Where Your Heart Is

Forgive me for not posting "every day" any more. I think of little posts every once in a while, but obviously haven't been putting them down. I plan to write something on occasion, but God's been moving me in a new time consuming direction, and I'm good with that. That's part of living every day with God: The ability to change and adapt to where the Spirit guides you to best glorify Jesus Christ.

I want to tell you about an image that is forever seared in my mind... My husband and I were in Dublin, Ireland the first week of October and loved every moment! We are truly beginning to love the people of that area. As we were exploring the DART line north, we came to Malahide where beautiful Malahide Castle is located on 250 acres. While wandering the park in the late afternoon, we came to a line of toilets on the side of a lush field. There, not 20 feet away, were three men bowing, and worshiping toward Mecca.
This is what I saw: God's creation was showing off all around, from the cool breeze to the multitude of flowers and ancient trees illuminate by the setting sun, while these three men were bowed down in worship facing the toilets.

How often do we ignore God and bow down to the things we love best instead? Putting them first is no different than bowing to toilets: It amounts to the same thing.

I've been meditating on Matthew 6:19-21 for the last week asking God to reveal to me what my treasure truly is.

 "Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, 

where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  

But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, 

where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal.

 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I encourage you to do the same. Psalm 139: 23-24 
Why, oh why, worship toilets when there's such beauty God created for you all around?

Healthy Fear?

Isn't it funny that when we see people who are really good at doing something - whether it be a talent, job, or an amazing ability - we tend to feel "less". Especially if we share a passion or are in the same field.

While we desperately long to be near in order learn something new, or desire for them to acknowledge some of our work, there is that other nagging fear that they are going to look upon our effort as a child's finger painting. It's a push/pull feeling: Like standing in a riptide while bing hit by a wave.

That sensation's a'kin to a healthy fear of God.

"The fear" of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10

The phrase "Fear" confuses most. MyStudyBible.com gives us a hint as to what this word truly conveys: "No single English word conveys every aspect of the word fear in this phrase. The meaning includes worshipful submission, reverential awe, and obedient respect to the covenant-keeping God of Israel."


We desperately long to draw near to Him, but are afraid of what He might say. We want Him to be pleased with our efforts, yet know how flawed we are and that He can do so much more. We are pulled to God, knowing we need Christ more than anything, but often are terrified of something: Whether it be His Holiness, confronting our own sin nature through Him, having to possible give up what we love, or any number of sacrificial things.

Proverbs 9:10 tells us that when we have this healthy "fear", it is the beginning of wisdom. The next phrase says that "knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Guess what? There is a sure-fire way to gain this knowledge: Read the Bible. In fact, let me guide you to a great passage to start with- Matthew 6:25-34

.... But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (vs 33-34)

What Fault Did You Find?

God asked me a very interesting question today from the book of Jeremiah:

"Here is what the Lord says:
   What fault did your fathers find in Me 
   that they went so far from Me, 
   followed worthless idols, 
   and became worthless themselves?"
Jeremiah 2:5

What fault do we find in Him that leads us to go astray? The answer is, None.  There is no fault in our God, the Creator of all things. Therefore, the fault must lie in us. The sinful nature now born in each and every human being, turns us from Him. How interesting that our soul which longs so desperately for Him is at constant war with the sinful flesh which can not stand to be in the presence of His holiness. (James 4:1-7)

I am reminded today that every time I find I've been following anything other than God, it is worthless. "Repent!", I am reminded. Otherwise I will become as worthless as they.

"Don't collect for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.... No one can be a slave of two masters, since he will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can not be slaves of God and money."
Matthew 6:19-21, 24

How Do We Love?

How do you show the love of Christ to the lost?

Think about what Jesus did. He ate with, walked with, and had extreme patience in dealing with the sinners of His time. Christ knew how to love them where they were while never sacrificing the message of the Gospel: We are all sinners deserving of death and condemnation, but placing our lives and faith in Jesus Christ who endured God's wrath as a substitute for us, will cleanse us for eternity.
How do we communicate that?

We have all heard the Lord's Prayer: "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." But do you know what the very next thing Jesus said to the disciples who had asked him to teach them how to pray? "For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don't forgive people, Your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing." Matthew 6:14-15 (Mark 11:25-26)

We must remember sin is sin; wrong is wrong; and truth is truth. It doesn't matter what we have done or what has been done to us- God can forgive all, and we are called to do the same. Please hear me that forgiving someone does not mean placing yourself in harms way. Even Jesus told his disciples, "Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be shrewd as serpents and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16

So the question I ask of you today is how do you be shrewd, harmless, bearers of the love of Jesus Christ?

Forget "Be Happy", I'm Thrilled To Get "Don't Worry"!

I've been experiencing a wonderful sensation lately: Lack of worry. Aka- peace. Typically this is the most stressful time of the year for our family. At least for the last seven years. There are many legitimate concerns we have January through April, and stress always accompanies it. This year is no different: Same circumstances, same needs, same time frame. Yet, there is one big difference this year. I'm just not concerned.

I think Matthew 6:25-34 has finally sunk in.

"This is why I tell you: Don't worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing?....But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore, don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25, 33-34

For the first time I can say that I'm starting to truly practice that. I don't know if I could have in any other situation than the one we are in.

Thank you Father for taking whatever means necessary to help us truly understand Your Word. Thank you for blessing me so.

The Tools of Satan- Part 3 of 3: Fear/Anxiety

The Future: Fear/Anxiety

Phobophobia: The fear of phobias/being afraid.

It is absolutely amazing what and how many things we can be afraid of.
When Satan isn't getting much of anywhere with condemning or tempting us, I believe he begins to prey on the “what ifs...”. In fact, the fear of what might happen can become so severe that we miss the blessings and opportunities God has for us. That is exactly what Satan is hoping for- Missed glory for God.

The Cure: Faith

“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 These are all future things. We are to just believe it. Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” He had been telling them not to worry, “...you of little faith” (v.30). This is much easier said than done, I know, but it is the only thing to be done. You don't want to be afraid? You don't want to be overly anxious? Just have faith: Trust completely in God to work all things for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)

Are you still worried or fearful about things? It's OK to pray to God and ask Him to increase your faith. Pray with me today from Mark 9:24 and Luke 17:5 “Immediately the father of the boy cried out, 'I do believe! Help my unbelief.'” and “The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith'”

Daily Chaos

I've found there is a difference in the way I handle life recently.

Whenever unexpected things came up, I use to trudge along like as if I were wading through a swampy thicket. I knew the Lord would get me through the day, but every step was difficult. As the different trials would pop up, I would wrap myself in the chains of "concern" (I knew I wasn't suppose to worry, so I told myself it was concern). I longed for bedtime so I could wake up to a new day!

Lately, however, instead of plodding along, I find myself gliding. How curious to sail along on the hardness of life by the lubrication of faith!

Now, I find myself looking forward to seeing how God will work it all out. As each roadblock springs up before me, I looked expectantly towards my God to show off His mighty power. What relief!

Matthew 6:25-34 "This is why I tell you: Don't worry about your life..."

Dandelion Fluff

My kids caught a lizard the other day and decided it was their pet. Of course, this new little guy needed a bed to get comfortable in, so they went around the yard and collected all the dandelion seeds they could find in a bucket. As they proudly showed me their hard work, all I could see was a bucket full of weed spawn. True, it did look nice and soft, but I knew those seeds for what they truly were: yard wreckers!
As I stood there staring down into bucket, I began to wonder if my life reflected those seeds at all. Do many of the little actions and things I do look good, feel soft, and seem fun? (What kid doesn't love to blow dandelion seeds?) Though they have the appearance of religion and love, are they really nothing but weeds? Or am I sowing something of worth? Is my heart tuned in more on the things of the world, or of the Spirit?
“Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Is your treasure in heaven, or is it dandelion fluff?