Centered on Self

Bless our hearts. We are just so self-centered by nature it is a wonder we don't just wander in circles. I was just amazed by the Sunday School lesson today and have come to realize how close-minded and one dimensional of a thinker I am.

If you would have asked me a week ago to describe everything in existence, I would have given you a pretty kindergarten answer:

There is God up there, people here, and the devil down there.

If you would have asked me what spiritual warfare was, I would have also given you a pretty kindergarten answer:

*Kindergartners are brilliant by the way...ha ha!

Spiritual warfare is the struggle between good and evil in me. When I put on the armour of God, I am preparing to battle the bad in me and in the world.

NOPE. NADA. UH HUH. NO. WRONG.

From Genesis to Revelation, angels are mentioned over and over and over. Angels are God's special messengers. Fallen angels are demons. Angels are described as having the face of man. There have been times when they talked with people. They have been sent to destroy cities. They are being used today to protect nations such as Israel. They are at times mentioned by name: Michael and Gabriel.

Even in scripture, it was uncommon for people to speak with an angel. Even today, we do not hear that is happening. Why? Well, I believe people believe what they see and establish relationships with those they communicate with often. If we were to see and speak with angels today, I believe we would worship them. I know I would. I can just see myself wearing some crystals, burning some incense, and waiting on my next visitation. Not because I would be crazy, but because my goodness, how could you NOT worship something so cool!

Spiritual warfare is the battle raging between the good and evil forces of God and the Devil. It rages around us, over us, and unfortunately at times through us. We need the armour of God to protect us from evil we don't even know is there. I am not talking mumbo jumbo, hocus pocus here. I am sharing info that is plain as day spelled out in the Word of God. We are not alone, and I'm also not talking aliens here. There is God, there are angels, there are demons, there are Christians, and there are the lost. Remember, we Christians are a little supernatural ourselves. We do embody the Holy Spirit.

Twilight is great. I have heard Avatar was wonderful, but ya'll, we cannot even imagine the wonder, power, and glory of our immortal God, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End and the Holy War that wages both seen and unseen.

God wins the war. Don't let Satan even have one battle in your life! Oh, and check out Ephesians 6. In the armour of God, there is but one weapon. The rest is for protection. Do you know what that weapon is...THE WORD OF GOD. There is no point in carrying around a gun that is not loaded. There is also no point in carrying around a Bible you never open!!!

Layered Love

I need to stop and pray before I start. I have so much to say, but I don't want to ramble on and on and miss the big picture.

God has blessed me so...especially lately...and is teaching me so much in the process which I imagine was the point to begin with. Before becoming a Christian, I rarely enjoyed moments because I lived in the past and the future. You know what I mean? My mind was always reliving yesterday and dreading what tomorrow may bring. After becoming a Christian, I soon began to see how important it is to live for today...for the moment. We cannot relive a moment, and we cannot know for certain what may happen tomorrow. We can; however, live and love each and every day.

Now here is where I don't want to ramble. I have recently realized I am a very one dimensional thinker and liver. I live for today. I want to be a blessing to others. I want to be a light to others for Christ. Nothing wrong with those aspirations. In fact, I probably lifted them from the apostle Paul. Here is the beauty and wonder of God. He is layered. He is multi-dimensional. God may send me to be a light, but in the same place and in the same moment He can send someone to me to be a light. God may put me somewhere to encourage and be a blessing to others, WHILE AT THE SAME MOMENT, I am being encouraged and being blessed!!!

Do you see how beautiful that is? How wonderful to love and to be loved all at once!!! It is so important we use our spiritual gifts in ministry...to grow the Church...to add to those gaining salvation. It is also so important we allow ourselves to be ministered to by others!!! God wants to love through and through. He wants us to love, to be loved on, and the whole time His love is like a third layer!

Yes, we are to go and do. We are also to receive. Maybe that is why some of us burn out at times. We do and do and love and love, but we forgot to stop and be loved, be prayed for, be held...not just by God Himself, but by one another.

WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US!

Go-To People

I think we all have go-to people. You know...that corp group who you run to when there is a big decision, a crisis, or a problem to be solved. I really didn't realize how greatly influenced I am by my go-to people until a few days ago. As most of you know, Beth Moore is my favorite author of Bible studies, and yes, she is also one of few authors I have studied. She just has a way of saying things that cause light bulbs to go off in my head. I don't remember right this second if what I was reading came from her blog or a feature in a magazine, but the gist of it was something like as follows: some of us are all wrapped up in anger. We can't move on because wrongs haven't been righted. Justice has not been served. As a result, we just keep reliving the situation. Well, it is time to stop being held hostage by your own anger. Just cut it loose. Close the door. Walk away from it. It is high time it is over.

I read those words and thought, "Whew! Amen, sister! I wish I had read that about 5 years ago!" As soon as I, not only thought these things, but literally felt relieved, I knew I was in trouble. Why in the world would someone I have never even met have such an ability to sway my thoughts and emotions? This incident was not the first time I've ever had closure over a major life event due some three or fours words said by Beth Moore. I started wondering who else has such impact in my life. I began to think of my go-to people. Yes, I have them...am married to one of them. If I have a decision to make or am concerned over whether I've made the right decision, there are certain people I want to talk to. In addition, sometimes these people will see something in my life and feel compelled to say, "I think you need to let this one go, Heather." Most of the time, I will follow suit with their suggestions.

As I went down the list, I came to the STARTLING realization I had not included God. I could not even breathe in that moment. My churchy head screamed, "If anyone ought to be on this list, it should be God Almighty!" My heart pounded, "Search me. You know you have not been searching for answers in the Lord. Oh, you pray and you read Scriptures, but you were never really expecting answers." The Spirit cried out to my soul, "We have missed you. We have been waiting for you."

Ya'll the bottom line is I know well my go-to people. I know their likes and dislikes, their humor, their opinions. In time, I have come to trust them and love them. I am comfortable in their presence. I know they are genuine. I know them and am more intimate with them than I am God. It should not be this way. Before I started raking myself over the coals, truth spoke and said, "You have only known Me for six years. You know Me better than you did a year ago, a month ago, a day ago."

Instead of being devastated I am encouraged. I have been broken to the point of being real instead of the paper machete image the world wants to create of me. God knows my heart. He know where I am spiritually, and now so do I. The apostle Paul encouraged us to run the race. It takes time, stamina, and commitment. The reward is greater that anything known to man - an intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father. I have now consciously placed Him in my go-to group. He leaves it up to me to do so. I look forward to the day when He is the indisputable #1. It will happen, and when it does I will wonder at what point it occurred. By that point though, I'll just know Him so well I really can't even remember Him not being my go-to all along.

Praise God for His love, mercy, and patience!

Stop Analyzing; Start Praying

Surrendering to God is the most amazing thing. Just when I think I am humble, surrendered, strong in my faith, something happens to show me how far from surrendered I truly am. Although getting closer and closer to facedown before the throne of God, I have a long, long, long way to fall. Interesting how being facedown normally involves a fall, but that is a blog for another day.

Today, maybe for the very first time, I made a decision solely based on the feeling I had while praying about a particular issue. Prior to same, I would have told you I made decisions all the time out of prayer. UNTRUE!!! I make a list of pros and cons, analyze and re-analyze various scenarios regarding the decision to be made, pray, and then select the option with the longest list of pros. Honey, that decision did not come from the Spirit. That decision came from my over-active mind. Yes, I prayed, but my pro and con list comes from the world.

Today, I made a major decision based strictly on the feeling of peace I had when praying about the matter...EVEN THOUGH IT DIDN'T HAVE THE LONGEST LIST OF PROS. In addition, my choice was of lesser financial result!!! Look out my own, little, personal Babylon. You may be crumbling!!!

Oh, what amazing things God has revealed to me in recent weeks. If we realize our flesh (which includes the mind) and Spirit are two different things, then we must look to separate the two when making decisions. Maybe making more money is how God intends to bless us; however, maybe making less money is how God intends on blessing us! How do we know? Pray, and then find that peace that transcends all understanding. Yes, God created us with intelligence to make lists of pros and cons, but He also gives us discernment in order to be wise in making decisions with the help of the Spirit.

I have said I believe. Yet, my life was not reflecting I believed in the Ancient of Days loving me, longing to bless me, being the provider in my life and the life of my family. God has given us His Word to reveal everything we need to be as close to Him as possible while here on earth. His Word and prayer will reveal what His will is every time. Don't pray and then kick your mind in overdrive. Remember, fear, doubt, worry, anxiety are not of God. Those things are of the flesh kicked into turbo speed thanks to this crazy world! Opt for the peace that transcends understanding. Today, I made a decision which makes absolutely no sense. In fact, I will be criticized by those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. That is O.K. because with my crazy decision comes no fear, no worry, no anxiety. Tonight, I am wrapped in the grace and love of the Only One who really has any control!!!

Truth

Sometimes we hear "church things, words, or phrases" so often they lose their affect. We come to know truth, but then we begin to take truth for granted. Anytime we take something or someone for granted, that person or thing loses its influence. Today's Sunday school lesson was so powerful because it brought to mind truths that are imperative to the lives of Christians. I would just like to share some points and ask you to really pray, meditate, and reevaluate your Christianity or your search for Truth and The Way if your are not a Christian.

Romans Ch. 1-4
1.) human sinfulness prevents anyone from obtaining salvation by good works. None of us can be good enough or do enough good things to counter the sin in each of our lives.

2.) God is able to declare righteousness ONLY for those who have accepted Jesus as the Messiah.



Only the saved can lead lives that please God. (That seems so simple. Yet think of all those you know who are lost. Think of all that lost potential to please God Almighty.)



Christians live in a CONSTANT battle of tug-of-war: the flesh (our humanity) vs. the spirit (our spirituality). There is a constant choice between what would Jesus do, and what will I do.
As a result, we should remove things in our lives that gives the flesh the upper hand. These things are many: movies, T.V., music, alcohol, drugs, sex outside of relations with your spouse, gambling, gossipping, hate.... The list goes on and on. In addition, we don't ALL have the same lists. What may tempt me may not phase you. We all need to spend some time in prayer asking God to reveal to us things that are suffocating our spiritual well-being.

Do you ever doubt? Is there REALLY a God? Is He really in control? Am I really saved? On the other hand, are there times you are so sure about God, the Word, and your salvation you would do anything for its cause and spread? How and why do we have such extreme swings in thought? Flesh vs. Spirit. Doubt comes from the human side of us. Truth comes from the Spirit.
Isn't that so simple, yet so powerful and wonderful?

2 Corinthians 4:4 Who is the god of this age? Satan. If you are a Christian, you are sealed by the Spirit. Satan cannot take over your mind like he can those who are lost. So, what in the world does Satan want with you? He doesn't want your soul. He wants your ministry. He does not want you to lead even one person to Christ. How much effect/affect is Satan having in your life?

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 Are there divisions in the church? Unfortunately, there are. Do you ever wonder how those with the mind of Christ can have division? NOT EVERYONE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THE GOSPELS!!! Think about it. I'm still learning. The Word is still being revealed to me. What about you?

Thanks for letting me ramble. I just felt today's lesson was too good not to share!

Tangible

I am not a visual person, nor do I have an ounce of artistic ability in my body. My stick man even looks like a very bad attempt at modern art. I love words though! Yet, I am not one of those people who pictures what I read as in an actual image. For me it is more of an idea, thought, something unseen captured. Try as I might, and I have tried VERY hard for a VERY long time, I cannot picture God. Is He really on the throne of grace? What does that look like? Does He sit on the seat of mercy? Well, of course He does. Scripture is quite clear on that. I just cannot picture it. Is God huge? Like literally would this planet or even galaxy fit in His palm? Is He a nice 6 ft 232 lbs? Are we literally made in His image?

When I pray, I try to get a picture of Him. Prayer time is supposed to be our one on one time with Him. I try to conjure up something glorious and magnificent. I describe Him with as many words as I can list (long list my friends). The image will not come. The attempt makes me feel like I don't know Him. At this point, I switch gears and direct my attention to Jesus. I have watched enough Nat Geo to conjure up a pretty good mental picture of a Middle Eastern man. The gospels also tell us the life of Jesus. I can see Him, plus I know His life story. My prayers now become much more personal, informal, intimate. Maybe it should not be that way, but for me it is. After awhile of directing my prayers to Jesus, I feel like I am neglecting the Almighty. It seems my faith is weak and my unbelief is too big. So, I plunge back into prayerful dialogue with Holy. At least Jesus is Holy within humanity...more relatable.

I believe the above thoughts, plus my love of words, letters, grammar, language, is why the Bible is so vital to me spiritually. If you were to ask me to name my two favorite things in school, number one would be sentence diagramming (which we need to get back to before the whole planet is incapable of writing), and number two would be conjugating verbs in multiple languages. I studied English (of course), German, Spanish, and French. Just the thought of -0, -as, -a, -amos, -ais, -an feels like I took a sedative....aaaahhh. The Bible; however, is not just bookcovers, pages, words. It is God breathed. It is holy. It is alive. It changes the lives and hearts of those who read and understand. It is prophecy. It is fulfillment. It is guidance.

I can hold the Bible. I can lay my hand on the page and wonder what the words will do for me today. Jesus is the Word made flesh. Sometimes, I need to touch to believe. Sometimes I need affirmation so not to doubt. Sometimes, well a lot of the time, I need to see it in black and white. Scripture does all those things.

Maybe you are reading this and think I'm crazy and in need of a decade of good ol' VBS (which I do by the way). Maybe though, you are like me and are somewhat overwhelmed by the Ancient of Days. So much so, you are losing that sense of intimacy...the personal in what should be the most personal relationship you have. Hold your Bible. Read it. Take a nap with it opened and covering your face. Let the Word of God soak into the very fabric of who you are. While I can't see God, I know He is patient, oh so patient. He will let you spend every day, all your days, being changed just at the right speed for you by His Holy Word.

God created you with a certain make-up. I believe He did that for many reasons, one being in how we communicate with Him...musically, visually, literally, in service. Don't discard the power of communicating with God. We could be back in the days of Leviticus when we would have to have a priest as a mediator. There is no more mediator. There is you and God via prayer, praise, worship, obedience, and HIS WORD. The more I read, the more that is revealed. One day, I know, I will blown away by the big picture and every tiny detail in between.