God's Chisel - The Skit Guys

Amen.

Being Grateful For Issues

I am so very good at messing things up and making them as difficult as possible!

This morning, I was so excited that I had the opportunity to read my Bible and then write on what the Spirit showed me, but - as so often is the case - that isn't what happened. First, we have the stomach flu at our house again. All evening I was cleaning and disinfecting and even slept on the couch to both stay away from it (Kevin), and be available to the kids if they need me. Needless to say, I didn't wake up well this morning.

After getting Lauren off to school, I sat down to get the computer up and running since it takes a while to start up. (Not too bad, I suppose, but 8 minutes seems an eternity in our instant society, doesn't it?)  But there was a little pop-up in the corner about something being blocked during startup. That was my demise: I tried to fix it. FYI, if you don't know what you are doing with computers and there isn't someone living in your house who can fix your mistakes, don't click APPLY...


One little click took me two hours to figure out. Oh sure, it offered me all kinds of help options, but I had somehow disabled them all. There was the option of online help, but I had disabled the internet as well. How about calling technical support? I figured I'd just look it up.... online. Oh, yea. There is a drummer at our church who works at Dell in customer support and occasionally has "Chat Interaction of The Day..." on Facebook with stupid questions from customers. I just knew I was next.

I finally figured out enough to get the computer up and running, but I have somehow managed to take that 8 minute start up time to about 15. It's a skill...

So what does this have to do with God? Everything.

1. I did a lot a praying, 
2. I practiced patience, 
3. I realized how very little I know, 
4. I discovered a new appreciation for all that my computer has to start up in the 8, I mean 15, minutes it is starting up, 
5. I was reminded of the benefits of persistence even in seemingly overwhelming odds, 
6. and I remembered how important it is to have someone you can turn to if you get stuck. -Yea, David, I was about to call you :)

All these things are life principles, but they are also God's principles:

1. Praying? We always seem to run to God- as we should. Even those who don't "believe" when things get desperate enough. James 5:16
2. Patience is the fruit a long time in ripening, but I got a little closer today. Proverbs 16:32
3. It's always good to remember we don't know as much as we think we do. It keeps up humble before God. Job 38-40
4. Sometimes we just don't know why a person is behaving in a certain way. We don't know what they are experiencing, but God does, thus it is a good thing that He is our judge and not each other. Isaiah 11:3-4
5. We are often called to persevere in a hostile world: A world offended by the Gospel, but He is Faithful and True, and that's what counts. 1 Timothy 4:16
6. Thank God for my brothers and sisters in Christ I can go to for prayer, support, and teaching! Hebrews 3:13

I truly believe God can teach us anywhere and through anything as long as we remain in His Word regularly. That is what this blog is about. How well He reminded me of that this morning!

The ONE Who Points It Out

Matthew 13:13-14, 16-17

Waiting

Today is a day of waiting.

I'm waiting to meet some friends, waiting to get the internet at my house tomorrow (yea!), waiting for a Dr. appointment Friday, waiting to finish studying for my lesson tomorrow until the kids go to bed, and so on...

Psalm 27:14 tells us, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the Lord."
Romans 8:22-25 instructs with life-long waiting not only for us, but for all creation: "...For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits - we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience."
I love those verses. Honestly, how often to we wait eagerly with patience? Eager and patience almost seem opposite to us. These are a great reminder.

What do you do while waiting? Can you say you have eager patience? I'm learning it- and it is not an easy lesson! But so worth it. What we must realize is that eager waiting does not necessarily mean idleness, but neither does it mean busyness. It is a balance.

What is the right balance? Read Scripture and pray a lot. He'll let you know, for yours will be different from mine. Seek Him and He will direct you: He promises. (Jeremiah 29:14) And He always keeps His promises. (Hebrews 10:23)

Bit or Bareback?

Psalms is one of those books I use to enjoy once in a blue moon, but seldom turned to with excitement. I'm not really sure why. But the Lord has changed that in the last few months. I have come to appreciate it so much more. The Scripture I read this morning describes well the season of life I'm in.

I will instruct you and show you the way you should go; 
with My eye on you, I will give counsel.
Do not be like a horse or mule,
without understanding,
that must be controlled with a bit and bridle,
or else it will not come near you.
Psalm 32:8-9


Years ago when I was in the 6th grade, I took horseback riding lessons. I got to the point where I was learning to ride bareback and control the animal with the pressure of my knees. I absolutely loved the freedom of riding that way and I believe my Morgan horse did too.

As I read this Scripture in Psalm, I realized that the Lord is also training me to respond to the gentle nudging He gives me in life. It's a long and difficult training process, but well worth it in the end. And oh, the extra freedom! He desires us to run to Him without having to be pulled to Him by the bit (trial) placed in our mouth. Then, as that becomes second nature, He merely needs to instruct us the way to go. This is not to say we won't face trails anymore, but that the reasoning behind them changes from discipline to allowing us to show off His glory immediately.

Once we have learned to trust Him fully and follow Him commands, we need only to look at Him and discern His instruction for us. That is what I long for. That is the process that I am in right now. Training not to be "without understanding".

Peanuts and Sin

I love how God can remind you of His Holiness in the mundane things of life.

The other day I was cleaning up in the kitchen and noticed a small Tupperware with a few leftover pieces of popcorn and a handful of peanuts from the kid's snack the day before. It was enough I didn't want to waste them by throwing it away so I asked my husband Kevin if he would finish it off so I could wash the container. Besides, I call him my human garbage disposal for a reason.

After eating it he started joking with me that I had given those to him on purpose so he couldn't kiss me since I'm so allergic to peanuts. I told him I had never thought of that and would make sure to remember that little trick for next time, but he just laughed and said, “That's what they make toothpaste and mouthwash for!”

That's when I started thinking. Sin can not dwell before God, rather like I can't have peanuts too close to me. It separates us from a close fellowship with Him just like peanuts do between my husband and I. But we have available to us some toothpaste and mouthwash to remedy the situation: Grace and forgiveness! Remember though, just because we purchased it and it sits in our house does not mean we are actively using it. We must “brush” regularly.

Take some time today to brush (remember the grace given to us and thank Him for it), rinse (ask for forgiveness and forgive those who have hurt us), and then come into a close fellowship with the Father.

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!

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

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?

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.

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!

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.

Biblically Inspired Rabbit Trails

Have you ever taken the time to stop when your reading the Bible and question it? I'm not talking about its truth, but why something is there. That happened to me yesterday when in Leviticus. (If you've never done it you should. It really helps to bring Biblical peoples and times to life.) I was reading about the animals the Lord deemed clean or unclean for eating in chapter 11, and was struck by something for the first time. We know all about the unclean pigs, and that goats, sheep and such were acceptable. But have you ever wondered at why the Lord made sure they knew it was OK to eat locusts, katydids, crickets, and grasshoppers? (Leviticus 11:22) I mean seriously- were they that hungry?

I've always accepted the fact the John the Baptist ate nothing but locusts and wild honey while dressed in camel skins (Matthew 3:4), but I always saw him as a bit exotic. So I started thinking: Just how common was it to eat locusts? I mean, are there any recipes? Well, yes. Yes there are. So today I will give you some of the ones I found just in case you decide to mark it off your bucket list the next time a swarm comes your way. Enjoy! Or shall I say bon appetit!


The following recipes were found on jewlicious.com:

Tinjiya (Tswana recipe): remove the wings and hindlegs of the locusts, and boil in a little water until soft. Add salt, if desired, and a little fat and fry until brown. Serve with cooked, dried mealies (corn).

Sikonyane (Swazi recipe): prepare embers and roast the whole locust on the embers. Remove head, wings, and legs, in other words, only the breast part is eaten. The South Sotho people use locusts especially as food for travellers. The heads and last joint of the hindlegs are broken off and the rest laid on the coals to roast. The roasted locusts are ground on a grinding stone to a fine powder. This powder can be kept for long periods of time and is taken along on a journey. Dried locusts are also prepared for the winter months. The legs, when dried, are especially relished for their pleasant taste.

Cambodia: take several dozen locust adults, preferably females, slit the abdomen lengthwise and stuff a peanut inside. Then lightly grill the locusts in a wok or hot frying pan, adding a little oil and salt to taste. Be careful not to overcook or burn them.

Barbecue (grilled): prepare the embers or charcoal. Place about one dozen locusts on a skewer, stabbing each through the centre of the abdomen. If you only want to eat the abdomen, then you may want to take off the legs or wings either before or after cooking. Several skewers of locusts may be required for each person. Place the skewers above the hot embers and grill while turning continuously to avoid burning the locusts until they become golden brown.

The Chicken Or The Egg?

I love how the Lord works. One of the verses that has been coming to mind for no apparent reason just happened to be in my devotional reading yesterday.

Then He told them, "The Sabbath was made for man and not the man for the Sabbath"...

Mark 2:27

It made me start thinking: How does that apply to us today? What are some of the ways that we have made the laws, or our religion, our master instead of it being there for our benefit? I know there have been times in my life where my quiet time with the Lord has become that way. I've become a slave to it instead of doing it out of love and devotion to my true Master, the Lord. Now, this isn't to say that doing my devotions when I don't feel like it is wrong. What Jesus was asking was a deeper issue: Where does your heart lie in this matter?

Take some time as you go throughout your day, or week, to discover where your heart is in relationship with the Lord and the things of Him. Ask Him to search your heart- to test you- see if there is any offense which needs be corrected in order to be lead on the right paths. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Pop Tests

Be careful of the advise you give: You may soon have to follow it.

The Lord has been teaching me quite a few lessons lately, so I beg your indulgence as I get through this time. Much of it has not been able to put into words, so I haven't talked about it here. Just know that I'm in "class" full time with Him and as I take these pop quizzes He seems so fond if, I may digress and/or not have much of me on here. That may be a very good thing...

One of the challenges I have been facing currently stems from some advise the Lord had me give someone very dear to me. I know that what I told her was not easy, but I believe with all my heart that the Lord says it is the best way to handle the situation. You just can't go wrong with the Bible- the Word of God. So now that I have claimed it will work with her, the Lord has seen fit for me to test that on myself. Ouch. Yes, it will work: My God is Faithful and True. But it is not easy. I know..., who ever said it would be?

I covet your prayers right now. And I thank you. May you be as blessed in this ministry you can do for me, as I have been by you all in the past by your words of encouragement and love.

Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
Revelation 19:11


How reassuring to know He's fighting for me...