Until It Passes

My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word. My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word. Psalm 119:25, 28 (New American Standard Bible)

Do you ever feel what David is describing in these verses? Dust. The rubbish and debris of this world. The rubbish and debris of your life. Grief. That heaviness and sorrow that can often be more felt than explained. How we long for relief. Actually, we long for more than just relief. We long to be raised up, established, fulfilled, and empowered. To be sustained and living prosperously in our spirits. At least I long for that. There are times I get a taste of it. Times when the joy abounds and the sheer delight of living is evident to me as well as those I come in contact with. I soar and feel I will continue to soar for a very long time. But my flight patterns are inconsistent and unstable. Just as quickly as I take off, I come down, and it is in the times of being down that I struggle. Finding myself in that all too familiar place is not occurring presently, but when I do I ask God to show me what to do until it passes. He is quick to answer and instruct me. I offer some of those answers to you now.

Start praising Him. Praise Him for anything and everything that comes to mind. From the beauty of His creation to the perfection of His character and everything in between.

Limit your thoughts. There are certain things I cannot afford to dwell on because of skewed thinking and clouded views. This is not the time to make important decisions, dwell on lost relationships, try to figure out what others are thinking, plan ahead, sort through difficult issues, or assess my growth and progress. My mind needs to rest, just like my body would need to rest if I were physically ill.

Feed off of Scripture and music. Both are like life lines to my spirit and will instill truth in me when all seems hopeless and dark.

Stay connected to the body of Christ. Stepping away from studies and church is tempting at times but dangerous. I need the fellowship of believers. Even if I do little more than sit in silence and stare, I need to be with them. They will know something is amiss (even if they have no idea what it is) and they will pray.

Pray. As Joyce Meyer has said, “Run to the Throne instead of the phone.” This is a hard one for me. I am use to taking my problems and heartaches to people. Use to letting them see me through the hard times. I am thankful for the times they do just that but God often reminds me they are His tools…..He is ultimately the source!

Wait. Sometimes, many times, the release from the pull down is slow in coming but worth the work.

Father, You keep holding on to me. Your grip never slips. Your love never falters. Until reviving and strength come to me, I will stand all the closer to You. Amen.

But For Your Grace - Rita Baloche
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1InpFHRE1ko&p=B564999B82337D7C&playnext=1&index=10

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

Deliverance

“They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the LORD, “to deliver you.” Jeremiah 1:19 (New King James Version)

God’s words to Jeremiah were meant for our ears as well. God was letting Jeremiah know that even though others would oppose him they would not prevail. They would not come out as the victors. Deliverance was promised to him and it is promised to us as well.

What is it that fights against you today and has you convinced it will pull you under never to rise again? Slip it into this verse and then speak the words out loud as a declaration of truth. At this time in my life, that which fights against me is not a foreign nation, financial ruin, failing health, legal problems, or a host of other outside influences. For me, each day, that which fights against me are my own thoughts. At times they can be so ominous and foreboding. They seem to over ride every truth I know. When that happens I feel they have won. But God knows better. He has already promised me the victory.

This week has been precious with truth. I sent out a devotional on Tuesday that spoke of not viewing other’s limitations or boundaries as a sign of rejection. I KNEW the minute the truth sunk in that my otherwise predominantly, harmful thought life took a massive blow. It changed the dynamics of every relationship I have.

The loss of a mentor and the accompanying thoughts from that loss have fought against me for several years. It was this week that I understood the need to allow my former mentor the freedom to choose whether or not to be in relationship with me. Voicing that truth to a friend gave another blow to my thought process.

Am I saying the fight in these two areas is completely over? No. That will not be experienced until I am in Heaven. What I am saying is the battle took a turn in my favor and I intuitively know what to do in future times of struggle. I am trusting God to give me further “wins” in other areas of my life that tend to trip me up. Jeremiah 1:19 is now my life verse and I am ready to stand on and in its truths.

Father, thank you for reminding me that I need never give up. The battle is Yours as is the victory! Amen.

The Battle Belongs to the Lord - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp_PolBwjEw

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

When Comfort is Needed

Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him. Job 2:11 (New King James Version)

Job’s friends were not privy to the story behind Job’s story. They (along with Job) knew nothing of God’s conversation with Satan. How God extolled Job’s life and character and how Satan sought to use loss and pain to evoke Job to curse God. All Job and his friends could see was the result of Satan’s work. When life fell apart for Job at a proportion few of us could begin to fathom let alone relate with, they came for the purpose of being a help through grieving and comfort.

Although their intention was to bring comfort to Job it did not come about. They fell short of their goal. Why? Because they viewed Job and his situation with only one conclusion in mind….all this was happening because of sin in Job’s life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Their inability to see beyond their preconceived ideas hindered their ability to comfort. Have you ever been in their shoes? Wanting to comfort an individual in their time of sorrow, grief, or loss and not being able to? Looking to others to bring you comfort and coming up empty?

It is in our times of deepest hurt when we can become most teachable in the area of comfort. I look back on several years of deep grief and sorrow over the loss of a relationship and what comes to mind the most is the comfort God gave me through the heart and hands of friends. Although few could fully relate to or understand what I was going through they did some helpful things. They listened. In the very beginning of my darkest days they allowed me to talk about what had happened and how it was affecting me. In time, they gave me small doses of truth that I needed to hear, but the truth was said in love and with compassion. They directed me toward the God of all comfort, reminding me that God had not forsaken me or distanced Himself from my situation. They prayed for me and they prayed with me. They knew from whom my healing would eventually come. They let me know when they saw progress and change in me. They stayed with me. In all of that, they became my mentors in the art of comforting others.

Where am I today in light of this dark season of my life? For the most part, I am moving forward and only occasionally feel the ache. More importantly, I am now walking along side an individual who is in the midst of her own dark cave. What I received from others I now give to another.

Father, thank you for each person who listened, advised, and prayed for me. You used them in the same way You are now using me. I praise you for the comfort You give through others. Amen.

You Are My Hiding Place - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zej__yFPeK0

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

Changed By None

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8-9 (New King James Version)

The preaching and acceptance of “other” gospels abound today…just as they did in Paul’s day. Paul makes his point clear and goes so far as to repeat it twice for emphasis. It doesn’t matter who the message is coming from, if it varies from what the Bible says both the message as well as the messenger are wrong. Period! No exceptions. It has to be that way because the result is the difference between Heaven and Hell.

It is not a matter of Paul’s opinion and it is not a matter of our opinion. People will attempt to say that is what it all comes down to. If that were the case there would be no truth and no security for the believer. I have seen people get irate when they are told there is no other way to Heaven outside of Christ. They seem to think that is a denominational, religious, man made view. But that is not true! Jesus is the One who said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.” I don’t believe it because my church teaches it (although my church does teach it). I believe it because that is what the Bible says. I have to have the Bible as my foundation of truth.

None of us are to look at our words, other people’s words, or even an angel’s words as being on par with God’s Word. We are all fallible but God is not. Our words do not hold the same permanence or importance as God’s Word. Not only can we not elevate our words, we cannot elevate our experiences. Having an experience, such as a visit from an angel, cannot be a reason for second guessing or changing what God’s Word says….especially in the area of salvation.

One of the reasons I am so adamant about this is because I know my own heart and the bent in me toward idolatry if I don’t guard myself. I am too easily drawn toward experiences and personalities. Even when what is being said or experienced is lining up with Scripture, I still need to keep my eyes on God and I still need to keep the pages of the Bible open before me. People and angels are God’s messengers but may I never forget the One who sends them and may I never allow them to become a god to me.

Father, although I will continue to learn from others, may I hold on to You with one hand and on to your Word with the other. Center me between Your heart and Your voice. My allegiance is to You. My attention is on You. Keep me focused on You and Your Word. Amen.

Thy Word - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SLHWFpSlq4

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

Limitations

As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13, 14 (New King James Version)

I take great delight and comfort in the fact that God knows my human frailties, limitations, and weaknesses. He shows mercy and forgiveness in the midst of every one of them. As He does, He urges me to do the same toward myself and toward others. I am learning something that is making that understandable and doable.

Failures primarily come because of two different reasons. They come due to either my sin or my limitations. I am neither super human or perfect therefore I fail. Seeing this truth gives me direction as to what to do with the failure. If it is because of sin, I need to confess it to God and turn from it. As His child, I am assured of His love, mercy, and forgiveness. If, however, my failure is due to a limitation in ability, time, or resources then I need to see it as such and seek God’s grace to accept it or His intervention to change it. It is a reality check based on truth rather than a time for beating myself up.

This is not only a new way for me to start living my life, it is also a powerful ingredient to introduce into my relationships with others. Due to my own insecurities, I can often misunderstand and misperceive what others can or cannot do. A change of plans, an inability to give me what I want, or an unenthusiastic response can send me reeling with the idea I am unloved, unwanted, and unwelcome. I am not proud of this aspect of myself, but I am acutely aware of it.

Thankfully, God is showing me the necessity of practicing discernment rather than embracing perceptions. I must separate sinful acts from human limitations. If it is a sin, I must choose to forgive and show mercy. If, however, it is a human limitation I must see it as such rather than as a sign of rejection or disinterest. Rather than recoil, I can pray for them, extend an offer to help, and come to a fresh realization that they too are dust. Words cannot describe the freedom that comes when I simply acknowledge, “They are tired, they are busy, they are ill at the present. It really isn’t personal. It is life.” When I look at life as a whole, this lesson is a huge one for me to learn!

Father, forgive me for the times I have handed out condemning indictments against myself and others rather than seen the truth about our limitations. Teach me wisdom and discernment and fill me with grace and mercy. Amen.

Only You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgmezEn-zvE

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

Breaking the Chain

But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate. Esther 5:13 (New International Version)

Haman’s satisfaction, delight, and pleasure was unfelt due to what he chose to dwell upon and what he allowed to consume him. He had vast wealth, many sons, honor bestowed upon him by the king, special treatment, and promotions, yet his disdain for Mordecai kept him from enjoying any of it. Mordecai’s refusal to show him homage ate away at him and until he could annihilate him and his people (the Jews) he would be ruled by dissatisfaction and bitterness.

I can relate with Haman’s problem. Although he was in the wrong his attitude and actions hit home with me. I know what it is like to zero in on the losses, heartaches, and difficulties of life and subsequently lose the joy of living. A friend of mine calls it focusing on the black spot on the wall. It is that minute detail that holds not only my attention but my heart as well. It is the ever present cloud over my parade. It remains in the backdrop of my thoughts, ever ready to dampen any mood, darken any room, and weaken any resolve to live differently. It is my “life would be great if it weren’t for THIS” statement. It is the tender spot that reveals the area in my life that is still in need of God’s gracious touch and healing.

Where do I begin to loosen its hold and effect on my life? Like a heavy chain that still wraps itself around my soul, I am learning I must attend to one link at a time. Links have weakened and snapped as I have acknowledged their presence, confessed my heart attitudes, and looked for truth. I am down to what feels like the last few links…..the most profound and stubborn of them all. They are being dealt with through prayer….mine as well as individuals I trust. Last night, I took the worse case scenario, the deepest thoughts and feelings about this whole situation chain and brought it to my Heavenly Father. In the quietness of the late night hours I whispered to Him, “What if my perceptions are true and it really is as bad as I think? I begin with that premise and by Your grace I choose to walk in forgiveness and acceptance.” Sleep came quickly and I woke this morning feeling a bit less like Haman.

Father, I am tired of missing out on the joy of living and the delight of knowing You. Detach me from being controlled by anyone or anything apart from Youself. Teach me the better way to live. Amen.

On My Knees - Jaci Velasquez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gArr7gyiMBY&feature=related

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

A Healthy Review

For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. Galatians 1:13, 14 (New American Standard Bible)

Paul never let go of the reality from where God had brought him. His life prior to his conversion stood in stark contrast to God’s work of grace in his life. Not only did he know of his past, others did as well. His reputation followed and preceded him as he crossed paths with individuals. After all, he was at one time adamantly opposed to Jesus Christ and any of His followers, as well as passionately involved with Judaism and the traditions of his ancestors. Knowledgeable in the letter of the law but blind to the Author of that law.

Although Paul knew where he had come from, he also knew it was no longer his way of life. He knew God had radically changed his life and he lived his new life in Christ with as much zeal as he did his former life. He was a billboard of faith that clearly showed the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new.” A fuller appreciation of what was “new” for Paul was gained as he thought back to his former manner of life.

Looking back on one’s life must be done with the intent of realizing, appreciating, and proclaiming the work of God that has taken place. If it leads to shame, self-loathing, contempt, discouragement, or guilt over things already forgiven and covered by the blood of Christ, then it is nothing more than a review that puts one in a mental and emotional prison of torment. That should be a sign to us that the enemy of our soul is close at hand. Those “calling cards” are his finger prints and his plans are always to destroy us.

One way to foil his plans is to review the past allowing it to bring forth praise and thanksgiving for all God has done. Thankful for the forgiveness. Thankful for the fresh start. Thankful for the past being the past and not the present or future. Thankful for ministry that will be birthed as a result of a new life in Christ. Thankful that none of it need be wasted but rather used powerfully in the kingdom work of our Heavenly Father. Thankful that God saw fit to bring us into a different way to live our life and a different direction to take us. Thankful that our past no longer defines us. Paul knew how to view his past and we can learn from the example he set for us.

Father, I choose to turn each memory into a celebration of Your redemptive work! Amen.

I'm Not Who I Was - Brandon Heath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3SjCuSkaNs

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