Holy Wednesday

Holy Wednesday juxtaposes two different heart postures. On one hand you have Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead. On the other hand, you have Judas, who is the one that will betray Jesus.  Mary breaks open her alabaster box that holds a very expensive perfumed oil. She pours it over Jesus's feet and washes them with her hair. She knows what lies ahead for him because her heart is fixed on him. Judas sees this act and becomes indignant that the money could have been used for the poor and she just wasted it! He storms out yet Mary stays at his feet. Just like many other examples in the Bible where it shows us that we have two choices. To stay and follow the Lord or to turn and go our own way. You can stay at the Lord's table or you can walk away. Those decisions though, also determine our eternal life. Will you open your eyes and your heart to God's great gift of his son? Or, Will you shake your head, and close yourself off as you turn away from him and go do things your own way? Mary had her eyes fixed on Jesus, whereas, Judas had his eyes fixed on self. Where you focus is where you'll be. 

Holy Tuesday

Holy Tuesday/Fig Tuesday 

Imagine a scene where you knew you didn't have much longer to live. You would want to be around your loved ones, your conversations would be more on the serious side. You would want to tell them so many things that you learned in life and about how to handle things that are to come. This is the shift that has happened between Palm Sunday, a time of celebration, to the week before our beloved Savior goes to the cross. You can pick up on the sense of urgency when he speaks about the fig tree which represents Israel. I encourage you to look up the story of the fig tree and what it means. 

But, for today I want our eyes to be on how much passion Christ had about having to leave his beloved followers, especially his disciples. His words toward them are still instructive yet with much more intensity. His eyes are fixed on each of theirs. He knows each of them so intimately, their quirks, downfalls,  weaknesses, strengths etc. I can imagine his heart in constant intercessory prayer to the Father for them.

With Christ being "all God"  he knows that he's leaving the Holy Spirit to be with them, to guide them. However, with Christ also being "all human", he doesn't want to leave his buddies. Their hearts are connected. This is his crew. His closest friends. The human part of him does not want to leave them. The human part of him knows what's coming in a few days, yet, if not for his Father holding him together, I think his heart would have just burst open right then and there.

And we can't forget about the protagonists in this story. The Pharisees and the other chief priests.  They were out for Jesus and trying every trick in the book to trip him up. However, his words to them are hot, fiery arrows meant to pierce their cold and ruthless hearts. He calls out their greed, wickedness and pride, publicly. Which makes them want to kill him even more! 

This intensely emotional saga of the week before Jesus's death is too much to bear if you allow yourself to feel it. I think about what it might be like to lose my dearest friend or my husband. As debilitating that thought is to me it doesn't even compare to Holy Week for Christ.

Holy Monday

Holy Monday. The area where the merchants were was the area where gentiles and foreigners were supposed to be able to come to God. But the greedy Jewish elite took that space and set up booths to sell the sacrifices like sheep and doves. They took the space that was meant for everyone to be able to come to God and occupied it with greed. By Jesus flipping those tables, he was telling the world that no one would ever be able to do that again because he would be the ultimate sacrifice. Everyone would be able to come to God through him!

Palm Sunday

Rescue Heart

I was just thinking about those special people that save animals. They not only do the easy rescues but they have the special gift where they can be patient while an animal is terrified or they'll even let an animal bite them or scratch them. They'll still stay there until they can rescue them. That's how it is with Jesus. Some just swing the door of their heart open to him and they are so grateful that he's offering to save them. Others, are sometimes paralyzed to even be able to move toward him but he will not leave. He will stay until you feel safe. Then, there's the ones that kick and scream, bite and scratch. They dig their heels in and fight. But our loving Lord will wait as long as it takes. He will let them act out but he will never leave them. He never gives up on any soul. In the end we all have to make our choice whether to let him in or to reject him. All he wants to do is love you. And, all the things that you're afraid that he's going to take away or make you do, are just lies from Satan. I used to blame God for all my troubles. Now, I put the blame squarely where it belongs and that is on Satan. He causes everything that's bad because of the sinful world that we live in. Instead of blaming God, I thank God for being the one who is there with me through all of this pain and suffering. Because my hope is in him and his promises. To all those people who rescue those animals that even bite you. I just want you to know that I see God in you. You are a special breed and so needed in this world! I pray that whoever reads this, would soften their heart and accept the free gift of love through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. We will all be re-homed one day and you have a choice of where you will go. May you choose wisely. ❤️🙏🏼❤️

For Such a Time as This

The book of Esther in the old testament is a story that should open our eyes to the sovereignty and goodness of God. He sees the beginning of time, the end of time and all that is in between. Most importantly he sees the hearts of all people. He works his perfect will out as he uses people in fantastic ways. 

I'm not writing today's post as a teaching about The book of Esther but rather I'm using it as an example of how God works things together for our good. (Romans 8:28),  "²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose." I do encourage you to read the book of Esther on your own. To glean the insight of how God works in all situations.

This morning during my Bible time I began to think about my life and how God has used me. The Holy Spirit began to fill my mind with moments from my past. Don't get me wrong I have made a tremendous amount of mistakes. However, God turned what Satan meant for evil into good (Genesis 50:20). I'm not going to focus right now on the things that I did that were not good. I am going to put the spotlight on how God used a broken young woman to bring about eternal things. Just like all of the broken and flawed people that God chose to do his work through in the past (Moses, Gideon...). To this day he continues to use those of us that are imperfect to bring about his will.

One of the ways that God used me was to be a legacy changer in my family. I was such a young Christian and so unaware but he used me to share my faith with my family. First, my mom and my sisters and then my dad and my brother. All of them came to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and were baptized. It changed the trajectory of my family in an eternal way. I think about the hundreds and hundreds of people that I have shared Jesus with and how I know God is working in their lives and the lives that they've touched also..

The Holy Spirit kept bringing to my mind all of these little moments in my life where he used me to intercede for people. Moments that I don't even know how they worked out but I know that God used me and he is continuing the process. We cannot even fathom the breadth and depth of God's hand in the lives of Christians.

So many of us spend so much time dragging the past along with us, worrying about the future and thinking about how inadequate we are when we should be thinking about how God uses flawed people to his glory. It's not about us, it's about him working through us. His strength being implemented through our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). It's not about how we do anything. It's about him getting all the glory for working all of these Divine moments together for the glory of his name and the expansion of his eternal kingdom. What an honor it is that the God of the universes works through our imperfect lives to bring about eternal glories.

I want us to stop and think about how much of the past we drag along into the next day and how that burden weighs us down. How much worry about the future bears down on us each day because we invite it into our minds?? How much of our inner dialogue tells us that we're not worthy or that we are not important enough for God's work? How many thoughts do we entertain about being useless or not meant for great things? 

Surrendering our day to God and learning how to be present in the moment is freedom and blessing. Knowing that in the most unnoticed ways God is using us if we ask him to. Then, there will be those times when we know that he used us! We realize how much worth we have in him and what a privilege and honor it is to be used and to work beside the Lord of Lords. Sometimes, it's not about one big moment that God uses us. Although, that may be the case, we have to also acknowledge that he is using us all the time. I think back on times when I overheard a conversation in a store and I never forgot what one of those people said and what a profound influence it had on my life. I also recall moments of kindness that were shown to me that changed me as a person and I passed it forward. It says in Matthew 10:42, "And whoever gives to one of these little ones [these who are humble in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water to drink because he is my disciple, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.” I've told this story before but my sister who lives in California was sitting in the backseat of their car on an extremely hot day with her handicap son. They were waiting for her husband who ran something into the store to return. Across the alley was a drinking water truck delivering water. The man brought over some bottles of water because he saw my sister sitting in the car. He did exactly what that scripture above says. My sister and I have never forgotten that act of kindness. We tell so many people about that and how amazing God is. He works through people to bless others. That's just one example. I have hundreds of those stories but I think you know what I'm talking about.

So, every one of us was knit together in our mother's womb and God knew us before we were even born (Psalm 139). He has a specific purpose for each of our lives. The Bible says when we draw near to God he draws near to us. Draw near to him today and invite him to work through you. There is someone out there who needs a cup of water. There are people who are so close to giving up and your one act of kindness can turn their life around. You can be a legacy breaker in your family, a person who takes the lead on a project when no one else will step up, a person who brings a smile and a good word with them as they go through their day. Making others feel seen and heard. The list goes on and on regarding how God can use you.

You were born for such a time as this. You are here for a reason and if you feel unsure about that, God invites you to draw near to him. Be sure that you have invited him into your heart as your Lord and Savior. Ask him to forgive your sins and to move you forward into his purpose for your life. Spend time reading your Bible, getting connected with other Christians, doing Bible studies and devotionals etc. You were meant for something that has amazing eternal value because God created you. Go to him with boldness and confidence to find the reason why you're here on this earth for such a time as this. 

1st Corinthians chapter 13 reads, "If I speak in human and angelic tongues^* but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.^a

2And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.^b

3If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.^c

4^* Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated,^d

5it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,^e

6it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.^f

8^* Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.

9For we know partially and we prophesy partially,

10but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

11When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things.

12At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.^g

13^* So faith, hope, love remain, these three;^h but the greatest of these is love.

Love=Charity

In 1st John 4:8&16 it says, "God is love." Just as it says in 1st Corinthians chapter 13, we can do acts of kindness but unless they're done in love, which means in the name of Jesus, they are nothing but a clanging symbol. 

Good deeds do not get eternal wings unless they are done in the name of Jesus.

Shameless Audacity

How then should we pray? 

Luke 11:5-11, [5] Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; [6] a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ [7] And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ [8] I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. [9]  “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [11]  “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 

[13] If you then, though you are unrighteous, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

God does not want us to be timid children who are afraid to ask him for anything. This scripture makes it so clear that he wants us to have a shameless audacity when we come to him.  It also says in Hebrews 4:16, believers are encouraged to approach God's throne of grace with confidence and without fear to receive mercy and find timely help. 

God loves bold faith!!! 

Another attribute that he loves is tenacity. Which is told in the story of the widow and the Judge. The Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) is a story told by Jesus to encourage believers to pray consistently without giving up. A persistent widow repeatedly asks an unjust, godless judge for justice against her adversary, eventually forcing him to grant her request to avoid being worn out by her. (I love that🤣)

Boldness, faithfulness, persistence, unrelentlessness, audaciousness, expectance, pure childlike belief... When we pray, the Lord expects us to come before him and have a heart that sees him as our loving and generous Father, who lavishes upon us the good things his heart desires for us. 

I have learned to come boldly before my Father in the name of Jesus, filled with the trust that the Holy Spirit gives me to lay my request before him. I joyfully expect him to answer My requests in his way and in his timing as he knows what is best for me. I do end every prayer with, "If it be your will my Lord.", because there are things that I may ask for, but, he has a better answer to give me than what I even expected. Knowing that he may alter my request because he knows what is best doesn't stop me from boldly going before the throne of God with my requests. Also, as we mature in our faith our prayers begin to align with his will, so we can pray more boldly.

I know this topic can be confusing but like I said above, don't let anything stop you from the shameless audacity of going boldly before the throne of your Father with your requests. After leaving them there, we have to trust that he knows what's best, that he cares deeply about our feelings and our requests and that he hears us and will act according to our best interest. 

Remember that it is God's invitation to you through the word to come to him with shameless audacity, boldness, relentlessness, tenacity etc. 

James 1:6, describes a person who lacks faith as unstable, double-minded, and easily tossed by circumstances. Just as wind-driven waves are constantly changing direction and unsettled, a doubting person lacks firm conviction and should not expect to receive answers to prayer. 

God loves you and cares about you more than you will ever understand. So take your request to him like a bold little child with a believing heart, and trust him that he will do what's best for you.

Faith is something that will give you the strength to keep going when everything else tells you to stop. 

Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but instead, use prayer, petition, and thanksgiving to present your requests to God in every situation. 

You are a child of the most high King, not a beggar and it would serve you well to remember that.

It's Laundry Day

Do you ever wonder why certain thoughts roll around in your head over and over, day after day, month after month... It seems like they just won't go away. I believe this is God's way of helping us process injustice. 

Nothing in life hurts more than rejection and unfairness. They seem to stick stronger than any glue in our minds and prove to be the hardest to resolve. 

In my prayers this morning I was addressing this topic with the Lord. He put in my mind a vision of a washing machine and spoke to me that these thoughts that roll around in our head can be cleansed through his Holy Spirit. Our mind is like the washing machine and the Holy Spirit agitates these thoughts. (Jesus is the detergent). Allowing God to begin a healing process. The more we surrender any bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness etc., the faster the washing cycle goes. These thoughts roll around in our head because we, in our spirit of "self",  have a hard time trusting God to bring justice to these situations. The act of us holding onto these thoughts and toying with them is our prideful instinct to think that we can get justice somehow. That we can rush the process along because we just simply want to feel better. We don't want to feel the pain of the situation any longer than we have to. It's all about him, not we or us or me. We only have the ability to be tormented by our thoughts. Whereas, he is fully able to renew our mind.

God, in his great wisdom, patiently waits for us to wear ourselves out. Then, when we have exhausted ourselves and we finally turn to him, he will release the pause button and continue the wash cycle. The sooner we surrender the quicker he cleans that stuff out of us. 

What torments your brain, then,  vexes your heart and then, cripples your purpose. Surrender is the key that unlocks the door to freedom. 

Galatians 5:1, "For it is for freedom that Christ has set you free! Stand firm then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." 

In my prayers this morning I asked God to remove pieces of flesh, my selfish flesh from my heart and to replace it with the flesh of his heart. I basically am so tired from battling these thoughts. It's such a relief to just fall into his arms. 

Do you trust him to catch you?