Our Words Handed Over
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” – Proverbs 18:21
In our ladies group we have been seeking wisdom as we splash around in the book of Proverbs. This week we looked at the wisdom of our WORDS. May I just begin with, “OUCH!” How painful to see how our words hurt, cripple and potentially destroy. Yet, in turn they have the ability to extend love, health and kindness. As the ladies came in to class, I instructed them to think of a word, just one positive ‘word’ that was either spoken to them with impacting results or a word they desire would be given to them, write it down on the bright 3×5 card provided and then place it face down on the table (leaving it there for now.)
Studying this week I came across something that I wish I would have known YEARS ago. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” Power. Power here in the Hebrew is ‘yad’ which literally is … hand. Yes, that’s right, I checked multiple resources … ‘hand.’ The Hebrew bible words it: “Death and life are in the hand of the tongue…” According to ‘context always determines meaning,’ the word picture can translate as: We can either hand someone encouragement that births life or hand them strangling devastating words that 
tear down and destroy. Not only are we to consider and nurture what is in our heart, but also how that transfers to what we are ‘handing over’ with our words. Paints a vibrant picture doesn’t it! Jesus said, “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart...” – Matthew 15:18
‘Yad’ also conveys the idea of strength and power. Our words have creative power, what I say to another can potentially help carve out an understanding about themselves, others or a circumstance. Is the carving good or harmful? Or may we consider also when leaving a conversation, have you like me, quickly regret what we did NOT say? Oh we don’t want to leave the person ‘empty handed’, with words we didn’t hand over – life giving words of love, hope and generosity. “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” – Proverbs 12:18 May we leave healing in their hands.
I was taken to Genesis 14; Abram, (not yet called Abraham) had just successfully rescued his nephew Lot from being taken captive by a group of mean Kings, he along with the inhabitants of Sodom, which included all their stuff as well. Abram bringing the folks home, was met by the King of Sodom, the king told Abe that he just wanted his people and Abe could keep all the loot. I love Abram’s response, “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…” Amazing response, but wait for it… “I have raised my hand…” Hand, ‘yad.’ Because of the relationship with his God, Abe raised his ‘power’ to say NO! Even though taking the stuff would make Abe even wealthier, he knew of the wickedness of Sodom and wanted no part of it. Immediately following this, God tells Abram, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (15:1) There is reward in the power of righteously saying “NO!” A word of strength.
A side note: When communicating with someone, when they go to hand us words, words that are not uplifting, words of discouragement, hurtful or full of destructive power. Don’t take it. Patsy Clairmont said, “Have you ever considered that our spoken words not only go out, but they also go in?” Yes, by all means seek if the words are true, even though not given kindly, ask God to help us make proper adjustments, but refuse taking in destructive words. Doing so, is not a healthy habit.
In the closing of class, to help visualize all this, I asked the ladies to take the 3×5 card with their cherished word on it and hand it to the person next to them. They had just demonstrated how our spoken words are placed in the hands of others. (See what you’re missing at Bible study.)
Does this require awareness? Yes. Does it require Holy Spirit accountability? Yes. Does it take discipline? Yes. Growing maturity? Yes. And because we are fallible people, our heart and words will fail us, does it at times take forgiveness? Yes.
Words. If you can’t find the right, kind, GOOD words, as my dad used to say, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” (Primarily with us said in reference to speaking with siblings.) It could be summed up in Proverbs 30:32b “Lay thine hand upon thy mouth.” King Jimmy.
For my beloved Janice. “Forgive me.”
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
In addition to the above, we viewed Beth Moore’s video teaching ‘Wising Up’ her study of the book of Proverbs.
Commit?
“Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. COMMIT your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will act.” – Psalm 37:4-5 (emphasis mine)
‘Commit’ is a very (did I say ‘very’) active word picture. In the Hebrew, it means to roll away or roll into a heap. Yet it’s meaning can breathe, “To roll away from oneself and upon someone else.” Let’s stop and think about this for a brief moment. This rolling is an act of … trust. It is allowing yourself to be engulfed into something else. (Let’s read that again and consider our recent ‘engulfment‘)
King David wrote: “Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, “Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!” – Psalm 22:7-8 “Relies” is the same word. They knew David ‘rolled himself up in God.’ It was evident.
David committed. He goes on to pen, “I will declare Your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise You… All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD … and will bow down before Him.” (vss 22, 27)
The best picture to describe this would be like a snowball, as it rolls in the snow, it takes on more and more and MORE snow, until what it was as it started is no 
longer distinguishable, it takes on new form. It becomes what it was rolled in. Committed.
The author of Proverbs addresses this: “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the thoughts and intents of the heart. (AMP) Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” (NLT, Proverbs 16:2,3) Roll it all up in God!
Let us keep in mind, WHATever, WHOever we commit ourselves to, we become rolled up as one.
May we commit, rolling ourselves up in God, all that He is, all that He says and all that He has for us.
Committed.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
No More ‘Kick Me’
I read daily from a variety of authors, I adore Charles Spurgeon, Andrew Murray, Oswald Chambers, Ann Spangler just to name a few. Of recent, I have begun going through the Psalms on a daily basis, reading “This Year, The Psalms” by Jim Kutnow.
This week we are in Psalm 49, “No man cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave.” (vss 7-9) In Mr Kutnow’s expository notes, he took us to Paul’s strong statement of being RANSOMED: “God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to become sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God“ (2 Cor. 5:21, emphasis mine) Mr Kutnow goes on to say, “So worthy in God’s sight is Christ’s atoning work that it is sufficient to pay the sin debt of every human being who has ever lived or whoever will live. (Inserting a hardy “AMEN!”) However, only those who personally trust in Christ’s atoning work have that value applied to themselves.” I have to admit, I had to stop and laugh (kinda) at the imagery it yelled (for me) I pictured an exchange of ‘signs’ (if you will) We are no longer identified with a ‘Kick Me’ or ‘Loser’ or ‘Condemned’ on our back. NO. We now have a new sign ‘applied’ to us, JESUS!
And those of us who mucked things up pretty bad, we hang our head and with a
shrug we shuffle off onto the sidelines. WAIT. Stop. Turn around. Your relationship with God intact, but you may have injured your fellowship with Him, BUT… “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 Fellowship restored. Most use this verse as an evangelistic tool, however, John wrote it under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you…” (v5) Who are the ‘you?’ Christians. Jesus followers. They (we) have already took the steps into the God arena.
So I encourage us, to stand tall and wear Christ’s applied atoning work. He is the answer for Psalm 49, He IS enough!
If need be, seek out the Faithful One, come in agreement with Him (confess) and re-adjust your sign.
Identified as one of His.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Holy Green Thumb Gardening
Tulips, daffodils and cheery blossomed trees, SPRING. Can I hear an AMEN! With it brings, spring cleaning, garage sales and garden plotting. For many of us, we may not have a green thumb even though we find ourselves standing in the garden center of Home Depot staring at the veggie plants with lofty dreams of luscious gardens.
To have a healthy garden, you need healthy soil. Jesus spoke of this in Luke chapter 8, the Parable of the farmer, the seed and the dirt (DeDe’s paraphrase) He spoke of four different ‘garden spots’ each representing the human heart and how it hears and responds to the seed, which is the word of God. First is the indifferent heart, the seed falls on the path, it is trampled down and doesn’t grow, basically becomes bird food. ‘Wayside hearers’ allow the seed to be easily snatched away. Second is the inconsistent heart, seed landing in the rocky 
ground, they believe for a while, they begin to sprout, but they don’t really allow their roots to go deep, they are great beginners, yet not good ‘finishers.’ Their results? They soon dry up and die. Third, the distracted heart, seed landing in the weed area, so many weeds, worries and even pleasures which eventually chokes life right out of them. Then, the fourth, the devoted heart, the one who hears the word, clings to it, nurtures and watches it mature in their life.
The well tended healthy soil.
The Lord showed me a picture how we can help in the ‘gardening process’ of someone’s life. We are called to affect and impact others by our words, attitudes and actions, being the word of God to them. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a great word of knowledge, or pulling out the 4 Spiritual Laws, it may be a simple heartfelt word of encouragement. As Paul exhorts, “…speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace to those who hear it.” (Eph. 4:29) What we say or do may just be what that person needs to help rake over and remove some rocks in their heart. John wrote: “Let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions.” (1 John 3:18)
Remembering a few years ago, I pulled my car up to get gas, it was a chilly and windy day. The poor attendant shuffling up, opening my window I caught the smell of ‘breakfast’ at the nearby Jack in the Box. After paying for my gas, I felt the Lord say “Go buy him breakfast.” So I drove over and did just that and took it back and handed it to him. With a surprised look, he said “What is this for?” I 
told him “Just because and pass on the kindness and God loves YOU.” “THANKS!” He exclaimed. As I drove away I prayed for him and for the next God-lover who comes through his line, that they too would share God’s love boldly. We are used of God in His orchestrating events in other people’s’ lives, IF we are obedient. I may have just helped till his ground and perhaps pull a few weeds. We never know the heart condition of those who cross our path. The attendant’s heart, or might I say, his soil now ready (or more ready) for the Word, the life changing Word. The next person shares their testimony along with the gospel, he might, just might hear it with a lil bit less rocky ears.
So we can have a HOLY green thumb, planting kindness and love, God’s word in ACTION. Did God love the gas attendant enough to send me to buy him breakfast? YES! Did God love me enough to speak a word for me to obey? Yes!
Here’s a challenge, while out eating, just before you bow your head, when the food server brings your meal, tell them you are about to pray and ask them if there is anything you could pray for, for THEM. (I have never had someone turn me down.) Pulling weeds and removing a few rocks.
How are our gardening skills? 
Perhaps we need to consider the condition of our own soil, is it labeled indifferent, inconsistent, distracted or devoted.
Have a great God-loving, green thumb gardening week.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Post Easter, Now What?
Squishy marshmallow Peeps, earless chocolate bunnies and left over deviled eggs in the frig. Post Easter. Now what? Do we just rummage through the calendar for another holiday or event to look forward to? What excites us for the future or even … daily? For some of us, it is the planning and anticipation that is as exciting as the event. 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! But let’s not stop there. There’s 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 confirm. 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 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 heart burn! I want my soul, mind, thoughts, passions, desires and appetites to burn with Him and His word! The word Luke chooses to use here 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! It can be likened to the Hebrew word imagery found in Psalm 39:3 as King David shares “… my insides got hotter and hotter…”
Yet some would argue that the two didn’t even recognize Jesus when He shared the WORD with them. However, the author of Hebrews declares strongly, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12 And Paul pens, “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, THAT would cause their heart to burn. Not to mention some ‘double-edged’ dividing goin on. Notice that Jesus didn’t lay hands on them, put mud on their eyes, or have them go wash in a nearby pool. He didn’t even send them to the Priest for verification; He simply… walked with them. Walking and talking, they were transformed. The narrative says they got up at once and went back to Jerusalem testifying that Jesus was indeed RISEN.
For us? The next time we find our seat at church or open the Bible for devotion time, let’s not day dream off to another place or become bored with it. Let’s receive the bread Jesus offers, allow, INVITE Him to ‘point out everything in the scriptures’ and take a walk with Him, our resurrected Lord. May we breathe a whisper to the Holy Spirit, two words, just two life changing words… BURN LORD! With Your Presence, with Your word. Throwing our holiday circled calendar aside, be AMAZED at how exciting the word is, how exciting Jesus is.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
At Jesus’ Feet
While studying for our ladies group on the 7 I AM statements of Jesus, I found that Mary of Bethany is mentioned only three times. You know, Mary the gal at Jesus’ feet, while her sister, Martha Stewart of the day was busy in the kitchen. In these three mentions, Mary is found at Jesus’ feet, (Luke 10, John 11 and John 12)
In the Lazarus scenario, (John 11) she falls at Jesus’ feet and says “Lord if you would have been here my brother would not have died.” These are the ONLY recorded words of Mary. All that time previously at His feet and her only recorded words are “Lord, if …” And Thomas gets the bum rap for doubt!
I set my bible aside and thought about Mary. We know the story of Martha complaining to Jesus about Mary not helping her and His response; Mary has ‘chosen what is better.’ (Luke 10:42) It is her/our choice.
I find it also interesting, Martha hears of Jesus’ arrival in Bethany and goes to meet him, running from the family home. Mary stays behind. The custom of the day was for family and friends to come and mourn for days alongside the hurting. Martha goes alone. But when Jesus sends for Mary, she ‘got up quickly and went to Him,’ (John 11:29) here the mourning folks set their Kleenex aside and sprint off after her. Did they hear her words to Jesus? All that time listening at His feet, now her family and friends hear her brief testimony? Could they have only caught the “IF?”
Oh this spoke volumes to me. Here, Mary was at Jesus’ feet near her brother’s tomb, it didn’t seem to matter the posture, or the previous presence, the time spent at His feet, what mattered was her heart…our heart… MY heart HAS to be transformed with a true revelation of Jesus. When I read His word …He Does… He will… He is. And THAT be my testimony. Yes, I want to be real with folks, but I always want JESUS to be my testimony, that the ‘ifs’ be lost in the foreground, and doubt be left behind as I run to Him.
When Jesus called Lazarus forth, He began thanking the Father stating He was praying aloud ‘for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe You sent Me… LAZARUS, COME OUT!” Go God!
At Jesus’ feet.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Yes, there is more, more to Mary’s story. Mary witnessed the resurrection of her dead (4 days) brother. As he walks out of the tomb, Jesus tells someone to remove his grave clothes, untangle the death and LIVE. Just one chapter later, Mary is pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, she now KNOWS He is…
IT IS FINISHED, Red Letter Easter!
Have you ever sat and read through the New Testament and read ONLY the words in red? Jesus’ words. For a completely new perspective, I challenge us to do just that. I know context is everything, but let’s step out of the exegesis box (interpreting the scriptures) for a brief moment, to get an amazing snap shot of Jesus, His strength, authority, His love and compassion.
Without all the narrative, those stand alone red words pack a powerful punch, knowing they are Jesus. There are dramatic statements, strong commands and tender words. “Let it be so…” (Matthew 3:15) “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4) “Get up…” (Matthew 9:6) “Take courage it is I…” (Matthew 14:27) “Quiet, be still…” (Mark 4:39) “Come forth …” (John 11:43) “Don’t be afraid just believe…” (Mark 5:36) “What do you want Me to do for you…” (Mark 10:51) “Who do you say I am…” (Luke 9:20) “Then neither do I condemn you...” (John 8:11) “I am He…” (John 18:6).
These are just a few, but there is one more that stands out among the rest. Here I do want to set the context. Jesus is agonizingly set between two thieves. His feet and hands are nailed to a wooden cross. There at the foot of the cross, many mocked, some cried and I am confident there were those in complete silence. 
After the vinegar water was given to Jesus, He said “It is FINISHED…” (John 19:30 emphasis mine) He then bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
It is finished. The word in the Greek is amazing! Stand back and take in the whole Technicolor filled screen, I don’t think even Steven Spielberg with all his creative genius could convey the scene that was unfolding upon humanity. It is finished, (Tetelestai) “To bring to an end, to fulfill. What is done corresponds to what has been said, ordered or commanded. (“Not My will, but Your will be done.” – Jesus, Luke 22:42, Matthew 26:39) It is accomplishing something not merely to end it, but bring it to perfection for its designed goal.”* (Please read that again) It signifies the successful end to a particular course of action. Grammatically in the Greek, it is a crucial word; it is in the ‘perfect tense.’ Meaning the action was completed in the past with results continuing in the present. Basically, “This happened and it is still in effect TODAY.” One might say, “The gift that keeps on giving.” This is different from ‘past tense’ which points to an event, declaring ‘This happened.’ Nothing more. The end.
NOT our Jesus, He is our NOW God!
As Jesus said this, His blood flowing down His forehead, from His hands and His feet, He declares sharply, His sacrifice, now eliminating the debt owed by mankind … you and me. May we take careful notice, Jesus didn’t say. “I am finished.” That would imply He a mere man and died defeated. Instead, He declares, “It is finished.” When He died and with His resurrection power, He left no unfinished business behind, He successfully completed the work He came 
to do.
As the pages turn from Genesis to this very moment, God’s story is fulfilled. Does it end here? No! But the bridge back to the Father is perfected. Jesus rises from the dead triumphantly (Happy Easter) engages and commissions the disciples, returns to heaven to reign forever. Now we the church, with the authority given by Jesus Himself, as inspired by Holy Spirit carry on with the red letter commands, statements and tender words.
Move over Easter Bunny, here comes the risen King! “It is finished!” Relationship offered, relationship restored. May we live each day as a red letter day!
Blessed Easter to you and yours,
In Him, DeDe & Mark (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”~ Hebrews 10:24)
* Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Vine’s Expository of New Testament Words, Strong’s Greek Dictionary, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, NASB Hebrew-Greek Dictionary, Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon. Greek Interlinear Bible words it: “He said, “It has been accomplished.” (Yes, I am a geek)
Shepherded
Psalm 23, the shepherds Psalm. It may be the most smudged-bent corner page, with a lot of underlining going on in our bible. When we need comfort we turn there, when we need encouragement we flip to it.
Interesting, most scholars are in agreement that David wrote this poetic declaration later in his life, many years beyond his childhood. The once shepherd-boy now reigning king, with noble reality… felt, KNEW he needed to be shepherded, his opening words, “The LORD is my shepherd…”
Within the ancient Hebrew there are different writing styles in the Psalms, some are Acrostic, meaning each line begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. (See Ps. 9,10,25,34,37,111,112,119 and 145) Yet, they all hold the same theory that the middle of each Psalm carries the central theme. For the Shepherds Psalm, it is the latter part of verse 4, “… you are with me…” How beautiful is THAT. You can almost hear David, “I can’t do it alone, I made it out of the fields, now king and yet I find myself only a sheep needing to be shepherded.” Even though years have passed since his own shepherding days, what he writes is of current status, older David speaking of God as his Shepherd, “He makes me…leads… restores me… guides. (NOT – He made, led, restored and guided) It wasn’t a reflective time of days gone by. God was now.
How ironic though, often in today’s society we tend to gather our stuff and head out the door with great enthusiasm “I GOT THIS!” But do we? As we return home hurt, defeated and depleted of all energy not to mention a few torn up dreams. Do we allow our God to shepherd us? Does He make us, lead, restore 
us and guides us? Do we find ourselves in green pastures, NOT the envious stuff beyond the fences of our neighbors, but good GOD green stuff? (Let’s be real folks!) Are we enjoying quiet-safe waters? How about rest and refreshment?
As David writes, you can see a shift of focus. The first few verses are in the 3rd person, “He does…” as if pointing over at God and telling someone about Him, now in verses 4-5, “YOU are with me…YOUR rod and YOUR staff … YOU prepare a table… YOU anoint my head.” He is talking TO God rather than about Him, so very personal.
David knew the process of shepherding, the tools of the shepherd. The staff was used not only for ‘prodding’ along and warding off danger, but for counting. As the sheep would pass under the staff, the shepherd would inspect each sheep, placing his hands on them, they knew the comforting, protective touch and 
voice of the shepherd. David moved from the process of shepherding to … surrendering to the Shepherd.
Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” – John 10:11,14 May we too be shepherded, as we tell others about Him and make it so very personal, talking to Him, “YOU…!” May we pass under His staff and be counted among His own, knowing – hearing His guidance, His protection, His hands on us. Allowing, INVITING His direction to refreshing waters and perhaps some prodding. And oh His pursuit – “Surely Your goodness and love…”
I close with the words of Jesus’ brother Jude “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” – verses 24,25
Shepherded.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another toward love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Discerning the Good God Stuff
In our women’s group this week, we looked at counterfeit light, in contrast to Jesus being the Light of the world. To determine what is truly light, the God, genuine light as opposed to darkness disguising as light, (that’s a mouth full) we must hold it up to the light of God’s Word. “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130)
The first thing that came to mind for me is when a banker holds up a $100 dollar bill, they hold it up to the light, having the ability to see through it, see if the distinguishing markings are present. If they are not, then it is deemed 
counterfeit. So it is with us, holding something up to the light of God’s word helps us determine its genuineness, does it have ‘God markings’ or blemishes not designed to be present.
Paul speaks of this in his letter to the Philippians: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (1:9-11, emphasis mine) Discernment.
Preacher and theologian Charles Spurgeon said, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” Oh boy! How many of us have opted to go with a-l-m-o-s-t right, thinking it is close enough. Nope. We are to abound in knowledge and discernment. With things and people we love, do we use discernment? Do we attempt to call it for what it is or white wash it and tag a name on it to better ease our conscience. (Oh, God help us!) We are called to rightly judge, to properly evaluate and wisely assess the value. Remember the ‘value’ chart is God’s. Does this thing-person-circumstance align with God’s chart (see chart on page 1 of the Bible and continues to Revelations.)
What is the opposite of sound discernment? To reason falsely, here’s the kicker (to ones backside) … to miss-think. For some of us, we not only miss the target in thinking, we neglected to set the target up, and in our laziness we failed to take true aim.
Paul goes on to say that due to our abounding in knowledge and ability to discern, approving good God stuff, we would be sincere. Sincere. It holds the most captivating imagery. Tradesmen of the day used this word often, when 
dealing with merchandise desired to be ‘genuine’. The literal meaning is ‘judged by sunlight.’ A customer seeking a genuine, ‘sincere’ sculpture would ask the merchant/artist to take the item out into the sunlight. If at one point the sculpture had been cracked or needed repairing, the artist would use wax fixing the repairs. The sunlight would indeed melt the wax, thus revealing the cracks or blemishes. If no cracks were seen, the item would be considered ‘sincere’.
Before we take off running with our new found item, mindset, relationship or circumstance, let’s hold’r up just a quick moment, lift it up to God’s word and check for genuineness, is it the real deal, good God stuff. If we have to, take it to a ‘filled with fruits of righteousness’ friend, have them hold it up, see what they see.
Discerning light from darkness.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Wholehearted?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD…” – God, Jeremiah 29:11-14 (emphasis mine)
This is very familiar to many of us. We love the part about God’s great plans for us filled with hope. Throw in a prosperous future and we are all over it! But do we (I) stop there and dismiss the latter part. MY part.
“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD.” At a glance in certain translations He uses the same word, but in the original Hebrew, He doesn’t. Seek, He uses two slightly different words. In our seeking, we seek. Sounds like a nursery school rhyme.
The first ‘seek’ (baqash) is to search. We set out to find God, find His presence, call out to Him. This specifically is done through worship or prayer. We step into prayer and call on His name. The 2nd ‘seek’ (darash) is one of searching also, but it is MORE. It is a seeking to ‘find,’ an insistent searching. The verse implies ‘it is not sufficient to merely seek, but to also want the response to that seeking.’* It isn’t a haphazard, doing a quick ‘looksie’ over your shoulder, “Yup, I looked.” Kinda like sending our kids into their room to clean it, they come back out 10 
minutes later, stating they cleaned it, when they just kicked the piles under their bed; it wasn’t done thoroughly or wholeheartedly.
I once read, God wants us to seek Him as a man seeks for gold. Gold miners didn’t get the map and just merely stand on the ridge from a distance, declaring “There’s gold in them hills” as they shielded their eyes from the sun. NO, they gathered their tools and with great determination they went to the hills! They dug, they worked with intensity until they FOUND! Until they got results, they sought until they got a response. THAT is how we are to seek, and in our seeking, we seek. THEN , in the very same breath, God said, “I will be found by you.” (Jer. 29:14)
David said, “My heart says of you, “Seek His face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.” He goes on to say in his earnest ‘seeking’ “Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my Helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.” (Ps. 27:8-9) THAT was both baqash and darash. He didn’t stop with seeking God out, he stayed, waited for a response.
In a nut shell, God is there, always there, it’s all about how we approach our seeking, He wants us ALL in. God wants it wholeheartedly. Do we deem Him important enough, like that of valuable gold nuggets? Do we move past the distance and with map in hand, we move out and get to digging?
“May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You, may those who love Your salvation always say “Let God be exalted!” – Ps. 70:4
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24
*Biblical Hermeneutics
Throw Away & Dump the Baggage
A few months ago I had the privilege of teaching our ladies group about faithfulness. We were looking at the God qualities of the Fruit of the Spirit (found in Galatians 5:22,23) We determined that faith and faithfulness are not the same, the first precedes the latter. Faith is a firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth. Faith is the assurance in our heart and mind of what we hope for, and the certainty of what we do not see. (Heb. 11:1) Though not directly in front of us, we visualize what God intends to do in a given situation (according to His Word)and faithfulness is acting in harmony with it. It is not fantasy or pretending, it is taking what we know of God and applying HIM to our circumstance.
Faith is our reception of God’s word. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Ro. 10:17) Faithfulness is our response to His word. We live our life in such a way, clearly declaring a firm assurance, God is Who He said He is and will DO what He says He will do. Our actions convey that we truly …BELIEVE Him! Faith in relationships, is confidence in the person’s character and motives and the task we have entrusted to them. Do we trust God’s character and His motives? Do we trust Him with our care and our very lives?
Now keep tracking with me…
We all have us some BAGGAGE don’t we? Emotional and even spiritual baggage. Baggage full of memories of our past that hold us captive, baggage that weighs us down with guilt, and baggage full of 
doubt and worry. For some of us we packed our bags with deceit done to us and the pain tucked in the side pockets. Baggage.
Solomon wrote “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven …a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away.” (Ecc. 3:1,6 emphasis mine) Some of us need to crack open the bags and throw away! Paul strongly states, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self … be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:22,24 – see also Col.3:8-9, 1 Jn. 1:9) What you once were, in the past… no longer fits and frankly is extremely out of date and style! SO, why carry it around with you! God wants us to unpack our bags, empty out all hidden compartments (Sounds so ‘007’ agent like) dumping the bags and exchange them for a life of faith. Those muscles and energy used for carrying all the stuff, will now be used and spent for JESUS!
I shared all this WHILE holding a clear handled box filled with ‘Yes’ pieces of paper. I carried it as I walked back and forth teaching. Emphasizing instead of all the icky baggage, we set it all aside, AND walk away! Each time a circumstance comes our way or the memories of the past attempt to invade our thoughts, we ‘YES’ (we don’t just ‘say’ yes, we YES in attitude, 
behavior and life style) to believing God is Who He said He is and will do what He promises to do, our box filling with God. And the meaning behind the transparent box? We want others see our ‘yes’ to Him, encouraging them too to unpack, walk away and YES Jesus.
Is this all easy? Not for a second! It is only with the help of Holy Spirit’s grace and work in our lives. My hubby said there may be duplicate ‘Yeses’ because we tend to lay down and then run back and dig through the stuff again. SO true! Even so, keep yes(ing) soon with God’s help the stuff will grow way to old, we WILL walk away (and stay away.)
Paul, the guy who held the coats of those who stoned Stephen as he preached the Good News, after Paul’s revelations of Jesus, said: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14) THAT is some great unpacking!
Faithfulness, our response to God and His word. Living a life filled with YES!Clearly declaring a firm assurance, God is Who He said He is and will DO what He says He will do.
“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.” (Unknown)
“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” ascends to God for His glory.” (2 Cor. 1:20)
Bags down. Walking away. AMEN! Living in Christ. YES!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another toward love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Life in the Valley
Isn’t it interesting that we strive for the mountain tops, but once there we turn and gaze back down at the now declared ‘beautiful’ valley below. Charles Spurgeon said, “We find that most men confess that God is God of the hills, but they forget that He is also Lord of the valleys.” Yes, there is beauty in the valley. It is THERE that the waters flow. It is from the valley that we can only look up. From there sunrises and sunsets are the most spectacular.
Valleys are to be explored (Deut. 1, spies come back with good report) They are a place to wage war (1 Sam. 17, David & Goliath) Valleys are for fresh water (Gen. 26 Isaacs servants dig 3 prosperous wells) A valley is a place of rebuilding (2 Chron. 33 Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall) There is victory in the valley (Judges 6 & 7 Gideon over the Midianites, 2 Sam. 8 Davids victories) Valleys are a place for dwelling (Gen. 26:17, “Isaac encamped in the Valley of Gerar, where he settled.”)
Valleys are not just to be admired from the mountain top, life happens in the valley. May we not always be looking beyond our valley, but learning and exploring and thriving in the valley.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
YHWH, The Great I AM
The Needle. My sister and I used to love to pore through the magazine, ‘Country.’ It was full of beautiful colored photos of landscapes, old barns and wheelbarrows filled with flowers. Amongst the photos and handed down recipes, they hid a small ‘needle’ somewhere in the issue. I became obsessed with finding that needle. Once found, it was SO apparent where it was, I was amazed I had missed it.
Unlike the needle, God’s word is not hidden to us. In the Old Testament God’s 
name is almost always translated LORD in the English Bible, appearing some 6500+ times. THAT is a lot of name dropping! LORD as in all caps. And no, it was not the authors attempt to yell Gods name or a typo on the publisher’s part. This is referred to as the ‘Tetragrammaton’ (Greek for ‘consisting of 4 letters’) In the original text, it is YHWH, (Yahweh, or some translations use Jehovah) and occurs in every OT book except Ecclesiastes and Esther. The all caps distinguish it from other Hebrew names for God. (i.e. ‘Lord’ which is Adonai, meaning ‘Master’) LORD is built on what God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3, after God tells him to go to Egypt and demand His people are set free, Moses asks what His name is. He isn’t necessarily asking ‘What shall I call You?” Rather he is asking “WHO are You?” According to Jewish thought and tradition, a name is not a random word, but the name of the person conveys their nature, character and essence. God answers him as such: “I AM WHO I AM, This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.”
I AM.
Although He had been known as El Shaddai (God Almighty) the covenant keeping God to the patriarchs, (Abe, Isaac & Jacob) now He wanted His people to know Him, experience Him also as Deliverer, in their now and continue to be known. “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 6:6-7)
Looking to the scholars, most are in agreement, ‘I AM’ conveys ‘to be.’ The root word signifies existence. One might say, “I am present is what I am” God’s all-pervading, ever-present nature, character and essence in our here and now. He is the “I AM THAT I AM” -the One Who was, Who is and is to come. (Revelation 1:8).
Jesus bolding stated in John 8:58 “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!” The Jews were so irate; they picked up stones to kill Him, such an awesome-fearful thing for Him to say. (Go God!) In the olive grove (John 18) when Judas approached with the soldiers, they said they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus answers, “I am He.” (Literally, “I am.”) The narrative says the soldiers drew back and fell to the ground, struck no doubt by the MAJESTY of His words.
Just like the needle, the LORD wants us to see Him, (um …6500+ repetitive use of His name assures that) He wants us to know Him, may He be so ever apparent. Each time we read ‘LORD’ let us take pause, look at the context, insert “The Great I AM, the One Who is…” Like David wrote, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14) “O, LORD…the Great I AM! The One Who is and ever will be… my strength and my redeemer!”
May the written word flow and bleed into our everyday lives, that not only on the parchment may we see and seek after Him, the LORD, but LOOK for Him in our everyday, the Great I AM.
The author of Hebrews wrote: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, emphasis mine)
God says, “I AM.” We say, “He is.”
And for you Scrabble players, ‘Tetragrammaton’ … BOOM! 67 points!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Side Note: The most devout of Judaism, will to this day not pronounce His 
name aloud. It is known as the Unutterable Name, the “Ineffable Name” (too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.) Even when reading the scriptures when they see LORD, they will replace with Adonai, or Ha-Shem (The Name) So honoring.
Sticky Notes From God
“Backup.” For the past week or two every time I open my laptop I see the now bent and ruffled orange sticky note that simply reads, “Backup.” I put it there to remind me. It was brought to my attention that I haven’t backed up my computer in a very long time. All my teaching notes from a recent series on the Fruit of the Spirit, devotionals and family pictures sat dangerously unsecured. Each time I sat down to study, read emails or peruse through Facebook, that sticky note was glanced at, unheeded and then quickly forgotten. Although I had set the reminder there for me to take action, it soon became familiar. So familiar that I really didn’t give it much notice.
As I took the sticky note off yesterday (AFTER I finally backed up the computer) I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me that at times I treat Him the same (OUCH!) Head hung, shoulders slumped, a prayer whispered, “Forgive me.” We do that don’t we? Sometimes God, and God’s word is such a large part of our life, that we just assume He/it will always be there. Oh He will, but by golly I NEVER want to take Him or His word for granted, that I simply take a glance, unheeded and quickly forget. I have scripture all over; the kitchen, the bathroom, the dinner 
table, entry way and even in my car. BUT, seeing those, so familiar… do I read it, take pause and consider, heed it, live it, share it? William Gurnall a quiet unknown to many theologian of the 1600’s wrote: “Love sets the soul on musing.” Do we reflect, mediate deeply on God?
King David wrote: “I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8) Interesting word picture, the word for ‘set’ can be translated as …equally. In context: “I have equally set the Lord before me.” Meaning, in every situation, every day-to-day activities, in every conversation, enjoyment and sorrow, I place God THERE. But it doesn’t stop there, it conveys the idea of ‘to match.’ If we place God alongside our current circumstance and they don’t match up, what is the proposed action? Adjustment! But just like my orange sticky note, I HAVE to take notice, heed, and take action.
The Psalmist wrote, “You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by GOD. You’re blessed when you follow His directions, doing your best to find Him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road He set. You, GOD, prescribed the right way to live; now You expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course You set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with 
Your counsel. I thank You for speaking straight from Your heart; I learn the pattern of Your righteous ways. I’m going to do what You tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me. How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of Your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of You; don’t let me miss the road signs You’ve posted.” Psalm 119:1-10 (MSG) He continues in verse 30, “I have chosen the way of truth, I have set my heart on Your laws.”
O Lord, grace us with the desire, the longing to set You before us and not quickly turn away, but take a good long-hard look, heed and make adjustments where needed. May we too respond like David, “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices.” (the next verse, Psalm 16:9)
Road signs and sticky notes from God.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
“But Sir!”
Ever been asked to do something that is way beyond you, you find yourself paralyzed with joy stealing, self -esteem destroying and assignment killing thoughts? You attempt to dart behind something in hopes of not being seen. I have.
We are not alone. The Lord calls to Gideon “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Telling him, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand…” You know, those folks that have been terrorizing you for some time, taking all your livestock, messing up your crops and forced you to run to caves and hide. Yup, them. I LOVE Gideon’s response, just a guy going about his business, then this! So honest, so explaining, so TERRIFIED. “But Sir… How 
can I, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:13,15) Head hung, shoulders slumped.
We all have “But Sir” moments, don’t we? Moments when God asks something of us, moments when we need to do or be something that is beyond us. In our calling, our assignment we feel weak, insignificant and definitely not qualified. We look at our weapons and they seem dinky and dull. Oh, God’s response is SO valuable, to Gideon He says, “I will be with you and you will…”
Moses, standing strong with a staff lifted high over his head as he shouts with authority, “Let my people go!” He too had a “But Sir!” moment. You would think as he stood near the bush that seems to self combust into flames he would immediately be convinced. God tells him after 400+ years of his brothers bound in slavery, “So now, go. I am sending you.” God was sending him to 
Pharaoh to demand the Israelites come out of Egypt. Moses does the panic response, “Suppose they ask who sent me, what if they don’t believe me and by-golly I don’t even speak very good, I tend to studd-der and stt-tammer. God’s response is the same, “I will be with you.” (Exodus 3 & 4)
King David writes, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Psalm 37:23) David is known to have written this in his old age, as he looks back over the triumphs rippled with failures, he acknowledges his God was there in it and through it, every detail of his life, in the moments of “I am to do this!”
Paul exhorts young Timothy, “I remind you to fan into flames the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6,7) Perhaps you too feel a bit under qualified, rather scared and defeated, you can’t even figure out HOW to get your ducks in a row. You even doubt what you feel God called you to, please join me, as we turn our ‘But Sir’ into ‘I will be with you and you will…” Go in His Spirit of power, walking in love and self-discipline.
Fanning the flames!
In Him DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
The Trained Man
“Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” – 1 Sam. 17:33 (emphasis mine)
I LOVE the story of David and Goliath. Big ugly dude yelling stupid things about God and God’s people, then … an errand boy was sent into the Israelites camp. Goliath yells, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” Goliath is not only asking for a ‘man’ to challenge, but in the Hebrew, in this context, the word he chooses can also be translated as ‘champion, soldier, warrior,’ a mans man. In other words, send out your trained! Your BEST! Scholars believe David was about 17 when he basically told King Saul ‘send me.’ Saul’s response is natural, “You are not able to go” and proceeds to state what seems to be the obvious.
The rest of the story is amazing. Saul tries to get David to wear his suit of armor. Nope. There was no hesitation on David’s part. No, “Give me a minute while I figure this out.” David knew his God was with him against the lions and bears, he would INDEED be with him against the nine foot increasingly bad tongued Philistine. He takes his sling and stick, while picking up a few smooth stones on the way and RUSHES towards Goliath. (Dead giant) Goliath called for a man, King Saul said you are a mere lad. A boy 
did what a man was called to do. However! You see Goliath got exactly what he was asking for. David had trained in the fields alone protecting and defending his father’s sheep, killing all predators, Goliath may have been a warrior since his youth as Saul stated, but so had David. A trained man.
Intertesting side note: The narrative says that as David and Goliath approached each other, Goliath had his ‘shield bearer out in front of him’ he couldn’t do it alone. (Not so tough now big guy!) And beyond the glamorous flannel graph stories, David not only killed the giant with one swing of his sling, but ran to him, took his sword and cut off his head. He cut off the very thing that yelled those horrendous statements about his God. Who said the bible is boring!
What is God calling us to? What giant stands before us? Be assured they aren’t as tough as they proclaim! What have we been in training for all these years, in the isolation of ‘just me and God.’ May we too not hesitate when we are called beyond what we seem to be, when someone tells us, “You are not able to… You are only…” Let us not try to fit into someone elses ‘armor’ – but take up what we know and RUN towards what God calls us to. I’m sure if you wish to yell, “For Narnia“, God will understand. And remember, what may seem to be a simple ‘errand’ we may walk out victoriously slaying a giant.
Now go…
* The whole exciting story can be found in 1 Samuel 17.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us spur one another towards love and good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
What’s Your 2017 Word?
Words. Amazing things. One word alone can alter your day, your moment. “RUN!” (see) At the rollover of the calendar each year I begin asking the Lord for a word. One word that may describe His emphasis for me, perhaps His finger that points in a new direction or most assuredly a word to study. In the past I was given words like, ‘regardless,’ THAT was a dandy of a year! As I was writing in my journal a few days ago, I was taken to something I had written awhile back: “Aman – Hebrew <H539> (awe-mon) Genesis 15:6 ‘Abe believed…’ to confirm, support, firm, faithful, sure. To go to the right hand.” Ok, granted my journal entries differ from the average Jane, there is no ‘Dear Diary’ or written out prayers. It is full of words I find intriguing, words like (Hebrew or Greek) rhema, hokmah, tamin, paroxysmos, gibbor and aman.
What I immensely enjoy about our God … He is so very, VERY personal. He knows and talks our language. As I re-read the word ‘aman’ I felt He whispered it back to me, “Aman… Me.” The moment was tender, yet I knew this wasn’t a suggestion. Remembering when I briefly studied the word, my eyes began to well up. Aman (believe) has such a strong emphasis, it doesn’t just mean, “Yah, I believe IN God,” it conveys “I BELIEVE God!” If we were to add weight to the 
word, it would paint the picture of taking a tent stake and pounding it into the ground, fixing the tent on/in a firm solid place. THAT is believe (aman.) It’s taking what is in our left hand, those things that seem somewhat doubtful, ideas or concepts not fully accepted and moving them firmly to our right hand, the right hand of belief.
Remember the story of Jonah (man runs from God and encounters fish, wait… FISH) His mission: Go tell the icky bad guys to give it up and get right with God (I paraphrase) As Jonah did, “The Ninevites believed God…” (3:5) then, “they turned from their evil ways… God had compassion…” (v 10) They ‘amaned’ God, they came to the end of themselves, took action and turned from the ick and turned to God.
Believing God means devotional active obedience. I believe God, truly believe His word, His promises (and warnings) I live my life accordingly. My hand that once held doubt is now empty, my right hand is gloriously filled with confidence, as Paul wrote about Abe… “being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.” (Romans 4:21)
I know I have a lot to ‘go to the right hand’ but I am excited to see what opportunities God places in my path ‘to move.’ (When in the thick of it – I may deny any and all endorsements later, HA!)
One of my dear friends shared her word is ‘forward’ and a family member, ‘fearless. ’ Perhaps you too would ask God for a word. In doing so, Holy Spirit whisper that word to us continually over the course of 2017. May we look for it, for YOU with anticipation and expectation. Grant us Lord, the grace and power to respond in devotional active obedience!
Go God!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
(Side Note: In the above journal entry, I wrote ‘Aman’ – Hebrew <H539> The numeric reference indicates the word is Hebrew ‘H’ (Old Testament) and the number assigned within the Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary. Writing this number helps me go back and find it with ease in my bible software. It is my geeky way. Also, ‘Aman’ is the root word in which ‘amen’ is derived – It is likened to a Judge slamming the gavel down with firm persuasion, “So be it.”)
A Determined Adventure to Find Him
“Everyday can be like a holiday.” Just one of the Starbucks cup slogans, I think they might be on to something. As I hold my peppermint hot chocolate, topped with cool whip and coco powder sprinkled over the top, I smile and think, “Yes, yes it can.” Often we consider the season of Christmas to be the day after Thanksgiving and lasting until New Years Eve. After that, the tree is taken down, the ornaments boxed up and the lawn reindeer stored in the garage rafters. Christmas becomes a fleeting memory.
YET, the message of Christmas CAN be seen, felt and shared throughout the year. My favorite rendition of the Christmas story is documented in Luke 
chapter 2. I paraphrase: Mary and Joseph head to Bethlehem, as they attempt to check in at the lobby of the Inn, they are left on their own to go out back, way back to their accommodations. A dingy stable, with no fine linens, NOT fit for a King, but more for a humble servant. While the Savior was being born, a baby announcement was being declared in the sky a few hills away. The shepherds were at work, ‘watching their flocks by night.‘ The angel appears boldly declaring “Dudes don’t be afraid, I bring you good news… today… a Savior… He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you… you will find Him… ”
I find it fascinating that the angel addresses their fear first, taking the time to say something before they bolt and miss the message. The story wouldn’t be the same if they all took off running (in different directions.) After the fear factor was addressed, the presentation of ‘good news’ was given, the choir sang, and service was over. I wonder… if our pastors approached the pulpit and opened their sermons with ‘FEAR NOT’ would we pay just a tad bit more attention?
Life is busy, our days full of routine, we face many obstacles and stress keeps our focus captive as we go about our business. However, the Christmas promise and message is clear and continues to roll forward… what if (humor me) JESUS came to us, saying “Don’t be afraid, TODAY, I Christ the Lord, YOUR Savior … here’s YOUR sign… find Me.” I love the word ‘sign’ in the Greek, one scholar defines it as “A miracle by which the power and presence of God is manifested, a distinguishing mark noting significance.” Notice it doesn’t declare how big or small the manifestation.
Do WE look for Jesus to manifest Himself before us, around us and ahead of us today? Have we considered He orchestrates our setting and timing of circumstances so we too would take pause and cause us to look… see and find Him. It may not be a Celestial Being sky writing above the Metro area, but it may be a gentle whisper you hear in the breeze, a wondrous sunset. See Him. Or a loving note from a friend or a check in the mail JUST when you need it. See Him. What of sitting in your car that has been in the snow, dormant for a few days, you lean your head against the steering wheel turning the key, “Please Lord!” is whispered faintly. It starts immediately! See Him!
This year, may we take the Christmas message beyond the borders of the calendar pages; the Good News, Jesus here NOW, with us! May we too see the sign, the confirmation of divine authority all around us! May we yield to the manifestation. Oh Jesus, open our eyes, our ears that we too would do as the shepherds did, make a determined adventure to find You and “When they had seen Him, they spread the word…”
FEAR NOT! TODAY! I, CHRIST am here!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
There is MORE!
Recently my husband and I were visiting a church service on the east coast. The pastor full of Pentecostal energy shared vigorously from Psalm 136. Twenty-six times the Psalmist declares “His mercy endures forever.” Oh it does! God’s mercy is unending. Matchless in every way, it can be seen from the beginning of mankind’s existence and has no vanishing point in the future. Within the 15 minutes of sharing, the pastor repeated the blessing of God’s mercy, then “In closing…” He said, “His mercy endures forever.” As the folks stood to leave, preparing for the cold trek home to the roast in the Crockpot, I wanted so BADLY to stand to my feet and yell, “Tell them!” (All eyes on the crazy visitor lady in the back.) There’s more! His mercy is incredibly amazing, but there’s more! “His mercy endures forever.” Pastor! Don’t stop here!
Tell them that the Hebrew language is full of imagery, YES mercy! But there is more. Just like there is ‘sunrise’ with just a glimpse of light peeking over the horizon, then there is SUNRISE with colors so vibrant you stare in unbelief at the magnitude of the brilliance of His creation. Colors spilling over each other as it dances across the sky in tones that if we are still enough it could be heard. Today we were just …peeking.
His mercy endures forever. Mercy, is Hesed.
Scholars find it extremely difficult to translate ‘hesed’ (Hebrew) into English, because there really is not an equivalent word. One commentary says, “It is difficult, if not impossible to precisely convey the full meaning of the term with just one English word or phrase.” The King James Version alone uses 15 different words in attempt to express its meaning in each context. Words such as lovingkindness, steadfast love, loyal love, kindness, faithful love, mercy and yes, grace. Grace. God’s mercy is withholding what we do deserve, where His grace is giving us what we do not. One hand pushes forward in giving, while the 
other holds back in restraint. THAT is our God! Because of His love for us, His commitment to covenant, His value of relationship, our God interacts with us with hesed. It is deep, wide and continuing.
Jonah knew God’s hesed, saying to the Lord, “O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love (hesed), a God who relents from sending calamity.” (Jonah 4:2) Ok, maybe Jonah needed an attitude adjustment, (Thus the large fish story) but he knew, he understood, experienced and observed God and how He operates within His love and mercy.
I echo Paul’s words “But by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Cor 15:10) Yes indeed, it is worthy of repeated twenty-six verses, “His mercy endures forever.” His lovingkindness, faithfulness and His grace. It is enough to make us bow our head, eyes closed with groanings that cannot be uttered!
Standing in the magnitude of His brilliance sunrise glow!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Christmas Peace
Christmas. Just the word alone brings a soft glow to the soul. Warm crackling fires, hot chocolate and watching Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey yelling “Mary!” as he runs through the old drafty house. A peaceful experience. Peace.
Christmas peace, Luke 2:14, when the angels appear to the shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) Peace had come to earth.
Biblical peace (in the Greek) is ‘to set at one again,’ think about the picture it paints. Something that has once been erected has toppled over. Chaos, strife, irritation, unrest even war are the results. Once it is set back, PEACE is the result; all is in its rightful place. Remember Adam and Eve sinning in the garden? (Thanks guys!) The original design, ‘God and man’ had been ‘toppled over.’ Gone were the daily walks together in the garden. Jesus came, setting things back in the right place, God and man in right relationship. “The Word became flesh (Jesus) and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (emphasis mine) It may not be the Garden, but God again walking with us. Emmanuel, oh the ‘with us’ of God! Jesus, peace on earth. Peace is a Person.
One of my favorite Christmas carols, “Hark the herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” After 400 years, the angels break the silence with the spectacular news. Such theology dripping from this song: Jesus, Peace, God back on earth, setting things right again. God and sinners reconciled.
Peace is not only a Person, but a position. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace …for through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2) We are now back where we were originally designed to be, full access to God, able to come into His presence. Paul declares this point, “Since we have been justified through faith we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) Peace is position
Because of our sinful nature and our perpetual continuing to do so, John strongly declares “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Interestingly, this was written to CHRISTIANS, yup, you and me. As we confess, we are saying the same thing about our situation that God does. We are now in full agreement; we realign with what God says. To stop doing something we have to start doing something else. I don’t stop standing, until I START walking. In this process, we are taking what was ‘toppled over’ returning to the original design and bringing Jesus back to His rightful peaceful place. We mess up, we get cleaned up. Peace restored. Peace is a process.
The increase of peace accompanies the increase of Christ’s governing power over our lives. Remember Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders…” Now consider Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ RULE in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” If I want peace in my heart, do I allow Jesus to RULE in my heart? He is King, yes indeed, but do I bow to Him as … King. Does my life behavior reflect my heart condition (or my words) declaring Him as King? Does He take the rightful place on the throne of my life? Here’s a dandy thought: We will know peace to the degree that we bow to Jesus’ authority. It is NOT about peaceful circumstances, it’s about the APPLIED authority of Christ. Peace is a posture, a bowed, get OFF the throne, posture.
This Christmas as we sing and sway with the Hoo’s in Hooville, rip open the gifts under the tree, and read PEACE across our Christmas cards, may we pause and consider whole heartedly, the Person, position, process and posture of peace. Yes, Peace had indeed come to earth, and He is KING.
In Him, Blessed Christmas from our heart & home, DeDe & Mark (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” ~ Heb. 10:24)
Christmas Warrior King
Thirty-seven years ago this month on December 21, as a teenager, I walked from my house to the pastors house. I sat on the white carpeted floor while praying with Brenda the pastor’s wife, giving my heart, life and dreams to Jesus. As I walked home, the shiny colored bulb lights and the nativity scene in the neighbor’s yard now meant so much MORE. Mighty God.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah. 9:6)
Christmas, the birth of Jesus. This verse is sung in carols, beautifully gold leafed across our Christmas cards, even quoted by those who don’t have a clue WHO Jesus is. But have we really considered the fact that THE Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace was … given … to … US! ‘For unto us…‘ That is YOU and me. Not just the shepherds watching their flocks by night, or the wise guys carrying royalty endowed gifts. Mighty God. At first glance we would assume it is just a two word religious name used to describe just how big God is. BIG He is. Yet this is NOT the intent of this prophetic narrative.
Sadly, many in society today see Jesus as weak, the man in a white robe knocking on a door. For some, they leave Jesus in the manger as a swaddled babe, meek and mild with a hovering halo above His head. Mighty God.
Mighty in the Hebrew (gibbor) renders a militant theme. STRONG, BRAVE, VALIANT, that of a successful RULER. (Emphasis made to express the magnitude of the word) In the context of battle, ‘gibbor’ is better understood as a category of warriors, ‘Gibbor’ is the proven warrior. Let that settle on us. It can even be translated as HERO! Boy doesn’t this culture need a ‘hero’ with hand raising allegiance!
If we could take the same energy found at a pro basketball game: As the star player runs down the court, his name yelled from all corners of the arena, taking a few steps he launches himself up, releasing the ball! Swish! The place goes wild! The score board changes to victory! Taking THAT energy, awe provoked praise and that allegiance, the same worship and spend it on JESUS, the One declared … WORTHY. Can you imagine. WOW! Take THAT opposing team! 
Mighty God.
The culture of Isaiah’s day, as found in the Semitic language was also seen in word picture imagery as ‘to rise, strong or prevailing.’ What a wonderful picture, the Warrior-King arising. Psalm 68:1 “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him.” Here the picture is God rising up with all power & authority. This is very serious and something to be feared. Remember Jesus and His guys in a boat, the violent storm, Jesus stands up. I say “Go God!” Stand UP … look out!” Now THAT would be an arena Hero experience! Mighty God.
HOWEVER, with all this ‘mighty’ strength and warrior muscle bearing, there is gentleness. “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty (gibbor) to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Interesting, the word translated here for quiet means ‘engrave.’ While God is flexing His muscles with power & authority to save you, He engraves His love on you.’ Mighty God.
King David poetically declared, “O LORD my God, You have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all Your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.” – Psalm 40:5
Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus, do we render a nod of the head only to the babe in the manger, or see Him as He is: Strong, brave, risen, successful ruler, our proven Warrior King. Mighty God.
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 (The arena goes wild! The score board changes to VICTORY!)
May we declare like King David, “You have no equal.”
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given …”
In Him, DeDe (‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds’ -Heb.10:24)
Re-Staking Our Boundaries (Self-Control)
Scrabble pieces mounded and spread across the center of the tables at bible study, continuing our study of the fruit of the Spirit, the gals were asked, working as individuals or as a team how would YOU spell self-control. Encouraging them to consider, think and ponder if narrowed down to one word, “What it is to walk in self-control?”
Paul writes to Titus his son in the faith, giving him the character guidelines of an elder, “He must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.” (Tit. 1:8 ) The word he uses for self-controlled is ‘sophron’ it is a compound word, starting with ‘sozo’ which means sound, safe, healthy and ‘phren’ which is ‘inner outlook’ which regulates outward behavior. It is having a solid-sound inner perspective which affects our acted out choices, basically it is having our outside properly reflect our inside, if it doesn’t we are out of balance, out of control.
Here’s the fun part, it is the word we get ‘diaphragm’, the inner organ that regulates controlled breathing and ultimately the heart beat. A great example would be an opera singer, who through years of practice and discipline learns to control the length (quality) of their tones. With effort, and concentration they bring from the depth of their gut (if you will) a song. So we the listener can see their passionate movements and hear the resonating tones from within. Ultimately it is a ‘balanced’ skill, properly controlling the sound.
Biblical self-control (sophrone) is learning the discipline and practice of balance, our actions reflecting a solid-sound inner perspective, conviction, values and goals. However, it is GOD that defines the solid-inner perspective stuff, we don’t get to run off belting out our own sound. This balancing skill is not “one-size-fits-all” because we are all different, what I need to help regulate my walk with Jesus, may be different from you. How I stake out my boundaries lines are shaped distinctly for me. Yet we all have the same regulating ‘organ,’ it is the Holy Spirit. Discipline takes us to the place of yielding, seeing and acting according to Holy Spirits guidance.
Proverbs 28:25 “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Paints a very vivid picture doesn’t it, a city is only as secure as its walls. We are only as secure as the boundaries we set, the staked out guidelines. With no secure walls we are vulnerable, so vulnerable. We are called to master self to the degree of caution and guard. Remember God
gave us free will, we are NOT puppets. Even in our freedom, we are still called to walk a balanced life, a holy life.
Temperance is another word used for self-control which means curbing one’s desires and impulses. How do we curb these desires? How do we guard and set guidelines, how do we regulate, use self-control in areas that we know are weak and make our walls weak. Whether that is curbing our desires for food, or reigning in our physical appetites, or controlling our tongue which is indeed one of the hardest to manage. James speaks of it (chapter 3) as a large ship being controlled by a small lil rudder. Self-control not only means to discipline, but to correct, correct in the sense as to change course. It is the decision to remain within the boundaries. If we find ourselves outside of those boundaries, we change course! James also likens control of the tongue with the bit in a horse’s mouth, “Whoa Nelly!”
Most of our struggle starts in our thought life, if only we can learn to allow our minds to be transformed (Ro. 12:1-2) and pull thoughts into captivity, “We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” 2 Cor 10:5 (MSG)
Self-control is the goal of finding and maintaining a balance between obsession and neglect. Within these two extremes we find a comfortable fit for where, who, why, what and how we give our attention, again Holy Spirit holds the permission slip for all these. We do this through guarded guidelines which point us to either abstinence (none at all, no way, not going there) or moderation, having the ability to say, “That’s enough …for now.”
Our boundaries often are defined and kept by the questions we ask, ‘Do I really want that? Do I really need that? Can I afford it? Is that good for me? Will it hurt? Will this get me in trouble? (My go to question) These are all appropriate and good, but what of the questions God asks?
Genesis chapter 3: Adam & Eve are in the Garden, they just had the conversation with the Serpent, and chose to eat the fruit (oops) God comes, and asks “Where are you?” God knew very well where Adam was, the question was for Adam. God wants him to acknowledge where he is and why he is there. “What has sin done to me …why am I running away from Him? Why am I hiding? Maybe God too is asking US… where are you? The next verse, Adam told God he was afraid and was naked. God asks “Who told you that you were naked?” What form of disobedience got you to this point? (They ate from the forbidden tree – Knowledge of Good & evil) We could go further back … Who were you spending time with? (the crafty serpent) “Who were you talking to?”
Genesis 16: Hagar & Sarah didn’t get along, (to say the least) Hagar runs away. God sees her, saying, “From where have you come, and where are you going?” “Where are you going? Ever taken off in one direction (impulsively) 
emotions being the driving force? God may ask ‘Where are you going… and why?
Still in Genesis, chapter 32, Jacob wrestled with God throughout the night and wouldn’t give up until God blessed him. So God asks the question ‘What is your name?’ Of course God knew Jacob’s name but He asked the question to get Jacob to say who he was. Jacob means ‘deceiver’ – But God has something more for him. God changes his name from Jacob to Israel – from ‘Deceiver’ to Prince of God. A change of name is an outward sign of the inward change. (Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Saul to Paul, and Simon to Peter)
If God asked us RIGHT NOW, in our current circumstance “What is your name?” How would we answer? I am Weak, I am Tempted … Sad… Doubtful or Discouraged’ or could it even be ‘BUSTED!’ He wants to change our name.
Exodus 4: Moses is at the burning bush, God just told him to go to Egypt and demand Pharaoh let the Hebrews go. Moses said, “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say? God asks, What is that in your hand? God knew what he was holding, (a staff) God uses that staff mightily! On the same note, if God were to ask us right now, “What is that in your hand?” What would He find? Is it something we need? Is it something God can use? Is it something God would approve of? Self-control is the decision to remain within the boundaries. Are we careful of what is in our hands?
1 Kings 19: Elijah had just witness the great show down at Mt Carmel, he against the 850 false prophets, their ‘god’ (lil ‘g’) didn’t show up, he had them douse the altar of the Lord with a lot of water, he prayed and God sent fire down and burned up EVERYTHING, water and all, then had all the false prophets killed. Well King Ahab told his wife Jezebel (not a super feminine, soft gal) what Elijah had done, she sent a messenger telling him he too would die, so Elijah ran. God found him in a cave, he asks “What are you doing here?” Have we too ever heard God asking ‘What are you doing here?” Are we in the right place, a God-honoring place?
Jesus. Jesus asks Peter, “Who do you say I am? (Mk 8:29) and “Do you love Me?” (Jn 21:15) These go without mentioning more. Who do WE say Jesus is, do we love Him, evident in word & deed?
Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD…” Blessed is the man who does not walk – stand – or sit. See the progression? Walk-stand and sit. It goes from casual to intimate sitting. Folks, there WILL be times we need to just ‘walk on by’ or walk away’ and not walk WITH, or in, no standing, and for crying out loud …NO sitting! If we see the ‘opportunity’ for some walking, standing and sitting, R-U-N! (away) Run to God, if you need a physical refuge, run to a godly friend! Always (again ‘always’) have an accountability buddy, someone you trust, trust the God in them and trust they will grab you by the ear and (lovingly) haul your back side back over within your staked boundaries.
Make a plan, get those boundary stakes set NOW and stick to it: Prior disciplines prepare us for present dilemmas. Genesis 14 (I paraphrase) A bunch of kings fight another bunch of kings – in the battle Abrams nephew Lot was taken captive, (he lived in Sodom) Abe pursues the captors, recovers all the plunder and rescues all the people. The King of Sodom comes to Abe asking for his 
people and telling Abram he can keep all the plunder. Abram knew the reputation of Sodom. (I love Abes resolve) v22, Abram answers, “I have raised my hand to the Lord God Most High, Creator of Heaven & earth and have taken an oath that I will accept NOTHING belonging to you.” Abram ‘raised his hand’ and took an oath PRIOR to this happening. He set his boundaries. He was prepared. The following verse, chapter 15:1 “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram, do not be afraid Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward.” God rewarded Abraham with Himself – HE was Abes reward. May we too hear of God, “I am your great reward”
The list is vast, yet Paul wraps up the qualities evident of the Holy Spirit moving in and through our lives with self-control, (Gal. 5:22,23) so very appropriate: Our outside properly reflecting our inside.
Do we need to pause and listen to the questions God may be asking us? Do those questions require us to go quickly, change course and re-stake our boundaries. Once the boundaries are set, we stay put. As my dear friend and pastor, Pam said, “We don’t color outside the lines.” May we too bring from the depth of our gut a song, a song full of balanced breathing, so others see our passion and hear the resonating tones of Jesus from within. Self-Control.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Gentleness, A Harnessed Heart
Bible study: The ladies come to their tables to find a variety of material swathes of wool, velvet, satin, flannel, lace and burlap and others. They were asked to consider which material best describes them, spiritually and personality wise. As the gals ran their fingers across the flannel print and the white cotton, they expressed warmth and softness, a bold contrast to the rough burlap. This got us thinking about the ‘soft’ side of God.
Gentleness, the eighth listed fruit of the Spirit.
Some translations use humility (Setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness) and meekness (Strength under control) in place of gentleness. Basically they are the same word in the original language. The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the NT defines gentleness as, “The inwrought grace of 
the soul.” Not just the inward grace of the soul, that it dwells there, but INWROUGHT. Inwrought is not a word we use much today, or use at all. But oh it has the most beautiful imagery. It is intricately woven material with a particular pattern. (Of fabric or woodwork, stonework and metal) It is the adding of another element, working it into the material, like beautiful delicate embroidery. To take this additional element out would leave holes, gaping holes.
Gentleness is the evidence of God’s grace worked into our soul, a life that yields to His loving presence, as it is intricately woven into our mind, will and emotions, yielded, giving way to govern our imagination, conscience, memory, reasoning and affections. The inwrought grace of the soul.
David wrote of God, “You give me Your shield of victory, and Your right hand sustains me; You stoop down to make me great.” Psalm 18:35 (emphasis mine) the word translated as ‘stoop down’ is ‘anwah’ (pronounced: ‘on-vaw’) in the Hebrew, it is also translated as gentleness and humility, referring to qualities of meekness. “You stoop down…” If God in all HIS majesty and authority and greatness ‘stoops down’ – shouldn’t we?
Paul wrote: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.” (Gal 6:1) Restore him … gently. May we too stoop down. Stoop down even when we have the ability to stand tall, stand strong, and stand over.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph 4:2, (also emphasized in Col. 3:12, 1 Tim. 6:11) Peter wrote: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15
Martin Luther said: “True followers of the Gospel must not be sharp and bitter, but gentle, mild, courteous, and soft-spoken, which should encourage others to seek their company. Gentleness can overlook other people’s faults and cover them up.” “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
Ever known someone who is a bit prickly, they have some rough edges? Their words may come across as sharp. How do these rough spots become smooth and even soothing? It is the filling of the Holy Spirit. He has got to get to the depth of us. (I know grammatically that doesn’t sound good, but oh so true.) We need to allow Him to go to all the broken places in us. Penetrate and permeate in us! I know I am a HOT broken mess without Jesus. I know I am a work in progress, He working Himself into all of me, my thoughts, and my ever changing emotions. (I am WOMAN!) I NEED His Holy Spirit to come and soften my edges.
I know I need it, but do I always want it? Jesus speaks to this in John chapter 5. Remember the lame man at the healing pool, he had been coming to the pool for 38 years, and well here he still lies. Jesus comes, seeing him in this condition and asks him, “Do you want to get well?” What a ridiculous question! But is it? The man goes on to explain that “no one will help him…” (whine!) Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” (v8,9) I find it interesting that Jesus directly told him to pick up ‘HIS’ mat, not just the mat (or reach for someone else’s mat) Pick up what you have been laying on all these years; pick up what has been YOUR comfort. Laying there is familiar; it’s what the lame man knew. Jesus telling him to pick up his mat, removing it encourages there are no relapses available, with no mat he can’t go back and lay down. And while you’re at it …get a move on… walk! How do I respond when Jesus asks me if I want a change, do I want healing, oh yes I may NEED one, but do I look around for excuses, do I look for what comforts me? Do I reach around and attempt to take what others have? Point to ponder.
Gentleness is giving a soft answer without anger. The Greek philosopher Aristotle said gentleness or meekness is that virtue that stands between two extremes, uncontrolled and unjustified anger (or QUICK ANGER) and not becoming angry at all no matter what takes place around you. What we may call a happy medium, right on balance, acting in righteousness. Paul said, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you.” (Eph 4:26) He didn’t say anger is a sin. Jesus was meek and gentle, and sinless, yet He did get angry, in a righteous way. (see John 2:14-16)
“Meekness is an active and deliberate acceptance of undesirable circumstances that are wisely seen by the individual as only part of a larger picture.”1 That is ‘wordy’ please read again. Basically it is humble submission to God’s will. YES, the ‘S’ word. Submission. God will not make us, He is gentle, a gentle teacher. Jesus says: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and 
My burden is light.” – Matt 11:28-30
When researching the yoke and the training of an ox, (Yes, there are MANY articles and websites for such a thing, really!) it stated: When fitting the ox with the yoke, it is BEST that the ox raise its head up into the yoke for the most comfortable and easy fit. This comes by time and trust, that the animal is willing to voluntarily lift their head to the master. If FORCED DOWN by the master, the fit could cause irritation, causing the ox to lean, favoring one side and not work at full potential. Yet another image that God COULD be strong and FORCEFUL, but He is not.
Bases for Training: Establish leadership quickly and firmly. Train regularly, maintain control. Be firm, insist on obedience. Be patient and understanding, being consistent in everything you ask. Once the ox chooses the harness: Teach ‘Turn right, Turn left,’ teaching Step In (step toward), and Step Out (step away) Work on giving animals a variety of tasks in a variety of environments. Wow, I am such an OX!
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – God speaking, Isaiah 30:21. David says of God speaking to him, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” – Psalm 32:8
I don’t know about you, but I want to be a trainee with a ‘harnessed heart’ rather than a hardened heart, knowing that what He is training me for now, will indeed benefit me and others tomorrow. Notice He says come to Me … and I will give you rest. Then He proceeds to talk about harnessing in for WORK! The rest is not from work, but IN our work. We need to allow God to train us – minister to us so He can minister THROUGH us, in gentleness.
“The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” God speaks to Elijah in a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:10-11) How many of us have been or are in what seems like earthquake – mountain splitting circumstances and wind so strong it will indeed knock us over, and we still can’t seem to see or hear God … just wait. Wait for the gentle whisper.
Walking in the influence of the Holy Spirit allows God the opportunity, permission, the invitation to continue to work His grace into us. May His intricately woven Presence create such a beautiful pattern of gentleness.
Ernest Hemingway said: “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” Good-bye old mat. This ox is going for a walk, a yoked walk.
Side Note: We closed bible study with a large glass clear vase full of broken pieces of plates, emphasizing we are broken people. As God heals us up, we ‘will’ get broken again, using a rubber mallet I smashed another plate and added it to the vase. We could see all the pieces, with large gaps not making us whole. Taking oil, I poured it into the vase, the oil representing the Presence of God filling in, softening our edges and healing us. ‘WE” need to invite the continual pouring of His Spirit.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
1Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, “Meekness
Inspired Fountain 
Calculating Our Thoughts
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK about these things.” – Philippians 4:8 (emphasis mine) Interesting, the word Paul uses for ‘think’ (or as some translations use ‘dwell’) it is an accounting term, it can be translated, “to calculate with a logical conclusion.” But it is not only an accounting term; it takes a step beyond and looks at the ‘object’ of what is being ‘counted.’ In essence, taking inventory and estimating its value. So Paul is saying, (DeDe’s visual analogy) place your thought in the middle of the room, get out your clipboard. Going down the list, does what you are thinking about, reading, and listening to; can you check off each box? As you walk around it, taking a serious look, can you check off true, honorable, just and pure? Do they add up to ‘excellent and worthy of praise’ according to GOD’s standard?
When trying to understand something, often we look at what it is NOT. In this case, the opposite (in the Greek) would mean to ignore. It is rejecting the examination results, setting it aside and ultimately deeming the results
‘ineffective.’ Meaning… “Regardless that what I am thinking about does not add up to be God worthy, I will IGNORE that fact, pushing it out of the equation, I continue on, I will not be effected by this thought pattern.” (Um… nope)
The verses just prior Paul’s list of thinking: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (vss 6,7) Do we really want to trample all over this with our unchecked God worthy thinking? I can guarantee, if ‘unchecked’ we will run amuck! We will hurt others, ourselves and God’s heart.
SO… As the saying goes, “Do the math…” Look at the list, (which is not all conclusive) do those things ‘add up’ to the good stuff of God?
Calculating our thoughts.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
May 5, 2017 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: God thinking, Philippians 4:8, Philippians 4:8 commentary, whatever is true | Leave a comment