Lessons I'm Learning - 5

Yesterday, as I awakened, I quoted the scripture from Psalm 118:24, "This is the day the Lord has made, I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!!! (capital letters and exclamations are mine)." I was determined to keep my focus on the Lord. This has been my habit for quite some time, but I am more mindful of it now. Later in the morning and into the afternoon and evening, the enemy tried not once, but three times to bring me down, but he did not succeed. I recognized his tactics, the ones he has used so many times, but I stood my ground and conquered him with the word of God.

This morning as I began my day, the enemy once more attempted to stick his toenail into my path in an attempt to steal my joy. Once more I focused on what the Lord has to say. One of the verses that keeps me grounded is found in Philippians 4:8. Although I memorized it as a child from the Kings James Version of the Bible, here is how The Message Bible puts it in today's vernacular:

 

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and 

meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—

the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

When the battle becomes intense, I also speak these words:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war

after the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are

not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down 

of strongholds. Casting down imaginations and every

 high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, 

and bringing all thoughts captive to obedience in Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

 

Hard times will come, and our enemy does not want us to be victorious, especially in this season of life, but we must be vigilant and press on. I encourage everyone to memorize scripture and be armed when any attack comes. And praise the Lord. The enemy of lies and deception cannot stand in the presence of the Lord. Fill your days with inspiration from scripture, devotionals, music, inspirational videos from YouTube, anything that exalts Jesus Christ as Lord. Your day will be so much better, and you will become stronger as you wait to see the glory of the Lord. Remember the battle belongs to the Lord! We do our part by trusting Him.

Lessons I'm Learning - 4

Today, as I worship, praise, and listen to God, I am being stretched. Thinking back over my life, I see much wasted time. Although there may be some who know me, and who may view my life differently, I see missed opportunities.

Growing up in the south there was always the unspoken pressure that a woman's role is to become a good wife. Even vocational callings were defined.  Always someone else's idea of what my life was destined to be. As a child, I ached to be a missionary doctor. As a teenager there were many times when I attempted to respond to God's call on my life, only to be put in my place. Now that I am older, I'm told that I'm too old for certain things - that it is time to retire and do what I want to do. But, even when I did retire, I realized that in order to help others, I would have to continue to work.

This morning as I listened to a message from the pastor at Hillsong Church in the UK in London, my heart was stirred again. A pastor in Uganda, reporting on what has been happening there during this crisis, shared about the affect of the virus and forced shut downs on the poorest of poor. He spoke about a dear lady who has been sharing her 10 x 14 feet living space with her children and six others who are not her own, making a total of fourteen people in one small space. When asked how she was doing, she stated that when she worked, the family ate, but when she was not working, they went hungry. Since she's been quarantined as has the entire world for several weeks, the family has been hungry. Fortunately, the organization Compassion has been providing food. I follow this organization as I have supported through the local church here in New Mexico two Compassion children who live in Kenya and Ghana. I thank God for the ministries of Compassion, Samaritan's Purse, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, and many others who reach out to serve others, not just at this time, but all the time. Although our nation has been hard hit, it does not compare to the daily struggle of third world countries who can barely survive on a "normal" day. It was equally encouraging to hear the testimony of this Ugandan pastor who had been supported by the very church through Compassion who helped him when he was a child. God continues to do great things.

The pastor at Hillsong UK asked a question that I have been asking myself for several months, but especially during this time. He asked how we wanted our life to be after we emerge from this battle. How do I want my life to be? As for me, I want my life to follow Jesus Christ's example, not the world's idea of how things should be. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul tells us:

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you:

Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping,

eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life -

and place it before God as an offering. Embracing

what God does for you is the best thing you can do

for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your

culture that you fit into it without even thinking.

Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be

changed from the inside out. Readily recognize

what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.

Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you

down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best

out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

The Message Bible

I don't know what tomorrow will bring, I only know that I don't want to waste any more time. I am so excited to see how God will answer my prayers for myself, my family, and this world.

Pastor Brian at Hillsong in Australia spoke about waiting on the Lord, and he gave examples from Hebrews 11 of those who waited on God during desperate times. Again, his message the same...how will our lives emerge?

Interestingly, when I tuned into Flatirons message this morning, Ben, our teaching pastor, spoke along the same lines as the Hillsong pastors, when he spoke about our "new normal" and how it compared to our "normal" before the virus. Basically, Ben said that if our life was like his, that the "normal" life was not where he wanted to be. Now is the time to be listening to God, praying, seeking Him for what comes next. I know that I have been dissatisfied with my own life for a very long time. I retired so that I would have time to do some things I felt I was called to do. But instead of doing that, I have myself back in a place where the needs of others are holding me back. Good things, valuable things, God-honoring things, but not what I am called to do.

I know God is speaking to me, that He has a new life for me, and I want to emerge victorious for Him.

Vulnerability

Last night I had a restless night. I went to bed much later than usual, as I decided to watch a movie. I was finally able to sleep a little early in the morning, so I got up later than normal. The phone rang late morning, and conversation became strained. Now I'm sitting here at my table crying out to God my Father...help! Across the room a song softly plays on the radio:

"They say sometimes you win some

Sometimes you lose some

And right now

Right now I'm losing bad"

I think back over the conversation and past failures brought to mind. Feelings of shame and guilt begin to creep in and attempt to gain a foothold - memories. The song continues to play, as I strain to hear:

"It's easy to sing

When there's nothing to bring me down

But what will I say

When I'm held to the flame

Like I am right now.

I know You're able

And I know You can

Save through the fire

With Your mighty hand

But even if You don't

My hope is You alone."

I bring my eyes back to the pages of scripture:

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7

Abba Father reminds me again of His love, and He holds me closely. "You belong to Me," He whispers, and I feel His arms of mercy and grace; His unconditional love washes over me. Remembering Jesus. I'll never forget all He's done for me. "What the enemy meant for evil, for your destruction, I redeemed for good, My child," He says.

Maybe I needed to be reminded today, as I await the celebration tomorrow of His victory on the cross over sin and death. Again, I glance down at the devotional before me:

"I think of Jesus' followers after the crucifixion but

before the third day's dawn, how bleak the world

must have seemed to them. They could not know

what the next day would bring, but their faith

sustained them during Jesus' entombment."

But I am not afraid. Isolation does not bother me, as I am alone most of the time. It's the life I have chosen to live, the call I have chosen to answer. Although I reside alone, these walls protect me, and I am blessed by the Presence of my God I love. Still, with one call, the enemy can attempt to gain a stronghold. Regardless, he is never allowed to overcome or overwhelm me for long, because I know in Whom I have believed (2 Timothy 1:12). Praise wells up within me, and I begin to worship. A smile lights my face, and I see through the clouds of depression, lies of defeat.... I remember Jesus. 

"I raise a hallelujah in the presence of my enemies

I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief

I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody

I raise  hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me!" 

I remember Jesus, always Jesus. And I am no longer afraid. My sadness subsides. Victory comes on wings of praise. 

The enemy will always attempt to bring despair and destruction to a child of God. He will remind us of our failures, inadequacies, or he'll attempt to puff us up with words of praise - pride. His schemes are endless. He tries to steal our joy, but he cannot. His days are coming to a close. Even when I find myself in this place, I always know God is near. I see Him, I feel His love. I read His words in the scriptures. I hear them in songs, songs of hope. Love sings! The promises found in the scriptures written on my heart from childhood. Who could ever doubt Your love, Father?

"If the Lord be with us, we have no cause to fear. 

His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open

to our prayer - His grace sufficient, 

His promise unchangeable."

Andrew Murray 

Good Friday

"The goal of grace is to create a love 

relationship between God and us who

believe, the kind of relationship for

which we were first made."

-JI Packer

At the dedication of the temple Solomon built for the Lord, God's response to Solomon's prayer of dedication and commitment to walk in His ways is:

"I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for 

myself as a temple for sacrifices. When I shut up the heavens, so

that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land

or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by 

my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and

turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and

will forgive their sins and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:12-14

Yesterday my daughter asked me if anyone knew how this pandemic began and if the enemy was responsible or if God sent it. I cautiously considered my response, as she, like most, are extremely fragile at this time. I explained that while our scientists and leaders do not know the exact specifics, and while satan is behind evil, that God is here in the midst of it. I realize in my heart that this is a wake up call, but my trust, faith, and hope is in my Lord. Prior to this and even now our leaders criticize each other publicly and disrespectfully without regard for authority. Our children see and hear and will imitate what they learn from parents and other authority figures, to include the church, the body of Christ. 

In 1 Timothy  2:1-4 Paul instructs Timothy on worship by beginning:

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession,

and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those

in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all 

godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

These words should be seriously considered and obeyed for the sake of all in obedience to God. In remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for us over 2,000 years ago on a Friday, consider these reminders from author Max Lucado and scripture:

"The cross did what man could not do. It granted us the right

to talk with, love, and even live with God."

No Wonder They Call Him the Savior

God did this that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him

and find him, though he is not far from each of us.

Acts 17:27 

"The cross did what sacrificial lambs could not do. It

erased our sins, not for a year, but for eternity."

No Wonder They Call Him the Savior

"The next time that obnoxious neighbor Doubt walks in, escort 

him out. Out to the hill. Out to Calvary. Out to the cross where, with

holy blood, the hand that carried the flames wrote the promise, 'God

would give up his only son before he'd give up on you.'" 
Six Hours One Friday

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten son, that whoever believes in him
will have eternal life.
John 3:16 

As I reflect on all the good that is happening at this time, I feel that it is sad that it took a crisis for us to reach out together in love, as a community, as a church, as a nation and world to share our support, faith and hope. Families spending time together - talking, playing, laughing, loving, getting to really know each other. More support and help for those in financial needs, more leniency from creditors, free concerts online, worshiping in mass on social media with the ability to see friends and family whom we've not see in years face to face. Saying the words, "I love you."

Tonight more people will flock to services online for Good Friday, and on Sunday even more will gather to worship our Risen Lord together online. Many will find hope and dedicate their lives in service to our Lord and Savior for the first time or others to recommit their lives to Him. He is waiting...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you

hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and

I will listen to you. You will seek me and pray to me, and I will listen

to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your

heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you

from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares

the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I 

carried you into exile."

Jeremiah 29:11-14

Hosanna!

As I awakened to the first light of morning an air of expectancy was all around me. "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!" I washed my face, laughing at the humorous vision in the mirror, hair plastered across my brow. Words from a friend in a Snoopy gif continued to lift and lighten my spirit.

Today is Palm Sunday. I see the procession slowly proceeding down the streets of Jerusalem, palms waving as our Savior rides triumphantly on a bed of greenery and garments laid at this feet. The red carpet ride of His day! The people sing and shout, "Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest!" Can you see it?!

Joy continues to fill my soul a I set about the start of my day. It's Sunday, "Today, my favorite day," says Winnie the Pooh of each new day. The news and current events cannot bring me down, rather I focus on the scene before me still. In just a short time I will turn on my computer, and a crowd of virtual witnesses will join me in welcoming our King. Music will play, hearts will sing, arms stretched to Heaven in worship, and the Word of God proclaiming His glory across the airwaves to the  nations!

King of Kings

In the darkness, we were waiting
Without hope, without light
'Til from Heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes
To fulfill the law and prophets
To a virgin came the Word
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt

 

Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings

 

To reveal the kingdom coming
And to reconcile the lost
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross
For even in Your suffering
You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation
Jesus for our sake You died

 

Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings

 

And the morning that You rose
All of Heaven held its breath
'Til that stone was moved for good
For the Lamb had conquered death
And the dead rose from their tombs
And the angels stood in awe
For the souls of all who'd come
To the Father are restored
And the church of Christ was born
Then the Spirit lit the flame
Now this gospel truth of old
Shall not kneel, shall not faint
By His blood and in His name
In His freedom I am free
For the love of Jesus Christ
Who has resurrected me, ohh

 

Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings

Praise forever to the King of Kings

 

-Hillsong Worship

 

 

Don't allow the enemy to extinguish the Light! 

 

Lessons I'm Learning - 3

Although I've been blogging and writing in my journal, as I always do, I haven't been posting until today. Yesterday I posted a message on Facebook outside of my blog, referencing a devotional. I may do that from time to time, as writing is both a discipline and my calling. It also keeps me grounded and focused. I love the quiet times alone with God. It's hard to distinguish where one call begins and the other follows. I know I am supposed to get the word out whether it be written, verbal, or silently between my Abba Father and myself. Isolation is not difficult for me, and it is not a punishment, as much of my life has been spent alone. Sometimes I wonder if I've ever let anyone totally into my life, but then, writing transparently has provided snatches, glimpses of my soul. I am passionate about my walk with God, living for Him Whom I have failed miserably. And yet, He wouldn't let me wander away. His Shepherd's staff jerked me back by my long neck, where He could safely watch over and lead me. I can relate to the dumb sheep part. Since my earliest recollection, God has been with me...relentlessly pursuing me. As I'm writing now I hear the song I Know by Big Daddy Weave playing in the background:

  

I know that you are good
I know that you are kind
I know that you are so much more
Than what I leave behind
I know that I am loved
I know that I am safe
Cause even in the fire to live is Christ, to die is gain
I know that you are good

Early this morning my dear friend, Karen, dropped off some face masks she made and has been saving for me. When she was asked to work from home, she selflessly used her spare time, in the shadows of her home, to make face masks for all the people she knew who were on the front lines of this crisis. Most of Karen's life has been on one front line or another. She and I worked together when I was previously employed as a case manager. Some of her clients at the home health care agency where she worked were my case management clients. So we spent a lot of time working together on behalf of these precious people. She's a wonderful person whom I have learned to know and treasure as a close, close friend and sister in Christ. I'd trust her with my life. So thank you, Karen, for thinking about me and others. You're a jewel!

Each day I go out into the world outside as it now is. As a fan of science fiction which include apocalyptic movies, I am not unaware of how bad things could come, but thankfully, we are not there yet! Jesus warned His disciples and those to come, including us, what to expect prior to the end. Over the past few years and even more recently, we have witnessed the birth pangs Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24. History has a way of repeating itself, as these things happened back at the beginning of time. I know that what is happening now is another wake up call that we need to heed. Before the virus God had been preparing my heart. Others have also heard it.

As I must go out several times a week to care for the ones entrusted to me, I see what it's like, even in smaller towns. Blatant disregard for our leaders' mandates, not just for the safely of ourselves, but for the countless many who could be affected by one foolish act. I former worked in a lab as a research biologist, and I know the spread of disease. Much more, people are out daily still hoarding, breaking into homes, stealing and even murdering others. Life goes on. Some cities are hotbeds of crime. Plus, scammers are lighting up the networks trying to take advantage of the vulnerable seniors. I've warned many of these scams over the years as part of my case management, but it seems to get worse when people are alarmed and anxious already. No wonder we need a wake up call, but sadly, too many fail to heed the call.

Knowing this, I still stand in the gap inn prayer for our nation and world, because there is still good in the world, so there is hope! People come together at times like this, but it needs to be a daily walk. Mostly we need to realize that Jesus came to be our Savior, Redeemer, our Hope for eternity, a place where there will be no sin, pain, fear, sickness, crime.... A place where God's light and Jesus' love light up the world where darkness and evil have no place. The Bible says we can have peace on earth now.  Many repeat the Lord's Prayer without listening to the words. These words do have meaning for today. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven." Right here, right now. As His children will we suffer still while here? Yes, but we have an Advocate, a Helper, always present until our time on earth is finished. We can have His peace now. My life has been hard, but I can testify to His unfailing love. God has kept me through it all. So I trust Him. You can trust Him! He's not a man, He does not lie!

I hope you will consider. We need Jesus, now and always!

Madness and Mayhem

Tuesday was my day off. I always look forward to those days, because it gives me time to relax and breathe. The day started quietly, although I had some things that were causing me concern, but I determined that nothing would disrupt my alone time with my Father. I wrote in my journal, read my Bible and devotionals, listened to the songs on the radio that seemed to jump out at me much as the words in the pages of the Bible. All seemed well, and I felt prepared for the day ahead.

I noticed Monday that one of the lens in my eyeglasses was cracking, so I contacted Walmart to see if the Vision Center was open. I decided that I needed to adjust my schedule for Wednesday so I could stop by with my prescription, so I made the changes successfully. One task down. My major concern has been about my cell phone. For weeks now I have been getting failed login messages, so I figured that someone was trying to hack into my account. I called Verizon, and the fun began. I spent the majority of the day on the phone with one service representative after another, uninstalling applications, reinstalling them, disabling and removing applications, until I ended up with messages and emails being written in Chinese. This setting would not allow me to change it, so finally I contacted Motorola at the end of the day after frustrating every service rep at Verizon who were powerless to help me after assuring me they could. After about an hour and a half, my phone was back up to par, and I could communicate in English! However, prior to fixing the phone, something happened to my computer, and it crashed, so after the cell phone, I had to deal with the computer issue. At one insane moment in time, I was without a cell phone or a computer. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement.

The next morning, as I was thinking about all those hours lost in this state of utter futility, I began to realize how complex and dependent on technology my life had become. Many times when I see advertisements on television about newer phones or this gadget and that gadget that is designed to make life more portable and effortless, I cringe, because everything is instant gratification. We speak to our phones, and it places the call. Alexa, who starts our engines, turns the music to whatever station we desire, plus a myriad of things, does for us what we used to do for ourselves.  Kids no longer play outside, rather they prefer to play games on their devices. At the point my phone would only allow me to send text messages by voice, I was unhinged. It was maddening, but not as bad as the conversion of my messages from English to Chinese, then the loss of my computer. I felt alone, out of touch with the world. I don't know why I was upset, I still had my landline and my DVD player.

When I was on the phone Tuesday, waiting for help, I thought to myself that I could get by without a cell phone, but my computer?! No way! Everything is done on the computer. But, sitting at the table Wednesday morning, talking to God, I decided that I don't want my life ruled by technology. I don't want to be robotic in how I live my life. The human touch is a thing of the past. I am a writer, and I love to receive snail mail, as it is called. I still buy cards and write letters. An email is nice, and it takes effort, but there's nothing like the personal touch of a handwritten letter. Instead of picking up the landline phone, we send text messages or use messenger on our cell phones. Have you ever been in a restaurant and observed families eating meals together? Each one, including young children, have a cell phone, and rather than talk to each other and enjoy family time, they each are engrossed in checking email, text messages, listening to music or playing games. Conversation is limited to "pass the salt" or "may I have a refill."

Now that people are confined to their homes the wifi is slowing down due to so much use. What ever happened to board games? Puzzles? Conversation? Arts and crafts? Reading a book? Cooking together? Jon Bon Jovi was on television the other day talking about cooking with the family or for others. Why not follow his lead? Imagine what would happen if everything crashed! The world would be lost. Or maybe not! Maybe there are other people, like me, who still want the human connection.

Wednesday afternoon when I came home, I saw my young neighbor playing with her dog outside my home. We chatted awhile, while we observing social distancing, and it was nice to talk to my young friend and laugh again over the antics of the dog. As I drove to work earlier, there were people walking and a family standing by the road getting ready for a stroll, men working on the ditch, and cars passing now and then. One thing was common, each person smiled and waved to me. As it should always be. Community.

Again, I'm learning. Reflection is good. And this is a good time to be doing just that. Wednesday morning while praying I was reminded of the warning to the church in Laodicea. The church was called lukewarm. I never want to be found lacking in motivation and love. I want to be on fire for the things of God. At times like this people tend to pray more and reach out to each other for comfort. I want a life that is more than technology. I want flesh and blood relationship. My constant prayer is for repentance, humbling, healing, and revival for our nation and world. We need to be connected to our Savior first and then to the world through relationship. As Easter approaches let's focus on life and living! Many are in fear, but Jesus is the answer. Perfect love casts out fear, and Jesus is Perfect Love. So rather than sitting in front of the television, worrying about this or that, let's praise and sing and think on the good things. There are many! God will see us through this time, as He always has.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by 

prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your 

requests to God. And the peace of God, which

transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts

and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers,

whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever

is admirable - if anything is excellent or 

praiseworthy-think about such things.

Philippians 4:4-8