Desert Declaring
Desert, the short definition is ‘a barren region of landscape.’ How is our landscape, metaphorically and spiritually speaking? Are we parched, drying up and quite weary from trekking through the rugged terrain? Recently on one of my many rabbit trails, I was taken to Luke chapter 4. Here Jesus is lead by the Spirit out into the desert place. The desert place. He encounters the devil, where he tempts the Divine with some pretty cool stuff (not that they were his to give mind you) Jesus’ response, ‘It is written…” In these 3 responses, Jesus reaches back and quotes Moses from Deuteronomy, (6:13,16 & 8:3). “Man does not live on bread alone… worship the Lord your God and serve Him only … do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Here’s the cool part, this whole ‘God talks – man receives’ – where did it happen as Moses speaks? In the desert place.
Seeing a pattern? Oh, we don’t have to go out running towards the dryest region we can find to hear God, and be strong, but there is a significant desert purpose! The desert offers a lack of distractions. (Use it!) It offers true, genuine desperate need for survival. (Long for it. Long for HIM!) That desert is designed. (Accept it!) It is instruction time, just before time. Remember Moses and the Israelites, Deuteronomy was just before; Moses last words just before he dies and just before Joshua takes them into the Promised Land. Instruction time – just before. (Listen for it!)
Be encouraged folks, there IS a purpose, listen for the words of instruction like Moses, and declare the word like Jesus.
The desert place.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
WAIT! Don’t Jump Ship Yet!
Waiting. Isn’t it HOARDS of fun? Yes, that is a rhetorical – sarcastic question. Nothing floats my boat, rolls my socks, more than … waiting. I am kidding, of course, whether it be in a checkout stand, gas line, or in a season of life, I am not a good wait-er.
Recently studying in Genesis, (LOVE that book, I always seem to be in Genesis) I was again reminded of just how ‘human’ the characters are. Noah. Quickly setting the scene: God is grieved over mans ‘ickiness‘. He’s starting over. He instructs Noah to build the first Titanic; however, this one IS unsinkable. Noah obeys beyond the critical looks, and behind his back snickers. He builds the ark and gathers the animals. Loading up, God shuts the door and it begins to rain.
Forty days it rains. (Genesis 8) FINALLY, the rain stops. Noah sends out the raven, then the dove, they both return because there is no place to land yet. Verse 10 “He WAITED seven more days …” (emphasis mine) Noah waited. In the Hebrew, this waiting is a painful waiting, as to wring the hands, not a mere sitting on a crate playing cards passing the time. It refers to either pain in the physical sense or in the emotional. Noah and his family in the ark, God preserves them, now he (they) … wait. Perhaps Noah’s thought bend towards, had God forgotten him? Will he forever spend the rest of his life in a stinky ship full of animals? “How many rounds of ‘Row row row your boat’ do they HAVE to sing, those silly sons!” I must mention, Mrs. Noah, what a trooper, not one mention of complaining – in contrast to the dusty folks in the wilderness. Think about it, she’s on a voyage of no destination, no itinerary, with no time of arrival determined, with plenty of animals and animal stuff. No complaints.
BUT, the story, the waiting does NOT stop there. Noah sent out the dove AGAIN, that evening the dove returned with an olive branch, “Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but THIS TIME it did not return to him.” (8:11-12)
Noah waited and waited some more. We read that and think … ‘the guy is getting good at 
waiting.’ YET, his waiting has changed, the narrative uses a completely different word for wait. First he ‘hil’ (Hebrew) ‘painful waiting’, now after the olive branch, he sends the dove out with hope, ‘yahal’ (Hebrew) a confident expectation in his wait. His pain has turned to hope. The results of his hope … “but this time it did not return to him,” knowing the dove had landed happily in an olive tree somewhere. I LOVE the ‘this time’ of waiting, the ‘this time’ of God.
Hope – it will carry us a long way, as long as it doesn’t carry us in the wrong direction. “Hope is NOT a pacifying wish of the imagination which drowns out troubles….” * Folks, whether we are in a season of painfully waiting, or our waiting is full of hope, don’t jump ship yet! Keep sending those doves, perhaps God is in the ‘more.’ Take heart, God is just preparing us a dry place, His timing … perfect. Look for those olive branches, they will be there. Our ‘this time’ … is coming!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” –Hebrews 10:24)
* Quote from the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (LOVE those geeky books!)
Don’t Back Down
Jesus, the disciples, and the crowd were leaving Jericho. A blind beggar named Bart (Bartimaeus) was sitting beside the road. When he heard that Jesus was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Dude Be quiet!” The people yelled at him. But this only got him more excited, he shouted even louder, “SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!” When Jesus heard him, He stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked. The blind man said, “I want to see!” (Mark 10:46-51)
I love the quotes of Jesus, this is one of my favorite. Blind Bart, works his way to Jesus, VERY apparent he lacks the ability to see, Jesus being God … KNEW! Yet, Jesus asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” When the people tried to hush Bart, would he quiet himself? NO, he was desperate! Bart initiated the ‘ask’, would he follow through? How 
often do we ask, yet not follow through for a boatload of reasons? Are we desperate enough? Jesus wants us to come to the place that we tell Him. Notice too, that when Jesus asked, Bart’s response was NOT full of excuses or explanation, “Well, when I was 10, I was in a scuffle with my brother, I fell, my head injury resulted in my blindness, actually I am sure my brother pushed me. We haven’t spoken since. I have sought help from the doctors for years, but to no avail, it did not help. I am still blind, so here I sit every day waiting…”
He simply stated, “I want to see!”
May we too, in Jesus’ presence, not shy away, don’t back down, stay desperate, get straight to the point and ask of Him.
What happen to Bart? Jesus healed him.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
How We Impact Others!
Recently my friend Deanna and I were visiting a classmate from our growing up years. We toured the blueberry fields with fascination as Beth points out the different varieties. Rows, and rows of lush green and blue. Soon, we drive up to the farmhouse, when out steps Beth’s mom, Esther. Full of a hospitable smile, she waves us into the house.
Once in, as introductions were made, and our conversation comfortable, I asked Esther what church she attended in the small farming community I grew up in. “The church across from the Grade School.” Her response brought back memories I hadn’t thought about in years. Memories of being handed a small red book, and reading the cover ‘New Testament’ and knowing nothing of God, or the Bible, I honestly thought the ‘New’ meant it has just come out and that ‘I’ was privileged to even have a copy. I went on to tell her, that when I was little, we used to have ladies walk over from that church and get a small group of us and walk us back to the church and teach us about Jesus. Her next words have 
forever changed my life – “THAT was me!”
At that moment, my eyes welled up; I walked across the room, enfolded her in a warm hug and told her “Thank you!” She asked me, “Do you love Jesus?” With heartfelt enthusiasm “Oh yes!” I replied. Beth proceeded to tell her, “Mom, DeDe is an ordained minister now.” I shared that it wasn’t until about eight years later, when I was 16, that I was again shared the gospel and gave my heart to Jesus, I went on to Bible college and now after years of study, a Bible teacher. Esther was so thrilled; she could not wait to share this at ‘testimony night’ at church. I would have loved to have been in the grandstands with the angels when Esther rose to tell her story!
Esther sharing flannel graph stories about Jesus to a group of school kids seems so trivial, but OH NO it isn’t! She planted a seed that laid there until years later when Brenda, another woman of God sat me down and shared the gospel in terms a teenager could understand. That action and those words caused the Esther seed to come alive! The Holy Spirit watered it, it sprouted and gave new born-again birth to a confused and hurting 16-year-old. God is AMAZING!
Never EVER doubt how we impact others! Regardless! Regardless of how small and trivial it may appear. Solomon wrote: “Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person.” (Proverbs 3:27 MSG) Paul says, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4) Thank you, Esther, for being obedient and being God’s hands and looking to the interest of those lil kids, THIS now grown gal is head over heels in love with Jesus and teaches HIM to others. I am so thankful God orchestrated Esther and I meeting after 45+ years, our faith is encouraged, our faith is grown! Be someones Esther!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Note: I looked up what the colored coded lil Gideon Bibles mean: Red, in-school distribution. Green, for college/university. Orange, street evangelism. White, medical use. Dark blue, any other language other than English. (Thank you Gideon’s!) I am still in awe that I am privileged to own, and now teach the Bible!
Sin Not, Our VERY Best!
I have been studying Romans, verse by verse following Paul’s thread of thought. I studied it in college, but that was a boatload (two trains, and a couple of semis) years ago. I’ve revisited circumcision, atonement, and salvation, and now, now the ‘s’ word … yup … sin. I have learned much more than I ever wanted, I’ve been forced to stop writing, and push away from the table having to bow my head multiple times. (This is not a complete thesis on the subject, just what I am learning).
Sin is biblically known as to fail or miss the mark. The mark is the target God set out there for us, to not only aim for – but HIT. Sin is a verb, an archer’s term, let me paint a picture: The archer takes a stance, the bowstring is drawn, and then released, the arrow flies and misses the target, the arrow has failed to fulfill the goal, due to the contemplated aim of the archer. The archer has sinned. Here’s a good example, in the book of Judges (chapter 20) it talks about a group of left-handed warriors who could sling a rock so accurately, they could not ‘miss’ (they didn’t ‘khata’ / sin) their aim was right-on, their slinging was ‘sinless.’ How is our aim?
We want to make sure we know what we are aiming for, WHAT is the targeted goal of our thoughts, behavior, and choices. We look to Jesus, the ‘sinless’ One, Who did not fail to love and love completely. In His response when asked what the greatest commandment is, His answer (in short) “To love God and love others.” (Matthew 22:36-40, Mark 12:28:31) When we sin, we fail to love as commanded; our mindset works out in our actions in disobedience, we either hurt God, ourselves or hurt others, (usually all at the same time). We miss the target, love. If we are loving God with ALL our heart, ALL our soul, and ALL our mind… and loving our neighbor as our self, well our target is hit. BUT, when we don’t and we miss, (and we will) John gives us the solution, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9) Confessing is coming back into alignment with what GOD says! How’s our re-aligning?
Funny thing is, it does not stop there, in the original language, sin is the act of doing wrong(missing the goal) yes, but it is literally also ‘not the best‘ (OUCH!) The goal of the enemy of our soul is to kill, steal and destroy, he does so by getting us distracted, deviating from the truth, get our eyes OFF the target, not doing and being our best. How many of us, if we were REALLY honest would be bold enough to say we are lazy, (my hand goes up!) we don’t always give it our best, we are undisciplined and often times just do a haphazard fling of our bow, not truly taking it serious enough, when our response is wrapped in lame-slang, “My bad!” James understood this: “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (4:17) He is describing what is 
theologically known as ‘sins of omission.’ It is not only what people do that matters; the good that they fail to do (due to the contemplated aim of the archer) is equally important to God. *
Here is an amazing example of how I feel Paul is strongly exhorting us all to do and be the VERY BEST. He KNEW, he knew because Jesus told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9) Yes, it is hard work, yes it is painful, yes, we do so by faith, and YES, it helps to have someone crawling alongside us! I love how the mocking crowd changed their tune as they see the determination, can you imagine how the world would view us (and our God) if we responded in life like THIS! Watch … watch until the very end “Alright, who’s next?” May this clip and the words of Jesus ring true as we are taking proper aim and ‘giving it our very BEST!’ God gave His very best, why don’t we.
Paul, the coach… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sUKoKQlEC4 (Click on link)
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
*Sins of omission defined in ESV Study Bible notes, commentary on James 4:17. Please also note, this author chooses to not capitalize the name satan, he is not worthy of proper grammatical rules. Movie clip above is from ‘Facing the Giants’.
Prayer
This morning I was reminded of a time when prayer became more real and on a relational level for others. A few years ago, while driving to work early at O dark hundred in the morning, I became aware of something, “Where’s Linda?” Linda is a gal I would see riding her bike every morning, she was but a speck of light at first with a headlamp on her forehead and flashing backlight. I had never met Linda, I just gave her that name.
For a couple of months, this Linda and I passed each other every workday. I had begun to pray for her. She not knowing, but it doesn’t matter, our paths intersected for a reason. So I’d pray. I prayed for her safety on the road, for any unknown needs, that while she rides “YOU, God are speaking to her.” One particular morning, I didn’t see her. For never meeting this gal, my heart sank. However, about a ½ mile up the road, there she was. I again began our morning routine, unknown to her!
Prayer, an amazing thing. Some make it more complex than it is, more lengthy than needed and by golly more King James than understood. Paul shared multiple times about our CALL to pray for one another. He bluntly states, “Brethren, pray for us.” (1 Thessalonians 5:25) Again, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2) James shares, in a more intimate 
environment, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16 emphasis mine) Astonishingly, this was said of Job in the Old Testament, “After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10)
Prayer, simply coming to our God, and talking to Him. I would venture to say, most of our prayers may be “O God, help!” and that’s okay, “In Jesus name!” Whether it be a quick bow of the head for a loved one, on our knees on behalf of the nation, face down in a battle for deliverance or heartfelt while driving by a stranger, let us converse. I would add, conversing is two-sided, remember to take pause to allow God to respond … and listen.
Prayer.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
It Has Purpose!
As I sat on the edge of a prickly field in Pendleton, Oregon visiting family, I am again, in awe of God! In my morning devotions, I was directed to Luke 15, specifically verses 11-32, the parable of The Prodigal Son. I have read this numerous times, heard it preached and teached, (ok, it is really ‘taught’ – but it rhymes) it is packed FULL of wonderful principles. We can look at it through the eyes of the wayward son, through the frustrated older brother and the father, oh the father! Today I see it through new eyes, a fresh perspective; this is what Holy Spirit showed me, this is what I am learning. (Stay with me this is good)
The parable begins with “Jesus continues…” What was He continuing? Looking at the prior verses, there are two parables above, First: ‘The Lost Sheep’ Jesus ends the mini story with “there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.” (v7) Then, the second Parable of the Lost Coin, He too ends with “there is rejoicing … over one sinner who repents.” (v10) Jesus is teaching on repentance. Even then, I go back further, the first verse of the chapter; it says, (Looking for where they were, who was there) “Tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Him.’ But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (NIV, emphasis mine, can you hear the ‘hissing’ in their muttering!) The principal pulled forward: Do WE position ourselves to listen or so distracted with criticism, perhaps MISS what Jesus is saying. (Ouch!)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son: In brief rundown: A father has two sons; the younger decides to leave, demanding he gets his inheritance NOW! It is given, he takes off and treks far away completely wasting all his money on wild living. When his pockets are empty, a famine hits, he’s hungry – he finds work at a farm, his boss puts him to work feeding the pigs, he sees what he is tossing to the pigs, being so hungry, even THAT looks good! The story comes to a pivotal point when “He finally comes to his senses…” (v17, complete sermon in those few words) He says to himself, ‘even at home, dads hired servants get better than this, I will go home to dad and tell him; “Father, I have sinned against heaven and you, I am not worthy to be called your son, please take me on as one of your hired servants.” Here’s the key verse (to me) Verse 20, “So he returned home to his father.” As he nears home, the father sees him, so excited the father takes off running, meets him, embraces and kisses him. The son begins his speech. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son …” Not getting to finish, his dad turns and calls to the servants “Get the robe, the ring, sandals, and kill the calf we’ve been fattening up – let’s celebrate! My son who was lost is found!” (The story goes on; the older brother notices the celebration, he begins throwing a smaller ‘pity’ party version – the dad comes out and tells him to get over it, all I have is yours already!)
I want to reach down and unpack a few things: I noticed as Jesus told this story, there is no reference to the father speaking any words to the younger son; we only hear a one-sided conversation. When the son returns and gives his dad his speech, the father does NOT reply to the son but calls to his servants. The father gives no verbal response – but only ACTION. His 
dad’s forgiveness is action-filled, he gives him a ring, robe, sandals and a BBQ. (The significance of each for another time).
I also noticed, the son refers to his dad’s servants, and his dad calls to his servants. Each time they both use different words. The son (see verses 17, 19) uses (in the Greek) ‘misthios’ meaning ‘wage earner.’ The father (v22) uses ‘doulos’ – meaning, ‘one whose will is consumed with the will of another.’ The son was going back ‘for the paycheck’ – NOT to be taken over by his fathers’ will. Let that sink in. HOWEVER, (pause) I am fully convinced, that as the son saw his father’s response, no words, just action – regardless of how empty his stomach was, everything changed! Actions speak LOUD! Action can detour any conversation, there were no ‘follow up’ words, ‘BUT DAD…’
I see also that good intentions only profit – IF we act on them, while the son was still in the pig pen, ‘he said’ – he not only ‘said’ but also he got up and went TO his father. He could have continued in the pen and rambled on and on and on, the neighbors could hear him lamenting over at their place! But he truly repented – repentance is not just turning away FROM, but in the same movement – it is turning TO! It has purpose! Repentance took him away from his icky pig pen, and home TO his father. His dad couldn’t do anything about his son’s situation until he came home. (Read THAT again) Yes, Jesus is teaching about repentance.* (See defined below)
The prodigal son, YES, he messed up, but took notice of his situation, was humbled, responsible and sought resolution, (RIGHT AWAY, ‘when he came to his senses’ – there was no delaying, sat on it – wrote ‘Dear Abby’ – consulted his friends) – he put action to his personal repentance. This father put his forgiveness into action as well. What about us, are there circumstances that have us in the pig pen, whether small or fills the back 40. Do we need to quit just talking about it, but get up and DO! A purposed turning from and turning to (God). Or perhaps, we need to offer forgiveness to another, oh we may not need to throw a robe over their shoulders and put sandals on their feet, but we may need to back up our forgiveness with action. Point to ponder – remember, the father gave his son his portion of the inheritance, but upon returning, the father had MORE to give, – our God has and IS more! And sometimes, God allows us to go the full run of our sin, to truly appreciate the MORE of HIM when we come home!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
*Repentance means a change of place, or condition, to exercise the mind, to relent, a true change of heart toward God. The OPPOSITE of repentance: To continue. [The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament] Those who, conscious of their sins, are intent on obtaining God’s pardon. [Thayers Greek-English Lexicon] To change one’s purpose [ Vine’s Expository Dictionary of the New Testament] Perceiving one’s prior opinion, feelings, or purpose was wrong, taking on the sense ‘to regret’ – in so doing, a change is made. [Theological Dictionary of the New Testament] Interesting side note: ‘Prodigal’ in the Greek means: Extravagantly wasteful because of “loose living.” [ Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament]
Pictured above, the sunny skies over Pendleton.
HE IS HOLY!
God has been challenging me with my worship of Him. When gathered with others, I tend to just get in line, and follow the flow. I stand, sit, and bow my head. I join in the choruses, clap to the beat, and smile at my neighbor. I offer a hardy ‘Amen’ when finished and we take our seats. I love my church family! Isn’t it interesting though it seems of recent years, we sing mostly about ‘our’ journey, we hear it on the radio and bust it out at church. Songs filled with I -me – we – us. We sing of all the great things He has done for us (which He HAS) we sing of the deliverance He brings us (which He DOES) we sing about how we are made new, loved and free, (which we ARE) these are good, these are right – but what about just worshipping Him for WHO-He -is. He is Holy, Holy, Holy! I am learning it is not just, ‘what’ He is – it is WHO He is! Worship is not about us! Where is the reverence, the holy hush, the drop to your knees in awe? (Frankly, I know if I did drop to my knees, I’d get stuck and couldn’t get back up, but I’d enjoy the view, looking up, seeing …HIM!)
God said to Moses, “Do not come any closer, take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5) Reverence. Holy reverence. Do we come to God with such respect, admiration that we take pause, (remove something) or do we come rushing in out of breath excited to join the party, that in doing so, we fail to see HIM! (OUCH, as I pull down my balloon!)
We are told numerous times in the Word to seek His FACE, never are we told to seek His ‘hand.’
We are like a child running up to daddy, forgetting to acknowledge daddy is home, forgetting his presence, and only wanting to know what He has for us, “Do you have a gift for me? Surely you do! What’s behind your back?” We are excited about the gift, rather than acknowledging the Giver! How about we slow it down, – like the psalmists make us take notice with ‘Selah.’ May we take pause.
Yes, Lord, Your love finds me, Your mercy follows me, Your grace covers me, I am SO thankful! But what if, what if I were to stop and turn and just WORSHIP You! Hands raised, not raised to be picked up (tomorrow) but today I raise my hands just acknowledging YOU are worthy! You are King! You are Holy! You are GOD!
NOW, as I hop in my car, turn on the radio, I can bebop to the beat, sing along about the love of God, “Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine, I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away…” (By the way, I love this song, but God’s love is not ‘reckless’ – He is not reckless – He is deliberate, He is relentless, He is consistent).
Renewing my sense of reverence and awe. Taking pause, catching my breath, bowing low and honoring Him! “Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His footstool; He is holy.” – Psalm 99:5
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Look Again
While hanging my husband’s dress slacks for work the other day, I had the pants upside down by the hem in my hands. I was lining them up to hang properly when I heard (that inner whispered voice) “Look again.” Quickly dismissing it, I placed the hanger on the bar in the closet, then “Look again.” So I did. Although what seemed to be balanced in my hands, further down, the slacks were all catawampus. The sure-fire way to hang them for ‘wrinkle-free results’ was not going to happen. How often do we jet through life with the same mindset, “That’s good enough” dismissing any warnings, then, later on, we find out we were not properly prepared, and a few wrinkles show up?
Multiple times in the Word we are exhorted to listen for God’s instruction, not only listen but DO what He says, “So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not 
turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you.” (Deut. 5:32-33a) “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48:17) King David writes, “You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah” (Psalm 32:7) As he pauses, (‘Selah’) The Lord responds, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Next verse, v8) Do we take pause?
Jesus said: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26) Holy Spirit will teach us, just like He did the disciples, He speaks, guides and instructs. Are we listening?
Oswald Chambers wrote: “Whenever there is doubt, stop at once. Never try to reason it out, saying, “I wonder why I shouldn’t do this?” God instructs us in what we choose; that is, He actually guides our common sense.” I might add, “If we let Him.” How many of us in hindsight – recognize THAT was God! Wouldn’t it be great to see Him …before. He is wise, He is practical (and wrinkle-free).
I was recently asked, “Is everything a devotion to you?” I hope so. I want my walk with Jesus to be so intimate that everything speaks of Him. May I echo the words of the Psalmist: “I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone. Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds.” – Psalm 71:16-17
Looking again.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Looking further: 1 John 2:27; Jeremiah 33:2-3; Isaiah 30:21; Isaiah 54:13; John 6:45; 1 Thess. 4:9; Psalm 86:11, Psalm 119.
The Merciful Patience of God
I have been studying Romans, it can be a tough doctrinal book, lots of talk of righteousness, judgment, propitiation, spiritual sonship, and throw in the paycheck for sin, well, let’s flip over to Psalms and read of green pastures and quiet waters. (Selah)
But I have to say, reading Romans 2:4 caused me to take pause. “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (NLT)
God is patient. There are two major words used in the NT for patience, first hupomone (Greek) – bearing up under, motivated by hope, it is being patient in circumstances and with things. (See Hebrews 12:1) But Paul is emphasizing the other – makrothymia, a most beautiful word, used only 14x in the NT. One is in Galatians 5:22 among the God qualities listed as one of the Fruit of the Spirit. It is most often translated as longsuffering, it is relational, patience with people (sometimes the long and the suffering trip over each other when dealing with others) and yet it is motivated by mercy. What a picture it paints, ‘longsuffering’ – meaning self-restraint before proceeding to action. Mercy. The quality of a person who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so. Mercy!
It is evident in mankind’s cycle that we misunderstand God’s judgment, with the seeming lack of it – thinking we will ‘get ours’ in the end. However, we fail to see and or acknowledge God’s patience! His patience does not overlook. His patience offers opportunity. As mentioned 
above, patience is before – I believe this is what Paul is talking about: “It simply sees further than man. It has the end in view. It has true insight which knows best.”*
Man misuses God’s patience. Many seem to operate under an invisible banner of GRACE – thinking, God has, is and will extend His grace, with the attitude “After all, I’m a Christian, I have God’s favor!” Oh you do and He will, but carrying that mindset to everything, including our repeated disobedience, as if a warm blanket to cover and excuse our behavior, the behavior we KNOW is not God-honoring. If we were to really take a hard look at it, we treat God as our ‘clean-up boy.’ (Spiritual clean-up on aisle 3). Folks we become grace-abusers. I have been there, done THAT! I ended up face down in the muck and mire. (I’ll take that ‘Selah’ now!) God gave me what I didn’t deserve, (grace) held back what I do (mercy). God’s holy coordination in action!
God is wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient with us! May we NOT take it for granted, abuse it or misuse it! His merciful and gracious qualities are intended to turn us!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.”– Hebrews 10:24)
*Theological Dictionary of the New Testament
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience (hupomone) the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
Deception
We often hear, read and make our own conclusion that Eve was deceived. By the serpent. Even Paul declares such to young Timothy “And it was not Adam who was deceived by satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result.” (1 Timothy 2:14 NLT) However, today when we think, deceived we think of blatant ‘get in your face’ and tell you outright lies in order to get you to think or do differently. Yet this is not what I see in the Genesis story – although often we were taught this in flannelgraph story time. The teacher places the serpent right up to Eve’s ear while making hissing sounds, as the melodrama of lies unfolds. Lies.
First, Eve wasn’t even there when God gave Adam the rules of the Garden, Genesis 2: God put the man in the Garden, and told he was to work it and take care of it (tend it) and then told, you are free to eat from any tree in the Garden – EXCEPT- the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil, you shall NOT eat.
THEN (v18) God formed Eve.
Jumping to chapter 3 – the crafty serpent asked Eve “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Not necessarily deceptive, asking a question. Her response: “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat from the tree in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it or you will die.’” (bold emphasis mine) Hm… there were ‘2’ trees specifically mentioned in the middle of the Garden (see 2:9) and God never said Adam could not touch it! He HAD to touch it to tend to it, maintain it, as was his job. Did Adam give these instructions to Eve? “Ok, here’s the deal, see those two trees over there – over there in the middle – we are NOT to eat from those (let’s keep this simple) and don’t even TOUCH them!” Obedience, having a clear understanding of the instructions and abiding accordingly. Did Eve have clear instructions, or was her response to the serpent her interpretation of God’s word? (Not an excuse, just observation)
The narrative continues … the serpents reply to Eve, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good & evil.” (3:5) then, “When the woman saw that the fruit was good for food and pleasing to the eye…” She ate. She shared. Interesting, Eve saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food & pleasing to the eye – just as it was designed! See 2:9 “the trees were pleasing to the eye and good for food” – There is a principle for us: We too [humanity] see things ‘good and pleasing’ even by God’s design – BUT… God-may-say-“NO!” Also, when Eve reached out and touched the fruit, did she take pause? Was there a ‘Hm… I touched and didn’t die.” Thus rationalizing, nothing happened (yet) causing her to go forward since there wasn’t instant consequences. There is always a progression.
We see at the end of chapter 3, as God prepares to send Adam and Eve out of the garden, “and God said, ‘the man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil..’” (v22) Is this what the serpent said? Yes. Did he lie? No.
So all this to say, (looking at what Paul wrote to Timothy) – deceived – means Eve was 
‘beguiled’ – to seduce by use of misleading methods. What was the serpents method? He asked Eve a question, causing her to rethink what she was told and to doubt God’s word, “Did God say?” Deceived as in ‘get in your face and blatantly lie? No – he got her to doubt God.
We need to KNOW the misleading methods of the stealer, killer, and destroyer! (Probably not good grammar) Deception may not be a blatant lie presented to us, but a subtle question causing to rethink and doubt. If we rethink, in our human mind, creatively rationalizing (let’s be honest) without correct reference to God’s word (and heed) – we WILL get it wrong every time. Folks, if we have a question, let’s go to the source, God Himself in His word!
Peter tells us to ‘be watchful, sober-minded.’ Paul also, ‘be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.’ In doing so we ‘put on’ God’s stuff so we can stand (not hide in the shadows) but STAND against the schemes of the devil, in order that satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:10-11, 2 Corinthians 2:11) Go God!
May we not assume we are ‘deception-free’ because we are too sharp to not spot a lie, but get us rationalizing, doubting?
Oh yeah!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” –Hebrews 10:24)
* Some point out the narrative (Genesis 2:17; 3:4) stresses ‘surely die’ (die, die – in the Hebrew, ‘mooth – mooth’) that it can convey: 1) Spiritual death and 2) Physical death. Perhaps, it could mean both here. Since God said ‘when you eat of it, you will surely die.’ God knew Adam would eat the forbidden fruit. Sadly, Adam didn’t pick up on the ‘when’ and was not on his guard. (Lesson to us, how often we read ‘when’ in God’s warnings). Generally, in Hebrew literary style as a whole, repetitive words are for emphasis. In today’s culture, we capitalize, highlight, underline or print in BOLD to make a point, the ancients repeated the word. “I love, love chocolate!” (well, maybe not THAT)
But we cannot stop here, God in His most gracious love, sent man and woman out of the Garden because of His mercy. “He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the Tree of Life and eat, and live forever.” (3:22b) FOREVER in that broken, fallen relationship, dead in spirit, “So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden.” The rest of God’s story? It’s alright, I have a plan, a plan to restore. Jesus.
Note: I choose to not capitalize serpent or satan, or devil, he (lil ‘h’) is not worthy of the grammatical rule of a proper noun.
Keepers of the Light
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” (Jesus, Luke 11:35-36 NLT)
Wow. I have been studying, thinking and praying through these verses, and again, “WOW – I’m undone. ” This is what I felt God was showing me. When we are FILLED with the light of Christ, it will affect our whole being – we are wholly bright (holy bright). In Jesus’ prior words, He speaks about hiding the light under something – the light being hidden. Within the context (connecting His words to the rest of the story) He speaks (in short) about folks needing to know He is greater than Jonah the messenger (and the message) He is greater than the wisdom of Solomon. (vss. 29-32) His light is GREAT and is divinely placed in public view, now we too are to keep it (Him & His message) in public view. He is Light. (John 8:12) We are keepers of the Light.
When I think of darkness, my mind automatically goes to the creepy things that go ‘BUMP’ in the night, or the evil that runs rampant in our world, and the demonic slithering around a corner. All are true (sadly), yet the word Jesus uses paints a slightly different picture in this context. Darkness, (‘skotos’) is based around the thought of ‘shadiness’ – a covering so impeding, a faint image is only seen, it is obscure, lacking detail – just an outline. Now put that in context to Jesus’ words: Application: You think you got it right? Is my behavior read in such
a way that HIS image is not clearly seen? Do people see a good BRIGHT picture of Jesus in me? Do my choices shade the message of the gospel, obscuring it, fogging it up for others? Do I allow my dark corners to bleed into the light, making my shine not so bright? (OUCH!)
In Jesus’ warning, ‘make sure’ (other translations; ‘see to it, take heed, watch out’) in the Greek it is a ‘present imperative’ – meaning, it is ONGOING – a constant watching! Folks, we need to keep alert! Also, “Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.” ‘You’ is singular, Jesus may have been talking to a crowd, but He was speaking to the individual!
May we be aware that the standard that we are presenting is not of our own making, Solomon wrote: “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (HA! Sorry, that’s GOOD – Proverbs 26:12) May we strive to continually take inventory of our mindset, belief system and judgments that fuel our behavior. May we shine – JESUS shine in and through us, not we shine so brightly He is missing, just like city lights keep us from seeing the stars. We don’t get to decide where the light should go, or who deserves it. We let the light shine, and the Light and Love of God take it from there. (Go Holy Spirit!)
Remember when Jesus prayed for the blind man (Mark 8) He first spits in the guy’s eyes, (yup, really!) then asked if he could see anything, the blind man responded: “I see, but not very clearly, people look like trees walking around.” Jesus again placed His hands on the man, and then the man could see clearly. Jesus wants a clear picture!
“No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.” (v.33)
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
A Quiet Place of a Mother’s Heart
There is a cute story of a young mom putting her soon to be five-year-old son to bed. As she tucks him in, she comments this is his last day to be four. All year he had been cheerfully showing folks four fingers on each hand. She asked if he understood, he enthusiastically replied, “YES! Tomorrow I’ll be a handful!” Yes, yes indeed, a handful.
Motherhood.
Our hearts have ached – agonized – celebrated and PRAYED. There are hours of holding and scolding, cleaning and crying. Yet at the end of the day, as our head lies on the pillow, our heart swells with LOVE.
Mary too knew of this, following the ever so zealous shepherd’s visit, “Mary treasured up all 
these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Our children by no means compare to the Savior of the world, and by golly, they may never even reach the waiting list among the names of the Saints, but we moms like Mary, treasure and ponder our children. Mary is a great example, her right upfront response to motherhood, “I am the Lord’s servant.” (Luke 1:38) Her choices allowed her (yes, painful at times) to see God’s entire plan play out. May I too choose so wisely!
Motherhood.
The quiet place of a mother’s heart, treasuring and pondering.
Happy Mother’s Day
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Power
Power. I have heard and read multiple times that our current English word ‘dynamite’ comes from the biblical word translated as power. Often times for convenience sake, the teacher makes that statement and in the same breath, jogs off to another point, leaving the listener to paint their own mental pictures. Pictures of high explosive scenes with Arnold Schwarzenegger running and yelling ‘Get down!” as the building behind him blows up. Sadly we take that scene and apply it to the saving power of Christ.
Yes, etymology-wise, (historical meaning of a word) this is where we get dynamite (from the Greek word ‘dynamis’) BUT the ‘power’ as translated into English and how we associate it, is not quite the same. Dynamite, in the description; is explosive, destructive in nature, having a starting point and goes forth shattering violently and bursting apart.
This is not our biblical dynamis. Yes, power, but ‘achieving power.’ Achieving power paints 
the picture, not of destruction as to blow apart, but the gathering of the qualities of God coming into one place, known as the manifestation of God. In the context of Paul using it in Romans 1:16 “For it is the power of God to salvation…” It (the gospel) is the appeased manifestation of God working on behalf of the believer with the sole purpose, making things right – extending HIS righteousness! THAT is not explosive, destructive, shattering or bursting. That is God in action! The gospel is Jesus coming in the form of man; living, dying, resurrecting, being the payment for a debt owed, freeing the believer – enabling them to be in right standing before a holy God. BOOM! (Just kidding)
It is unfortunate that we associate all this good God stuff with modern dynamite. Because God’s power is so-much-more! Dynamis is constructive, the power that creates with just a divine word. Within the manifestation of God, He puts life where death was, strength over weakness and light where there was darkness. An example is in Mark 5:30, the story of the woman with the bleeding issue, she reached out and touched Jesus’ robe. “And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power (dynamis) had gone out of Him…” His power did not cause the women to explode, but be healed, the power that makes life.
Peter learned of this, he writes: “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3) And Paul says, “God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power (dynamis) that worketh in us.’ (Ephesians 3:20, emphasis mine) The same power that creates, heals, and restores life… is in us, is in YOU!
The next time we see power in the scriptures, may the picture in our mind not be of a stick of dynamite, but of all the good God stuff divinely commissioned on behalf of the believer. Go God!
Power.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Interesting Side Note: I appreciate something my pastor friend told me, she said, “The force of the dynamite is out of proportion to the size of the stick.” There is a lot packed in that small bundle. With that being said: Dynamite was invented by Swedish engineer and inventor Alfred Nobel in the 1860’s. Initially working alongside his father and brother, after multiple attempts, he invented a way to safely detonate highly volatile ingredients, only after his brother and others were killed. He mixed the two ingredients (nitroglycerine and kieselguhr) turning the liquid nitroglycerine into a paste that he then molded into rods and cylinders. He called his new invention along with his patented detonator cap, dynamite, after the Greek word dynamis, or power. Upon his death in 1896, Noble devoted his wealth to be given “annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.” Prizes are given in 6 categories: (Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Peace, Economics, and Literature) Thus we know it as The Nobel Prize. Although Alfred Nobel never gave a public explanation for why he decided to create the awards, many have speculated that it emerged from his remorse over inventing a slew of agents used to such lethal effect in the wars and various national aggressions of his age. [Excerpt from the Article: The Story Behind Alfred Nobles Spirit of Discovery’ – by Dr. Howard Markel / PBS.org] A destructive element called dynamite. Hm…
Through
Recently I was encouraging a dear friend that I admire her, ‘throughness’, though not perfect in any sense, but she doesn’t shy away or back down from God taking her in the direction He sees fit. That means no shortcuts – but right smack through the stuff. It is evident in her life that she takes notes, doesn’t have her head down, but looks at the scenery with the one goal, “What am I to learn here.”
Through.
There are over 450 mentions of ‘through’ in scripture (in various contexts) there are also times around came first. Like the Hebrews exiting Egypt, when Pharaoh finally released them, “God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter… He lead the people around by the desert to the Red Sea.” (Exodus 13:17-18, emphasis mine) He knew they were not ready to encounter the Philistines (yet). This was their first field trip with God, and He didn’t want to freak them out. So what did He do next? With the Egyptians in hot pursuit, He takes them through the Red Sea. Can you imagine the wide-eyed look on the faces of God’s people as they walk right down the middle? The very cool part, God took them through, but their enemies when attempting to follow were destroyed.
Their learning journey had only begun. Long story short, their goal was Canaan, Egypt to Canaan, the shortest route would have been approximately about 250(ish) miles and could 
possibly be done in about 11 days. Eleven days turn 40 years. God taking them through the wilderness, they learned of God’s character: He provided quail, manna, water, they received the law, built the Tabernacle, and learned sacrificial offering.
As I am meditating on this, I sense God speak to us to be thorough in our throughness, meaning – learn what we can! To this day, the Jewish people after thousands of years remember the Exodus, the wilderness and celebrate God’s faithfulness. God has a reason, a reason for around and His goal is to, that to, leads to through. It is in the through that our enemies are destroyed, in the through there is deliverance, in the through we learn of God’s character. May we not seek shortcuts, let’s face it folks, we may not be ready for what’s there, in the shortcut.
I am challenged, thorough in my throughness. Taking notes.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
He is Always Here
My granddaughter and I were going for a walk around the neighborhood recently, but we were on a mission, we were in search of the neighborhood ‘squawking’ peacock, yes that’s right – a peacock. We came upon a family outside doing yard work and struck up a friendly conversation. They have lived here for over 10 years and stated that ‘Kevin’
whom they loving named the peacock, has been here just about as long. I told them I had just heard him and was glad he was back, figuring he had somehow migrated to another neighborhood. (Silly me) I had assumed he was gone since I hadn’t heard him in months to nearly a year. The mom assured me, “Oh, he’s here, always here, he just seems quieter sometimes.” They knew because Kevin lives in the tree line right behind them and is often seen there and on the rooftops of the local homes. She pointed out certain trees that Kevin seems to frequent, so now I, of course, look to those trees.
I noticed over the course of the next few days I heard Kevin often, OFTEN! I heard him this morning in fact. Then a thought struck me, “Do I now hear him because I know in fact that he is always here?” Has that knowledge peaked my awareness, my hearing? The Holy Spirit began to rub in my heart that is how I am to be aware of Him. KNOWING He is always here should indeed generate a hearing response in me. Jesus says, His sheep know His voice. (John 10)
I am challenged by the words of Professor Lanny Hubbard, “Adam could hear the sound of God walking in the garden, can YOU hear the sound of the presence of God?” Oh! OH!
May I encourage us, YES, God is here, He is always here, He just seems quieter sometimes. May we listen for Him, and be like Samuel, “Speak for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) and listen for the rustling of the trees even. May we look for Him, and be pointers for others, and cause them to look as well.
Yes, that is Kevin pictured.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
How Much Will It Cost Me
When I was a single mom a few years ago, I would often tag a purchase by the value of how much it would cost me, meaning; Is this item truly worth an equivalent of my 8 hours at work. “HA! NO!” Having this mindset hugely affected any impulse buying. So it is in our Christian walk. Our choice to have, to do, to go, to see, to taste does (DOES) cost us. Really!
Jesus talks about being His disciple in Luke (14:25-35) He clearly states, “But don’t begin until you count the cost.” (v28) He gives examples of the need for strong allegiance and love for Him, being so great by comparison that our love for Him is greater than our love for others, and even for our own lives. He tells tiny stories about beginning a building project without first sitting down and calculating out the cost, why get halfway in and not be able to finish. And what about leading an army into battle knowing the opposition is greater, a change of course may be needed. Counting the cost.
His whole premise in these statements… know the cost! Knowing the cost, we recognize and agree there are guidelines. Sometimes we may need to set extreme guidelines in advance to help us in our God decision-making process. I am reminded of Abram, (Genesis 14) after conquering the kings who took his nephew Lot and a whole boatload of others, the King of Sodom came and told him he could keep all the loot. Abram says, “I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you…” He didn’t want the king to brag later that he made Abram great. The narrative goes on, “After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (15:1) Yes, Abram could have profited HUGELY from what the King of Sodom was offering, but the cost would have been greater if he HAD taken it. God says I will reward – I AM the reward. (Predetermined guidelines).
I speak from experience, after a season of very poor decision making, I totally mucked out the stalls of my life with a mindset of these following questions: Does what I am reading, what I am watching as a disciple of Jesus hurt my relationship with Him. Does having this item tell Jesus I love ‘me’ more than Him? Does going to this place or event compromise my promise to follow Him? Have I truly thought this out, how much this will cost me, is it worth my discipleship? Have I calculated and found I need a change of course?
I appreciate “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.” (The Message, Matthew 7:13-14)
May we pay attention and do a lil mucking out and hear Jesus’ words as we stand on the threshold of decision-making “Count the cost.” How much will it cost me?
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Get Outta the Boat
Boat Dwelling. Recently I was looking at the account of Jesus calling the first disciples. In short: Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee, and sees Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew fishing and calls out to them, “Come, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” These fishermen left their nets and followed Him. It goes on to say, a short distance away, He also saw James and John (they too were brothers) they were with their father Zebedee and some hired men, in a boat, working on their nets. Jesus called them. They crawled out of the boat, left their father and followed Jesus. (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20)
When I read these stories, I began to wonder why, why when Jesus called to James and John; they were the only ones getting out of the boat. Zebedee and the hired men were also in the boat, yet it says nothing about calling them by name. Maybe Jesus looked them right in the eyes, or perhaps quite possibly, He pointed, waving only the brothers in (Nothing like a holy pointing). The region they were in was a well-populated fishing area, so there were many folks around, however, they knew Jesus was talking to …them. I wonder if the guys said out loud to one another, “Why isn’t anyone else getting out of their boats?” Even so, without hesitation, they climbed down and out. The story’s emphasis is not about who stayed, it is about who went.
As I thought of this, I sensed the Lord calling us out, that we too have us some boats. Our boat may represent 
security, just as it did for the fishermen. Leaving the boat meant the ‘unknown.’ We too have been called out by the Master to follow HIM – even while others are still in the boat… we are to get out and follow!
May we too become boat leavers and not boat lovers, staying put, secure and comfortable and not budging. Yes, life outside the boat can be scary, but let’s leave our self-defining safe place, and step out: Start that ministry, join that small group, teach the kids at church, invite that family over for dinner, and actually speak to the clerk at the store about Jesus. My following Jesus may look different from yours, but that is the beauty, He makes us unique in Him, “Come, follow Me and I will make you…” (Teacher, lawyer, clerk, bookkeeper, parking attendant, student, mom, dad)
Like the story above mentioned, Peter left his nets and followed Jesus, we see him later leaving a boat – we often tease others about being fearful like Peter, but stop the scene… where is he? He is out of the boat. The only one, who got out, took a chance and headed for Jesus. Just keep your eyes on HIM! (Matthew 14)
Have a God-loving, getting outta the boat, weekend.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another one towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Servant, Regardless
I have been studying Paul, the amazing Apostle, and servant of Jesus. His devoted servant character trait is a strong theme in his life & his writings. Servanthood. God took me back to his conversion, where it all started. Acts 9. Post ‘blinding light’ encounter with Jesus, Paul (Saul) now blind, is taken to Damascus to the house of Judas, he was there for 3 days. Enter a Godly man, Ananias. God told him to go and pray for Paul. (Keep reading this is good)
I am reminded of the story of Jonah, and how in some respects it parallels Ananias. Both men heard God call, one responds, “Yes, Lord” the other, “ran away...” Ananias, reluctant at first, but unlike Jonah, he went (in the right direction). They both were called to detailed obedience. Both were apprehensive due to what was on the other end 
of their journey if obeyed. Jonah had to be told twice, Ananias only once. Jonah was angry at God’s response, Ananias apprehensive, but regardless was not angry. They both spoke freely and honestly to God, yet they both, in the end, witnessed God’s “grace and compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Jonah 4:1-3) However, one was selfish, the other selfless. Jonah sat outside the city of Nineveh pouting, knowing in the end, God was going to be kind to his enemy. Ananias went to the man, as far as he knew, this Paul guy “was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” (v1) God told Ananias to pray for Paul, he not only prayed, but he greeted Paul by calling him ‘Brother‘ he didn’t pray from across the room out of insecurity, or fear. No, he laid hands on him as instructed. Regardless of being hesitant, he trusted God enough to have his obedience full & then some. Ananias exemplifies a true servant, God trusted him enough, trusted his response to call him to an important task.
What an amazing initiation into this ‘Jesus Way’ for Paul, 3 days in, God sends a whopper of a servant, an example. I am fully persuaded that Paul took note, a very humbled, “I will learn from this!” note. Besides Paul’s retelling of the event in Acts 22, we do not hear any more about Ananias, he quietly slips away from the pages of 
scripture, but what an impact he had. This seemingly insignificant man Ananias impacted the legend of a man by the name of Paul. Paul received his sight, was baptized, filled with the Spirit, fed and regained his strength and soon headed out preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. (BOOM!)
Ananias and Jonah, both men were marked of God for a specific assignment, yet Jonah’s story paints a wild picture of how our response can throw us into chaos. Yet, ultimately, regardless of how we perceive a situation, God has the final word. (Read his full story, only 4 chapters) I am humbled by these stories, that my first response may be selfish and Jonah-like, yet I so desire that when He calls, entrusting me with an important assignment, I will respond, “Yes, Lord.” Regardless of what or how I feel, that I too would be quick to obey and follow through completely. I want my heart to be as accepting as Ananias’ was, rather than when asked, I’d have to tell a wild fish story of my response.
Servanthood. Surrendering with a selfless, God-honoring response, regardless.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Jonah painting credited: Daniel A. Lewis
SEE Them
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.” – Paul, letter to the Philippians 2:4
Yesterday as my Grand and I were coming home from picking her up from school, we were stopped at a stop light. There on the corner was an older gal, in an old tattered coat holding a sign that read, “Anything helps.” Reaching for a bottle of water and with the only cash I had, I tucked a dollar bill around it, when passing her; I stopped briefly, smiling and handed it to her. Our eyes met. You could see the hard times in her eyes, the weathered facial expression, and the droop of her shoulders. Her whispered “Thank you” spoke volumes. Whispered words can impact more than shouted words with large volumes.
Conviction gripped me as I looked into her eyes. Do I stop every time? No. Do I notice? No. Do I acknowledge their presence? No. Do I judge? Yes, and who am I to do so. I asked God to help me see. In my seeing, make me 
aware. Make me CARE! Remind me, Lord, that person is someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, daughter or son. Help me see the need and heed, (adding ‘if at all possible’ – I don’t want to be sitting with a patrol car parked behind me, lights flashing as he tickets me for crossing 4 lanes of traffic haphazardly to give a man a bottle of water – I will walk in wisdom). I do not want to see and ignore and hastily voice my opinion of their status and proceed through my day as I leave them behind in my rearview mirror. Paul precedes the above verse stating: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” (v3)
As we cruise through this life, may we be aware, may we look and see them, see others. Looking for ways we can help, whether that help is large or small. May we take the time to offer a smile, hold the door while they carry heavy bags of groceries, allow someone to go ahead of us in line, give a word of encouragement, take a meal, hold them, laugh with them, cry and pray. May we be God-focused… others.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Personal & Transparent Testimony
(Stand in Awe – Part 2) Last month I had the honor of being one of the speakers at our 2018 Women’s Conference, the theme, ‘Stand in Awe’ – I spoke on Stand in Awe of God’s Plan and Timing. (To read Part One, click here: https://inspiredfountain.com/2018/03/12/stand-in-awe-part-1/) I felt God whisper, “It’s alright I have a plan.”
John 9 – Jesus sees a blind man, the disciples ask “Who sinned this man’s parents or this man?” Jesus says, (in short) Neither, this happened so God would be glorified, that this man would have an encounter with ME. Jesus spits in the dirt, puts the pasty clay on the man’s eyes, and tells him to go wash, he did and he could see. There was so much news press about this, the religious leaders were called in and even the formerly blind man’s parents. They asked him multiple questions, and two times, he says, “I DON’T KNOW!’ But then, he says, “One thing I do know, once I was blind, now I see!” What a lesson for us; Don’t bother arguing about the questions you don’t know the answers to, but reply with what you do know. “I met Jesus, and now I …” God’s plan is always in motion, His timing perfect, we may not see it, but He’s there. You can hear the faint whisper of the Father, “It’s alright I have a plan.”
Many, who know me, know my PASSION is God’s word; I study it, write about it and teach it. But I too have a ‘once I was blind but now I see…” At my earliest memories, I always struggled with reading, in the second grade it was planned to hold me back, yet my parents and the school decided on a summer tutor. Going forward, throughout grade school I was in special reading programs. Once in Junior High, they began testing me, it was determined, I had Comprehension Reading Disorder, (and extremely so) as they explained it, I could read the words, but not 
understand. Once the words were in my mind, they were all jumbled up and made no sense. By the time I graduated from High School, I was tested reading at about a 4th-grade reading level. I knew Jane and Dick were playing with Spot after school, but figuring out math word problems, “The train leaves the station at 6:04 am…” NO WAY!
Whenever there is a lack in one area, we tend to compensate in another, like a deaf man will grow to have a keen sense of sight, or a blind man, his hearing. I too compensated, I learned the skill of listening and watching. I remember that summer tutor telling me, “Look and listen for the important things.” At the beginning of class, the teacher would begin with “In last night’s homework, we looked at…” While the other kids were goofing off, I paid attention. I listened and watched for the important things. It was this era, nearly 17, that I gave my heart to Jesus and fell head over heels in love with God.
After graduation, I was enrolled in the Graphic Arts program at our local community college, it was all I had planned for all my life, and it was what I was good at! At the end of the first week, only five days in, sitting in Art History class, I heard a Voice tell me “You are not supposed to be here.” Hm… I asked, “Where am I supposed to be?” The Voice responded, “Bible College.” I did a Sarah, I laughed. Then I asked the risky question, “Why?” “You are going to teach My Word.” The Voice said. I felt the strong need to NOT ask any more questions! So confident God was speaking, after class was over, I walked out, across campus and straight to the Admin building and withdrew from the art program. I was so impacted, that only, ONLY God, knowing me, knowing my weakness, would call me to a book. The girl who couldn’t read – called to a BOOK!
After a year or so, I was at Portland Bible College, two months in, alone in my dorm room one night, I knelt down, and with all seriousness within me, I told God I wanted it ALL – I want this Spirit-thing, and I was finally surrendering to His call on my life. The girl who couldn’t read… called to THE Book! I began to notice a difference within the next couple days, weeks and months. You see, it all began to make sense. As I read, I could ‘see’ it. Something I could never do prior, the words no longer were jumbled, they made sense! (Go God!) God was healing my mind.
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oking back now, I hear the Whisperer, “It’s alright I have a plan.” Yes, all those years were extremely painful in my lack – BUT, God’s plan, His timing. Due to my lack, I compensated (so I thought) it was, however indeed part of God’s plan. In me, He was causing me to learn the skill of ‘Listening and looking for the important things.’ And THAT is Bible study! Since then, when I read, I always ask God to show me, I take pause and notice the details, I look for the important things – the who, what, where, when and why.
God’s plan at times seems to be knitted up so tight it can be difficult to see, as I taught this to the ladies at the conference, I wore a bright red L-O-N-G scarf that my dear friend Terri knit for me, representing the plan of God. Long, unraveling as it dragged behind me, was cumbersome to wear and at times got in my way, but if it were pulled out in a straight line, we can see down the ‘timeline’ (if you will) of God’s plan, and each movement of God marked. As the women entered the conference, they were handed an old fashion wooden clothespin, as I closed my teaching, I shared, each of us has God marking our timeline, His plan and timing perfect. Let the clothespin be a reminder, that YOU are marked and you mark His timeline in affecting others.
It’s alright I have a plan. “This happened so God would be glorified, that this woman would have an encounter with ME!” The girl, who struggled with the simplest reading, is now understanding and operating in hermeneutical skills to the glory of God! I write and teach His Word to people all over the world.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
*Stand in Awe image above was created by Chase at East River Fellowship
Post Easter, Now What?
Earless chocolate bunnies and leftover deviled eggs in the frig. Post-Easter. Now what? My all-time favorite holiday! Do we rummage through the calendar for another holiday or event to look forward to? What excites us about the future or even … daily? May I be so bold in asking, what causes our insides to burn with excitement, what consumes our mind and emotions?
Post-Easter.
Jesus’ resurrection, AMAZING! WONDERFUL! DIVINE! However, let’s not stop there. There is MORE! Let’s unpack this in brief summary. Stay with me, this is good! Luke 24, it speaks of the women going to the tomb, once there they find two angels who notify them that Jesus was no longer there, the gals go back to tell the others. Peter, as energetic as he was, runs to go see and confirms. Just following that, (v13) it says “Now that same day…” It proceeds to unfold the story of the two walking to Emmaus, who unknown to them at first, encounter Jesus. They are flabbergasted that this Stranger didn’t seem to know what had just transpired in Jerusalem. They shared their disappointment, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” Going on they explained how Jesus’ body was not found. Verse 27, “Then He (Jesus) started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to Him.” WOW, I’d love a one on one instant Bible study from the lips of the Master!
It wasn’t until Jesus was seated at their table, in their home and they accepted the bread He offered, that their eyes were opened and they knew WHO He was. I LOVE their response, “They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (v32, emphasis mine)
Their hearts burning within them. I want spiritual heartburn! I want my soul, mind, thoughts, passions, desires, and appetites to burn with Him and His word! The word Luke chooses to use for ‘burning’ is very colorful. It doesn’t just mean to strike a match and light the kindling and watch it slowly give off heat. No, it RAVISHES through the wood and consumes it! Burn Lord!
Yet some would argue that the two didn’t even recognize Jesus when He shared the Word with them. However, Paul writes, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) To have the very Son of God, His presence and He b-r-e-a-t-h-e these words to them, teaching them, training them, equipping them – THAT would cause their heart to burn. Notice Jesus didn’t lay hands on them, put mud on their eyes. He didn’t even send them to the Priest for verification; He simply… walked with them. Walking and talking, and they were transformed. The narrative says they got up at once and went back to Jerusalem testifying that Jesus has indeed RISEN.
For us? The next time we find our seat at church or open the Bible for devotion time, let’s not daydream off to another place, let’s do some talkin, and walkin. Jesus told us, “the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things…” (John 14:26) We just need to show up for the lesson.
And …burn Lord, BURN within us! Post-Easter.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
BUT GOD…
Have you ever stood on the edge of the pages of your life and just shake your head in complete bewilderment and think one simple word, “HOW!” Then the rest of the frustration tumbles out, exclaiming, “But God, this … and …” continuing with a list of ‘can’t do’s – won’t work – not happening’ statements.
God can match every statement! Believe it or not, ‘But God … ‘ (or ‘But the Lord’) is mentioned 325+ times in the Bible, in GOD’S favor. In this study, spending 4 hours looking at these verses, I was captivated; I saw God’s character being placed in the forefront. There were loud moments of reassurance, and yet quiet whispers of His love. This is what I found, this is what I learned. (In short, briefly stating)
I begin with Genesis 3:9, Adam and Eve are in the garden, the presence of God so intimate that He literally takes walks with them. Adam and Eve have just made some very poor choices (thanks, guys). God is now coming for their daily walk together, and the couple hides. “But the LORD God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” God calls. He knew very well where they were, the question was intended for them, to consider their location, their position and their condition before Him. Remember also these two running away, to Haggar, He asked, “Where are you going?” (Genesis 16:8) and to Elijah, “What are you doing here?” (1 Kings 19) God is still calling. “Where are you, where are you going, and what are you doing here?” (Point to ponder)
Next, a man by the name of Jacob, he worked hard as requested and then was treated unfairly by his father-in-law. Genesis 31:42 “But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands…” God sees. He sees us where we are, how we are and how we are being treated. He cares – He will act.
Joseph,
the cocky favored son, who was thrown into a pit, and sold as a slave by FAMILY MEMBERS! Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, and the saving of many lives.” God accomplishes. He redeems the bad and transforms for good to accomplish His plan.
Amazing, just amazing! The word is full of examples like these and more: “But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever …” (Psalm 73:26) “But God promised…” (Acts 7:5) “But God had mercy on him…” (Philippines 2:27) “But God is the builder of everything…” (Hebrews 3:4)
God is incredible, He is never late and never ignores, and is acutely attentive to details and He is concerned more for our welfare than our comfort and goes to an extreme effort at times to make sure we hear Him. (May we listen the FIRST time!)
There is yet one more, Peter steps forward and strongly proclaims: “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God … This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. But God, (BUT GOD) raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.” (Acts 2:22-24, NIV – emphasis mine)
But God calls, God sees and God accomplishes. But God – BUT GOD is incredible!
Blessed Easter, DeDe & Mark
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24
*You can go to Bible Gateway (see link below) and read ‘But God…’ for yourself just a few.
https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=%22But+God%22&qs_version=NIV
Pint of Perfume – Easter Mini Devotional
“Six days before the Passover…” Mary took a pint of perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet, the house filled with the fragrance, (much to Judas’ dislike). This was one day prior to Jesus’ triumphal entry (John 12)
The narrative describes the triumphal entry, “The next day…” it is safe to say, Jesus still smelled quite fragrant from the oil. This being of Jewish telling, in Jewish culture, whilst Jewish people stood on the street as Jesus passed by, they (potentially) smelling the fragrance, resonated the Kingly procession, as they shouted: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel.
Anointing was a priestly and kingly custom: “He (Moses) poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.” (Leviticus 8:12) “Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head…” (1 Samuel 10:1) “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him (David) in the presence of his brothers…” (1 Samuel
16:13) “… they acknowledged Solomon son of David…anointing him before the LORD to be ruler…” (1 Chronicles 29:22) See also David’s words in Psalm 133:2 (Beautiful) Interesting, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet. Could it be, (just an observation) yes, the custom was washing the visitor’s feet from the dusty paths but could the anointing of His feet, (not His head) display the declared Majesty of God on earth, His Kingly walk among man, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One & Only, who came from the Father, full of grace & truth.” (John 1:14)
The word John uses, as Mary’s perfume is ‘myron’ a form of ‘myrrh.’ Sound familiar? What is the divine significance of myrrh? It was an ingredient used in the anointing oil of the Tabernacle and the priests. (Exodus 30:22-23) The perfumed oil poured over Jesus’ feet. (John 12:3) It was also an ingredient in the spices to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. (John 19:39-40) And we can’t forget the gift given to the toddler Jesus by the Magi (Matthew 2:9-12)
Could the people on the street smell their King coming, perhaps, perhaps not, but what beautiful imagery of the thread of anointing oil through biblical history as it wraps its way around Jesus.
“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel.”
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Inspired Fountain 