroyed." Circumstantial upheavals and overwhelming heartaches occur, but the Lord stabilizes our souls, so we don't "tip over" under the weight of circumstances. "They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support" (Psalm 18:18).
Thus, life comes at us like an overpowering military tank, ready to flatten us. There is no natural hope, because clay pots can't handle tanks. Yet, as the dust clears, the flower pot of our lives can remain intact (if we are trusting in the able and faithful One who lives in our hearts). There is no attacking tank that can overcome the Lord Jesus Christ. "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

perfectly said - no need to add my buck fifties worth

keep chasing righteousness!!!!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

From my study

This is going to be all over the place , try to keep up. Sorry this prompted many thoughts. I should edit it but I'm way to tired.
Hebrews 2:1-4
1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
Observation/Spiritual Lesson: Application:
In verse 1 we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. - are we paying attention to the things we learn? Paying attention implies having knowledge and wisdom to know what to do with it. The Word states
Prov. 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction
Prov. 2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul
According to Proverbs 1:7 – I am either living in the fear of God which gives me the ability to have knowledge from God, not that insightful wisdom that most of us as women have, or I despise wisdom, meaning I hear the truth but choice not to do it. Maybe it’s just to hard or I’m not sure what it will look like or there is always I figure I can push it off for another time way of thinking going on in my head. Well, which ever it, I am a fool. Well that sure puts it pretty point blank. No coming up with any other explanation of that scripture. So my question has to be in what area am I playing the fool and how long do I think I can ride this wave of Gods grace and mercy before He has to force the knowledge on me?
How many times do I need to learn the same painful lesson? - This is not having knowledge. Proverbs 1:7 states in the 2nd part of that verse ‘fools despise wisdom and instruction’ – ouch ! – how often do I know the right thing, I may even continue to ask for the same prayer request because I know it is right thing to do, but still it does not become a reality in my life because I choose to be the fool. I choose to do the convenient, the easy thing. The thing my flesh is most versed in doing Okay, let’s be honest this is very unpopular. But truthful we must admit. So what do we do? – How do we move away from being the foolish? How do we allow each other in, in a way that we accept accountability? What will it take for God to move us away from our own foolishness? - Something hard my hit our lives – we call it a trial. Now, not to get off on a rabbit trail within a rabbit trail but isn’t it funny, we often view our trails as a work God is doing in us. Okay, that is partially true but we must be honest here, most of the time it is from our own foolishness that we are in most of our difficult circumstances. Example – I was just speaking to a friend and she was really struggling with an issue of bitterness, now by all means the situation really was a hard one and would make most people upset. However, I asked her how her quiet times – her study times - her prayer times have been – well you guessed it she hadn’t been doing any of that very much for a few weeks. This situation had taken control of her life. You see my point is, her bitterness issue over a certain circumstance can not be viewed as a trial by God. It’s a mess she has put her self into because she is not really abiding in the Lord enough to truly have God's heart on the situation. We need to look at the things in our life that are bugging us and simply ask ourselves, do I have God's perspective on this?
Back to having knowledge. I'll simply say, I believe that all to often we live being more connected to the Old testament then the teachings of the New Testament. What I mean is, if an angel appeared and gave us instruction, I believe we would have no problem doing what that angel said but we have Jesus Christ through His Spirit guiding and correcting us and we struggle and pick and choose what we will obey and what we will pretend we don’t know.
Drift away – shows an area of neglect – this is a warning to me ,to us that we need to pay full attention meaning knowing it and walk in it, other wise we will drift away for the things of God.
I used to do a spiritual report card in and agape group years ago. Thought it would be fun to do a simply one, to measure how susceptible I am to drifting away.
1-7 (days)
Prayer time 7
Study time 4
Quiet time 5
So my deduction would have to be honestly that I am not functioning at a complete abiding level in Christ – which leaves room for the enemy to come in with His lies. Room for my flesh to want to do things my way, because it sounds best. Room to drift away and not even realize it.

Timely

So after a night of getting maybe 1 hour of sleep, yes I said one hour, I read this little devotion that comes to my email.
Builder and ProtectorPsalm 127:1-2 says,Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.These verses have been favorites of mine for a long time. If ever I am tempted to worry about the Church, I remember that it is His house and ultimately only He can build it. My efforts, by themselves, are in vain.He is not only the builder of the Church, He is the protector of it as well. These truths take a lot of weight off of my shoulders and help me sleep well at night. And I believe that is the way God wants it.Too many of God's children sit up late, worrying and eating the bread of sorrows. Whether you are a pastor or a business owner or a stay-at-home mom, learn the secret of casting your cares on God.He is the builder and protector of your life, and He knows the battles you face. Trust Him and sleep well tonight!

Simply said, yet not so eaisily done. It's all His and I need to just keep saying that.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Consider Prayer - Consider Jesus

so my lack of posting is in fact due once again to the busyness of my life - well maybe more in part to the fact that there is so much going on and i'm not sure what to share - God is moving in such amazing, powerful, yet difficult ways that i haven't known what to share and what is a bit to vulnerable to share - so if you the reader chose to continue reading this post it might be a bit of a scattered mess - as if i'm fooling myself thinking the others haven't been ;0)
let's see, I'll give a small run down:
prayer - have you ever considered or experienced deep serious prayer? at our leaders retreat my Lord ask me if I was really willing to allow Him to take me into battle for the sake of others, in prayer - honestly the answer never came as an 'of course Lord, anything You ask' - you see there was a big price to pay and He showed me a small glimpse of that at retreat - i felt this heaviness and darkness most of the weekend - i spent most of retreat thinking i was in a place of sin, and was constantly in a place of confession before God - well just when i wanted to throw in the towel, He showed me that He was showing me the heaviness of others and to be called to the level of prayer that I was so excited and honored to be apart of , this is what it would look like at times, so that i could see others and enter in to their area of need through intersession prayer. - i never came to a complete place of 'of course Lord'. - fast forward a bit, He brought me into a desperate situation that before I knew it, i was on my knees for about a month or so,fighting the biggest warfare battle in the spirit real with zeal and determination and it really didn't even have anything to do with me - i see now that God needed to see that yes in fact I am willing or more like i needed to see - DUH!! - the powerful things of God i was honored to experience first hand, was a gift, a real gift - then right after that another bigger one hit, taking me deeper and into a level of obedience where i understand what Abraham felt as he thought he might actually have to kill his son - the reward for obedience, there really are not any words right now, except I just Praise My Jesus over and over!!!! - now i find myself in another one -the crazy thing is, this time i have a small thread of unbelief and i honestly should be ashamed to say that, but it is true - - so this helps me segway to another big thing going on, my Hebrew study in 'k' group - timing is everything in Jesus and He sure knew I needed to think and study alot about Him and who He says He is
The book of Hebrews is a letter or a sermon depending on how you look at it, written to the Jews who were considering Christianity in Jesus and those that were struggling with their new faith in Him. There was great persecution to the Jews for choosing Jesus by the other Jews and the Romans. The Christians were anxiously waiting Christ return to establish His Kingdom and they were getting a little antsy ( sound familiar ). They needed to be reassured that Jesus is in fact the Messiah and that following Him was the right way.
This is a Book that will reaffirm the superiority of Christ above all and challenge us to evaluate if this is indeed His place in our lives today not by just words but by deeds. And if not, what is in His place.
The focus here is simply Jesus. If I believe, really believe than so many of my choices, concerns etc... really ought not be apart of my life. The book of Hebrews is making me consider Jesus 1st.
To spare you any more rambling right now, i'll leave it at this right now. so my parting words, even though i have no idea how this post started, i will leave you with this closing comment

consider Jesus 1st ! - no matter what you face consider Jesus!