A Needed Reminder

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control, controlling worry, details, faith, good start for the week, good start to your day, good thoughts, making great decisions, mission trips, quick devotion, resting in God, short thought, sleepless night, trust, trusting God with the details, vision, worry

I Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

I really need this reminder today.

My guy is a visionary. He gets an idea, knows a certain path and that’s it…he’s ready to take the plunge.

I, on the other hand, am a detail girl.

I love the big ideas, but my mind automatically goes to the how.

If we are my moving, I remember every detail that needs to happen to get us there.

If we are remodeling a space, even though I am not a construction person, I seem to be the one to remember to buy the nails.

If we are going on a mission trip, I think of every little detail…over and over again.

That’s what kept me from sleeping some last night…a mission trip we are going on this summer. Details, details, details. Even though details are good, they can also drive me insane.

During my mental list making in the night, the Holy Spirit reminded me of I Thessalonians 5:24. He reminded me that I am called to go and He will accomplish what is supposed to be accomplished. Yes, I need to remember to bring my toothpaste, but He will take care of the details of loving on the people, teaching what needs to be taught, the team’s health and so much more because “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

Rest in that this week. Write your lists and use the gift of details that God has given you, but then set the pen aside and trust Him to accomplish the call on your life. Depend on Him for every detail knowing that He is always faithful.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

My Story

 

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When You Can’t Find Your Voice

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all things for good, battles, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, control, deep concerns, deep questions for the believer, devotions, encouragement, exhaustion, faith, faithfulness, finding your calling, finding your voice, finding yourself, God, God can so why won't He, health issues, hope, Jesus, mid-life crisis, struggle, struggle in the trusting, trust, why

Millfield Singing Praise My Soul  (BBC.co.uk)

When you’re trying to find yourself again, it’s hard to find your voice.

As many of you have probably realized, I’ve been less active on the blog lately. I’ve been feeling guilty about it, but at the same time I just simply haven’t had much to say. As I’ve been struggling in several areas of my life, I’ve just been needing to absorb some things and I’m learning that that’s okay. I’m learning not to panic over it. I will find my voice again. Actually, I will find His voice again and this I know…He is faithful to call. He is the same God yesterday, today and forever and sometimes life needs to slow down so that I can hear Him.

I have to remember that when I really want my kids’ attention, I usually have to whisper. Yelling just doesn’t seem to get their attention like a whisper. When I yell, they continue on with whatever they’re doing because they think they can still hear me, but when I whisper, they stop, they come closer, they lean in and their attention is focused on me. That’s what God’s been doing with me. He’s whispering and as I am pressing in closer, I can hear His sweet voice once again. He has never left me. He is still speaking to me. I just needed to attune myself to His volume. I still have no idea who I am right now, who I’m going to develop into, but I have confidence in the God who does know, my God, the one Who is Faithful and True.

For example…I have no idea who I am without sugar being key in my life (or flour for that matter), but my God knows.

I have no idea who I am without two boys at home, but my God knows.

I have no idea who I am without intense exercise in my life, but my God knows.

I have no idea who I am without the concentration to have long, intense devotional times with my Savior, but my God knows.

I have no idea who I am without being involved in EVERY single activity at church, but my God knows.

I have no idea who I am without being able to sing for as long and as loud as I want, but my God knows.

My God knows who I am and who He is developing me to be and I trust Him. I. Trust. Him.

As He is teaching me who He wants me to be in this season of my life, I’m starting to hear His whisper once again. I’m finally getting close enough again to hear. I’ve been a little mad and He knows that, but I’ve missed His arms. I’ve missed His voice. I LOVE His voice and now He is telling me that it’s okay if I give 30 minutes (or less) to Him each morning instead of longer. I find myself questioning this. After all, don’t you get closer to Him, don’t you become “better” the more time you devote to Him? I’m learning though that in times of fatigue, when you are simply trusting Him for the next step (literally), He actually likes that just as well. That knowing His presence is strengthening you, the minute-by- minute trusting, He’s really into that. I’m finally starting to rest in that knowledge, that whisper.

I’m also learning that it’s okay if boxes at church for a “good” pastor’s wife go unchecked. That’s a struggle…the wanting to be “the best pastor’s wife ever”. Good grief! Can you hear the pride? I finally can.

I’m learning that it’s okay if I have to lay in bed instead of walk some hills in order to reserve my energy to make supper later that day. I love exercise, but I’m learning that my priority is my family. I need to show it, not just say it.

I’m learning that it’s okay to feel His grace cover me when my concentration simply isn’t there to focus on Bible studies as before.

And, I’m learning that it’s okay to struggle with the want of sugar (and flour), but it’s also okay to know that He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond whatever I could ask or think in the area of my food choices.

I’m also learning that God places people in my path who are there to strengthen and encourage and it’s okay to be vulnerable. They aren’t the usual sources and I am continually amazed, but His kindness through others has been astounding. Most don’t understand and don’t want to know what’s happening and I’m learning that that’s okay; it just makes the ones that do reach out shine like the treasures they are.

So, as I find my voice through Him once again, I pray that you do as well. I pray that if you know exactly who you are in Him today that you will shout it to the rooftops, but I pray that if you are struggling to find yourself, you will press in closer to Him. He has not forgotten you. He has you in the palm of His hand. He is Your Resource, Your Hope, Your Future. Hear His magnificent whisper to you today.

Seeking Hearts Ministries          My Story

Does God Create Serial Killers?

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all things for good, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, control, devotional, freewill, freewill of man, God, God creating bad, God's creation, serial killers, sovereignty, sovereignty of God, trust

What a question, “Does God create serial killers?” The short answer is, “No”, but if you believe in the sovereignty of God, the answer must also be, “Yes”. What do I mean? The sovereignty of God says that everything is ultimately under the control of God. It says that nothing is allowed in a believer’s life that is not for their good and anything allowed will always allow them to draw closer to their Creator. When we believe in the sovereignty of God, we acknowledge that there is evil, but we also know that God has evil on a leash.

So, again, the question can be raised, “Does God create serial killers?”

While I do not believe that God creates anyone for a sinful purpose, I also believe that God allows us to choose who we become. It’s that whole freewill thing. Most of us have a love-hate relationship with freewill. We like it when it suits us, but when others make a choice that affects us in a negative way, we wonder why God didn’t stop it.

The free will of man is a complicated thing for me. I like it when I’m making the choices, but when others are…not so much. When someone is going to make a decision that will hurt my family, I catch myself wondering why God allowed it? I can’t see the good immediately, so I assume there is no good. I often think God should step in right before something terrible happens to my family, or friends. Do you admit being the same way?

If we really had control over freewill, would it be better utilized? If we could stop and start it, what would we do? When would we rein freewill in? Would it be before someone was born who would make a poor decision? Would you choose to simply not let them be born? What about their parents? Didn’t their parents have something to do with an innocent child growing up to become a serial killer, or a rapist, or a suicide bomber? So, would you not allow the parents to be born as well? What about the grandparents of a serial killer? Didn’t they have some part in rearing a set of parents that would then rear a serial killer? Do you see the cycle? Where would it end?

If we stopped allowing children to be born who would make wrong choices, what would be considered acceptable? If you were going to be a rapist, a serial killer, or a gang banger you’re out? What about a drunk driver, or a drug dealer? What about a gossip, or a thief? Again, I ask, “When would it end?”

Why doesn’t God just stop someone from being born who will make a decision that will hurt others, especially someone who will become a serial killer? Did God not realize they would make that decision? Was He surprised? Of course He wasn’t surprised, so why did He create them? Why were they allowed to be born if He knew they would choose to kill others?

I don’t even pretend to have all the answers to these questions, but this I know, my God is sovereign and He is a good God who has my back. Does that mean I will always like what comes my way? No, but it does mean that I can rest in Him knowing that He is working to produce good in everything that He allows in my life. I may not see it, but I trust that it is there. Romans 8:28 assures me that my trust is not wasted.

After all, who is to say what one life given in sacrifice at the altar of a serial killer wouldn’t end with hundreds coming to receive Christ if it gave the family a platform to proclaim the forgiveness of Christ? Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Can this hold true even in the face of evil? Of course it can and it does.

I think it’s good to think and ask questions that can sometimes shake our faith if we aren’t careful. When the hard stuff comes up, we sometimes sweep it under the rug and choose to think about it “tomorrow”, but tomorrow never comes and then that rug gets swept out from under us when crisis hits. Let’s remember that God can handle our questions. Let’s ask Him to teach us even the hard things. Let’s ask Him to blow our minds with the wonder of who He is so that our faith can grow stronger and not weaker in the face of adversity.

So, now I’ll ask you. Why do you think God allows serial killers to be born? Maybe you don’t even think He has control over any of it, or just part of it. Let me know what you think, so we can learn together.

As I end my musings of this crazy question, I want to leave you with a few things I know for sure: One, God’s ways are not my ways and His thoughts are so much greater than my thoughts. Two, I am so glad I am not God. I would make a mess of it. Three, my God is sovereign and I trust Him. And four, I am safe in the arms of my Savior.

I am so glad our God is always willing for us to ask Him the hard questions. He is the best Teacher of all. Let’s praise Him today!

My Story

Seeking Hearts Ministries

 

Removing the Seeds

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be fruitful, be fruitful and multiply, bringing our Father glory, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, complacency, control, Creator, devotional, devotions, encouragement, family devotions, fruit, fruitfulness, growing, locusts have eaten, organic, seeds

I bought organic bananas the other day. It’s not something I usually try to buy organic, but the “regular” bananas looked so pitiful I couldn’t help myself. Do you know what I discovered? Seeds! Organic bananas still have seeds! I was amazed. I hadn’t seen those black little buddies in quite some time. (I’m especially fond of banana seeds because it reminds me of a Vacation Bible School lesson I had as a youngster. Mrs. Mary Ellen taught a lesson about seeds to a group of kids she probably thought weren’t even listening, but her legacy lives on every time I see a banana seed.)

Those banana seeds reminded me of all the food items I now purchase on a regular basis that have no seeds. This can’t be right, can it? Those little seeds are annoying, I know. I would much rather bite into a piece of fruit without having to deal with the annoying seeds, but the seeds are how God created the fruit to multiply. Genesis 1:11 tells us that God commanded the plants and fruit trees to bear food and “seeds with them.” The seed is how God chose for fruit to reproduce, yet when man makes fruit there are no seeds. We somehow think we are engineering something better than the Creator of the universe.

I can’t help but think about all the ministries today that are failing to reproduce, failing to produce much fruit as stated in John 15:8. Maybe through the years we felt like the seeds that God put in our ministries were too annoying, too bothersome, or too hard to deal with. So, over time, we simply engineered those annoyances to exit quietly. How did we do it? We might have simply made a certain group of people feel unwelcome. We didn’t actually say not to come back, but they got the message and we were relieved. Or, we didn’t financially support a missionary who convicted us we needed to be more involved with missions. We dreaded that slide show, so we avoided them like the plague. Their support diminished. They had to return home due to no financial backing and we are relieved that we no longer have to hear about their calling and be convicted ourselves. Or, we simply could have stopped praying for our pastor, or ministry leader. We don’t like him and we certainly don’t like his family. So, we don’t support anything he does. He’s discouraged, but we don’t care because he should not be concerned with what others think. After all, isn’t he a professional Christian? Over the years, we have just quietly removed the seeds from our ministry and now we sit and wonder why it is no longer producing fruit.

I’m discovering that maybe the problem of unfruitfulness stems back to the fact that we have gotten rid of the seeds, the very thing God meant for us to reproduce.  I don’t know if this hits home with you, or not, but I can tell you that I am sure I have been guilty of removing seeds that God fully intended to bring the greatest growth in my life and ministries. I have stopped praying over a person, or a situation, where I now know God wanted to produce fruit. I have stopped giving in an area where it became too sacrificial for my Americanized wants and I have certainly wished a certain person wouldn’t show up to a meeting. Horrible, but true. That’s why I need God so much. That’s why I need Him to reveal these seedless areas in my life and restore to me the years that the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25), even the years I welcomed the locusts in. I’m tired of blaming my politicians, my culture and others for the fruitlessness of the ministries I’m involved with. I am ready to ask God to once again place seeds in my life that may be hard to chew on and that need to be nurtured and loved, but are so ready to grow and multiply into much fruit to bring our Father glory.

Will you do the same? Will you ask Him to reveal areas where you have removed the seeds? Will you ask Him to restore the seeds and help you to nurture them as He intended? I pray you will. I pray you will reach out to our great Creator and trust Him to put the seeds where they are needed and allow Him to grow fruit for His glory in every area of your life. In a few years, you will look at the great harvest you had a small part in and remember that it came from an area you thought was shriveled and dead, but God knew was a precious seed ready to sprout once again.

Seeking Peace

Seeking Hearts Ministries

Getting off my High Horse

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arrogance, battles, being smart, Christian encouragement, Christian growth, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, control, dealing with deceptions, ego, encouragement, helping God, high horse, pride, smartest in the room, vengeance

As a bee searches for pollen, Lord help us to faithfully seek You alone.

I confess. I like for people to think I’m smart. I thought at first it was a stay at home mom thing, but when I think back I’ve wanted to look smart my whole life. I’ve always wanted to be the smartest person in the class and as I grew older it only got worse. In the workplace, I strived hard to be the best in any position I obtained. In every office I worked, I wanted people years down the road to have a tear in their eye as they thought of me, knowing that no other employee could ever measure up. Egotistical, I know, but it’s the plain truth. Today, things haven’t changed that much. When I am in a Bible class and the teacher asks a question, I am usually the annoying one who has all the answers (especially if no one else is quick to answer). I always struggle over whether I’m sharing something from a pure motivation of the Spirit’s prompting, or my own ego wanting to show everyone how much I know. I love Biblical discussions, so it’s hard for me to not engage in every little question.

Unfortunately, this tendency has played out in other areas as well. I especially seem to have an issue in the area of the spiritual correction of others. When you want to be the “smart one”, you must let people know that you aren’t fooled by them. You want them to realize that you are on to their tricks and that you see through their deceptions. You want them to know that you have them figured out. So, over the years, I have said things that I should not have said. I have pushed people in areas that I had no business in and worst of all, I have wanted to be a part of another’s exposure. I have wanted for others to know that I helped God in His punishment (for the glory of God, of course -HA!).

This morning I started reading the story of David and Saul and became engrossed. I started at I Samuel 18:20 and kept reading. I read for several chapters and was reminded of David’s conviction that only God removes His anointed. Only God punishes His people. In First Samuel 24:6, David says, “… ‘Far be it from me because of the LORD that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.” David didn’t make the choice to not touch Saul because of Saul, because of his great relationship with Saul’s son Jonathan, or even because of himself. He did not touch Saul because of the LORD.

So, I found myself asking God, “What’s the big deal if I help You out a little? What’s the problem if You are going to deal with them anyway? Why can’t I help?” His answer to my spirit was startling. I was reminded that every single time in the Old Testament an enemy of Israel wreaked havoc on God’s people due to their disobedience, later on that same enemy was punished severely for messing with God’s people. Did God use them for a good cause? Yes. Were they being allowed by God to take joy in getting rid of sin among the Israelites by helping them turn back to God? Yes. But, did God reward them for their “help”, or did He judge them for their vengeance? He judged. Harshly. Every. Single. Time.

So, I’ve decided (through the power of the Holy Spirit) to stop trying to be the “know-it-all” in the room. If God wants to run someone through the sifter, I will not be cranking the handle. If God needs to draw someone to repentance, I will trust Him to do it in the way He deems necessary (and I won’t be campaigning for my way of doing it). If I see a deception, I will pray and ask God to remind me that He’s got this handled and not manipulate things behind the scenes. After all, I do not want God to turn toward me after I have “helped” Him meet out the punishment and decide that it’s time for me to learn a lesson as well. I want to be on the sidelines. Every. Single. Time.

Romans 12:19 says, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the LORD.”

Even though I am not necessarily talking about an enemy, I think the same truth applies to my “know-it-all” status. I must leave any judgment, any punishment, any control of a situation to God and through the power of God’s Spirit in me, that’s just what I’m going to do. No more Ms. Smarty Pants; just a humble believer focused on her God and allowing her trust in Him to shine forth in any way He deems appropriate. A girl who realizes that she is never the smartest person in the room, that’s God job and I’m good with that. I’ve decided to stop travelling this road of life on my “high horse” and travel this road in the arms of my Savior instead.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

Perspectives

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basics, body of Christ, calling, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, church, church body, control, direction for the Body of Christ, edification of others through spiritual gifts, encouragement, gifting, God's plan, God's plan in the Body, God's plan in the church, perspectives, perspectives on spiritual gifts, spiritual gifts

First Corinthians 12 speaks to us about spiritual gifts. We learn in this passage that every believer has a manifestation of the Holy Spirit who resides in them through a gifting that He provides. Sometimes, we might have the gift of teaching, sometimes wisdom, sometimes miracles or sometimes one of the other gifts mentioned throughout the Bible. Whatever God wants us to “specialize” in, the Spirit gives us the gift (or gifts) to do it. Remember though, our gifting is for the edification of others and not for our own fame, or our recognition in any way. First Corinthians 12:7 says, “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” We must remember that our spiritual gift is for others from God Himself (I Cor. 12:11), so there is no reason to be prideful, just thankful that God placed His gifting in us.

Since our gifting is for others, First Corinthians 12 goes on to describe our gifts in the church working together as a human body. Verses 14-27 say, “So the body is not one part but many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,’ in spite of this it still belongs to the body.  And if the ear should say, ‘Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,’ in spite of this it still belongs to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole ⌊body⌋ were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?  But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted. And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? Now there are many parts, yet one body. So the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ But even more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary… Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.”

As I was thinking about our gifts the last few days, I realized that due to our gifting, all Christians will see things differently. Not only are we supposed to be working together for God’s glory, but due to our different placements in the Body we will naturally see things differently. This can be a good thing, or a bad thing depending on whether our focus is on God, or ourselves. For example, if my placement in the Body is an eye, I will be able to see things that others cannot. If I am an ear, I will be able to hear God’s voice in a way that others cannot. If I am a foot, I will see the need to go in a way that the ear and the eye will not understand in their own strength; but, the ear and the eye will see and hear about dangers and good opportunities for the feet to go. All of us working together can get the whole Body moving in the right direction at the right time according to God’s will, if we listen to each other’s perspective.

I do realize that all of us working together, listening to each other’s perspectives and trusting that each is hearing from the Lord takes a great deal of faith. I realize that a lot of “what ifs” come in to play. What if the eye is only seeing themselves and not focused on the Lord? What if the ear can only hear what man is saying? What if the feet will not move in the direction God is calling? On and on it can go and does go. The only control we have over the situation is doing our part.

If I am an eye, I must make sure that my vision is clouded with only God’s face. I must, through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, remove the beam and the splinter from my own eye (Matthew 7), so I can see what God wants for the Body as a whole. I need to not give my perspective until I am sure it is what God wants me to see.

If I am an ear, I must be certain that I am hearing God’s voice clearly. I need to know His voice so intimately that I can not only hear His thundering voice, but the quietest whisper as well. Again, I need to not share my viewpoint until I know God is speaking.

If I am a foot, I need to make sure that my feet are shod with the Gospel of Peace (Eph. 6:15) and that I am ready whenever God says to go. I don’t need to run off on my own agenda, but realize that others are following. I need to remember that feet lead and I need to guide others only on God’s paths of righteousness as Psalm 23:3 says.

The other area I can control is my understanding of God’s people. I need to give grace to the eyes that cannot hear as clearly, if I’m an ear. I need to understand that an ear is not going to see things as clearly and quickly if I’m an eye. I also need to be patient with the eyes and ears if I’m a foot. I need to realize that they need to know where they are going before they make the first step. I can pray for understanding of God’s Body and their perspective. God made them and gifted them, so He can help us understand them and love them as He loves them.

Another area of control in this journey of working together as the Body of Christ is that we can be trustworthy. If our churches only see us when we want something, or have “heard from God”, they are naturally not going to be as receptive to us as they would be to someone who has been in the trenches with them praying, learning and growing. We need to be worthy of the Body’s trust. We can only gain and maintain this trust by being in a close relationship with our Father every day. The Enemy is sneaky and he will place things in our sight, our hearing, or our path that will look good, but only having a close relationship with our Lord can alert us to the deception. When others see our relationship with our God, they know we can be trusted to see, hear, or go as God desires.

We also need to be careful with people’s trust once we have it. If we feel like God is speaking to us to edify the Church, we must be sure. God does not mind giving confirmation if it comes from a place of trust and love for His people. When He gets angry is when we are asking for confirmation as an excuse to not obey. I think that’s the difference between Gideon and Moses in the Old Testament. Gideon did not want to go into a battle without the assurance that it was God’s will, but once he had it…WHAM! No going back! Let’s be like Gideon. When we hear God, let’s be sure and then…WHAM! Let’s never turn back!

The Body of Christ is not an easy thing to be involved with and I am so glad that God alone fits us all together. He has called us to work together as one, trust each another and depend solely on Him to make it work. Shew! Aren’t you glad it’s not up to us to figure it all out? Knowing our position, having grace for each other’s perspectives and being trustworthy is in our control. Let’s do our part by being in constant communion with Him and let Him deal with the rest from His perspective!

Seeking Hearts MInistries

Tongues of Grace

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back biting, bad words, basics, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, complaining, control, controlling our tongues, controlling our words, fussing, God in control of our tongues, good witness, good words, gossip, light in our world, mouths, our mouths, our testimony, testimonies, tongues, words

Galatians is an awesome book of the Bible filled with such insight into our freedom in Christ. I love all the passages that teach that we are free in Christ and no longer slaves to the law. For this former Pharisee, that’s groundbreaking. There are other parts of Galatians though that cut me deep with conviction. Galatians 5:13-15 is just such a passage. It says: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”

I don’t know about you, but that last verse makes me cringe. It makes me cringe because I have often been guilty of biting and devouring others and because I have been bitten and devoured myself. Painful stuff. What in the world causes people, especially Christian people, to bite and devour each other? What makes us think that it’s okay to tear someone up with our words? Why is this sin so acceptable when so many others are not?

Maybe we ignore this depravity because we view it as too hard to control. After all, James 3:8-10 says, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” James also says in verse two of this same chapter: “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” Sounds like poor James had been in church awhile.

Another translation of James 3 says that the tongue is a “restless evil.” Have you ever had to deal with a restless toddler? How fun was that?! When you need a toddler, or young child to be still, the more restless they become. This is especially true if a new boundary is being established. So it is with our tongues. When we are determined to tame our tongue, the more restless it becomes. At this point, we often give up thinking that it is of no use to deal with, or we start to make excuses that what we are saying out loud is true so it can’t really be wrong to say it, or we didn’t really hear God tell us to stop hurting people with our tongues. We can also convince ourselves that we aren’t really hurting anyone. After all, we only told our friends, or wrote an anonymous post. We make excuses because it’s easier to deny the truth than to deal with our restless toddler, better known as our words (written or spoken).

So, if our words cause such pain, but it’s imperative that we change, what can we do? Is there hope?

I believe there is. When God gives us a command in Scripture, He always provides the resources. After all, Jesus Himself said some things are impossible for men, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). When we are submitted to the Holy Spirit, He abides in every part of us, including our tongues. When He abides with us, His fruit shows in us…even in our speech.

Colossians 3:1-3 says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” These verses clearly say that when we are in Christ, we are dead. Our new lives are hidden in Christ. So, I ask you, “Can a dead man bite?” I think not. Our tongues are a restless evil, but when they are put to death, no more harm can take place. Dead men, no matter how powerful when alive, have no power once they are put to death. Was Dorothy scared of the Wicked Witch once she melted into oblivion in The Wizard of Oz? No! Why? The Wicked Witch had no more power of her. She was dead. So it is with our tongues. Once we allow God to crucify our flesh, we are dead and now we have new life. We can still speak only because new life has been given to us. We are free in Christ to then use our new lives for His glory (Galatians 5:1, 13).

We must ask ourselves minute by minute if we are allowing our new life to shine in our tongues. We must ask ourselves if the Holy Spirit has the reins, or have we tried to take matters into our own hands once again? A good litmus test for this is Colossians 4:6. It says, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” If my speech is graceful, the Spirit has control. If my tongue is fiery, I have let the dead man rise again. If I have a tough situation where I have no answer, when that beautiful answer filled with wisdom pours forth, it is not my old man coming to my rescue, but Christ in me. In order to have a tongue of grace, Christ must be in control.

Our world needs to see grace in action, not bitten, scarred up individuals who have been beaten and bruised by their own kind. Who wants to be a part of that? When we have tongues of grace, strangers notice. Our families notice too. Our spouses, our children, our moms and dads will all notice that we are not the same. They will pay attention to our teaching, our testimony and our words of love because they will want to hear what we have say. They won’t be dreading what comes out of our mouths next; they will want to hear. Why? Because having a tongue of grace is a rare thing in this world. Philippians 2:13-15 tells us that we will shine like stars in a dark world when we simply don’t complain and fuss. It’s crazy that such a small thing can have such a testimony, but it’s the truth. Our tongues are the key to our testimonies. Let’s give them to Jesus. Let’s allow Him to change us into beautiful women and men of God who are determined through His Spirit to have a tongue of grace.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

The Scary Forest

Tags

control, directions, faith, God, guidance, light, roadmaps, steps, ways

The Scary Forest

 

  –Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am what you would call a “roadmap girl”. I like to know what is going to happen, how it is going to happen, with who it is going to happen and any other detail that is possible to know. I like to know every aspect, every angle as far in advance as possible. In fact, a few YEARS ahead of time would be great. Are you getting the picture?

  Did you know that God has refused to hand me the roadmap for the years ahead? GASP! Shocker, isn’t it? He simply doesn’t seem to agree with me that I need to know all the details years in advance.

  So, how do I reconcile these two opposing views? How am I able to rest in the fact that God has the map, the details and the plans to every area of my life and my families’ lives but He is just not sharing them with me? How can I not fret and stew about what’s next?

  First off, it is vital for me to remember that He IS absolutely sure of the way that I take. I might not have the map, but He most assuredly does. Job 23:12, says, “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” God is not making this up as I go along. He is not changing His mind midstream about His plans for me. He is not confused, or directionally challenged. He doesn’t even have to check which side of the tree the moss is growing on. Just as He told Jeremiah in chapter 1 verse 5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you…” He has an amazing plan for my life. I need to rest in that.

  Secondly, I must know that His way is the best way. All throughout Scripture I find that His ways are perfect (Psalm 18:30) and He is a GOOD God, full of light and love (I John 1:5, I John 4:7). I need to believe this whole heartedly and as the man cried to Jesus in Mark 9:24 to help his unbelief I need to come to Him when I doubt this. I need to confess my unbelief and claim His faith.

  Third, I must follow. How am I supposed to follow God without a map? I follow the step He shows me. Then, I follow the next step and the next just as the children of Israel in Exodus. When the pillar of cloud moved during the day, they moved. If the cloud didn’t budge, neither did they. They also had the pillar of fire by night to show them the way. God never left them to wander without purpose. Unfortunately, they had to travel the same path a few times, but it was NEVER without purpose. And, He NEVER left them alone. That holds true for me as well. Hebrews 13:5 says, “…He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’”

   As I was mulling this over, I pictured myself walking along a very narrow, dirt path through a dark forest. I am in my armor as commanded in Ephesians 6, my sword is out, my shield is up and I am following a lantern of light that is swinging in front of me. I can hear strange, blood curdling sounds all around me, but what am I concerned about? I am only concerned about the next step. Sometimes I sense something in the darkness, but I know that if I just continue to follow the light, I will only come into contact with what I am prepared to face. Daniel 2:22, says it this way, “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.” As long as I am close to my Savior, I am close to the light. He sees the dark forest as clearly as I see in the sunlight. I can rest in that. Everything is under His control.

  Sometimes along this path, I do face an enemy; sometimes an obstacle that is obstructing my way. What do I do? I remember Psalm 18:28-29, “For Thou dost light my lamp; The LORD God illumines my darkness. For by Thee I can run upon a troop; And by my God I can leap over a wall.” Whether obstacle or trial I am assured that when God allows it, there is a purpose for it. Not only is there a purpose, but there is assured victory through Him. I Corinthians 15:17, says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Why be troubled about the steps I can’t see when I KNOW whatever comes my way must pass through my Savior first? Why be fearful about the noises I hear all around me? The screams in the forest of cancer, sickness, financial ruin, addictions? I can rest in the light of my Guide knowing that if it does come on my path, He will uphold me. When “My foot has held fast to the path; I have kept His way and not turned aside” as Job 23:11 says, I am assured that He will enlarge my steps under me, and that my feet will not slip (Psalm 18:36). This “roadmap girl” can rest in that. This “directional diva” can know most assuredly that He will light my path as needed. I need not worry about the scare tactics in the darkness. I need not worry about which way the moss is growing on the trees. I can rest in the fact that God has my map, He has my direction and He is my light. This “roadmap girl” can then gain the peace that passes all understanding as described in Philippians 4:7 because I KNOW that He has my back. I KNOW He has both sides and I KNOW He is definitely before me, leading and lighting my steps. I don’t even have to have a compass.