Change of Plans

I feel my life has been a series of events to bring me to this moment.  If you read my prayer journal, you will see this a lot...."Will you follow me anywhere? Will you worship Me anywhere? Even if its not considered glamorous by man's standards, if its in the quiet of your home, if its only for Me?" 

Of course I say "Yes, Lord, I love you and I only want to be where You are, no matter where that is."

For the last several years, He has been taking me to places I was not comfortable.  These experiences challenged every fruit of the spirit, my discipline, my trust in the Lord.  I continued to answer my Lord with "yes."  I'll be honest to say, it wasn't always a loud shout of confidence or joy, its not easy to be selfless or to be forced to look at your true self and motivations.  I do have to trust that wherever He leads is the best place for me.  There is no safer place than in His will and no fruitful place apart from His presence.

I have to give up my vision of His plan.  I have to deal with my desire to please man and to be found worthy by the world.  I want to be great, we all do, its a desire place there by God.  How I measure greatness must only be held against God's definition, and its not usually a place of high profile or lots of attention.

  Last week the Lord asked again, and I say "Absolutely, both feet in."  He responded "NOW, TURN HARD RIGHT!"  Seriously, it was as abrupt as I've ever experienced God.

As I turned, I saw a huge expanse of a room, full of an opportunity I had never seen myself in before. Looking at what lays before me I know will take extreme courage, trust, and an abundant amount of love.  All of which will never occur with out holding on tight and running hard after Jesus.  I thank the Lord He has been so gentle in the process, and I can see how He was working when I wasn't even paying attention.  He is so gentle, never pushing us farther than we can go, but its not with out challenges or discomfort.

I am human, I fight the urge to panic, to fear, and to take control, but I have confidence in the love of my Jesus, will trust and know that I don't have to know all the plans, for He is working for me.  And thus begins our home school journey.  In the quiet of my home.  "Yes Lord, I will follow you anywhere, I will worship you in the quiet of my home.  I will, because you are here and you are good"  Its not considered "glamorous" by mans standards, by all means its not a position of attention, but it is the place the Lord has called me to and in His presence there is greatness of many things.

Ephesians 3:12-21

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹² in whom we have boldness and ^[a]confident access through faith ^[b]in Him. ¹³ Therefore I ask ^[c]you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, ^[d]for they are your glory.
 ¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom ^[e]every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the ^[f]saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
 ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, ²¹ to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations ^[g]forever and ever. Amen.

Survive or Thrive?

Most days I feel completely happy if I have survived it.  If I was able to weather my daily chores and errands, manage to get through my daughter's ample supply of irrationalities, and the hours of schooling my boys, it was a success.  I often give advice to new mothers "Its all about survival."  True, to a point.  But lately I have been encouraged.  I can have more that just making it through.

John 10:9-11

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁹I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.
    ¹⁰The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it ^[a]overflows).
    ¹¹I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.
 

Romans 5:17

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁷For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

So many times I settle for survival.  But here in Romans it says that when I accept the gift through Jesus I will live and reign as a king through Him.  I've seen how some  kings lived, they had abundance.  I'm not talking about "stuff."  I'm talking about life, abundant life.  Abundance is marked by an ample supply, great plenty, more than you need, a life that is so full and secure in the life that Jesus has brought you into that you ooze it all over everyone else. 

I wanted to get a clear picture of how life was determined.  I looked to the dictionary: An organismic state of characterised by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction.  The quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body.  With life we are able to react, grow, and have a vital (meaning: existing as a manifestation of life, full of life and vigor, tending to renew or refresh the living) function. Its far beyond survival, but abundant life is impossible without Jesus.  We must not try to live this life out of abundance on our own, the only hope of abundance lies in our relationship with Jesus.  There is nothing more I can do to create more vigor, only through the Holy Spirit will my life thrive (grow vigorously, progress towards a goal despite my circumstances, flourish, and prosper)

Isaiah 44:3-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ³ For I will pour out water to quench your thirst
      and to irrigate your parched fields.
   And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants,
      and my blessing on your children.
 ⁴ They will thrive like watered grass,
      like willows on a riverbank.
 ⁵ Some will proudly claim, ‘I belong to the Lord.’
      Others will say, ‘I am a descendant of Jacob.’
   Some will write the Lord’s name on their hands
      and will take the name of Israel as their own.”

Holding out, or Holding on?

I've said it before, but obedience is bliss, not ignorance.  In ignorance you do not see, there is only what you perseve.  In obedience there is a true sight, the opportunity to see who God truly is through a clear lense and not through the eyes of the fleshly character.

My husband has been searching for a new position with in Wells Fargo.  For months he has been waiting for God to show us what to do.  Recently he began applying for jobs, praying for favor and direction.  We would pray that God would close doors that shouldn't be opened and make the path clear.  Then an amazing opportunity arose and Lewis was one of the last two vying for the position.  Due to an HR technicality, he wasn't able to accept the position, even thought the manager said he really liked him. 

We were crushed.  Through our human eyes, our fleshly ignorant lense, we felt like God had let us down.  (Just like humans can sometimes do.)  We were looking at God and reacting to Him like in a human relationship(ie: because I let others down, I feel like God lets me down).  We thought "we are faithful, this job would have been such a blessing for our family."  We were confused and even angry.

I got upset and honest with the Lord.  He asked me to confront some issues with our finances, I had to be honest with myself and with my husband.  I had to take responsibility for some things that I didn't want to even look at.  It wasn't fun, and God is still working with me.

I was then able to see.  God reminded me that He isn't holding out on me, He is holding onto me(just because I hold back with others, doesn't mean God does).  He was waiting for obedience, honesty with Him and ourselves.  I knew that no matter what what it looked like, God has what is best for me.  Even if its not conveneint, easy, or what I had in mind.

We kept praying and seeking God's favor and wisdom.  This last week Lewis was presented with not one job offer but two.  He was able to choose, and we can now see how this place the Lord brought us is far better than the place we would have brought ourselves.  We are so impatient, but the Lord holds us back for what is better.  He isn't holding out, He is holding on. 

"Just another thing I do"

I love the words of wisdom from Oswald Chambers, the problem comes in desiphering it.  His studies are usually wordy and creates an amazing enviroment for picking, processing, and really digging deeper.  I'm not objecting to this in any way, but the season of my life makes this process painfully slow.  I can maybe get one devotional done a week, and I still feel I'm lacking the internal processing that I love so much.  My mind feels bombarded by other issues which seem far less important, but are ever present.  You know, the dishes, kids neeing water, taking little ones potty, and teaching a 5 year old to read.  Okay, so after I listed it, I guess there is some merrit there.  But I feel that there is no consistancy in my daily devotion.  I'm grabbing bits and peices thorugh out the day and I some days have almost no focus on the things of Heaven. 

Anyway, my point is, I feel so very off from where I'd like to be.  Then the good ol' O.C. reminded me today, (well, actually November 14 if you want to go here and read it) that it is very easy to make consistancy with the Lord a fetish.  To just go about our things in an empty, imitation of a relationship with God and more as an instinct.  There is nothing wrong with consistancy, but if we look at the life of Jesus, there was never a more inconsistant being; but He was never inconsistant with he Father. 

This life leaves tons of room for consistancy (mundane everyday stuff), but I guess I can thank God that I have to search Him out.  I have to make time, find time, and sometimes steal time in order to be with Him.  I'm able to take my mundane activities of consistancy and I get to turn them into meetings with my maker.  Dishes become a worship service, just ask my kids- they are usually yelling at me to be quiet.  Folding clothes becomes a time of prayer over the one who wears the garments, every bite of their food holds a blessing. 

I feel God asking me, you will worship and follow me in the fanatical things;  thats the fun part.  Now follow me in the quietness and consistancy of your home life, but don't make it consistant, don't make it boring, don't make it "just another thing I do." 

First Father

Psalm 89:26
He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.’
God chose the role of Father and gave it to Himself before anyone else.  This sacrifical role is something our society has failed to see value in.  If this is a position, a title God bestowed upon Himself, there must be honor and an authority bestowed to each man who holds this position in his home.

Under Construction

What is the busiest room in your house?  Ours is the kitchen.  For as small as it is, it sure works hard.  We revamped our kitchen several years back, when Jack was just a toddler.  Our cabinets were a mess, our fridge was in our living room for a few days and it was all paper plates all the time.  Come to think about it, its still all paper plates all the time.  That's besides the point.

Its not easy dealing with renovations.  There is a lot of labor on our part, countless hours of work.  And while we work on renewing our spaces, they don't quite work to their full potential.  Like a fridge in the living room, or missing appliances, counters, sinks, you just can't fully function and use the space the way it was created to be used.

A little over a year ago, God gave me a dream of Him remodeling a bathroom.  I literally saw His hands restoring a bathroom.  He was making it better, making it new.  That is a big reason why my blog is titles "Daily Restoration."  God needs to be able to restore us daily, we need to allow the Spirit to change the appliances and counter tops when He sees fit.  We should be always changing and moving with the Spirit.  The little changes are difficult to work around(like painting walls), but its only a small hindrances in our functionality and are thankfully quick work.

But then there are times in our lives when God does a major overhaul.  He guts the house, rips out the toilets, and the plumbing.  This is when we find it very difficult to use the house of God the way He made it.  This is usually when we start asking God if we are any use at all.  "What is my purpose?  I have no use."  Just as a house that is under major restoration, is not very functional in it original purpose.  There are times when we are under God's construction, that we will not be used in our gifting or purpose.   

This is only for a time.  Usually construction ends with celebration, and great joy, and a long nap.  When God restores us, we will be brought back better than before, and with greater purpose, and better function.  Because when God restores His house, He won't just make it look like it used to, He will make it better!

Righteous Recieving

Living in America is a sure way to be unsatisfied.  We are inundated with marketing on t.v., bragging from co-workers, and Target.  I try to avoid Target unless I'm truly in need, I work at home so I can dodge the co-worker bit, but t.v. does get to me, so I don't watch too much.  Still, sometimes I want.

Our church has begun reading Crazy Love, and Radical, I haven't yet, but our discussions have been about going to the extreme with Jesus.  He wants us to be loving others to the extent that He does, and he just might ask us to sell every last piece of our "American Dream" and give it to the poor.  What do I do with that?  In a society that is based on stuff?  I didn't grow up rich, I was middle class.  I wouldn't call myself materialistic, but I do have kids I want to bless, but I don't want them to find joy in things, but instead in giving.  Is it wrong to want pretty things, to decorate my house and enjoy my life? 

So I'm getting honest, I'm evaluating my life and deciding if I truly have more than I need.  There is enough outflow of cash on groceries to keep a small country going, so I begin to feel guilty that I have so much.  I have more than one pair of shoes.  My drawers are overflowing with free clothes, my house is warm, and I'm NEVER hungry, and my house is pretty.

Then God slams me with it, out of my own mouth.  I'm emptying my brain in small groups on Sunday, expressing my concern with raising a generation who wants and doesn't give, and what do I do with all I have, if I do have too much.  Then, a few minutes later, it falls out.  It probably wasn't for anyone but me, because they all sat their quiet like, "uh, what does that have to do with anything".

 "As much as we give, we have to be able to receive a blessing too.  No matter what it is, no matter what the sacrifice on the other end.  Receiving is just as important as giving."  I was still asking God my questions a day later, then He asked me if I was receiving the gifts He has given me.  I wasn't, I was feeling guilty about them.  He reminded me that I was blessed, that I can bless others in my receiving, but I don't need to feel bad for what I have. 

This may be different for you, maybe you do have some things you have to evaluate.  But we all need to evaluate, and see if we are receiving our good gifts, making idols out of them, or feeling guilty for being put in America.  We aren't bad just because we are American's.   We are living off the blessings from past generations, lets make sure we make the right and holy choices today, so our next generations can enjoy the same blessings we have.

Seasons

We all have our favorite seasons.  Whether its the new life of Spring, the heat of Summer, the vibrancy of Fall, or the crispness of Winter, we all favor one over the other.  As the seasons change its hard for me to remember the last one longer than the change of temperature.  The memory of the heat and humidity of July is fading and I can't quite image the bitter cold yet; but the Autumn season is fresh with color and beauty. 

As we set into our favorite season we long to hold onto that time with a force that we can never hold, yet we try.  We loathe the thought of what the next season might hold.  But other season we can't wait for them to pass.  We look to the next with promise and hope.

As with the natural world, so it is with the spiritual world.  Are we clinging to our current season in fear of what God might bring next, or are we constantly looking forward to what is ahead in the next season?  Either way, we will never be able to completely hold the memory of the past or keep the season from changing,; nor will we ever be able to determine the full scale of our future, in which we risk missing God's true intent..  Its best to let the seasons change and to remain, to take the hope and trials, the warmth and the cold.  Thechange of seasons come full circle in God's perfect calendar.

Psalm 104:19
He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.

Daniel 2:21
He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Acts 14:17
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

Idadequate by Choice

inadequate [ɪnˈædɪkwɪt]

adj

1. not adequate; insufficient

2. not capable or competent; lacking

Be a centre for Jesus Christ to pour living water through. Stop being self-conscious, stop being a sanctified prig, and live the life hid with Christ. The life that is rightly related to God is as natural as breathing wherever it goes. The lives that have been of most blessing to you are those who were unconscious of it. -OC

I hear people say that we aren't doing "enough", and by all means if the Lord has called you to do something and you haven't, you better get your butt moving.  Enough can be a dangerous word for Christians, so in an attempt to fight off our lack of zeal, or fear of inadequacy, we do more. 

Its very important to see through which resource we are doing our "enough" or our "more."  Oswald Chambers says we are actually a better good when we have no idea we are even doing good.  As soon as we realize we have something to offer, or we are a use to God, we are immediately unusable.  Pride, and the fact that we may begin to think we may not need as much of God as we thought, can sever any good.

There are steps we must take to make ourselves available to God's works.  We have to help the hungry, the weak, the hurting, the Bible commands it, and the Holy Spirit is impressing it upon all our hearts.  Make sure you are not only doing what you are comfortable with just so you won't feel inadequate in your calling. 

There has never been a situation I felt more inadequate to play than mother.  If a woman wanted to do this thing right, she would need a psychology degree, a criminal justice degree, a law degree (for the arguments sake), an economics degree, and a few cooking classes couldn't hurt.  I've never dropped foot inside a college of any sort, so most days I feel like I'm not equipped to take play this role well. 

So if I so not have the adequate resources to perform this call of God, where do I turn?  To the only one who has supreme wisdom, peace, love, and guidance.   I will let Jesus pour out from me, and I will be content in my weakness, and trust the Lord that He is doing through me what I can not by myself.  And hopefully, I'm completely unaware that I'm even doing any good so that I will actually be a success. 

Grow strong in your weakness...My preference is for you to depend on Me continually, trusting Me to guide you and strengthen you as needed. This is how you grow strong in your weakness," -Jesus Calling.

In no way am I saying that we live lives of sorrow, with the feeling like we are failures, but we must have enough courage to fail.  We need to be able to take the risk of being inadequate so that our Lord can use that weakness to bless the world through our unconsciousness.

Queen Size Giant

35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God—Luke 1:35 I want to be overshadowed, overwhelmed, overtaken with the Spirit of God, just as Mary was.  Oswald Chambers puts it "What was true of the Virgin Mary in the history of the Son of God’s birth on earth is true of every saint. God’s Son is born into me through the direct act of God; then I as His child must exercise the right of a child— the right of always being face to face with my Father through prayer." Will I allow my spirit the pleasure to be in my Father's house, to be about my father's business, to be face to face with my Father through prayer?  Or will I deny my Father His child and allow my flesh to crowd my time, confuse my mind, and control my life?  they found Him in the temple . . . . And He said to them, ’. . . “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” —Luke 2:46, 49 (emphasis added) Jesus was dumbfounded that his parents didn't know where He would be.  It seems as though it wasn't a second thought to Him.  He felt the pull from His Father and He went searching, in His Father's house.  Am I as willing to drop my agenda when the Lord begins to pull me, or do I put Him on hold until its convenient, or until I ask permission from others?  Whose permission to you need but the Lords? The Lord has been drawing me to search Him out in the early mornings, but I have put him on snooze.  By the time I do get up, the house is awake and the day is full and I find myself distracted.  My Pastor, Mark Swee, spoke recently about the giants that stand in our way of God's promised land.  He spoke of a giant named Og, and quoted Deut 3:11, which gave the dimensions of his bed.  He went on to say, "the only thing between Israel and the promised land was a king sized bed."  Well, in my case its a queen sized bed, but I got the hint.  Its easy to let life crowd us, confuse us, and control us, but we must fight the impulse of our flesh to ask others, or to put too much human common sense into things.  I suppose it would have been nice for Jesus to tell His parents where He was going, but the point is, that Jesus was about His Father's buisness, He was face to face in prayer with His Father and so heavily lead by the Spirit of God that at the same very instance He felt the Lord leading, He was already going.

Searching for Understanding

I don't understand, I won't understand this side of Heaven.  If I understood I would have no need to search for answers, I would have no need for God.  In my doubt, my disbelief, my confusion I search, I listen, I ask God, and I inevitably come closer to Him.  I may not receive answers to my questions, but I will find comfort and peace.

When Job spent a year crying out to God, asking for Him to answer why he was afflicted, God spoke.  But He didn't answer Job's questions.  Instead God reminded Job who He was, and that was enough for him.  That should be enough for us.  We will still question and doubt, but if we turn our doubts to our Father, He will comfort us, He will bring clarity and wisdom.  Not usually in the ways we expect, but He will be present and He will bring His presence.  That will be enough for me.

John 16:33 In the world you shall have tribulations; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world"

 -Oswald Chambers "God does not give us overcoming life, He gives us life as we overcome"

Hope through the Mundane

So much of my time feels wasted.  I feel like I could do so much more for God if I only had more time to work with.  I rarely have time to just sit with Him, and to marvel at His beauty, fix my spirit upon Him.  I find myself longing to be in His presence, and upset when my days become busier then I'd like, leaving little time left for peace with my Father. 

So instead of the quiet worship I crave, I end up bombarded by the ordinary.  My days are filled with the same thing as every other mother on the globe.  I’m looking for ways to get my kids to eat their vegetables, get my kids to respect me, save money on groceries, have a better marriage, these are all things every human wants; you can find solutions to all these through “earthly avenues”.  So how is my mission as a mom any different than the worlds?

There is hope in my ordinary, because nothing is ordinary when you are doing it for God.  Matthew 10:42 says: And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Everything I do is an opportunity for worship, an opportunity for my spirit to connect with His, as long as I am doing it unto the Lord. That is what sets me apart from the world; it’s the nature of the worker, the intent of my spirit that makes all the difference.

It is critical that I maintain my time with God; this encourages my spirit to continue on this journey. Quiet times with God are easy to see as worship, and so much easier to feel His presence; but it is imperative that I see every moment of my life as an opportunity to bless others, to move in the spirit, and at the same time, bless the Lord.  If I’m blessing the Lord, it is worship.

If we spend our lives working for others, solely the members of our families, or even for ourselves, we will find ourselves empty, and worn ragged.  Working only for the gratification of men will leave little satisfaction from your efforts.  The true sacrifice of our work and service will never be entirely noticed by anyone apart from God.  It is crucial that we work unto the Lord, and not unto men.

Colossians 3:23 whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters

As our spirits become more sensitive to His voice, it will be possible for us to take the Holy Spirit with us and go out into our world, using every opportunity to bless others; even if all we are doing is laundry, mopping floors, smiling at the cashier (even while my kids are screaming), or wiping a nose.  We need to see every aspect of our lives as ministry opportunities and not just our acts of worship in "church" or in our private time with God.  We need know that every action we take is not for anyone else, or even ourselves, it’s for our Father.  We need this mindset for the sake of ourselves, our sanity, and our spirit.  Our positions, as mothers, are essential in the Kingdom; and should never be perceived as ordinary.

Balancing Act

I've never been very graceful.  Me and my family often found humor in the simple act of me walking through a doorway.  It must be my depth perception or something, because that simple act seemed like the hardest task for me.  Doorways were usually accompanied with bruises, or at the very least a faint "ouch."

For me, mothering is not much different.  I'm not very graceful at this balancing act either.  By the end of the day, I've usually acquired a bump or bruise.  These are sometimes physical, I do have boys, but more often are emotional hurts, and most definitely a knock on my own pride. 

If you are a mother you've most likely read a book, or 10, hoping for an "idiots guide to mothering." -The be all guide to everything-  Since the hospital doesn't send one home, and the stork must have ran out of them long ago, we are left to find our own instructions for these little ones.  From the moment the belly shows countless, friends, family, and perfect strangers are in line, ready to tell us the best information, all from experience.  Unfortunately most of it is completely conflicting, and based on their specific situation.

For instance, I've ready before not to end your sentence with "okay?"  This is just a way to ask your child permission for the command you've just given.  -Got it!- I will now end my sentences with "understand?"  But then recently I read that you should end your sentence with "okay?"  This will let your child feel like they are in control of some situations.  Is your head spinning yet?  Mine is!

Over the last 8 years, I have found more than one of these instances.  Can you see how I'm so bruised?  I'm being tossed and turned, thrown from one idea to the next.  Experts keep telling me to use time out as punishment, time away from you is no fun.  Wait!  Don't use time out as punishment, use it as a way to calm down.  Huh?!?!?!?!

I spend lots of time confused, changing my game plan, no consistency, my kids have no idea what mom they will wake up to in the morning.  This is no good for any of us.  Really, all I'm hoping for is someone to step in and do all this dirty work for me.  Any chance of any of you will come over between 5 and 10 times a day to take care of this?  I'll pay you in baked goods.  I didn't think so.

But there is a solution.  Its the best book out there.  I rarely think to look there.  I'm not sure why.  Its the most widely read, most widely circulated book to date.  The Bible.  No, really.  There is TONS of parenting advice in there.  Ever read Proverbs, or Philippians?  They may not give specific strategies, but "a gentle answer turns away wrath" is pretty good advice.  Then there is one more thing I do not use nearly enough.  The Holy Spirit.  Do I ask God to speak to me when I'm in a bind, or do I pick up "How to Have a New Kid by Friday?"  Its a great book, but Dr. Leaman, no matter how much school he's had, will never know Jack personally.  But guess what, God made Jack, He made me Jack's mother, and I bet He knows how both of us work best. 

This is not the easy answer, or nearly as convenient as paying my friends in brownies to come and discipline my kids, but nothing about parenting is convenient.  Even fun takes work, ever been on vacation?  But if I'm willing to put the time in now, take the time to listen to God when I'm having troubles, tomorrow will likely be more enjoyable.

Unmerited Favor

As I have written before, I am always searching for patience in hopes of being a better mother and all around more passionate follower of Jesus.  As I was reading a devotional by Oswald Chambers it suddenly hit me, patience is really nothing more than extending grace towards others.  The kind of grace that God renews everyday.  That is completely simplifying it, but sometimes all I need to do is give a little unmerited favor. 

Grace is defined in many ways, but the one that hit me most was a "temporary exemption" or reprieve(delayed punishment, or to give relief or deliverance for a time).  Oswald Chambers writes "It is not a question of praying and asking God to help you; it is taking the grace of God now.  We make prayer the preparation for work, it is never that in the Bible.  Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God"  I'm not sure why I never stopped to think about it, but if God is continually extending grace towards me, why am I so shy about extending it towards others, my kids in particular.

Do any of us really deserve anything we have, do we deserve any reaction that we receive from our Heavenly Father?  The Lord has bestowed everything on us and relates to us solely by grace.  Our very breath continues because He forgives us, loves us past the ends of time, and has delayed and even completely paid for our punishment himself.  We have received the ultimate deliverance for all times.  I want to not only pray that the Lord will help me to be more patience in each circumstance that is right in front of me, but I want to be able to act out in the grace that He has already shown me and gives freely to me everyday.


2 Corinthians 6:1-10 
¹ And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— ² for He says,
   “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU,
AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.”
   Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”— ³ giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, ⁴ but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, ⁵ in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, ⁶ in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, ⁷ in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, ⁸ by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; ⁹ as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, ¹⁰ as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.

Patience in Self-Control

A few days back I read in an insert from Oswald Chambers in which he said he felt sorry for anyone who didn't have something in his life that he didn't want there. There are often times when I wonder what good ever comes from irritations, suffering, stretching, or walking though the refining fire; whatever you want to call it.  But, in the end, there is always joy, freedom, and fruit.  Right?

So then, if we are pretty sure there is victory and reward at the end of a trial, why are so many afraid to pray for patience?  I doubt there is no lack of prayers about joy, gentleness, or love, but maybe I’m wrong.  Maybe it’s all the fruits of the spirit we’re absolutely terrified to pray for. I’ve heard over and over to never pray for patience, but if it’s a fruit of the spirit, shouldn’t I be endlessly searching for it?  Isn’t that my goal, for these traits to be my impulse, to be my first reaction? 

Proverbs 29:11 Fools give full vent to their rage,
   but the wise bring calm in the end.

 Gal. 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

 I believe when we earnestly seek God for something, and genuinely want to put in the effort, He will reward us and we will produce the fruit of the spirit that we yearn for.  Yes, I said effort.  This is likely why we are so afraid to pray for these characteristics, because God doesn’t just wave a wand and change us.  There is always a choice of action on our part.  It’s like learning anything, until we live in the Matrix.  We have to learn through trial and error, there is no easy download tool in this program, not yet anyway. 

 This all stems out of a drive to be the best mother I can be.  Some days I see myself with so little self control and patience, and I know there is really nothing else I need.  How can I not pray for God to help me in this area?  No doubt I will have ample opportunity to put the fruits into practice, and I will most likely endure times of intense discomfort, but each interaction with my children, and any human in general, will be an opportunity to grow.  I have to believe on the other side there is victory.  I want to be the calm in the end, and not a whirling dervish who can't even control what comes out of my mouth.

My Take on All of This

The is no doubt countless blogs, facebook posts, and twitter updates going out today praising the efforts of American intelligence, and the American Military, it is all well deserved.  Surely there will be varying opinion for every response and emotion, all over the spectrum; from joy in justice, to sorrow in a lost soul -no one can tell you your feelings are wrong.  Let us also not forget who destines the last breath of every being, and the one who gifts us discernment and wisdom to put every play into action.  Every knowledge is a gift from God.  There are things He keeps hidden until the right time.  I fully believe America had every capability to take Osama Bin Laden much sooner, but for reasons that escape me, and I'm not privy to, it was not time until now.

I rejoice in the justice that has been served to so many of the hurting Americans, and victims around the world, who have suffered at the hands of this devious man.  Yet in the same moment, I do not rejoice in another soul that has met Hell, there is no rejoicing in the fact that my enemy has suffered, but instead I rejoice that no more will suffer by my enemies hands.

Psalm 50:6
And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
   for he is a God of justice.

Ezek 33:10
I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his ways and live.

Thankful Heart of Praise and Graditude

Its not always easy to appreciate all the things your kids do.  Of course we all love the squeals of delight, and the little hugs, and the wonderment in their eyes, but what about the rest of it?  I'm talking about the endless trails of toys that lay strewn about each room they visit, the pools of pee that rest at the bottom of the toilet, and the all the food they consume creates a lot of dishes.  I do not have a dishwasher, do you see the world's smallest violin playing for me? 

Yesterday, as another cloudy day was about to break my spirit, I got out a pad of paper and wrote 25 things I was thankful for on a a rainy day.  You know, it didn't seem so hard to tolerate after I remembered all the things I do like about rainy days.  Hey, I got to lounge in my p.j.s all day, read, and snuggle with my kids as we all enjoyed each other's bed head.  Now, if it was like that forever, I'd likely gain 50 lbs, so it was good of God to bring the sun out today.  But it got me thinking about what I'm going to do from now on. 

There are many days when I'm just irritated with a certain situation, many times there is nothing I can do about them.  Like the amount of dishes my kids create, or the mess that envelopes them.  So instead of getting all whiny (I will likely do from time to time anyway, its okay to vent sometimes) I will write 25 things that I am thankful for in that situation.  This may take some time, but it will definitely make me look beyond my own circumstance, and require me to look to God for the good He has provided.

25 Reasons I'm glad my House gets Messy:

1)  I have a small house, it isn't hard to clean again
2)  Walmart has paper plates :)
3)  I like to cook
4)  I can teach my kids responsibility for their mess
5)  I can teach my kids to cook, then maybe someday they will cook for me
6)  I have a really good vacuum (thanks Mom)
7)  I can pray over my house as I clean
8)  I know my kids are getting healthy food if I make it myself
9)  I know I am providing for my family, the way God wants me to
10)  I'm so thankful my kids are healthy enough to make a mess in the first place!
11)  I can definitely tell we have way more then we need
12) I have a really good washing machine (thanks to rebates from the city and state, and perfect timing from God)
13)  Everything I do can be worshipful
14)  I get a lot of chances to worship :)
15)  I can serve my husband everyday, in lots of little ways
16)  I get to be creative in my home, furniture lay out, meal plans
17)  When its messy, its an opportunity to throw stuff away
18)  I love opening the windows and cleaning with fresh breeze
19)  I like the smell of Clorox Green works on my kitchen floor
20)  Washing dishes makes my hands really clean
21)  Dish soap smells really good
22)  I have indoor plumbing!
23)  Picking up all those toys and vacuuming is great exercise
24) I have a house
25) I don't have to do it ALL

I feel so much of my time is spent asking things from God, I really need to practice prasing more, and out of a thankful heart of prais will come a deeper love for Him, and with that, it is only natural the glory will follow.

Let the Spirit Lead

I was doing my dishes last week and began a conversation with Jesus.  Okay, I was really just complaining.  "I can't do it!" I railed, "I'm tired, I don't want to do it anymore, How am I supposed to live like you did!!!!".  He replied "I know how you feel, I was here too and felt everything you do."  That gave me no comfort, to which I replied "No!  Its not the same, you are THE SON OF GOD!"  I closed my ears, and that quickly ended the conversation. 

Its awesome that God gives us a choice, He will never force Himself on us, but can you imagine what it must be like for Him to watch us sometimes?  In my whiny, fleshly fits, I can't hear Him clearly and I find myself weak and without the power and authority I need to live and to show the Glory of God in and to this world.

Thankfully, I'm coming into a revelation that will change the way I think and the very essence of my life.  Jesus was right when He told me He knows everything I feel.  He choose to live here as a man, with all the same limitations and difficulties that we have and experienced far before I ever did. 

Hebrews 4:15-16
¹⁵For we do not have ^(A)a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been ^(B)tempted in all things as we are, yet ^(C)without sin.
 ¹⁶Therefore let us ^(D)draw near with ^(E)confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 Jesus did everything on this earth as a man, not as God.  We were told we would do greater things than HE did, if Jesus had lived His life on earth as God, we would never be able to obtain that status.  If He is our example, and we are to live out our lives like He did, why then, do I still feel like its impossible?  This goes far beyond the miracles He performed.  This is about walking hand in hand with the Holy Spirit.  Completley intuned with the will of Heaven.  Every word, every sermon, every demon cast, every heart healed, was simply because He was living solely by the Spirit.

Bill Johnson says there are two distinctions in Jesus' humanity.  "One, He was not separated from God by sin, and two, He was completely dependant on the power of the Holy Spirit working through Him."  He only did what God called Him to do, He was solely led by the Holy spirit.  We can address the first issue easily.  We are no longer separated by sin because of the sacrifice Jesus has already freely given.  He paid the price, there is nothing left in between us and God.  The Glory of God is inhabited in us.  So the only other question is, "How dependant on the Holy Spirit are we willing to live?"

With this in mind, then why do I feel its impossible?  I'm looking through my flesh, and not through the spirit.  If I plan on doing anything that Jesus was able to accomplish, I must be completely abandoned to the work of the Holy Spirit.  My flesh must be quiet, and God must be the first one I seek.  There is a song by Jesus Culture (Where You Go, I Go), this is the song of my heart.  To go where Jesus leads, just as He was lead.

You've God a Friend in Me

Will I worship and stay faithful when I am tired from climbing this road that is unforgiving and all uphill?  This  question has been lingering in my mind, whispering to me over and over.  Will I love my Lord through anything?  Do I love Him only because I know He will protect me, bless me, and watch over me, will I love Him the same when I feel desolate, alone, and attacked?  Of course, then is when I need my Father most, but it is then when it is hardest to seek Him out.   

It is in this place where I need the "watchmen", others that God has appointed to walk alongside me, to pray on my behalf, friends.  These prayers and encouragements lift us up and support us when we can't stand.  This then leads me to wonder if I do the same for others who are weak.  What type of friend am I?  Am I the encourager that Jesus wants me to be, or am I a friend of Job's? 

Job’s friends started off in good meaning.  They traveled from far away just to be with him, and they were even silent, just sitting in support and grief for 7 days!  Talk about not talking, I don’t think I could have not said something to him for 7 days! 

Chapter 1:11-13  “¹¹ When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. ¹² When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. ¹³ Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.”

I wonder, if in that time, they were just thinking of all the things they should say to him, I wonder if they even consulted God in that time, or took the time to hear what God was really saying.  They start off in Chapter 4 already saying Job must be guilty of something, for the truly innocent don’t befall trouble, and then began their seemingly endless barrage of advice.

Job 4:7

⁷"Remember now, ^(G)who ever perished being innocent?
         Or where were the upright destroyed?

Job 8:4-6

 ³"Does ^(B)God pervert justice?
         Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?
    ⁴"^(C)If your sons sinned against Him,
         Then He delivered them into the power of their transgression.
    ⁵"If you would ^(D)seek God
         And implore the compassion of the Almighty,
    ⁶If you are pure and upright,
         Surely now ^(E)He would rouse Himself for you
         And restore your righteous ^(F)estate.

Job 11:13-16 

¹³"^(O)If you would ^(P)direct your heart right
         And ^(Q)spread out your hand to Him,
    ¹⁴If iniquity is in your hand, ^(R)put it far away,
         And do not let wickedness dwell in your tents;
    ¹⁵"Then, indeed, you could ^(S)lift up your face without moral defect,
         And you would be steadfast and ^(T)not fear.
    ¹⁶"For you would ^(U)forget your trouble,
         As ^(V)waters that have passed by, you would remember it.

  When friends come to us, we are all too often, ready to give advice.  Sadly, I don’t often enough; take the time to even really hear what they are saying before I start sharing my two cents.  Is what I’m saying even relevant or what they need to hear?  Have I even stopped to ask God what He wants to say to them or am I just eager to talk about myself and all of my experiences? Instead of jumping into ideas, theories, or solutions we should be running to prayerful requests for wisdom on their behalf.  Then we should listen, take the time to hear from God, and then speak if we are asked to. 

This is far different from the daily conversations I have with my girlfriends.  And I’m not saying this should be a replacement for all social time, but when we have real problems that need solving, real hurts that need healing, and are in need for relevant answers for our lives, this is the model we should be using, instead of our laundry list of human guidance.  Do you ever find yourself a “self help” column to your friends without consulting God first? Or is it just me?

God has been telling me to be quiet and speak when He asks.  I don’t want to rail at the mouth so much that when God really has a great word, I’m ignored.  I want to spend more time in prayer, then in active chatter.  I want my words to be His, this will bring the truth and encouragement that our lives need, and our souls seek.  I don't want to speak from a wounded heart, but from one filled with life from Jesus, and words straight from the Holy Spirit.

Accusation: The Mother of all Conflict

As mothers, we tend to grade ourselves based on what others can accomplish(idenity is always based on who you are in relation to others), forgetting easily, that we are not the same people, and do not have the same families. I have these grand plans to execute all homemade meals, snacks, soap, ect, be the true frontier woman of the 1800’s. That was, after all, my dream all the years of my youth. But then when I try to put that into practice in our modern world, of public schools, church involvment, and coutless other distractions, (non of them bad mind you); I find myself run too thin, laying on the couch with a bag of ice on my back. Yes, some women are able to accomplish this…. and more. I’m left scratching my head, wondering how? This must mean I’m failing.

I have heard over and over again, that we must do what works for us and our families. Unfortunatley, while getting new ideas that might work for me(everyone wants to find an easier out, and a better way to do anything), it is all too easy to read too much of too many moms we look up to and regard with respect. We tend to only see what they can do, and fail to notice the things they can’t. We tend to judge our weaknesses on the strenghts of others,( setting us up for absolute failure). Who would want to broadcast their faults? I don't like to either. It makes us vulnerable, showing the world our true selves and becoming more honest then is comfortable, and maybe even possibly meaning that we are in fact failing(acording to O or Parents magazine) *gasp!*.

This is a perfect crack in our humanity for the devil to sneak in and begin accusations. I’m telling you this out of a battle has been raging in my own heart for the last month, or maybe even more. I began seeing all of these other moms who, in my mind, did everything right. They must never yell at their kids, look how sweet they are. I’m sure their kids never sas back, they are so sweet too. I’m sure their kids eat all their vegtables at every meal, never argue, never smell, never, never never. You just know they can do all the things you can’t seem to make work in your own home. The devil is prmoting all this propaganda like Nazi Germany. All the while, the people you used to admire are beomming increasingly irritating. After a while you find yourself hating how you feel, and not knowing why or what you can do about it.

At least, when you get to this point, most of us will turn to God. I didn’t go there at the first hint of inferiority. That would have been too easy, or maybe I didn’t even notice it as that, it was mostl likely disguised as humility and then perverted into lowliness and insignificance. This is an easy transition that can happen slowly, or in an instant.  But almost always without us even noticing.

Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

When we go to God, He can then begin to reveal our true heart, and the truth in any situation. He is able to reveal the true enemy and exactly where he has encamped. Accusation can happen in any area of anyone’s life. Work, school, church, in my case, it was mothering. The source of any pride and satisfaction I have in my life. But, the devil doesn’t see everything and can never wage a battle against me when I have God fighting with me. Now to put on that armor…..

Stop Talking, Start Worshiping

There was a point in my life group class last nigh that I became very tired of talking.  It wasn't that I didn't want to teach or learn about God anymore, but it didn't feel like we were getting anywhere, we were just filling time.  I want my every moment to be filled with purpose.  I wish I would have taken this leading to the next step and did what I felt I should have.  Worship. 

I pray to much, I talk to much, I make this relationship with God far more complex than it needs to be.  No words or theories from man will solve or fix my problems, only true worship for my God will quiet my soul and rest my heart and mind. 

So, ironically, here I am again, spouting from my mouth all my human wisdom.  And yet, I really know nothing but the love my God has for me, and even this concept is so abstract to me.  I have no "fix" for our problems in this life, I have no idea how to be the perfect parent, how to fend off troubles in marriage, or how to even balance all the things that come my way everyday. 

But I do know that I desire to know my God deeper, and to search Him out.  I have all the hope and confidence that a human can possibly have, that He will be faithful and quite my soul and He will guide me through everything.  I want so much more of my time to be consulting Him, just gazing on Him, and worshiping Him and reading His Word, instead of the latest wisdom from men(even the latest Christian Books).  I believe that God uses books and other various teachings as well, but I know He will also have exactly what I need exactly when I need it, and I can hear it straight from Him.

I don't want to be caught up in learning from books, sermons, and life groups, that I forget to learn straight from HIS mouth.  He has so much for me if I just take the time to search it out. 

Lord, forgive me for trying to find you in other places, you are always with me, in me, the glory and only goodness I have is You.  Help me to look towards you, and quiet my mouth when I just need to worship.

Biblical Servant Hood -Part 4- Servant vs. Slave

Phil 2:17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

 "Consider the perspective of a slave. A slave sees all of life from the viewpoint of slavery. He does not see himself as possessing the same rights as free men and women. Please understand me, when this slavery is involuntary it is cruel and dehumanizing. When the slavery is freely chosen, however, everything is changed. Voluntary servitude is a great joy.  -Richard Foster:

I do not want to posses the same rights as the world, I have no desire to be drunk, or to lust over other men, or to covet my neighbors possessions.  We, all humans, have all been given free will, and with that, the choice to do what we want with our life.  I have chosen to become a slave to Christ, not to man nor of my flesh.  I have voluntarily sold myself to Jesus, and my only desire is to do as He asks.  I do not look back at my worldly life as a loss, but I instead look at my future with Jesus in great joy, hope, and excitement.  There was nothing for me in my old life, but I know that while serving Jesus He will treat me like royalty, even as I am a slave.

"The image of slavery may be difficult for us, but it was not hard for the apostle Paul. He frequently boasted of his slavery to Christ, making lavish use of the first-century concept of the "love slave" (that is, the slave who, out of love, has freely chosen to remain a slave). We do our best to soften Paul's language by translating the word "slave" as "servant." But whatever word we decide to use, let us be certain that we understand that Paul meant he had freely given up his rights." -unknown

It is hard for us to look at the term slave beyond our 1700's history in the United States, but there is more to being a slave than beatings and mistreatment.  The type of slavery we, as Christians, sell ourselves into is one of love.  We want to be slaves to a master that treats us so well.  We are always protected, cared for, and given much more than we deserve.  Who wouldn't want to be sold out to that?

Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Our life apart from God will give us nothing to satisfy our souls, therefore, it is worth nothing.  Desire brings value, and if we no longer desire things of this world, it is then worth nothing to us.  Instead we only want to do what pleases our father.    Its another perfect example of being purposed, our aim should be to complete the task Jesus gives us.  John 8:29 says "I do only those things which please the father".  This is straight from Jesus' mouth, we should follow His example to want to please His Father, and to only do what He has requested us to.

  "Therefore, the fear that we will be taken advantage of and stepped on is justified. That is exactly what may happen. But who can hurt someone who has freely chosen to be stepped on? Thomas A. Kempis instructs us to be 'so subject that all men may go over thee and tread upon thee as upon mire of the street.'" -unknown

Now, with the vision of slavery as mistreatment, it is easy for us to distort our position as slaves for Christ.  He does not call for us to be taken advantage of, for you to feel like you must answer every cry and call for help.  There is an army of believers in the church who must all take their part and share the burden.  God may call you to serve in one area, and not in another, and that is okay.  As  long as you are serving as it pleases Him.  This is not an excuse for anyone to tell you that you must serve until you have nothing left.

On the other hand, our definition of "being taken advantage of" may be completely different than someone else's.  I have the sweetest older couple that lives next door to me.  My husband and I love to help them when we can, we will spontaneously mow, rake, and remove snow for them, with no desire for payment.  She feels like she is taking advantage of us, and will offer money and almost beg for us to take it.  Sometimes we do, just so she can sleep at night, but to us, this is a free act of kindness. In this instance, I am willing to be taken advantage of because I find so much joy in doing so. 

With everything in life there is a balance.  God is the only one who can direct and guide your service.  As long as you are asking Him where He wants you to go, and what He wants you to do, you will be a Biblical Servant.

Happy Serving.

Biblical Servant Hood -Part 3- Serving With Purpose

  "A natural and understandable hesitancy accompanies any serious discussion of service. The hesitancy is prudent since it is wise to count the cost before plunging headlong into any Discipline. We experience a fear that comes out something like this: "If I do that, people will take advantage of me; they will walk all over me." -Richard Foster

 "Right here we must see the difference between choosing to serve and choosing to be a servant. When we chose to serve, we are still in charge. We decide whom we will serve and when we will serve. And if we are in charge, we will worry a great deal about anyone stepping on us, or that are taking charge over us. But when we choose to be a servant, we give up the right to be in charge. There is great freedom in this. If we voluntarily choose to be taken advantage of, then we cannot be manipulated. When we choose to be a servant, we surrender the right to decide when we will serve. We become available and vulnerable.    unknown

There is a difference in being a servant and choosing to serve.  We must not pick and choose, but instead let God lead us in our acts.  But I do not believe that by being a servant, we should line up to voluntarily to be taken advantage of(more on this concept in part 4).  Our serving must be with purpose.  We need to hear God’s call in every area and in everything we do.  Yes, we surrender all our rights to choose what we do and when we do it, but we need to make sure it is God, and not guilt that is driving us to serve.

I’ve seen countless members of the church fall away because of pure exhaustion, feeling like they must answer EVERY call they receive.  This is not purposed servant hood, smart serving, or required by God.  We need to remember that we must rest and God expects it.

Rom 15:1-3 As for us who are strong, our duty is to bear with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not seek our own pleasure. Let each of us endeavor to please his fellow Christian, aiming at a blessing calculated to build him up. For even the Christ did not seek His own pleasure...

Gal 5:13...But through love be servants of one another.

Gal 6:9-10 Let us not grow tired of doing good, for, unless we throw in our hand, the ultimate harvest is assured. Let us then do good to all men as opportunity offers, especially to those who belong to the Christian household.

Here in Romans it even says we must be calculated, to make sure that everything we do is for building up others.  We are not aimlessly serving at every whim, but we are serving to build each other's strength and spirits.  We will undoubtedly become tired, we are spiritual creatures with physical limits, but if at the point of exhaustion we throw in the towel, then all the work we have done is lost, and you will not see the rewards for all the hard work you have already exerted.  That is why we are serving each other and why it is so important that we do.  We need to be willing to help out the tired, to encourage and strengthen. 

In Church bodies it is common that a small percentage of people do all of the work.  This will make for tired workers, who can easily become burnt out and may even begin to serve out of obligation instead of love.  If all of us began to serve as Christ as instructed, just imagine how much more we could accomplish, and we would never tire!

Biblical Servant Hood Part 2 -Serving Christ in Love

 "I belong to Jesus. He must have the right to use me without consulting me." -Mother Teresa

Well, that about sums it up doesn't it?  We must be willing to serve when and where Jesus asks us to, He doesn't need to ask us what is on our agenda for the day, or what we'd rather do.  He already knows our strengths and our weaknesses, He knows what we can and can not handle, but do we?

Hebrews 12:28 Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe

Rom 12:9-13 Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as brothers in Christ, and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard, and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. Share your belongings with your needy brothers, and open your homes to strangers.

We should serve out of a love for Christ.  God wants lovers who serve from a heart that overflows, not out of resentful obligation or fear that He will strike us down if we don’t obey.  We must act out of love not religion.  It is not by acts that we are saved, but only by grace.  Nothing we do will grow His love for us anymore than what He has already offered.  Serving should strictly come from a desire to please God. 

Proverbs 15:17   ¹⁷Better is a dish of vegetables where love is
                        Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

This may seem like a strange verse to pair with serving, but everything comes down to intentions.  God doesn’t want us to serve out of a fearful obligation, or out of a guilty conscience, He wants us to serve out of a desire and passion to treat the others the way he treats us.  “Lovers” will out serve “doers” every time.  I'd much rather serve with "ordinary" people who love, then a "fascinating" person with a horrible attitude.

Last Sunday  my Pastor said "some of the most miserable people he knew were the ones who felt guilty about not giving, but resentful when they did."  This can be the same way with serving.  If you are feeling resentful about something you’ve been asked to do, its better to not do it at all.  What kind of service will that bring, will that really bless anyone?  Most likely not, you are a warm body filling a need out of obligation.  That isn't servant hood.

There is a man at my church named Dennis.  Dennis is the epetemy of loving service.  He goes where they tell him, and always with a smile.  It’s far more than I can say for myself.  If I’m unhappy with an arrangement, I will, unfortunately, let it show.  If I didn’t want to do it, or if God hasn’t given me the okay, or the purpose for it, then I shouldn’t do it out of the flesh or out of guilt.  Now, this isn’t an excuse to never serve our church body.  It would be easy to say “That’s not my gift”, or “God hasn’t called me there.”  We can over use those excuses.

Galatians 5:13-14  ¹³For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  ¹⁴For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."