But Sir!
This week I began a new journey, one that frankly scares the tar out of me, which may be good, now maybe my blood will flow freely! My beloved hubby and I are feeling the direction to work towards publishing the devotional teachings, we are not sure how or where or when, but we are preparing. In this preparation a dear friend has generously accepted to use her geeky grammar skills and begin editing. Upon the return of a few of the devotionals, all I saw was red. So many changes. I obviously do not know when to use a comma and I am WAY to excited with so many exclamation marks!!! My first thought was, “WHAT AM I THINKING… I shouldnt be writing!” I felt completely defeated, unqualified and was immediately terrorized by joy stealing, self esteem destroying and assignment killing thoughts. We all know where those thoughts came from!
Soon I was reminded again of Who calls me, Who fills my heart with joy, Who opens my mind to understanding and grants me the creativity to paint pictures with words. And why I am to write. So, this gal can’t get her grammar ducks to line up in a row, but I know beyond the shadow of all doubt I am called to be a teacher of His word and use the passion He put in my heart. In this moment of doubt and uncertainty I found I am not alone. Of course you are going to get bible study in this confession of doubt and renewal!
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) I kinda hear him in a strong Brooklyn accent, seeing his hands flailing about.
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 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 strike down all the Midianites together.”
Moses, the man we see in our minds eye, 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 children 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.” ( Ex. 3 & 4)
Beloved it is the same with us, we all have a unique calling or assignment from God. Yes, we really are not qualified in the sense that in all we do, not of ourselves, we do because of God. He works in and through us, we too experience the ‘But Sir’ response from God, “I will be with you.”
King David writes, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” Ps. 37:23 David is known to have written this in his old age, as he looks back over the triumphs and even his 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!” And the moments of uncertainty.
As my editor friend Gloria stated, we all have gifting, she has an eye for grammar and I can unpack the God stuff. As we all work in our assignments, we over lap – touching each other, THAT is what makes the Kingdom so great! Perhaps you too feel a bit under qualified, rather scared and defeated, you are even doubting 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…”
In Him DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Do a Little Spurring!
It is the last football game of the season, we are in the 4th quarter and the game is tied. A time out is called. All eyes go to the cheerleaders who are lined up with pom-poms flailing. Smiles spread across their faces, a deep breath is taken: “Ready and…” Knowing what comes next, we all stand to our feet. “We have spirit yes we do, we have spirit how bout YOU!” We all become excited, our yelling becomes louder and LOUDER. We are now ONE, we ARE the LIONS! Liken to that of a swarm of bees we huddle our voices with such intensity we explode over the rival team on the other side of the stadium.
You can see it and feel the excitement can’t you! This is what the writer of the book of Hebrews is trying to portray when he encourages, “Consider how we may SPUR one another on toward love and good deeds” (10:24, emphasis 
mine) Ok, so we may not want to imagine Paul in a cheerleading sweater with a big ‘J’ on his chest, yet this speaks with wording that could indeed incite such excitement. Prior verses exhort us in our personal faith and hope, now we are admonished to look to others, cheer them on to love. The triune graces of the Christian character, faith, hope and love.
I love that word ‘spur’, sounds a little dangerous doesn’t it. But before any ‘spurring’ is to take place we are called to ‘consider.’ The King James words it, “And let us consider one another …” It literally means to ‘take notice.’ Ever been speaking to someone and you know they are not paying attention, whether looking you in the eyes or in attitude. We are no longer doing that, we diligently acknowledging our brothers and sisters, are we looking AT them, noticing THEM, regardless of their imperfections and our differences.
Spur, to stir up, provoke, to encourage someone to action or feeling. In addition, my lovely geeky resources add, “It is the endeavor to excite one another.” Like that of a cheerleader, may we encourage in such a way that we get others EXCITED to love God and love our fellow-man AND (we aren’t finished yet!) conduct our lives in beautiful behavior. Jesus says, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” – John 13:34-35 Just like the cheerleaders at the football game, exciting the crowd to be one, BE the LIONS, 
so we too are cheering each other on, we ARE the CHRIST FOLLOWERS! Now LOVE and let your behavior be GOOD! As one scholar noted “There is no danger that Christians will ever be excited to love each other too much, or to perform too many good works.”
Need more motive? The opposite of this verse, renders the idea of being quiet and still. What if that person who spoke love and strong encouragement into YOUR life … kept quiet, or the one whose actions caused great healing for you, were to keep still?
How are YOUR cheerleading skills?
SPUR on folks!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another one towards love & good deeds” – Heb. 10:24)
How Does Your Life Read
I so enjoy visiting new churches. There’s something about walking in, slipping into the back row, grabbing a hymnal, all this while being unknown to others. Looking down the long line of pews, the wood pulpit and hearing the hushed voices of a generation my grandmother would resemble. This last weekend my hubby and I did just that. Visiting our daughter’s Methodist church, we sat near the back row among the very sparse group of gray hair and polyester suits. As the pastor took to the pulpit, he began to speak from Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians, chapter 3. He gave brief background to Paul’s words, explaining that it was the custom of the day, those in prominent positions or those whose words were to be taken seriously, were accompanied by a ‘letter of recommendation.’ Paul proceeds to state that the only letter needed for him, was the ‘life letters’ of the Corinthians themselves. Meaning, let your changed lives speak for itself, “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.” (v.3)
Taking this, the pastor spoke of how letter writing in general is now a lost art, how we’ve moved on with technology and on to emails. We used to express ourselves, share new information, share joys and sorrows via ink. We’d celebrate with postcards, greeting cards and announcements. We knew and about each other by our letters. When he closed, wrapping it all together, he spoke with a challenge. Challenging us with five simple words, “How does YOUR life 
read?” (at least that is what I heard, we often get our own lil sermons from the Holy Spirit don’t we)
I looked around the congregation as we all stood to leave. Mabel gently patting Ethel on the shoulder, Harold shaking Georges hand. I wanted so badly to yell, “WAIT … Wait, didn’t you hear what the pastor said? How DO our lives read!” Then stopping short, I said to myself, “How does MY life read?” On the drive out, I pondered… without any words said, are others able to see JESUS in my life? Do they read my actions, my responses as God honoring? Does God stuff pour out of me onto others? Do bible verses come alive … in MY life! (oh, that was a painful thought) Does the sandwich board I wear always convey a good message, the RIGHT message!
I thought of one of our most used forms of communication these days, ‘texting.’ Does my life resemble that of a text gone wrong, where ‘auto correct’ spoke fragrantly and jumbled? The reader, tilts their head with hopes of deciphering! Or does my life read like that of an old vintage Telegram: “Love God.” (stop) “Love His Word. (stop) “Love you.” (stop) Interesting, like that of ‘really bad handwriting’ can others even make out what we are saying? Or do we spend more energy in getting the #hashtag (whatever THAT is!) correct. Have our lives been reduced to ‘LOL’, TY , TTYL and few simple symbols ❤ 🙂
I want so strongly my life to read: “You are a letter from Christ …written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.”
How does your life read?
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Understanding the Bible
Bible study, LOVE it! I have tried ‘not’ to study, “But can’t do it, I tell you!” (said with whimsical flailing of hands) I gravitate to geeky books, dictionaries, scholarly PDFs, anything by Spurgeon, Pink, Murry and Chambers, Zodhiates, Wuest and… (oh, never mind) I am learning it is part of my spiritual DNA, the way God created me. I am to be a student first, then a teacher. When I teach hermeneutics, (interpreting & understanding the bible) it is my goal to always have the folks understand there are basic methods to study and interpreting. The BASICS are easy. You don’t need a theological degree or the ability to speak
Hebrew or Greek. Asking a few questions, turning a few pages will give you some foundational understanding.
The first question to ask when reading the Bible should NOT be, “What does this mean to me?” That will and has gotten a few folks into trouble, we read through eyes of experience and personality, thus our interpretation would be filtered with ‘us.’ FIRST we inquire of the Holy Spirit, asking that He quiet our mind (not to be confused with sitting in a pretzel position on the floor and humming, I’d get stuck there!) but state we want/INVITE His Presence, open our heart, our intellect, laying aside our emotions, for Him, His word. Speak Lord. Speak to ME through Your word. Then as we open it, and begin to read, asking “What was the original author trying to say to the original audience?” ALWAYS read the ‘Introduction’ to each book FIRST, getting a feel for the author, the times, the culture, the people. For example, in the book of Philippians, Paul speaks about being in ‘chains,’ if we the reader don’t know that while he wrote this, he WAS in chains – in prison – in Rome, we may interpret the ‘chains’ are metaphoric in nature and try apply what isn’t being said. Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians due much to the fact that the folks were not getting along, there was a lot of icky wickedness running amuck in the town and seeping into the church, he addresses this and 
offers practical lessons about the Christian life. Another example, the next time you read the book of James, read it with the understanding that James is Jesus’ brother! His strong admonishment to walk in faith, REAL faith shows the depth of devotion and conviction of one who ‘grew up’ with the Master and truly believes.
When we read through the beloved Psalms, often our first receptive thought is of David, and ‘somewhat’ rightly so, however within the 150 Psalms, 100 or so are attributed to David, there are other authors such as Asaph, Ethan, Solomon, and Sons of Korah. Can you identify this author, who wrote so poetically? “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (verse 14) written by Moses, Psalm 90. In knowing this, think of Moses, ALL he went through, the dusty path in the wilderness, the ducking when God was frustrated with the complaining people, (kidding) but O the depth he had for and with his God, he knew of God’s love.
After we gather a lil insight into the author, who they were writing to and why, then we may ask questions of the scriptures. Is this an example to follow (or not) is it a sin to avoid, a command to obey, a promise to claim, a new thought about God, does this line up with my current circumstance and offer a matter of prayer. Am I to explore and research this more?
Years ago, while working as a Computer Printer Tech, I had numerous books on my desk, schematics of printers, documentation of networking, AND, one red
book labeled, ‘Manual.’ It was a hardbound copy of the NIV Bible. Within the small company folks knew THAT was THE book I was drawn to. The Bible is our manual. It is living and active, “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” – written by Paul to his spiritual son Timothy, 2 Tim. 3:16-17
May we seek after, pore through and devote ourselves to the Book, the book full of ‘showing, exposing, correcting and shaping, training and putting us together.’
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another toward love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
At the Rivers Edge
Ever been in a situation that seems just too big, too deep and basically moving way to fast that you feel it is impossible to cross or get through? Not to mention extremely LOUD? You begin to look for alternatives to get to the other side, but frankly there aren’t any. You might as well just take a seat and watch life just float on by. (metaphorically speaking of course) I’d like to share what its like to be at the water’s edge and have God deliver us across.
We begin our journey in Joshua chapter 3. To give a ‘brief ‘ summary of where we are on God’s time line, Moses has brought the Israelites out of Egypt and out of slavery. They are heading for the Promise Land, their inheritance, a place to call their own. Due to MANY circumstances (which could not be contained in this devotional) they wander for 40 years. Following Moses’ death, Joshua, whom now holds the reins of leadership, prepares the people to cross the Jordan River into the Land. Can you imagine with me, what it was like for Joshua as he opened Moses’ Will… “To Jeped I leave my sandals, to Eliazer my cloak, and to Joshua – THEM. The thousands, those who complain, the dusty ones. May Jehovah have mercy on your soul!” (TOTALLY kidding)
We pick up the story: Their tents pitched on the river’s edge. They could see it, after all these years, THERE it was! HOWEVER, the river stood between them and their inheritance. The river is at flood stage. They were SO close! Oh great, we get here and this is what we find, it is bigger, wider, faster and deeper than expected.
Joshua summons the people: “Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the LORD will do AMAZING things among you.” (v.5 emphasis mine) Looking at the flooded river, yep amazing is what it is going to take! I love this ‘amazing’. In the Hebrew it is ‘pala’ (paw-law), meaning as you would think, amazing, wonderful, extraordinary. But there is MORE… Now track with me, we turn back to Genesis 18:14, this is the story where God tells Abe and Sarah that in their old age they will have a son and remember Sarah laughs (who wouldn’t!) God says, “Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.” Too hard, it is the same ‘amazing’ word as in Joshua. Is anything too amazing for God, too hard for HIM?
The river is RAGING. Joshua has the priests carry the ark of the covenant, God’s very presence on their shoulders. “When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s water, go and stand in the river.” (v.8) There was no, ‘march in a straight line, head held high and SHOUT with all your might,’ (that comes later at the walls of Jericho) Just stand. Verse 15, “Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from up-stream stopped flowing.” Go God! As they walked to the middle of the river, ‘they stood firm on dry ground.’ Twelve men were chosen to gather a stone from the middle of the river and take it to the other side, building an altar. Being symbolic of God’s deliverance … at the river.
Here is a wonderful analogy for us. As the Israelites passed by, the priests stayed right there in the middle of the river, until all were safe. God’s presence staying in the middle of OUR circumstance until we are safely on the other side and carry on in our journey. We take note that God solidly and very clearly stated that He getting them through these troubled waters would indeed prove to them that what lies on the other side, (Canannites and all the other ‘ites’) they would (with His help) be able to conquer! (v.9,10)
Coming to the river requires a decision. There is most often a tendency to hover near the
water’s edge. Like with Israel, it also is a meeting place with God, a place of dedication, devotion and purpose. But we are NEVER to stay there. Reminder, the land has already been spied out, no need to await for recon reports, you are GOOD to go! Our inheritance (joy, freedom, assurance, security, love), awaits us on the other side. Our option? Stay and just watch the water go by or turn back … into the desert, wander some more, even go back into captivity.
Us… ‘too hard!’ God … AMAZING! Jesus says in Luke 18:27 “What is impossible with men, is possible with God.” God takes the ‘im’ in impossible and turns it into ‘I AM’. God crosses with us, stays with us and delivers us.
We do as the 12 leaders did, we take something from the river as a reminder and build it in 
our heart as an altar before God, HERE and now YOU preserved me, YOU brought me through, YOUR presence stayed there in the middle of it all, to see me to the other side!
I spoke this a few years ago at a women’s retreat, in the middle of the aisle I had a treasure chest full of stones. I felt God wanted us as women to identify ‘our river’. We, standing on one side, and NEEDING to cross over to our inheritance in God, taking possession. The gals were encouraged to take a stone and write on it (pen provided) what was ‘too hard’, what they wanted – NEEDED from God. I know the gal most impacted was the one upfront, looking back into the eyes of the women. God took me to the river’s edge, I dipped my toe in, then crossed, not alone, never alone.
Delivering waters need to be crossed. God with us, God in us, God delivering us from what we deem impossible.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Your message has been sent
The Only Thing on the Menu!
When was the last time you stood in front of the frig just … starring? If you are like me, hoping that something satisfying would be there. As if in denial I continue to return, again and again, confident THIS time something new will appear to appease my craving.
David of the bible experienced this to some degree, yet his craving was survival! Psalm 63:1 he was literally in a desert place, the desert of Judah, yet also of the spirit, and soul “O God, you are my God, I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You, my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land 
where there is no water.”
‘My soul thirsts for You’ The word ‘soul’ in the Hebrew is (nepesh) which means mind, heart, will, spirit. It comes from the root word (naphash) to breathe. Often, spirit and soul are interchangeable, yet there is a difference. Our spirit is where the Holy Spirit resides, where we operate in the spirit realm. Our soul, is our mind, will and emotions, one might say our ‘conscientiousness’. Gathering the two, may I suggest, David is seeking the breath of God to satisfy his longing – his very existence. Now track with me for a moment. Genesis 2:7 ‘and the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul’ (nepesh). Adam’s body was made of the dust – earth – biological. His soul was not of the earth, NOT biological. We being the descendents of Adam, we share the same DNA and beginning. So… earthly things can not quench the hunger of the soul. It is ONLY the breath of God that feeds and nurtures the spiritual man! It is divinely birthed and divinely maintained. I don’t mean to sound all Sci-Fi like, but it really is of the supernatural. This is BIG. Think about it, not to be gross or anything, it is the pure exhale of God. What a God design. Like that of a new-born calf, once he is on his feet, he has the God designed hunger for his mother’s milk. So we too hunger for our God. We see this in every culture across the globe, there is some form of expression of ‘deity’ God placed that desire within us for … HIM!
How often do we seek things, people, position even ‘events’ to satisfy our deep longing, and cravings. We go to great extent with our time, money and energy to do so. Without God’s breath and presence in our lives, we are like an empty vessel, just laying in the dust. I’ve been there, like a rag doll, wanting, waiting for someone to pick me up and breathe life into me again. We need to seek that life.
If we are to survive, let alone THRIVE spiritually we NEED God’s presence and His word to do so. Paul spoke to this in 2 Timothy, “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the 
Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” (3:15-17 – The Message) I love that, ‘Through the Word we are put together.’ And the one who penned Hebrews wrote, “For the word of God is alive and powerful.” (4:12a) Jesus told His disciples, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” Jn 6:63 How much more should we PORE over the scriptures and get us some spirit and life! Got a soulish hunger? His word is the only thing on the menu.
In closing, the Psalmist cries out, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God…” – Ps. 42:1-2 In the Hebrew, the translation is, “The cry of the soul of me is my God.” So poetic, so clear, so true. For me, I can’t get enough!
Remember the song we sang in church a few years ago:
This is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me
And I, I’m desperate for You
And I, I’m lost without You
If we lack spiritual hunger, may we ask God to birth that hunger in us. Ask Him to breathe on and in us afresh. May we too take pause and see if we are masking the hunger, attempting to fill it with other things. When we stand in front of the frig of life once again seeking to appease the craving, reach for Him, His breath, His word. I love Moses’ closing admonishment to the children of Israel, “They are not just idle words for you–they are your life.” Deut. 32:47
Before I close, may I throw in one more challenge? Once we are fully aware of the satifying breath of God in us, (as we take a DEEP breath) WHAT do we do with that breath? As we invite and allow His presence to go to the very corners of us, again what are we doing with His breath turned ours? Are we praising Him? Does our breathed out words speak kindness, love, encouragement? Do we share our breath in such a way that others desire it as well. There is no need to fill this spot on the page with the opposite, we are aware. Speak to us Holy Spirit.
This is the air I breathe, Your holy presence living in me, this is my daily bread, Your very word spoken to me, I am desperate for you!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Running Wild?
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Pro. 29:18) One translation states, the people ‘run wild.’ Interesting the word for perish/run wild, is the same word used to describe the scene when Moses came down off the Mt and the folks ‘ran wild’ around the golden calf. (Ex. 32:25) They had no ‘vision’ or revelation of God, no guidance, they depended on Moses to provide that. Since he was gone, ‘CHAOS!’ Not to mention, ALOT of trouble was gotten into! It is the same with us, we NEED to gain a revelation of God for ourselves. In the gaining, we ‘keepeth’, we guard and protect it!
Solomon continuing in wisdom, he shares, “Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not.” – Proverbs 8:33 Refuse (same word, ‘run wild’) conveying we may hear, but we let it slip through our fingers. Picture this, we approach God, He places His teaching, the God stuff in our hands, yet we don’t hold it tight enough! We ALLOW it to fall through our fingers, this is not a hap-hazard ‘OOPS!’ It is deliberate. The concept of ‘hear’ in ancient day is so dramatically different than today. ‘Hear’ to them meant, ‘DO!’ In this case, DO HOLD ON TO IT! DO what He says!
Proverbs 8 continues with, “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me – finds life and receives favor from the LORD.” (vs. 34-35) As God puts Himself, His stuff in front of us, in our hands, may our grasp be tight. May WE watch and wait and hear God on our own, so that we may avoid chaotic running wild and basically avoid ALOT of trouble! What first comes to mind for this quite imaginative gal, R-U-N-N-I-N-G with the bulls! Dangerous, unpurposeful and STUPID!
Listening, watching and waiting. Guarding, protecting and DOING! “Happy is he/she.” (In Jesus name!)
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
May We Too Become So Discerning
Recently I had the opportunity to share at the womens bible study, which mind you offered great engagement and discussion. Diving right in.
“The theif comes to steal, to kill and to destroy.” Jesus speaks this in John 10, in the same breath He states, “I come so that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (v10) Setting the context, Jesus is addressing of few of the Pharisees, He has just painted the picture of the True Shepherd, how the sheep know His voice and a ‘strange voice’ they will run from. He states He is the Gate for the sheep fold, yet there are those who only desire to steal and rob. “The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy.”
Pretty harsh words. I was amazed. Amazed, when you break it down, getting to (somewhat) an understanding, we may have the opportunity to ‘dial in’ on the devils schemes.
First we look at steal (‘klepto’ in the Greek) yes, that is where we get our English word, ‘kleptomanic.’ One who is compelled to take from another. Filch and pilfer also define steal. Not words we commonly use these days, yet they paint a 
vibrant picture. It means to take surreptitiously in small amounts. This means to do so in secret, doing so withOUT authority, because it would not be approved of. Pilfer, to steal stealthily in small amounts. Todays example would be a high executive, ‘skimming’ moneys from the company. Small amounts here and there, potentially hardly being noticed at all. Over time, the amount grows. When studying something we not only look at what it is, but also what it is not. The antonyms for steal are words defined as to do good, to have mercy. So to steal is doing no good and extending NO mercy. What is it that the devil steals from us? What is he stealing from YOU? Your joy? Your confidence?
Next we have, kill (‘thyo’) Sadly it is rather graffic. It isnt a mere reach out and stab, it is to lays hands on for the purpose, the ONLY purpose of … killing. It conveys ‘bloody-ness.’ The opposite? To cause to flourish, to revive, to cause to live again. The enemy wants to get close enough, close enough to lay his (lil ‘h’) hands on us, he has no desire to reach down and pick us up, to help us be revived or help us to flourish. NO! He wants to KILL us. Kill us in the physical, in the spiritual and emotional. Kill our dreams, our goals, our soulish godly ambitions, and our relationships. In doing so he leaves us … bloody.
Destroy. (‘apollymi’) It is the stronger form of the Greek word ‘apo’ which basically means ‘to separate.’ It does NOT mean, ‘mess it up.’ Imagine if you will, your kid brother comes and wrinkles your nicely colored page in your coloring book, you might yell “He destroyed it!” Said with clinched teeth and tears rolling down your cheeks. No, this conveys the page was COMPLETELY ravaged. It is in the prolonged form, the process continues until NOTHING is left. It begins with ‘marring’, causing damage here & there, defacing, slow rips, until it is all GONE.
We need to IDENTIFY under these 3 categories. How do we see the enemy 
causing destruction in our life? What is he attempting to steal from us, like that of a pickpocketer? Are we being distracted in such a way, that the thief, reaches around and violates us in someway, unknown to us until much later. Are we allowing him to get close enough to bleed. Was that a ‘rip’ we just felt in the spirit? Is this circumstance we are in causing lil bits of us to be taken away, piece by piece. Not to mention the NEED to guard against, ‘Identity Theft.’ I AM A DAUGHTER OF THE MOST HIGH GOD!
May we be so aware! Paul exhorts, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Eph 6:10-11 He proceeds to explain the armor & weaponry. (Please read Ephesians 6:10-20)
Beloved, as we awake each morning, before we swing our feet to the floor. Pray. Connect with our God, love Him, praise Him. Remember in the same breath when Jesus describes the enemy, He says “I come so that YOU may have life and have it abundantly” (paraphrased) As we slip into His armor, picking up the shield, the sword, ask Him to make us AWARE. Like those traveling to other countries, you place your wallet in a safe place, you make yourself aware of those around you, you may train yourself for the ‘touch’ of others. May we too become so discerning. May we learn to identify the enemies schemes. Stealing, killing and destroying.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Conforming to Peoples Stuff
Ever go to a party or gathering and feel completely out-of-place! The conversation isn’t really you, the topics are a bit ‘questionable.’ You smile and attempt to enter in. However, there is a dry-uneasiness in your spirit. You are basically there because you feel you need to be, whether for work, socializing or just wanting to be accepted. Often this feeling of uncomfortable-ness is of design. God’s design.
The children of Israel wandered for many-many years, with little interaction with other peoples. Now they were about to cross the Jordan and pitch their tents and dwell. There lived the ‘Ities’, the Amorites, Hittites, Hivites, Jebusites, Cannanites, Perizzites, and I’m sure a few under the rocks ‘parasites’ as well. They all await on the other side. The Cannanites worship habits were rather ICKY and frankly DETESTABLE in the Lord’s sight. I emphasize detestable as I skirt around the most gruesome details. God gave strong and clear instruction to NOT conform or contaminate themselves with these peoples stuff. “You must not worship the LORD your God in their way.” – Deut. 12:4, 31 Moses continues with, “But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose… to put His Name… to that place you must go.” (v5)
In today’s society we may not trek across barren deserts, swat at the dust from 
those trudging in front of us. But, we do often find it convenient to slip into places and situations because … well … it’s there. Its easy. With the “Why not!” attitude.
How lazy we, I have become. Lazy in assuming such behaviour would be acceptable to our God. Dont get me wrong, there ARE times and places God calls us to, to minister, share His good news, His light, His love. But once there, we must be very careful to “Not worship the LORD your God in their way.” The primary meaning of worship is to bow down. What is it, who is it that causes us to bow? To bow of heart, intellect and soul. Worship is a life style, whether we are sitting in pews, chatting with a friend, or watching a movie. May we do so GOD’s way, not like that of the world, perhaps flippantly, careless, and self-centered. We must worship, with Him in mind, Him as our motive and for Him we bring glory. “To that place you must go.”
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Hello Friend!
Inspired Fountain goes out to many folks, here and abroad. All over the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, Ireland and many more. One of my most sweet-sweet privileges I have is one on one correspondence. Recently a dear friend sent me a very honest look into their painful life. As I read it my heart began to ache. They write: “I have been down and depleted…my failings are overwhelming … this battle has left me so tired and drained I no longer pray or fellowship with the God I love so much. I am just finding myself so tired of the battle… I find myself overwhelmed with just everyday responsibilities. And I am certainly not doing anything about it… Only struggling with each day.”
As I prayed earnestly that the Holy Spirit would direct my thoughts and words in response, I was made aware that there may be more. More folks out there with the same painful ache. I share with you how I felt the Lord wanted to reach, love and encourage my friend.
Hello ‘Friend,’ thank you for your honest letter to me. I can’t imagine all that your heart is feeling and what swirls around in your mind. So much is going on there. I would ask that you pause, stop reading these words and close your eyes, ask God to SPEAK to you! (go ahead, right now) I too did that, asking He speak through me and to you. Holy Spirit show us!
I do understand the pain that is felt when we don’t acknowledge and live the life the way our God deserves. I have experienced walking away from the Lord just far 
enough for Him to keep dragging me back on this short leash, I SO appreciate the short leash. I invite the drag back! In those times, I made very poor decisions, acted out of pain and sought elsewhere for comfort and direction. Those days seemed like life was falling apart, liken to that of a juggler when all his balls go flying in different directions, the painful struggle to chase after them, hold on to them. The last time was a doozie and I am now staying in God’s camp! Just like Abraham of old I too say, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.” – Gen. 14:22
Our walk with God is so very personal and intimate. As you know any strong loving relationship needs to be cultivated. In Psalm 23, David writes later in his life, even though he was once a shepherd himself, he writes as the shepherded ‘sheep.’ As you recite it in your mind, take note of the last few words, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” These two words, ‘goodness’ & ‘mercy’ are AMAZING. Good, is a theme throughout the bible, which basically embodies the description of God’s handiwork, that which is appealing & pleasant, useful & profitable, abundant & plentiful, kind & generous. THAT is God’s goodness. His mercy, oh my! This theme is too vast to write here, but in a nut shell, He gives all His love wrapped up in strong promises, He holds His hand back where we DO deserve and reaches forward with things we don’t. He is a covenant keeping God, even when we are not. Now, King David sums it up by saying, these qualities of God ‘good’ & ‘merciful’ will follow me… Friend, this isn’t a quiet meandering behind, God is PURSUING! He is chasing after YOU!
This cultivation of relationship is OUR responsibility! I would say to you, here now in this season of your life, to cultivate simply… stop, stand still and be CAUGHT! Allow Him to cover you with His goodness and love, mercy and grace. Peter writes statements of being humble and staying alert, standing firm, yet he tucks in a one line encouragement that bears mentioning, “Cast all your care on Him, because He cares about you.” (1Pet. 5:7) There are times out of anger, we may want to pitch the ‘stuff’ AT God or not even have the 
energy at all to toss it. Just release it at this point, God is close enough, He has it! As He holds you, you may sense areas of your life that you KNOW are not pleasing to Him. Please respond. NOT out of condemnation but out of your love for Him. Be honest with Him. You may need to stop behaviors and thought patterns. In doing so, acknowledge these to God, ask Him to help you lay them down and walk away …TOWARDS Him.
Regardless of work, family, media etc, you and God are the first priority. I would offer, don’t make this bigger than it is, God is there, pursuing, waiting. Simply ‘allow’ Him. Don’t come up with ‘But, you don’t know…” No I don’t. But God does. I know this is lengthy, but please read, read it as YOU are telling God:
“O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name. O LORD, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” – David, Psalm 139
I would encourage you to begin reading through the Psalms again, there is such honesty there, insight, direction and comfort. Then from there God will show you where to go. Please keep this conversation going with me. You are dearly loved. – DeDe
Those of you reading this, if you too are depleted, discouraged, hurting and haven’t been in strong relationship with your God, stop… stand still and allow yourself to be caught! Caught by the God pursuing you, He is so ready, wanting, willing to cover you with His love, grace and mercy. If you’ve stepped away, allow Him, no INVITE Him to grab the leash and pull you back! YOU are dearly loved! If you know someone who this may speak to, copy these words, make them your own and encourage them.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Oh Find Strength in Knowing….
Recently someone dear to me shared they struggle with feeling unworthy. Unworthy in the sense that they weren’t close enough to God, feeling they weren’t DOING enough for Him. This person is setting aside time, focus and energy right NOW in this season of their life for HIM, His word, His people, like they never have before. This morning, I awoke with this verse on my heart. “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” – Neh. 8:10 This verse is quoted often as encouragement, and rightly so. A few years ago I read an article written by a Messianic Rabbi, all I remember was his pitch on a different twist, a new perspective on this verse. So I grabbed my mug of coco laced with cinnamon, and began to dig. My results? I too agree with the Rabbi. Let me explain in my own little way:
In the day of Ezra and Nehemiah, a group of Jewish exiles numbering around some 50,000 had returned to their homeland of Jerusalem, this after the lengthy captivity in Babylon. Nehemiah’s role was to lead the people in rebuilding the walls of the city. There was great (not so kind) opposition from the neighboring folks, half the men stood guard while the other half worked on the wall, it was an ‘All hands on the wall’ event, each family working on their assigned section.
Upon the completion of the wall, Ezra brought out the written law of Moses. As he opened it, A-L-L the people stood up. They hadn’t heard this in ages, LITERALLY! They were so overwhelmed, the bowed their faces to the ground and worshipped. In this worship … they wept. What an amazing sight that would be, to see so many tender to the Word of the Lord. They were realizing just how far they can gone AWAY from their God. Their covenant God. THIS is when Ezra and Nehemiah declare to them, “This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep…” Nehemiah continues on, (read this slowly) “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:9-10
A people who were once far off, had now come home. Not only geographically, but home to their God. They labored side by side for one cause, their hearts rendered open when hearing God’s word. HERE, God was pleased. He found joy in their unity, in their renewed awareness of Him. God in His everlasting love and mercy was waiting. He is a covenant keeping God. They were telling the people, “Oh find strength in knowing God is pleased with you, He finds JOY in YOU!” Holiness and joy together!
How many of us too, deem ourselves unworthy. We glance over our shoulder and see the mess behind us, we see our straying, our lack of … God. When we do come ‘home’, we want to bow our head in disgrace. Oh beloved, “Do not grieve!” God is our God of NOW! Yes WORSHIP, but R-A-I-S-E YOUR HEAD! Be strengthen, He is pleased, He is over joyed. He is YOUR God.
If you know someone who is discouraged, beating themselves up regarding their past, please forward this to them, be their Nehemiah and declare, “The joy of the LORD is your strength.”
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another one towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Taught by God
‘Theodidaktos’ Kind of rolls off your tongue. A word Paul seems to coin, meaning ‘taught by God.’ “Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.” 1 Thess 4:9 Jesus speaks of this in John 6:45 “It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to Me.” (speaking of the words of Isaiah 54:13)
One might think how complex can ‘taught by God’ really be? But it has the most amazing word picture. Defined as to set the mind right with the intent to influence the understanding of the person. That sounds pretty formal, we could soften it by 
saying, the gentle ‘persuasion’ of the Holy Spirit. This ‘influence’ is that of discipline. Discipline with the expectation that the learner takes possession of it and makes it their own. We actually DO IT! God’s intent when teaching us, is that we would indeed ‘DO’ something with the information He gives us.
One resource defines this action so intense, that our reach can be as if to ‘seize’ it. I would liken this to the woman with the bleeding issue, remember her? She KNEW that if she just touched the hem of Jesus’ robe, she WOULD be healed. Her reaching and touching was not a mere swipe of the hand, it could be rendered she grasped so hard that it made an indentation of her fingers on the garment. (Lk 8:43) Do we reach for God, do we GRASP Him?
Being taught of God is as if God takes His own character qualities, placing them in front of us, stepping forward we place our 
hands, arms and whole being in it for a good fit. His teaching us is on going. He keeps Himself in front of us, conveying it is a daily putting on.
Another way to see it (in the negative) would be when King Saul suggested young David wear his armor, David tried it on and tried to make it his own, but it didn’t fit. It wasnt intended for him. (1 Sam. 17:38-39) However, God qualities are intended for us.
Are we positioning ourselves in HIS classroom, in His word, in prayer, in His presence. Are we seeing God in front of us with His stuff? Are we so wanting it that we are reaching for it? Putting it on, taking His stuff and making it our own. Everyday! If people were to examine our life, would they call us a disciple (student) of Jesus?
Oh to be taught of God!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Utterly ALL of YOU
Often we quickly read through something and some of the initial intent can get lost in the translation. “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deut. 6:5 If we slow it down and read from a ‘word for word’ translation from the original language (Hebrew) “You love Yahweh Elohim in all of the heart of you, in all of the soul of you and in all of UTTERLY you.” (Interlinear NIV Hebrew-English OT, bolding emphasis mine) Paints a stronger picture, love God with ALL of you, leaving n-o-t-h-i-n-g behind. One scholar defines this loving strength, as loving God with ‘muchness!’ We are to put forth EXCEEDINGLY great effort into loving God ‘very very much.’ There’s a popular saying
in the sports world, “Leave nothing on the field!” Athletes will exert everything they have mentally and physically to win. All energy and effort playing beyond 100% . Utterly.
Interestingly, Moses uses the same word when describing God’s creation, “God saw all that He had made, and it was VERY good. And there was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.” (Gen. 1:31) Very good, utterly! Not just the meeting of a standard, but boy it flashes in bright neon colors, as we would say today, “You ROCKED it!” Yes, God ROCKED creation, utterly!
The word is ‘meod’, (meh-ode) it literally is ‘muchness’, conveying it exceeds, goes beyond. The word picture is as if a target stands about 100 feet out in front of you, raising the bow, taking aim, you shoot the arrow ‘beyond’ the target, exceeding pass by many many many yards.
We see this in Ephesians 3:20, Paul describes the powerful work of Christ in the believer, “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” The compound word is huperekperissos (hooper / ek / pear-e-sauce) Oh my, it is a dandy, it literally means, 
exceedingly, exceedingly, exceedingly. It was like Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit could not find words to fill how great it is! Our extravagant God throws PASS what we think, ask or even hope for.
With THIS in mind, all that He does in us, through us and for us, where do we stop in our loving God? Do we slow down when it begins to be uncomfortable or inconvenient or unpopular? (OUCH!) Why? Does our obedience to Him lesson due to selfishness? Do we give our all, emptying ourselves, leaving NOTHING on the field of life.
Loving God, God’s people, God’s purpose pass the stuff, further still, giving ALL we have, utterly!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Discipleship
Discipleship. We are called to it and called to give it. “Go…and make disciples of all nations…” Matt 28:1 NOT just telling about Jesus, but telling HOW to love Him, follow Him and obey wholeheartedly by in-depth teaching from His book. What does it mean to have a relationship with God, what is MY part in it?
OSL (Operation Solid Lives) is a phenomenal discipleship program for ALL levels in their walk with God. Whether you just heard the gospel or your shoes wear tattered from the beaten path. Are YOU hungry for more of God & His word? “You know God to the level that you love God.” – Pastor Judah Smith. Why do we stop short in our 
pursuit of Him? What ‘if’ our passion for His word were to grow? What would happen if we turned the TV off and spent time with Him. My Beloved and I are walking through this program together as husband & wife. Foundational truths offered with a fresh engaging presentation.
We memorize scripture, participate in daily devotional times, listen to outstanding teaching, and gather in the local church for fellowship, encouragement and hearing of the Word.
Take a look. [ http://www.oslonline.com/ ] Find a church near you offering the classes. Or consider having the program in YOUR local church. [ http://www.oslpartnership.com/partners/ ]
Blessings,
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
In a Restfully Fixed Position
I have been asked “Why do you close your writings with “In Him, DeDe” What is the ‘In Him’ part all about? What a great question. I began using ‘In Him’ years ago following a study of the book of Ephesians. I LOVE Ephesians! Multiple times the lil phrase appears throughout the New Testament, but here in Ephesians Paul uses the small, yet powerful phrase to convey strong meaning. To name just a few: “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” (1:4) “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (1:7) “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” (1:13) And one of my favorites, “In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with 
freedom and confidence.” (3:12) WOW, I get ALLLL this, the list is vast … In Him.
While looking at this phrase in the verses something potent stood out to me. In the Greek, just like our English language there are elements used to convey a primary thought, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and prepositions. In the Greek, there are common connecting prepositions ‘on, at, with, by and among.’ As I dug, I found that ‘in’ (‘en’ in the Greek) held a specific defining difference. ‘En’ declares fixed position, with the primary idea of rest. Unlike other Greek prepositions (‘eis, ek’) which implies motion, while ‘en’ remains in place. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, paints a wonderful picture of our position ‘in’ Christ.
Let’s read that again in context to our verses above, may I be so bold as to paraphrase: “I can rest, knowing that having believed in Him, my position is fixed and remains in place with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” And most assuredly, “Due to my faith in Him and position that remains in place, I may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
Remember when we were children and for Mothers Day, our teacher would place our hand on a rolled out pile of wet clay, that pressed hand print now forever etched. THAT is what we are ‘In Him.’ As one whom believes in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confessed with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, then I am 
forever pressed into Him. As the verses say above, I am chosen, redeemed, forgiven, marked, sealed and free to approach my God with confidence. Can I get a HARDY Amen! “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” – 2 Cor 1:20 Does this mean that life is rosey and smells of vanilla fields all the time. No! No matter how stormy, or swirly life is around me, I am still found in Him. Like the lil pressed clay hand print, I am most definately fixed in my position as a Daughter of the King.
Regardless of how you sign your name, may you too find yourself ‘In Him.’
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Now What? Post Easter.
Cracked plastic colored eggs, squishy marshmallow Peeps, earless chocolate bunnies. 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 for … today? 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, being a little freaked out by the angels notifying them that Jesus was no longer there, they 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. It RAVISHES through the wood and consumes it! It can be liken 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.” – Heb. 4:12 To have the very Son of God, His presence and He b-r-e-a-t-h-e these words to them, THAT would cause their heart to burn. Notice that Jesus didn’t lay hands
on them, put mud on their eyes. He simply… walked with them.
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 scriptures’ and take a walk with Him. May we breathe a whisper to the Holy Spirit, two words, just two life changing words.. BURN LORD! With your Presence, with Your word. May our heart get hotter and hotter and consumed with You! We will 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.” – Heb. 10:24)
Our Mis-used Gifts?
The Pentateuch! The first five books of the Bible, such a rich beginning to our Christian heritage, oh we may be grafted into the family, but heritage all the same. I never get tired of the story of God delivering, guiding, providing and dwelling with His people. One story stands out to me and is summed up in three sad scenario words … The Golden Calf.
While Moses is up on top of the Mountain getting the instructions for the building of the Tabernacle, the children of Israel were down below… ‘playing’. In short, God tells Moses to have the folks bring Him an offering, offerings of ‘gold, silver and bronze’ and other various unique items. These were to be used in the building of the Tabernacle. God’s Tabernacle. (Ex 25:1-3,8) Out in the middle of nowhere, wandering around in the desert wouldnt afford quick errands to Home Depot or Kay Jewelers. God’s foresight didn’t allow the folks to leave Egypt empty-handed. “And the people of Israel did as Moses had instructed; they asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold. The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites,
and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth! (Ex. 12:35-36 emphasis mine)
The people grew extremely impatient waiting for Moses, he was their leader, the spokesman for God. No leader, no God was their mindset. We can’t see our God, we can’t touch our God, so what did they do? Make a god. Isn’t that so true today! We want and we make to fill and feed our insecurities. The people went to Moses’ sidekick and brother Aaron, telling him, “Make us gods, who will go before us.” So Aaron told them “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing and bring them to me.’ WHERE did they get all this fancy blingy gold? Remember the verse above, God provided it. God gave it.
They did so and the golden calf was made. Aaron built an altar in front of the calf and sacrifices were presented by the people. They continued on as they, “…rose up to play.” and “ran wild.” God sends Moses back down off the mountain where he finds the folks were out of control. In his anger, AFTER he throws the tablets to the ground, he melts down the golden calf and grinds it into powder, then adds it to the water making the 
people drink it. It was the only way to ‘completely’ destroy the idol. (You can find this action-packed story in Exodus 32)
What a stinkin waste of good GOLD! Gold that was provided by God for the people for a specific purpose. Interesting! We do the same thing today. God provides something, someone, even a circumstance intended to be used for HIM. His use, His presence, His glory. Often what do we do with it? We make it into something for … US! Once it is made, we place it in the middle of the room (our lives) we adore it, we dance, we play and run off wild. WHAHOOO!
But WAIT! May we seriously consider what the Lord has given us. Gifts we have (are) mis-using, that is intended for HIM. Dont get me wrong, He wants to BLESS us. Being direct and specific, do we have talents, skills, finances, time, position and titles, even relationships (the list goes on) are we taking those and making for US and us alone? All in all wasting what God has given. God wants us to use them wisely, generously and … for Him. Perhaps we are out playing and running wild and out of control. It is time to come back.
Personally, I don’t want God to make me ‘eat’ or drink something that was meant for a blessing, because I mis-used it! I get enough of humble pie! How about you?
Our mis-used gifts. Pondering.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Taking another look at Aaron, yes he messed up with the fashioning of the calf, but there is more to his story: https://inspiredfountain.com/2015/05/14/crossing-the-line-again/
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 that Jesus says them. There are dramatic statements, strong commands and tender words. “Let it be so…” (Matt. 3:15) “It is written…” (Matt.4:4) “Get up…” (Matt. 9:6) “Take courage it is I…” (Matt 14:27) “Quiet, Be still…” (Mark 4:39) “Come forth …” (Jn. 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…” (Lk. 9:20) “Then neither do I condemn you...” (Jn. 8:11) “I am He…” (Jn. 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. Hours earlier, He knelt in a garden declaring with complete honesty, “Abba Father … everything is possible for You. If You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Lk 22:42)
God’s will. 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...” ( Jn. 
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. The word ‘tetelestai’ comes from the verb teleo, meaning: “To bring to an end. To accomplish something not merely to end it, but bring it to perfection for its designed goal.” (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 the ‘past tense’ which points to an event, declaring ‘This happened.’ Nothing more. The end.)
As Jesus said this, His blood flowing down His forehead, from His hands and His feet, He declares sharply, the debt owed to God the Father is now wiped away. 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, he left no unfinished business behind. He successfully completed the work He came to do. Our sinful inheritance (Thanks Adam & Eve!) causing a HUGE gap between us and God, BUT …because of Jesus’ life, death and RESURRECTION designed of the Father, is now bridged over for full access, clean and righteous in God’s sight. So we might be become mature & whole in our relationship with God. Can we get a AMEN!
Noting, just prior to this spectacular moment in history, Jesus is in the upper room with the disciples sharing the Last Supper. He takes the bread, ripping pieces off the loaf, handing it to them, symbolizing His body to be broken, then the wine symbolizing His blood to be shed. Here is the only place He declares we … REMEMBER. Not Christmas, His birth. Not the healing of the many, the deliverance of the demonic, the turning of the money tables in the Temple. These ALL wonderful, yet they don’t define US. Jesus didnt say, “Think about this in remembrance of me.” He said, ‘Do this…” We are PARTICIPATORS! We actively engage ourselves. We take the bread, the wine and by golly we accept gratefully His sacrifice. “The purpose of the Lord’s death and resurrection was to once and for all open us up to a new and guilt-free relationship with God. Communion is not intended to focus on what you were, but on who God has made you to be in Christ.” – Pastor John Halford. I am now a daughter of the Most High God, when God looks at me, He doesnt see my sinful nature, He sees Jesus. His redemptive blood covering me with love, mercy and amazing grace.
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, as inspired by the 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.“ Now let’s LIVE like it really IS! Relationship offered, relationship restored. May we live each day as a red letter day!
Blessed Easter to you and yours,
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Go Ahead, Bother the Teacher!
Those of you with children can relate with me I am sure, when they want something, they may hint around about it, but when they really want something they may tend to hover, follow you around, looking for just the right opportunity to ask. We as adults are somewhat the same, when we really want something, we pursue after it. When it is of dire NEED we pull out all the stops and hunt-it-down!
Yet for some of us we may hesitate in going after something with the mindset of not 
wanting to bother others to get it. We stop short. We find this (almost happening) in Mark chapter 5. To set the context: Jesus is in a crowd, He has just healed the woman with the issue of bleeding, remember her? She wanted… NEEDED to touch Jesus. She got in as close as she could and reached out and touched His clothing. The result? He healed her.
He is still speaking to the moment when He overhears a conversation between a few men and a fellow name Jairus, he too had come to see and hopefully speak with Jesus. We pick up in verse 35 “Some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler.’ They said… “Your daughter is dead, why bother the teacher anymore.” It says Jesus ignored what they said and addressed Jairus directly, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.”
Jesus takes Peter, James and John and they go to the gentleman’s home. When they get there, many are crying and wailing aloud because the girl is dead. He goes in and takes the girl by the hand, saying to her “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately she gets up. All were completely astonished, wowed, in awe!
As I read this, the Lord began to speak to me about persistence, why do we stop short? Why do we not pursue certain things, things found on the ‘God list.’ What caught my eye was when the men said “Why bother the teacher.” You can almost see them reach out and take Jairus by his cloak and gently pull him away and can you hear Jesus turn and say… ‘go ahead … bother the Teacher!’ Notice Jesus doesn’t address the men who made the statement? He speaks directly to the father of the girl, the man in need.
When the men said, “Why bother the teacher anymore.” They were basically saying, “DON’T!” It’s a lost cause, it is too late, don’t waste your time, why even go to the trouble, it is over. Beloved, nothing is beyond Jesus, even if it looks final!
If I am to ‘bother Jesus’, I want to know how to go about it. The men said not to ‘skyllo’ (in the Greek) the teacher. Meaning to trouble, bother, annoy as we would 
think, but it is more… it is to crowd in. Hm… crowd in… get in as close as I can! It is not hanging back in the crowd (if you will) and hoping to catch His eye from afar. I am like the gusty gal with the bleeding issue, I too get in as close as I can and reach for Him. James 4:8 says “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” Hebrews 4:16 ‘Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” One commentator says “To practice persistence does more to change our hearts and minds, it helps us understand and express the intensity of our need.” We N-E-E-D Him. May we allow the process of persistent pursuit bring us to HIM.
What is it that you and I want or NEED from Jesus? Those things we think are either too small, too big or hold the mindset that God is too busy with other things to be concerned with us. Or perhaps we are listening to those around us, whispering we are facing a lost cause or speak ‘little’ of our God and His capability. Do not stop short.
I believe Jesus is saying to us, “Go ahead … Bother the Teacher!” Come near, come boldly, CROWD in.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Getting God’s Gear On
This week our pastors wife left me in charge to lead the evening bible study. OH NO! REALLY! WAS THAT WISE? I’ll have you know the church is still standing. No one ran from the room in tears or confused over the doctrine of ‘Milk Chocolate is the Key to True Joy.’ Seriously. It is the key to true joy. Just kidding.
We are studying the Armor of God found in Ephesians 6 and currently looking at the Helmet of Salvation. Following our viewing of the DVD teaching series, I took the liberty to use a visual aide in my wrap up and challenge to the ladies. Stepping forward 
with a … well… hm… one might say, BLINGED out bike helmet. Sitting awkwardly on my head, one in which is WAY to big for me and kept sliding to one side. Helmet teetering, I continued to share with the gals about ‘ill-fitting’ gear. Taking us to 1 Samuel 17, just prior to the show down between David and the Giant Goliath. King Saul tries to get young David to wear his armor, his helmet, but it doesn’t fit and David is not used to it. Strapping on Saul’s sword, David tried to walk around, but it was too cumbersome. David told Saul, “I cannot go in these” while taking the gear off. Saul’s armor was uncomfortable, unfamiliar and unusable. THAT’S what we get for trying to ‘fit into another’s garments.” (THAT is another study in itself)
We looked at God’s armor in Isaiah 59:15-16 “He (God) saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene … He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head…” Paul says back in his letter to the Ephesians, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, Put on the full armor OF GOD, so that you can stand against the devils schemes.” (v 11, emphasis mine)
The armor we put on is God’s, (belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit) unlike Saul’s unfitting armor, God’s armor is ‘One size fits all’, a PERFECT fit for the believer. We HAVE to remember the armor is HIS, not ours. It is to be worn ‘as purchased’ (by the blood) and just as ‘recieved’ by us. We as women tend to do what with our wardrobe? BLING BABY! We alter, embellish and want to accessorize. I asked the gals to think of our walk with God as I read the definitions of the changes we attempt to make. Embellish is to make something more attractive by adding details or features. When accessorizing we add additional items to make it more useful and complete. Altering is modifying or adjusting for a better fit.
Isn’t this true? We do it! We do these to ‘personalize’ our stuff, personalize us. Allowing OUR character to come through. We do this in the Kingdom as well, we 
add and decorate until we feel comfortable. Make adjustments and perhaps add some shiny bling as a distraction to help us cover our insecurities (metaphorically speaking) We color and mask to hide our true selves. Don’t get me wrong God wants – even invites us, wanting our character and personalities to shine through to help share His message. Yet, there are things that are HIS and His alone, we take and use as is. The armor of God is one, there is NO embellishing, accessorizing or altering needed, I would even say ‘allowed’ to the prescribed gear. We don’t need to make God’s armor more attractive, slapping on some decals. Nothing needs to be added, it IS complete. It is HIS truth, HIS righteousness, HIS gospel of peace, our faith in HIM, HIS salvation offered and HIS word. It is God’s stuff, we don’t mess with it. Often if we alter something it’s ‘use’ (or purpose) is changed as well. Folks we’d mess it up! Paul is very clear, ‘Take up the FULL armor of God!” Nothing is needed to accessorize, it is complete. (Slide helmet back in place) There is an ugly-icky EVIL enemy that wants nothing more then to kill us, steal from us and destroy us. GOD’s armor protects (as is)
As we put on and wear God stuff, may we remember it is HIM we wear not us. It is already most attractive, useful and complete. Fitting just right. Gear up!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Fear, Beasty Around the Corner
Fear. It can paralyze us, keep us from going places that we really need to be going. Let me paint a picture for you by what I mean. I used to walk. I would put on my MP3 headset and set out for a glorious time of morning sunshine, exercise and Philips, Craig & Deans wonderful music. I would walk the neighborhood, spend about 30 minutes, I’d wave at familiar neighbors, high step over tricycles and admire the sweet aroma of a few flower gardens.
THEN one day the neighbors pit bull (BIG ugly beast) met me at the end of my lane just before striding onto the sidewalk. His broad shoulders, head down loudly declared I really shouldnt be crossing ‘his‘ line. His slow steps towards me proceeded to walk me back up the lane to my house, backwards. I knew NOT to turn and run, he would only see it as a chance to chase. Of course being of GREAT imagination, I briefly saw Breaking Headline News, “Local Woman Mauled by Unidentified Monster.”
When I got to my gate, I slowly reached back and opened it and slipped into the yard. THAT is when the beast saw he was loosing me and charged the gate. I had my pepper spray in my hand the whole time, that is when I chose to use it. Dead on, target 
reached. All those years of ‘silly string’ usage came in handy. However, it made him so MAD, he charged again, I SPRAYED again. He became bored with this game and finally pranced away, as I limped away emotionally from the fear and trembling. Following that incident, it took a couple of months to get the nerve to head out walking, I had such a fear and was confident I would run into the beasty around the corner again.
When I did muster up the nerve and got to the end of the lane, beasty stick in hand and pepper spray ready, Mr Pitbull was nowhere to be seen. Wahoo! Perhaps the ugly beast will never reappear. But my fear can not hold me back. Walk I did, again there was sunshine, familiar friends and lovely fragrant flowers.
There WILL be beasts around many corners. Ugly things that cause us fear and trembling. Wisdom will lead us to take precautions. But we can not allow them to keep us captive from setting out. When we do encounter them and retreat, then choose to stay put and rationalize we are ‘safe’ HERE, we may never find out later that the beasts are NO LONGER there. Much of the time the thing we fear is headline news broadcasting in our head, not necessarily awaiting us down the lane.
Nearly 75+ times we are admonished in the Bible to “Fear not…” or “Do not be afraid.” Yet it is a common default for us all. This fear causing us to lose hope, our courage and confidence. It weakens us and throws us into disorder and possibly a bit of chaos. It can birth dread and even impair our judgement. The ‘technical’ definition ‘Intellectual anticipation of evil evoking an emotion.’ Yup, beasty around the corner.
I LOVE the following words behind the “Fear not…” statements “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die … the Lord your God Himself will fight for you… for the Lord your God goes with you… for the battle is not yours, but God’s… for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” Just to mention a few.
Peter wrote to encourage Christians, “Cast all your anxiety/cares on Him because He cares for you.” (emphasis mine) – 1 Peter 5:7 These ‘cares’ are things that consume our thoughts, cause us to be drawn in a different direction, basically what is it that takes your eyes OFF of Jesus and disrupts our peace.
Jesus says, “I am leaving you with a gift—PEACE of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or AFRAID. – Jn 14:27 (emphasis mine)
Do you have a beast (or two) causing you to stay put, your hope and courage weakened? Please don’t allow it to paralyze you, get out there again.
Let’s pray: “Jesus show us YOUR power, folding us in Your love, clear our thoughts, allow discipline and discretion to guide us, so the beasts of our minds would NOT rule over us. In the power & authority of Your name, Amen.”
Stepping out against fear is freedom. No more beasty around the corner.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
The Oil Will Not Run Dry
Ever hit that ‘wall’? The wall commonly known as the athlete’s wall. Picture a runner nearing the end of the race, all energy has been spent, their breathing is labored, their body screams in agony. Doubt, fear, and confusion, even anger now rage through them. “There is nothing left, I have nothing left to give!” Is their cry. Yet and yet, they do finish the race.
There are many ‘walls’ of life. Moments when we feel we have little left to give and what we do have we feel we need to conserve it to make it to the next day. Perhaps our supply is EMPTY, there is nothing left. For many of us, we have opted to just allow ourselves to dry up and die. I have been there, it is p-a-i-n-ful.
Recently I was reminded of the story of Elijah, out of 1 Kings 17. Where the widow and her son had just enough flour and oil to make one last meal, after that nothing was left, they surely would die. The harsh drought left waves of dry ground in its wake. In walks Elijah in the story, asking her to make him a meal first. Telling him of her plight and 
empty cupboards, he tells her “Don’t be afraid” God says, “Your supply of flour will not end, and the oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.” (v 14) She does what he says and miraculously there is plenty of continuous oil and flour.
‘The oil will not run dry,’ what a wonderful promise. This encouraged me. Applying this to our mundane ‘today,’ just when we think we have spent all that there is in us … there will be more. More coming from HIM. More energy to face another day. When our breathing is labored …more power to enable us to fight the good fight. When all that is in us SCREAMS … there will always be more. The oil will not run dry, a continuous flow of God is offered to us. We accept the oil by doing what God asks of us. Take what we have and give it to HIM, continuing to pour, He increases it.
Whatever we are facing, whatever our race, “Don’t be afraid”, the walls of life are met with a jug of oil. Wouldn’t THAT make a great bumper-sticker.
Allow it’s continuous flow.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another one towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
New Soaring Feathers
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
What an amazing word picture, “They shall mount up with wings as eagles.” Yet it can get lost in the literal translation. The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) translates, “they shall put forth new feathers like eagles.” The mature eagle molts his old feathers and new ones grow in their place. They molt in a symmetrical pattern. When a primary feather is molted on the left wing, the same feather is molted simultaneously on the right wing, this can ensure the eagle is balanced in flight. God has such a fabulous design does He not? Renewed feathers, means renewed strength. The feathers are not grown over night, there is a ‘waiting’ process, but in this waiting there is HOPE. When the new feathers come in there is literally a ‘mounting up’, basically suggests movement from a lower to a higher place, can you hear the flapping of the wings? As the eagle makes his ascent, he spreads out those lovely strong new feathered wings, seeking the wind current and SOARS!
THIS is what God wants of us! Some of us have ruffled feathered wings, some… well… they are just plain GONE! When we have lost our strength, no longer have the means to soar, we wait… we HOPE … IN HIM. We then are like the eagle, we are given new feathers, new strength, new BALANCE!
Soar!
What’s in YOUR Hand? Being Still.
Recently I was standing near the entry to one of our children’s Sunday School classes, while manning the Marrieds table for an upcoming conference. I over heard a parent/teacher conversation, most of it was like the “Wah, wah 
wah wah…” of a Charlie Brown episode, when one phrase by the teacher caused me to pause, “It helps them to be still…” I stopped and immediately I wanted to sign up for THAT class! “I want to be still!” I wanted to say as I run towards the teacher and embrace them passionately. To be still.
My all time favorite verse from the bible is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Over the course of the last few weeks, this verse has consumed my heart, thoughts and study time. What is it to be still and most importantly I want to KNOW God like that.
I begin the dig, looking at the ‘context’ of the verse/chapter. Psalm 46 titles with ‘For the director of Music. Of the Sons of Korah. A Song.’ WHAT? King David didn’t poetically pen these words with flair and majesty! Well perhaps. Some scholars are indifferent to whether or not the Korahs actually composed the Psalm, or were given the responsiblity to arrange the lyrics to music and preside over the worship. A total of eleven Psalms address them Ps. 42, 44-49, and Ps. 84, 85, 87, 88. But who are these Sons of Korah? They were a division of the Levites who took their turn in serving at the temple, King David put them in charge of the song service in the house of the Lord after the ark had been returned to Jerusalem (see their story in 1 Chronicles chapters 6 & 9, Numbers chapters 16 & 26, it really is quite intriguing, remember the rebellious people who God opened up the ground and took them, yup these be them)
Interesting note, of the 150 Psalms (composed over the course of 1,000 years) there were multiple writers, of which yes our beloved David is attributed to some 70+. Moses wrote Psalm 90, Aspah wrote a couple, Solomon, Heman, Ethan and the Sons of Korah are also attributed, fifty or so are unknown. With the exception of David himself, Solomon and Moses, all these authors were priests or Levites who were responsible for the music during David’s reign. Jewish tradition believes that Ezra was the one who collected all the psalms together into one book.
Now, ‘when’ was it written. It is always good to try to place the timing of 
the writing for historical background. Most scholars believe it was when King Hezekiah of Judah was surrounded by the army of Sennacherib, (say THAT 5 times ‘san-haw-reeb’) King of Assyria. Proud Sennacherib did not face the reality that Hezekiah’s God is the living God. And He will NOT be mocked. Hezekiah prayed, God spoke, and in one night the angel of the Lord defeated Sennacherib by killing 185,000 of his soldiers (2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36-37) The verbiage of the Psalm speaks to confidence in the ‘Lord Almighty,’ He being their refuge and strength and to trust in His deliverance. Verse 6: “Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall, He lifts His voice, the earth melts.” (You KNEW you would get Bible study!)
Psalm 46:10a, “Be STILL…” ‘Rapa’ in the Hebrew. What a fascinating word, so full of imagery. Meaning to cast down, to let fall, to slacken especially the hands. It is used to describe how God responded to Moses in Exodus 4, He had given Moses his marching orders to head to Egypt, freeing His people. Moses packs up, his wife and sons in tow. HOWEVER, Moses didn’t fully obey the Lord, he failed to circumcise the boys, “At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him.” Moses’ wife stepped in, took care of the circumcisions, verse 26, “So He (God) let him go.” God ‘rapa’ Moses, He slackened His grip on him, letting him go. Paints a vibrant picture doesn’t it.
Wait, we’re not done, looking further. We see that Hebrew ‘rapa’, is more. It can be rendered, ‘stop putting forth energy’, but this energy is not just a mere attempt, it is excessive energy to the point of exhaustion, it literally offers, giving up and ‘become weak.’ The New American Standard translates Ps 46:10 “Cease striving and know that I am God.” (see also Ps. 37:8) Paul quotes Jesus as saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor 12:9
What is in my hand? What am I holding tight? Spending my energy on, that I give no room for God to be God. Anger, hurt, unmet expectations? Fear, resentment, bitterness. These all use up my energy. I will let it drop from my grasp, let it GO! And yes, let God.
When we stop striving to hold on to something that God never intended for us to grasp, we release it to HIM. Letting it fall, in doing so the obstacle is removed, we see Him, experience Him. Know Him. Knowing God in this capacity (‘yada’) is progressive: TO know, TO learn, TO discern, TO experience in a relational way. God is all about relationship. Often we hear the phrase, “On a need to know basis…” Knowing, the GOOD knowing is found in experience. The knowing that will carry us to the next step or level, the knowing that is offered to others as inspiration. These days, if we ‘see’ it on YouTube, or quoted on Facebook, we have determined we ‘know’ it. But do we?
Charles Spurgeon says, “To be still is to be in quiet submission of soul.” It isn’t necessarily the quieting of our tongue, (although I’m sure THAT helps at times) it is of the soul and the energy used in doing so. We can be ‘quiet’ on the outside, but wound tight on the inside. Judah Smith said, “You 
know God to the level that you love God.” (Ouch!) Do I love Him enough to release my stuff, with the motive to know Him more! Peter exhorts, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Relationship.
May I challenge us to know Him more, handing over the stuff, spending ourselves in the way He wants and not to the point of exhaustion. Oh we may not have a big bad King harassing us, but we do have enough personal chaos to hand over to help grow our confidence, finding HIM as our refuge and strength.
Closing with Paul’s prayer over us,
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Amen) – Eph. 3:16-19
Be still and know that I am God.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Inspired Fountain 