Month: October 2008

Scripture Text: Luke 10:1-16

Jesus commissioned the seventy to go out and be witnesses in these verses. Not only was He sending them, but His Spirit would abide with them.

Instructions were given as to what to pack and not to pack. Looks like they were not to pack much. I must say I have a problem in this area, because for trips I tend to over pack, I guess, thinking I might get stranded somewhere or someone else might need something.

Angie and I went on a trip this summer to the “She Speaks” conference and I packed a separate luggage just for my shoes. Now this bag was not large, kind of medium sized. I had some heels, flip flops, tennis shoes, (if we decided to exercise—yeah, right!) and sandals.

My problem was, I didn’t want to put those shoes in with my clothes, so, I packed a separate suitcase. It sounded smart to start with, but when we started packing all our luggage in the back of my vehicle- Jeff (Angie’s husband) just laughed when he saw my separate shoe luggage along with Angie’s two book bags with our other luggage.

Well, what can I say- God didn’t tell me not to bring it! However, Christ told the “appointed seventy” in vs. 4 to “carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes…..” Maybe He wanted them to solely rely on Him to take care of them. It is unclear, but I know He had a very good reason. We don’t always have to know His reason for things, but part of growing in Christ is being able just to trust and obey.

In verses 10-15 Christ expresses the response and results of those not accepting them. Vs. 16 breaks it down even further to say: “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.” As a christian, we bear His name. Everything we do should be a reflection of Christ. Let’s hold the banner high and share Him with everyone. “This world is not my home, I’m only passing through.

“Lord Jesus, as uncomfortable as it can sometimes be, I must take You at Your Word: I am blessed when people insult me and persecute me and falsely say every kind of evil against me because of You (Matt. 5:11). The person who rejects Your truth does not reject man, but You, Lord, who have given us Your Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 4:8). May I live with this understanding even when it hurts.“

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee

Luke 9:51-56

The Blasted Unbelievers…Have you ever thought that? Okay now…be honest. I’m about to be gut wrenching honest with you…

In reading up to this point…I am reminded of the incredible love the Father has for His children. Over and over. A picture came instantly to my mind when I read these passages. A day when I was very angry—and not without cause. Cause or not though, it was sin. In it’s ugliest form. And I had to repent—and remember that Christ instructed us to LOVE them. Pray for them. (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28)

The Lord had me know with no uncertain terms what allowing that feeling to remain—not dealing with those harmful thoughts—what it would do to my heart, soul and very life. What it was already doing. Bitter root was growing. Festering and contaminating other parts of my life.

I was even like James and John….“Lord, call down fire!” That was wrong!
I imediately knew it–and repented of my attitude–and I had to pray for days for the Lord to help me PRAY for them in the right way.

What I see in James and John was something like this: “They can’t refuse You and get away with it! Surely they all need to be destroyed!”…Little did they realize the thousands that would then and still now refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ as the true and only Messiah.

Something that I read in the Scripture references today really penetrated my heart, causing tears to burn my eyes.

I pulled forward the New Living Translation and read it from there…”As the time drew near for his return to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (emphasis mine)

He knew what lay ahead. Yet for all the world He proceeded on the journey He knew must be made. For those He loved that day, and for the world that lives today. He could not let anything, nor anyone deter His footsteps. The path had long ago been laid out.

It is for us as well. Laid out and marked clear. We have been told–even in the scriptures today, there will be trials. There will be days of discouragement. Times when we will even ask, “How much longer Lord?” But, travel on we must. For the time is not yet. Soon though.

Father God, I am so thankful that You continually speak to our hearts about the wrong that tries to penetrate and stay. Thank You for sweeping my mind clean of the unhealthy thoughts. Thank You for showing us how to love those who set their mind against what is right. Hard as it is at times, surely You have shown us the way. Thank You Lord for giving us strength and direction . I pray that You will guide us and keep us—forever following the right way. Your way. In Jesus holy name I pray~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

The weekend studies were great! Sunday’s was especially touching to me, because I have a dear child that is running from God and, my husband and I have felt at times (during the toughest times) just like the father in Mark 9:22 – – “…If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” But in vs. 23, “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” And vs. 24 “…and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” I got a wonderful blessing. I called my mother and read it to her and cried some more. I didn’t know if she had read her study yet, so I was blessed again by sharing it with her. I know I’m supposed to be on Monday’s, but I had to encourage you, if you haven’t had time to read yesterday’s you might want to back track. You will be encouraged! (Angie, I think I chased a little rabbit here, but he did come in my yard- hope that was okay.? Sis- I love you the mostest!)

Scripture Text: Luke 9:46-48

In vs.46 the disciples were thinking “who was the greatest?” Kind of sounds elementary doesn’t it? (I’m bigger than you are!) The truth is everyone wants to be well thought of, but to think one is greater in God’s kingdom is different by the worldly standards. Money, fame, glamour, personality, etc… – these are all the world’s qualifications. Holding a child, in vs. 48, Jesus expressed the qualifications of being the greatest. How humbled they must have felt. He read their thoughts. (He’s pretty good at this if you didn’t know, after all, He knows our heart’s intent.)

Comparisons- I’m sure we all have been guilty of this one. Example: (High School Reunion)”I hope I don’t look as old as her.” or “By the size of the rock on her finger, looks like they are the wealthiest.” Maybe at church we say, “I wish I could sing, as good as, her.” Maybe at work we think, “I wonder if the boss knows I work harder than her?” The disciples maybe thought, “Maybe I’m closer to the Master, because after all, He chose me first,” or one of them might have thought, “I’m the greatest disciple, because I read the law three times a day, and give Jesus a place to stay every time He’s in town.” What if they even voiced, “The Master is closer to me, because He sits by me at the table,” or “I should be president of our discipleship club, because I’ve been with Him the longest.” I could go on and on – my mind is really clicking, but Christ does not like this attitude. Before long, if this attitude is not squelched it leads to envy and strife. James 3:16 says: “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.“

Lord, cleanse my every thought. I want to make it in the Pearly Gate and I don’t care if I’m the doorkeeper or the floor sweeper, I just want to make it in. (now sisters, I might have to just write that one down, it kinda rhymed)

In our devotion today, Beth talked about the Lord helping her continually to rid her life of the “self-stuff,” and she named so many: “self-exaltation, self-righteousness, self-will, self-pity, self-absorption”, etc….. Man, she stepped on my toes and sprung my ankle! Allow me to quote along with Beth, Luke 9:23 ….”If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.“

Friends, may your day be blessed and filled with His presence. Come back tomorrow to see what Angie’s going to say about Day 51 and those “Blasted Unbelievers.”

Dear Lord, thank you for this time with you. Thank you for loving us. Allow your Holy Spirit to nudge our heart when our thoughts are not pleasing to you. Forgive us for all the times we have not been in line with you. Truly, we all want to draw closer to you or we wouldn’t be doing this study today. Fill our mind with pure thoughts. Clear the clutter and sweep out the cob webs, and speak to us again. Please show us every area you want us to polish up. We’ve all been busy Father, (it’s the day we live in) but help us steal enough time away with you to hear you whisper to our hearts today. In Christ Jesus’ name- – Amen.

Close your eyes, just for a moment, to pause and listen to what He is saying today ………………..

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee

Mark 7:31-36

Up to this point we have studied many activities of Jesus. From each of the Gospels. I learned today, that this particular story is only covered by one reporter. That reporter was Mark. It made an impression. I don’t know if he walked over close enough to hear and see what Jesus did as the man experienced his healing…obviously he must have for so many details to be included.

Let’s back up. If you look back at the previous verses—you get the feeling that Jesus was tired. I mean, He had just tried to escape for just a short reprieve inside a house …in hopes of not being seen. If you go back further, you will see He has every right to be completely exhausted! But there was no rest for Him. No escape from the hungry, hurting people of the day. It’s like that now as well.

Having been close to several ministerial families I have seen first hand the everyday joys as wells as the stress the call of God takes on a family. If a minister has what I believe is a true pastor/shepherd’s heart, he is constantly busy with the “flock” and he is constantly in demand.

And, generally, he tries to meet the needs of his congregation as best he can—with the willing heart of a servant of God. But this doesn’t mean that he never grows tired. On the contrary. I believe they are more tired than we can imagine. (I think it might be like being a mother to about 200+ children….) Okay, so now I am really exhausted…and not because it is FRIDAY and the week was EXTREMELY long and had splashes of difficulty . . .(and I am not a preacher! Whew! AND their busy time is about to crank up!)

Living in a glass house, being observed, not only by your congregation, but by the very community in which you live is enough to make the normal person want to pull their hair out! (I think it would mine!) Wait a minute. Did I just imply that preachers/ministers/pastors aren’t normal? Well, they are. They eat, drink, sleep and grow weary in well doing just like the rest of us….and by the way. In case we forget…the commission to go into all the world…was for all who believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ! At least that is what I believe. Correct me please if I am mistaken. If I’m wrong…then I guess I can just shut down the blog and all the other hearts striving to live the life before the world telling others about Jesus can just push pause and let the preacher’s carry on…. whatcha think? Me either. We have a job to do…and not much time to get it done. Carry on girls. (This was a minor pit stop in the study…sorry I strayed. Let’s get back to business.)

Jesus was living and ministering in a glass house as well. FOLLOWED closely. NO ALONE TIME—or at least it was VERY hard to come by.

So we find Him traveling once again…and the word has spread and He is met by friends of a man who is deaf and could hardly speak. They obviously loved this man very much, for the Bible says that they begged Jesus to heal him. And of course as you read the story you find that Jesus does heal him. In a rather unusual way, that was not typical of his other healing works.

When I read the first of verse 34, “He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh….” I pondered His sigh. My first thought was, bless His heart, He can’t go anywhere without being bombarded to do for others. But—that was my flesh thinking. Helping others is what Jesus was all about. Helping them from themselves. From the self destruction of sin.

I read the commentary notes below and realized what His deep sigh was all about. He knew already what lay in store for this man. And with the tongue being the most unruly member of each of us….what difficulties this man may now face that he might not before….food for thought. You read it and tell me what you think.

¹He sighed; not as if he found any difficulty in working this miracle, or obtaining power to do it from his father; but thus he expressed his pity for the miseries of human life, and his sympathy with the afflicted in their afflictions, as one that was himself touched with the feeling of their infirmities. And as to this man, he sighed, not because he was loath to do him this kindness, or did it with reluctance; but because of the many temptations which he would be exposed to, and the sins he would be in danger of, the tongue-sins, after the restoring of his speech to him, which before he was free from. He had better be tongue-tied still, unless he have grace to keep his mouth as with a bridle, Ps. 39:1.

More food for thought…and you can tell me what you think here too…but I wonder if in praying certain prayers…if God’s not healing us or removing the burden, or cutting back our cross a bit (see Aimee’s post from Day Forty-Four—we added a GodTube clip you really need to see!), I just wonder…are we trying to take matters into our own hands…and maybe, just maybe the burden is for a purpose? A BIGGER reason. A BIGGER working in our lives ….or maybe it’s for someone else? I don’t know…I am just thinking out loud. Sort of. Honestly, I really wish I could have all the problems fixed…but I told my oldest daughter a few weeks ago, the trials she is in is for a reason…God is TRYING to work out some of the things she is clinging to that is not OF HIM. Now, I am not saying it’s the case every time. Not at all. I am just ramblin’ on. Sorry. Too much caffeine.

I know from this week alone, how VALUABLE time alone with Christ is. More than anything else, we need to give time to God each day. When I drive to work everyday over 40 miles one way, that gives me many miles of time with Him. We have the BEST time! I talk to the LORD about the day to day…and He listens. There are times though, I catch myself becoming encumbered in my mind with the details of whatever the current problem may be….and I have to snatch my mind back to HIM. I am so glad He goes with me wherever I go.

Girls, I encourage you to take some time this weekend and just BE with the Lord. Allow Him to talk to your hearts and minds—He will lift the burdens from our shoulders…if we let Him.

Heavenly Father, I bring these sisters that are with us today, before Your throne of grace, and ask that You would look on them with Your favor. Your word says that You give strength to the weary, so I ask that You would strengthen each heart and life. Bless them Lord with Your presence, and encourage them. Remind them of Your faithfulness and Your love that they might stand in faith against whatever they may be facing today. Lord You alone know our tomorrows. You know how to prepare us for that day. We give You each of our days. Take them and create what will bring glory and honor to You. In the name of Jesus we pray~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

¹Henry, Matthew. “Commentary on Mark 7.” Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible. Blue Letter Bible. 01 Mar 1996.

16 Oct 2008.http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Mar/Mar007.html.

I just have to say this silly comment to get a smile from you this morning:
“Are we frogging or blogging?” Ya’ get it ??? (I know that was corny, but sometimes I say something corny to make people laugh- it’s good for you!) One day, I’ll share with ya’ll ’bout my frog story. It’s a hoot! I better get down to business though on today’s devotion.

Today’s scripture reference: Colossians 2:1-7

Good morning sisters! It is so good to have you over today. Grab a chair and a cup of Chia Latte Tea. Let’s sit down at the table and talk a little bit. Beth is sharing some very interesting thoughts. Look back at verse 3. Beth brought to our attention that “What Paul is saying is that God is the fullness of all security and mystery. He meets all our emotional needs as well as all our mental needs.” I like that explanation! (Please excuse how I look today, but I’m holding on….. by faith.)

It astounds me, how God can meet our every need if we stay in tune with Him. You know He cares about the details of our life. I remember when my husband had an automobile accident in 1996, he had to have surgery on his broken leg. We had not been pastoring the church here very long, but he was laid-up for a while. While he was still in the hospital, I came home one day to bring him some fresh p.j.’s and going home clothes. I remember looking through his closet and thinking “I know he’ll have many visitors when we get home and he don’t even own a housecoat.” Not that- that was such a big deal, but we didn’t have the money to go buy one. I gathered him a pair of jogging pants and a t-shirt and my clothes and headed back to the hospital. When I got back to the hospital, he had lots of visitors. I’ll never forget this special visitor that came. A soft spoken lady from our Church with such gentle ways, always a beautiful smile, and a deep hearty laugh, came in carrying a beautifully wrapped box. She handed it to my husband and to my amazement was a gorgeous, plush, navy-blue bathrobe! I know she probably thought I was crazy as I teared-up over a robe, I looked at my husband and said, “just what you needed, thank you, Lord!” I had not told anyone, and I didn’t even say the thought aloud while I was standing in our closet at home, but God knew! You may think this is so trivial or vain, but God cared- He cared about what I was concerned about. God is mysterious and we can never completely understand His ways.

We can rest in God’s love. (Would you care for more tea?) Let’s back up a minute and re-read vs. 2. Paul said, he wanted “their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery-Christ.” Sisters, let your “heart be encouraged as we join together” everyday in our Bible study because truly God is giving us the “richness of more understanding and knowledge of the mystery of Christ- The One and Only.”

Now vs. 4 has a few words that went leaping off the page at me. Paul said in the NKJV, that he was “rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” I want to have “good order and steadfast faith.” (Angie, that’s why I continually feel I need to get organized! Sorry, girls I’m having a little trouble in this area of my life, too much to do and too little time.) I guess my faith is being tested, here lately, at His “service station” spot checking the “steadfast” part. Steadfast- this is immovable faith or unshakable faith. I pray my faith will stand strong in the Lord, my rock, and not the shifting sands of this world.

Beth’s last statement was so powerful and true, where she wrote: “No matter how often we seek Him, we will always be stunned by His greatness.” I’ll close now with a prayer because my legs are so tired from hopping around so much on this blog today.

Dear Lord, help us to walk in you, staying rooted and built up in you. Please establish us in the faith, just as we have been taught, always abounding in it with thankful hearts. Colossians 2:7.

Keep smiling and growing in Christ. Love all of you Sisters of Faith!

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee

Scripture references Luke 9:28-36

About eight days (Brothers Matthew and Mark both say 6 days…but I agree with the commentary I read that the good Dr. Luke’s recordings were most likely the more accurate), have passed since yesterday’s conversation.

Beth asked the question, “Why would Jesus choose a mountain as the ideal spot for Him to reveal His glory to His closest friends?”

It made me think. About my own mountains. Have you ever been climbing? Well, I haven’t climbed any huge rocks…but I have trekked with Jeff, up a mountain to reach the top of a water fall. The journey was tricky. I even lost my footing a time or two. I was hit with branches, worried about poisonous plants, even envisioned some snakes crawling along. Yes, don’t forget the snakes. But when I reached the top—oh my goodness.

The air was the first thing you notice. Of course you are out of breath from the climb, but then the view takes your breath away! I cannot fathom how anyone who ventures out into creation can possibly even entertain the thought that there is no God.

Girls I can tell you from my experience in actually climbing said mountain (It was up Minnehaha Falls in Rabon County Georgia, that God’s beauty is all around–in the tiniest detail of the plenteous Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel, to the spiders making their way along the most fragile spun web, it’s all God.

This is a picture of the very falls we climbed. Now–I was MUCH younger when I trekked the whole way, and it was not easy even then. The way was very slippery. We were in and out of the water. But the view from the top was, as Beth said of the journey for Peter, James and John, “worth the climb.”

His glory can be viewed with our window thrown wide, or even in the tiniest peep hole. But if we choose to look only through a peep hole existence, we must realize that we are only allowing ourselves a peephole experience with God.

And girls, there is so much more!

He is so much bigger than that!

When I was studying this today, I use Matthew Henry’s Commentary a great deal in my reading, and this is something I found very interesting….

¹“Lastly, The apostles are here said to have kept this vision private. They told no man in those days, reserving the discovery of it for another opportunity, when the evidences of Christ’s being the Son of God were completed in the pouring out of the Spirit, and that doctrine was to be published to all the world. As there is a time to speak, so there is a time to keep silence. Every thing is beautiful and useful in its season”.

Sometimes the LORD gives you a nugget of truth for your life. One for a day to come. Perhaps the near future, maybe further off a bit. But sometimes, like Mary, the mother of Jesus, we need to “ponder these things” in our hearts a bit. At the right time, He will pave the way for us to share them. That is sort of how I’ve been with many details around the time of Wanda’s home going. Even still. I know that there will be a day and time when I will share much of my experience of her exit from this life into the next. Until that day…I hold them dear and near my heart. And in the meantime, I thank you my faithful friend for sticking by us and praying for us.

I loved Beth’s prayer today and am sharing it—I have ENJOYED this so much! I am feeling the growth in my own life and heart. I hope you are as well. I know that our conversations have been deeper. And, I am listening more.

“O Lord my God, You are very great, clothed with majesty and splendor. You wrap Yourself in light as if it were a robe, spreading out the sky like a canopy, laying the beams of Your palace on the waters above, making the clouds Your chariot, walking on the wings of the wind, and making the wind Your messengers, flames of fire Your servants” (Ps. 104:1-4), do in each of our hearts as You would. Teach us Your ways, shine the light on the path we are to take. Help us to grasp a firm grip on Your hand as You lead us in the paths of righteousness. Up the hill, to view the magnificent creation You have blessed us with! I am clinging tight. I know You won’t let go. Guard the lives of each of our dear sisters that are journeying with us. Bless their homes and hearts. Help them to see the miracles in the meeting of their everyday needs. In the mighty and holy name of Jesus—praying, believing–EXPECTING—~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

¹ Henry, Matthew. “Commentary on Luke 9.” Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible. Blue Letter Bible. 01 Mar 1996.14 Oct 2008.