Do It Afraid

Multiple times we read in the bible, “Do not be afraid." Afraid of people. Afraid of circumstances. Afraid of what people will say and do. Each instruction speaks to the fear – yet – continues with instruction. Sometimes we must “Do it afraid!”  Stepping out in faith does not mean there is not some level of fear. Apprehension. Pause. We cannot, must not allow fear to paralyze us. To Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Elijah, "Do not be afraid." Hezekiah "He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him (2 Ki 18:6) Yet it was told him "Do not be afraid" (19:6). And to Daniel "Do not be afraid." (10:12).  And Stephen giving his speech, (Acts 7) I’m sure his heart was racing.  Were they men of faith?  Yes.  They did it afraid, in and through the fear.  Do it afraid.

 

Quietly

"Let all that I am wait QUIETLY..." Wow, what a challenge. If you are like me, I tend to always be fiddling with stuff. Crackling - noisy stuff. Stuff that is full of complaint and self focused. Yes, I am noisy. May I lay it all down and come to God empty handed (best plan for a noise-less encounter). Quietly.

 

Guarding

30 Second Bible Study: "Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Pro 4:23, NIV). Besides, paying close attention and learning good judgment and not losing sight of wisdom, (context of the Proverb) we are to guard, we are to protect our heart. Our heart (our inner man; our mind, will and emotions) is vulnerable. It HAS to be protected. Guarding is a God quality, "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble..." (Ps 32:7a) And not to mention, (but I will, because I NEED it) “Set a guard, O LORD over my mouth, keep watch over the doors of my lips." (Ps 141:3). Guarding and protecting is a shared responsibility, God does His part and WE do ours. Guarding.

 

Your Listing

 

Esther 'sacrificed' - she went before the king to speak on behalf of her people without an invitation (punishable by death) she survived and the King granted her request. Ruth 'loved' her mom in law and followed her to a new country, people, God and found Boaz (King David's great-grandparents). Martha 'served' those who studied at Jesus' feet. Hannah 'prayed' for a child and believed God to provide (thus Samuel). Mary 'believed' the angel and summitted her will to being Jesus' mom. Miriam 'danced' and lead others in worship as they left Egypt and escaped the Egyptian army.

What will be YOUR listing...

Write It Out

 

When studying a portion of scripture (Or a book of the bible) what better way to ponder the words than reading and writing. Keep an "It is written" journal. Write it out word for word. AND, if you write it in cursive, it may be 'code' for future days.   The kings of Israel were commissioned to "write for himself on a scroll a copy of the law." (Deut 17:18).  Write it out.

Consuming Fire

 

"The Lord is a Consuming Fire ("Esh Oklah" in Hebrew, Deut 4:23-24) who will ultimately destroy whatever is opposed to His holiness. He is also a Jealous God, who loves us completely and who, therefore, demands our wholehearted response. If we love Him, we can be confident of His mercy, and our own zeal will make us jealous for God's honor and glory." (Excerpt from my morning devotional, "Praying the Name of God" by Ann Spangler). In our current culture we raise & wave the banner of God's love, which is SO worthy to do so. But we often forget our God is so HOLY. May we echo the Pastors' words in Hebrews; "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." (12:28-29). In reverence and awe.

Recognizing Him

 

30 SECOND BIBLE STUDY: Luke 24 (following the resurrection) - Jesus walks with two disciples on the road to Emmaus, they were (divinely) kept from recognizing Jesus (For a time / for a purpose). Once in the home of the disciples, "As they sat down to eat, He (Jesus) took the bread and blessed it. Then He broke it and gave it to them." (v30) Continuing, "Suddenly, their eyes were opened and they recognized Him..." (v31). It was NOT the custom that the guest would serve the bread, but Jesus did. (COULD IT BE) as He pulled up the sleeves of His cloak, they saw the nail prints on His wrists! THERE! Do you see it! (Divinely seeing) recognizing Jesus! May we too be aware and see what He puts in front of us, recognizing Him. (Point to Ponder). Happy mid-week or for some of us, Happy 2,435 day of 2020.

The Trees of Our Life

 

What a beautiful analogy of God's provision. Even as the words came to those in exile, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jer. 29:11, NLT). The same principle was true for Zacchaeus - God gave him a foot up. His plans for YOU are set, implemented and in process. May we look for, appreciate and be thankful for the 'trees' in our life. (Image credit: Unknown, but fabulous).

Fascinating

Fascinating: God is referred to primarily as "LORD God" in Gen 2, then opening in Chapter 3. But, Eve following the example of the serpent, in their conversation, does not (will not) call Him LORD (YHWH - known as the covenant name of God). They refer to Him only as God (Elohim, which is great, but in this context minimizes Him). What an example to us. The enemy of our soul will attempt to get US to minimize our God as well. Make Him less than He is - attempt to remove covenant.  We will NOT conform to such a thing!

Stand Still

Theologian Blaise Pascal wrote in 1660, "Hence it comes that men so love noise and movement." (OH, in the 1600's THAT was NOTHING!) We know NOISE and MOVEMENT these days. To Job was said, "Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God." (37:14). Stand up, stand still in order to hear better and in reverence of what might be said; and with silence, that it might be the better received and understood.  May we too take pause, stand still - tune out the noise and consider God!

The Valley

This week at Bible study, we are looking at Psalm 23:4. David writes of walking “through the darkest valley.”

Valley.

Isn't it interesting, that we strive for the mountain tops, but once there, we turn and gaze back down at the now declared 'beautiful' valley below? Charles Spurgeon said, "We find that most men confess that God is God of the hills, but they forget that He is also Lord of the valleys." Even though we long for the mountain tops, there is beauty in the valley. It is THERE that the waters flow down to. It is from the valley that we can only look up.

Valleys are to be explored (Deut. 1, spies come back with good report). They are a place to wage war (1 Sam. 17, David & Goliath). Valleys are for freshwater (Gen. 26, Isaac's servants dig 3 prosperous wells). A valley is a place of rebuilding (2 Chron. 33 Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall). There is victory in the valley (Judges 6 & 7 Gideon over the Midianites, 2 Sam. 8 David’s victories). Valleys mark boundary lines (Joshua 18, division of the land). Valleys are a place for dwelling (Gen. 26:17).

Valleys are not to be feared, or just to be admired from the mountain top; life basically happens in the valley. May we not always be looking beyond our valley but learning and exploring and thriving in the valley.

Be the Sermon

Often, Jesus would sit on a hill and preach His word, but most often He would be the sermon. Servanthood.  May we follow His example. Be the sermon.

God is SOVEREIGN

God is Sovereign. Theologian A.W. Tozer wrote: “God’s sovereignty is the attribute by which He rules His entire creation.” [The Knowledge of the Holy]. To do so, God is All-Knowing, All-Powerful, All-Present and absolutely free to execute His will and carry out His eternal purposes. God IS authority over ALL. He, on His throne of the Universe, is subject to none. As Arthur W. Pink wrote, “God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases.” None can thwart Him; none can hinder Him. And God said of Himself, “I am God, and there is none like me, who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred, who says, ‘My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire.” (Is. 46:9a-10, NET). Hang in there folks – God’s got this!

Freedom

Freedom. A most precious thing. Not only do we celebrate our country's independence, but we are obligated again to look at God's freedom. Jesus said, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (Jn 8:36, NIV). FREE! Because of Jesus, we are free from sin and its penalty. We are free from restraints, we are 'unfettered' - a word not used today but holds great promise. A fetter was a shackle or chain around the foot, being unfettered means - once released, now capable of movement. Peter wrote, "Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules." ( 1 Pet 2:16, MSG). It paints the picture of an animal once tied up, with limited movement, and is finally freed, released from its chains, but runs wild and runs through the rose garden tearing everything up. May our freedom be used wisely. As Paul wrote, "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." (Gal 5:13, NLT) Freedom for us! Freedom to share love with others.

Opened Windows

30 SECOND SCRIPTURE ENCOURAGEMENT: Ever feel those moments when life circumstances seem to hold you captive?  Daniel of the Bible was up against such moments. Bad, conspiring, and long, day in - day out moments. Yet DAILY he went to his room “where the windows opened toward Jerusalem” and he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God (Daniel 6:10). Don’t you love the detail of scripture? It could have just read, “Daniel went home and prayed.”  But it speaks of opened windows. God too will provide open windows for us.  Windows giving us refreshment and a view of promise.  And just like Daniel, we will find them when we are heading to HIM!  Look for the detail of God in your life.

Voluntarily Lifting

This week in our women’s study we looked at King David’s Psalm 23:2, “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” We were taken to Matthew 11:28-30, paralleling 'leading and surrendering' principles. “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take My yoke
upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you
will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT). Additional yoking notes: When fitting the ox with the yoke, it is BEST that the ox raises its head up into the yoke for the most comfortable and easy fit. This comes with time and trust, that the animal is willing to voluntarily lift their head to the master. If the yoke is forced down, the fit could cause irritation, causing the ox to lean, favoring one side, and not working with partnered ox at full potential. Jesus says, "Take My yoke... for My yoke is easy to bear." May we rise up into His yoke and allow His ‘making’ and ‘leading’.

He helps me do what honors Him the most

"He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors Him the most." (Psalm 23:3, paraphrased - The Living Bible).  I love the simplicity.  God not only commands, but He helps! Have a God-leadeth and helps to honor, day.

He is

I am noticing something. Anyone else? As I study the Attributes of God, I am having to go further back. Back a few years to some of the old theologians (i.e. Tozer, Pink, Murray, Spurgeon, Chambers) to get PAST... us. In today's current society - it is all about us. How God affects us. And He does, blessedly so. But can we stop and take a true 'Selah' (Hang it up for a moment) and just take in how sovereign God is. How HOLY He is. How powerful He is. BEFORE we start with the list of how cool it is that "I am now..." > He is.

Coram Deo

We've heard the phrase 'Carpe Diem' (Latin for 'Seize the day') invoking excitement, energy - conveying a battle cry of sorts. Yet I would offer - 'Coram Deo', it too is Latin. It basically means "Before the face of God." I cannot imagine what my life would look like if I considered this prior to beginning each day, each conversation, each action. Making myself aware that whatever I am doing (reading, watching, listening to) wherever I am going and how I am acting is under the gaze of God. Not with the mindset, "OH, better not - God is watching" - but the heart attitude of being so profoundly aware of His sovereignty, that I live my life under the authority of God - to the glory of God. "Coram Deo!"

Wise Indeed

30 SECOND BIBLE STUDY: 1 Kings 4, speaks of Solomon being stinkin wise. Then it lists those he was wiser than. In this list: 'Ethan the Ezrahite'. Can you imagine going down in permanent ink history, basically being said of you, “not so wise guy.”   Some might say, overshadowed by another. BUT. Scholars believe Psalm 89 is attributed to this same Ethan the Ezrahite. He writes of God's steadfast love & faithfulness of covenant, with strong worship-filled words, "I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth, I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations.  I will declare that Your love stands firm forever.” (vv1-2). Overshadowed? No! He sings.  He declares.  Wise indeed! Happy Wednesday.

YOU!

"O God, thou art my God; EARLY will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee..." – King David, Psalm 63:1 (emphasis mine). I love the Psalms. So poetic. So HONEST! David starts this song with the echo of divine passionate longing, “O God, thou art my God!”  He then states ‘early’ I seek thee. This early isn't just a time frame mentioned, but a declaration of discipline. Literally, David is saying, EARNESTLY I will seek YOU! Painstakingly I will set aside all things and YOU will be my focus. My ‘in the moment – first thing’ before I take off running... YOU! May we too make it a 'YOU' day! 

How often do we burst forth in excitement when we are thrilled and easily applaud performers, sports figures, musicians, and actors.  But in church? YES! Wait!  What?  Psalm 47:1 "Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise!" Why urge people to clap and shout to God? Because "…the LORD, the Most High is awesome, a great King over all the earth." (v2).  It is an ancient traditional symbol of royal acceptance within a coronation ceremony. We find this in 2 Kings 11, the coronation of Joash. They brought out, “the king’s son, placed the crown on his head and presented him with a copy of God’s laws. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”  (v12).  Doing so, shows approval, agreement, and recognition. The next time we are in church (YAY!) and clapping during worship, remember you are giving physical recognition to ROYAL SOVEREIGNTY. King Jesus.

Pager-Turner

Remember when the Israelites were fearful to enter the Promised Land, “But the people there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.”  AND, there are all kinds of ‘ites’ living there. (Numbers 13-14). Just keep turning the pages folks. Joshua chapter 2, (105 pages later) it turns out the people beyond them, on the other side,  were more fear-filled, “I (Rahab) know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.” (v9). They heard about the Israelites and their God. The Israelites do crossover and one of those very large cities, well, the walls just fell down! (Kinda). May we walk courageously against who and what fears us more.   Our life is like a book, just keep turning the pages, because God says, “I will be with you!”  Be a page-turner.

Refuse It Not

WORD of the DAY: Para (Hebrew). Solomon shares, "Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not." (Prov 8:33). Refuse or ignore and neglect in the Hebrew is the same word used to describe the scene when Moses came down off the Mt and the folks were running wild (para) around the golden calf. (Ex. 32:25). CHAOS was the result. Having and responding to the revelation of God keeps us out of trouble. Hear instruction and be wise, refuse it not!   Or…

A Complex, Interwoven Plot

Our storybook Bibles and Sunday school flannelgraphs divide the bible into short easy to understand morality lessons, (which are GREAT).  However, we assume that's how we should read the bible as adults. But it's actually not meant to be a collection of simple children's stories. It's the story of God from start to finish - a sophisticated, epic saga and throw in man and there ya go - a complex, interwoven plot. Keep reading.

Changing

"He (God) CHANGES the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings..." (Daniel 2:21, emphasis mine). Daniel prayed for God’s revelation to interpret the king's dream and He answered. Daniel responds, God is sovereign and controls all. He changes, removes and raises up.

God does not merely do a quick overlay, laying the new season over the old. He divinely removes and brings in the different, the new. Like changing our clothes, we don't just add to what we are already wearing, we take off and put on. God doesn't want us in a state of mixed multi-layered. He wants fresh - new. May we allow Him to sovereignly change our seasons, break off the old to put on the new. What season are we begrudgingly holding on to?

If

Details.  "IF you make the Most High your dwelling ... THEN no harm will befall you...BECAUSE he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name." Psalm 91:9-10,14 (emphasis mine). I SO appreciate the 'IFs' of the Bible. We must take notice of their presence. Then step back slightly to see the context and look for the response. There is ALWAYS more to the IF. "If you are telling the truth ... If you make an altar of stone...If you do not obey...If you turn away...If you go with me...If you are afraid...If He calls you...If you fear the Lord...If you hear His voice...If you love those who love you...If you do not forgive men...If I only touch His cloak...If You are willing...Lord, if it’s You...If you have faith." Just to name of few of the 1780+ times IF is mentioned in scripture.  Taking notice of the detailed God story.

Grasping Strong

WORD of the Day: Strong. As found in Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and of good courage..." The word strong means: 'take hold of, to seize,' painting the word picture - to grasp. One who is strong is full of 'grasp'. The future warrior King, David was full of grasp. “So, David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone and struck the Philistine and killed him.” (1 Sam. 17:50a, emphasis mine). The word prevailed is our grasp. David took hold of his sling, using it, struck that giant dead!  It is OUR responsibility to reach, and grasp! Grasping with a firm and heavy grip. And hold on TIGHT “For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (2nd half of Joshua 1:9).  Can you imagine the damage we could do if we grasped together!  Strong.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Paul to the Christians in Galatia, emphasis mine, Galatians 6:9).  This verse is placed in the context of doing good and supporting one another. The word Paul uses for ‘weary’ is fascinating, it can be rendered, fainthearted. Yet it also means, ‘to loosen, or slack’. Conveying the image of one taking a stance, holding a warrior’s bow. The arrow is positioned and aimed. The bow is pulled back tight. The warrior is alert and ready. Then.  She ‘slackens’ the pull, (becomes weary). The arrow will no longer be catapulted, propelled forward. With her bow slackened, she is left vulnerable, fainthearted.  Paul shares - don’t lose heart! Don’t reduce your courage. Don’t loosen your pull!  Keep on going, do good, “at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (NLT). If we’re tired, growing weary and ready to loosen the slack in our bow. DO NOT! Because, dear sister, there is GOOD God stuff on the other end. In the context of community, our stance, our holding tight - it’s not for us alone.

Word of the Day: STRENGTH! "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deut. 6:4,5). The word in Hebrew for strength or might is 'meod.' (pronounced, 'meh-ode'). One scholar defines it as loving God with 'muchness!' We are to put forth EXCEEDINGLY great effort into loving God 'very very much.' Where do we stop in our loving God? Do we slow down when it begins to be uncomfortable or inconvenient or unpopular? Loving God pass the stuff, further still, giving ALL we have! Strength.

"Then he (young David) took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:40). David chose 5 specific stones; it wasn’t a quick bend and grab; it was a deliberate-purposeful choosing. And why five stones? Did he think it would take that many to drop Goliath? Some scholars believe Goliath may have had brothers, notably 4 brothers (see 2 Samuel 21 & 1 Chron. 20:5). That is why David took 5 stones, one for Goliath (and understanding brothers) 4 more in case the brothers broke the enemy line. Always good to have a plan – a battle plan. Paul wrote, "Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil." (Eph 6:11, NLT). Warrior wardrobe (helmet, breastplate, belt, and shoes) and battle hand gear (shield and sword). What are we wearing? What is in our hands? The enemy has a strategy, do we?

The Boy Who Ran

The Giant story: We usually see just the two of them facing off (Goliath & David) yet there was a 3rd person out there. (WAIT! WHAT?) Goliath’s shield-bearer whom Goliath was standing behind (1 Samuel 17:7,41). Not so tough now big guy! When David steps forward to fight, Goliath mocks him about being just a boy and coming at him with a stick. Yet Goliath doesn’t change his stance. He doesn’t drop any weapons. He doesn’t take off any shielding or send the shield-bearer away. This so-called champion was still concerned. And rightly so! That boy who RAN towards him, was the future warrior-king (and killed him and cut off his head). Sometimes our giants are deemed bigger and badder than they really are. In reality, (as we would say) "they’re not all that!" We are to direct our attention to the truth of God and not allow unhealthy thoughts, fears or perceptions to take us captive. The wise words of Paul, "We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ." (paraphrased, 2 Cor. 10:5 - The Message). Smashing and tearing down – the true giant story.

Good to know...

Fascinating! I'm doing an online James study with the gals (since we're in this 'stay home - save lives' mode). The name James is the NT Greek form of the Hebrew name, 'Jacob' - which means 'Supplanter.' As we've learned in Sunday school as 'heel-holder or grabber'.  But there's more! It means, 'one who follows'.  As we're learning about James, (the 1/2 brother of Jesus), he confidently, yet humbly came after - as a servant of his Lord & Savior! Always good to know the author.

Except vs Fully

The Israelites were instructed to demolish the high places (social shrines dedicated to a god) as they entered the Promised Land. (Nu. 33:52; Deut. 12:2-3). Sometime later... "Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, EXCEPT he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places." (1 Kings 3:3, emphasis mine). Except. That 'except' eventually lead him astray (along with his love for women). 1 Kings 11, eight chapters later, "Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not follow the LORD fully, as David his father had done. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab." (vv6-7a).

Except versus fully.

Father help us to see, acknowledge and demolish the except in our life and not walk according to what we deem ok.

Detail

Wait! WHAT? Detail of scripture. Many give Thomas a rough time, singling him out from the other disciples because he wanted to see Jesus’ hands and side. However. We fail to note, that the others had already seen Jesus, “He showed them His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” (John 20:20). Thomas wasn’t there. We may not know the whole conversation the disciples had with Thomas. Perhaps, (just an observation) their seeing Jesus’ hands and side, triggered their belief - “We have seen the Lord!” When Jesus appeared again to them (Thomas included this time) He offered His hands and side to Thomas (v27) the others had already seen. Jesus knew, knew the men, each one of them.