Friday, February 26, 2010

Yea!......Leviticus?

How often do you read through the book of Leviticus? It's not exactly one of those you turn gingerly to for comfort or are able to reminisce about in lieu of that favorite verse you learned as a child from. Leviticus is a bunch of do's and don'ts: It's a book of laws. Now, I've never asked a lawyer, but I don't even think it gets them excited. Sentimental perhaps, but not giddy.

Why is it so important for us to read today? We live under grace, so why bother with the old laws?

First, we need to realize that we can never appease God with our own abilities. Not only was Leviticus a book to show the Israelites what they must do to reconcile to God for the wrong they do, but it also screamed at them that they were unable to keep even those “appeasements” perfectly. It's a great reminder of how unclean we are in our flesh. Do you realize that the word “unclean” is used 110 times in Leviticus alone? And the word “uncleanness” is used 19 times! No wonder Isaiah fell on his knees before the Lord and cried, “Woe to me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the Ling, the Lord of Hosts.” Isaiah 6:5 We desperately need grace in order to be cleansed. Praise God He made it available to us! “For it is by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8

Another point about Leviticus, which should bring a bit of happiness, is that we don't have to follow those rules! Every time I read them I get tired. Can you imagine trying to follow them? The lack of ulcer medicine alone from stress over keeping them saves me a fortune. This is not to say our actions don't matter, they just don't hinge on it. It's our heart – our motivation – that matters most now, “... because we are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14b) Reading Leviticus should make us want to shout our thanksgiving and praise to Jesus Christ for just part of what He saved us from!

Go read a few chapters today, and every time your mind wanders or gets bogged down praise Him that we live under His marvelous grace!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Godly Friends

God is so good.

Yesterday morning I was blessed to sit around with a group of women who love the Lord as we just talk about Him. We are going through a study but took some time to discuss a few things about how He works and the things He has done in our lives. I particularly loved when I said something that popped in my mind and one of them disagreed! OK, that may not sound wonderful, but she was right. I was focusing on one aspect of a sentence, but when you take the whole thing into account I was a little off. It was a great reminder not to focus on the details and to look at the whole picture. It is a rare and precious find to be with a group of ladies who can love, support, and help grow one another like that. I am blessed!

Do you have a group of believers to sit around with and just talk to God about? If not, try and find one. They can help keep you straight and energized. I truly believe Godly friends are a great gift from God.

Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel.
Proverbs 27:9

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

That Special Someone

OK. We are human, and we are not perfect. I think that is a good thing to remember at all times because it helps keep us humble.

So in regards to that, I'd like to ask you about that special someone in your life. I truly believe we all have one - even though we shouldn't. You know, the person who just rubs you the wrong way. Perhaps you have good reason for them to get under your skin, or it may just be for no reason at all. But for some cause, when they say "hello" you're just sure they meant it the wrong way.

What do you do with that? The feeling and bile that rises within you? Prayer is the first thing that comes to mind, and though it sound easy, it's not. What do we pray for? I'd like to think God meant much of Davidic Scripture like Psalm 35:26. "Let those who rejoice at my misfortune be disgraced and humiliated; let those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and reproach." But read that again. Then I would be rejoicing at their misfortune and they could pray the same about me. That doesn't work.


It's the next two verses that give us clue of how we should pray:
Let those who want my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them continually say, "The Lord be exalted, who wants His servant's well-being." And my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness, Your praise all day long.
Psalm 35:27-28


What if the person who rubs you the wrong way is a Christian and really has nothing against you. It's just that feeling. There are different reasons why that may be. I have found before, after much soul searching, that honestly I was jealous of something. In one instance, it was something that was wrong with me and I was frustrated in seeing that quality which I longed for displayed so beautifully in them. In that case, the jealously I felt spurred me on to developing that quality. It took a lot of prayer and discipline, but now I respect that person greatly and look at them with gratitude: And they never knew it!

Other times you may not be able to discern any particular reason. Just think of it as a lesson from the Lord in how to deal with all the people He loves. I've also used it to thank God profusely because I can imagine I rub Him the wrong way too many times. Yet He still loves me so much! And we should love those He loves- even when it's hard. It helps give us a new respect for what He has to put up with.

Next time someone annoys you in this way - particularly a sibling in Christ - just say a prayer to the Lord asking Him to give you the ability and strength to love them the way He loves you. After all, Jesus even told us in John 13:35, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Who are you known as?

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

W.E.I.R.D.

If you don't utilize it already, I'd like to encourage you to use driving time as God time. Don't call anyone, turn off the music or whatever you have playing, and spend the time talking to and listening to God. Think of yourself as being a captive audience.

Yesterday as I was driving, I told God how I feel like a weird person sometimes. OK, most of the time- and I know many of you who will agree. What's so wrong with that? I felt Him prod. What does it mean to be weird? That got me thinking? In what ways should we be weird? When we have a vibrant, fruitful walk with Jesus Christ, we are called to be different. So why not just except being weird. Of course, I had to come up with an acronym, so I will ask of you today:

Are you W.I.E.R.D?

Are you...
Written in the Book of Life
In the same way, the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels.
Revelation 3:5
Nothing else you do will matter if you have not surrendered your life to Jesus Christ. It is the first and most important thing, and it always will be. Remember who, and whose, you are. 


Involved in the Body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 12, 13, & 14
We are members of a body of believers that can not function well unless all parts of it's body are willing to work. Are you working well in your local body, or do you cause them to seek some pain killers?
So also you - since you are zealous in matters of the spirit, seek to excel in building up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:12


Eternal in Your Perspective?
Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
There is just no adding to that. Either we do it, or we don't.

Reading the Word Regularly
But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Matthew 4:4
He sent His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit.
Psalm 107:20
We can not know what the Lord is directing us to do if we  refuse to listen to the Word that He gave us. We are then no longer w.i.e.r.d.; just odd.


Devoted to the Things of God and Not the Things of Man?
And every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.
Acts 2:46-47
When we plan out our days and schedules, are we asking God first in order to bless and glorify Him, or are we asking Him to bless what we have decided to glorify in?


Take some time to discern what the Lord is telling you today. You must also ask yourself if you are willing to be weird for Him. If not, you might want to go back and double check your standing on W.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Convicted

Ouch.

I love and hate it when the Lord convicts me over something. I love it because 1.) I know He is growing me, and 2.) I'm listening and not ignoring Him. What I don't like, to be very honest, is having to do something about it. Especially when it's hard.

So here's the deal: No more internet at my house. Yea, I said this was an "ouch". It's not that the internet is a bad thing. In fact, I'd love to have it here fully, but I have been using a neighbor's for a few months now. I do have a neighbor that doesn't mind it being used, but I'm not really sure his is the one I've been using and I've never asked permission myself.

The reason I don't have it here at the house is because it would cost us over $60 a month and there is just no way we could afford it. Trust me- I've check every possibility and because of how far out we are that is the cheapest. So, this post is the last I will use of the borrowed. I found out it is illegal. I had no idea! I just thought it was a politeness thing. (I know I'm a bit naive at times...) This means I will have to go into town to do all my posting for this blog. So here is what I'm asking of you...

Pray that I don't miss many days. I really want Everyday With God to be, well... everyday.


Pray that I am able to get my blogging done in the times available to me. I've been feeling the need to schedule more time during the day and this will force that issue.

Pray that I make it into town more often in order to post! (And that my Panera gift card will never run dry: Rather like the woman with the jars of oil and flour... 1 Kings 17:16)

I tell you these things because I want you to be encouraged when the Lord gives you a difficult task that doesn't really seem to make much of a difference. Follow Him in all righteousness. It will be worth it, and you are not alone. Another reason is that I want you to help keep me accountable. I know how weak I am, and I know that we need each other to help keep straight. So call me on it every once in a while. Ask me if I've been behaving in this matter!


We, as Christians, need one another for prayer, support, encouragement, teaching, accountability, and so much more. Today I am asking for your help AND I'm encouraging you to follow through on what the Lord has been convicting you of. Don't rationalize it away. Obey.


And then ask for support!



Sunday, February 21, 2010

Worship

Did you enjoy worshiping with your brothers and sisters in Christ today?

How much did you prepare for it? What did you spend the most time on? Your lesson? Prayer? Clothing?

Did you genuinely get excited last night?

Why do you go to worship with other believers? Could your give a good explanation to a non believer?

What did you get out of the worship experience this morning? Or more importantly what did you put in?


And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25


Your regular gathering with other believers does not have to be a typical Sunday morning. Just make sure you have a time where you come together with a group of fellow believers in order to do just as these verses command. And make sure you come with the right heart, not just the "right" schedule.