Freedom is Yours For the Asking

I have been working my way through Beth Moore's 90-day devotional on King David. I must admit that although I have known about David for a very long time, and while I knew he was called by God "a man after His own heart," I have never really taken the time to study him as I have with this devotional book.

I think most who have a limited knowledge about David know that he slayed Goliath with a stone, was made king after Saul, is credited with writing a bunch of the Psalms, and then, of course, there's that whole Bathsheba thing.

As I have studied his story more in-depth, I have learned more about what a truly flawed human being he was...just like me. I find it encouraging that even with all his mistakes, God still called him "a man after His own heart." He loved God and believed that God would give him victory over Goliath. Much later, however, he turned from God for a while and sinned against God with Bathsheba. And yet, when confronted by Nathan with the truth of his sin, David's words were, "I have sinned against the Lord." (2 Samuel 12:13)

In David, I think we find the perfect example of what God is looking for from each of us. He does not call us to be perfect. Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." is clear that this is an impossibility. We will fall. There may or may not be consequences. But there is no condemnation. Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." How I praise Him for that!

The enemy would have us believe otherwise, though. He taunts us with our past mistakes. He whispers to us that we are not good enough, that we cannot possibly be forgiven. For if he can keep us buried in guilt and shame, we will remain unable to bear witness to others who are walking the same path we have trod of the grace, mercy, and yes, freedom, we have found in Christ.

I can attest to this. I spent many years out of fellowship with God because of the guilt and shame of my sinful failures. Praise His Holy Name, He did not let me go. He never left me. He never stopped pursuing me. And finally, I allowed Him to catch me.

Ever so gently, He spoke to my heart and reminded me that there is no sin that was not covered by Jesus' precious shed blood on the cross. Not even mine. I finally allowed this truth that I had known in my head to penetrate my heart, and the freedom that I found is like nothing I have ever known before or since.

He is a God of reconciliation. "But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation..." (Colossians 1:22)

Did you catch that? "Without blemish and free from accusation..." There is nothing you have done that cannot be forgiven. If you are still bound up in the guilt and shame of past mistakes, then I urge you to take it to Him today. He is waiting and wanting so much to give you the freedom and gift of reconciliation you so desperately need.

Take it from one who has been there. You will be so glad that you did.

And if you are one who has never taken that first step of asking Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of your life, then click on the Ready? button in my right sidebar to find out how to do just that. Your freedom, and your Savior, awaits.

Sweet Blessings,

Give Me Your Eyes, Lord

I am up very early this morning. I have always been a morning person, but this is early even for me. I awoke from a dream nearly an hour ago and was unable to go back to sleep. God often uses my dreams to prompt me to pray for people, so when I woke up, I began to pray for the individuals in my dream. Since a return to sleep then eluded me, I got up and came to my computer.

I brought up my internet browser not really sure what I was going to do. The homepage for my browser is msnbc.msn.com. There on the front page, I saw an article titled "Christians Face Attacks in Eastern India." I followed the link to the article and read about the violence being committed against people in India who have converted to Christianity and the missionaries who are there risking their lives to help them. The following pictures accompanied the article:

The photo on the left is all that remains of a Baptist church that was attacked. The people continue to worship, but they do so in secret. They have been told they must convert to Hinduism or face death. The woman and her child were victims of the violence and are now staying at a relief camp where this photo was taken.

The article broke my heart this morning, and I began to pray for these people. I can only imagine how God must feel. How it must grieve Him so to see His children attacking one another and those who follow Him being persecuted for their beliefs.

I was reminded again how thankful I am that I live in a country where I am free to worship as I choose without fear of reprisal or even death.

I have to wonder, though, to what extent my freedom of speech and beliefs will continue to be allowed. I have noticed a trend whereby the tolerance of evangelical Christians to speak out on behalf of their beliefs and value system is slowly eroding away. More and more, we are being called hate-mongers and hypocrites for espousing what God's Word says to be true.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I experienced just a small taste of this last month. Although it was on a very small scale, it left me shocked and deeply saddened. I can not even begin to imagine what it must be like for those Christians who fear for their lives on a daily basis simply because they have chosen Christianity.

God has really been opening my eyes lately to so many different things. I am becoming so much more aware of those around me and all the hurt there is in this world. Lord, give me your eyes. May it be the continual plea of my heart.



Blessings,

I Should Have Seen it Coming

You would think I would know by now. I should have expected it. I should have been ready for it. But, again, I allowed it to send me into a frenzy. Actually, if my writing at the moment is any indication, I think I may still be in one.

Okay. Deep breath. Slow down. (cue music) Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. (end music) Sorry. My daughter has a choral performance tomorrow night, and this is one of the songs they are singing. I have heard it a lot lately. :-) Any-hoo...

What exactly is "IT" you might be asking? Well, "IT" is the spiritual attack that inevitably comes when we are trying to be obedient and follow the Lord's will.

For several weeks now, God has been speaking to me and laying a burden on my heart for the spiritual and moral depravity that abounds in our nation. So aware have I become in these last few weeks, I find myself in tears almost daily. I suppose this is a good thing as it means I am getting the message, but I think I'm going to have to invest in some waterproof mascara!

Seriously, though. A couple of weeks ago, I became aware of a prayer initiative that actually began with the National Day of Prayer in May of this year. It was/is a call to Christians to gather in prayer groups every Thursday between the hours of 12 and 1. The groups are to pray for either 30 minutes or the entire hour. The initiative is to last until the election. Longer if the groups choose to continue.

Their purpose is to pray specifically for our nation, for the upcoming election, and a people that would turn their hearts and minds back to God.

While I realize I am getting in the game a bit late, I believe that God is calling me to open my home to any who want to come for the next three Thursday's leading up to the election for a time of focused and concentrated prayer.

I sent out the email today inviting my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to join me. I know there will be some who can not attend because of work or family obligations. Still, I have asked that they make a note of the day and time and try to find a portion of the hour to pray.

...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

The enemy does not want God's people praying. He revels in all that is happening around us right now. But Praise God, the victory has already been won! The outcome already decided.

Still, God calls His people to pray. When we follow in obedience, Satan will strike whenever and however he can. I realized, much later than I should have, that the events of my day were the enemy trying to distract me. He does not want us to meet tomorrow. He does not want God's people gathering together, on our knees, praising God and asking for His mercy on our land. All the more reason to make sure it happens.

Won't you join us tomorrow? You don't have to be local and come to my home. You can call some of your friends together and have your own prayer time. Or, if that is not possible, then please pray right where you are for any or all of the noon time hour tomorrow.

God will hear our prayers. How I pray they will be many and sweet music to His ears!

Blessings,

A New Perspective

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post sharing my feelings about something that had made me sad. To be honest, I could never have envisioned what would transpire as a result of that post. As in all things, God showed me how He could still use it for good even though I will admit it was most unpleasant.

The day before the post, I came across the following verses:

35So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV) (The verses I posted for Scripture Saturday on 10/11.)

The first time I came across them, I had gone to Biblegateway.com to look up a passage of scripture. These were the verses of the day on their homepage. Then, I stumbled on the EXACT. SAME. VERSES. on a blog which I had never visited before. These verses were the passage for the day on the blog's homepage (I'm sorry. I don't remember whose blog it was, or I would give her credit).

Now, my friend Amy and I have a name for this. We call it having a "2 x 4 moment." Meaning that obviously God is trying to tell us something, and it is as if He has hit us over the head with a 2 x 4!

When this happens, I try to stop and pray and ask God what it is He wants me to know. I knew I was having one of those "moments," but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what God was trying to say...that is, until the next couple of days. And then a few days after that.

The short version is this. I was attacked for my comments in the post I mentioned earlier. I was called ugly names, and my beliefs were challenged. It shook me up. I was shocked. I was hurt. And honestly, I was a little afraid.

All the while, God kept saying, "Do you trust Me?"

Me: Yes, God, I trust You.

God: Do you?

Me: Yes, God, I do.

God: Then why are you afraid?

The truth is, I had never been...I hesitate to use the word "persecuted," for my beliefs before. But then, I looked up the word "persecute" on Merriam-Webster.com, and this is the definition: to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically: to cause to suffer because of belief. This was what happened to me. The comments made in response to my post, one in particular, were meant to cause me to suffer because of the beliefs I had stated.

I realize that there are Christian missionaries out in the field risking their lives, and many dying, on a daily basis for their beliefs. I am not, nor would I, compare myself to them. I have not been put on the front line as they have, nor have I faced certain death if I refused to back down from my belief system. I can only pray that should I ever find myself in that position, I will honor My Father In Heaven who made me and loves me, and His Son who died for me so that I do not have to spend eternity separated from either of them.

Still, this was new to me. And God used it to grow me. He used it to give me a small taste of what it is like for those who put themselves on the line every day. He also used it to bring me closer to Him. To trust Him more than the day before.

And isn't that really what it is all about? Knowing Him more, and trusting Him more, and conforming more to the image of His Son. A little bit. Each day. Whatever comes.

Next time, I will be a bit stronger, and I pray my faith will be as well.

Blessings,

Great Post On the Financial Crisis

Lisa over at The Preacher's Wife has a great post about the financial crisis.

Thank You, Lord, that we can still depend on You even in these uncertain times.

Blessings,

Be Still Sunday

May you have a wonderful day of worship and rest with the Lord and you family.

Sweet Blessings,

Great Post

Just wanted to share a link to a great post I just read over at the Living Proof Ministries (Beth Moore) blog. It is written by her daughter Amanda and is really soul-stirring. To read, click here.

Blessings,

Scripture Saturday

It's been a busy couple of weeks. I hope to be back next week on a more regular schedule. In the meantime, here's another scripture with that familiar word, "persevere."

35So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)

Blessings,