Dare we ask Him THAT?

How brave are you in the things you ask of Him? Do you ever ask Him to do something, anything that ONLY He can do? Are you afraid to? GO AHEAD! I DARE you! :)

I confess, I don't do it THAT often, but I do ask Him to do one thing in particular that ONLY He can do. I ask Him on behalf of my brethren who are suffering persecution to not let the beatings and torture weaken them, but that instead, they'd actually be STRENGTHENED in their faith. I believe with all my heart that ONLY HE can do that. And He can. And, I believe He is willing.

Think about it. Have you ever asked Him to do something that no human can/could do? Think about Joshua, when he 'spoke to the Lord,' then told (in the sight of Israel) the sun and the moon to stand still...and they did...for about a whole day, while Israel avenged themselves of their enemies. WOW! THAT man had faith! You and I have the comfort of asking something like that in the privacy of only His company. Therefore, if He doesn't answer the way we think He should, we won't be embarrassed. But Joshua did this 'in the sight of Israel.' And God honored him by granting his request. "There was no day like that before it or after it" according to Joshua 10:14. Now, of course, Joshua was in His will. He wasn't asking for something just for his own pleasure. God Himself was fighting the enemies of Israel alongside them before Joshua made this request. And guess what? God is no respecter of persons. (Now, I'm not encouraging you to ask Him to stop the sun for a few hours so you can finish an outdoor project or the like...) But, has it ever occurred to you that He'd LOVE for you to ask Him to do something that no human can do? In Malachi 3;10, He told Israel to quit withholding their tithes from Him and He'd open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing UNTIL IT OVERFLOWED! He actually told them to test Him in this! And this is in the middle of a rebuke! Sometimes I think we're like a person who has a Lexus sitting in the garage and takes the bus everywhere they go. Let's allow Him to show us His glory by asking Him to do something only He can do. (Let me know how it turns out!)

Marriage...or not?

I have never been married. During a conversation with a dear friend recently whose daughter made a very bad choice of a husband, I shared some of my insights about marriage. She asked that I post those. (I'll do my best to remember!)

Yes, when I was young(er), I would have loved to get married and have children. I always assumed I would. But, I've never really attracted the 'right' men. When I was younger, one reason was that I didn't deem myself worthy of the right kind! Sad, but true. So, even if a 'good guy' was interested in me, I'd end the relationship, knowing there must be something wrong with him if he was interested in me! But I still longed to be loved, in a marital way.

So, when I became a believer at the age of 28, I was so excited! I knew now that God had been 'saving' me for the right man! Well, year after year passed and it just didn't happen for me, while friend after friend married and had children. Yes, I got rather angry at God about this. Was I that fat, stupid and/or ugly? Undeserving? My father never exhibited much love for me, so this added fuel to the fire. At some point, I not only 'resigned myself' to singleness, but got over being mad at Him about it. He knows best, doesn't He? If I really believe that, and really believe He's perfectly capable of bring 'the right man' to me, if there even is one, why should I be angry at Him about this issue? And why would I want to be married if it's not His will for me? I grew up in a house (not a home) with a bad marriage and know it's not pretty. In fact, it's pretty ugly. And, over the years, I've heard many, many stories about marriages that did NOT turn out to be 'fairy tale marriages.' ..even among those who profess to love Him.

I'm not sure how or why, but even though I SO longed for marriage, I still wasn't willing to settle for less than 'the right one.' Oh, how many gals I've seen over the years want marriage (and the wedding!) more than being sure it was God's match. And most have paid the price. It's too long-term a decision to just marry the first one that asks! Especially if you're going into it with the Biblical perspective that it's for the rest of your earthly life! Yes, I was engaged once and 'woke up' BEFORE the wedding! Praise God! I won't even tell you how I KNOW that wasn't God's match, but I put out a fleece before the Lord and He showed me. I'm so glad I listened. I know I spared myself a few (or many) years of hell on earth.

Look at Abraham and Sarah. It's not the issue of marriage, but it IS the issue of being content with your circumstances. It's all about trusting God. If He wants you to have a baby, He's perfectly able to empower you to become pregnant. I just met a gal a couple of weeks ago who'd been told she'd most likely not be able to have children due to an operation she'd had. She now has two precious little girls. But getting back to Abraham and Sarah, I think most of us know the story. She decided she'd 'help God out.' We are still living with the consequences of her decison all these centuries later!

As Christians, we SAY we believe God, or that we trust Him. Yet, our actions often betray our words. And I think we miss that fact quite often. Do my reactions or responses line up with what I say I believe? Do we ask ourselves that often enough? I suspect not. And I think He sometimes puts us in situations to show us we really DON'T believe what we say we believe. (Or we'd never know it). He did that with me recently. When I had pneumonia, I could see NO purpose in it whatsoever. I forsook prayer, for the most part, rarely read my Bible and was, frankly, not too happy with Him! Well, guess what? I believe part of the purpose was to show me what my heart response was/would be in that situation. It was UGLY! I was a traitor to my Lord and to the very words I've told so many others about trusting Him when things aren't going quite the way we think they should. Yes, I've repented and He, as always, has been so gentle and true to His Word. It makes me love Him all the more, but I NEVER want to do that again! He is far too worthy. May we remember to trust Him in all our circumstances.

To us...or IN us?

I just bought a new shelf for my books, as I'd 'outgrown' my old one. In the process of rearranging my books, I came across one I read nine years ago. I read only the things I'd highlighted in chapter one and decided I need to read this book again. You're probably wondering by now what book it is. It's "Men Whose Eyes Have Seen the King" by T. Austin-Sparks. I'm now in chapter two and struck again by Saul's conversion. I'm going to quote from this book, so will put the quotes in blue. (That way you won't confuse what I'm saying with what Sparks wrote).



He wrote about the effect of being there for the transfiguration of Christ by Peter and how it carried him through to the end of his life and ministry. It is not that something has remained as the memory of an objective experience, but that something has happened in him.



We can get the 'truth' about anything and everything: all the truth that is available about the Lord Jesus Himself -- His birth, His life, His works, His words, His death, His resurrection -- all that there is; we can have all the 'truth' about the Church -- and what a lot there is available; we can have it all, know it all -- nothing fresh to know about it; and any other thing you like to mention, in the Scriptures -- and yet the fact can remain that nothing has happened in us as a result. That is not how it ought to be. True spiritual apprehension ought not just to be something in front of us -- it ought to be something in us.



In the next paragraph, he moves on to Paul. Here is this fact, that, on the Damascus road, Jesus appeared unto him in glory -- 'brightness above the brightness of the sun.' (Now I looked for this version of this verse in several different Bible versions a few postings ago and couldn't find it, but I knew I'd been taught at some point, that it was per above rather than just 'suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.' This so much more portrays our Lord Jesus...a Light brighter than the brightness of the sun! No wonder Paul had an eye problem throughout the rest of his life!) But as you know, when speaking of it years afterward, he says: "it pleased God...to reveal His Son in me" (Gal 1:15-16). It was not only to him -- it was something in him. The Apostle Paul's whole life and ministry was based upon and sprang out of that double event, to and in.


It very much reminds me of Romans 11:36 ~ For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things to Him be the glory forever. Amen. So that's how it was with Paul, the new creature in Christ. Paul's life was from Him, through Him and to Him. Ours should be, too, but do we really live that way? Is the 'from, through and to' as evident in my life and your life as it was in Paul? If not, let us ponder anew this great gift He's given us and pray it will be.

Spiritual Gifts

I had lunch with a friend yesterday. She was sharing something with me and I replied that I think (personal opinion only; I've not researched this to back it up) that people who have the gift of mercy are often easily duped and/or taken advantage of. I've seen it more than once. It seems that with the gift of mercy comes a desire to believe the best about anybody and everybody. Well, sad to say, that can be downright dangerous with some people, and even sadder, it also applies to some who claim to be members of the body of Christ. You may be scratching your head, so let me give you an example. Let's say a member of the Body has deep insecurity and exhibits very bad, even sinful, behavior. Now, if that member is young in the faith, perhaps they've just not gotten proper admonishment or even teaching about this. But, if that member has worn this insecurity like a badge for many years, sorry. It's not an excuse for sin. But, one who has the gift of mercy is likely to see it that way. I'm not condeming those with this gift, but I think many of them want to 'pat others on the head' and say, 'Oh, but he/she has such insecurity.' (or whatever the issue is). There often seems to be a lack of discernment with the gift of mercy. Therefore, we can help them be aware of this and encourage them to seek discernment OR, if they really struggle with it, then we need to encourage them to always seek counsel from others when making a decision that will affect the rest of his/her life, or another's.

From there, I went on to say that mercy is not the only gift that has pitfalls. I have the gift of encouragement. Well, before the Lord Himself showed me I have this gift, I used my mouth in terrible ways against other members of the Body...to the extent that, when He showed me I possess this gift, I had two reactions. The first was elation! I'd been praying and praying that He'd show me what my spiritual gift(s) was and He did! Finally! It seemed like I'd been praying about it forever, to the point that I almost didn't think I had any, even though I knew that wasn't biblical. So, I elated for maybe a minute, then I was struck with terror! Oh, my! I was convicted down to my toenails about the many UNencouraging things I'd said about and to others. AARRGH!!! This made me afraid to even tell anybody that He'd shown me I had the gift of encouragement, as I was afraid they'd laugh at me! So, my next thought was, "Ok. I've done some terrible things with my tongue, but I'm taking this bull by the horns! I'm going to use my mouth for blessing instead of cursing from now on." I'm sorry to say I haven't achieved that fully, but, for the most part, my mouth is used for blessing others. Praise His most holy Name, for it is by His grace alone.

I'll let you think about the 'pitfall(s)' of your spiritual gift(s), as this post is getting long. Again, I believe each has its own. But, the one thing I do want to share before signing off is this. Many years ago, I had a roommate. We were talking and she said something about how satan attacks us in our weak areas. As soon as I began this reply, I knew the Lord was speaking through me and to me, as I'd never even thought about this before. But, I said, "No, I think he really likes to attack us in our spiritual gifts, as what are they for? The building up of the body of Christ! So, if he can cripple us in our spiritual gifts, look how much of his work is done!"

I firmly believe that our spiritual gifts are part of our stewardship. So, my friend, beware of the particular pitfall that shadows your spiritual gift AND, USE your spiritual gift(s)! Don't sit alone at home all the time feeling sorry for yourself for whatever reason, but seek Him as to how He wants you to put that/those gifts to use to build up and/or equip other members of His Body! And don't retreat because you're afraid your gift's pitfall will overcome. HE is the Overcomer and has called us to be overcomers as well. (in His strength, not ours) <3

Instant Obedience

I was reading Acts 8 (much) earlier today and was struck by Philip's immediate obedience in four different verses. In verse 26, an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.) Verse 27 says, 'So he got up and went;' No delay, no whining about how hot it was or that it was a desert road, he just 'got up and went.'

Then, in verse 29, the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot." Again, no rationalizing, but verse 30 says, 'Philip ran up...' He didn't stop because he didn't know the man in the chariot or that he (probably) looked like an official of some sort, or maybe even royalty. No, he RAN up...immediately. He didn't walk or shuffle his feet, scratching his head, wondering if this was really a smart thing to do.

Then, in verse 34, the eunuch said to Philip, "Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself of of someone else?" Again, verse 35 tells us, "Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him."

Now, I could stop there, but it goes on to say that as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" Philip's immediate response was to ascertain whether or not the eunuch believed in Christ. As soon as the eunuch said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God," Philip ordered the chariot to stop, went down into the water, with the eunuch, and he baptized him. He didn't tell him to get baptized as soon as he made it back to Ethiopia, since he wasn't a pastor.

I'd never before been so impressed with Philip. In previous readings, I thought it was cool how the Lord used Philip, but I think I may have missed WHY the Lord used Philip so much in this brief window of time captured in this passage of Scripture. He was INSTANTLY OBEDIENT!

It reminds me of teaching I heard one Sunday a few years ago. The pastor said that delayed obedience is disobedience. Oh, my...it pierced me. And yet, a few years later, I have to wonder (or do I really?) how quick I am to obey Him. Oh, to be like Philip! I fear we are all too ready to have to 'weigh things out' before we obey Him. hmmm...interesting how I switched from 'me' to 'we,' isn't it? Perhaps I/we'd be much more used by Him if we were quicker to obey when we hear His voice. May I and may we.

Am I a Worshipper or Do I Just Worship?

The pastor who taught a few Sundays ago posed an interesting question, but put it in different settings. Some examples he used are: I fish, but am I a fisherman? (In other words, I might own a lot of fishing gear, but how often do I actually fish?) The other topics he used are: I run, but am I a runner? I golf, but am I a golfer? For each example, do I just do these things occasionally, or is it something I do a lot and/or think about a lot?

As he was teaching, what came to my mind is, do I worship here and there, or am I a worshipper? I reluctantly confess, I'm more in the first category than the second. It seems a lot of my worship is 'on the run.' I might be in the car and see a beautiful sunset which causes me to worship Him for maybe a minute or two. Then, hours later, as I'm praying before I fall asleep for the night, I might worship Him. How many times a day do I typically worship Him? sigh...not nearly enough...and there are SO MANY things in our periphery to cause us to worship Him! As I sit here now, I can look outside and see the sunshine. Yes, I can worship Him for sunshine, especially COOLER sunshine after a LONG, HOT summer! I can see trees, with varying colors of leaves which (can) cause me to worship Him...the Master Creator!

I suspect each of us have different things that are more likely than others to cause us to worship. I must say, my cats often cause me to worship, or a cloud-filled sky. My cat, Percy, is (in my eyes) a work of art. I believe God crafted him especially for me. He's on my lap now, being a little purr factory. The variegated colors of gold on him are beautiful, as are the adorable little tufts of fur on each of his pink and white paw pads. His hair is long and oh, so soft. He's JUST CUTE!!! It's those times when I'm AWARE of how much I delight in them that I stop and realize that, if I can delight so much in my critters, why would He not delight in me at least as much? Now THAT'S cause for worship!

But, I think, truly, what makes me worship Him most of all is His Word. Now, where would I begin on THAT one? There are so many marvelous passages of Scripture. And when I SING songs that tell of His attributes, oh...my heart softens and sometimes melts in worship. Oh, how I long to be a worshipper, rather than worshipping just 'now and then.' Make me, and all of us, Lord, true worshippers, for You are worthy!

Where Have I Been?

Hello...I hear I have at least one reader who has missed me, so I apologize to all for my long absence. In my last post, I said I'd be going on a trip to meet a dear friend. I did, but it turned out much differently than I expected. About four days before I left, I was VERY tired and sleeping A LOT! But, I felt fine, other than that, so, I took off Sunday morning as planned, assuming the Lord would bring any necessary healing as I drove, especially after all the sleep I'd gotten the previous four days. I did wake up coughing Saturday morning and coughed a lot that day, tho. Well, I got there Sunday afternoon and coughed my head off Sunday and Monday, to the point that my ribs hurt! My friend, Peggy, urged me to let her take me to urgent care, as she was afraid it could turn into pneumonia. As I laid in bed Monday night, coughing like crazy, with a washcloth over my mouth, trying to not keep her awake, I decided I would let her take me the next day.

So, Tuesday morning I told her that and she found out where the nearest one was and how to get there, (as we were both in a state other than the ones in which we live.) We went and I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis. The doctor prescribed meds for me. We left the urgent care at about 10:30 a.m. We were going to pick up my meds and go back to the hotel. However, as we were driving down the parkway, not even five minutes after leaving the urgent care, an old woman RAN INTO US! Peggy's car was not drivable. Great...we spent the rest of the morning & most of the afternoon getting her car to a body shop and getting a rental car. We were, fortunately, able to pick up her car the next day. They did just enough repair so she could drive home and have it fixed at her local Lexus body shop, at her request. So, we went on to our next location, which is a timeshare that she and her husband own. We had a nice time there for two days, then came home, so I got back to Tulsa about 7:00 p.m. Friday.

So, Monday, I went to see my doctor and my chiropractor. I saw the accident 'happening' right before the other driver hit us, so tensed up. So, my chiropractor took x-rays of my back and my doctor took x-rays of my chest. I had more x-rays that day than I'd had in the last five years! Well, my doctor said I had 'a little bit of pneumonia' in my left lung. I ended up having it for a month, but then went right into allergies. It's been one heck of a fall! And what a vacation! After I got back from my trip, I spent most of my time being horizontal for most of September! I was SO wiped out! If that was just 'a little bit of pneumonia,' I have deep sympathy for those who've had it worse than that! I couldn't do much, except go to my doctor/chiropractor appointments, then stop on the way home and get some groceries. Needless to say, I bought food that was very easy to prepare!

Then, since, I just have had a different routine. I can't seem to get back to my old one and just couldn't get back to blogging. I'd want to, then I'd get sidetracked and/or run out of time. So, dear ones, that's 'where I've been.' Thank you, dear Julie, for telling me you have kept checking my blog, as it encouraged me to get back to it! ;)

Blessed...why?

I was listening to a song the other day. Part of the song says, 'Blessed is the man who fears the Lord.' As I was delighting in this song, it occurred to me that a man (or woman) can't be blessed unless they're blessed by the Lord. Now, this may sound silly to you, but I promise I'm not being silly. (as I can well be)

When we think about 'being blessed,' it seems to me that the focus is on US. It's one more 'all about me thing' that we do. Let's take it a step farther...yes, we know HE is the One blessing us, but how far do we go with that thought?

He is the only One that can truly bless. Yes, a friend may 'bless' us, but, if it's a true blessing, it's really Him blessing us through that friend. Have we ever stopped to think that HE is being blessed by blessing us? (I confess I hadn't until stopped by this song the other day). How precious He is! I'm not a parent, but I certainly know and have known many. Does it not bless YOU to bless your child? In most cases, YES! Therefore, why would it not bless Him to bless His children? I'm certain I've quoted this passage before, but I'll use Isaiah 30:18 to help prove this: Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you...would you agree with me that His being gracious to us and having compassion on us are ways in which He blesses us? Yes, the verse is written to Israel, but why would it pertain any less to His children (the Body of Christ)?

And, Psalm 41:1 says, 'How blessed is he who considers the helpless;' Is He not the One Who MOST OF ALL considers the helpless?

I could go on, but won't for fear of boring you. But, I will finish by saying it's perhaps like the water cycle. Ps 41:13 says, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.' Now, don't you think that blessing upon our God by David blessed the King of kings? God blessed David and, as it should be, David returned the blessing to Him...just as the rain falls from Heaven, waters the earth, then returns to the heavens. YES! Let us bless Him, the True Blessor, from Whom all blessing flows!