Freedom to Believe

Romans 1 is officially the opening of the 7 church epistles specifically to people of this time In this chapter God explains that the creation is design to show forth who he is. We can study the structure and functions of a tree and learn great lessons about God. It has always impressed me how the leaves of a tree are flat and set up so they can receive the light of the sun to carry on photosynthesis. When the sun isn't out the flat bottom of the leaves have openings that let carbon dioxide and water out. When the sun is out these pores provide oxygen to the atmosphere for us to breathe in.

The human body is 'magnificently and wonderfully made' (Psalm 139:14). God's design of the body is purposeful and provides for the greatest maximum care.  I majored in Biology in college and developed an even greater thankfulness to God as I continued to study. My favorite system, at the present time during the corona virus onslaught, to take a good look at, is the immune system. The body is designed to defend itself at many levels. We have T-cells that defend and develop memory for pathogens that attack the body. There are other types of related cells that come on the scene and work to rid the body of undesirable invaders. Other bodies are produced that are called antibodies that fight off germs at the time they arrive. 

The immune system is quite a complex system and quite remarkable. The human cell itself is quite complex and you need a microscope to see all the fascinating structures and types of cells. There are many different shapes and functions in cell. I pictured to the right are red blood cells with a white blood cell moving among them. Below is a body cell. 

Man has invented medicines and many times God has inspired those remedies. Often, in the name of science, man, has worked to fight off invaders by other means using drugs and therapies which have deleterious side effects. Man also uses and abuses the human body in ways that are detrimental.

I am thankful to the God I know for what he has provided.  I am thankful for doctors and researchers who are specifically tuned in to the way God's  human protection system is to work. When someone takes aim at God's creation design in a detrimental way, it is difficult to understand. 

So does the constitution of this country support my freedom of belief? It most certainly does! The first amendment guarantees it and also guarantees the same freedom to people who don't agree. A very loving God gave us all freedom of choice to either believe and know him or choose not to. 

Does God Know What Is Going On Down Here?

What a crazy chaotic time we are living in! It is hard to believe all the things going on, but one thing is for sure! God knows exactly what is going on and he is at work.  He is exposing all of it, the curtain is being pulled back wide open.  I pray for this country. God always answers prayers! He doesn't control people. We need to respond to his answers and and it looks like people are. Righteousness is the passport to living above the fray and wielding the power of God.

In the Matthew 5:20, Jesus said to the people who followed him:            

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The scribes and Pharisees were big law pushers and even wrote laws to keep people from breaking the law. I guess you might say they were religious and politically correct at the same time. Their law contained so many extra jots and tittles, people could hardly breathe. As recorded in Matthew 5, Jesus  taught that righteousness was so much bigger than jot and tittles. The grace and power to live for God goes way beyond the righteousness by the law. Righteous by grace is relational to God. Righteous is all about knowing God for real and acting accordingly.

The effectual fervent (energized, inwrought) prayer (for a personal need) of a righteous man availeth (power to prevail) much. James 5:16b

Recently I read some articles by parents who are upset with current educational policies that clearly violate the rights of parents.  This is nothing new under the sun, it has been going on for a long time. Parents have a right to have a say in what is taught to their children. This is a simple point that falls under the auspices of the1st amendment to the Constitution. It is a right in God's eyes for every parent to bring their children up according to God's principles. This is what freedom of religion assures us. 

When people say that the constitution 'separates church and state' they are wrong. They use this phrase to twist and cancel our rights. The constitution never says that. The phrase 'separation of church and state' came from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote the Danbury church in 1802. It actually was reassuring them that the government could not interfere with the 'free exercise of religion'. The government has no right to interfere with our right to teach our own children the difference between right and wrong. the government is to protect the rights of the people. ( https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html )

God knows what we are dealing with. He has absolutely given us the power and answers we need to handle the gaslighting and twisted schemes that arise when people attempt to control the beliefs of others. Righteousness is a huge powerful gift from God to be used to stand up to any violation of our God-given rights.

The Sword of the Spirit

Jesus Christ's purpose was to reveal the presence of evil and expose opposition to God.   Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to the adversary.  Evil can be blatant or subtle. Evil penetrates this world through  suggestions, philosophies, ideologies, idolatries and a lust for power. We see it in the media, education, politics and even in religion ('Genesis 3- 'Did God really say?'). There is no little red demon with horns and a pitchfork; the devil is a spiritual force of evil that is a parasite on words and ideas. The success of this force depends upon being believed, that is why evil often uses religion to sell its wares.  The closer to truth the adversary gets without being truth, the greater the success at dragging an individual into its traps.

The world is in a bit of uneasiness to say the least; there is a lot of hypocrisy, lying and accusation, which eats away at our trust in things going on; BUT:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6

Trusting God who is faithful to his word is so refreshing and real. We are not wrestling against flesh and blood in this present world. God has supplied protection and weaponry to battle the dark areas we face:

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 4:14-17

Truth is our safety belt. Our hearts are protected by righteousness (God's) and our feet are protected by peace. We have a shield that comes from believing God which can move around to fend off the evil aimed at us. Some of the evil that presents to us is in the form of subtle attacks as well as the more obvious hits. The sword of the spirit which is the word of God, is a singularly unique weapon. The spirit of God can so work in us to detect things behind the scene and make a direct sharp hit. It may involve thoughts within our own heads as well as from others. 

The greek word for 'word' in this verse is the word 'rhema'. The are two major words for 'word' in the Bible: 'rhema' and 'logos'.  'Logos' refers to the doctrine of God, 'rhema' refers to specific saying or word that applies to a time and situation. 'Rhema' is surgical, that is why the 'sword of spirit' is used in this verse. We just don't throw verses at the wall to see what sticks, we allow the spirit of God to inspire our thinking; the right thought for the right attack. It might not come immediately but it will come at just the right time which is crucial and incredibly exciting!

Broken Toys

God is our Father. He is the perfect father and yet many people still blame him for the ups and downs and injustices of life.  When they pray and they don't seem to get the answers they want right away, they may get angry or may even doubt God, his love and existence.

As children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend,

I brought my broken dreams to God, because he was my friend.

But then, instead of leaving Him, in peace, to work alone;

I hung around and tried to help, with ways that were my own.

At last, I snatched them back and cried, "How can you be so slow?

"My child," He said, "What could I do? You never did let go." 

Author unknown

God does so much better than we could imagine and as we grow, we learn to yield to what's best. Yielding to God's love brings great peace to our lives.

There are some things we hang on tightly to for a lot of different reasons. Our environment and culture exert certain pressures on our minds to cause us to be unsure, lack confidence and commit to 'quick fixes'. The bottom line is fear. But!:

There is no fear (terror, panic flight) in love (Godly love) ; but perfect (mature, completed) love casteth (with force and effort) out fear: .1 John 4:18a

The "toys of this world" come and go.  As we mature, some things get old and we move on hopefully not clinging to the childish things that need to be left behind.  God replaces our fear with power, love and a sound mind which are the faithful solid tools of life and with these tools we have peace that exceeds our expectations.

Darkness and Gloom - Turn on the light!!!

This past week has been rainy and cloudy. It can feel gloomy when weather like this drags on so long. The dark gray clouds seem to exert a heavy pressure on the air.  Finally the sun blew it all away yesterday. It was so nice to see bright light again!

Light can be physical and it can be spiritual. In John chapter 9 there is an interesting record that seems to parallel both:

 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation,Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. John 9:1-7

Jesus and his disciples passed by a blind man and the disciples asked an interesting question about how this man's blindness originated. They wanted to know if it was caused by sin. Sin occurs when a person ignores God and sets out to do something he shouldn't do. They wanted to know if it was his sin or the parents sin that was responsible for the blindness. Jesus said 'Neither'. 

There is one main reason that bad things happen in this world and that is because there is evil in this world. God doesn't cause blindness so he can show a miracle. Since Genesis 3, the adversary has had opportunity to mess up God's original creation in many ways. Sickness and disease entered after  Adam and Eve transferred power to the adversary and he has been messing up everything ever since.

Jesus explained that he was to work the works of God who sent him (it is interesting that Siloam means 'sent'). The blind man received his sight. Darkness turned to light for him.

Spiritually when things get bad, dark and gloomy, Turning to God's word turns on spiritual light. Spiritual light causes spiritual gloom to flee!

Projection And Mis-Judging 2021

 This is a repost from 2017 that I still think is very timely:

This morning, I got to thinking about a wonderful verse in Ephesians:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Ephesians 1:18

It had popped into my head when I was pondering a phone conversation I recently had with someone when she called me back after I left a message to have her call me. When she called back, she immediately started talking to me about something I had no idea about. All I could figure out was that she was worried about what I was thinking in regards to something that she was handling. It was not what I was thinking about at all!  When I realized what was going on and a significant pause opened up, I stopped her and explained what  I wanted and assured her that my brain had not gone that way. In the end each of us was blessed. It is great for relationships to work things out like this when there is misinterpretation. Too often people run to others who don't even know what is going on and unload and cause further chaos and division. Many situations can be solved by talking to each other personally and not about each other. (Matthew 18:15)

'Projection' is an image in our mind that we 'project' on a situation when dealing with others based on our own thoughts within ourselves.  It happens a lot since we humans have busy minds. We can do it in both a positive and a negative sense based on the way we are feeling at the time. It is a form of mis-"judging". It is very prevalent in our news cycles, and all over political and religious circles. You can find examples of projection everywhere. 

This is a great reason to listen carefully to what people are saying and help free them from misconceptions about what they might be thinking if you get the opportunity. Sometimes people are so busy thinking thoughts they don't really have time to listen. What a great thing to pray for!

People often project their thoughts on God too! It is something to watch out for. It is possible to think God is mad at us, when he isn't. It is possible to think God doesn't even think about us or that we have no place in his heart. All you have to do is look at the beautiful spring gifts he has made to remind us of all the loving touches he put in this world to bless our lives.

The verse above in Ephesians came to mind and is very apropos to the spring cleaning that needs to go on in our minds periodically. (It's the first day of spring! Yea!). It is actually a prayer and it is a good one.  In fact it is beautiful! It is an effective prayer to pray and believe. Let in the light, open the windows, breathe and clear the cobwebs of our minds out!

Be The Person God thinks You Are

Recently I saw a quote on line that read ;"Be the person your dog
thinks you are". I have known a few wonderful dogs in my time and the dogs I have known have been loving, loyal friends. One thing I remember most about the dogs we have owned was seeing their eyes light up and their wagging tails that always greeted us when walked towards them on especially tough, tiring days. It was so heartwarming. Our Katy and Maggie could always make us smile.  

God made animals to bless us and they do offer us amazing lessons in life.  All of God's creation teaches us about how much he has provided for us and loves us. Getting back to the quote, I chuckled at the the spelling of the word 'dog'. It reminded me about being the person God thinks you are. God looks upon us as sons and daughters. Ok, maybe he doesn't wag his tail when we enter the throne room of his love, but he is certainly happy, loyal and excited when we do.

I didn't always know God as I do now and I'm very thankful that I know him now better than I ever did. Last night, I read a few of David's psalms after a very long day. Now don't get me wrong, the book Psalms is filled with beautiful prayers to God, but the ones I was reading didn't light up for me or chase away the gray cloud that was hanging over my head. David lived in Old Testament times, we live in the times of the New Testament which is all about Jesus Christ and what his life means to us in our connection to God. If you really want to know who God thinks we are, read the book of Ephesians, Colossians or I, II or III John! just as a start. 

God is faithful, loyal and he invented love! If we focus on our shortcomings, failures, and  downright sin, we tend to run away from God and hide like kids do when they mess up. Well, God even tells us that we all sin and come short of the glorious life God has for us. We should never hide from God because the minute we step into his light, our lives change and he remembers nothing about our sin. If he had a tail it would be wagging faster than a helicopter blade on a supersonic jet!

How do we step into his light? Read Ephesians, pour your heart out to him and make a list of things he has done for you. One day when I was feeling schmucky, I bought a little yellow spiral notebook and wrote down all the things I could remember of how God had blessed me. The list grew and grew and grew. I started remembering things from my childhood (and that was long ago). I remembered people who specifically taught me how much God loves us. Other things kept popping up and I'd write them in my book. Everyday something pops into my head.  It often occurs when I read a record in the Bible and it reminds me of an incident.  I get my yellow book and write it down so I don't forget.

There's a lot of garbage floating around this world to try and push us to forget God and what he has done for us, so it is good to go back and read these lists.  When I reread my list, I am amazed at the miraculous life I have lived! Forget the sin, the negatives and ask God to remind you of his work in your life. The only thing sin will remind us of, is its utter futility and distraction and traps. God himself, on the other hand, constantly reminds us what he thinks of us and lifts our heart.

Vision

Have you ever just come to the point where you have felt where there is just no solution in sight to where you are headed. You might even blame yourself for being just so stupid and deserving to have the word 'failed' stamped on your forehead. Probably everyone has frequently experienced such pressure. That's why we needed a person who felt all our pain to lift us up and out of this trap. That man is Jesus Christ. He is not a fairy tale, a myth or fable. How do we know that? We can know it by what is written and by experiencing it in the here and now because he still lives and he is God's right-hand man.

6 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Have you ever noticed in the bible when Jesus is referred to, he is Jesus Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ  or Christ Jesus. Christ is not his last name. It is a title. When the title 'Christ' is first it emphasizes his risen Messianic position meaning he delivers and rescues as an agent of God. He is a savior.

We have been given the gift of holy spirit as a result of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.  We have an internal receiver that can hear the voice of God deep within our heart. In that gift are included word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith, miracles and gifts of healings among other things. Evil can stealthily dish out vision that can be quite deceiving, but  God's spirit in us can separate good and evil. Worry and fear can be pretty noisy, but God's quiet calm will shut them up. That's a miracle.

So how do we get us out of trouble and anguish, even trouble that we deserve? We have to look to God's word for our answers. We can also pray to God to know what to pray for and then we have pay attention to the answer. God provides answers many ways. Things may just happen right away or it may take some time. God can give us vision to see ahead and have that peace that passeth understanding if we have to wait. It may be in the form of assurance or comfort. It is supernatural light piercing through darkness and settling a new calm on the heart. We may not have all the specific details (just the details we need), but the peace is so different than just ordinary 'chillin' that it guards you from anxious thoughts. All you have to do is ask:

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally (generously, simply and sincerely), and upbraids not (without rolling his eyes -my definition); and it shall be given him. James 1:5

The more we do this and experience God's peace that passes understanding over and over the quicker, we will ask each time when we are presented with a negative situation.  God's peace will cause us to thrive and excel.

Morning by Morning

 Morning by morning, evidence of the deeply compassionate love of God never never fails to show up:

25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.26 It is good that a man should both expect and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. Lam 3:25-26

 

Comfort -able?

Are we comfort-able? Can we receive comfort from God?  In 2nd Corinthians (the heart of reproof, 1st Corinthians is the head of reproof), the first chapter opens with much to be said about the comfort of God. It is a beautiful section of scripture and drives home the compassion that God has for us. We know that grace is undeserved favor, power and abounding blessings. Mercies refer to God withholding punishment for what we do deserve as a result of the weaknesses in our lives.

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings (things to endure) of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual (active, efficient) in the enduring (remaining steadfast) of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. I Corinthians 1:3-6

Below is a list words used in this section from verse 3-6: (each color represents  the word being derived from the same Greek root)

mercies - God's deep feelings about someones's difficulty, compassion

comfort  -  a calling near or alongside of used 6x

consolation - counsel, comfort, help, advocate  used 3x

tribulation, trouble, afflicted - mental pressure, to be pushed into a narrow strait

salvation - wholeness (mentally, physically, spiritually), deliverance

Several years ago, when I would pray, I would pray specifically for a certain outcome. I would prescribe to God how something should work out. I would even use a list. In later years, through experience, I learned how limiting this can be. Many times now I just pray, especially in complex situations and challenges, for God's outcomes for everything and everyone involved. God has better answers for our prayers than we do.  Putting one foot in front of another, taking one day at a time, keeping thankfulness and patience in our hearts and staying away from negative influences and events is how we keep above the fray and not limit God. God's 'coming alongside' us means we want to stay alongside and not wander off.

We, as believers need to recognize how much God loves us so that we do look to him for our comfort, consolation and salvation.  The clearer the perception of God we have, the more we allow him to work in our lives. Our relationship with God is based on our trust in him.

Strong Women

There are many great examples of powerful women in the Bible. They did some amazing things despite the cultural attitudes of that time.  They simply want to be able to use their abilities and strengths to make a difference and glorify God. They loved  the  men who encouraged them, stood up for them, fought for them and appreciated their strengths. Today, I am not sure we fully understand 'woman power' in terms of what gets accomplished in our culture today.

The book of Judges has a wonderful record about a woman who was directly involved in a great victory for Israel.   It is the record about Deborah who judged in Israel during the era of the judges. She was the wife of Lapidoth. She engaged military leaders who depended on her judgement and believing to dispel the enemies of Israel. She was a remarkable woman who sang God's praises when she accomplished what God had her to do.

In Genesis 1:28-29 is additional understanding of how women of God were an integral part of God's community:

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

The image of God  is 'spirit'. The presence of God was with them. God expected them to have dominion over the earth. This authority did not end with the New Testament, it only became greater. Women have authority as well as men.

Godly authority is not competitive. That is where the word 'submit' fits in. It refers to a properly ordered arrangement. As relationships grow, maturity and confidence drive 'together' decisions. In today's fast-paced culture where both mom and dad work, a lot of active communication and mutual respect are  required. It takes time to weave these elements through a marriage. Hearing the truth in love is as important as speaking the truth in love. 

There is no question in my mind that Deborah and husband had a lot of pressure to work through as did Barak who led the army. Barak asked Deborah to go with him into the battle or he would not go. Barak was not a weak man and his respect for Deborah is inspiring. Deborah knew God and trusted and relied on him to save her people. Her strength and love for God is a strong motivator.