The Wise Men Were More than Just Wise

  It was my turn to do the kids lesson this week.  As I am not ashamed to say, I am always learning and love to learn new things.  So the kids lesson inspired me this week!

As I was reading the story of how the wise men were scholars, scientists, and doctors, I started thinking how these men probably had the top IQ's in the kingdom, often working for the King to give him guidance.  They had the scrolls and writings probably also of different profits but also  Daniel's prophecies of  Baby Jesus and a Savior for us all.  In my experience with smart people,  they often need more, or want more proof and maybe other than Herod telling them to go, maybe they went to get their proof of this story they read about, but if you really think about it, something had to be stirring in their hearts to be so very smart, but willing to follow a star to a baby in a barn on hay.

I find it interesting though that they went unknowing, but prepared. They packed up those very expensive gifts for baby Jesus and they gave him those gifts even though they knew the world might not accept him, even though they surely read about his demise in the prophecies. They believed even though they had only writings and prophecies to go on.

In today's time the "WISE" and scholarly and scientific people often refuse to believe in God or Baby Jesus because it's just not concrete enough for them. There is not enough evidence to warrant their time and affection. They have trouble wrapping their mind around Faith and prophecy and spiritual things as the carnal is all they have.

What made the Wise men of old different? Well,  they had the writings of Daniel, but also they got to see this Babe that was written about. They lived it, they witnessed the miracle of our savior but they weren't so very different.... they had to follow a star... I would say that requires some faith of the heart.

The difference is that now,  Men are required to follow their heart. It is promised that all have the opportunity to come to Christ. It is promised that all men and women will get a chance- all will have a call to Salvation....( John 3:16, 6:47, 5:24-27, Romans 10:9-10, 1Timothy 2:4 and many more)

 What I wonder though,  are people today so wrapped up in the world so busy, so deafened by science and technology and the world that they cannot hear with their heart?

20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20

So what I want to ask you today is to hear with your heart.
Though the wise men had all those signs, maybe even physical writings of Daniel and a Star to follow, the whole thing still required some Faith. There had to be some heart bidding to follow a Star on a camel with very expensive gifts to a baby in a barn. Even Wise Men of Old would not and could not make that sound exactly concrete and evidence based science.
So the Wise men were more than just wise, they had to follow their heart as well. They had to follow a star and go to a baby in hay that was supposed to be a king. I don't think if there was any doubt in their smart minds that they would have parted with such expensive gifts. SIMPLE. They believed with their heart.....

Try shutting out all the chatter of the world, technology and opinions, and you try believing with your heart this Christmas.

Grace and Mercy

In my early 20's I didn't really understand grace. I searched the scriptures and eventually realized what grace was when my father died.

Most people realize what grace is when you walk through a storm of life and God gives you the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Grace and Mercy 

In a World of darkness all around, I seek Him 

God is all powerful, omnipresent and omnipotent,

Though all the world looks dim. 

Today I thank God for the Grace to lift my head. 

The Grace to get out of bed. 

and the Grace to bow my head. 

I thank Him for the Mercy to hug my girls.

The Mercy to stand as my world whirls.

and the mercy to find hidden pearls.

What are you Thankful for?

As I sit in the stillness of the morning, I began to pray for things, I want and need or feel like I need.

I didn't just pray for myself but I did ask God for a lot.

It wasn't until I began thanking him that I got peace. I got peace through worship with Him, through fellowship with Abba, father.

Many people I know are going through hard times right now, and it may be hard to find that thankful heart, but I want to ask you to reach deep down and find it because thankfulness and a heart of gratitude will change your attitude.

We get so overwhelmed by this world, this short life that is but a mist.  Have you ever thought about the insignificance of your life?  Probably not because we are so busy trying to make it significant. We strive to leave a legacy, a "name for ourselves", leave our mark on this world that we don't even realize how truly insignificant we are.

Some of us live in a state of depression because we lost something dear to us or someone,  all the while,  life is ticking by and God has something he wants you to do if you can come to terms with how short life really is for any of us. If you remember the story of Elisha and how he longed for Elijah to be there - he depended on him, yet he had to do ministry and life alone - God had something for Elisha to do that was very important and it did not involve Elijah.  Have you come to your Jordan alone and it's hard to be thankful?

Again, I want to ask you to dig down deep within your soul and think about this fleeting life and ask yourself, ask God, "what is it you want me to do ?"

I challenge you to start with a heart of Thanksgiving and see the amazing things he will show you.

I want to ask you to look at life from the perspective of how short it is, how little time we have here on earth but the weightier issue is eternity. We will be in eternity for much longer than this short life, what are you doing for eternity?

So as you go through this Thanksgiving Holiday, be thankful for this wonderful short life, but be cognizant of eternity even more so.  If you want to leave a mark on this current life, bless someone.  Be a help, encourage others, be the change you want in this world.

Life is fragile

As I prepare this morning to attend a funeral later today of a student, I cannot help but think on the fragility of life.
Death will often make us think on these things, the why, the what ifs and many times we question God.
Today I want to talk about life. I want to talk about how insignificant we actually are and how eternity is significant.
If you knew today was your last, would you tell someone about Jesus Christ's love?

We put so much emphasis on this life, the here the now, but there is something so much bigger and better awaiting those who believe.
Life is but a vapor and then gone..... but we have so much trouble with death.
I know right now if I lost someone I love, I would have trouble with it.  I know it's because we love so deeply, we are so encompassed with the world and 'our own world' that nothing need shake it or life is bad.  I would be like Elisha when he realized he was alone in this world without Elijah. (2Kings 2:12). I would be broken, and selfishly wanting "my" person back. All the while not thinking about how much bigger eternity is than my here and now, than this life that is like a mist or vapor then gone(James 4:14).

When you think on the shootings, the kids that are killed in the way of the shooter or the bomber or a shooter that targets kids or the people who were targeted with a car because he could not get a gun... you realize this world is tainted, people are hurting and full of evil, yet you choose to not look up, you choose to not look to a higher power for strength but instead you look for strength within yourself or whatever the narcissistic latest religion/or spirituality fad is.  The world is only getting worse because people are getting further away from God, from his principles his morals, his truth and virtues.
You see years ago even the parents who were dragged to church and then maybe didn't go,  taught their kids morals, respect and virtues, generations go by and this goes lacking.They didn't go to church and now their kids don't go to church or see a need for it and they are working 6-7 days a week because that is what their parents taught them was important and what society tells us is important, and no one is teaching the kids morals, not even the church because someone along the way decided 'church' wasn't important and they don't go. Thus, it becomes generational.

There is a great falling away from what this country was founded on, you say freedom of religion yes, but that freedom was to worship God the one and only how they wanted. Not spirituality, not self, not money, but God.

Here we are as a nation, trying our best to get away from the old way, the old things and we are pushing God out, when we need to desperately hold onto to Him and His word with all we have.

Eternity is the big picture here........... eternity.....
 What are you doing for eternity? How are you preparing? How are you living? Who are you telling about eternity? Who are you telling about God, so that you, they, whomever,  gets the chance to live eternal?
 Because, in the end, eternity is what matters not this fleeting life that is way too short.
So.....

.. As I prepare to go to a funeral today of a student, I realize how fragile life is but also how small it is.... eternity is the big picture..

Living Free, Yet On Guard

In the lot I have been given, there is an amazing amount of freedom I feel. I know God's word and am constantly learning more. I live a free life and for that I am grateful. I live free in God's word thanks to a Savior and for that I am grateful as well.

In the same lot I am given, I live on guard, on guard for what's next, what person or group will have a problem with something I said or my husband said, trying my best to stay politically correct, yet also living free sounds kinda ironic right? Well we are to care about others, and that matter of the heart will make you want to love others and not hurt...so I don't live just by the truth that I know,  but I also live by grace and because I know God, our Lord and Savior, I have the amazing ability to extend that grace to others that I come in contact with, hence,  we are a light in a world of darkness.  I wear thick skin but practice life with a delicate, loving heart. Although, at times,  I feel like I am being pummeled by a rushing river.  I feel like a stone floating against waves, rocks and debris, then God extends his loving arms and an amazing amount of grace to guide me, to comfort me, to heal me.

In my devotion, I was reading in 2Peter 3 today and this scripture stood out to me: 

"Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen," (2 Pet. 3:17-18).

Here we are reminded to be on "guard" and to "grow". 

Growth

This requires some effort on our part - just like anything, it's a constant reciprocal feat that we all must strive for. Not salvation, but the relationship aspect, the freedom, the peace, the hope, it all comes from growth.  Salvation,  is a one time stop you get it and you have it, but the growth is what I speak of, it is a constant process. Growth is hearing God's word, studying God's word and applying it to your life daily. 

Guard

This requires effort too, guard your heart, guard your mind, guard what you have, be alert, be on alert. Satan is a lion seeking who he may devour(1Peter 5:8), so be ready. In order to be able to do that though- one must grow in God's word, then you can put on the whole armor and be able to stand. Don't be carried away, don't allow yourself to fall just because you were not on guard, or because you were lazy. Be strong in God !! 

He has given us everything we need, no, we are not perfect, but knowing that doesn't give us excuse either. Living free doesn't mean you get grace without truth, it means you cling to your heavenly father with all you got. You grow, you glow, and you can do this with God's help. You don't want to go back,  because you have seen the other side, you have seen what sin and hurt, and pain looks like without God,  and you never want to go back to that. So you live on guard, you live in His word, in His shadow, and when  you want to look down, you guard your heart and you look up. 

The Natural Burden

I have a confession to make. Though I have read Habukkuk before, It never really resonated with me that much. 
It's funny how when scripture sticks out to you it is usually applicable to your life or involves a message that you need in your life right now. 

I was just talking to someone about how life is hard and trying my best to explain our place in this world in Jesus Christ, then I read Habukkuk 1.  He was asking God why did he have to see all the iniquity around him.

How long, O Lord, must I call for help?

    But you do not listen!

“Violence is everywhere!” I cry,

    but you do not come to save.

Must I forever see these evil deeds?

    Why must I watch all this misery?

Wherever I look,

    I see destruction and violence.

I am surrounded by people

    who love to argue and fight.

Often we get bogged down by the negativity in the world and fail to see the beauty in life, the gift we are given, the privilege to live. So many times we go off to soup kitchens and missions trips in search of meaning. We are feeding our own personal desires to help someone so that we can feel alive, and useful and blessed. These feelings are ok to have and it's good to help others. That's what God wants us to do. This is the very reason God allows us to see the bad, the hurt, the woe,  so that we can take action to be the light, be the hope, and to do what we can through him to make the world a better place. 

   
We often ask God why, but we are hardly ever really ready or willing to accept his answer. Often we know the answer but we refuse to accept it. 
He wants you to work for him, to live for him, to try your hardest with his help, to make the world a better place. 
The truth is within each one, the truth is in you. Why do you refuse to acknowledge it? 
Why do you refuse God? 
Life is simple we make it hard because we are so selfish. 

The New American Church

I think a majority of Americans that go to church really just want to belong to a nice big church with a feel good worship service and a feel good, tickle my ears message, so they can say they belong somewhere, they can feel (yeah I said feel) like they are participating, but in reality they are just wanting someone to feed them and give them something to make them Feel good, a box checked for the week, went to church sang praise and worship, got a message-" look at me, I feel good"

As you mature in life and in your Christianity,  you realize it isn't about feelings, it's about knowing.


So the bigger churches can give you what you want, and it's all about what you need right? Not what you can contribute or give or help with or serve. It's all about how can others serve me.  That's the world we live in, sad but true. Hiding in a large church will never give you true peace, and a close walk with God, that is up to you, it's most important to get involved in a life group or Bible study, and yes, being close with people can get messy, but it's what God wants if you read his word.

I was talking to someone the other day that is active in a mega church and guess what they have the same problems with getting volunteers as any church does. Most people just want to go and 'get fed' and not help, so does that mean we have a developmental problem with our people, yes, it does. Lot's of baby Christians and tweens that cannot seem to get to the stage where they are off the milk and actually working in the church, for the church and to further God's Kingdom. 
I came across a quote by CS Lewis the other day and I am sure that couples use it in weddings, and love and anniversary but I like to think about from God's perspective. " You have not chosen one another, but I have chosen you for one another." C.S. Lewis

You know you are where you are for a reason, there are people that have come into your life for a reason and I ask you today to search for that reason, to be willing to allow God to use you.
 Search your heart and ask yourself.  Did God put me here and who does he want me to love today, who has he put in my path to bless, to help,  to walk through this life with? I guarantee you it isn't some huge church so you can get lost in and hide.
If you are a  part of a large church, find community there. Get involved and ask God, what do you want me to do here, who do you want me to bless, who do you want me to walk through life with?
He made us for one another.... remember that.

Love Looks for Good Things

Last month we finished up our women's study and we had prayed about starting a study of Women in the Bible. My first instinct was to study someone we know well and go with it the first month( as we decided on a book).
Then I began to look around in the Bible and started to read about unity and how important unity is to a church especially a church plant without a large established group of members.
Well I couldn't really get peace with that and then I prayed and decided we would just have a time of sharing ... you know what each person is dealing with and a time of prayer.
Then I decided we should have a devotion first with the scripture that says whatever is lovely whatever is true, think on these things.... so me not being the Bible scholar went to find this scripture and what do you know that it follows the whole unity scripture on the two women who had a disagreement that affected the whole church.

So  after reading the whole chapter 4 of Philippians, I realized the encouragement Paul was giving. 

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (v. 7). With confident prayer, we can have inner peace. Even if our immediate circumstances are in turmoil,  we can have a peace that by the world's  standards doesn’t make sense. But our faith is in Christ, not the circumstances of this world.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things" (v. 8). If you want inner peace and interpersonal peace, then think on good things. Love looks for good things, not bad (1 Cor. 13:5-6). If you have a problem with someone, look for whatever is true and good and praiseworthy. Give your problems to God, and you will find peace.

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" (Phil. 4:9). Paul again appeals to his own example among the Philippians. He tried to live the gospel as well as to share it, and he encourages the readers to do the same.

We are bound together as family by the Blood of Christ. We don't have to just tolerate each other like that weird aunt or uncle, but we are commanded to love no matter how uncomfortable you may feel.

We have to love, we are commanded to love and forgive and have a forgiving heart, because God forgives us.

My prayer is that God will help us love even the(in our opinion) unloveable.
To do this and be in a good place, meditate on the good, look for good, be happy for others and their good fortune, do what is noble, and God will bless you, God will help you and your heart will be in a place where God can use you for his Good!!! 

So, Are you looking for Community?

Many people move around and often seek to connect.
Well,  it is in our DNA, our genetics to want to connect because God created us that way. He created us for companionship. How do I know this? Well,  he created us in His image and he created us for Him. Then he created Adam and he felt he needed a companion so he created Eve. I also know this because within each of us there is a desire, a desire for others in our life.

Some people just do not think they can get involved with a group and they just want that one companion, and all they ever want is their mate in life and that is enough for them.
Others want to have children for companionship so they can give them  and receive the reciprocity of love that they so desire, but in the end, God is what you truly look for and I pray you find.

Then, one day you realize you need community, you need others in your life, it makes your life more full and you realize this at some point in your life.
Some have walls up because they have been hurt and only want a little bit of community and friendships....others go all in. Regardless, God created us for community, and to have others in our life.
Many people are looking for those network of friends, that mom group, that exercise group, that foodie group, that book club, that PTA or PTO group,  that work group.... I could go on and on.

Then there is church or a spiritual community. Many people search for that too. They search for spiritual community companionship.  Spiritual health is very much a part of a healthy lifestyle and most people realize that and they seek community.  They want to be a part, they want that connection, that "church family" or do they?

When you get close to people in a life group, or Bible study- it can get messy.
Most people want to be around people just like them, but sometimes there's that strange church member, that homeless person, that impoverished person in your midst and it feels like a weird aunt or uncle  or cousin in your life group or church and sometimes you have to interact with them and that is just not what you signed up for.
Community yes, but only people who are just like me, right?
I want to ask you something, did Jesus only eat and break bread with people just like him? No, and I feel like He is our best example. He is always our best example and we overlook this fact because we are not comfortable. It makes us uncomfortable to be around people that are different than we are and some of us do our best to avoid them, others try to fix and give, exhausting themselves trying to improve others .
I want to challenge you, (if you love others and I am sure that you do or you would not be seeking community), to just love...... most people are wanting to be loved and accepted for who they are, not who you think they should be or who you want them to be, but just love them.
Yes, you may have to read the book "Boundaries" by Henry Cloud if people want too much and cling too much to you, but interacting with people that are different than us only make us better, it creates a more well-rounded character within us, it allows us to self reflect and practice empathy that is so lacking in the world today.

So I want to ask you, are you really looking for community even if it's messy at times?
Are you looking for real people, with real problems who all meet together and share God in common? If you are, then you are ready for that church family. They are waiting on you.

If you look for me whole heartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13