On the Surface

Mark 10:32 - Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him...

...the things that would lead to His death. The things that He would bring about because of His death. The life He would give to others.

In a reading one day (Oswald Chambers Daily Devotional Bible, which I occasionally read from) I was touched to the core by a statement. It is the essence of true Christianity. Belief. Total trust. Faith...the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

The disciples had been living in closest intimacy with Jesus, but now they begin to see that there is it dread side to His life. He has an attitude to things which is not easy to understand, and it fills them with fear. There are different kinds of fear. We know what fear is in the physical domain, and in the moral domain; but in the spiritual domain a man’s fear is not for his own skin at all, but, as it were, fear that his hero won’t get through. This was the disciples’ fear; it seemed as if all they had expected Jesus to do would end in nothing. Not one of them knew what Jesus was after, but still they followed and they were afraid. Many of us are supernaturally solemn about our religion because it is not real. As soon as a religion becomes real, it is possible to have humor in connection with that. There are occasions, nevertheless, when there is not only no humor, but when humor is unfit; there is a dread sense of detachment from our ordinary attitude to things which fill us with awe. We are all apt to interpret Jesus from our own standpoint; we get too familiar with Him, and immoral surgery of events is necessary before we can understand His standpoint. (Oswald Chambers)

My takeaway from this, I felt, was in the statement: fear that his hero won’t get through.

This is the faith alluded to in scripture. Faith of a mustard seed. So small. How much are we willing to trust Him? In what circumstances? Are we willing to allow Him to take us through a situation and not fear the outcome? Only when that time comes will we really know. Will we continue to follow Him like the disciples, not knowing what the end of our circumstance might be, the end He has for it?  Not one of them knew what Jesus was after, but still they followed, and they were afraid.

They feared His power, what He could do. We can know better than this. If we are fearful we don’t know Him.

Some say they are believers yet they fear death. They fear they are not good enough; fear whether heaven will be a real thing for them. This should not be if one truly knows the Lord, has repented of their sins and become a true Christian, not just by believing because one is not Buddhist or Jewish or whatever, they are Christian. Just because one goes to a church doesn't make them a true Christian. A true Christian knows they have undergone a change of heart and received Christ.

This change of heart is the relationship Jesus wants with us. It's not about a religion, as I've stated before. There isn't one denomination that is better than another. It's not even about that. It's knowing Jesus, not knowing about Him. Going to church doesn't make one secure in their Christianity. For some it's a ritual. I go to church because I experience God's Spirit and presence there. How many others can really say that?

The disciples followed not knowing the outcome. They didn't follow a religion or denomination. They followed a Man. Their fear and the outcome of Jesus' death and resurrection teach that He can be trusted, without our having to know how something will end because we follow Him. This hero will get through.

As with most of these blogs, I urge people to seek God/Jesus. He's the only way, truth and life. He casts out all fear. He is perfect love.

1John 4:18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Where's Your Confidence?

Psalm 78:7 - That they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.

Confidence is the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation.

This was the saying on the back of a man's tee shirt. I was with sisters in the Lord at the time and we all chuckled. I asked if I could photograph it.

Several thoughts go through my head as contemplate these words. One regards fear, which I believe is the opposite of confidence. The other is, where do we place our confidence? 

This particular tee shirt saying should be how we feel when we set out to do something for the Lord! We needn't worry about understanding the situation. The world might take this little phrase in the way it was obviously intended, when we walk into something that we've not spent time thinking about or weighing in our minds. 

But I look at it this way: if God has set about something for us to do, we just do it. We don't worry about the consequences because He has it all figured out for us. If He has called us to do something, then it's a done deal. We can have confidence no matter what.

Proverbs 14:26 - In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. 

All The Wisdom

Matthew 7:24 -  Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.

An addendum to yesterday's blog! I had forgotten about the Oswald Chambers devotion for the day (May 23) and another message I received by David Wilkerson…both connected…naturally. Everything should be and really is connected to the Word of God, if we know Jesus as our Savior!

Oswald Chambers scripture for that day: ... do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on —Matthew 6:25.

This is all part of trusting in the Lord for all things. His Word is power, comfort, strength, wisdom, knowledge and so much more. When we worry about our lives and all our needs it places undue strain on us. 

Tuesday morning we were reminded by a woman giving a testimony that fear is a sin. I've known this and am forever being reminded of it and yesterday morning it was that one thing out of many that she said that hit me right between the eyes. My thoughts were: Jesus as Savior, as perfect love, casts out all fear. Worry, anxiety and anything like that is a type of fear…and also a sin.

So what happens when we are faced with troubles of the world? Doesn't anxiety just sort of happen? That's why it's so important to have the Word of God at our fingertips and in our hearts, that we know we are not without help. That's why it needs to be spoken and impressed upon in our hearts…so anxiety is cast away.

But what kind of help can that be to us? The help may not come in the way we expect it. It may be just the peace that passes all understanding in a difficult situation. Don't forget that God's ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts like our thoughts. He knows best what our needs are. And I'm pretty sure (!) He thinks the first need we need to need is that relationship, that intimate knowledge of Jesus as our Lord and Savior; to have that new life in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our God will provide when we need it most… and just what we need. We don't always need what we think we need. Physically we might need to take steps ourselves to make positive changes in the way we are treating our bodies (but the Lord will help us). Financially sometimes we have to make a concerted effort to cut back the spending. Then there are also times when God just miraculously provides…because He knows what we need and exactly when…even when it comes to our spiritual condition and health.

Fear of death can be replaced with comfort and peace knowing that spiritually, if we have the Lord Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are saved. We need not fear the torment of an eternal life separated from God. So death should not be a fearful thing, if we know Jesus. If there's fear, we don't know Who it is waiting on the other side of our earthly life.

Fear, worry and anxiety, according to Chambers, is unbelief…and that, too, is a sin. We are told to let all these things go. Give it over to Jesus. Whenever we put other things first, there is confusion, Chambers states. Confusion causes the anxiety. Put Jesus first, put His Word in our hearts, know His Word and anxiety dissipates.

Know what the scriptures say. Take them to heart. Meditate on them. Not like yoga where you're supposed to empty your mind to get rid of the garbage and noise that enters minds  and destroys serenity and peace. (Meditate is to reflect on, think on...how can you do that by emptying your mind?) We are to fill our minds with the things of God, the things that are good and true and just...things that bring comfort and peace. And He will bring them! Then speak them forth. Manifest them in your life. 

And then also after writing the blog I came across this in my email from David Wilkerson. The message was called Building on the Rock. If we are not loving on Jesus, serving Him, obeying Him, meditating on His words, we are building our lives on sinking sand. That doesn't sound to hopeful and definitely would cause fear. He is to be our Rock, our strength. It is imperative that we spend time in the Word and in His presence to maintain that peace in life, that security, that strength for anything that arises.

See, it still is all about Jesus. I really don't know how many different ways there are to explain that everything is all about Jesus. He is our Word come to life. He is our truth. He is our shelter from storms. He is our strength, wisdom, peace, provision. 

Colossians 2:2-3 - that [your] hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

What Have You to Fear?

Hebrews 13:6 - So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

As I listened to Our pastor, Rory Grooters, talking one Sunday about how it is imperative we overcome our fears by facing our giants, I began to think again about how I constantly believe I am much better at writing than speaking about Jesus. I know deep inside this is a lie...one that trips me up every time. 

What is our greatest fear? This is a question we should all ask ourselves and set aside some time to talk to God about and ask for His strength and guidance.

We are to do it afraid. Whatever that fear might be. We must go through the fear to overcome it. Doing that shows our total reliance on the Lord. We all have weaknesses and a need for One greater than we who will do what is exactly necessary for any circumstance. We are only to be the vessel, the conduit, for His work through us. If that sounds like a controlling God, it isn't. He has only our best interests in mind and knows exactly what He needs to do to bring about good. On our own we are nothing.

Before I go on to explain what happened next, let me just add that in Sunday school we are, as I've mentioned, doing a study on The Power of a Whisper...Hearing God. Having the Guts to Respond by Bill Hybels.

We listened as several people on a video shared how they heard God speak to them with assurance, admonition or action. As they spoke it reminded me of occasions when that familiar "voice" spoke to me in similar ways. I'm sure everyone in class could have shared many instances themselves. Hearing about these circumstances was a joy to listen to, even when the word God spoke to these individuals might have been difficult to hear. Even the words God chooses to speak to us can bring about the, "Oh, no, not that God!"  However, it was confirmation that God really does speak to His people. It's always good to hear others' stories because you can no doubt relate to some of them. 

Well, as I listened to Pastor speak, I heard that still small voice right there in church. He interrupted with a sort of admonishment to me! What I heard was, You like being alone so why fear what anyone thinks of you? You are in My hands, not theirs. I am all you need. Well...put - me - in - my - place!!

I am comfortable on my own. What do I care what someone might think? And then the thought zipped through that it's the possibility of rejection I fear. Of course it is! No one wants to be rejected by those around them, especially if they call themselves your friend(s). 

We are to be in the world but not of it. When I first came to Christ there was one particular friend I had to let go of because I was no longer like her. It wasn't my choice; it was God's. I began to realize that conversations no longer uplifted me and her actions no longer interested me. It's all about the change that takes place when you receive Christ. Changes for the better.

So...fear! There is a scripture I have taped to our computer that should define exactly what I should fear the most: But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:33). What do I fear most? Being denied by Jesus or my friends? Isn't this the will of our Father for our lives? To proclaim Him? Glorify Him? Acknowledge Him? Be obedient to His call?

Perhaps my solitude will come because of my quest to be "out there" for Christ. Perhaps the Lord has been preparing me for that. Oh, I would prefer it the other way around, that when I do talk of the Lord, my words would draw these individuals to Him as well...and I would have the best of both worlds...friends who come to know Jesus and become life-long friends of my own. But the important question is: Do we want friends or Jesus? Which will bring us eternal life?

If God is for us, who can be against us? Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (Romans 8:31,37, 1John 4:4)

Pushing Buttons

Esther 5:2 - So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. 

Preparing for a Bible study on the Book of Esther, I was moved by the words above. It is a reminder of what I am able to do as a child of God, coheirs with the King. It is a reminder that when we are in the will of God, we find favor in His sight. He reaches out His scepter toward us and allows us into His presence.

Esther had a daunting task ahead of her. She needed to confront her husband, King Xerxes of Persia, of the impending annihilation of the Jews, of which she was one, although he did not know this fact. God had placed her in this position as queen of Persia for this very purpose. This is what God does for each one of us when we are in relationship with Him. Each day might bring about our own circumstance where God might want us to do something or say something that will show His glory in our lives and perhaps change a situation. It's not about us, it's about Him working through us. And with this thought, we must realize that it's not a prideful thing we might have to do. It's God's will.

So often we are confronted with a situation where we should say something, but sometimes we don't. We're basically afraid of what others will think of us. We're afraid of the backlash, of losing friends or family for speaking what we know is the truth. This is where Esther was. But she knew she had to face her fears. She had to "do it afraid."

Esther had fasted for three days in preparation for a meeting with the king. She dolled herself up in her royal robes knowing that seeing him without permission could mean her death because she had not been summoned. But what difference did it make? If she didn't speak to the king about the plans to kill all the Jews, she would have died just the same. What did she have to lose? Once the conviction was apparent, she said to her cousin, "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish?" Esther 4:16.

Thankfully, this is not the way it is with our God, our King. He longs for us to come into His presence. 

Esther did not know what would happen when she met with the king and petitioned him. She stood for what she believed was right and whatever the consequences, she was prepared for the outcome.

God asks us to have the same type of confidence. He wants us to do His will. Sometimes that's speaking up especially when we aren't so sure of ourselves. He wants us to realize that when we do, He will be behind us in our actions and words. It's overcoming that fear that gets some of us.

I write this blog often. I believe it was God's idea in my little brain years ago. He allowed me to cogitate on the idea awhile and then presented me with the opportunity to develop it. Even to this day I wonder if what I have written is good enough, if I've misspoken or misinterpreted something in His Word. I probably have made some mistakes but I may learn from them. I can push the "preview" button over and over, but when it comes time to tap the "publish" button, I still cringe.

It isn't until I've received a response from someone, which happens occasionally, that I've touched someone's heart that day, that I think to myself, "see, it wasn't so bad after all." Maybe those are my words; maybe they're God's subtle reassurance. I don't know for sure. But don't we all have times when we think we have erred and boy, if we don't feel a burden or embarrassed or ashamed...even angry with ourselves for doing or saying something? This is not what God would want us to feel if we know we have done His will. This is what our enemy, the devil, brings to the surface of our minds...to defeat us...to cause us to quit...to cause us to believe we're not worthy... Oh, that dang devil!!

This particular day's Esther study had these words written from Beth Moore, the author of the study:  Our conditional trust not only makes us an open target for enemy torment; it also positions us as negotiators and beggars before God instead of secure children who trust their lives to their faithful Father. Those times when our fears become reality we feel devastated. We thing God is unfaithful, and Satan essentially gets what he wants--us to believe that life is over. We need to hold fast to the idea that we can trust God.

When we fear to speak or do, we are out of God's will. If we speak or do when we know we should, He is right there behind us. We fear, like I said, the backlash of our words and what others will feel about us. But we never know if what we might say might bring life to someone else. We may never find out about it, but if we've been obedient to the Lord, that's all that matters. I'm still in the process of learning about all this. I'm still hanging on to my insecurity, and not just about my blog, but about life circumstances.

I will probably always have a trepidation about pushing that "publish" button. But God will never cause something we do in His will to fail. We may not always know the purpose for a word we speak...or write...or what it has to do with anything in the grand scheme of things, but He does. Sometimes He will allow us to realize what that purpose was, other times not. It should not matter to us; it's not about us after all.

Getting back to spending time with God, He is willing to listen to our requests. Just our presence before Him causes Him delight. When we enter into His presence and make requests that are of His will, He is more likely to respond. We can't enter His presence and expect that every silly thing we'd wish we could have will be granted. (When I was a youngster I would fall asleep at night praying that I would awake with skinny legs...hah, never happened!) Esther's husband, the king, was delighted in her presence and although she came without his permission, he was well pleased. These might be the words of an elated King Xerxes for Esther, but no doubt they are God's words to us when we enter in and present a meaningful request:

Esther 5:3 - And the king said to her, "What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you--up to half the kingdom!" 

I'm pressing the "publish" button now!