Kindess to the Poor

Psalms 41: 1-3 

¹ Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
      The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.
 ² The Lord protects them
      and keeps them alive.
   He gives them prosperity in the land
      and rescues them from their enemies.
 ³ The Lord nurses them when they are sick
      and restores them to health.

I read this today, and was amazed at the promises of those who are kind to the poor.
1. The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble
2. The Lord protects them
3. The Lord keeps them alive.
4. He gives them prosperity in the land
5. He rescues them from their enemies
6. He nurses them when they are sick
7. He restores them to health.

All for kindness to the poor. Loving and caring for the poor is closer to the Lord's heart than I can ever imagine!! I saw a homeless man yesterday, and while his appearance made me sad, his situation was overwhemling - I didn't do anything to be kind to him. And I read this today...

Then, I think of the word "kind" and it takes me back to the Ruth Bible Study I was a part of this summer with some very godly, wise women. Kelly Minter, who wrote the study, said that the kindness in Ruth was the work "hesed" - which really translates more to grace, loving-kindness, favor... covenant loyalty. That someone who loves someone so much, seeks their best interests.. not just one's own. So, now I'm thinking in the terms of not just kindness to the poor - but hesed toward them. A loving kindness, with their best interests in mind.

Easy to say - but how will this change me? I'm praying through that. Its easy to say, and then move on and not let it effect my life - but I want the love of Jesus to flow freely through me... so, I pray I will have His heart for His people.

Words

If you've been reading my past blogs - you know I'm walking through some humbling, killing of my pride times. And while I know its good, it hurts. But, knowing that Christ will be more glorified makes it worth it...

So, in this weeks One Year Bible reading, the Proverbs has challenged me. Proverbs 14:3 and 7:
3- "A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
but the words of the wise keep them safe."
7- "Stay away from fools,
for you won’t find knowledge on their lips."

BIG SIGH!

My proud talk is too often that rod that is beating me... Why are my words not wise?

I know God is doing something here in me, growing me, maturing me as his child because over the past few months this has been an area I've prayed about and yet I still feel like I fall in it too often.

And in verse 7, Its not that I feel like I'm hanging around "fools" but that I let myself act like one sometimes. I pray so much that this wouldn't be so... that knowledge would be all that is on my lips!  That I'd have no need to say anything that isn't true, honorable, right, pure and lovely!!

I can only remember to be thankful that the Lord is so full of love and grace for me that He shows me these things to refine me and grow me. That I will die to my flesh and let Him live through me.

We will Serve the Lord!

Joshua 24:14-15 (New Living Translation)
 ¹⁴ “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. ¹⁵ But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

I love this verse, I love the speech Joshua is giving to the people of Israel. He presents them with a choice, the same choice we have today! Will I serve God, or will I serve the world, money, sin, etc... But he says - CHOOSE today - as in, Make up your mind now - and either choose to serve or God, or choose something. As an extremely indecisive person I can relate to how making decisions makes me nervous or anxious. I do not like making big decisions, but here he is demanding they choose. He has just finished reminding them of all the amazing things God has brought them through - all the ways He has rescued them from their enemies and brought them to the promised land! So, their choice should be easy - right? Choose to serve God!

I wonder sometimes though, how easy it looks for us too. When I think about ALL that God has done for me, the incredible, uncountable ways he has blessed me and rescued me - how could I not serve Him alone? What an encouragement though, to think back over the ways God has shown his amazing love for me and then joyfully serve Him through any circumstance. Brother David said that happiness depends on my happenings... which is so neat to explain it that way, but God has given us a deep joy - that through whatever, we can serve Him! 

I can get so tempted to serve something else. To better myself or feel like I deserve praise. How crazy... my flesh is weak, but thankful the Holy Spirit in me conquers that flesh and kills it. My prayer lately has been for a humbleness... a humility - a brokenness before God. "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 (NIV)" To think of myself in sober judgment, not more than I am... to be so humble. And Praise God, He is answering that prayer and its beautiful. Its so beautiful and freeing to be His servant, and not whatever I think I'm supposed to be or should deserve to be! I deserve nothing, but by His grace, I'm His beloved! And I will serve Him for all of my days.

Encouragment!

If you follow my other blog, you probably already saw some of these photos, but this will be more about the neatness behind them

Today - I came to work in a bad mood. Even on the way to work I was reminding myself to not let the enemy steal my joy. Well, he was robbing me. I've been so discouraged about work. Nothing bad is happening and its fine. It really is... I'm just having these panics of "is this what i want to do with my life", etc...

So, I'm in a bad mood - work is unusually busy and stressful. Then, my boss suprises me with "Happy National Admin Day"... What? I thought those were jokes! Nope. And, as an Admin - they took me lunch and gave me pretty flowers!!

My prayer every day has been, "Lord, I pray for wisdom and guidance for whatever plans you have for me ..." I've been trying to figure out if I should go to nursing school, or teach Marketing, or stay with Medtronic forever, or not work!! (I'd prefer the last option, we'll see...) And, I feel like these flowers, and this day - was not accidently placed in the middle of me praying hard about this... but an encouragement. I'm still not sure it means I have to stay with Medtronic forever, but I am enjoying it for now! And that is all I'm to do.

A call to Anguish.

Watch this video

Our Pastor played this video for us last. There isn't really a whole lot I can even write about... Just watch it.

Its messing me up though. Its messing me up. Its beautiful - its such truth, I am just praying for God's heart, God's love for his people. I am praying that I will die - and Christ will live through me each second. In every word, thought and action - He will glorified and His name will be made known.

Bye bye Blankey...

This week, one of the toughest events I've had to face in a long time happened. It might seem super silly to some of you, I expect that, especially if you don't know me very well! Here is some back story:

I don't remember one day of my life without "blankey". Not one. My mother had blankey ready for me the day I came home from the hospital. And from then on out I took it everywhere. I didn't have imaginary friends, but I had blankey, which made me feel safe, secure and never alone. As I grew up, I found myself continuing to sleep with it - take it on trips, and to cherish it! Crazy, I know - why not just put it away?... I couldn't. Even into my married life I still held tight onto it. Seth would joke with me about how he thought blankey would try to strangle him when I had gotten up for the day because blankey would be wrapped around his neck. But, I secretly know he liked to use blankey as a pillow too.. ; ) Even though he'd NEVER admit that!!!

This baby blanket has been to Indonesia, Africa, Hong Kong, and all over the US. If I was there, so was it! So of course, as I traveled to Parras Mexico over spring break - blankey came. And, blankey stayed. We have no idea where - but most likely the trash - as my very loved, but worn blanket looked like a nasty rag. So, most likely, since I didn't know I was leaving it, and it doesn't look valuable at all - it is gone.

This has hurt me so deeply. I have cried, sobbed... I've had to ask myself some hard questions - because it seems ridiculous to be so upset about a thing. I feel like someone I loved dearly has died. Then I made myself ask - was this blanket a part of my identity? Am I freaking out because I feel out of control, that I don't know who I am without it? Maybe so. This blanket had been the most constant possession in my life. But, the part of me that wants to die to self every day  had to talk with that flesh. Because, no one has taken what matters most away from me - No one can take Jesus from me. He is to be my only identity, my source of comfort, joy, love, peace, security, safety. Jesus - is all I have. So, I'm trying to look into myself and see what else I hang on to so tightly, because I don't think its a good thing to hang out that tight. Not to possessions. Not even ones that aren't expensive... this blanket wasn't expensive, but to me it was my most valuable possession.

Its gone, but my hope still remains. I'm sad, yes - and if you know me - this is huge in my life. The truth is that a blanket couldn't even love/like me back - it couldn't care for me in any way... But Jesus loves me more than anyone... So I'm praying that through this, in the future, the only thing I ever cling to is my loving Savior.

So, I know that even though I'm sad, I have joy and peace. I have a love that lasts forever and cannot be taken from me. And that the Lord is so good, so kind, so merciful, so gracious. He is so good, even still.

Martha

So, last week I spent the whole week in Mexico serving the Lord. (deep Sigh) It was wonderful.

This beauitful woman in the picture with me in Martha. Here are some words to describer her: humble, servant, kind, loving, generous, joyful, peaceful, fun, encouraging... and godly.

We stayed at Martha and Amigdo's home (I might've spelled his name wrong, and I apologize if I did!) Martha cooked breakfast for us every morning, lunch just about everyday and some great feast for dinner. It was always amazing. She cooks tortillas from scratch! Every meal was prepared with such love... and then she'd stand and watch us enjoy what she had prepared.

I knew that seeing her serve was going to minister to be. As we were debriefing, I just teared up thinking about being a wife like her. To be so humble, so kind, so loving - and to be such a good mother. Her smile was joyful and heartwarming.

I couldn't really say a whole lot of Martha. I stuck to hello and thank you and sometimes very good. And although she would try to talk to me, I could not understand! But, I know she lived the gospel - she served. she loved.

I hope people say that about me one day. She loved and she served.

A slave to what?

A quick post:

I am going to leave out details but I've been dealing with an issue in my life that I've been praying about alot. So, I've heard from others in the situation that "some people are just evil and will never change, to give up on them" ... And I respect this particulars person view on that because, I do! But, there is this part in the pit of who I am, that won't give up. It would be easier, it would be more convenient - and I do not judge or think less of in any way of the person who said to give up... trust me, this situation is hard...So, now I'll make a point of way I'm blogging about this at all...

In the One Year Bible reading for today out of Luke 6:45 it says, "A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart."

After reading that, I was thinking about this situation and I thought "How can this persons heart go from evil to good... how can the treasury of their evil heart be changed to a good heart?" In all honesty, I was thinking of the most practical ways. I know that ultimately they decide to change and the old is gone and the new has come (2 Cor. 5 :17). But, they proclaim to be a "Christian".. which I understand that claiming a title means very little - you must LIVE in your relationship with Christ and die to self. 


So, I wrote my question down, and moved on... to the Proverbs 12: 28 passage, " The way of the godly leads to life, that path does not lead to death."  And that passage lead me to Romans 6:20-23, " ²⁰ When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. ²¹ And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. ²² But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
So, apparently, in this situation, this person is still a slave to sin... and not ashamed of the things they do, and not free from power of sin... because they are choosing to still be slave to sin.

How sad. How heartbreaking. To be so close to freedom and yet not want it. Sin seems fun, seems great, seems like freedom, yet when you think of it like being a slave to sin, and not even being ashamed of doing evil things, that doesn't found great or fun - that sounds awful.

I am so thankful I am free from the power of sin!! And that I am a slave of God... I pray that I am doing those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life!

This week

I have had several people ask when will I blog about Mexico... I plan on doing that today or tomorrow... It was alot to digest! And then I had to jump back into work, so it still processing...

However - I've uploaded some fun pictures of Mexico at mine and Seth's blog.


This week has been full of seeing fun people and having great talks! The Lord has really given me a desire to just spend time with great women! So, here are a few of my favorites from this week... so far that is!

Monday - Coffee with Sarah Joy!! The Lord has blessed her with so much wisdom and grace so catching up with her is always so encouraging and fun! Especially at Cups, where she says the medium roast with a shot of mint ( I think it is... ) is incredible! Try it out....

On Tuesday mornings, I have the joy of meeting Laura Graef at Dunkin Donuts. Even though its really very early, I always look forward to this time!

Stephanie Brandon and I went Wednesday and had manicures and pedicures done. I was very excited about this! And if you see Stephanie be sure to look at her awesome glittery nails and super bright pink toe nails!

And this morning - my sweet husband went to Dunkin Donuts and brought me back a chocolate covered sprinkled donut- my favorite!!

Make me a servant, humble and meek

Make me a servant, humble and meek was from a song that my brother, Jonathan sang in a Christmas program and I vividly remember him standing by a "singing Christmas tree" of all entire choir, as a sweet little boy singing those words and my mother - crying her eyes out sitting beside me... 

Proverbs 11: 2 "Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."

I blog about what I struggle with. So, so many times I am reminded when I am facing disgrace in my own life, why I am. Because I am a prideful person. Shamefully, I admit this to you. I can confess my sins to another, and hope that you all will hold me accountable about this. I looked up some definitions in the verse because to me - if I am not living in the truth of this verse, I must not completely understand it.

Pride: a becoming or dignified sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or character; self-respect; self-esteem.; a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.

The Lord quickly reminded me in His grace that "dignified sense of what is due to oneself" Um... that I am only Worthy because of His Blood. That without Him, nothing I do matters. So, what can I justify that I have done that is good, that is worth anything? Right? All of my honors, awards, and whatever else this world tells me matters is nothing without Him. Carrie Cook started teaching me about a year ago it seems about wood, hay and stubble ( 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 (New Living Translation)  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.) How true? All of that will burn and not matter. 

Disgrace: the loss of respect, honor, or esteem; ignominy; shame; cause to lose favor or standing; a source of shame; humiliation

When I read that I immediately beg the Lord, please keep me from disgrace! Please keep me from shame. Or like Psalm 119: 39 " Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good"  

Humility  (humble) - low in rank, importance, status, quality; low in height, level ; having a feeling of insignificance

In view of who Christ is, of the God who created ALL, who was and who is and who is to come - Yes, I feel insignificant! I feel humbled. Then, why would I not be humble all the time? May God remind me constantly that I am His and He loves me, that I am on His mind, yet I am not Him... I am His beloved, but HE alone is Holy. Galatians 6:14 "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

I was thinking over that definition some... low in height or level - people I consider humble are those who are on their face praying to God, constantly seeking Him. Interesting that a physical position can represent humbleness...  And low in rank, a servant maybe? Someone who would serve others... not be served! I pray that God will continue to change me till only He shines through me, and none of anything the world cares for!

 

 

Creator, Create a clean heart!

So, all throughout Leviticus and Numbers I've been reading about all of these sacrifices God required for different sins. How overwhelming! I do not believe I would've been able to remember if I needed to bring a male goat or lamb for my peace or guilt offering? Then, in Psalm 51: 16 David says " You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering." Huh? David, was obviously, living before Jesus came and was our ultimate sacrifice - so, how cool that God revealed to David this truth way before its time! Instead he realized verse 17 " The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." For me, this is a picture of my pride breaking... like a mirror smashing it! No more pride... My pride won't let me have a broken spirit, so away with it! Out! Brokenness is what He desires, not all my sacrifices of time or money if they aren't in a right heart. Verses 10-12 "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal Spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you."  God is the Creator of all... and I often forget, He still creates, everyday - every minute. Create a clean heart in me, Creator!! Make me willing to obey you... I think I forget I can pray that God will help me obey Him if I pray and desire that!

Clean me out...

Kevin Halle preached an amazing sermon on this passage in Mark 11: 15-19.

Jesus Clears the Temple

 ¹⁵ When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, ¹⁶ and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.^{[a] 17} He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”^[b]

 ¹⁸ When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

 ¹⁹ That evening Jesus and the disciples left^[c] the city.

Kevin challenged us to think about what tables/strongholds/sins would Jesus rip and tear out of the Temple He lives in, in me? In what areas am I cheating Him, perverting the Truth or selfishly glorifying myself above Him? Because obviously, this angers our Lord. The Savior who I love to much and care about - is angry about this. Rightfully so... Its neat to see and learn about what angers the Lord. When we use Him to our benefit... for our advancement in this life... not His advancement. When we take advantage of Him? When we are more about religion than relationship - that kinda goes back to cultivating the oil to me... for all the Arise Ministry Ladies.  On this same note, I must share from the NASB Life Application Bible... about the fig tree... it says " The fig tree showed promise of fruit, but it produced none. Jesus was showing his anger at religious life without substance. If you claim to have faith without putting it to work in your life, you are like the barren fig tree, Genuine faith has great potential; ask God to help you bear fruit for His Kingdom." It says before how the fig tree situation and the clearing of the temple are related because the temple was supposed to be a place of worship, yet true worship had disappeared.

Psalm 46: 1-3

God is our refuge and strength,
      always ready to help in times of trouble.
 ² So we will not fear when earthquakes come
      and the mountains crumble into the sea.
 ³ Let the oceans roar and foam.
      Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

Thank you God that you are our refuge!! With all the earthquakes in the news that have been crumbling Haiti and Chili this passage seems very real to me right now. But, I still do not need to fear - because God is my refuge! 

 

Even though all this destruction comes... and brings much of the compassion of the Lord out of me - and makes me cry out to the Lord on their behalf, still, even still - is God their refuge, and mine. 

Shout... For your Hope is Nearby!

Crossgates, the church Seth and I serve at, has challenged us to go through the One Year Bible reading plan, and as I decided I wanted to log more about what the Lord is showing me in this journey and pray that it will speak to you as well.

Leviticus 26:11-13 (New Living Translation)

11 I will live among you, and I will not despise you. 12 I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people. 13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so you would no longer be their slaves. I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your heads held high.

I never thought Leviticus would be a book of the Bible that I would hear from the Lord in... but that is why his thoughts and ways are higher and better than mine! Isaiah 55:9 (New Living Translation) 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. So, I'm in Leviticus 26 this morning and I just read passed those verses, then I had to go back and re-read them. The phrases, "I will live among you... I will walk among you.. I will be your God, you will be my people... " Just reminded me how intimate our God is with us. He longs to walk with me... to be my God, to live life with me.... And so often I feel like He is most likely disappointed or not interested in little ole me - but that isn't what this says here. I know, I know about "context". He isn't actually talking to "me"... so lets go to 2 Corinthians 6: 16 ( The Bible Seth gave me a wedding present has these little verses out to the side of passages that link together... awesome!! Thanks Seth!)

2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 (New Living Translation)

16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

“I will live in them

and walk among them.

I will be their God,

and they will be my people.[a]

 ¹⁷ Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
      and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
   Don’t touch their filthy things,
      and I will welcome you.^[b]
 18 And I will be your Father,
      and you will be my sons and daughters,
      says the Lord Almighty.^[c]”

2 Corinthians 7

 ¹ Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

So, it is new testament too... Ok, well since these above thoughts are for me- wow! Jesus  loves  ME! Unworthy, sinner - yes, but in love with the Savior and Creator of  the world.. yes i am! Another truth that is hitting me hard, Thanks Carrie Cook, is holiness. So, it never suprises me anymore when something I read in Leviticus that then links me to a passage in 2nd Cor. happens to also mention holiness.. I'm getting very used to this happening. Because God wants to walk with me and be my God - I need to work towards holiness... WORK? I hate work... but not when its for someone I love deeply. I don't mind working around the house to Seth has a comfy clean home..that I actually enjoy... So this must be like that. I must work toward holiness because I fear God. I ask myself, "ok - What do I need cleansing from? What sin is there that is defiling me? " And that's what I challenge you with today. That's the bring it home truth - God loves us so much and wants to be intimate with us! So, what is defiling us and keeping us from holiness... do we fear God? There are a lot of questions from that truth. Here is the beauty of it ... at the end of these verses of Leviticus "I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your heads held high." We are free from our slavery to sin - we can walk with our heads held high.. because HE broke the yoke of our slavery and HE loves us.  So while I know God is speaking to the Israelites, this is the picture of Jesus - our Savior and us. 

That is just from Leviticus... So, after I have processed all of that this early morning.... I move on to Mark 10... where verses 46-52 stood out and I had to spend time re-reading that passage all over again... Here we go:

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

⁴⁶ Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. ⁴⁷ When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”⁴⁸ “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.  But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  ⁴⁹⁵⁰ Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. ⁵¹ When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here. So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.  “My rabbi,^[j]” the blind man said, “I want to see!” ⁵² And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.[k]

 Wow... This one still gets me reading it this afternoon. A blind man is calling out to Jesus and the crowd is telling him to be quiet. Be quiet. Bartimaeus knows that the only one who can heal him, is nearby - so, he shouts louder!!! Finally, Jesus hears me - and eventually heals him! And then even though Jesus says "Go - for your faith has healed you... " - he is free and can see - and do whatever he wishes to now.. but he only wants to follow Jesus - the one who healed him and changed his life forever. So, here was the insight the Lord gave me. What need or help do I start crying out for Jesus for...  but when I hear the crowd/the world quieting me - I back down... and am quiet... instead of shouting louder!? What is that for me... and why would ever be quiet when the only one who can heal my pain, or make me see again, my only hope is always nearby - if I had greater faith, I'd shout louder,  because He is nearby and He can change it! What an awesome truth and beautiful reason to follow hard down that road with Jesus. Shout... Shout loud... He can hear you... follow Him down the road.

** You can download the One Bible Reading Plan ... its simple and free....