Tag Archive | christianity

To Be Happy or To Be Holy. That is the question!

Jul28
In pursuit of ?

The goal for most today is to pursue whatever makes us happy. And with the self-governing leanings dominating society today, self determines what happiness feels or looks like. The idea of pursuing holiness is unappealing in a self governing environment.

Why is that, I wonder? Perhaps it’s due to a misunderstanding of what being holy is. Personally, I’m not surprised that in today’s world people would choose happiness over holiness. Especially, if our primary source of determining happiness is shaped apart from God’s word.

So, let’s define happiness. One definition of happiness is, “a feeling of pleasure or contentment based on favorable circumstances.” Therefore, as long as our circumstances are lining up with our personal desires, all is well. Disappointments aren’t too big a threat to our happiness as long as they are temporary. After all, reality informs us that life doesn’t always run smoothly.

But what happens when life turns on us? When a season of life is filled with unexpected and sometimes devastating happenings? When we get pushed under and hardly have a chance to come up for air? When the lights go out and we feel as if we are wondering about in the dark? What then?

At times like these would we be willing to admit that seeking happiness isn’t going to cut it? Would we be willing to admit this self pursuit of happiness has been inadequate? After all, no one has lived a life of constant ever ending happiness. So why do we continue in our pursuit of happiness?

Consider this! Satan is a master deceiver and liar. First of all, he will attempt to influence us away from the truths of Scripture. And he will create confusion about the act of praying. When those two components (big time fiery darts) are brought into question, we will begin believing his lies.

Now let’s turn a light on and take a look at the definition of joy. “A deep sense of inner peace, gladness, and well-being, often regardless of circumstances.” So let’s take a look at the following verses:

Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the LORD is your strength.”

John 16:22, “No one will take your joy from you.”

Knowing that the joy provided by God can be our strength is reassuring. And knowing no-one can take it from us leaves us feeling secure. But how does one find joy?

First of all, those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died to pay the price for our sins, thus making heaven our eternal destination is the source of joy. You know, John 3:16! Therefore, as we encounter the threats to our happiness this joy thwarts the deception brought on by the enemy.

When life slaps us in the face (because it will and often) there is a way to override its effect. Jesus told us to be encouraged because He has overcome the world! As it turns out, those very trials or sufferings we encounter, when endured, will produce the effect of holiness we all need. Pursue happiness and it will elude us. Pursue holiness and we will have more happiness that we could ever imagine.

Self-Satisfied Christianity

Jul20

Lately, I’ve been studying about the church at Ephesus. Remember, how John described the church in Revelation 2:4, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”NASB What that means is the church forgot why they did church.

Let’s compare this to a married couple. At first everything is rosy. We are super sensitive to each other’s needs. But as time goes by our sensitivity begins to wane. We begin to take each other for granted. We settle into a comfortable routine of living the married life. Yet, our relationship doesn’t call forth the love we had at first. And sadly, we become satisfied with this watered down routine. It’s like we forgot why we got married!

I think this is a clear illustration of what happened at the Ephesus church. AND what has happened to individual Christians thus the Church of today. We have grown comfortable with the way we live out our faith. We have grown comfortable with the way we do church.

We have become self-satisfied. We feel good about attending church (as often as we can). We don’t really delve into the Scriptures like we should (but aren’t that uncomfortable about it). We don’t really give the time we should in prayer (but let something we really need come up and spiritually speaking we are quickly on our knees). We knowingly fail to act like a Christian at times (but hey, we are only human). We would give more time volunteering to help out with our church’s projects (but life keeps us so busy). Oh, and when those projects conflict with our personal plans then the church’s projects often loose out. Self-becomes our priority; not necessarily Church or our faith. (Recognize the fiery darts?)

The sad fact revealed by our self-satisfied attitude toward our walk of faith and relationship to our church is abundant in evidence. Evidence of what? That we have left our first love, our love for serving God. We have forgotten why we do church. Just like the church in Ephesus!

Where was God in the Texas flood-by Scott Reece?

Jul14

I am sharing this Facebook post by Dr. Scott Reece concerning the tragic flood in Kerr County, Texas. He asked tough questions that I feel are on the minds of so many. And his responses puts it all in perspective. At least it did for me. So since he says it so much better than I ever could, I asked him if I could share his post. With his permission, I share it below.

The Texas flood

by Scott Reece

Over the past few days, my heart has wrestled deeply with the tragedy unfolding in Texas. The floodwaters have swept away more than cabins, they’ve shaken families, broken hearts, and left many of us asking the hard questions. As a shepherd, I’m supposed to have answers, but sometimes, I just have tears. This isn’t a post filled with easy explanations, it’s one born out of pain, prayer, and the unshakable truth that even in the flood, God is still present.

This is the heart-wrenching tension we must sit with, one that stretches both the human soul and the theological framework of even seasoned believers.

Could God have stopped the flood?

Yes.

Could He have preserved every life?

Absolutely.

Did He have the power to send angels, divert waters, or awaken every camper before danger came?

Without question.

And yet, He didn’t. Not in the way we prayed. Not in the way we hoped.

This is where we enter the sacred realm of mystery.

Even the Apostle Paul, caught up to the third heaven, confesses: “Now we see through a glass, darkly…” 1 Corinthians 13:12

There are moments in life where divine sovereignty doesn’t align with human expectation, and in those moments, our theology must not collapse, it must deepen.

We often ask, “Why didn’t God act?”, but what if the deeper question is, why does He sometimes choose restraint, even when it breaks His own heart?”

The cross is our clearest example. Jesus could have called twelve legions of angels to prevent His crucifixion, but He didn’t. Not because He couldn’t, but because there was a greater purpose at work, a redemptive plan hidden within suffering.

Could this be one of those moments?

We do not claim to know the full mind of God (Isaiah 55:8–9), but we do know this, His delay is never His absence, and His silence is never His apathy.

Sometimes God restrains His hand so that a greater Kingdom revelation might emerge, even through the ashes of grief.

This Is Not Judgment. This Is Travail.

Let’s be clear, this tragedy is not a sign of God’s judgment on these children, this camp, or this region. This is not wrath, it is travail.

Creation is groaning.

The earth is trembling.

And the Kingdom is advancing through birth pains, not comfort (Matthew 24:8).

This flood did not take God by surprise, but nor was it His delight. We serve a God who weeps with us (John 11:35) and enters into our suffering with scars of His own.

What We Do Know

Though we cannot answer every “why,” the believer’s voice must anchor the people of God in what is unshakably true:

He is still good, His goodness is not circumstantial, it’s covenantal. The cross remains the proof of His love, not our circumstances.

He is still just. His justice may not be immediate, but it is inevitable, every tear will be accounted for, every injustice will be made right, every hidden pain will be healed.

He is still present. Even in the storm, He was there, in the cries, in the chaos, in the quiet miracles. He is “Emmanuel,” God with us, in the flood as much as in the fire.

He is still working. As Romans 8:28 declares: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

This does not mean all things are good, it means that even the worst thing, like a flood that takes young lives, can become the soil for divine redemption. Let’s not allow mystery to give way to unbelief, let’s not allow pain to steal our posture of faith.

This is the time for the Ekklesia to weep and war, to mourn with those who mourn, to declare the goodness of God even in the valley, to contend for a generation that has been shaken.

We don’t have all the answers, but we have a God who still speaks, a Gospel that still saves, and a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Doing right in your own eyes – isn’t a new idea!

Jul10
God’s way is always lit up!

Prevalent in society today is a philosophy that some feel is a modern day idea. It’s referred to as Self-Autonomy or Self-Rule. Meaning that the control of an individual’s actions and decisions stems from within the individual. And is based on personal desires, feelings, or societal influences. When they feel it’s necessary, they will put up boundaries to protect those freedoms. Such as cutting off communication with those they are in conflict with.

But guess what, it isn’t new at all. It wasn’t referred to as self-autonomy though. In Judges:17, 18, and 21 , we have the description of the Jewish people during the time of the Judges. Before their first king was chosen, the Jewish people were ruled by several judges. It was a period of moral confusion and disharmony due to the fact that everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Sound familiar?

Anyone searching for words to describe society today would certainly admit that we are in a state of moral confusion and disharmony. For you see, the same source that fueled human reasoning and false assumptions in the day of the Judges, hasn’t changed his game plan. And as long as people look within themselves to determine right from wrong confusion and disharmony will continue to build.

I think that those who are most affected by this ancient philosophy are today’s emerging adults. Considered adults only by their age they lack the wisdom that comes with time and experience. Some don’t feel the necessity of being accountable to God, their parents, or older and wiser adults. What they fail to realize is that relying on human wisdom alone without divine revelation leads to no good end. We are warned of this in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is the way of death.”

Therefore, I encourage young adults to examine the end result of such self-rule decisions. What are the consequences of neglecting God’s rule over self-rule? Can you really define right and wrong apart from God? Research societies that have replaced God’s rule with self-rule. What happened to them? Why do they desire to rule themselves? Whose voice are they listening to? What are the end results of your present choices?

When you arrive at the age of an adult, don’t make assumptions that alone qualifies you as ‘being’ an adult. Recognize this for the lie, fiery dart, that it is. The enemy will beguile you with all sorts of lies. And he will dress them up to make them enticing and believable. He will convince you to achieve your freedom at any cost. Even if you have to lie to or dishonor the older adults in your life.

Those who avail themselves of God’s truth can avoid the enemy’s deception. Remember that and be forewarned.

Roller Coaster Riding

Jun30

Well, today I am going to be a bit transparent. As I live my life (turning 77 soon!) I’m discovering that life doesn’t, necessarily, improve with age. You might think that the gray hair, wrinkles, and/or physical decline would present the greatest challenges. But for me, that is not the case. I’m learning to accept that as the realities of growing old. Not much fun but it’s reality. I’m learning, with God’s grace, to accept the inevitable. Besides, it’s what’s on the inside that really matters.

However, my greatest struggle occurs when I ponder the future. My husband and I have four children and children in laws, plus ten grandchildren. Yet, they all live in other cities, states, and even continents. Thus, most of our days are spent facing the challenges of maintaining our house and property on our own. In addition, all of which is complicated by our dwindling physical capabilities. While I love my country home and the serenity of its setting, the future is colored with darkened shades.

On the other hand, there are days when my faith surges strong. When I look into the future during such times, hope shines bright, and the darkness is dispelled. But then the fiery darts strike and doubt and fear do their dirty work. It’s like a roller coaster of emotions. My self-centered sinful nature fighting with my God-centered Christlike nature.

Here’s what I have recently determined. I am always going to ride this roller coaster. But on those days when my faith surges, it’s typically because a promise from Scripture sharpened my focus. I had spent time with God in prayer and His word. While He held my attention He reminded me of something I had let slip my mind. For example:

In reading Matthew 6:26, God reminds me He is faithful to sustain the birds of the air. So if He does that for the birds, He will more than do that for me. How can I believe this? Because I am much more valuable to God than the birds.

Additionally, there’s this word in Philippines 4:19, where God reminds me that He will provide all my needs according to His riches. And I can trust Him to keep His promises.

It’s only when I loose my focus of the above truth thoughts, can the fiery darts get past the threshold of my mind. As I am reminded from my book, “Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks.” FD’s 3rd edition, page 34

In conclusion, I have determined I must do two things: 1) be consistent in spending time with God daily in prayer and His word 2)Take to heart when God’s Spirit points out a truth to me. And by the way, live in the present. Allow God to take care of my future. Don’t allow worry to cloud up my days.

Dads and God

Jun9
Lead the way dads

I believe when God was in the process of creating human kind, He purposefully created the parent/child relationship as a blueprint for our relationship with Him. God desires parents, in particular fathers, to introduce their children to Him. Fathers do this by reflecting His characteristics to their children. For instance, being present in their children’s lives, expressing unconditional love towards them, exhibiting leadership qualities, instructing their children in the correct way, protecting their children, disciplining in a manner for their children’s good, providing for their children, and most in particular, modeling forgiveness. When a father models these characteristics to their children, their children get a grand introduction to their Heavenly Father.

But what if an earthly father fails to exhibit these godlike qualities to their children? Unfortunately, that is too often the case these days. We live in a world where that’s almost expected. And if we want to have an excuse for our own failures, we easily hand over the blame to the failures of our dads. When a dad isn’t able for whatever reason to sort through the godless philosophies running rampant in society then he and his children suffer. Being able to sort through what is true and what is false enables us to pass along life saving wisdom to our children.

But back to what a child can do when their dads fail them in this manner. Trench yourselves in God’s word. There you will find the necessary tips in refocusing on what to look for in a father (and how to become that kind of father). Try not to compare the failures you have been a victim of. Instead, search for a godly man that would take you under his wing.

Perhaps one of the hardest things to do will be to forgive your father for failing to introduce you to God. Find a Bible and read it! In order for any of us to have a relationship with God we must ask His forgiveness. Jesus really did exist, you know. He not only existed He took our place and paid the price for our sins. Remember, you are not fatherless. You have a Heavenly Father who will never fail you.

But the core truth here is that as children we all learn first about God via our dads. Dads are a powerful force in introducing their children to God by their day to day behavior displayed to them. And even those dads who have failed their children in this way, it’s not too late. Check out The Roman Road, there you will find the means to reclaim what was lost.

Embracing Contentment: Life Lessons in Winter – Part 2

Jun6

Initially as we approach our declining years, we find ourselves at a crossroads. It all sounds a bit overwhelming, doesn’t it, and if we aren’t careful, it will be. Personally, in comparison, the season of winter has been the most trying and challenging.

Until this season there was always the activities of caring and enjoying my family and friends, serving in my church, and teaching school. Without these fulfilling and purposeful activities, I struggled to find my purpose. I was tempted to see the road ahead as dull and unfulfilling! Yet I knew that sort of vision, if it persisted, would lead to major fiery dart attacks. I also knew that God had better plans for me.

However, the word that surfaces most often in my head these days is ‘contentment.’  I’m discovering contentment, while desirable, isn’t all that easy to come by. Nonetheless, that’s what I desire in this season. Therefore, I have persisted in my pursuit to be content. I’m finding, however, it isn’t automatic! It’s not something I can have just because it’s a better option. You know how I discovered that? Well, I direct you to:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 

Did you catch that word ‘learned?’ Well, I didn’t ‘catch’ it until I found myself in short supply of contentment. It just wasn’t happening for me to make up my mind to be content. Ugh! This was challenging. As I returned to that verse again and again, the light finally clicked on. Contentment is a learning process. I had to learn to be content. Day by day, step by step!

I’m learning in this season that every moment is holy because God is present, no matter the circumstances,  He is present with me in all my situations, even if the situations are difficult to bear. God reminds me there is no need for me to fear for He is with me; I do not have to be dismayed, for He is God, He will strengthen me and help me. His presence assures me of this, as well as His word.

While bouts of loneliness, uncertainty, and/or sadness threaten my contentment at times, I’m learning that focusing on truths like Isaiah 41:10, is a game changer. Fiery darts such as these can be conquered when contentment rules. And that is a wondrous thing to learn in the winter season of my life. Yours too, I pray!

The Winter Season of Life – Part 1

May27

One of the common characteristics of the winter season of life is facing loss. Loss of physical strength or the onset of illness takes center stage. No matter how much we fight it, our strength will wane. Additionally, the loss of those we know and love increases with the announcement of ever increasing obituaries.

Yet, here we are. The winter of life is upon us. With every loss, no matter its characteristic, we are brought closer to the reality that life here on earth is but temporary. Something the previous seasons of life kept us too occupied to consider. Until now our desire to accumulate more for ourselves was an ongoing motivation. That isn’t the case now. Decluttering and lessening the demands of our accumulations is something we give consideration to in our later years. 

For many of us, our children have ventured onto paths that have lead them to places that have placed them inconveniently out of reach. Where once our days were satisfied with caring for their needs and enjoying their presence, their absence leaves a lonely void. Whether they live nearby or far away. The harsh cold truth is, they don’t need us anymore in the same way they use to.

Formerly, the manner in which we lived our lives contributed to our fulfillment of purpose. But with retirement and an empty house, that sense of purpose or usefulness has dramatically been altered. Add that to the limitations age presents us with, either by physical decline or illness, there just isn’t a lot to look forward to.

Another lesson, much more challenging, is learning to prevent past failures and mistakes from intruding into our present. Intrusions which dictate troubling attitudes and actions. When we allow ourselves to be reminded of the regrets of our past, they will build in force. And unless we learn to counter their attacks, we will find ourselves fighting a loosing battle.

Learning how to repel the negative thoughts (you remember, Fiery Darts) in order to replace them with positive thoughts (or Truth thoughts) is a constant battle, I’m afraid. But then I’m reminded of this question from my book,  “Do I want to spend the rest of my life successfully warding off fiery darts, or do I want to remain a victim of them?” (p 65, FD 3rd Edition)

In Part Two, I will delve further into life’s winter season and offer insights as to how to clear away the clouds of uncertainty that can accompany these dark days.

Lie or Truth/Can we tell the difference?…

May5

Today I am getting back to the basics of Fiery Darts. We are awash these days in lies. I’ve heard it said, “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.” (that may be a quote from Lenin but I am confident the original source is Satan himself, the father of liars. We all have been lied to so many times, we can’t easily recognize the difference between a lie and the truth. And this has been going on ever since the Garden of Eden. We are in pretty deep, so what are we to do?

Truth exists and is never changing. As Christians we know that God is Truth. The Truth that He desires for us to know is contained within the pages of the Bible. Therefore, all we have to do in order to recognize a lie is to compare it with God’s Truth. Yet, confusion reigns, generally speaking. So what’s the problem?

The following quote from my book I believe answers my question:

During a Bible study a few years ago, it became apparent that I had a problem identifying Satan’s lies. The major reason for this was that I was not familiar enough with the Truth of God’s Word. I discovered that five-minute, intermittent devotions, for years the characteristic of my time spent with God, was equivalent to not moving beyond the infant stage and drinking only milk. I had become spiritually malnourished and did not possess the strength I needed to distinguish good from evil. pp 29-30,Fiery Darts: Satan’s Weapon of Choice, 3rd edition

Here’s what it boils down to. A Christian meandering in and out of the Bible at will, won’t be familiar enough with the Truth Thoughts contained therein. Understandably, when we are confronted with a lie our lack of familiarity with God’s Truth contributes to our not being able to recognize the lie. We will fall back to what we are most familiar with to decipher the lie. And if we are more familiar with the World’s view on the subject then we will go with that.

Prayer to thwart lies:

Dearest Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that I need your wisdom to prevent anyone from taking me captive through philosophy and empty deceit (teachings that sound impressive but contain very little substance and are not grounded in Christ’s teachings) but based on the elemental forces of the world (that would be any godless idea raised up against the knowledge of God, 2 Corinthians 10:5) and not based on Christ. (based on Colossians 2:8)

Prepare the way…

Mar24

I was listening to a song just this morning which contained the above words. The song was referring to our preparing the way for Christ. It brought to my mind the verse in Matthew 3:3 ESV describing John the Baptist “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord;…” So for me that begged the question:

How does one prepare the way for Christ?

Everyone and I mean EVERYONE goes through trials. No one is spared in this sin prone wilderness. But what is different is the manner in which we manage our trials. What does our faith look like at the end of a trial? Are we more messed up by that trial? Or are we stronger for having faced it?

We are not living in isolation on this earth. There are people all around us who watch us. If we proclaim to be a Christian, then they get particularly curious about how we handle trials. Why do we think that is? Obviously, everyone wants to overcome their trials. No one wants to be done it by them. So we go on the look out for someone who not only survives a trial but is the stronger and wiser for having gone through it.

It’s the exercise of enduring the trial that produces increased strength and wisdom. And that’s the person we want to examine. A person that doesn’t put on a fake front. A person that isn’t afraid to be real. A person that turns to God’s word to expose the lies (fiery darts) of the enemy. This exposure replaces the lies that breed hopelessness with God’s truths that inspire hope.

Therefore our question is answered. We prepare the way for Christ as we lean in to God’s truths during the trials we inevitably will face in life. Thereby, showing others the way to bring light into the darkness, to bring freedom to the captives, to restore the broken-hearted, to bring hope to the hopeless, to comfort all who mourn…