Do you ever find yourself having conversations with yourself that lead to nowhere good? Thoughts that overwhelm, or are negative, speculative, or just plain figments that you have conjured up out of nowhere? Yep, me too. And these thoughts take lots of energy that would be better spent elsewhere - in prayer interceding for others or just putting my brain on hold for a while.
I knew that 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us that we are to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," but I wasn't exactly sure HOW to do that. So I prayed about it...I asked God to show me what exactly that meant for me. And He did! I very clearly, in my mind, saw the image of a cookie jar or something like a canister. I knew in my heart that the Lord was telling me to take that thought - negative, false, or otherwise, and to take the lid of the jar, put the thought inside and put the lid back on tightly and to focus on something else.
So, that is exactly what I have been doing for a couple of months now. Whenever I find myself chewing on a thought or going down a path that is not productive, I simply imagine myself placing the thought in the jar and putting on the lid. Sometimes I just think,"Cooke Jar Lord!" And it's working! I probably have a dozen or so jars now...but when I fill them, I just mentally give the entire jar to the Lord. This little mental trick has brought a new focus this year...and the bonus is that it allows me NOT to focus on myself but on others and on Christ. How about you? Do you need your own cookie jar?
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
New Beginnings
I know yesterday actually marked the beginning of 2012, but this post originated from my Bible Study Fellowship lesson from yesterday, so I have waited to post it. Plus new beginnings are at the forefront of our mind on Dec 31st and Jan 1st, but what about on Jan 2nd? Have we already moved into the new year and forgotten about new beginnings?
I know for a fact that God is a God of New Beginning and Second Chances. How do I know? Well, in two ways...one because He always provides me with them (mercies new everyday you know) and it is well documented in Scripture. Wherever you find yourself in life in 2012, I think one of these five characters will resonate with you!
Abram (Genesis 12:1-9) A new physical proximity beginning. At age 75, when most people would be downsizing and moving into a small duplex, God called Abram to pack up his wife, nephew, and belongings and move to a new land that God would "show" him. Sometimes God calls us to a new place in the way of the town in which we live, a new job, or a new house which changes our neighbors.
I have been very blessed to live in the same town for the majority of my life. That causes you to set down deep roots with family and friends. I can't imagine how hard it was for Abram to leave - but it's obvious God matched the difficulty with magnitude of blessings he received. Are you facing a new beginning in location? Embrace it and trust God. Seek new opportunities that can accompany a new move!
Ruth (Ruth 2:1-9, 15-16, 4: 9-10) A new financial beginning. Ruth was a destitute, childless, widow. But she professed incredible faith when she insisted on accompanying her mother-in-law, also a widow, back to Bethlehem. This was a risky, difficult trip for two women alone. But Ruth declared that Naomi's "God would be her God" and off they went. So poor that Ruth had to glean in the fields for the leftover grain so they would have food to eat, God stepped into her life in the shoes of a wealthy, noble man named Boaz. God gave her a completely new life - a husband whose wealth and impeccable reputation was known through the land, a child that landed her in the lineage of Jesus Christ, and a legacy that gives hope to all who need rescuing.
The past few years have been financially excruciating for many people as our economy has tumbled. Some of the pain has been caused by poor personal choices, as well as individuals being affected by unavoidable circumstances out of their own control. Doesn't matter, financial stress is financial stress no matter how it began. That might mean however, that we have to take responsibility for our choices and make changes in our saving and spending habits. When we honor God with our finances, tithing, giving, and how we spend the leftovers, He makes a way. Let Ruth's story be an encouragement that those faithful to God will receive His faithfulness in return.
Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:1-22) A new physical health beginning. Hezekiah was a King of Judah who for the most part, did right in the eyes of the Lord. His reign was characterized by destroying idol worshipping and trusting the Lord in some difficult circumstances. But then came the Word of the Lord telling him to get his house in order, he had contracted an infection and was going to die. Hezekiah cried out to the Lord, who heard his prayer, healed him, and added fifteen years to his life. WOW! Sometimes the Lord heals physical illnesses and sometimes He doesn't. I can't explain how He chooses where to heal and where to give the ultimate healing of taking his children to glory, and I'm ok with that. I rest in the Lord's decisions are sovereign. Doesn't make it any easier to let go of loved ones...just rests my mind.
But, Hezekiah's story does teach us that sometimes the Lord does choose to heal. We should always pray for physical healing and for miracles. In 2010 one of my closest friends battled cancer. Her resolve and faith were a testimony to all who watched her stand and sing of God's goodness each week in worship with her head wrapped in the trendiest scarf another mutual friend could find for her. Be faithful to pray for physical healing of those who God intertwines your path. View it as an honor and privilege to petition for healing. And if you need the physical healing cry out as Hezekiah did and implore others to intercede for you as well.
Joseph (Genesis 45: 1-15) A new relational beginning. Joseph's story is a bit complicated. His father favored him over all his brothers (beware favoring one of your children!), his brothers really resented the favoritism (guard your heart against jealousy!), and as a result Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. They led their father to believe Joseph had been killed by a wild animal and they thought the story was over. Key word: thought! In the meantime God went to work overtime in Joseph's life. He spent some time in prison due to false accusations, was forgotten when he should have been remembered, and eventually through ways only God can work, rose to power to 2nd in command next to Pharaoh in Egypt. Eventually back in Canaan, a famine struck the land and the brothers set out in search of food. Of course, Egypt was the only place that had food, due to Joseph's God-given wisdom and skill of planning. So the stage is set, and you can only imagine what happens: Joesph runs smack into the brothers that sold him into slavery years before. What do you do with that? Well if you are Joseph, who relied on God for everything, you choose to forgive and reconcile.
Relationships are the hardest aren't they? They get messy....we are selfish...emotions run high. But still, Joseph's story is a living testimony that God can reconcile even the most difficult relationships - betrayal, hurt, jealousy, all abound yet forgiveness trumps even the deepest hurts and emotions. If you are in need of reconciling a damaged relationship, ask God to give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to feel all the emotions the other person is experiencing. Ask God to help you to forgive - remember forgiving someone doesn't mean that they weren't wrong or they didn't hurt you - it just means you are releasing both of you from all of the mess. Forgiveness is as much for you as it is them. What if you need to be forgiven? Ask God to give you the opportunity and courage to seek it!
Paul (Acts 9:1-22) A new spiritual beginning. Paul, originally called Saul until God gave him a new beginning, was at the top of his game. A Hebrew of Hebrews, a scholar, a leader in the temple, and a hater of all who followed Christ. A hater to the point of murder. And then on a trip to Damascus, God stepped into his life and changed the future of the church by giving this one man a new beginning. With a strike of light, God struck Saul blind and left him that way for three days. During that time God while Paul couldn't see, God gave sight in the form a vision to a man named Ananias. Ananias was to go where Paul had been taken and pray for him to regain his sight. Ok, so I know this sounds like physical healing, but the truth is when Saul/Paul's sight returned it returned with eyes that now saw who Jesus really was. And it wasn't that he just saw, he then began proclaiming to everyone that Jesus was the Son of God. That would be a 180 degree turn from where he was just a short time earlier. Paul experienced a true new spiritual beginning.
We can begin a new spiritual beginning at any time as well. It often starts with a desire for something more, a need to be filled that we cannot find anywhere else. This happened to me at 30 and I have never been the same since. The question becomes then, have you ever had a new spiritual beginning? Have you met Jesus like Paul? Or have you become complacent in your spiritual walk? No better time to make changes than right now. Pick up your Bible and read. Visit a church if you have been out of touch for a while. If you have been seeking Jesus, what new spiritual disciplines need fine tuning? Scripture memory? Fasting (YIKES! Yes, I'm Baptist, but fasting is Biblical!) Journaling? Tithing?
Wherever you are today in 2012, remember that new beginnings are possible and they all begin with Jesus!
I know for a fact that God is a God of New Beginning and Second Chances. How do I know? Well, in two ways...one because He always provides me with them (mercies new everyday you know) and it is well documented in Scripture. Wherever you find yourself in life in 2012, I think one of these five characters will resonate with you!
Abram (Genesis 12:1-9) A new physical proximity beginning. At age 75, when most people would be downsizing and moving into a small duplex, God called Abram to pack up his wife, nephew, and belongings and move to a new land that God would "show" him. Sometimes God calls us to a new place in the way of the town in which we live, a new job, or a new house which changes our neighbors.
I have been very blessed to live in the same town for the majority of my life. That causes you to set down deep roots with family and friends. I can't imagine how hard it was for Abram to leave - but it's obvious God matched the difficulty with magnitude of blessings he received. Are you facing a new beginning in location? Embrace it and trust God. Seek new opportunities that can accompany a new move!
Ruth (Ruth 2:1-9, 15-16, 4: 9-10) A new financial beginning. Ruth was a destitute, childless, widow. But she professed incredible faith when she insisted on accompanying her mother-in-law, also a widow, back to Bethlehem. This was a risky, difficult trip for two women alone. But Ruth declared that Naomi's "God would be her God" and off they went. So poor that Ruth had to glean in the fields for the leftover grain so they would have food to eat, God stepped into her life in the shoes of a wealthy, noble man named Boaz. God gave her a completely new life - a husband whose wealth and impeccable reputation was known through the land, a child that landed her in the lineage of Jesus Christ, and a legacy that gives hope to all who need rescuing.
The past few years have been financially excruciating for many people as our economy has tumbled. Some of the pain has been caused by poor personal choices, as well as individuals being affected by unavoidable circumstances out of their own control. Doesn't matter, financial stress is financial stress no matter how it began. That might mean however, that we have to take responsibility for our choices and make changes in our saving and spending habits. When we honor God with our finances, tithing, giving, and how we spend the leftovers, He makes a way. Let Ruth's story be an encouragement that those faithful to God will receive His faithfulness in return.
Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:1-22) A new physical health beginning. Hezekiah was a King of Judah who for the most part, did right in the eyes of the Lord. His reign was characterized by destroying idol worshipping and trusting the Lord in some difficult circumstances. But then came the Word of the Lord telling him to get his house in order, he had contracted an infection and was going to die. Hezekiah cried out to the Lord, who heard his prayer, healed him, and added fifteen years to his life. WOW! Sometimes the Lord heals physical illnesses and sometimes He doesn't. I can't explain how He chooses where to heal and where to give the ultimate healing of taking his children to glory, and I'm ok with that. I rest in the Lord's decisions are sovereign. Doesn't make it any easier to let go of loved ones...just rests my mind.
But, Hezekiah's story does teach us that sometimes the Lord does choose to heal. We should always pray for physical healing and for miracles. In 2010 one of my closest friends battled cancer. Her resolve and faith were a testimony to all who watched her stand and sing of God's goodness each week in worship with her head wrapped in the trendiest scarf another mutual friend could find for her. Be faithful to pray for physical healing of those who God intertwines your path. View it as an honor and privilege to petition for healing. And if you need the physical healing cry out as Hezekiah did and implore others to intercede for you as well.
Joseph (Genesis 45: 1-15) A new relational beginning. Joseph's story is a bit complicated. His father favored him over all his brothers (beware favoring one of your children!), his brothers really resented the favoritism (guard your heart against jealousy!), and as a result Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. They led their father to believe Joseph had been killed by a wild animal and they thought the story was over. Key word: thought! In the meantime God went to work overtime in Joseph's life. He spent some time in prison due to false accusations, was forgotten when he should have been remembered, and eventually through ways only God can work, rose to power to 2nd in command next to Pharaoh in Egypt. Eventually back in Canaan, a famine struck the land and the brothers set out in search of food. Of course, Egypt was the only place that had food, due to Joseph's God-given wisdom and skill of planning. So the stage is set, and you can only imagine what happens: Joesph runs smack into the brothers that sold him into slavery years before. What do you do with that? Well if you are Joseph, who relied on God for everything, you choose to forgive and reconcile.
Relationships are the hardest aren't they? They get messy....we are selfish...emotions run high. But still, Joseph's story is a living testimony that God can reconcile even the most difficult relationships - betrayal, hurt, jealousy, all abound yet forgiveness trumps even the deepest hurts and emotions. If you are in need of reconciling a damaged relationship, ask God to give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to feel all the emotions the other person is experiencing. Ask God to help you to forgive - remember forgiving someone doesn't mean that they weren't wrong or they didn't hurt you - it just means you are releasing both of you from all of the mess. Forgiveness is as much for you as it is them. What if you need to be forgiven? Ask God to give you the opportunity and courage to seek it!
Paul (Acts 9:1-22) A new spiritual beginning. Paul, originally called Saul until God gave him a new beginning, was at the top of his game. A Hebrew of Hebrews, a scholar, a leader in the temple, and a hater of all who followed Christ. A hater to the point of murder. And then on a trip to Damascus, God stepped into his life and changed the future of the church by giving this one man a new beginning. With a strike of light, God struck Saul blind and left him that way for three days. During that time God while Paul couldn't see, God gave sight in the form a vision to a man named Ananias. Ananias was to go where Paul had been taken and pray for him to regain his sight. Ok, so I know this sounds like physical healing, but the truth is when Saul/Paul's sight returned it returned with eyes that now saw who Jesus really was. And it wasn't that he just saw, he then began proclaiming to everyone that Jesus was the Son of God. That would be a 180 degree turn from where he was just a short time earlier. Paul experienced a true new spiritual beginning.
We can begin a new spiritual beginning at any time as well. It often starts with a desire for something more, a need to be filled that we cannot find anywhere else. This happened to me at 30 and I have never been the same since. The question becomes then, have you ever had a new spiritual beginning? Have you met Jesus like Paul? Or have you become complacent in your spiritual walk? No better time to make changes than right now. Pick up your Bible and read. Visit a church if you have been out of touch for a while. If you have been seeking Jesus, what new spiritual disciplines need fine tuning? Scripture memory? Fasting (YIKES! Yes, I'm Baptist, but fasting is Biblical!) Journaling? Tithing?
Wherever you are today in 2012, remember that new beginnings are possible and they all begin with Jesus!
Monday, May 16, 2011
More Than Words...
Music - melodies, rhythms, lyrics, harmonies - all combined those elements have affects on us like nothing else. I have passionately loved music as long as I can remember - from the music of Simon and Garfunkel, The Carpenters and The Eagles that my parents listened to in the 70's and the infamous boy/hair bands (still love Bon Jovi!!) from the 80's to my current play lists, not a day goes by without a song in my head and my heart.
Music somehow transcends us to another place, another attitude, another memory...and that can be good or bad depending on where we are and where we are going. Music can make us laugh or cry, give us hope, or connect us with another person - or God. I love the way a friend of mine described music. She said it leaves footprints. I like that.
I have felt the gentle press to work on a Bible study about music. It's been a long time since I have written - or felt like writing. But somehow I can't ignore this tug at my heart. Music is God - ordained and God- organized. Sometimes man messes it up and distorts it, but sometimes man has an inspiration of the Holy Spirit and gets it right. When that happens a song will sing to hearts in ways that are difficult to describe. When a song sings to my heart and soul, I feel it to the depths of my being. I might not be able to put it in intelligible words, but it resonates and worship happens.
You and I were created with a need to sing. Sometimes it is the only way we can express our feelings. And in my case, someone else has been gifted with the ability to pen the emotions I feel, but don't know how to say. So I sing along and you probably do too.
Here is what is currently blaring in my ears :
If you put your arms around me, could it change the way I feel?
I guess I let myself believe that the outside might just bleed its way in.
Maybe stir the sleeping past, lying under glass, waiting for the kiss that
breaks this awful spell to pull me out of this lonely cell.
Close my eyes and hold my heart.
Cover me and make me something...
Change this normal into something beautiful.
What I get from my reflection isn't what I thought I'd see.
Give me reason to believe you'd never keep me incomplete.
Will you untie this loss of mine, it so easily defines me.
Do you see it on my face? And all I can think about is how long
I've been waiting to feel you move me.
Close my eyes and hold my heart.
Cover me and make me something..
Change this something normal into something beautiful.
And I'm still fighting for the Word to break these chains and I still pray when I look in your eyes that you'll stare right back down into something beautiful.
I'm sure if you have stuck with me for this long, you probably guessed it's a Jars of Clay http://jarsofclay.com/ song. I love it because I think it delicately describes the transformation for which so many with authentic faith are desperate. One of the members of Jars describes songs as "living." They take on lives of themselves - and their meaning changes over time through experiences. I can certainly testify to that one.
So the next time you sing, think about what you are singing and why you are singing it. Reflect on the words, listen to the depths, and drink in the meanings...and when you think have it figured out, it might just change on you - or it might change you.
Music somehow transcends us to another place, another attitude, another memory...and that can be good or bad depending on where we are and where we are going. Music can make us laugh or cry, give us hope, or connect us with another person - or God. I love the way a friend of mine described music. She said it leaves footprints. I like that.
I have felt the gentle press to work on a Bible study about music. It's been a long time since I have written - or felt like writing. But somehow I can't ignore this tug at my heart. Music is God - ordained and God- organized. Sometimes man messes it up and distorts it, but sometimes man has an inspiration of the Holy Spirit and gets it right. When that happens a song will sing to hearts in ways that are difficult to describe. When a song sings to my heart and soul, I feel it to the depths of my being. I might not be able to put it in intelligible words, but it resonates and worship happens.
You and I were created with a need to sing. Sometimes it is the only way we can express our feelings. And in my case, someone else has been gifted with the ability to pen the emotions I feel, but don't know how to say. So I sing along and you probably do too.
Here is what is currently blaring in my ears :
If you put your arms around me, could it change the way I feel?
I guess I let myself believe that the outside might just bleed its way in.
Maybe stir the sleeping past, lying under glass, waiting for the kiss that
breaks this awful spell to pull me out of this lonely cell.
Close my eyes and hold my heart.
Cover me and make me something...
Change this normal into something beautiful.
What I get from my reflection isn't what I thought I'd see.
Give me reason to believe you'd never keep me incomplete.
Will you untie this loss of mine, it so easily defines me.
Do you see it on my face? And all I can think about is how long
I've been waiting to feel you move me.
Close my eyes and hold my heart.
Cover me and make me something..
Change this something normal into something beautiful.
And I'm still fighting for the Word to break these chains and I still pray when I look in your eyes that you'll stare right back down into something beautiful.
I'm sure if you have stuck with me for this long, you probably guessed it's a Jars of Clay http://jarsofclay.com/ song. I love it because I think it delicately describes the transformation for which so many with authentic faith are desperate. One of the members of Jars describes songs as "living." They take on lives of themselves - and their meaning changes over time through experiences. I can certainly testify to that one.
So the next time you sing, think about what you are singing and why you are singing it. Reflect on the words, listen to the depths, and drink in the meanings...and when you think have it figured out, it might just change on you - or it might change you.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
A Faithful Family
This morning in worship I was overwhelmed as I looked around me. I saw faces of all different ages and stages of life, different races, and different personalities, yet we all worshipped the same God together. I felt surrounded and encompassed by the love of my church family. I also felt many of their hurts, pains, and fears.
That's what family does - we love and we take care of each other. From the very beginning way back in Numbers 10, God commanded the "entire community" to gather together at the Tent of Meeting for worship. We can also see the same unity and worship in the early church in Acts as they loved, supported and encouraged each other.
This morning all around me were many brothers and sisters in Christ who are enduring today trials and storms of all sorts including health issues, financial issues, addictions, persecutions, and crises of their faith. On the other hand, I also see faces of those who have found liberty in Christ and healing for their wounds for many of the same problems. Their triumphs and victories encourage me each time I see them.
It's not an accident that we are all on this path together. God knew thousands of years ago that we would need to live as family and community helping one another, praying together, ministering to each other and simply just being there together through this journey of life. Sometimes just seeing a face in our church family and knowing that person survived the road you are walking now is enough of a reminder of God's faithfulness.
I am so thankful for God's faithfulness in my life and for how He has demonstrated that through His own people in our church family. As we gather to worship each week, lets be reminded that our lives are constant living testimonies. If we have passed a significant landmark, we should be reaching back for those behind us showing them the way. If we are struggling to make it to the next landmark, there are many around us to look to for examples of God's grace and mercy..
FBC Family - I love you and I'm thankful for each of you that have poured into my life. May we all be faithful to pour out on another and be a faithful family!
That's what family does - we love and we take care of each other. From the very beginning way back in Numbers 10, God commanded the "entire community" to gather together at the Tent of Meeting for worship. We can also see the same unity and worship in the early church in Acts as they loved, supported and encouraged each other.
This morning all around me were many brothers and sisters in Christ who are enduring today trials and storms of all sorts including health issues, financial issues, addictions, persecutions, and crises of their faith. On the other hand, I also see faces of those who have found liberty in Christ and healing for their wounds for many of the same problems. Their triumphs and victories encourage me each time I see them.
It's not an accident that we are all on this path together. God knew thousands of years ago that we would need to live as family and community helping one another, praying together, ministering to each other and simply just being there together through this journey of life. Sometimes just seeing a face in our church family and knowing that person survived the road you are walking now is enough of a reminder of God's faithfulness.
I am so thankful for God's faithfulness in my life and for how He has demonstrated that through His own people in our church family. As we gather to worship each week, lets be reminded that our lives are constant living testimonies. If we have passed a significant landmark, we should be reaching back for those behind us showing them the way. If we are struggling to make it to the next landmark, there are many around us to look to for examples of God's grace and mercy..
FBC Family - I love you and I'm thankful for each of you that have poured into my life. May we all be faithful to pour out on another and be a faithful family!
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Perfect Plan
As usual when God wants to get my attention about something, He presses the same verse into me over and over again. At first I didn't pay close attention because Jeremiah 29:11 is such a familiar verse in church circles. But, the Lord had me back up to the beginning of the chapter and take it apart very slowly. What I found amazed me, and I think if you will stick with me for a few minutes it will amaze you too!
This chapter includes a letter the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the Israelites who were in captivity in Babylon. This captivity had been prophesied and was a result of the disobedience of the Israelites to follow their God (who by the way is your God and my God too!) In this letter Jeremiah was attempted to instruct them how to live in the Babylonian culture and also to encourage them that it would not last forever. Over and over in the chapter Jeremiah refers to the Israelites as exiles. Ok, this is where it gets interesting.
You see, I think all of us have been in "exile" at some point in our life, or perhaps that is where we find ourselves now! Captive to something we don't want to be. So, if that is where we are, how can we be encouraged in a difficult place, circumstance, relationship, or situation? Well, to begin with we really have to understand the orginal meanings in the Scriptures.
The word "exile" has several meanings: to remove or be led into captivity; revelation; an opening of the eyes or ears; secret; or to uncover. It is that last definition that I find most fascinating: uncover. This is the same word used when Ruth uncovered the feet of Boaz in the book of Ruth, (see Ruth Chapter 3) petitioning him to rescue and redeem her. It is the idea that our shame or sin is uncovered in the eyes of God. It is also us simply being vulnerable and helpless in front of our God.
Now that you understand who or what an exile is, listen to Jeremiah 29: 10-11 "For thus says the Lord, 'When 70 years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
As we break down these verses we find that the word completed means to cover. Did you notice it's the exact opposite of exile? So the Lord is saying to us, that in His timing when He visits (which means to come to the aid of) of, He takes our shame and reverses it and restores and covers us. Think back to Ruth chapter 3! When Boaz realized Ruth had uncovered his feet she petitioned him to "spread his covering over her!" This meant he would redeem and restore her, and cover any shame she had as a widow!
Even the term "bring you back" in verse 10 means to recover and restore! God is clearly encouraging us in these verses that He is for us, that He is the One to make right what is wrong in our lives. He heals the wounds, He fulfills His promises to us and He restores what is lost.
And it gets better! In verse 11 we see "plans for a future and hope." The word hope has several different meanings: expectation and the thing we long for. Those aren't suprises. It is just what hope sounds like. BUT it also means "cord." It's the very same word used for the scarlet cord that Rahab let down to signal to the Israelites where her family was located so they would spare their lives. (If you don't know that story check it out at Joshua Chapter 2 and don't forget that Rahab became the mother of Boaz!!!) That cord represented the hope for a brand new life established in the Lord.
So now you are probably asking the most important question: "What does this have to do with me?" It has EVERYTHING to do with you!
These verses so clearly illustrate that our hope in Christ is so very real. God has a magnificent plan for all believers - individually and corporately - in churches, in the nations and worldwide. He has a wonderful plan to release us from the things that hold us captive, uncover our shame and guilt, and then release, restore and cover us with His love and His blessings. He is so faithful to do such a work in His people and encourage us as we wait for Him.
What is it in your life that needs uncovering and covering? What is it that you need release from? What are you hoping for in and through Him? We are not a people without hope. Our God is for us and not against us. Your hope is very real when it is found in Him. May He do more abundantly than you can think to ask or imagine in your life!
This chapter includes a letter the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the Israelites who were in captivity in Babylon. This captivity had been prophesied and was a result of the disobedience of the Israelites to follow their God (who by the way is your God and my God too!) In this letter Jeremiah was attempted to instruct them how to live in the Babylonian culture and also to encourage them that it would not last forever. Over and over in the chapter Jeremiah refers to the Israelites as exiles. Ok, this is where it gets interesting.
You see, I think all of us have been in "exile" at some point in our life, or perhaps that is where we find ourselves now! Captive to something we don't want to be. So, if that is where we are, how can we be encouraged in a difficult place, circumstance, relationship, or situation? Well, to begin with we really have to understand the orginal meanings in the Scriptures.
The word "exile" has several meanings: to remove or be led into captivity; revelation; an opening of the eyes or ears; secret; or to uncover. It is that last definition that I find most fascinating: uncover. This is the same word used when Ruth uncovered the feet of Boaz in the book of Ruth, (see Ruth Chapter 3) petitioning him to rescue and redeem her. It is the idea that our shame or sin is uncovered in the eyes of God. It is also us simply being vulnerable and helpless in front of our God.
Now that you understand who or what an exile is, listen to Jeremiah 29: 10-11 "For thus says the Lord, 'When 70 years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
As we break down these verses we find that the word completed means to cover. Did you notice it's the exact opposite of exile? So the Lord is saying to us, that in His timing when He visits (which means to come to the aid of) of, He takes our shame and reverses it and restores and covers us. Think back to Ruth chapter 3! When Boaz realized Ruth had uncovered his feet she petitioned him to "spread his covering over her!" This meant he would redeem and restore her, and cover any shame she had as a widow!
Even the term "bring you back" in verse 10 means to recover and restore! God is clearly encouraging us in these verses that He is for us, that He is the One to make right what is wrong in our lives. He heals the wounds, He fulfills His promises to us and He restores what is lost.
And it gets better! In verse 11 we see "plans for a future and hope." The word hope has several different meanings: expectation and the thing we long for. Those aren't suprises. It is just what hope sounds like. BUT it also means "cord." It's the very same word used for the scarlet cord that Rahab let down to signal to the Israelites where her family was located so they would spare their lives. (If you don't know that story check it out at Joshua Chapter 2 and don't forget that Rahab became the mother of Boaz!!!) That cord represented the hope for a brand new life established in the Lord.
So now you are probably asking the most important question: "What does this have to do with me?" It has EVERYTHING to do with you!
These verses so clearly illustrate that our hope in Christ is so very real. God has a magnificent plan for all believers - individually and corporately - in churches, in the nations and worldwide. He has a wonderful plan to release us from the things that hold us captive, uncover our shame and guilt, and then release, restore and cover us with His love and His blessings. He is so faithful to do such a work in His people and encourage us as we wait for Him.
What is it in your life that needs uncovering and covering? What is it that you need release from? What are you hoping for in and through Him? We are not a people without hope. Our God is for us and not against us. Your hope is very real when it is found in Him. May He do more abundantly than you can think to ask or imagine in your life!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Learning Lessons the Hard Way
Teaching. It’s what I do. During the week I am disguised as a high school teacher and on Sundays I teach a Sunday school class for women of all ages. My life is consumed with planning lessons and making sure my students comprehend whatever concept I’m presenting. High school is easy. I have state-mandated standards that I am required to follow to assure all students are being taught the same curriculum.
Sunday school is a little different though. Even though we have a set curriculum, teaching the Bible leaves a lot of room for life application. And life application is best taught when one has life experience to back it up.
For ten years I have been in leadership in women’s ministry - leading, teaching, and writing Bible studies. During those years I have poured my heart out to women encouraging them to keep their priorities in order – God first, husband second, children third, and then on to work, ministry, and other interests.
All the while I was teaching other women what to do, I’m not sure I did a very good job of practicing what I was preaching! You see, God has taken me down a path the last 3 years that I could have never envisioned, nor would I have gone if He had told me where we were going. My family experienced the economic crisis before anyone even mentioned the term “recession.” My husband lost two businesses in the process and our marriage was going right down with it.
After surviving one crisis after another, with each one individually being a major crisis by anyone’s standards, and making it by the grace of God, I have come to see God’s hand in the darkest of the nights. God faithfully provided financially for our family. He very intentionally placed mentors to encourage and guide me, and strong believers to intercede in prayer in the very midst of our shattered lives. Scriptures that I had known for years came alive as I claimed God’s promises with every breath I took.
Looking back over the past 3 years, I can see that God has taught me volumes about stewardship, forgiveness, and total dependence on Him, just to name a few lessons. Probably the hardest lesson I have had to learn is that I was not doing the very thing I not only knew to do, but taught others to do. We can’t always learn everything sitting in a Bible study. Sometimes we have to have the heart and physical experiences to go along with the head knowledge. By walking the road we have walked, my eyes have been opened to the times I missed ministering to my husband. My heart was opened to the times I placed ministry ahead of my husband and children.
I’m not going to back off from serving and using the gifts God has planted in me, but I am going to get it right this time. God is teaching me to re-evaluate and to be very intentional in where I serve – to balance meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of my family and to passionately fulfill my role in furthering the kingdom through teaching. When the lesson is all summed up, the final assessment is that I have realized to be the most effective and influential teacher, I simply first have to be a willing student.
Sunday school is a little different though. Even though we have a set curriculum, teaching the Bible leaves a lot of room for life application. And life application is best taught when one has life experience to back it up.
For ten years I have been in leadership in women’s ministry - leading, teaching, and writing Bible studies. During those years I have poured my heart out to women encouraging them to keep their priorities in order – God first, husband second, children third, and then on to work, ministry, and other interests.
All the while I was teaching other women what to do, I’m not sure I did a very good job of practicing what I was preaching! You see, God has taken me down a path the last 3 years that I could have never envisioned, nor would I have gone if He had told me where we were going. My family experienced the economic crisis before anyone even mentioned the term “recession.” My husband lost two businesses in the process and our marriage was going right down with it.
After surviving one crisis after another, with each one individually being a major crisis by anyone’s standards, and making it by the grace of God, I have come to see God’s hand in the darkest of the nights. God faithfully provided financially for our family. He very intentionally placed mentors to encourage and guide me, and strong believers to intercede in prayer in the very midst of our shattered lives. Scriptures that I had known for years came alive as I claimed God’s promises with every breath I took.
Looking back over the past 3 years, I can see that God has taught me volumes about stewardship, forgiveness, and total dependence on Him, just to name a few lessons. Probably the hardest lesson I have had to learn is that I was not doing the very thing I not only knew to do, but taught others to do. We can’t always learn everything sitting in a Bible study. Sometimes we have to have the heart and physical experiences to go along with the head knowledge. By walking the road we have walked, my eyes have been opened to the times I missed ministering to my husband. My heart was opened to the times I placed ministry ahead of my husband and children.
I’m not going to back off from serving and using the gifts God has planted in me, but I am going to get it right this time. God is teaching me to re-evaluate and to be very intentional in where I serve – to balance meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of my family and to passionately fulfill my role in furthering the kingdom through teaching. When the lesson is all summed up, the final assessment is that I have realized to be the most effective and influential teacher, I simply first have to be a willing student.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Growing Up Into Him
As many of you probably already know, God has given me a great passion for women's ministry - including women of all ages - and especially the ones just a few steps behind where I am! Over the last few months I have watched time and time again on Sunday mornings as Bro.Tim baptizes former students of mine - or they join the church - or they have just came to faith. I have often lamented that I let many of my students slip through my fingers in the classroom - that I didn't live my faith out in front of them as I should have. God has impressed on me now that He is giving me another chance - this summer.
You are invited to join us this summer for the "Growing Up Into Him" Bible study. We will meet on 5 Wednesday nights this summer and childcare is available! We will have class on the weeks that Rebecca will be teaching the children ages 3 - 5th grade and of course there is always childcare for 2 and under. While this class will be directed at ladies younger than I am (and that's quite a few now! :-)) all are invited to join us and I always need extra words of wisdom. There will be no homework (Yeah?) but we will dig deep into God's word this summer to see what He has to say about several different topics:
"Growing Up Into Him" Ephesians 4: 15 - Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ."
Wed, June 10 - Intro, Testimony, Background, "Where did the time go?"
Wed, June 24 - "Serving, it's not Just for Tennis Players!"
Wed, July 1- "Tithing & Giving - Making Cents in God's Economy"
Wed, July 22 - "Dress to Impress - Our Outer Adornment"
Wed, August 5 - "Identity Theft - Taking Back Our Roles as Wives and Mothers"
We will meet from 6-7pm each week. If you are looking to grow in your faith, learn how to live out your faith in everyday life with real purpose instead of just coming to church on Sunday, and are looking for sweet friendship, you have found the right group! Please invite anyone you think might want to join us and of course email me if you have questions!
You are invited to join us this summer for the "Growing Up Into Him" Bible study. We will meet on 5 Wednesday nights this summer and childcare is available! We will have class on the weeks that Rebecca will be teaching the children ages 3 - 5th grade and of course there is always childcare for 2 and under. While this class will be directed at ladies younger than I am (and that's quite a few now! :-)) all are invited to join us and I always need extra words of wisdom. There will be no homework (Yeah?) but we will dig deep into God's word this summer to see what He has to say about several different topics:
"Growing Up Into Him" Ephesians 4: 15 - Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ."
Wed, June 10 - Intro, Testimony, Background, "Where did the time go?"
Wed, June 24 - "Serving, it's not Just for Tennis Players!"
Wed, July 1- "Tithing & Giving - Making Cents in God's Economy"
Wed, July 22 - "Dress to Impress - Our Outer Adornment"
Wed, August 5 - "Identity Theft - Taking Back Our Roles as Wives and Mothers"
We will meet from 6-7pm each week. If you are looking to grow in your faith, learn how to live out your faith in everyday life with real purpose instead of just coming to church on Sunday, and are looking for sweet friendship, you have found the right group! Please invite anyone you think might want to join us and of course email me if you have questions!
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