Be Careful

Shout against her on every side! She surrenders, her towers fall, her walls are torn down. Since this is the vengeance of the LORD, take vengeance on her; do to her as she has done to others. Jeremiah 50:15 (New International Version)

Often times, God would use other nations in the process of Israel experiencing the painful consequences of their rebellion against Him. Even in times of correction, God’s intent was that Israel would do an about face and return to Him. To go His way instead of their way. When Babylon was used as a part of God’s correction, however, they took great delight in harshness and cruelty toward God’s chosen people. Little did they know or care that their actions would also be judged by the very One who put them in such a position. Think how different their story would have been had they shown mercy, grace, and love to their captures while they were in their domain.

For any who find themselves in a position of correcting, disciplining, punishing, or penalizing others, be careful how you treat those individuals. It is imperative to remember that although you may be God’s instrument of correction you are still responsible for the way you go about being that instrument. Even in times of war, there are boundaries and laws that set limits on what can be done to prisoners. Many have faced the consequences of their war crimes years after the war ended.

In the case of church discipline or individual confrontations the demeanor and heart of the church or confronter is important to God and noticed by God. How different would the words, actions, and attitudes be if they knew that one day they would be treated the way they treated others? In the case of parents, teachers, and law enforcement officers, do the words, “Do to her what she has done to others” bring fear or rejoicing?

May each of us take stock of how we are interacting with others, especially when we are part of their facing the consequences for wrong doing. May we treat them the way we would want to be treated and in a way that pleases God as He accomplishes His work in them.

Father, I’ve not always gotten this aspect right in my life. For past actions, I ask Your forgiveness. For future actions, I ask for Your help in showing Your heart when I am called upon to be part of another’s need of correction. Amen.

Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nz6PG8KM

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

How Teachable Am I?

When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Galatians 2:11 (New International Version)

Have you ever had someone point out an area in your life that needs to change? Have you ever been the one who had to do the pointing out? Most of us are not comfortable in either role, but maybe that is because we fail to appreciate the necessity of it at times. When Paul saw Peter’s hypocrisy, as stated in Galatians 2:12, and the effects it was having on both Jews and Gentiles, he did the right thing. He confronted Peter and let him know in no uncertain terms that he was in the wrong. We are not told what Peter’s reaction was but I believe that by this point he had developed a teachable spirit. Paul had not told him anything he did not already know and the confrontation would have been enough to direct him toward necessary change. Paul was simply being a “truth teller” and Peter was to be the recipient of that truth.

I have been a student of Scripture long enough to know that God wants to get more mileage out of this passage than just what pertains to Paul and Peter. He wants me to bring it into the present and allow Him to develop in me the quality of being teachable when someone has to pinpoint areas in my own life. He wants to get me past the hurt feelings, the taking it personal, the sense of shame, the squirming, as well as the desire to run and hide. He wants me to be willing to hear and accept the truth from those who are willing to tell me the truth about things that need to change in me especially when it comes to attitudes of the heart.

There are really only two options for me when it comes to taking in truth. Either I can be willing to hear it from the Holy Spirit and act upon it or I can wait until God determines it is time to bring people along to tell me to my face what I am trying to avoid hearing from Him. Up until now that has been a terrifying thought for me, but only because I have bought into false ideas of what they are saying and why they are saying it. God’s heart as well as theirs is for my good and eventual growth. He is giving them the discernment to know what is hindering that growth. I need to see their words as gifts rather than reasons to cringe.

In the privacy of my home when my spirits are high this all sounds easy. I know though, that the real test will come the next time I am living more in the flesh than in the Spirit and the confrontation comes. Will I be receptive? Will I be teachable? Will I be grateful? I pray so and I ask God to begin now to prepare me.

Father, I want to be teachable and approachable in times of weakness. Help me to want truth and help more than any attitudes of my heart that are not of You. Amen.

With All I Am - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMrAafe7Mns

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Accepting the Oil

Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me;
It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked. Psalm 141:5 (New King James Version)

In the middle of a Psalm where David is acknowledging the works of his enemies and asking God to take action against them and not allow their agendas to be successful, lies this precious verse that is an aspect of authentic friendship. It speaks volumes to me and allows me to see rebuke and correction in a whole new light.

When an individual has to call me on the carpet for wrong attitudes and actions, my natural tendency is to back away and feel hurt. To me it doesn’t feel kind or soothing. I can quickly draw the conclusion that their rebuke comes out of a dislike of me rather than a heart of love for me. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t even have to be a verbal rebuke….it can simply be the withholding of what I want from them. Yet they and God have better plans for me. Plans for success and wholeness.

Relationships are so much a part of my life. I thrive in them. Lately though, God is shifting some things and the scenes of my life are taking on a whole new look. I keep seeing myself on a frozen lake attempting to ice skate. The falls are many and often painful. It was easier when others stood next to me and kept me on my feet. Their help was a necessary part of my journey, but the time has come for them to take some steps back so that I will truly learn how to skate on my own. That is the only way for me to gain necessary skill, coordination, and muscle development.

So where does today’s verse come in? Last night, a person who knows me better than most came out on the lake, gave me words of correction and instruction, pulled me to my feet again, and reminded me of the necessity to make wise choices. Not all of her words were easy to hear but they were definitely oil on my head. Oil that would have a profound affect on my thoughts and motives. She didn’t stay on the lake with me. She is purposefully and wisely standing at a distance to watch and pray. She knows that what was helpful at one time would be a hindrance now. She and God both want me to experience free style skating with all the turns, whirls, and grace that is possible.

This morning I am starting my day with the oil still on my head and thankful for the one whom God used to put it there. Today will be a day of staying on my feet a little longer as I continue to master the art of skating!

Father, keep showing me any debris on the lake of my life that hinders me from truly skating free. I look forward to the day when freedom of movement marks my path. Amen.

In His Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo-rGzx2OZk&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

A Necessary Work

Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, with timber laid in the walls; this work goes on with diligence and care and prospers in their hands. Ezra 5:8(Amplified Bible)

The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in the days of Ezra, was a huge undertaking. It wasn’t without opposition and problems but it continued in the midst of them. The labor was hard, the circumstances were difficult, yet the work went on with diligence and it prospered.

The rebuilding of areas in our life that have fallen or lost their effectiveness requires the same kind of diligence and care. We must be willing to see it through to completion even when it gets hard. Even when opposition from within and without comes into play. Even when it isn’t comfortable or enjoyable. If there is something in my life that needs attention and work on my part then I must be willing to cooperate with God in bringing about changes. It may be in attitudes, actions, words, disposition, or any host of things.

This has been a week of God opening my eyes to not only things that need to change in me but my responsibility for bringing about those changes with His help. It is not a matter of simply knowing I have to change. It is a matter of applying the truths of His Word to my life. Being a doer of His Word and not just a hearer. It is a matter of using whatever tools and materials are necessary to establish boundaries and walls for my emotional, physical, and spiritual well being. It is a matter of being accountable to God and at least one other person for the continuation of work that needs to be done.

The children of Israel were serious about building the wall and it showed in their decisions, discipline, and diligence. No less is required of me. They were not on their own and neither am I. For God is the One at work in me to complete what He started. He will show me places that need to be rebuilt, things that need to be gotten rid of, new ways to live my Christian life, and discernment along the way. He is diligent and caring in all that He puts His hands to and His work will prosper in His hands.

Father, I see the need for change and I accept the responsibility to make changes and receive Your help in bringing about those changes. Keep me diligent and let Your work in me prosper. Amen.

Change My Heart - Eddie Espinosa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEtsHWFE6-w

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.