Independence Day

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We are approaching July 4th, Independence Day. It’s a day we celebrate this country’s independence from Great Britain back in 1776. This past week, Great Britain (or the United Kingdom) voted their own independence from the European Union. Strange how what goes around comes around.

The breaking away of countries from another’s rule goes way back to the beginning of time.  One example I came across this morning was in 2 Kings 8:20: “During Jehoram’s reign, Edom rebelled against Judah’s control and appointed their own king.” (HCSB)

Interesting the choice of word used here: “rebelled.” Other Bible versions use “revolted.”  Either way, there has to be a rebellion or revolting against authority in order to have independence.

Independence is a good thing, right? I’ve been known to be called independent. I’ve got my own mind made up – most of the time. I can stand on my own two feet. I’m an independent woman!

However, I learned a new word today. Transgress or transgression. I always thought it meant sin. But in the Old Testament, it means something different.  From the Vine’s Concise Dictionary of the Bible, Transgress means “to rebel. The whole process of rebellion has independence in view.” Looking at the same verse above, “Edom rebelled against Judah and appointed their own king,” is really about Judah wanting to be independent of Judah.  It is the same word as transgression in this verse! So transgression can be rebelling or getting independence way from something/someone.

Now check out this verse regarding Jesus and His sacrifice for us: “But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.” (Isaiah 53:5 HCSB) Another version of the Bible says, “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” (NLT)

Whoa!

Is independence as as in individual really a good thing then?  I believe this verse is pointing to when we are acting independent of God and His ways, then we are being rebellious and transgressing.  And this is one of the main reasons Jesus was sent to earth, to clear us of that punishment.

I wonder when I forget to seek Him on decisions I make, or go days without praying or even acknowledging Him, or eliminate His Word from my daily life, how independent I’m being! In other words, I can do life without Him. Ew! Just puts a sickening feeling in my stomach.  How easy it is to slowly start doing things on my own and not invite Him in to be Lord of my daily life! AND how rebellious that is!

The good news, Jesus died just for this! He knew I would constantly try to do things on my own, and break away from His rule. Live independently. Thank God He made allowances for this ! Now I acknowledge, I can do nothing apart from Him!  “I (Jesus) am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV)

Lord, help me to recognize when I’m going my own direction and not abiding in You so that I can turn from my rebellion! I invite You once again to be my Lord, my King, my teacher, my leader. I submit all of me and all that I do to You.

 

 

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Believe

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I believe Summer is coming quickly. However, looking outside, the snow is pouring down. But, I do 100% believe that Summer will arrive right after this snow.

I believe that when I ask the service guy to change my oil, that he will do it. I believe that when I ask my mom to pray for me, she will. I believe that God answers my prayers, oh wait…do I?

I find this verse very challenging: “Therefore I (Jesus) say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24 NKJV)

Oh, how often I pray just to get it off my chest! I complain to God. It’s like in my prayers I’m really saying, “God, here’s what I’m dealing with, don’t you know?!” Then I can say, yea, I prayed about that, or I am praying about that.

Why do I forget to believe that when I ask God something, that He will deliver? It seems so natural to believe, and yet, its the first thing I forget when I’m praying. Is it just me?

It makes me re-think the “with thanksgiving” part of this verse: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)

After I ask the service guy about the oil change, I thank him in anticipation of it being done. Same with my mom (or at least I hope I do), I thank her knowing she will pray for me because I asked.

I’ve often pondered the “with thanksgiving” as it sometimes seems to be a little out of place. The verse would be just fine and probably they way its most recited: “in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God…”

But the thanksgiving piece, is key! It shows that we believe that God will answer us. I don’t think its just a “thanks for hearing me up there.” But I think it is a “praise You heavenly Father and thank You because I know that You now have it taken care of!!!”

Abba Father, please help me to leave my “asks” in Your hands and believe that You will answer my every prayer! (even this one!)

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Bad Rap

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Lacking nothing. Sounds too good to be true. I’d like to lack nothing. How about being perfect and whole or complete? Is that possible?

Patience got a bad rap.

Whenever you mention patience, people roll their eyes. I think its because patience sure doesn’t sound all that great, especially if it means having to wait for things. I don’t think we’re good at that.  Its about the destination, not the journey. Or is it?

But patience is a fruit of the Spirit so it must be a good thing? Somehow.

Gets me to thinkin’. If I were truly patient, I wouldn’t worry. I wouldn’t be anxious about things not yet completed or arrived. If I was completely patient, I would be content in any situation. I would be as James put it “perfect and complete, lacking-nothing.”

“Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4 NKJV)

Now that sounds good!

There’s a Christian theory that has been passed down through the ages that in order to get patience, God will bring you trials. If you’re like me, it makes the sound of wanting patience like wanting to be a martyr. If you wanted patience, you’d want trials. Who wants trials?! Yuck!

But who wants to lack nothing? Me! Me! Me!

Let’s use this same theory with the other fruit of the Spirit: Love. So in order to get love, God would bring you the unlovable. Hmm. Or peace. To get peace, God would bring a storm. Or self-control, God would bring you something you can’t live without.

I dunno. I used to disagree with the theory. But I’m finding that the theory, though it has some flaws, may have some substance to it. In order to demonstrate true love, I think it would be best proven when you don’t feel love at all. Or to go through a tough storm and still maintain peace, would be real peace. Etc. I still think patience has gotten the bad rap because patience is pretty awesome – to have to wait for something and yet be confidently content – way cool!

If our number one goal is to be more like Jesus, then we’ve got a lot to work on. And if it means going through the muck and yuck of life to get there, then I’m in! God, have your perfect work done in me!

Reminds me of one of my favorite verses in the Bible because of the impact it has had on my life. It is when we are weak, can’t lean on our own intellect or talent or strength, but can only lean on God, that is when we can exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. When in all natural strength, it is not possible. Then God.

“But He (God) said to me, ‘My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

We must decrease, so that He can increase. Then we can be perfect and complete, lacking-nothing!

Patience is cool! Lord God, bring me more!

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Filed Under: Becoming, Journey, Trust, Weakness

Love vs. Pleasing

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I love the mountains. I fell in love and got married. I love golf (when I can play). I love my friends and family. I love my awesome dog Addie.

However, these things are not always pleasing to me. Driving in snow in the mountains can be scary. Golf was not pleasing when I threw out my back. My friends and family can at (very rare!) times not be pleasing.

But how do I show my love to someone? How would you describe how to love?

I’m inclined to do what I think they would want me to do for them. Or go out of my way to make them happy. Avoid disagreeing with them. Be a “yes” person to show them I’m on their side.

Right? Isn’t that showing love? Sounds good doesn’t it?

Actually, I’m learning there is a big difference between showing love to someone and pleasing them. Sounds like they are one in the same, but according to the Bible, they are very different. These ways I listed above, I think would fall more under the category of pleasing them.

Showing love is being patient with them, and kind in how I talk to and treat them. To love someone is to tell them the truth, even if it might hurt their feelings. Loving someone is to not remember what they did wrong to us. Showing love is to believe the best of them – even before they open their mouth. Oh wait! There’s a scripture that shows all this and more! Without any further ado…the true love:

“Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited, arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude/unmannerly and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it/it pays no attention to a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything without weakening.” (I Corinthians 13:4-7 AMP)

But what love is not is trying to please people. Sounds wrong doesn’t it?

Trying to please someone can put us in precarious situations, especially if what makes them happy causes us to act dishonorably.

As an extreme example, maybe they really want me to steal that motorcycle for them. If I wanted to please them, I would! Or more real life examples: what if they didn’t like to take responsibility for their finances, health, anger, self-medicating, marriage, relationships so they asked me to pay their bills, feed them donuts, keep my opinions to myself, bring them another beer, etc. If I wanted to please them, I would do these things for them because I want to make them happy. Even if it enables them to continue in sin. And pleasing them, causes me to sin.

Ouch!

Here’s the verse I’m meditating on today that brought about this whole line of thinking:

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galations 1:10 NIV)

It is dangerous to put anyone (even our spouses!) above God. Which I believe is exactly what happens when we try to please people.

Love. Love is more and more complex to me. I thought I knew what love was (sounds like a song?!). But I’m thinking again. Love is more than I can do on my own.

Heavenly Father, help me to truly love as You have loved me.

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Filed Under: #GodsLove, Becoming

Show-Off

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Happy Good Friday!  (Sounds strange saying that as today represents the day that Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried in a tomb – should be a sad day? But even so, it is all good because He did it for us!) But I digress.

God is a show-off: “God demonstrates…” I started writing down this verse this morning, and realized that God showed us something and didn’t just tell us about it. He demonstrates by His actions. He could’ve said, “I love you” and left it at that.

But He didn’t. He shows it.

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NKJV)

Makes me think about my own relationships. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “actions speak louder than words,” but do we really take that to heart and DO it? Am I really showing people love? Am I walking in forgiveness and letting them off the hook? Am I showing mercy? Am I putting others needs before my own (aka loving my neighbors as myself)?

Convicting isn’t it? How much do I really show people I love them? We are called to ask ourselves just that question:

“Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5a AMP)

But I thought faith was about believing God for the next promotion and taking the “steps of faith” in asking my boss for a raise? I think it can be that as well, but if I really believe that God is more interested in changing/growing me than my circumstances than “faith” takes on a different meaning.

Do I have faith that God is changing me/developing me into Christ-likeness?

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” (James 2:14 ESV)

What types of works? The verses that follow (verse 15+) talk about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc. But what about the verses before…

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:12-13 NIV)

Follow me here…we are to be merciful to (love!) others knowing that we ourselves will be judged with or without mercy (love) depending on how we have treated others. As I’m examining myself here (as mentioned earlier), I am struggling that just doing stuff for people with the mindset (heart) to do it in order to save myself from judgment without mercy seems selfish – not self-less.

And that is where I conclude that the works of my faith are more a heart issue than a works issue. If my heart is truly to become like Jesus, then my heart will be to do what He did and so will my actions. If He forgave, I forgive. If He spoke truth in love, then I speak truth in love. If He was patient, then I am patient.

Can I really do those things?  Yes! because He is in me to do it! To finish the verse…

“Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 AMP)

How would we really act and show our faith (love others) if we know Who is in us? What power would we have? What confidence and boldness could we walk in? What mercy, grace, love could we show others? Do you not realize it? Christ is in you! Christ is in me!

God, work in me to be less-self, and more-You in me. I want to be a show-off and demonstrate Your love to others just as You do for me!

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Filed Under: #GodsLove, Becoming, Faith, Love