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May 18, 2012

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739 – Enter into NOGS land – No other gods!

June 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

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My Sunday school class started the NOGS study last night.  It is going to be incredible.  I am so excited about our future!  Lord, help me to not fall flat on my hopes and dreams for us all.  Help me to hear from you and what you would have for us!  I want to obey!!  We want to serve! 

I wrote this post some time ago, but it went along perfectly with what I studied this morning!    I hope the NOGs girls glean from what He spoke to me some time ago.  
Still not 100% sure about my hip.  Think there is some nerve damage.  Gave me a shot and said to keep on keeping on.  So that i am excited about all that!  Thank you for your concern and prayers!  You all are the best!!  

Exodus 20:5 “You shall not bow down to them or worship them.” Now if i just say that lightly i would think that the Lord was being kind of redundant right there. Isn’t bow and worshipping the same thing? Yeah, that is what i thought too, but after researching just a tad at this wee hour of the morning, i see that it is related, but not really the same.

Bow – hawah, pronouced “hayway”(i think), to prostrate oneself, to bow down, to worship. Denotes an act of respect to one in superior position, and essentially signifies submission!

Worship – abad, pronouced “aybad”, to serve, minister, worship, to work, do. Denotes service or work that may be directed towards things. Signifies serving as a slave, or king or ruler.

Now once we put it all out there you can see how they are so different and why the Lord felt the need to say don’t just do one, but don’t do the other. Oh how i love the Word. Bow is the act of doing it to the idol – worshipping the idol and moving the body in such a way that it is obvious what one is doing. And then worship is like getting up from that bow and asking the idol what can I do for you or how can i serve you or how can i minister to you? See?

Wow, what a clear perspective now. I hate to know that I am caught in that position much more than I care to admit. Lord Jesus forgive me. I know every day throughout the day I bow to too many things and some I have no idea. I am putting my body in a way that signifies to all those around that I love this or that idol and am worshipping it. It reminds me of my old dog, Rebel. When it got down to eating time, he was bowing. You got near his food bowl and he would start growling and showing his teeth. It was obvious to the whole world this was not a time to mess with him, he was bowing and we all knew it! Even in eating how often do i see that in my own life. Oh Lord, break me, break this worship! I want to bow to you only! help!!!

Worship happens in my life as well only seen a bit different. How often do we see moms bowing to their kids and then getting up from that to worship them, serve them in any and every way! I am so so so so so proud of my aerobics ladies. There are many in there with very small kids – even some first children. There is one lady in there with a 7 week old when we started. For her to be able to drop her child off in childcare and then take some time to workout her body – that is to be commended. Many times, especially the first time mom, will refuse to do anything for herself even though it makes her a much better mom. It is a form of worship. I was always guilty of going in the total opposite direction, but this is one thing i saw all too often in Charlotte – the world of stay at home moms and I was one of those only my worship was being on the go!

Oh Lord, teach me!! Help me to listen. I got my scripture cards in yesterday and will be carrying around a few for spiritual reinforcement to break my idols! With all this worship and bowing talk I want to leave with this scripture – it was my mentors memory verse many years ago. Ps. 95:6 “Come let’s us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” (That is the same worship that we are talking about, but a different bow down.) My mentor, Rae Deal, could have easily been an idol in my life, but God moved her away from me across the country before that could happen. Both she and I are terrible phone talkers and so it has been a tough split. She is a great letter writer though! I like email!

Lord, may today, not worrying about tomorrow, but today come before you and bow down in worship – I want to kneel before my Maker!! You are worthy! I love you!! 

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Filed Under: idol, NOGS, worship
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512 – New Year’s Resolutions – Tift

January 10, 2008 By 4 Comments

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Dear Lord, you know the plans I have for today and I commit them to you. I have an important meeting this morning and I have some others things as well that are important to me. Lord, give me wisdom and solid thoughts. Give me confidence and gentle boldness. Give me patience and much, much love!! Thank you in advance for taking care of things!

Lord, I have tift or is it a rift…… anyway… with myself and other things I have been reading. I decided to not verbally say or make any new years resolutions and all over the web I saw the same things from many of the fellow Christian bloggers. I saw things like – I am not going to make any kind of resolution this year. I am just going to pursue Godliness or Grace or Righteousness, etc. I thought or maybe even said the same thing. I guess there are several reasons for that. 1) Don’t want everyone to know I have failed again. 2) Don’t want to be like everyone else. 3) Don’t want to make promises that I can not keep again. 4) Think it is hokey and just a silly thing anyway. My list could go on and on. But then again I vowed probably just to myself that I did want to resolve to pray more and more diligent about my Bible studying. That is noble and a good thing – many bloggers had the same idea or convictions…

So what is my problem. I am willing to commit to do or be better at what God is obviously in or is about, but those things that I have to invite Him into I am not willing to commit. Lord Jesus, this is what I feel you saying to my heart……….God is all about me praying, God is all about me studying His Word – those are givens and frankly I don’t think I could ever actually reach the mark or my goal at being a proficient prayer(er) or knowing all the Word let alone in one year. When I do become proficient or know all the Word I think He will just take me home. But those other things such as losing weight, diminishing my computer time, getting an accountability group together, getting my ministry and office organized and stay organized, staying on a budget, etc………. Those are all things that God is “in”, but it is not so obvious because we have to take Him there in sort of a way.

Here is my point I feel the Lord convicting me about. If we want to see change in our lives we have to commit it to Him. Doing things on our own will never work. We have to bring God into every single area of our lives. He has to be in our weight loss. He has to be in our financial pursuits. He has to be in our thoughts of organization. He has to be in it all. And He is. Since He is living inside of me – I am the temple of the Holy Spirit I Cor. 6:19 – I am taking Him everywhere and in everything. He is there when I am able to not indulge and yet He is quenched when I blow it and eat too much! He is there when I think I have to have that skirt (or rather baseball cap for me), but know better. My Lord and Savior is begging me to take Him into every area of my life. He wants to be in more than my prayer closet, He wants me to take Him into my kitchen, into my workout room (if i had one), into my clothes closet, into my purse, etc. He wants and will have access into every area of my life – especially my thoughts!

Lord, what is it that I am afraid of? Am i afraid that I won’t please you? Am i afraid that I won’t be accepted after failure? Am I afraid that someone will actually hold me accountable? Am I afraid to be vulnerable to the World Wide Web? What is it Lord? Vulnerability has never been an issue for I don’t think. I am what I am and am not too much on hiding. Many, many other things are my issue, but that is not one that I see at this time. I have a good friend that is being called by the Lord to expose all this year – be completely vulnerable at all costs. It is beautiful! I am shocked at how many people deal with this issue. I had no idea! But for me – and Lord, help me to be vulnerable here – I just don’t take the Lord into enough areas of my life. If i did I think I would have more self-control when I sat down to eat. I would have more self-control when I am talking among friends. I would be able to walk away from a killer sale that says I have got to have one more black pair of pants. I would have more discipline about my computer time. I would not worship any others gods is what it boils down to!!

So Lord, there it is. I want to live the victorious life. I want to be committed to everything you have called me to. I want to hear your voice in every area of my life. I want you to have full reign over me in everything , i mean everything! I want to be skinny, I want to be organized, I want to be a prayer warrior, I want to be in an accountability group, I want to be financially responsible…………….. I want you, Lord!!! I want you to have your way with me! I want it all – what you have for me. I know that I can not and will not be faithful in any of these ares without your help, guidance, push, discipline, and moment by moment involvement in my life!! I want to feel your breath……… always. Thank you for this or rather these convictions Lord. Forgive me for not taking you with me in all areas of my life. Forgive me for thinking or at least by my actions saying I can do it on my own. Forgive me for my pride and forgive me for not believing You! Lord, here we go! Off to another victoriously living day!! Victory in Jesus!

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Filed Under: 1 Cor., believing, commitments, divided heart, idol, victory, Your will
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495 – Living Close, Clean, and with Purpose

December 13, 2007 By Leave a Comment

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Dear Lord, I am very rushed on time this morning. I have a purse party this morning at Lincoln School in Carmi and then another one tonight at Rachel’s house in McLeansboro. So I have to get completely ready for the day before I walk out at 7:45. Back to the old working routine!! Lord, help us all and I do mean that! I pray that all goes well today and tonight. I pray that there are many, many sales of both purses and Rachel’s beautiful baskets. Thank you, Lord!

This morning I found myself at an odd scripture – it was odd to me! I am asking the Lord for specific direction in regards to a specific challenge I feel like He has placed on Speaking Thru Me Ministries. I will reveal that challenge as I know the specific directions! Lord, Ginger and I am desperately seeking your will. She had lunch the other day with Kay. Of course Kay is a woman of huge wisdom and conviction. We feel like that was a divinely appointed time and much is to be taken and considered and prayed over from that appointment – so we are. Reveal, Lord!!

This morning in Jer. 13:1-11 it about a linen belt. Just the bottom section of my commentary said this was much like underwear. Now my first thought or exclamation was – Why does the Lord so often deal with matters of the privates – underwear, circumcision, etc. I do remember a study I did with Beth Moore and her explaining very carefully and precisely the meaning and relevancy of circumcision. It was a touchy subject to say the least and she did it without using any words that would have made you squirm – but I can not think of which study it was. Maybe Patriarchs??? Who knows!!

God tells Jeremiah to take his belt or underwear, knew ones he just had purchased, and put it on. Then after a short time HE tells him to take the underwear and go bury them in a crevice of Perath. So he does. Then the Lord after many days later, tells him to go dig up the belt only to find it “ruined and completely useless”. So I am just thinking out loud here, but unsure totally here about this scripture. God explains that He will ruin the pride of Judah. They are doing anything but bringing Him honor and glory and He will ruin destroy that pride – they are fixin‘ to go into 70 years of captivity. He wants Israel to be bound to His waist like the belt and its original purpose.

I would hate to wear a pair of undies (oh i hope I don’t get weird Google ads because of this blog and word content) that have not been washed and dried with fabric softener. Just the way things are these days. I thinking a round about way they may have been the same way back then. God is saying that the underwear that are used, unclean, and possibly rough and stiff are not of any use, useless!! #1 the guy wore them for a short amount of time I am sure making them at least undesirable if not unclean. Then he was asked to bury them and the dirt certainly gets them dirty. THEN just by the fact of nature running its course they were probably rained on. Have you ever not dried your clothes the right way – they get all stiff and yucky!! So now we have undies that are unclean, dirty from the soil (no pun intended), and probably stiff and uncomfortable from the elements – without purpose. Am I getting anywhere???? Lord help!

So the Lord is then saying He wants His people to be like the belt around His wait – living close to Him, Clean, and with Purpose. Only by living so close and intimately with the Father can we hear clearly from Him and know His heart and desires. Ps. 25:14 “The Lord confides in those who fear Him…” Isn’t that awesome!! The Lord confides, He tells his heart and dreams, purposes, plans for us – but only if you are up close and intimately involved with the Savior – only through displaying a deep fear, awe, respect, reverence will those things be revealed!

The Lord requires us to be clean. Constant state of becoming blameless, seeking forgiveness, and righteousness! We only become clean and holy through the blood of Christ. When we are not “fessed up” the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit is diminished in our lives – He is quenched! I want clean underwear every single day – the Lord needs a clean vessel to work through. (Wow this is kind of crazy to me – just the talk of underwear and my holiness. ha ha)

And of course the Lord has purpose, makes purpose for us, and is purposeful to us! Just like the underwear when they are soiled and stiff – they lose their purpose. Oh Lord, help me to never be stiff necked. Those times that i get that way help me to be softened by your grace, mercy through discipline. Lord, I am seeking Your Will!! I need to hear from you and desire to do nothing else but what you ask. Lord, give Ginger and I a Word to confirm what we are hearing. Thank you for the intimacy of underwear talk and applying it to my life – You amaze me Lord!! Wow – am I close any of this one Lord?? Reveal to me or have someone else direct me closer to what You are taking about in this passage!!! I love you – May today be blessed by You and your favor fall down on today’s events!! I love you!!

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Filed Under: idol, jeremiah, ministry, surrendered life, Your will
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482 – All out of Sorts

November 28, 2007 By 6 Comments

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“Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive.” 1 Cor. 10:23

First of all Lord Jesus I am so pumped that this verse uses hyphens. I am hyphen and exclamation queen and now I see where I get it – from my Abba Father. I use them in the wrong way, but I will learn as I grow up, right. Just being silly, but I was excited to see hyphens! Anyway, just kind of feeling out of sorts today.

Lord Jesus, I know this cyst thing is really no big deal – it could go away on its own – all the bleeding could stop (it has gotten better)- all the cramping could just stop (hardly feel anything at all)- and the dehydrating feelings can be quenched – I know you can do all that. But it just makes me wonder. What I have wondered from the day this all started was how bad do your hormones have to be out a wack before things start happening or changing in your body for the worst – like something like this cyst.

I know I have heard that weight gain is one sure fire way to get your hormones out of wack. But is it like 15, 25, or more than 50 to get them messed up? I just have to ask myself if i could lose this extra 15 pounds would this cyst have been less likely. I know everyone will want to say it can happen to anyone and we are all so quick – myself included – to not ever blame some one’s health situation based on anything they have done. BUT – for me, I have never, ever had any females situations. I have been late – but that was 5 pregnancies. Never a moment’s trouble getting pregnant, had good pregnancies – except the one miscarriage, but that was at 7 or 8 weeks, and just pretty normal. But i have never carried this extra weight for this amount of time. Could it be effecting my health even though by most standards it is just “some” extra weight? I think so.

Boundaries – I love them. I love to know where I can go and what I can not do. I like to know where I stand and to what extent that could change. I have a tough time with freedom. Even as laid back as i am, i still like to know what is expected, etc. I think I could do well as a puppet! But Jesus you are reminding me that is not the way you have made me. You have allowed everything – even terrible sin – to be permissible in my life. Obviously not everything is beneficial. That beneficial is kind of interesting. It means to bring together for the benefit of another. Another – I thought we were talking about ME. I thought this verse was talking about what was good for me and not good for me………………. Well it is, but is not too. Verse 24 says, “Nobody should seek his own good but the good of others.”

So while I am thinking this is all about me – will i ever grow up, ha! – this verse is really concerned about the things I do that are are not beneficial or constructive to those around me. Now that is totally different perspective. That constructive is a bit different than beneficial. Constructive means to build up or build to edify, strengthen, encourage. In a spiritual sense, to build the Church – edify Christ, build up and encourage the Church – all its members.

Now I think I have got it – Everything is permissible for me individually, but not everything is good to bring together another for their benefit – it is not always good to drag someone in on your stuff. Everything is permissible for me individually, but not everything will edify the Church or build it up. Bottom line with all things I am involved in – it is not about me! I am to seek the good of others. Duh – of course I know that, but for some reason the Lord wanted to bring that to me!! Lord, as I go about my day, will you please bring this verse very specific to my life and changes you would like to see take place. The verse in 1 Cor. 6:12 is just a tad different… The last of it says “but I will not be mastered by anything” – there it is again…………. idols!!!!

I love you Lord – I am hanging tight to you – I love your consistency. Lord, forgive my out of sorts feelings and struggling faith at times. Forgive my questioning spirit and impatience! Father – all i want is to love you deeper. To feel you in the very marrow of my bones. All i want is to know your Word more consistently and have it flow from my lips! All i want is to please the Father and know You can count on me. I want to be righteous and thankful! I want to be gracious and consistent!!! I want to be consumed by You and everything You are about. I want to surrender it all!!!!!!!! Show me where I am not!!! I love you, Lord – help me to love you more!!! Increase my faith, hope and love!!!!!!!

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Filed Under: 1 Cor., idol
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479 – TO God be the Glory!

November 21, 2007 By 3 Comments

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Leaving this Blog week with some scripture of Thanksgiving – and still a tad of idol worship. Lord, I just can’t leave that subject, can I? Still have not learned enough to move on I guess!! All glory to You!! Praise and Honor to the Highest!! You are it! You are mine and I am yours. Thank you thank you thank you!!! Happy Thanksgiving!

1 Chron. 16:25-36

25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.
28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength,
29 ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his [a] holiness.
30 Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
33 Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
35 Cry out, “Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise.”
36 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”

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Filed Under: 1 Chron., idol, praise, worship
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474 – What Does It Look Like?

November 9, 2007 By 5 Comments

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When one of my kids are sick I am always thinking or wondering why God did not make germs blue or at least tinted so that I could clean them all up. I want to try to rid the house of them so that one of the other 3 do not get whatever is the choice of sickness for the moment! Wouldn’t that be cool to do that with a bad attitude as well – just wipe it up and be done! I am just thinking it would be easier if i could identify the little stinkers and then dispose quickly. But no! They have to be invisible. Even though they are invisible they make a distinct mark on whomever they have attacked – and sometimes my carpet too! ugh!!!!!!!!!!!

Lord Jesus – you have revealed the same thing to me this morning. I am STILL in the idol, reflections, image, etc. studying. And so it dawned on me this morning that I have been studying all about idol worship and what that might look like. Didn’t have to go far to find an good example…….me! But then I thought, but what does a real idolater look like. I mean do they certainly personality traits. If there is something obvious that I could see for myself then I could just wipe it up and be done. Or are they invisible?? And it was if I could hear the Lord say – I thought you would never ask.

Eph. 5:5 “For this you can be sure: no immoral, impure, or greedy person – such a man is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” There it is the Lord shouted to me. Idolater has at least 3 very distinct characteristics – and I am sure others as well. But these are the three germs you will want to quickly wipe up and do away with! Immoral, impure, and greedy – concoction for a severe rascal in the kingdom of God!

Immoral – Lord, so often I think of that as the person that is sexually immoral, but even as I sit here today, there are areas in my life that are immoral. Shows that I find myself flipping through. Thoughts that enter into my head that are related to my past or something I should not have been a part of. Immoral – just something that is not moral. Being dishonest. Not giving back even a penny when I know I have been given back too much money – or even realizing it later. There are decisions that I make that can have a moral connotation to them that i ignore for some reason or another. Just because I am not being unfaithful to my husband or am not watching some porn stuff or having abortions or whatever……… does not mean that i can’t have immorality about me. I am not immune I do know that! So check – i have the first trait!

Impure – oh goodness gracious! This word actually means being filthy on the inside and outside! Impure thoughts, impure motives, impure words, impure whatever. This one kind of seems like a GIGO kind of thing. Garbage in and garbage out. This is thoughts that have nothing to do with glorifying our Lord and Savior or anything that takes our focus from Him. Thinking on his purity and righteousness leads us to the purity of mind that we should have. I really believe that insecurity and self-degrading thoughts can go in this category. Sooooooooo, you guess it – check – I have this one too.

Greedy – oh my word. I just don’t even want to go here! I am on my way to Evansville today to do a bit of Christmas shopping and all i can think of is the things I would like for Christmas myself!! Greed!!!!!!!!! Oh Lord, greedy with my time. There are times I get irritated because the kids are needing one thing after another when I am working on something on the computer. I get greedy with my time for sure. Possibly greedy with my gifting – I only want to do what I want to do. Yep – check – I have this trait as well.

After taking an inventory of what an idolater looks like or appears to be – I confess that i fit the bill or fit the mold. But God – there is that wonderful phrase and truth that is so crucial to the Christian. Yes, I am all those things and I have even worse traits to add, but covered with the blood of Christ – oh goodness – need to raise my hand and type with one finger!!! Thank you Jesus – I have been redeemed!! Oh Lord, praise you for making me more than I could ever be. Only because of Your grace, mercy and power – it takes power to change one as filthy as me – can I ever stand before you whole. I am pure, moral, and giving because of You. When those traits do exude from my body it is only because of You. Naturally I want to be impure, immoral, and greedy. It is easier – but oh the joy and peace of serving You and Your powerful work in my life!! Thank you my Savior!! Thank you this morning for showing me what i am, but what you have redeemed as well. You have a lot riding on this… let me not disappoint!! What a risk you are taking!!! Lord, thank you thank you thank you for your redeeming power and cleansing nature! I love you, Father!

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Filed Under: ephesians, grace, idol, mercy
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471 – Making my god

November 7, 2007 By 6 Comments

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Dear Lord, thank you for such a productive day yesterday. I got 5 more contracts sent out and feel so blessed when I am able to do that. Thank you Father for those opportunities and divinely appointed events. Yesterday during my prayer time I was interrupted by the phone……….again. (One reason to meet with you early.) As the phone rang I gently said Lord, would you make that a December speaking engagement – I don’t have hardly any, if any, in December – and I love talking about YOU during that time of year. Of course I let it go to the answering machine and guess what – someone wanting me to speak on December 9 – yep, December and my birthday. Thank you Lord, praise you!! That was fun!

Lord, I know how often I put you in a box or rather I keep you in a box. When it comes down to it I make you out to be the God i want or the God i expect. You don’t work that way do you!! Thank you for that!! I appreciate you not making me be a puppet and You certainly will not stand to be a puppet either. Thank you!

I was reading in Exodus this morning – again about reflecting His image and idols – can’t seem to get away from that topic. Plus I think it is so interesting that when I find something about reflecting His image, etc. there is always a correlation to idols. Hmmmm…. Exodus 32:4 “He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” See, what I understand to be going on is pretty crucial. Moses has gone up to the mountain to MEET with God Almighty and the people get impatient waiting for him. So they go to their next best leader – not even a newly elected one, but the right hand man to Moses (there is a another lesson) – Aaron, and ask him to make them something to worship – “gods that will go before us” were the words. (This right hand man thing reminds me of the Joel Olsteen deal. His dad did things one way and now his son, Joel, has taken over and done things totally different – I don’t believe for the best.)

So as Aaron was making the gods or idols – one in the same – i wonder what kind of thoughts were going through the people’s minds. “When we get this all done then I won’t be scared anymore. When we get this one made I will have all the luck in the world. When we get this one done I will have plenty of food and clothes. When we get this one done I can impress the family 4 tents down. When we get this one done it will make me so happy. When we get this one done I will be powerful and strong.” The idols Aaron was constructing were for their purpose – their own intentions, their own selfish gain – had nothing to do with really worshiping.

Lord Jesus- how do I try to fashion you, how do I try to construct you, how do i try to mold you into what i want. Oh Lord, forgive me for the times that i do that. Forgive me for not understanding more fully who You are and for not worshipping that. I too get selfish and think I can make you into what i need or what i feel is best. It is all for selfish gain! Lord, help! Even in my prayers i am sure you wonder from time to time if I am talking to You or another. The ways that I address You surely make you wonder what I am praying to – it can’t be the Lord Almighty. You are Holy Father and above all – highly esteemed and blessed!!

Thank you Lord for not being a feel good God. Thank you Lord for being a disciplinary and strong. Thank you for being perfect and without reproach! Thank you for being the perfect judge and all knowing of every man’s heart. Thank you for seeing my true self and loving me the same. Thank you that i can not change you and if i try to it is not You that i am worshipping! Thank you that you will not be fashioned into anything other than the Holy and perfect Lord God. Thank you for ruling over my life and all of the universe. Thank you for being in control of all and allowing me to take part in a small portion. Thank you for being my portion!! Lord, you are enough, more than enough!! I am in love with you!!!

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Filed Under: exodus, idol, image
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463 – Images Before Me

October 30, 2007 By 5 Comments

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Dear Lord, It is so good to be back and in my usual position of writing out my devotion and quiet time. I really miss not doing that and I am sure I do not take in as much from the Word on that particular day when I don’t get to blog. This blog reinforces what I have just learned on my floor all sprawled out. But more than anything Father, thank you for meeting with me any time and any place! You are incredible like that.

You still have me studying the images theme – being made in His image, reflecting the Lord, and also idols, that has to do with images as well. So today you took me straight to Ps. 97:7. There was a ton of dissection in it today and I love that part. “All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols worship him, all you gods!” Oh this is really good – thank you Jesus.

“All who worship” – that is talking about physically doing things, serve and minister, getting the hands dirty, signifies as serving as a slave. “images” – those are things that are fashion by our hands, carved, etc. “put to shame” – to be ashamed, disappointed, disgraced, keep waiting, deceived – denotes confusion, dismay, embarrassment when things do not turn out as expected. “those who boast in idols” – glorifying those things that are weak, worthless, empty, vain, etc. “worship him, all you gods.” – bow down, crouch, worship, to do obeisance – signifies to worship God with prayers even if not bowing down.

Ok Lord, bring this all together for me, please. One of the easiest things for a mom to worship are her kids. It comes very natural and to a point it almost seems right. But so often in that adoration and surrendering love to our kids, we begin to worship. And yes, Lord, I hear you say that even that is wrong. There terrible thing I have seen in my own life and in many other moms at the most inopportune times is how that worship is displayed. It seems to rear its ugly head when defense mode has kicked in or when anger has reached its peak. I have seen moms “go off” in protection of their child, or in defense of their child, or just because they feel someone has to – they can’t stand up for themselves. I have seen very godly women absolutely act a fool right in front of their child in a weird kind of way that sort of is out of honor and respect for the child only in a bad, bad way. And i too am guilty.

According to this verse we do worship our kids – we serve them, get our hands dirty, and sometimes we do feel like a slave. Now not all that is bad, but in moderation. But when we turn our kids into images of worship that is not so good. We fashion them in our minds as what we want them to turn out to be and therefor anything getting in that way will be destroyed. Even a sweet teacher just trying to do her job. Even if she is wrong we feel a right to let her know it and feel obligated to do it in the most memorable fashion. She won’t forget and neither will all those around or the child. We begin to worship this image of the child we have fashioned with our own hands and mind and waaalaaa – we have an idol!

Lord Jesus – I know I have been there and am still guilty of trying to make sure I have this and this and this in a certain child. Oh Lord, help me to relax and let them be what they are to be. Help me to not have such high expectations and yet still know when to push them for excellence. Help me to see their true potential and be joyous in all their different talents. Help me to accept what you have so graciously given me and to help drive that closer to You! Oh Lord, thank you for these kids!! I love every last little white hair on their heads!! I love the frustrating times as well because it draws me straight to you! Oh Lord, thank you for this privilege of mommying and never let me take it for granted!! Thank you Father!

Lord Jesus, that verse says that when I do worship images and idols I will be “put to shame”. This spoke volumes to me. Translated it means that I will be disappointed in this idol. I will be ashamed and will keep waiting for something else or better. I will be deceived, have much confusion, and be embarrassed when things do not turn out like i expected. Oh Lord – I don’t want to go down that road. Lord, help me to do the right thing. Help me to only worship you! You are never disappointing, really Father I know that. You are never going to disgrace me or shame me. You are my Redeemer and Salvation. Oh Father – forgive me for the times that i have done this very thing with my kids. Forgive me for the pressure I may have put on them and without even knowing it. Forgive me for not being thankful for exactly what I have. Forgive me for worshipping anything other than You!! Oh Lord, forgive me.

Thank you for this Word this morning. Off to a brand new day. Off to do your great work!! Off to glorify you my Lord. I love you!

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446 – Selfish Idol

October 4, 2007 By 7 Comments

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Lord Jesus – thank you for Your love. Thank you for your completely unselfishness towards me and abandoning all even if it had just been for me. Lord, I am thinking about all the times that my idol worship, whatever it may be, has caused so many to fall into sin. Other than leading us farther from You, worshipping an idol can and probably will hurt another causing them to fall into sin.

I once heard a singer say that it was no fun to sin alone, she always wanted to take others with her. I believe as a Christian we are responsible for all our actions – one that we purposely do and ones that we are not sure anyone is aware of. Because we can not see the final masterpiece tapestry He is weaving, we don’t know the influence we have on people and the effects our actions and reactions have on them. This morning I am in I Cor. 8: 9 – 13. This whole chapter is about not eating food from an idol unless you have “knowledge”. “But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat it, and no better if we do.” (8). Then it goes on to say that if a weaker person sees you eating food of an idol and it causes them to stumble then you can’t do it, ever. There have been times when I was on a diet with someone at work or where ever and was having a weak moment. In that weak moment I would go to my fellow dieter and beg them to be weak with me. Many times, or most, I could talk this person into being weak with me. I would talk them out of their “sacrifices” into a moment of indulgence! That is wrong!!!!!!!!!! I am causing them to stumble even if for a moment or one meal.

I think we could all agree this too has happen to us or we have done it to someone when you go shopping with a friend. Let me use me as the bad guy – I am shopping with a friend and I am doing nothing to slow down my idol worship of self-indulgence in clothes, etc. I know the person with me is on a tight budget or that it what it sounds like and yet when they hold up the outfit I encourage them to go for it. Yes, I want them to have a great new outfit, but deep, deep, deep down I am just wanting to have someone with me in on the sinning, in on the idol worship I am totally caving to at the moment! That too is wrong!!! How do I know it is wrong – when I get home I am quick to tell my husband how much so and so spent as if to make myself look better. Ever been there? Even though shopping is not bad – thank you Lord – I have drug someone into a mess. Yes, they are responsible for their actions and should know their limits, but according to this Word, I am more responsible for dragging them in and making myself feel better, especially those that are weaker!! Wow!!!

I looked up weaker conscience – the faculty of the mind that bears witness to one’s own moral conduct. It distinguishes between right and wrong and prompts to choose the former and avoid the latter. (I really like that last part.) But here is the thing, this scripture is talking about one that has a weaker conscience – so that would be one that may be a believer, but new to the concept of dieing to self. May not have developed the ability to hear the Spirit say – you better hold off her, Lady! We, I, am responsible to what i do around her and how my life affects her. Wow, double wow! This reminds me of the scripture – “My life is not my own”. Oh yes, we have freedom and I am so thankful for that, but the beginning scripture is the plumb line – “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” Seriously, my life is not my own!!!

Lord Jesus – thank you for this Word. Thank you for this breath of Life you have given me today. Thank you for revealing my sin to me and thank you for your constant forgiveness. Help me to bring all my sin to you, and specifically. Lord, I do not want to lead anyone into sin. I do not want to lead anyone into idol worship, or away from you!! I want to be that lift for others that bring them back to your throne. I want to be the one that causes others to shout out Your fame and glory. I want to be that one that makes others want to worship You more. I want to be that one that cries out Holy and others cry as well. Oh Lord, help me to not be that stumbling block. Help me to live this out and actually follow through with these words. Help me to know your will and die to mine! Thank you, Lord, thank you!

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445 – What Cha Doing This Sunday?

October 3, 2007 By 6 Comments

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Oh Lord, have you lead me to some good stuff today. I am so very tired once again. Last week we were only able to work out 2 real classes of aerobics. So after Monday and Tuesday of this week, my legs and bootahtah are so sore I don’t want to move. It is amazing how quickly one, ME, can get out of shape, but how long it takes to get your body accustomed to that kind of vigorous workout! Oh I love it, I love the ladies, and I love to sweat!!

Wow, Lord, You just lead me right into what I just studying. I am still on the idle idol worship. This morning we went straight to one of my favorite and most convicting passages. I have never been much of a lake girl. I mean my in laws live on a lake kind of thing, but I really have no desire for boating, skiing, swimming in it -yuck!!! I mean I like those things, but don’t long to do it. But a beach – that is whole ‘nother story. I know that is one thing i miss more than many others things in Charlotte – the beach. At my old church in Charlotte we saw the same pattern over and over year after year. Once the weather got warm and inviting and especially once summer started people never showed up for church anymore. Now don’t get me wrong, they could have been having church on the beach or at least been going to a church at the beach, but most likely not – you know the truth just as well as i did. But the sad thing was that it totally broke their church consistency. It took weeks for many to get into a habit, good habit, of church once fall and winter rolled around. Just getting replugged in and active and boom – spring and summer hit and they were history. It was so hard as teachers because we longed to have them there and be consistent, etc. It was only a good thing for the whole family. If kids were involved, what did that preach to them – warm weather, forget church…. This is when the Lord lead me to Isaiah 58:13-14 and to share it with the whole class – oh yeah, that was fun!! Not!!

13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

You want to line up with the favor of God – give Him reason other than His great love and compassion to shower you with blessings – be consistent in church attendance!!! I hear You Lord. I hear you!! It is just like working out, one can quickly get out of shape, but it takes much time and commitment to get back in shape!! Oh I remember the same thing after having a baby! It was so hard to get to church those first few weeks – that seemed eternal!!! I really believe Satan works his strongest on Saturday night and on Sunday morning. I distinctly remember my kids sleeping wonderfully on Friday night, but Saturday rolled around and they were up all night – and i always had really good sleepers! But Satan ain’t no dummy – He will do anything, not exempt from using our own precious kids, to keep us out of God Holy Place on Sunday!!! I believe it with all my heart!!

Few things about the verse above – vs. 13 – “If you keep” – that keep means turn from, do not go with it – this is the same word seem in Ek. 14:7 when it talks about turning from idols. “from doing things as you please” – that please means the very things that you enjoy, or delight in, or just plain ol’ like. “on my holy day” – means literally “on my consecrated now”. “If you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable” – that call means to call loudly to get one’s attention and honorable means heavy or glorious. Vs 14 – “then you will find your joy” – that then means at that time or after that time, as a result of… So what Is He trying to say this morning. Being consistent in church and not just doing idle things on His Holy day only leads to blessings of joy, ability to ride on the heights where idols are worship, but we are worshipping Him as it is only He that has exalted us to that place, and an indescribable inheritance.

Lord, thank you!! Thank you for your Word. Thank you for the joy of studying it. Thank you for surprising me each day with such nuggets! Thank you for loving me enough to meet with me each day. Thank you for giving me a hear that wants to go to church. Help me to be consistent for my kids. Help me to be consistent for my family. Help me to be in line with your favor! Thank you Lord. Thank you for everything! I am excited for church tonight!! I love you!

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