Running Free of Guilt...

Luke 22:59-62,  John 20:1-4

Peter messed up... big time!  The Lord told Peter that he was going to deny him three times before dawn.  Peter vehemently denied it.  However, Jesus was right.  Peter did deny him and on the third time the Gospel of Luke tells us they made eye contact.  He went away weeping, overwhelmed with grief.

Fast forward to three days later.  Mary Magdalene comes and tells the disciples that Jesus' body was no longer in the tomb.  Peter and John run to the tomb.  Did you catch that?  Peter ran to Jesus.

Peter understood the character of His Lord.  Peter understood forgiveness.  I am not sure if I would have run to the tomb that day.  Unfortunately, too many times in my life I allow feelings of guilt and failure to keep me from running back to Jesus.  I forget that the Bible tells me that when I confess my sins He is faithful and just to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  I forget that as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed transgression from me (Psalm 103:12).  I forget that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).  Instead I allow Satan to beat me up with my sin over and over.  Guilt washes over me and keeps me from the One who died to set me free from sin and death (Romans 8:2)!

Salvation is a free gift.  There is nothing we can do to earn it, we just have to accept it and believe it (Romans 6:23 / Romans 10:9).  Forgiveness works the same way.  We don't earn it, but Jesus's death on the cross freely brings it!  We have to accept his forgiveness, believe we have it, and then MOVE ON!  What if Peter never accepted Christ's forgiveness and moved on to become the rock of the early church?  What if David never accepted God's forgiveness for his sin of murder and adultery and never moved on to be a King that honored God and ruled Israel?  What if Moses never accepted God's forgiveness for his sin of murder and never went to lead God's people out of Israel?  What if Paul never accepted God's forgiveness for terrorizing and martyring the early church and never became one of the greatest missionaries of all time?

What if you never accept God's forgiveness and move on?  What will you never see HIM accomplish through your life?  Satan doesn't win when the war over your life when we sin.  However, we let him win when we wallow in guilt and become ineffective for the Kingdom of God!  Don't you know Jesus has the power to take your sin and turn it around for something good and for His glory? (Romans 8:28).

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."  Galatians 5:1

Run like Peter!  God is waiting with open arms!

Fear or Faith?

Numbers 14:2-9 (Click on reference to read text)

The 40+ years that Israel spent wandering around the dessert was full of ups and downs.  They had seen God do amazing things: part the Red Sea, bring water from a rock, feed them from the Heavens, and many more.  The Bible even says that their shoes and clothes did not even wear out (Deut 29:5)... after 40+ years!  That in itself is a miracle.  Yet, despite all of these great acts of God, they struggled with their faith.  Fear crept in and then Faith walked out. 

After hearing the report of the 12 spies, the Israelites begin to grumble.  The became afraid of the overwhelming task of conquering the promised land.  They went so far as to say "let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt" (vs. 4).  This was absurd! They began to see the very place where they were enslaved as the Promised Land.  It can happen to us!  

Fear drives you to bondage!   You begin to think the present circumstances you find yourself in is just too hard.  You begin to romanticize the past and remember it a lot better than it actually was, and if you are not careful, will convince yourself to return to a life of enslavement.... a life apart from the complete indwelling and control of the Holy Spirit.  Be Aware! 

Fear may drive you to bondage, but Faith drives you to blessing!!  Joshua and Caleb, who were also apart of the 12 spies, tell a different story.  They choose to believe the promise of their God and keep moving foward!  They speak in faith, "If the Lord is pleased with us, then HE will bring us into this land and give it to us- a land which flows with milk and honey... Do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey.  Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them" (vs. 8-9).  Obstacles, no matter how large, disappear when you are standing with the Great God of the Universe.  God always keeps His promises!  It may not always be easy, but the Promised Land is worth it!

Are you living in Fear or Faith?  Do you find yourself hesitant to continue in the way God has called you?  Are you romanticizing the past and wishing things could go back, before you stepped out in faith?  Make sure you are not making decisions out of Fear!  The Bible warns us to, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:16-19).  Walk by faith!

Throw Off Everything that Hinders...

Hebrews 12:1-3

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. "

The text is too important to skip over.  Sorry for my absence.  I have found myself entangled for the past month, and it wasn't until this morning that I have broken Gloriously free.  This time of year is hard for me.  Very hard.  Two years ago this Christmas Eve my Daddy passed away suddenly, doing what He loved the most... he had just finished writing his first sermon for Zion Baptist Church.  My heart has been weighted down with grief since his birthday in October.  I have faked being okay well, except probably for the people who walk daily with me through life.  Yet I have handled my emotional drain completely the wrong way.

I have spent the past two months being busy with anything and everything I can imagine.  My feet ran from the second they hit the floor to the time I collapsed exhausted into bed at night.  Most have been good things, things for the church and my family.  A few not great things (let's just say for a girl who hates shopping, I shopped a little too much last month).  I had created an impossible to do list, and I was actually accomplishing it.  I looked pretty good on the outside.  But I was wrong.

I was running a race that was not marked out for me.  My eyes were not fixed on Jesus, but on my to do list and whatever I could do to make my church and family happy.  Hebrews said that Jesus endured the cross for me and I was giving him my time, but NOT what He wants most of all... my heart.  You see, I didn't have time to "Cease Striving and Know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10)

Galatians 3:1-3 contains a harsh rebuke for the church.  Paul is blasting them for believing that they must win over Christ's love and salvation through works.  He asked them, "Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?  Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"  We don't please God through our many works, we please Him through our faith in Jesus Christ. He is most happy when we obey the greatest of all commandments, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthews 22:35-37). 

Paul clarifies the relationship between faith that is pleasing to God and works we are to do for Him in Ephesians:  "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (2:10).   We are to "do" things for Him, but ONLY what He has prepared for us before the foundation of the world.  When you are seeking Him, you don't have to take on everything, but just what HE tells you to do.

Do you feel burdened by life?  Are you exhausted?  Have you  "grown weary and lost heart"?  Maybe you are doing things that the Lord had not set out for you to do.  He doesn't want tired bodies, but sold out hearts.  Join with me in praying every morning, "Lord, I just want to do what you have prepared for me in advance today.  I don't want to add anything more or do anything less.  Please give me discernment to walk in You path for me, grant me courage to obey the leading of your voice, may you be glorified in everything I say do and speak.  My time is yours.  My family is yours.  My heart is yours.  In Jesus's Name I pray, Amen."

When the Feelings Aren't There...

Psalm 143:7-12 (Click on reference to read text)

Have you ever had seasons in your life where you felt like this Psalmist? Have you found your spirit failing and felt like you were falling into a pit? I don't know about you, but I definitely go through "dry seasons." Seasons where I am overwhelmed, discouraged, cannot think clearly, and generally feel depressed. I am actually walking out of a season like that right now. So you know you are there... what do you do? What do you do when you are a believer, but the feelings just aren't there?

First, we need to call our feelings what they are... feelings. This may sound redundant and crazy, but we need to realize that our feelings do not always accurately reflect our reality. Instead of focusing on what we feel, we need to follow Paul's advice and focus on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence or worthy of praise (Phil 4:8). My dad used to always tell me, the feelings are the caboose of your life. They are not the driving engine. Just the caboose. No one puts the caboose first when trying to run a train, and we should not put our feelings first when trying to run our lives.

Second, we need to remind ourselves of what we know to be true. The Psalmist calls out to the Lord, "let me hear your loving kindness... for I trust in You... to You I lift up my Soul... I take refuge in you" (vs. 8-9). When you feel like you are falling into the pit, remember what you know to be true. You are not alone, and He is with you! (Psalm 139... READ IT :o)

Third, we need to call out on our Heavenly Father for help. We need to ask for Him to teach us the way in which we should walk (vs. 8), teach us to do His will (vs. 10), ask His Spirit to lead us on level ground (vs.10), and ask Him to revive us (vs.11). The Lord promises us in His word that if we ask anything according to His will He will do it (1 John 5:14-15). Believe this promise!

Finally, we need to start walking. The Psalmist ends this prayer with "For I am your servant" (vs. 12). He doesn't dwell in the pit. He praises the Lord, He calls out to the Lord for Help, and He starts living out His life in submission and service to the Lord. It may take awhile for your feelings to change. Feelings typically don't magically get better. They always follow actions! Just start walking in faith, and before you know it, your feelings will change! Your heart will be singing and your step will be lighter!

As mentioned earlier, I am coming out of a dry season. For the past few weeks I have felt depressed, overwhelmed, and just struggled to make it through each day. I know feeling like this is not God's plan for me (John 10:10). However, the choice to get out is mine. I must choose to call out to the one who CAN and WILL pull me out of the pit. If you feel like me, why don't we start calling out together?

The Wilderness

Deuteronomy 2:7, 8:2-4 (Click on reference to read text)

You know the saying that you can't see the forest for all the trees? I think we often cannot see our blessings because we are too focused on our circumstances. Yes, Israel wondered around in the desert for 40 years. Yes, it was hard. BUT they were never alone. The entire time they were there, the Lord provided for their every need. When they were thirsty, God gave them water (Deut 8:15). When they were hungry, God provided food (Exodus 16:4-8). Although they wondered in the wilderness for 40 years, their feet never swelled, and their sandals and clothes never wore out (Deut 8:4, 29:5). Amazing!

When I find myself in the "wilderness", whether self inflicted like the Israelites because of sin, or because the Lord is growing and teaching me to depend upon him (Deut 8:3, 5), I too can be so focused on my circumstances that I do not even notice His blessings. However, I would wager that if we would just open our eyes and look around us, we would quickly notice the movements of His hands in our lives. Our lives may not look exactly like we thought it would, we many not have everything we "want", we still get sick, we still have trials, but He is walking with us every step of the way.

However, it is often only in these times of wilderness, where we are stripped of everything, that we get quiet enough to focus on the only thing that truly matters.... our relationship with Christ. The wilderness is not always punishment. Sometimes the wilderness is the safest place for us to be (Rev 12:6).

So... instead of trying with all our mights to run from these times of trial and affliction, let's open our eyes to the movements of God in our life that brought us here. Allow His overwhelming presence and provision be your sustaining power, and watch and be amazed at how He provides for all your needs: emotionally, physically and spiritually. So today, instead of trying to figure out how to run out of the wilderness you find yourself in, try running into His presence and loving arms. You too will find you are not alone.

Adult Pacifiers...

Today my oldest turned three. She has known for months what this day meant. No more pacifiers. With the hopes of making an easier transition, we took her to Build a Bear today and allowed her to make a new friend and "pay with her pacifiers." Let's just say at 8:45 tonight she was melting down. She tried every excuse and reason possible to get her pacifiers back - even telling me that she was not really three! I finally placed her head in my lap, gave her a head rub, and started singing praise songs. Within 5 minutes she stopped crying and about 10 minutes later she was asleep... with no pacifier! From my 29 year perspective, I am acutely aware that she does not need a pacifier! Yet, it is complete security to her. As I was "trapped on the sofa" (because nothing in the world would have caused me to move and wake her!), I began praying for the Lord to reveal the "pacis" in my life - the things I too truly think I need.

1. Locks and Worldly Security: As a former policeman's daughter you can guarantee that I believe in locking the doors, being careful and watchful, and having certain security measures. I am fully aware of the value of locks and safety. Yet the truth is that my need to be extremely cautious is a trust issue between me and God. His Word states in Ps 127:1, "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain." He goes on to say in Ps 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses,but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Chariots and horses were their main means of warfare. My trust cannot be in my security measures, but in my Father.

2. Provisions: We all need certain things for survival. The problem comes in when we think we "need" things that are really comforts/wants. The Bible says, for us not to worry about our life, what we will eat or drink; or about what we will wear. For our Heavenly Father knows we need them! (Matthew 6). He promises us in His Word that He will provide all of our needs (Phil 4:19). Is my security in Him or His provisions?

3. Relationships: Now this is a hard one! My relationships with my family is huge in my life - yet I read verses like, "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:26). That is very strong language and a verse that I would love to kind of skip over! The truth is that my love for God must be paramount, it must be the driving force behind my decisions, passions, and actions. My family is a tremendous blessing and a gift from God. I must remember the gift and not make it an idol. (If we were really honest, we would admit that all relationships will never be able to meet all of our needs all the time... only God can. He knows this and has provided a way through His Son!)

So what are your pacifiers? Surely I am not alone! If you really examined yourself, where is your security resting? After all, I guess there is not too much difference between myself and my precious little girl that is asleep on my lap. She survived without her pacis. She calmed down as she rested in my presence and I wrapped my arms around her singing praises to the One who wraps His arms around me and longs to be my comfort. As I sang to my little darling tonight:

No other Name but the name of Jesus
No other Name but the name of the Lord
No other Name but the name of Jesus
Is worthy of glory, and worthy of honor
And worthy of power and all praise

Run Home!!!

Acts 3:19 - "Therefore, repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

Satan is a great liar and when you sin, inevitably his attack begins. First of all he loves to make you feel guilty, because guilt drives you away from the Father. Guilt causes you to stop and dwell. You listen to the lies that you are not good enough, you are a failure, you have gone too far away from God's love, you could never return... etc. Whatever Satan can do to keep you from the Father, he will lay it on.

However, in this Scripture we see the most beautiful picture of God's operation with Christians when they sin. His Holy Spirit begins to convict the heart of God's child. Unlike guilt, conviction causes you to run to the Father and repent. Christ is calling us to run away from our sin and return to Him. He longs to wipe away our sin and refresh us with His presence. That amazes me! In this Scripture He does not just promise forgiveness, He promises us His refreshing presence.

Where are you at right now? Is there a sin in your life that is keeping you from your Father's refreshing presence? Are you buried in guilt? Quit listening to the lies of Satan and start listening to the Father's own words... RETURN and He WILL wipe away your sins and refresh you with His presence. He is waiting with arms open wide.

It is time. Put on your shoes and run home.

Pull the Weeds!

Mathew 13:1-8, 24-32

I love gardening. I love the whole process, from the planting, to the tending, to the harvest. However, as I was putting in my vegetables this past week, if you could have seen me with God's eyes, you would have seen a storm cloud brewing overhead instead of happiness. I was stewing! As I feverishly turned the soil, pulled weeds and just struggled with the ground, I was listing the things in my head that I "deserved", the opportunities that were passing me by... for the love, I just wanted to go to the grocery store, sans kids, for triple coupon week! All I wanted to do is save my family money!

You get my point. We have all done it.

As I was fighting with the ground, the Holy Spirit whispered one sentence to me that literally stopped me in my tracks... "watch out for the weeds." I knew immediately what He meant.

The very nature of weeds is to destroy. To suck the life and nutrients out of the ground that needs to be sustaining plants that we want to keep. They are prevalent and they are a constant battle that you will never gain complete and lasting victory. Sound familiar? Sounds like sin.

Just as I plant tomato plants to bring forth tomatoes, so God plants us for a purpose. It is our purpose to bring forth a harvest for His kingdom and His renown. Satan desires to do nothing more than kill that harvest, and he often does it through little pieces, of sometimes overlooked, sin. Sin that if ignored will eventually suck the nutrients and life out of what we have.

For me that day, the weed of sin was my attitude of selfishness. I fell in to the trap of feeling like "I deserve ____". It is so easy to fall into. Was it too much to ask to be able to get away before 9pm to go to the grocery store by myself? Probably not. However, what was wrong was when I started to get angry at my husband, feeling like he was being selfish for working long hours, nursing feelings of neglect. Instead of feeling this way, I needed to be proud and appreciative that he was going to work to provide for our family (and I know he would so much rather be with us), I needed to be understanding and supportive during that crazy busy and stressful week. I needed to be thankful he came home to us as soon as the workday was over instead of wanting to run off and "do his own thing." I was wrong, and praise the Lord that He revealed it to me before I continued to let these feelings grow and kill the wonderful marriage the Lord has blessed me with. What are your little weeds - Things that seem insignificant, and you may be able to blame on hormones, but if you were completely honest you know it is a sin?

Sometimes we allow weeds to grow, because they seem appealing and even desirable at the time. I have lots of dirt splotches in my yard, and my original thought was green is better than dirt. However, because I left those weeds unattended over the last three years, weeds have spread all over my yard and is literally killing the grass I do have. This simple truth is a huge weapon in Satan's arsenal. In those areas of our life where we feel a void, it is so tempting to allow little things that are not healthy or best to fill that area of need. For example, maybe there is an unhealthy or unholy relationship in your life that is filling a need that you have. I don't know, but you and God do. Only the Lord can fill the voids that are in your life. It is better left alone than filled with sin that will eventually spread and kill whatever life you have.

Lastly, weeds draw nutrients and water away from the plants that they are near. God rains down upon our life blessings, talents and abilities to fulfill our purpose that He has created for us. He tells us in His Word that He will give us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Are there "weeds" in your life that are robbing your time, blessings, etc. and going against God's calling on your life. It is important to note that sometimes weeds are beautiful flowers, but they are still weeds. Sometimes things look good and even Godly, but are distracting us from where God has placed us (being a mom, being a help-mate for your husband, etc). We must closely evaluate anything that threatens the life of people/places we KNOW we are supposed to be serving to make sure that it is of the Lord.

Finally, we must be vigilant. I must pick weeds all summer long. Once picked, more will eventually come. It is a never ending battle, but I like the challenge! We must constantly evaluate our life, even in areas where we have repented, gained the victory and begun pursuing holiness. Satan is out to destroy our lives (1 Peter 5:8) and He won't stop until he succeeds or we either join the Lord in Heaven. Pray Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." After praying, stop, be still, and listen. The Holy Spirit will let you know and you just pull the weeds!

Why Do I Fail? (Part 1 of Being a Conqueror in Christ)

1 Samuel 17:1-50 (Click on reference to read text)

Satan loves to put Goliath sized images and problems before us. Satan likes making us feel like we are trapped by a warrior that is fully armed, and ready to bring total destruction and slavery. How quickly we forget that if we have a personal relationship with God's son, Jesus Christ, although we are small, we have the power of God and the Host of Heaven on our side. This is exactly what happened to Israel.

God had promised Israel land that they would dwell in safely. In this point of history, the Philistines were trying to remove Israel from the promised land, and they almost succeeded. So often we reach the point that Israel was at, running in fear, but how do we get there?

First we forget who we are (vs.8). Goliath called the Israelites servants of Saul, and no one seemed to even notice. This was their first mistake. They were chosen by God, His children, called by His name. When we forget who we are, we also fall susceptible to attack. It is so easy to stop believing in the faithfulness of our Father when we stop putting our identity in Him! It is not until verse 26 that God is even mentioned in this story... we must keep Him in the forefront of our minds and lives!

Second we begin to focus on the problem and not on God (vs. 11 and 21-24). Yes, they had a big problem... a nine foot tall problem. Their problem seemed huge, but God is so much bigger! When we lose sight of God, our faith hides behind our fear. Remember the story of Elisha when he told Gehazi "don't worry, those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings 6:8-23).

Finally, we often live in captivity to fear and failure because we follow false advice (vs. 28). People will provide opposition to you and sometimes encourage you to stay in fear and bondage, BUT GOD BRINGS FREEDOM (Gal 5:1). This verse clearly states, "do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." It is a choice that we make! Don't listen to people that encourage you to live in bondage. There truly is freedom in Christ!

We must remember that we "are MORE than conquerors in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:37). We all allow things to keep us from being a conqueror. What or Who is your Goliath? What are you battling for your promised land right now. Remember, God is bigger and with God all things are possible (Matt 19:26).

(This week we learn what not to do. Tune in next week as we focus on how to become a conqueror!)