"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble." Psalm 107:2
Lately, an old song from my growing up years keeps going through my mind. I know there is more to the song, at least I think there is, but the part that keeps going through is, "let the redeemed of the Lord say so". Before you continue reading this post I think you should take a moment to read the whole chapter of Psalm 107.
Okay, did you read it? If not, go read it!
I love that this chapter gives examples of some of the different people that should say so. God brings so many different people to Him. We all come from different experiences. Some of us have been wanderers. Some of us have rebelled against God. Some of us have been fools. Some of us have had roller coaster lives. But when we called upon the Lord He delivered each of us. No matter where we came from, no matter what we have experienced or put other selves through, He has delivered us, and we need to announce it.
When I am out in public, at the store for example, I see people whose lives declare that they are still lost. I also see those whose lives seem to declare that they have been redeemed. I hope that when people see me and my life that they see that I have been redeemed. I hope that my life declares that the Lord has redeemed me.
I could vocally declare that He has set me free, and I should. But if I'm checking out at the grocery store will the cashier be more impressed with my words or my actions? Will she see that I am patiently waiting while an item refuses to ring up? When someone cuts me off in traffic will others be more impressed with the Christian music on my car radio or with how I react? Will others see that I just continue to drive safely and not ride the car's bumper?
It is very important for me to say what He has done for me. To declare that He has redeemed me. It is also so very important that the people who can't hear my words will see my actions, and that He has redeemed me and my life says so.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
Power To Make Satan Bow
"Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11
The other day I was lying in bed and satan started chirping in my mind. He was stirring up, old garbage that has been dealt with. I laid there listening to it and started to feel like yuck, when I decided that he just needed to shut up.
Sometimes I just tell him to "shut up". Sometimes I get really into it and rebuke him and tell him who I belong to and the whole nine yards. Once I even told him to go to Hell. This time I just didn't have much in me to fight back, but I think I used the most powerful force possible. I simply said, "Jesus". and I just said His name over and over and over again. Soon satan was silent and gone.
Satan can stand a lot of things from us. He doesn't really mind those scripted, pious prayers. If you are truly saying it that's one thing, but if it's just words it he's heard it before. Some plead the blood, which is found nowhere in Scripture. Look it up if you don't believe me. The blood of Jesus covers our sins. There are any number of other ways that people try to deal with the attacks and whispers of satan.
The Bible gives a wonderful, easy way to deal with him. Say the name of Jesus. That's it! Look at verse 10. "so that AT the NAME of JESUS EVERY knee shall bow, in HEAVEN and on EARTH and UNDER THE EARTH. Under the earth is referring to Hell. Even there satan has to bow to the name of Jesus. He has no choice. He hears it and it affects him. He hears it enough that he can't do anything but bow, and he would much rather flee than bow. So he flees.
This is such a simple reminder to me that I don't have to listen to him. I don't have to let anxiety control me. I don't have to let the past affect me. I don't have to let any attacks of satan, and sometimes those come in human skin form, assail against me. I can simply say the name of Jesus, as much as I need, because there is incredible power in His name.
The other day I was lying in bed and satan started chirping in my mind. He was stirring up, old garbage that has been dealt with. I laid there listening to it and started to feel like yuck, when I decided that he just needed to shut up.
Sometimes I just tell him to "shut up". Sometimes I get really into it and rebuke him and tell him who I belong to and the whole nine yards. Once I even told him to go to Hell. This time I just didn't have much in me to fight back, but I think I used the most powerful force possible. I simply said, "Jesus". and I just said His name over and over and over again. Soon satan was silent and gone.
Satan can stand a lot of things from us. He doesn't really mind those scripted, pious prayers. If you are truly saying it that's one thing, but if it's just words it he's heard it before. Some plead the blood, which is found nowhere in Scripture. Look it up if you don't believe me. The blood of Jesus covers our sins. There are any number of other ways that people try to deal with the attacks and whispers of satan.
The Bible gives a wonderful, easy way to deal with him. Say the name of Jesus. That's it! Look at verse 10. "so that AT the NAME of JESUS EVERY knee shall bow, in HEAVEN and on EARTH and UNDER THE EARTH. Under the earth is referring to Hell. Even there satan has to bow to the name of Jesus. He has no choice. He hears it and it affects him. He hears it enough that he can't do anything but bow, and he would much rather flee than bow. So he flees.
This is such a simple reminder to me that I don't have to listen to him. I don't have to let anxiety control me. I don't have to let the past affect me. I don't have to let any attacks of satan, and sometimes those come in human skin form, assail against me. I can simply say the name of Jesus, as much as I need, because there is incredible power in His name.
Friday, August 9, 2013
One of Those Ouch Verses
"Let bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32
Ouch! These verses were perfect for me today, and I can't say that I really like them very much. I hate when I read devotions where the author writes about verses like these as if that is so easy. It is so not!
Do you see the incomplete list of malice there? We have bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander to name just a few. These words are not synonyms. Just because you have anger doesn't mean that you will go around slandering other people. Of course, if you are angry you could slander people. Bitterness can be poisoning just me or it could come out as wrath on others around me.
Now if I'm going to be honest if someone hurts me I feel anger towards them and depending on how badly I've been hurt bitterness does take root. I don't tend to slander people though or act upon wrath. Now clamor is so not me. Clamor is shouting and confusing, imagine arguments on "reality" TV shows. People are just yelling at each other and it's almost impossible to understand what anyone is saying. Yea, so not me.
Well, back to the verses. I have been feeling so serious anger lately and the last thing I really want to do is be kind or tenderhearted. And forgive! No, I don't want to forgive. But I have to forgive. My anger may be hurting others, but it might not. Others might not even know that I'm angry. The same goes for forgiveness. The other person might not even know that they did something or said something they need to be forgiven for. Regardless, I need to forgive. When I forgive I feel peace. The anger and bitterness seem to just melt away.
Of course, when I read the final words of the verse "as God in Christ forgave you" I have a real hard time hanging on to my anger and not forgiving. God forgave me and He did through the sacrifice of His Son. When I really think about that there is no way I can not forgive. So today's verse was perfect for me today. Is it meant for you too?
Ouch! These verses were perfect for me today, and I can't say that I really like them very much. I hate when I read devotions where the author writes about verses like these as if that is so easy. It is so not!
Do you see the incomplete list of malice there? We have bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander to name just a few. These words are not synonyms. Just because you have anger doesn't mean that you will go around slandering other people. Of course, if you are angry you could slander people. Bitterness can be poisoning just me or it could come out as wrath on others around me.
Now if I'm going to be honest if someone hurts me I feel anger towards them and depending on how badly I've been hurt bitterness does take root. I don't tend to slander people though or act upon wrath. Now clamor is so not me. Clamor is shouting and confusing, imagine arguments on "reality" TV shows. People are just yelling at each other and it's almost impossible to understand what anyone is saying. Yea, so not me.
Well, back to the verses. I have been feeling so serious anger lately and the last thing I really want to do is be kind or tenderhearted. And forgive! No, I don't want to forgive. But I have to forgive. My anger may be hurting others, but it might not. Others might not even know that I'm angry. The same goes for forgiveness. The other person might not even know that they did something or said something they need to be forgiven for. Regardless, I need to forgive. When I forgive I feel peace. The anger and bitterness seem to just melt away.
Of course, when I read the final words of the verse "as God in Christ forgave you" I have a real hard time hanging on to my anger and not forgiving. God forgave me and He did through the sacrifice of His Son. When I really think about that there is no way I can not forgive. So today's verse was perfect for me today. Is it meant for you too?
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Like An Ark
"Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I give you." Exodus 25:16
This might seem like a strange verse to get a message from God about, but I did get one as I read it. Also, the message had such far reaching parts that I could never write them all down here. Hopefully this post will finish one thought fully and speak to you.
As I read this verse, I heard God say that we are like the Ark of the Covenant. In us He wants to place all that He has to give us, commands yes, but also love, redemption, fellowship, etc. Of course, we have to be willing to have all of this placed in us. He doesn't force it on us, He gives it willingly and wishes for us to accepted the same way.
In the Old Testament the Ark of the Covenant held the laws that God gave to them. The covenant law to be precise. Not every law was put in the Ark. It wasn't like new laws were added, as they were, and the top was lifted and in they went. No, these were the covenant laws. The laws given that explained what He would do for His people, and what they must do in return. A covenant is an agreement, so these laws were the ones that govern that agreement.
Today, if we accept Him into our lives, then we have a covenant too. This one is a bit different, it isn't full of must dos and don'ts like the original one. (Not that we are free to just whatever, well sort of we are, but we're not. That's confusing and not for today.) We are in a covenant relationship but this time instead of us making sacrifices, which were required in the Old Testament covenant, He made The Sacrifice. We accept His sacrifice and are saved, and He places all that He has given in us.
This covenant is up close and personal. He wants to be in relationship with us. In the Old Testament covenant, you couldn't touch the Ark. If you did you would die. Even though He was found in the Ark (not that He was bottled up inside of it) people could only get so close to it. We have no such barrier now. Remember when Christ died the curtain was torn from the top to the bottom. The curtain that separated the very presence of God from the people. He torn it from the top down to show that there was no longer a need for a separation. He now didn't need to live in a temple, behind a curtain, or in an ark. He can now live within us.
We aren't boxes intricately carved and holding a distant God. We are however, made new in Him and He dwells within us, when we accept Him. As He dwells within us and shows us all that He is and does, we change. We become more intricate, more beautiful, more like Him. We let Him shine through us, and those around us see Him. They don't have to stay away from us or Him in us. Hopefully, they will see how He makes us beautiful and see Him in us and desire it as well.
We are like arks that He dwells in and makes beautiful.
This might seem like a strange verse to get a message from God about, but I did get one as I read it. Also, the message had such far reaching parts that I could never write them all down here. Hopefully this post will finish one thought fully and speak to you.
As I read this verse, I heard God say that we are like the Ark of the Covenant. In us He wants to place all that He has to give us, commands yes, but also love, redemption, fellowship, etc. Of course, we have to be willing to have all of this placed in us. He doesn't force it on us, He gives it willingly and wishes for us to accepted the same way.
In the Old Testament the Ark of the Covenant held the laws that God gave to them. The covenant law to be precise. Not every law was put in the Ark. It wasn't like new laws were added, as they were, and the top was lifted and in they went. No, these were the covenant laws. The laws given that explained what He would do for His people, and what they must do in return. A covenant is an agreement, so these laws were the ones that govern that agreement.
Today, if we accept Him into our lives, then we have a covenant too. This one is a bit different, it isn't full of must dos and don'ts like the original one. (Not that we are free to just whatever, well sort of we are, but we're not. That's confusing and not for today.) We are in a covenant relationship but this time instead of us making sacrifices, which were required in the Old Testament covenant, He made The Sacrifice. We accept His sacrifice and are saved, and He places all that He has given in us.
This covenant is up close and personal. He wants to be in relationship with us. In the Old Testament covenant, you couldn't touch the Ark. If you did you would die. Even though He was found in the Ark (not that He was bottled up inside of it) people could only get so close to it. We have no such barrier now. Remember when Christ died the curtain was torn from the top to the bottom. The curtain that separated the very presence of God from the people. He torn it from the top down to show that there was no longer a need for a separation. He now didn't need to live in a temple, behind a curtain, or in an ark. He can now live within us.
We aren't boxes intricately carved and holding a distant God. We are however, made new in Him and He dwells within us, when we accept Him. As He dwells within us and shows us all that He is and does, we change. We become more intricate, more beautiful, more like Him. We let Him shine through us, and those around us see Him. They don't have to stay away from us or Him in us. Hopefully, they will see how He makes us beautiful and see Him in us and desire it as well.
We are like arks that He dwells in and makes beautiful.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Still Small Voice
"The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." 1 Kings 19:11-12
The other day a friend made a comment about how I hear from God all the time. I was kind of surprised, because I don't. I wish I did. I miss most of what He is saying. I have screamed at Him to speak to me when I can't hear His voice and I want to. I told her that I don't hear His voice as much as she thinks, and often I have to hear Him through others. It isn't always so much a voice that I hear, but sometimes it is.
Then yesterday I read about how He is the still small voice in a devotional about the names of God. I smiled, because that is Him talking too. The devotional had me read a passage from 1 Kings 19 about Elijah when he ran away and hid in the cave. God speaks to him, asks him why he is there, and tells him to go out of the cave as He passes by. Now in the Old Testament people weren't supposed to see God. Only a few, like Moses, were allowed to see Him. Interestingly, Elijah does NOT go out onto the mountain like God told him to, but that's not the point today.
A wind, an earthquake, and a fire all pass by the mountain. Doing there damage and probably scaring Elijah out of his sandals. But God wasn't in any of those catastrophes. He came after, in a still small voice. That is when Elijah pulls his cloak over his face, remember he can't look upon God, and he goes to the mouth of the cave. He was again asked Elijah again why is he there.
I get so caught up focusing on the storms in my life that seem to pull me apart. I get so caught up on the earthquakes that shake me at my roots. I get so caught up on the fire and trying to keep myself from being burned up by it. God isn't in those, oh He uses those to pull some stuff, shake some stuff, and burn off some stuff that I don't need in my life, but He isn't in them.
In Elijah's case He was making a point that He isn't all that loud stuff, He is a still small voice. For us, He speaks right through those things. His still small voice can pierce them and I can hear it. If I focus on the upheaval in my life and keep my eyes and ears focused on it then it is hard for me to hear Him. But He is speaking. His voice can penetrate the hardest heart and the loudest storm, but I have to listen for it. I have to ignore the stuff and listen, intently and patiently, to hear it. He is speaking. He is speaking to me right now.
He is speaking to you right now. As hard as it is, and it is very hard, take your mind, emotions, eyes, and ears off the storm as listen for the still small voice. You might not hear it right away. You might have to listen for a long time. But listen, don't speak. There is a time for speaking, a time to pray. but right now He wants you to listen. He wants you to hear Him. The still small voice is speaking.
(I don't know who this is for, but I know He is speaking it to someone right now. I hope you will take this moment and be quiet and listen.)
The other day a friend made a comment about how I hear from God all the time. I was kind of surprised, because I don't. I wish I did. I miss most of what He is saying. I have screamed at Him to speak to me when I can't hear His voice and I want to. I told her that I don't hear His voice as much as she thinks, and often I have to hear Him through others. It isn't always so much a voice that I hear, but sometimes it is.
Then yesterday I read about how He is the still small voice in a devotional about the names of God. I smiled, because that is Him talking too. The devotional had me read a passage from 1 Kings 19 about Elijah when he ran away and hid in the cave. God speaks to him, asks him why he is there, and tells him to go out of the cave as He passes by. Now in the Old Testament people weren't supposed to see God. Only a few, like Moses, were allowed to see Him. Interestingly, Elijah does NOT go out onto the mountain like God told him to, but that's not the point today.
A wind, an earthquake, and a fire all pass by the mountain. Doing there damage and probably scaring Elijah out of his sandals. But God wasn't in any of those catastrophes. He came after, in a still small voice. That is when Elijah pulls his cloak over his face, remember he can't look upon God, and he goes to the mouth of the cave. He was again asked Elijah again why is he there.
I get so caught up focusing on the storms in my life that seem to pull me apart. I get so caught up on the earthquakes that shake me at my roots. I get so caught up on the fire and trying to keep myself from being burned up by it. God isn't in those, oh He uses those to pull some stuff, shake some stuff, and burn off some stuff that I don't need in my life, but He isn't in them.
In Elijah's case He was making a point that He isn't all that loud stuff, He is a still small voice. For us, He speaks right through those things. His still small voice can pierce them and I can hear it. If I focus on the upheaval in my life and keep my eyes and ears focused on it then it is hard for me to hear Him. But He is speaking. His voice can penetrate the hardest heart and the loudest storm, but I have to listen for it. I have to ignore the stuff and listen, intently and patiently, to hear it. He is speaking. He is speaking to me right now.
He is speaking to you right now. As hard as it is, and it is very hard, take your mind, emotions, eyes, and ears off the storm as listen for the still small voice. You might not hear it right away. You might have to listen for a long time. But listen, don't speak. There is a time for speaking, a time to pray. but right now He wants you to listen. He wants you to hear Him. The still small voice is speaking.
(I don't know who this is for, but I know He is speaking it to someone right now. I hope you will take this moment and be quiet and listen.)
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Blind to the Truth
"Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." John 14:17
Sometimes I can't for the life of me figure out how people can't see the Truth. It frustrates me. I get exasperated, and I start being judgmental. I need to check myself when that happens. I can let go of the judgmental part, but I still try to wrap my brain around why they don't see the Truth.
Then I read this verse and He explains it. People who don't have the Holy Spirit can't see the Truth. They don't even know the Truth. (Mind flashed to A Few Good Men "you can't handle the truth". Sorry!) Not only do they not see Him or know Him they can't even receive Him. That is a very saddening thought to me.
This also makes me wonder about myself and other Christians who do know the Spirit. So we know Him, yet there are times, sometimes many times, when we don't see the Truth. There are times when I believe a lie. I mean really believe it to be Truth. Why do I do that? What makes me not see the Truth?
I guess it is because even though He dwells in me sometimes I don't dwell in Him. Sometimes I would rather believe the easy, the flattering, or just simply my selfish wants and desires. What I need to do is dwell in Him and then instead of other things seeming as the Truth I will know the Truth.
Sometimes I can't for the life of me figure out how people can't see the Truth. It frustrates me. I get exasperated, and I start being judgmental. I need to check myself when that happens. I can let go of the judgmental part, but I still try to wrap my brain around why they don't see the Truth.
Then I read this verse and He explains it. People who don't have the Holy Spirit can't see the Truth. They don't even know the Truth. (Mind flashed to A Few Good Men "you can't handle the truth". Sorry!) Not only do they not see Him or know Him they can't even receive Him. That is a very saddening thought to me.
This also makes me wonder about myself and other Christians who do know the Spirit. So we know Him, yet there are times, sometimes many times, when we don't see the Truth. There are times when I believe a lie. I mean really believe it to be Truth. Why do I do that? What makes me not see the Truth?
I guess it is because even though He dwells in me sometimes I don't dwell in Him. Sometimes I would rather believe the easy, the flattering, or just simply my selfish wants and desires. What I need to do is dwell in Him and then instead of other things seeming as the Truth I will know the Truth.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Birds Unite
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." Matthew 18:20
I am truly blessed to live in a tree-filled neighborhood, which isn't as easy to find in the South as in the North. The shade is much appreciated in the HOT summers and keep my home snug in the colder winter months. (I couldn't write cold winter months because a New Yorker never forgets what a real cold winter is.) Yet the best part about all the trees is the birds. I have all kinds of birds: cardinals, finches, a blue jay, robins, and mourning doves, among many more. Recently I had a blue bird living in a birdhouse in my backyard.
I love watching them in my yard and trees. I love watching them swoop and chase each other. I adore the mourning dove couples that are always together. I really love when it seems like every cardinal in North Carolina has descended on my yard.
As much as I love watching I also learn from them. Have you ever seen a group of birds chasing a larger bird, like a hawk through the air? The hawk was trying to gain a quick meal and the birds gang up and chase it off. I've seen them chase squirrels and hear them screeching at cats. They will take turns and swoop down to peck at their enemy. Birds see the enemy and they unite.
We have an enemy and yet when we see him we try to fight alone. We keep his schemes quiet and for some reason we feel quilt or shame over what he has done. We don't chase him off. We don't screech loudly to call for help. We don't swoop in a peck away at him. No, we tend to hide, be quiet, and let him peck away at us.
But we can gather together and fight him. We can pray together. We can comfort and encourage each other. When we come together in His name He promises that He is there. Ultimately He fights for us, but He asks us to come together and unite. He wants us to share our burdens with each other. He wants us to pray with each other. He wants us to meet together and listen to Him as He shares with us. These are some of the ways to fight back against the enemy. He has given us authority, in His name, over the enemy and He has given us others to help us do so.
Next time you feel like going it alone call out to others instead and fight like the birds do, together.
I am truly blessed to live in a tree-filled neighborhood, which isn't as easy to find in the South as in the North. The shade is much appreciated in the HOT summers and keep my home snug in the colder winter months. (I couldn't write cold winter months because a New Yorker never forgets what a real cold winter is.) Yet the best part about all the trees is the birds. I have all kinds of birds: cardinals, finches, a blue jay, robins, and mourning doves, among many more. Recently I had a blue bird living in a birdhouse in my backyard.
I love watching them in my yard and trees. I love watching them swoop and chase each other. I adore the mourning dove couples that are always together. I really love when it seems like every cardinal in North Carolina has descended on my yard.
As much as I love watching I also learn from them. Have you ever seen a group of birds chasing a larger bird, like a hawk through the air? The hawk was trying to gain a quick meal and the birds gang up and chase it off. I've seen them chase squirrels and hear them screeching at cats. They will take turns and swoop down to peck at their enemy. Birds see the enemy and they unite.
We have an enemy and yet when we see him we try to fight alone. We keep his schemes quiet and for some reason we feel quilt or shame over what he has done. We don't chase him off. We don't screech loudly to call for help. We don't swoop in a peck away at him. No, we tend to hide, be quiet, and let him peck away at us.
But we can gather together and fight him. We can pray together. We can comfort and encourage each other. When we come together in His name He promises that He is there. Ultimately He fights for us, but He asks us to come together and unite. He wants us to share our burdens with each other. He wants us to pray with each other. He wants us to meet together and listen to Him as He shares with us. These are some of the ways to fight back against the enemy. He has given us authority, in His name, over the enemy and He has given us others to help us do so.
Next time you feel like going it alone call out to others instead and fight like the birds do, together.
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