A heritage of divine wisdom and peace

Isaiah 54:¹³ All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
¹⁷no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD
and their vindication from me, declares the LORD."

The heritage of the servants of the Lord are described by Isaiah as follows: The Lord will establish them in prosperity, their generations will be taught by Him and have great peace, they will be free and not afraid, and nothing that comes against them will prevail. The part that really catches my attention is verse 13. This is God's promise to His servants, that their children will be taught by God and they shall have great peace.

As a mother, I greatly desire this for my son. I want him to be taught by the Lord. I want him to have that intimate relationship and I want Lion to gain wisdom and knowledge. Also, I want Lion to have great peace. Especially when he stirres during the early hours of the morning to feed and then wakes up and has trouble going back to sleep. I want him to rest peacefully. It bothers me that he struggles with resting. However, it's probably a good example of how adults, myself included, do the same thing. We have every opportunity and reason to just rest and trust in God. When he lays me down in a green pasture, I should just stay down. I should not fight it, but I do. Anyways, I shouldn't get upset when Lion doesn't sleep when he's tired. I need to be filled with God's grace in those moments. The peace that God promises Lion isn't slothful rest, it is peace knowing that God is His Lord and Savior. That God is contending for him and that wisdom and love is immediately available in Jesus. That is the precious gift we have for our children if we serve the Lord. When I am loving God the way that I should, my son will receive God's blessing of knowledge and peace.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my sins. You know, Lord, just how frustrated I get. Please take that from me. Help me to completely surrender that to You. Make me into a peaceful person. Lord, I thank You for Your inheritance through Jesus Christ. I recognize that heritage as my own and ask that I continue always to love and serve You genuinely. Lord, please continue to pour out Your peace upon me and my family. I ask that Your peace rest in this home always. Please help me to be gracious as Lion learns how to sleep through the night. Please help Lion sleep through the night as well. Thank You, Jesus. I love You. I pray all this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

God's word

2 Peter 1:20-21 But know this first of all that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made as an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Here, as in other places in the Bible, confirms that all of the Bible is Holy Spirit inspired and not just a book written by men. If we do not believe that the Bible is God's word inspired by the Holy Spirit, then we will have a hard time to believe God's promises. Besides, it is obvious that all the prophecy in the Bible is true because it happened just as it was prophesied. God's word is powerful and that is why I must be committed to learning the scriptures.

I need to really wrap my head around the fact that the scriptures are all Holy Spirit inspired, written by God Himself through men. I need to understand this so that when I call up scripture, I can stand upon it, like a rock. It is never changing. It is true. It is 100% dependable because it is God's very word and He cannot lie. When I doubt God, it usually goes something like this:
"Lord, You said You'd never leave me or forsake me, but is that true in this situation?"
Of course the answer is "Yes, it is true" because God is everlasting and His word is the scripture. I should never underestimate the Bible by saying to myself, "Oh, that was just Peter's point of view" or "That's just Paul's point of view." Rather, I need to say, that is God's word. He has said it and it still stands.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unchanging Word. Lord, may I fully trust in Your word and not doubt it or bend it. Lord, I love Your truth. I love Your stability. Please help me to be steady in my walk. Lord, please make me humble. I know that I cannot do anything without You. I need You for my marriage, my mothering, and my day to day living. May I decrease and You increase. Please continue to reveal to me Your glory and majesty. May I seek You and know and understand You for who You really are. Jesus, thank You for making forgiveness available to me for the ultimate sacrifice. May I never cheapen Your grace nor Your love. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Precious, Honored, Loved

Isaiah 43:⁴Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,...

The Word of God is speaking through Isaiah the prophet to His chosen people. His words are those of love and adoration. He calls His people precious even though they have committed adultery in their spiritual devotion. He calls them honored even though they have not brought honor to Him by disobeying His laws and commandments. He tells them that He loves them. God is so good. He is the only good.

I will memorize this verse. Lately, I've been struggling with my self-esteem. I keep beating myself up when I make the littlest mistakes. My husband has said that this is sort of like telling God, "You made a mistake when you created me" or "Your forgiveness means nothing to me." Truly, I am a worthless sinner. However, because God loves me, I am precious in His sight and I am honored. When I start to get down on myself, I need to call this scripture up to memory. It will remind me that God is perfect, merciful, gracious, and love. I need only to accept His forgiveness to break free from the bondage of condemnation.

Heavenly Father, please help me to engrave this scripture on my heart. I'm sorry for calling myself worthless when You have made me precious through the blood of Your son, Jesus Christ. I repent and turn from this cycle and habit of self degradation. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for redeeming me. I love You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

God is holy

Isaiah 42: ⁵Thus says God, the LORD,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
⁶"I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,

Isaiah is filled with the Holy Spirit as he writes this, declaring who the Lord God is and what He is doing. God makes Himself known to man even though our minds cannot ever really grasp all of His majesty and holiness. He is the one who created the heavens and the earth. He created people and is the reason for breath itself. God has placed in every person who walks in the spirit the Holy spirit. God is the one to declare something as righteous. Nothing but Himself deserves to be righteous. By His abundant grace, He calls us righteous through His son, Jesus.

I love how God is slowly revealing to me a bit more of who He really is. I know God. I have a relationship with Him. However, I think I am finally seeing His holiness. It's similar to how I felt when I realized for the first time just how special my dad is. I remember that one day I was looking at him playing the guitar and it just hit me...my dad is a great musician. Growing up with him, I never realized just how talented he is. I kind of just respected him because he was my dad. But once I saw him as a musician, I was doubly amazed. I think that is happening to me with my Heavenly Father. I am finally seeing another side of Him. It's a side I've always known existed but never really comprehended or realized it for myself. God is Holy. God is the only thing that is Holy. I'm finally learning what holiness is. It sounds kind of elementary but I think my walk with Jesus will reach a whole new level after this season. As Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love, says, I need to just stop and think and fathom and awe at God's holiness.

Heavenly Father, the Holy One, the Creator of all things...You are worthy to be praised. Only You are worthy. Lord, I thank You for the revelation You are giving me concerning Your holiness. Jesus, You are holy and because You dwell within me, You are making me holy. I ask for the strength for true repentance. I turn from my unholy ways and choose to walk in Your spirit and truth. Please keep me on the path of righteousness. Lord, You are amazing. You are awesome and stunning and spectacular and I love You. May my heart be made pure before You. Help me to do the work that You have set before me. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, the Holy Son of God, Amen.

I am healed from the sickness of disobedience

1 Peter 2:²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

"By his wounds we have been healed" is a popular statement that Christians claim when they pray for healing for others and themselves. Now, I think it is taking this scripture out of context. Peter is speaking about submission to authority. The healing that Christ has brought through His suffering is for the sickness of disobedience. Because of Jesus, we have the power to be submitted to God. Rebellion is like an illness in which we have inherited the sins and rebellious nature of our ancestors. However, Jesus came and lived a sinless life to break this cycle of hereditary disobedience.

I feel conviction for taking this scripture out of context. I don't think this means I can't pray for healing, however, I do need to stop using this scripture as a name it and claim it phrase. The whole message of this scripture is truly, "By his wounds, we have been healed from the sickness of rebellion." This is a greater healing than that of the flesh. Our bodies are temporary, but our souls are eternal. Since Jesus has given us the power to overcome the tendency to rebel against God, then we have the gift of true repentance and conversion. This has such great value to us. Not only are we saved, but we have the power to change through Jesus and overcome our flesh. Hallelujah! There are times when I feel like I'm stuck with the sin I'm in. Like, I'll never get over this one sin. But the truth is that no sin is too big for God because we have been healed from disobedience if we choose to follow Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to heal us from the sickness of disobedience. Lord, I know that I have been guilty of misusing Your word. Please forgive me, Father. Also, I repent from the mindset of slavery to certain sin such as a wandering mind, lustful dreams, and low self-esteem. In the name of Jesus Christ, I claim the promised healing which says that I am fully able to be obedient to God. Lord, I pray that You would reveal Yourself to me. May I gain a better understanding of Your holiness and fearsomeness. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Pursue Holiness

1 Peter 1:¹⁴As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, ¹⁵but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

We are God's children and we must be obedient to our Father. Peter instructs us to not go back to our ignorant ways. Before our eyes were opened to the truth, we acted without knowing the good from the bad. Now that we do know the truth, we should not go back to what we used to do. Instead, we must pursue God's holiness. Our walk with Jesus is one of upward motion. We should not look back or look down because it causes us to stumble and fall. God commands His children to be holy because He is holy.

God has really been speaking to me about His holiness lately. I think I am getting a better idea of the awesome, fearsome, and righteous God I love. Honestly, my mind has not wrapped all the way around it. I still don't have a good focus on who God really is when I pray. I need to get a better grasp on His holiness. I think it would bring me to my knees in repentance. I admit, when the temptation to sin wells up inside me, I entertain the thought in my mind. This has to stop. This is what Peter is talking about. I need to let go of those passions because they spring from disobedience and ignorance. Instead, I need to cling to God's word and truth. I need to climb upwards and be holy. I am tired of always taking one step forward and two steps backward. It's time that I make the pursuit of holiness my main goal.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace. You are Holy. You are righteous and pure. I long to be like You. Lord, I know that I have sinned with my ignorant thoughts. Please change my way of thinking and help me to cling to Your righteousness. I love You, Lord. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Steadfast

James 5:¹¹Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Steadfast means to be resolutely firm and unwavering. The person who is steadfast in their faith in Jesus is considered blessed. Job is an example of steadfastness. Even though all was taken from Job, he still worshiped and praised God. God's purposes are always compassionate and merciful. That is something we must remember especially in times of pain and suffering and loss.

My left nipple is throbbing in pain. I don't know why it is so sore. It feels like how it felt when I first was nursing Lion. Why is it suddenly painful again? I almost forgot just how much pain I felt when I first started breastfeeding. I started crying out to God again for healing. It's like God is reminding me of how much I need Him. He is testing me. Am I going to turn to Him for healing, comfort, and worship? Or am I going to sulk in my suffering? Also, it just shows me how lazy I get in depending on Him when I'm not suffering. Man, I'm quick to pray when I'm unable to sleep or uncomfortable, but what about praying to thank Him for good health, peace, comfort and rest? I'm such a sinner. I couldn't sleep because the pain in my breast is so intense. I need God. I am just dust. I need to be steadfast in my faith in Jesus. I need to remember that no matter how much I feel like I'm suffering, God is always compassionate and merciful.

Heavenly Father, I'm so sorry for being so wavering in my faith. I'm sorry that it takes pain and suffering to bring me to Your throne. Lord, forgive me. Help me to be steadfast. Lord, please heal me from the pain in my breast. Jesus, please bear this pain upon Yourself. Please take it from me. Help me to fall back asleep so I can get rest. Lord, please heal me! I know You have the power to do it. Please be willing to heal me, Lord! Give me Your compassion and mercy for others. May I keep my eyes fixed on You. Prevent me from gazing upon myself and my own problems. Lord, help me! Help me! I need You. I need Your salvation. I need Your comfort. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Resisting the trend

2 Kings 17:³³So they feared the LORD but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.

God's chosen people have been drifting to and from God like a piece of seaweed on the ocean's tide. Here, the people have remembered to fear the Lord their God but they still also served their own man-made gods that were adopted from the very nations that placed them in captivity and exile. Bad habits die hard. But what about good habits? What happened to all those years of worshiping the one, true God? Why didn't that habit stick? Why do people drift towards other lesser gods rather than God almighty? It says in 2 Kings that Israel was cast out of the sight of God because of their sin. They also had a very corrupt king, Ahaz, at the time who led Israel to worship false idols. So, Judah followed in the way of its relatives, the Israelites. Even though they knew what to do, they just went with the ways of the world.

Following the trend is not good in this case. Actually, I'm not sure how good it is to follow the trend. Lately, I've been feeling a strong desire in me to look better. I want to get my haircut (this I've been wanting since I gave birth) and update my clothes. I keep telling myself that I would like to look better for my husband. That he should have a beautiful, well-kept wife and that my son should have a beautiful mommy. I suppose that is part of the truth, because really, if those were my only reasons, then I wouldn't have to change anything. My husband and child will love me regardless of what I look like. Am I placing my self worth in the eyes of the world or am I doing a good thing by caring about what I look like? Will my appearance bring glory to God or to myself? I tend to not follow the trend, but every once in a while, I do. In fact I get such a strong urge to fit in. Am I being like the Israelite people and worshiping other gods? I think that I need to refocus onto Jesus. He needs to be the source of my attention and worship. I should not worship outer beauty. Besides, focusing too much on my outward appearance may start a bad habit in me. I'll be more consumed with how I look than by how much others see Jesus in me.

Heavenly Father, You are the only One worthy to be glorified. I ask that You would keep me set apart for Your good works. Please help me from falling into the traps of this world. Lord, I cling to You and refuse to get caught up in the tide. Lord, as I fix my eyes upon You, may You create a beauty in me that points back to Your righteousness and purity. Lord, I worship You alone and ask that You forgive me for seeking out the approval of man and the world. May I serve and fear You alone. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Onion Rings

James 1: ²²But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. ²⁵But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

James is one of the half brothers of Jesus. He is speaking to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion, which are the tribes of Israel after the Assyrians and Babylonians scattered them. James instructs them to be doers of God's word. To just hear God's word without doing it will only deceive one's self. It's like obviously seeing what your present appearance is but then quickly forgetting what you look like. We are blessed when we look into God's perfect law and do what He says.

I feel really convicted. And the silly thing is, it's all about onion rings. I shared them last night without really wanting to share them. Well, I suppose I felt I was doing a Godly thing at the time but really, the more I think about it, I didn't do what God wanted me to do. I acted out of my flesh and not out of God's word. I shared the onion rings out of a feeling of obligation and a desire to be viewed as generous. I must repent. If I know that I cannot share something with the joy of the Lord, then I need to truly get my heart in the right place before taking action. I am learning a valuable lesson from James about doing God's word but more importantly, I must do it with God's heart. If I just hear God's law and use that to fuel my own self-righteousness, I am not doing anything that is bringing glory to my Heavenly Father. However, if I can hear God's word, allow it to transform my heart, and then out of the overflow of my heart act, I will do Godly things. Most importantly, I must persevere at doing this, meaning that it'll take a lot of tries and sometimes I get it and sometimes I won't but I gotta keep trying. God is really patient with me. This morning, I am humbled. I see clearly how much I've fallen from the mark, but I pray that God will restore me and that I'll use this experience to drive my actions in the future.

Heavenly Father, You are the Holy One. You are perfect and good. I am a sinner and still so self centered. Please forgive me and change my focus to be fixed upon You. Jesus, give me Your heart. Show me how to act upon Your word and lead me in that righteous way. Please help me to forgive myself. May I persevere in doing Your will. I know that You have already forgive me, so may I receive that forgiveness and gain strength for the future testing of my faith. Lord, I want to be a doer of Your word. May my motivations and priorities match up with Yours. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Outside my comfort zone

Hebrews 13:¹⁰We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. ¹¹For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. ¹²So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. ¹³Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. ¹⁴For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. ¹⁵ Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. ¹⁶Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Only last night at Bible study did I learn that Jesus was taken outside the city to be crucified. My husband was talking about John 19 and he described how in the Levitical law, it was not lawful to kill within the camp or city. Here, Paul talks about how we must pursue Jesus outside our camp. It will be uncomfortable for us, but we must seek God outside of what we know and are comfortable with. Besides, as Christians we no longer belong to a city here on earth, but rather we belong to a city that is to come when Jesus comes again. Our altar is Jesus and what we bring to sacrifice is praise to Him. We don't just praise Jesus with our words, but also with doing good and sharing what we have.

Am I pursuing Jesus outside what is comfortable for me? Or am I staying in my little camp? My women's bible study just started this series called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I sense that God is really going to stretch me this season. I suppose that I am just a comfortable Christian. I don't go out of my way to be Jesus to people. I think God is answering my prayer to be more Christ-like. I don't want to just be a good person, I want to be a follower of Christ. This means that I have to take risks and give all that I have to Him. I need to learn and apply the meaning of "Let go and let God."

Heavenly Father, Creator of everything, King of Kings and almighty God, I humbly come before Your throne in prayer. May I know exactly who I am speaking to before I present this request. Lord, I repent from being a comfortable convert. Please show me how to truly follow Jesus Christ. Father, I thank You for the grace You have extended to me. Help me to share this grace with others so that they may know Jesus and receive Your salvation. Lord. please reveal to me Your full identity and holiness so that I may truly understand how to sacrifice praise and good works to You. Help me to step out of my "little camp." I love You, Lord. I pray this in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I'm so spoiled

Hebrews 12:³ Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. ⁴In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Jesus suffered the ultimate painful death so that I may overcome sin. Jesus endured the most hostility so that I may be encouraged. Paul is saying that none of us have struggled against sin the way Jesus has. We haven't shed our blood to overcome sin, so we should be encouraged that we have the power through Jesus Christ to overcome sin without suffering so badly ourselves.

I am so spoiled. I think I take Jesus for granted. I need to stop that. Why do I feel like I have the luxury of sinning? It isn't a luxury. It is the enemy. Jesus gave His life for me to have the power to defeat this enemy and instead I allow my thoughts to linger on sin. I have the foolishness to think that I have it "so hard" being a pastor's wife. I need to focus on Jesus. Already, I can see that I've been exalting myself and thinking that I suffer "so much" as a Christian. What a load of doo doo. I'm so spoiled. Paul is right. Never have I come to the point of shedding my blood to overcome sin and it never will come to that because Jesus did it once and for all. I'm such a spoiled child though to cheapen Jesus' life by taking His suffering and sacrifice for granted. May I remember, in times when I feel like I have the right to sin just a little, that Jesus paid the price for my repentance with his blood, with his life. May I be humbled today and keep myself humbled. May I be encouraged to continue walking in righteousness, not for my own sake, but for God's glory.

Heavenly Father, I'm so sorry for being a spoiled child. Please forgive me. Please empower me to change. Lord, keep me humble. May I stop allowing my thoughts to wander. Help me to keep my focus on Jesus. I love You, Lord. Thank You for paying the cost of sin so that I may have freedom. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, Amen.

God is truth

Hebrews 11:³By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Here Paul clearly states what Christians should believe about the creation of the world. Paul took the Bible literally and we should too. What is written in Genesis is truth and we should not try to take that truth and mold it into what we think really happened. To do so, is to warp the Word of God and do the work of the enemy which is deception. Paul clearly states that the universe was created by the word of God, not by a big bang, nor by evolution. Paul says that by faith "we understand" and after that he goes on talking about other people's faith and what promises it brought them. If we do not understand the creation of the world by faith, then we miss the power and promises of God. In essence, we limit Him and prove our disbelief in Him when we try to justify God's word with our own limited logic.

God is so awesome. It takes faith to believe everything in the Bible. It takes faith to believe in Jesus. Although the Bible is 100% truth and therefore, supported by every scientific discovery, every Biblical cross-reference, and every historical fact, humans still doubt the Bible and try to fit it into their own puny mindsets. It blows my mind that with God's word, the whole universe was created! The world is much younger than what our archeologists believe. Although I don't have the evidence to back it up, except for the Bible, I must have faith that God did create the universe with a Word. Do I really believe everything in the Bible? Am I taking the scripture and manipulating it to fit my own understanding? Or, am I allowing God to transform my mind by faith in His Word. God cannot lie. He cannot tell us anything deceiving. It is not possible for Him to tell a lie because His very nature is truth. I place my faith in Christ. I'm in it 100%. I can't be a lukewarm Christian. God tells the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Truth. Thank You for revealing the truth to us mere mortals. Lord, I ask for the faith to believe in everything You have said, 100%. May I stop trying to fit You into my limited knowledge and take Your Word at full value. Forgive me for my sins. Jesus, thank You for coming to bring completion to the law. Jesus, You are the word of God. Help me to live according to God's word every moment. I pray for Your wisdom, joy, and peace to reside and thrive in my body, mind, and soul. I love You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Lord, whip my butt into shape!

I don't understand why every couple of weeks I get bit by a lazy bug. I don't want to do my devos early in the morning, I don't want to take my dietary supplements, I don't want to do anything disciplined, period. I hate it when I'm like this. I have somehow let go of my motivation. I then proceed to go through the motions so that I don't feel guilty later but while I'm going through the motions, I feel really yucky, like I have no joy and I'm forcing myself to do things. Ugh! I feel so gross right now. Even though I know that I will learn a lot from God in my devotion and that it is the right thing to do, my flesh is crawling! Yikes! Get me out of my skin, O God! I hate this feeling!

Hebrews 10:¹⁹ Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Paul is encouraging the Hebrew Christians to be confident in their faith. He is telling them to draw near to Christ with a true heart, a clean conscience, and purified bodies. Christians need to encourage one another in the faith because our faith does tend to waiver and the day of Christ is drawing closer and closer.

This scripture has revealed to me why I feel the way I feel. I've not been encouraged in my faith but also, more importantly, I've let myself go without even realizing it. Now, I see it all. I've neglected my daily disciplines and so my spiritual discipline is also being neglected. I have dishes in the sink, thinking that I'll wash them later. I haven't taken a shower, thinking that since tomorrow morning I'm going walking and going to get sweaty, that I shouldn't waste my time and effort. Paul says that we need to wash our bodies with pure water! I feel grimey and sweaty so of course I feel irritable. I skipped my devo yesterday morning. That already set me up to think that I don't need to do my devo today. I start compromising on the little things and then those little things become big things. I figured that I didn't need to do my devotion yesterday because I was going to church. Also, I thought that since my dad was going to church, I did a good enough thing and so I didn't want to "over do it" on the good things list. I've been eating whipped cream and truthfully it's becoming the only thing I want to eat. I look at my pills and I'm like, "yuck, who wants to take those? Not me." Geez, as I'm writing this, I see how selfish and stupid I am! My faith needs to be proactive. I need to draw near to Christ. No one can draw near to Him for me.

Heavenly Father, I admit...I'm so lazy, stupid, self-centered, and stubborn. I'm sorry I allowed my slothfulness to overtake me. Lord, help me to repent. I want to turn completely from all this. I want to be pure, holy, and righteous before You. I know for a fact that I'm totally blowing it. Even though I forced myself to do my devotion, I know that I'm still like 90% wanting to do my own thing. Lord, I ask that You whip my butt into shape! Really, hit me over the head so that I think straight. Jesus Christ, I'm sorry for grieving You. I'm sorry for being selfish. Please take over my thoughts, my heart, my body, and my spirit so that I can properly repent before God. I love You, Lord. I'm sorry and I'm drawing near to You. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

A Better Covenant

Hebrews 8:⁵They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain." ⁶But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. ⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

The Hebrews that Paul is writing to are ones that believe in the true identity of Christ. They are Jews just like Paul is, so they grew up with the Mosaic Law as their guide to righteousness. However, Paul is educating them, letting them know that Jesus had come to complete the old law and bring about a new and better covenant. The old covenant was a shadow and copy of what God really wanted to do. This makes sense because God always prepares the way before He does something. Like how He had the example of Jonah to be a sign of Jesus' burial and ressurection. And how the Passover which was established in Eqypt was fulfilled in the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. The Lord is our Great Teacher and teachers teach in steps so that the students may learn the full concept.

God's ways are higher than our ways, so He has to prepare us beforehand. If God sent Jesus without preparing the way with the Levitical law, Passover, prophecy, etc. then Jesus would simply be incomprehensible to us. We wouldn't understand holiness. We wouldn't understand sacrifice. These would be foreign concepts. We wouldn't understand what a covenant is. God made these things basic and then improved them so that we could grasp the magnitude of it all. I must always keep in mind an attitude of improvement. God is teaching me so things that I may understand now will be built upon just as a house has a foundation first and then the rooms are added to it. I want to be prepared for the heavenly things so I must continously grow in the things God is teaching me now.

Heavenly Father, may I always be seeking Your higher ways. Lord, forgive me for trying to live by the old covenant of justification through works. I ask that I abide in Your new and better covenant that Jesus Christ paid for with His life. Thank You for Your better covenant. Lord, help me to be the person You intended me to be. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and my Savior, Amen.

Do Justice, Love Kindness, and Walk Humbly

Micah 6:⁸He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah the prophet tells of what God has always required of His children, which is to DO justice, LOVE kindness, and to WALK HUMBLY with God.

When I feel overwhelmed by all the things I have to get done...I need to remember that this is all God asks of me. I just need to be fair, kind, and humbly walk with God. It's that simple. However, those are the very things I struggle with everyday. How do I make sure that I am fair and just in all that I do? I need to make sure that I am not striving for my own gain. Also, to love kindness is to be thoughtful of others. Most importantly, I must remain humble in my walk with Jesus. I do not have it all together. I do not have all the answers nor am I greater than the next person. I need Jesus desperately every second because I am just dust.

Lord, help me in these three things. May I master them so I can me more like You. I love You and I want to be just like You. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Crying it out

Psalm 102:¹ Hear my prayer, O LORD;let my cry come to you! ² Do not hide your face from me
in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call!

This psalm is described as a prayer of one afflicted when he is faint and pours his heart out to the Lord. This psalmist has hit rock bottom. This psalmist if pouring out his heart to God to hear God's voice, to see His face, and to receive rescuing.

It seems that God is revealing to me His Fatherly heart. I've been learning a lot about God through His scripture describing His parenting style. First, let me start with describing what I do with Lion as a parent. He has a hard time falling asleep on his own. Now there are two approaches...either soothe the baby when he is crying, or let him cry it out. There are times I try to soothe Lion, but he is still crying. Therefore, all I can do during those times is let him cry it out. It is a painful thing for both of us to go through. I hate hearing him cry. Also, sometimes I am watching him where he can't see me and I see him looking for me and just bawling. It makes me feel like a horrible mother, but Lion is just that type of baby. I've realized that I was inconsistent with him. Sometimes I'd soothe and sometimes I would let him cry it out. Lion didn't know what to do and I think it prolonged his needing to cry it out. Now, he is starting to change. He no longer cries and cries. He knows he's ok. If he really needs something, then he keeps on about it, but overall, he is learning that I'm not far from him and he needs to fall asleep on his own. It makes me realize that God is always near. This psalmist is crying out and God knows exactly what he needs and when he needs it. So, should I cry to God or just wait for His timing. I need to do both. More importantly, I can know that God loves me and doesn't want me to keep crying and crying and that He is keeping a close watch on me and knows what I need.

Heavenly Father, I know that I sometimes demand things of You that You know I do not need. Please forgive me. Lord, I pray that when I cry out to You, I rest in knowing that You have heard me and are already anticipating my needs. May I be patient in waiting upon You. Please continue to transform me by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, I love You. Make me into the person You want me to be. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

God's parenting style

Hosea 11: ¹ When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
² The more they were called,
the more they went away;
they kept sacrificing to the Baals
and burning offerings to idols.
... ⁸How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
⁹I will not execute my burning anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath.

Here Hosea expresses God's fatherly love for his children. God loves his children and wants them to be walking with Him and blessed. However, these children are disobedient, rebellious, and stubborn. It seems that the more God has reached out to His people, the more they have turned from Him. God is often wrongly pegged as this wrathful, angry, and judgmental supernatural being that has no heart. That couldn't be farther from the truth. God has been merciful, loving, patient, and forgiving more than any parent could be with their child.

I think back to my teenage years and see a rebellious girl who thought she knew everything and was always right in her own mind. I used to think that I had to be the parent to my mom. I used to think that my rebelliousness was justified in my works. I could do whatever I wanted as long as I appeared to be well put together on the outside: good grades, no detention, and beauty. However, God allowed me to have things "my way" and boy...it changed my life. What I thought I needed was really bad for me. Things that were good for me, things of God, seemed so unattainable and strict. But God truly has amazing grace and now, here I am. I love God and it is easy to keep His commandments. Jesus has shown me how to be an obedient child of God and the fruit that comes with that is better than anything the world can offer. There will come a time when Lion will turn from me. He'll think he knows better than me and will think that he's the parent and I'm the child. It is then that I must continue to love him with God's love and extend compassion, grace, and forgiveness. I must persevere in calling out to him. He'll need to know where he can turn back to when he is ready to repent.

Heavenly Father, I love You. Thank You for sending Your son so that I may have a relationship with You. Jesus, thank You for showing me how to be a child of God. Lord, please train me to have Your parenting traits and skills. Help me to be compassionate, patient, and loving. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Overcoming my emotions

Hosea 2:⁷She shall pursue her lovers
but not overtake them,
and she shall seek them
but shall not find them.
Then she shall say,
'I will go and return to my first husband,
for it was better for me then than now.'
⁸And she did not know
that it was I who gave her
the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and who lavished on her silver and gold,
which they used for Baal.

Hosea's wife exemplified what the people of Israel were doing to God. They were pursuing other gods, asking them for blessing and guidance, not knowing that all that they had was from the Lord. Their hearts had wandered from God and He was and is always so good to them. The only way He could get them to turn back to Him is to withhold His provision. Only then would they see and understand that He is the giver of all things good and holy.

When I'm feeling good, I'm so righteous. When I get depressed, I default to wanting to gratify my flesh. I need to work on pursuing God when I'm depressed or else once I sin in that impulsive way, I'll regret it forever. It seems like such a harmless thing, to entertain thoughts of disobedience and sin. However, the more I think about doing those sins, as little as they may seem, the more I feel like I have to do them. I've come so far and I really have no reason to sin. God is so good to me. My husband is so good to me. If I were to sin, it wouldn't even go the way the temptation is suggesting it will go. It's all an illusion to just get me away from God. I refuse to be like Hosea's wife. I don't want my emotions to rule over me. I have the power of the Holy Spirit living in me to overcome my flesh's tendencies. Victory in purity, holiness, and faithfulness are mine.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me. I'm sorry for having an adulteress' heart. I ask for Your purifying fire to burn up all my flesh's desires. Lord, I know that sin only leads to death. Please keep my feet upon Your righteous path. Help me, especially, in controlling my thoughts when my emotions are wavering. May I think and act upon what I know and not how I feel. I ask all this in the amazing name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior, Amen.

Who is Jesus?

Hebrews 1:¹³And to which of the angels has he ever said,

"Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?

¹⁴Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Basically, Christianity is the only religion that recognizes that Jesus is God's son and God Himself. There are many other religions that believe that Jesus existed and that he was a prophet and that he was a "good person." Many actually believe that he was just an angel sent by God. However, Paul clarifies here the basis of our faith which is that Jesus is God and God's son sent for the specific purpose of salvation and sanctification. Mankind is the benefactor of God's salvation. We get to inherit this gift purchased at the cost of Jesus' life. We get to inherit this gift through the power of Jesus' resurrection!

If there is one thing that I should make clear to non-believers, it is that Jesus is God's begotten son who was and is God. This is a huge point of confusion for other people. Mormons believe that Jesus was Satan's brother and that they were both angels. Muslims believe Jesus was just another prophet and that Muhammad came after Jesus to prophesy even more. Judaism professes that Jesus was not the Messiah prophesied about in the Bible. Even those who claim to be "spiritual" miss the gift of salvation because salvation only comes through the Son. To reject Jesus' true identity is to reject God's sacrifice. Forget those thousands of chain-e-mails that use the scripture about rejecting Jesus to justify why those e-mails are circulating. To really accept Jesus, is to know and believe that He is God's Son who was and is also God Himself. I could send a hundred "Christian" e-mails ending them with "God bless you" and still be rejecting Jesus Christ. I think it is clear to me know, so suddenly, what I must proclaim. The point isn't about God...I think all people somewhere deep inside know that a "higher power" exists. The point is Jesus. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus. Jesus is God and so He was able to overcome the world. Jesus wasn't just an angel. Jesus was God in the flesh sent for the purpose of redeeming whomever would accept His sacrifice.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus. Jesus, thank You for coming and dying for my sins. Jesus, I know You are God and that You are the only Son of God. I worship You alone and I praise You for who You are. Jesus, help me to tell others about You. Help me to make it clear to others who You really are. I love You, Lord. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Good vs. evil

Isaiah 7:¹⁰Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, ¹¹"Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." ¹²But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test." ¹³And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? ¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. ¹⁵He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. ¹⁶ For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. ¹⁷ The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father’s house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria."

Ahaz, King of Judah, was given full permission from God Himself to ask for a sign. Ahaz missed this opportunity. Ahaz said that he didn't want to test the Lord so he didn't ask God for anything. God took the initiative and Ahaz refused. God reveals to Ahaz through Isaiah that He is weary of the House of David and that He will give a sign of Himself through a virgin birth. Of all the signs that God could have chosen, He picked a virgin birth. This was His plan all along because God knew how the hearts of His people would stray from Him.

I believe that Isaiah was prophesying about Jesus. I think that this scripture shows how God is all knowing and all powerful. It displays His unchanging nature. Some people think God was forced to send Jesus because we all chose to be so bad. I think God always knew that He would send His Son and I think Jesus knew that this was His purpose from the start. I think it's also important to point out that Isaiah mentions that the boy will know how to refuse evil and choose good. It tells me that babies don't know how to choose. That wisdom is so basic, but no valuable to me. Lion is too young to understand good from evil. One day, he will know the difference and have to choose. I'm not sure when that point will be, but I need to prepare him to choose good so that when that moment arrives, he will make a wise choice.

Heavenly Father, Your word is so rich and full of wisdom. I'm really blown away by it and I am having a hard time wraping my head around it all. Please forgive me and give me revelation of Your word. I thank You for Your Son, Jesus. Please help me to prepare Lion to choose good instead of evil. Lord, I trust in You. May I abide in Your will today. I love You. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.