As I sit here over a cup of coffee - just long enough between Austen's pre-graduation preparations to take a breath - I reflect.
Our four youngest will graduate bi-annually for the next six years, beginning today.
Just as quickly as they came into our lives with great joy, they will also "leave" to live their aspirations.
I love our kids immensely, and all my craziness is just because I want them to experience God's absolute best.
Intellectually, I realize I cannot force this, but often (especially in these types of seasons) the swells of the heart overrule reason.
I am grateful that all of our children know and live with Jesus...and that God will direct their paths and keep them.
Preparing for a day of tears - sorrow for time gone, pride for today's significance, hope and joy for the future's promises. <3
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
A Call To Persevere, Part 2
Jude 20-23
Verses 17-19 of Jude (Part One) warns Believers to watch for false teachers. Now, in verses 20-23, we are exhorted to demonstrate the edifying practices of building, praying, keeping, wating, showing mercy, and saving.
"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit." v. 20
How do we build ourselves up in holy faith? We build upon the foundation of our salvation through Jesus Christ. We shelter the faith that God has apportioned to us and build on that faith through reading the Word, communicating with God every day, assembling with Believers in fellowship, praying in the Spirit, and living in a spirit of agape love...just to name a few. This may read like a legalistic list of to-do's; however, these activities are not meant to be strivings and strainings. When we are in a growing relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, these acts become a joyous manifestation of our love for Him.
"Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." v. 21
God's love...His unconditional, unchanging love...has always, is always, and will always attend to us. His love does not change like ours does. This is why Jude challenges us to keep ourselves in God's love. We Believers must be diligent and intentional in guarding our lives under the fullness of God's love. Sometimes I lose focus and step out of His fullness because I get impatient in the waiting, or I believe I can handle it myself, or I am just acting out as a rebellious child who want to test her boundaries. We all do this at times. This is why Jude commends us to attend to God's love as we wait (expect and look for) the fulfillment of His promises.
"Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear -- hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." v. 22-23
Is it easier to show compassion to someone who is struggling with doubt or someone who outright denies God? In our human condition, it is easier to have mercy on those who are searching for answers and thirsting for Living Water. These are the ones we minister God's unconditional love to; in sharing God's kindness, they are more inclined to be led to repentance and snatched from the path to Hell. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, we have the responsibility and the privilege to throw others the life-line that was tossed to us. We show mercy to the soul, reverence to the Father, despise the things and desires of flesh (those things opposed to God).
Father, I ask that You would increase our holy faith and cause us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. You are the One Who grants us discernment to stay in the boundaries You have set for each of us to protect our lives and witness as we eagerly watch for the fulfillment of Your soon-coming promises. Keep our eyes upon you, Lord, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. May we know Your mercy in our lives, so that we may share the overflow of that mercy with others. Stregthen our spirit-man that we may live in victory over the strong-man. You deserve all the glory and recognition and authority, Jesus. May You be seen clearly through Your body of Believers. Amen.
Verses 17-19 of Jude (Part One) warns Believers to watch for false teachers. Now, in verses 20-23, we are exhorted to demonstrate the edifying practices of building, praying, keeping, wating, showing mercy, and saving.
"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit." v. 20
How do we build ourselves up in holy faith? We build upon the foundation of our salvation through Jesus Christ. We shelter the faith that God has apportioned to us and build on that faith through reading the Word, communicating with God every day, assembling with Believers in fellowship, praying in the Spirit, and living in a spirit of agape love...just to name a few. This may read like a legalistic list of to-do's; however, these activities are not meant to be strivings and strainings. When we are in a growing relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, these acts become a joyous manifestation of our love for Him.
"Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." v. 21
God's love...His unconditional, unchanging love...has always, is always, and will always attend to us. His love does not change like ours does. This is why Jude challenges us to keep ourselves in God's love. We Believers must be diligent and intentional in guarding our lives under the fullness of God's love. Sometimes I lose focus and step out of His fullness because I get impatient in the waiting, or I believe I can handle it myself, or I am just acting out as a rebellious child who want to test her boundaries. We all do this at times. This is why Jude commends us to attend to God's love as we wait (expect and look for) the fulfillment of His promises.
"Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear -- hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." v. 22-23
Is it easier to show compassion to someone who is struggling with doubt or someone who outright denies God? In our human condition, it is easier to have mercy on those who are searching for answers and thirsting for Living Water. These are the ones we minister God's unconditional love to; in sharing God's kindness, they are more inclined to be led to repentance and snatched from the path to Hell. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, we have the responsibility and the privilege to throw others the life-line that was tossed to us. We show mercy to the soul, reverence to the Father, despise the things and desires of flesh (those things opposed to God).
Father, I ask that You would increase our holy faith and cause us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. You are the One Who grants us discernment to stay in the boundaries You have set for each of us to protect our lives and witness as we eagerly watch for the fulfillment of Your soon-coming promises. Keep our eyes upon you, Lord, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. May we know Your mercy in our lives, so that we may share the overflow of that mercy with others. Stregthen our spirit-man that we may live in victory over the strong-man. You deserve all the glory and recognition and authority, Jesus. May You be seen clearly through Your body of Believers. Amen.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
The Hardest Thing...
"Train [dedicate] a child in the way [path, journey, manner, direction] he should go, and when he is old [shows age] he will not turn [depart, be removed, leave undone] from it." ~~Proverbs 22:6
Carrying a baby for nine months was not difficult for me...was blessed with healthy pregnancies. Giving birth was relatively painless...thanks to modern medicine and epidurals. Even the long nights of interrupted sleep was temporary. Dealing with broken bones, stitches, stomach viruses, sibling rivalries, and responsibility for five children can be exhausting. Living with and raising four teenagers is quite trying at times...okay...almost every day; but, nothing...nothing has been as difficult as the mother-place I find myself in now.
The hardest thing as a mother is learning how, when, and to what degree to let go...release my children, one-by-one, to make their own choices, discover who they are, and grow outside my protective presence. Proverbs 22:6 provides me comfort and confidence. I have dedicated our children to the Lord...I have trained them up in and with the Truth through words and action...I have shown them the narrow path -- how to recognize it and follow it. Now I have to "put my faith where my mouth is."
As our second child prepares to graduate from high school in three weeks, I am reminded of this Scripture when I start to mentally and emotionally hyperventilate. "...and when he is old he will not turn from it." I just have to rest in the assurance that all of our kids know Jesus Christ as their Savior. Whatever choices they make, I must pray that they will be drawn closer to Him. I must love my children unconditionally as Christ loves me. I must trust God to protect them when I cannot. I must have confidence that no matter what choices they will make, even those poor choices, that God's conviction and grace will abound (just as it does for me).
I pray that our children will desire God more than they desire any person or position.
I pray that our children will serve God before they serve man or themselves.
I pray that our children will seek and do God's will - His absolute best for them - before they seek and do my will or any other man's will.
I pray that our children will crave the Word of God more than they crave the words of others.
I pray that our children will hold to the teachings and foundation that they have received and not depart from it for very long or very far or at all.
Carrying a baby for nine months was not difficult for me...was blessed with healthy pregnancies. Giving birth was relatively painless...thanks to modern medicine and epidurals. Even the long nights of interrupted sleep was temporary. Dealing with broken bones, stitches, stomach viruses, sibling rivalries, and responsibility for five children can be exhausting. Living with and raising four teenagers is quite trying at times...okay...almost every day; but, nothing...nothing has been as difficult as the mother-place I find myself in now.
The hardest thing as a mother is learning how, when, and to what degree to let go...release my children, one-by-one, to make their own choices, discover who they are, and grow outside my protective presence. Proverbs 22:6 provides me comfort and confidence. I have dedicated our children to the Lord...I have trained them up in and with the Truth through words and action...I have shown them the narrow path -- how to recognize it and follow it. Now I have to "put my faith where my mouth is."
As our second child prepares to graduate from high school in three weeks, I am reminded of this Scripture when I start to mentally and emotionally hyperventilate. "...and when he is old he will not turn from it." I just have to rest in the assurance that all of our kids know Jesus Christ as their Savior. Whatever choices they make, I must pray that they will be drawn closer to Him. I must love my children unconditionally as Christ loves me. I must trust God to protect them when I cannot. I must have confidence that no matter what choices they will make, even those poor choices, that God's conviction and grace will abound (just as it does for me).
I pray that our children will desire God more than they desire any person or position.
I pray that our children will serve God before they serve man or themselves.
I pray that our children will seek and do God's will - His absolute best for them - before they seek and do my will or any other man's will.
I pray that our children will crave the Word of God more than they crave the words of others.
I pray that our children will hold to the teachings and foundation that they have received and not depart from it for very long or very far or at all.
I pray that our children will learn from our mistakes and embrace our successes to make them better parents than we have been.
At the end of the day, I can rejoice in the fact that God has carried us "Thus far..." We are blessed with kids who love the Lord beyond their layers of hormones, testosterone, arguments, and just plain "teenager-ness."... and for that I am grateful.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Such a Love as This...
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." ~~ I John 3:16
This last Thursday in one of my 8th grade classes, my students were lamenting and railing about some new rules in the cafeteria. These rules were recently introduced for all because of the behavior of a few. Being the teacher that I am (once we had completed our academic lesson, of course), I opened up the floor for discussion and life lesson. I listened while they voiced, and they listened while I shared my limited wisdom. At one point, a student complained, "I don't see why we have to pay for what other kids did! It's not fair!" Without hesitation or filtration, I responded, "Well, I don't see how it's fair that Jesus Christ had to die for everyone else's sins..." Shock and silence. I waited for the politically correct police to bust in with the camera crews and cuffs to carry me off to wherever they take our kind.
This exchange - and many other daily interactions - compel me to the cross of Christ. My mind cannot comprehend the sacrifices He made for me. For you. For all of mankind for all time. This devo may come out a little "scattered", but that is where my thoughts take me when I consider Christ's whole work. My finite mind is only able to hold a portions of Such an Infinite Love as This...
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." ~~ John 1:14
Jesus Christ elected to leave the glory and comfort of Heaven to wear this garment called flesh. He elected to surrender kingship for servanthood. The only concept I can equate this to would be today's missionaries who choose to sell and leave everything they have and know to dwell in third-world countries for the Gospel of Christ...in lands that are impoverished and vile, lands where they are often despised and persecuted. Such a Love as This...
Bright Morning Star, Lily of the Valley, Prince of Peace, Light of the World, Faithful One, Emmanuel...
"He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.'...And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." ~~ Luke 22:41-42, 44
Intercessor, Hedge of Protection, My Rearguard, The Great Shepherd, Shield and Strong Tower...
"...he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified...They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. 'Hail, king of the Jews!' they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again." ~~ Matthew 27:26b, 28-30
Jesus received the beating that I deserved. He endured the pain that I have inflicted with my sins. He did not fight the crown of 3-inch thorns as it was thrust upon His tender scalp. He did not defend or speak up against false accusations and mocking, as I have often done myself. Such a Love as This...
Merciful Savior, Lamb of God, Lion of Judah, Lord of Justice, Healer, Anointed One, Bread of Life...
"So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others -- one on each side and Jesus in the middle." ~~John 19:16b-18
I can scarcely imagine the excruciating pain Jesus knew -- physical pain, emotional pain, spiritual pain -- as He carried that 300-pound, rough-timber cross upon the open and bleeding wounds of His back. Then he willingly laid down upon the cross to be crucified with long, heavy spikes. Such a Love as This...
Chosen One, Deliverer, Gift of God, Holy One, Horn of Salvation, Messenger of the Covenant, Redeemer...
"From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' -- which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'...And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit...When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, 'Surely he was the Son of God!" ~~ Matthew 27:45-46, 50, 54
We don't willingly do much or give up much. Honestly, we don't. Our flesh despises sacrifice and selflessness. Yet, Jesus sacrifices all. His place in Heaven to come to earth. His love. His service. His healing. His wisdom. His very life and spirit. Such a Love as This...
Who Was, Who Is, Who Is to Come, The Way, The Truth, The Life, Messiah, Faithful Witness, Almighty...
"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when the entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening stood beside them...'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!'" ~~ Luke 24:1-5
Such a Love as This...
King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Commander of Angels, The Dominion over Demons, Lord of Hosts, Name Above All Names...
"Then Jesus came to [the disciples] and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" ~~ Matthew 28:18-20
These few verses can scarcely express and cannot contain the life and sacrifice of Jesus. Words pale and become flat in trying to describe the suffering of the cross, the glory of His resurrection, and His parting command to Believers. If we cannot express in words or grasp in thought, then how are we to seize and personify Such a Love as This...
Bridegroom, My Banner of Love, Dwelling Place, Sustainer, Provider, Teacher, Triumphant and Mighty, Victorious Conquerer, God of Forgiveness, Soon-Coming King...
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers...Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." ~~ I John 3:16, 18
This last Thursday in one of my 8th grade classes, my students were lamenting and railing about some new rules in the cafeteria. These rules were recently introduced for all because of the behavior of a few. Being the teacher that I am (once we had completed our academic lesson, of course), I opened up the floor for discussion and life lesson. I listened while they voiced, and they listened while I shared my limited wisdom. At one point, a student complained, "I don't see why we have to pay for what other kids did! It's not fair!" Without hesitation or filtration, I responded, "Well, I don't see how it's fair that Jesus Christ had to die for everyone else's sins..." Shock and silence. I waited for the politically correct police to bust in with the camera crews and cuffs to carry me off to wherever they take our kind.
This exchange - and many other daily interactions - compel me to the cross of Christ. My mind cannot comprehend the sacrifices He made for me. For you. For all of mankind for all time. This devo may come out a little "scattered", but that is where my thoughts take me when I consider Christ's whole work. My finite mind is only able to hold a portions of Such an Infinite Love as This...
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." ~~ John 1:14
Jesus Christ elected to leave the glory and comfort of Heaven to wear this garment called flesh. He elected to surrender kingship for servanthood. The only concept I can equate this to would be today's missionaries who choose to sell and leave everything they have and know to dwell in third-world countries for the Gospel of Christ...in lands that are impoverished and vile, lands where they are often despised and persecuted. Such a Love as This...
Bright Morning Star, Lily of the Valley, Prince of Peace, Light of the World, Faithful One, Emmanuel...
"He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.'...And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." ~~ Luke 22:41-42, 44
Intercessor, Hedge of Protection, My Rearguard, The Great Shepherd, Shield and Strong Tower...
"...he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified...They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. 'Hail, king of the Jews!' they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again." ~~ Matthew 27:26b, 28-30
Jesus received the beating that I deserved. He endured the pain that I have inflicted with my sins. He did not fight the crown of 3-inch thorns as it was thrust upon His tender scalp. He did not defend or speak up against false accusations and mocking, as I have often done myself. Such a Love as This...
Merciful Savior, Lamb of God, Lion of Judah, Lord of Justice, Healer, Anointed One, Bread of Life...
"So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others -- one on each side and Jesus in the middle." ~~John 19:16b-18
I can scarcely imagine the excruciating pain Jesus knew -- physical pain, emotional pain, spiritual pain -- as He carried that 300-pound, rough-timber cross upon the open and bleeding wounds of His back. Then he willingly laid down upon the cross to be crucified with long, heavy spikes. Such a Love as This...
Chosen One, Deliverer, Gift of God, Holy One, Horn of Salvation, Messenger of the Covenant, Redeemer...
"From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' -- which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'...And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit...When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, 'Surely he was the Son of God!" ~~ Matthew 27:45-46, 50, 54
We don't willingly do much or give up much. Honestly, we don't. Our flesh despises sacrifice and selflessness. Yet, Jesus sacrifices all. His place in Heaven to come to earth. His love. His service. His healing. His wisdom. His very life and spirit. Such a Love as This...
Who Was, Who Is, Who Is to Come, The Way, The Truth, The Life, Messiah, Faithful Witness, Almighty...
"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when the entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening stood beside them...'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!'" ~~ Luke 24:1-5
Such a Love as This...
King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Commander of Angels, The Dominion over Demons, Lord of Hosts, Name Above All Names...
"Then Jesus came to [the disciples] and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" ~~ Matthew 28:18-20
These few verses can scarcely express and cannot contain the life and sacrifice of Jesus. Words pale and become flat in trying to describe the suffering of the cross, the glory of His resurrection, and His parting command to Believers. If we cannot express in words or grasp in thought, then how are we to seize and personify Such a Love as This...
Bridegroom, My Banner of Love, Dwelling Place, Sustainer, Provider, Teacher, Triumphant and Mighty, Victorious Conquerer, God of Forgiveness, Soon-Coming King...
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers...Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." ~~ I John 3:16, 18
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Call to Persevere, Part One
Jude 17-19
Jude, brother to Jesus and James...a man of few words...a man with powerful words. This letter, though comparably short in length, is not short on depth. It bears much to chew on and digest in our spirit. In these verses, Jude boldly offers a firm exhortation...
"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold." (v.17)
We are compelled to read the Word, study the Word, know the Word, remember the Word. The Bible does not just reveal factual, historical accounts; it is living and active...it is effectual...it is eternal. In order to remember the Word, we must first know it and fix our minds upon it. When we abide in the Word, it is sown into our spirit-man.
"They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." (v. 18)
In numerous verses in the Scriptures, the disciples warn of false teachers and heretical teachings that will permeate the body of Christ. (2 Pet. 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; Titus 1:15-16; 2 John 1:9-11; Romans 16:17-18; Col. 2:8, just to list a few) False teachers do not likely come in appearance and with messages flagged with flagrant warnings. They are extremely subtle and appealing to the eyes and the ears. They will weave in a sprinkling of Truth to season their lies. False teachers will flirt with desires of the heart that come from broken places and false belief systems. They will work into minds that are not being conformed to the mind of Christ.
"There are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." (v. 19)
Once they have their followers' divided attention from God, false teachers seduce people into spiritual adultery. One common indicator is that the teacher is worshiped above Jehovah God, and the teacher's words are held as authority before and above the Word of God. Instead of offering a list of heretical teachings and themes, I encourage you to know the Word...to test every spirit of teaching (even mine) against the Word of God (I John 4:1-6).
Yes, every pastor and teacher who serve the Living God is going to mis-speak, misinterpret, misstep on occassion. I have inadvertently done this myself...and work to correct it as soon as it is discerned. However, the false teacher has an established pattern or progression of denying the work and power and authority of Christ, minimizes the Scriptures, and dillutes the working of the Holy Spirit.
Our guard against this prevailing work of the enemy is to have God's Word so richly cultivated in the tender soil of our hearts that as soon as false teaching leaves the lips of the false teacher, our very spirit will quicken within us and rise up with Truth to cast down the lies. My prayer is that we would take personal responsibility to grow and abound in the knowledge of the Lord, the depth of His Word, the increase of discernment, and the fullness of His authority...in the precious and most Holy name of Jesus.
Gloriously in Him ~~
Tammy
Jude, brother to Jesus and James...a man of few words...a man with powerful words. This letter, though comparably short in length, is not short on depth. It bears much to chew on and digest in our spirit. In these verses, Jude boldly offers a firm exhortation...
"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold." (v.17)
We are compelled to read the Word, study the Word, know the Word, remember the Word. The Bible does not just reveal factual, historical accounts; it is living and active...it is effectual...it is eternal. In order to remember the Word, we must first know it and fix our minds upon it. When we abide in the Word, it is sown into our spirit-man.
"They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." (v. 18)
In numerous verses in the Scriptures, the disciples warn of false teachers and heretical teachings that will permeate the body of Christ. (2 Pet. 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; Titus 1:15-16; 2 John 1:9-11; Romans 16:17-18; Col. 2:8, just to list a few) False teachers do not likely come in appearance and with messages flagged with flagrant warnings. They are extremely subtle and appealing to the eyes and the ears. They will weave in a sprinkling of Truth to season their lies. False teachers will flirt with desires of the heart that come from broken places and false belief systems. They will work into minds that are not being conformed to the mind of Christ.
"There are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." (v. 19)
Once they have their followers' divided attention from God, false teachers seduce people into spiritual adultery. One common indicator is that the teacher is worshiped above Jehovah God, and the teacher's words are held as authority before and above the Word of God. Instead of offering a list of heretical teachings and themes, I encourage you to know the Word...to test every spirit of teaching (even mine) against the Word of God (I John 4:1-6).
Yes, every pastor and teacher who serve the Living God is going to mis-speak, misinterpret, misstep on occassion. I have inadvertently done this myself...and work to correct it as soon as it is discerned. However, the false teacher has an established pattern or progression of denying the work and power and authority of Christ, minimizes the Scriptures, and dillutes the working of the Holy Spirit.
Our guard against this prevailing work of the enemy is to have God's Word so richly cultivated in the tender soil of our hearts that as soon as false teaching leaves the lips of the false teacher, our very spirit will quicken within us and rise up with Truth to cast down the lies. My prayer is that we would take personal responsibility to grow and abound in the knowledge of the Lord, the depth of His Word, the increase of discernment, and the fullness of His authority...in the precious and most Holy name of Jesus.
Gloriously in Him ~~
Tammy
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Giveaway from Renee Swope...
Renee Swope is offering a friendship pack giveaway, which includes her new book, "A Confident Heart" and a Starbucks gift card. Visit her blogspot to enter: journeyofmyheart.blogspot.com
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sit Down and Be Quiet
" 'Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."
~~Psalm 46:10-11
Get the kids up for school. Coffee. Get to work on time. More coffee. Teach middle schoolers who are more interested in socializing and talking and texting than they are with sentence structures and editing and literature. Still more coffee. Grading papers, state testing, parents. Grocery lists, grocery shopping, grocery cooking. Baseball games, dance class, prom preparations, graduation announcements...((graduation announcements)). Church on Wednesday, church on Sunday, Bible study, women's ministry. Family time, family talk, family taxi. Grandbabies, girlfriends, good night. {Just to name a few...}
We live...abundantly. Our time and our thoughts are consumed with the present and the next obligation...some even with the past. Lately, God has been impressing upon me that He is about to do something new in my life and ministry. I have been "working" to find what that is. Praying, studying the Word, seeking...beneficial disciplines. However, this weekend, God has brought this Scripture (and two others) to me three times through three different venues.
In church this morning, we hosted a guest evangelist and his wife. Imagine the quickening when - at the end of his message - he invited the people who were struggling with a decision or were at a crossroads to come forward for prayer. I moved to the front of the sanctuary and received their prayers over me, then his wife offered some counsel. To paraphrase, she said, "God will reveal the details to you in a way that you will not mistake it. Stop striving to find your answer." This advice...for this season...resounded in my spirit.
Prayer is beautiful communion with God. Studying the Word strengthens our spirit. Seeking God's will is prudent. Sometimes, though - like God is saying to me now - it is time to be still and know that He is God. In the language that my cluttered mind and stubborn heart understand, He is actually saying, "Sit down and be quiet." This is a much more difficult discipline than praying, studying, and seeking. He wants me (and you) to withdraw to our prayer closet, sink into His presence, relax our minds from external distractions, and quiet our mouths. When we are still in spirit, we will more readily perceive and discern His voice. This, precious sisters, is the springboard for obeying His personal will for our lives. How can we obey what we do not hear?
I am caused to consider an old argument my kids have presented...ohhh...at least 5,000 times. It's a result of selective hearing...you know, when I tell them to do something, they don't do it. As they are being discipled for not doing what they were told, they protest, "I didn't hear you." Well, the fact that they didn't hear me does not negate the fact that I gave the command. They often do not hear because they choose not to listen.
It is often the same way with God: He has revealed this to me in a profound manner this weekend. He has my quiet attention. I will continue to pray, to study, and to seek His will...but for this particular matter in this precise season, I will stop striving and practice stillness in His presence. As a result of being still and knowing God, He will be exalted.
Most Joyfully,
Tammy
~~Psalm 46:10-11
Get the kids up for school. Coffee. Get to work on time. More coffee. Teach middle schoolers who are more interested in socializing and talking and texting than they are with sentence structures and editing and literature. Still more coffee. Grading papers, state testing, parents. Grocery lists, grocery shopping, grocery cooking. Baseball games, dance class, prom preparations, graduation announcements...((graduation announcements)). Church on Wednesday, church on Sunday, Bible study, women's ministry. Family time, family talk, family taxi. Grandbabies, girlfriends, good night. {Just to name a few...}
We live...abundantly. Our time and our thoughts are consumed with the present and the next obligation...some even with the past. Lately, God has been impressing upon me that He is about to do something new in my life and ministry. I have been "working" to find what that is. Praying, studying the Word, seeking...beneficial disciplines. However, this weekend, God has brought this Scripture (and two others) to me three times through three different venues.
In church this morning, we hosted a guest evangelist and his wife. Imagine the quickening when - at the end of his message - he invited the people who were struggling with a decision or were at a crossroads to come forward for prayer. I moved to the front of the sanctuary and received their prayers over me, then his wife offered some counsel. To paraphrase, she said, "God will reveal the details to you in a way that you will not mistake it. Stop striving to find your answer." This advice...for this season...resounded in my spirit.
Prayer is beautiful communion with God. Studying the Word strengthens our spirit. Seeking God's will is prudent. Sometimes, though - like God is saying to me now - it is time to be still and know that He is God. In the language that my cluttered mind and stubborn heart understand, He is actually saying, "Sit down and be quiet." This is a much more difficult discipline than praying, studying, and seeking. He wants me (and you) to withdraw to our prayer closet, sink into His presence, relax our minds from external distractions, and quiet our mouths. When we are still in spirit, we will more readily perceive and discern His voice. This, precious sisters, is the springboard for obeying His personal will for our lives. How can we obey what we do not hear?
I am caused to consider an old argument my kids have presented...ohhh...at least 5,000 times. It's a result of selective hearing...you know, when I tell them to do something, they don't do it. As they are being discipled for not doing what they were told, they protest, "I didn't hear you." Well, the fact that they didn't hear me does not negate the fact that I gave the command. They often do not hear because they choose not to listen.
It is often the same way with God: He has revealed this to me in a profound manner this weekend. He has my quiet attention. I will continue to pray, to study, and to seek His will...but for this particular matter in this precise season, I will stop striving and practice stillness in His presence. As a result of being still and knowing God, He will be exalted.
Most Joyfully,
Tammy
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