Still Spoken Today

Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:4 (New King James Version)

Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people who lived at the time of Haggai no longer live in this world but the words that were spoken to them by God almighty are still being spoken to us today. That has been the most precious concept of Scripture for me during this decade of my life. My view of Scripture and approach to God’s Word forever changed the day I realized how much of what God said in the Old and New Testaments is meant for me as much as it was meant for the original recipients.

Every time God sent His people into battle or gave them instructions to follow He emphasized the truth that He was with them. He continually reminded them to take courage in the realization of His presence and help. He was not a mere “spectator” to the events of their life and daily happenings, He assisted, aided, and upheld them. It is no different for us today.

As I enter a new day, I am already aware of His words to me, “Be strong, Pam, and work, for I am with you!” Whether it is working at my place of employment, walking through issues, seeking change, resisting temptation, or dealing with the ordinary “stuff” of life, His instructions to me are the same. Be strong….not in my own strength but in His. Work….stay at it with purpose. For I am with you…..a reason as well as a promise. Think of it! Each step, each choice, each task, each moment, strengthened by Him and accompanied by Him.

I have known the preciousness of individuals coming along side me in time of need. How much more precious that the Creator of the universe does that. It settles my heart and straightens my back to know that truly I am never alone at any given moment of the day. With or without the company of others, the Author of Scripture is my personal Aid and Assistant. My Heavenly Father is my Faithful Companion. My Savior and Lord is my Counselor and Guide. I take comfort in those thoughts this morning, as I view today with a limited view and perspective. I take courage in knowing that at no time will I be out of His view or care.

Father, any feelings of loneliness, failure, or fear will be met with the truth You have shown me this morning. Amen.

Cry Out to Jesus - Jeremy Camp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuoK6Pkzq1E&feature=related

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

Being Receptive

Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. Hebrews 3:15 (New King James Version)

How well am I doing at receiving words of truth? It is easy when the words are what I want to hear, but it is another matter all together when they are what I strain against. Or when they pinpoint an area that needs changing in me. In my reading through the book of Jeremiah I am noticing the negative responses people had toward God’s prophets and hence against the word of God itself. As Jeremiah would say the very things God had instructed him to say, he often faced physical abuse and imprisonment, because his message was not what others wanted to hear. And the interesting part is that his words were often warnings of coming judgment with an invitation to obey. God sent prophets to warn His people and give them another opportunity to turn back to Him. Truth presented was not always truth received!

There are the times believers may sit in a church service and close their ears to what a pastor is saying simply because they don’t like the pastor or the message is not what they want to hear. It is necessary to heed the words in Hebrews, “Listen and don’t harden your hearts!” It is wise for us to ask God before a service begins to help us hear what it is He is saying to us. Sometimes it is like finding a small nugget of gold among the many words but the search is worth it. If Scripture is presented there is something we can take away with us that is profitable and life-giving. Our spirit will take it in if we but poise ourselves to receive it.

While I may need this reminder concerning sermons, I really need it even more for the times individuals are communicating truth to me. Many are the times I have asked for advice only to find myself straining at what is eventually said. This has puzzled me and I asked God to reveal to me the reason I do this. He let me see that often I misread the message because I assume some wrong things about the person who is speaking it. I assume their tone is harsh when it is not. I assume they are fed up with me when they are not. I assume they have a ‘you should know better’ mentality when they do not. The list goes on and on. The bottom line is this: my view of myself feeds a suspicion of another person’s heart and hence affects the way I receive their words. Now when I find myself closing up to another person’s wise and loving counsel, I can look for my own roots of resistance and deal with them in order to take in the truths that are meant to help me.

Father, the moment I sense resistance, help me to do the searching of my own heart. Thank you for the ones You have sent to speak life words to me. Amen.

Spirit Song - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC7RDZP7tFw&feature=related

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

Estimation Limitations

Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples. Matthew 26:34, 35 (New King James Version)

Peter’s estimation of his strengths and abilities was over-exaggerated. On the flip side of that, his perception of how circumstances would effect him were under estimated. Christ knew the truth about Peter…what he would do, what he could handle, and what he could not handle. Not once, but twice, He told Peter the truth about himself. Not once, but twice, Peter argued and saw himself as an exception to what Christ was saying. The day would come when Peter would in fact die for his faith and his Lord, but much would transpire between the two accounts. This conversation of “you will…I won’t” started Peter on a course of learning that God knew so much more than he did…even about himself.

I shared with a small study group last night that I struggle with wanting to do things that, so far, God has not allowed me to do. Worse yet, I watch as others are given the opportunities I long to have. Today’s passage gives me a perspective I have been missing. Like Peter, I can easily over- estimate my capabilities and under-estimate the effect certain circumstances could have on me….even if those circumstances fall within the realms of ministry.

God knows me through and through. He knows how easily I could be enamored with myself if given certain opportunities at this stage in my life. He knows how easily I could seek to derive value, affirmation, and worth from wrong sources. He knows how easily I could take my eyes off Him. Because of that knowledge, He is selective in what He chooses for me to do and where He chooses to send me. In other words, He knows what I can handle and what I cannot handle.

In the past, God’s keeping of doors closed left me feeling much like the child at the back of a classroom waving my hand wildly to be chosen only to be over looked. That is not the way He wants me to interpret things now. I have not been over looked. Neither am I unfavored, unnoticed, or unchosen. He chose me before the foundations of the world. He blessed me with all spiritual blessings. He sees every aspect of my life from beginning to ending both inside and out. He has plans and purposes for my life and has promised to fulfill them.

So what do I do when the things I want to do are not what I get to do …at least not now? I trust God. He knows best and He knows me best. I don’t want to argue with Him or ignore Him. I want to know Him and watch as the knowing Him changes me. I also want to see Him as a Father who is not squelching my dreams but rather birthing His own dreams for me.

Father, I have to learn what Peter learned…..I don’t know myself as well as You know me. May I no longer estimate things from my vantage point. Amen.

You're Still God - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvclzwpAMxg&feature=related

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

Knowing God

They shall know that I am the LORD their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them; I am the LORD their God. Exodus 29:46 (New American Standard Bible)

Countless times in the Bible, God spoke the phrase, “That they may know Me.” He is a personal God who wants to be known, understood, perceived, and acknowledged by His creation…by us. Far from distant, secretive, private, and unreachable, He is intimate and willingly reveals Himself to any who want to know Him. Some will gather the facts and continue to live their life with merely a head knowledge of God. I can tell you from personal experience, that does very little to transform one from the inside out. There is a difference between knowing about God and actually knowing God. Even on a human level this is true. I can know about a certain person without really knowing them and knowing what they are like. Much changes when I come to know them. And much changes when I truly come to know God.

The knowing of God comes through many avenues. First and foremost, it comes through Scripture where God reveals much about Himself. Even in Scripture though, I see other ways that God reveals Himself. Ways such as through creation, through experiences, through conversation, through His actions, through circumstances, and through others. He is far from limited to one way or means of self disclosure and revelation.

Because we are unique individuals with peculiar characteristics all our own and because we learn in distinctive ways, God knows the right methods to use to show Himself to us. He will always use His Word plus many (if not all) of the afore mentioned ways. Whatever it takes for us to see who He is and what He is like He will do. Our part is to become aware of what He is doing and how He is showing Himself. What He shows us is full of variety and ingenuity. Throughout each day we have the special position to see God as One who is faithful, present, powerful, attentive, passionate, caring, sustaining, loving, just, merciful, and kind.

For decades, I had a very small and distorted perception of God. To me, He was a harsh judge who tolerated me more than loved me. Over the course of the last six years my view of God has taken a radical shift. It came through asking Him to show me His heart in Scripture and showing me Himself in each day. He honors and delights in prayers such as, “Show me what You are like. Speak to me. Open my eyes to really see You and know You.” It is a life long journey and I am in awe of what I am coming to know of the One who knows me so well.

Father, for too long You were unknown to me. Continue to show me aspects of Yourself that will change the very fiber of who I am and what I am like. Transform me with the truth of who You are and what You are like. Amen.

All I Once Held Dear (Knowing You) - Robin Mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGbuz8QuhmE

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

Knowing the Truth About Ourselves

But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away." Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." All the disciples said the same thing too. Matthew 26:33-35 (New American Standard Bible)

Like Peter, we can often state, in a moment of strength, lofty thoughts that come back to bite us in weak moments. Peter had plans to stick with the Lord no matter what. He spoke with passion…runaway passion. He truly meant what he said but he said it grossly underestimating the strength of his own weaknesses. In his stronger moment, he could not imagine that the circumstances of life could have the effect on him of which Jesus warned him. Peter learned the hard way of just how human he was. Everything he said would happen, didn’t, and everything he said wouldn’t happen, did. I believe this incident forever changed his view of how vulnerable he was in this world and where his true strength had to lie.

I am learning to watch myself in my strong moments. When life is going well and I am owning an attitude that I can handle certain things I can often forget how close I am to stumbling. As scenarios play over and over again in my life and I see the effects remaining the same I am taking notice. If I keep repeating the same thing and getting the same painful result it is time I make a decision to avoid that particular action.

I have two weaknesses that come to mind and I am learning to guard myself better when it comes to them. There are certain foods that will trigger an eating binge with me. Partaking of them always leads to the same result. Hence, I KNOW if I start the result will not be pretty. No matter how strong I may feel and how sure I am that I can control those foods, the truth of the matter is I can’t. I am wise to avoid them.

There are also areas in relationships that tend to bring about the same results for me. There are certain people who hold too strong of a position in my life. If I contact them via emails, phone calls, or letters, and do not hear back from them I am crushed. As much as I don’t want this to be the case, my perceptions run wild and negativity sets in toward them and myself. In strong moments I may think I can handle not hearing from them, but I make a mistake when I allow those thoughts to persuade me to try one more contact. The scenario has played out too many times. My head may tell me the legitimate reasons for their lack of communication but my emotions spiral. So knowing this, the wise thing for me to do is resist the temptation to be in contact. I have had to see the truth of my weakness during times when I don’t even feel weak. Knowing myself is an important part of walking in victory.

Father, help me to see the truth about what controls me. If the result will be over indulgence or emotional suicide, help me to avoid the pitfall. I want to walk in wisdom and freedom. Amen.

I Surrender All - Vineyard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x2IpLSfqp8

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

Not Getting What We Want

So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. I Kings 21:4 (New International Version)

Ahab had requested to buy a vineyard from Naboth. Because this vineyard was his family inheritance, Naboth refused to give it up. He was right in his decision. But Ahab did not want to hear the word no. He went to his room and refused comfort and food. His air of entitlement and thoughts that life should always go his way are what ruled his heart….and hence his actions. His tears would not be dried and food would not be his companion until his wife, Jezebel, had Naboth put to death and the vineyard finally became his. God saw this as Ahab selling himself to do evil and pronounced a death sentence upon him. In the end, I have to wonder if Ahab still considered it all worth it.

This passage becomes a wake up call to me. If I have a teachable spirit, God will cause His Word to pinpoint areas in my life whereby I must guard against having an Ahab response to the disappointments of life. My expectations can run deep when it comes to relationships, occupations, opportunities, possessions, and personal goals. If I am focused on immediate gratification instead of eternal value, the set backs, obstacles, refusals, and closed doors will trigger an Ahab response in me. I will become very self focused, sulk, and complain within myself. I will lose site of others and the kingdom work that needs to be done. I will somehow convince myself that I am insignificant and things will never get any better. Misery, tears, and anger will mark my path and life will be far from the way God purposed it to be for me.

What does my Father do at that point? Allows me to experience enough pain from my “fit” to drive me back into His arms for restoration, comfort, and renewal. Humility and submission open the door for me to once again realize God’s love and involvement in my life. He is too loving to let me have all the things I want. His extravagance is in the area of giving me what is for my good and His glory. He knows I will not always understand but my the delight He has when I simply trust Him. What joy and peace are mine when I give to Him the confusion, disappointment, and heartaches.

It will always come down to what I believe about God’s character. Do I believe He loves me, has the best intentions for me, and is bringing about His chosen plan and purpose for me? If the answer is “yes” then I will begin seeing “no” as a loving response from Him rather than an act of cruelty. I will rest instead of resist.

Father, show me my Ahab ways. Teach me the ways of Your Spirit. Your gifts abound if I will but open my hands to receive them. Amen.

In Your Hands - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThE0kn3u1kc&feature=related

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

It's All the Same to Him

Even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. Psalm 139:12 (New American Standard Bible)

A number of years ago, this verse changed my walking patterns. I use to never walk after dark, but the idea that God’s vision is not limited by darkness gave me the courage and freedom to do so. What I needed to know was that walking after dark was the same as broad daylight to God. I would envision the whole area lit up profusely! I came to love the canopy of stars that were displayed over my head. It has been a while since I have been able to take a walk in the moonlight but if given the chance I would do it again in a heartbeat.

God’s Word is so multi-layered. He not only wanted me to see this verse in light of evening strolls, but He wanted me to see that the circumstances of my life are the same as well. Whether my days are filled with dark moments or brilliant light moments, God is still not limited in His vision and watch care over me. Storms do not throw Him. Clouds do not block Him. Torrential down pours do not fill Him with uncertainties. And He wants it to be the same for me. He speaks peace in the midst of the storms and at the right moment calms them.

Not only are my light and dark circumstances all the same to God, but so are my various moods. I use to be concerned if I was not on a continual “high” of emotions. I did not want the low times or the even kilter times. Those always spelled danger to me as I frantically searched for something or someone to lift me up. What I am learning is to relax and rest. To picture Jesus right there with me whether I am on a mountain top or in the depths of a pit of despair. He never walks away and simply waits for me at the end of my tunnel, valley, or gulf. He holds and upholds me the entire way. That has helped me to see that the moods will pass. The down days of darkness will always give way to light. I am learning to believe that and anticipate it.

In my times of dark circumstances or moods, I am learning to lift my eyes to my Father and say, “Abba Father, I am Yours, and You always take care of Your own. You formed me in my mother’s womb and You have carried me ever since. I am inscribed on the palms of Your hands as well as on Your heart. I rest in You.” These are not just words to Him or me. They are words that shift my internal world and shelter me. Tears still flow and fears still surface, but eventually they give way to hope and healing. I am no longer left with a feeling of being stuck with no means for escape.

Father, thank you for the storms that have caused me to seek shelter in You. May I continue to see light and darkness as the same because of who You are! Amen.

Draw Me Close to You - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB1yDv9_N1k&feature=related

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