Feeling a little Feisty

Previously published in the Summer 2014 but relevant for today just as much. 

[WARNING: I AM NOT YOUR AVERAGE CHRISTIAN. I DO NOT FIT INTO SOME MOLD OF EXPECTATIONS HELD BY MOST CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN RELIGION IN AND OF ITSELF. I BELIEVE SOLELY IN THE BIBLE AND TRUST WHAT IT HAS TO SAY TO ME. I CHOSE TO FELLOWSHIP IN A SANCTUARY OF BELIEVERS, BUT THAT IS NOT WHO I AM. I AM SIMPLY A CHRISTIAN DEFINED BY THE BIBLE, NOT DOCTRINES. YOU ARE WARNED BECAUSE I AM LIKELY TO OFFEND SOME WITH THIS POST. THAT IS NOT MY INTENT. MY DECLARATION IS MADE PUBLIC AS A WARNING TO SATAN.]

Today my worst nightmare has been confirmed…. (this song popped into my head) “my past keeps playing with my head, failure strikes me down again, I’m reminded of the wrong, that I have said and done, and that the devil just won’t let me forget”… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVjKrmvYYQ The insanity set forth to destroy my life has shown me the grip it has on someone dear to me and my inability to undo it, proving once again I have failed…

My emotions are mixed. I’m mad at myself for letting my guard down when I knew better. I’m angry at God because I trusted Him to do what I couldn’t. I am beyond pissed at Satan…I can hear his snarly-ass snickering with an evil grin smeared across his face that I would love to slap off. Unfortunately, it is not “flesh and blood I wrestle against, but principalities, against powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual host of wickedness “(Eph 6:12). He is just hoping this is one more setback in my life that will finally make me cave and stop trusting God to see me through. The saying, “I’m going to beat the hell out of you” has never been truer than now and if only God would give me the opportunity and power to do it.  I would take Satan on single-handedly if I knew Jesus didn’t already have it covered. (Satan doesn’t want me to pull out all my UFC moves- I keep them hidden for a reason).  So many more emotions tied up within my stomach…. I’m not even going to describe or discuss. Doing so simply elevates Satan instead of Christ, the one I want elevated

So, Satan, I declare WAR  on you this day, it is time for you and all your cronies to be on guard. I have a sword you WILL NEVER defeat.  It was given to me to “whoop data” [watch Meet the Browns you will know what I’m saying]….and “whoop” is being nice… You’ve chosen this battle but I am not sure you remember who you are coming against. It is not I that has and will continue to defeat you but Jesus (1John 4:4) However, the leader of this army has CHOSEN ME (Eph 1:4-5).  So guess whose side I’m on??? - THE WINNING SIDE- and guess what that makes me… a winner too.  BOOYA!!!!  

I AM a child of THE KING (Gal.4:4-7) sealed with more promise than I have even yet to learn (Eph. 1:13). I am the head and not the tail (Deut. 28.13). You, Satan, are the tail, (Isa. 9:15) the one who teaches lies and is the father of ALL lies. (John 8:44) Maybe you have forgotten Jesus has destroyed your power against me since I am one filled with the Holy Spirit (Col. 2:15), an overcomer (1 John 4:4), a believer equipped to perform great works that will glorify MY HEAVENLY FATHER (John 14: 12-14)

I will not be defeated. The Commander and Chief of the army I serve will never let me down, always stick by me and PROTECT me from evil. (2 Thes. 3:3). I live and move in him; I can’t get away from him (Acts 17:26). Through Jesus, I have already been given the victory (1 Cor 15:57).

You … demand proof that Christ speaks through me, believe me, you will get more than you bargained for. You’ll get the full force of Christ, don’t think you won’t. He was sheer weakness and humiliation when he was killed on the cross, but oh, he’s alive now—in the mighty power of God! I wasn’t much to look at, either, when I was humiliated by you, but when I deal with you this next time; I’ll be alive in Christ, AND strengthened by God.  You have been warned. I am not lying down and I am no easy target.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20cor%2013%3A1-4&version=NLV;CEB;MSG;EXB

THE BIBLE WAS GIVEN TO ME BY A MIGHTY GOD AS A SWORD THAT I HAVE PICKED UP AND PLAN TO SWING LIKE A CRAZY PERSON UNTIL I FEEL THE NEED TO REGAIN MY SANITY…UNTIL THEN MARK MY WORDS:

This is my bible: I have what it says I have. I am what it says I am. I am CONFIDENT not intimidated, meek or insecure, STRONG  and not weak, FOCUSED and not scattered, ABOVE and not below, THE HEAD and not the tail, A LEADER not a follower, SUCCESSFUL not a failure, more than a CONQUEROR; EQUIPPED, EMPOWERED, WELL-ABLED to ACCOMPLISH my dreams and GOD’S PLANS FOR ME. GOD STANDS BESIDE ME, GOES BEFORE ME AND PREPARES MY WAY

if 1 Peter were written as an email to me

I've been wanting to dive into the book of 1st Peter lately. Since it is written as a letter, I decided I wanted to 'rewrite' it as if it were a letter written to me. But since I would like to share my insights with you, I will begin with "Dear FRIEND"- that's me and you. The websites I use to assist me are Biblegateway.com, Biblestudytools.com, and Biblehub.com.  Sometimes I can get so consumed by all there is to learn and discover that before I know it two hours have gone by and I am only two verses into a chapter. That being said I made it through five verses today. So let's dive in. (1 Peter 1:1-5)

Dear Friend

You know that I personally follow Jesus, the One I believe to be the promised deliverer of the world. This is a shared letter: first I’m writing to God’s chosen people-the Jewish Christian- who have been banned from their own country, their own home. (And second, it is for you). God has a watchful eye over you and has made a way to help you live a life dedicated to Him. You may ask, ‘what is the way?’. It is the Holy Spirit which was given to you through the sacrifice of his blood.

Ahhh, I hear you asking now, "How can the Holy Spirit help me live a life dedicated to God?" Well, let’s consider the modern day threat of different types of viruses. The germs seem to loom everywhere. By disinfecting our homes and especially our hands, we keep the virus away. Think of the viruses as sin and the Holy Spirit as the disinfectant or soap. As we kill or wash away our sin with the disinfectant we are able to remain healthy (or receive God’s grace). Grace is what changes our way of thinking to God’s way of thinking. Without the disinfectant and grace we contaminate ourselves and others. I pray that God’s grace and peace be multiplied to you.

That is a pretty amazing God we have, don't you think? We are beyond blessed to have him. After all He is the Father of our Master Jesus-the one who was risen from the dead, the one who gave us a new life, a “living” hope to carry on and a future in heaven. This new life provides an inheritance that is kept in heaven and waiting for you. It can’t be destroyed or corrupted and won’t fade away. It is your faith in God that will save you until the day He returns and allows you to receive the inheritance He has promised to you.  ‘Hope’, as C.H. Spurgeon stated, ‘is what makes us seek after that which we expect to obtain {promised inheritance}’. Spurgeon continues, “ The only imperishable hope is that which climbs above the stars, and fixes itself upon the throne of God and the person of Jesus Christ.” Wow! What a picture.

{Friend I will close this email for today as it is getting late and I must accomplish more for this day. I will check for your response or any questions you may have and respond tomorrow. Have a great day in the Lord and may others see God shine through you.)

Dear Peter,

Yes, I am very aware of how dedicated you are to our Savior Jesus and I am so glad to have others to share with in our faith. It is very hard to believe that God’s chosen people have been banned from their own country. I can’t imagine what they will do, where they will go or how they must feel. The peace of knowing God is watching over them is what sustains them, I am sure. I know it is what sustains me.

It is funny how you know the questions I will ask before I even ask them. I loved your explanation of how the Holy Spirit helps us to live a dedicated life. You know how I love medical stuff and using a medical reference solidified the meaning for me. I could actually picture sin as dirt on my hands and pumping grace from the liquid soap dispenser and using cans of “Holy Spirit Lysol” to kill the viruses of sin. Loved it! Absolutely, loved it! And thank you for that blessing of grace and peace….I gladly accept it.

Yes is is so hard to imagine that the God of our savior Jesus, the God who rose Jesus from the dead, the God who gives me hope is storing treasures for me in heaven. Nothing and no one can take that away from me. Again, I love it when you provide examples to me… I am a very visual learner and they help me truly take to heart what you are trying to say to me. I can see myself climbing up the longest ladder in the world, climbing past the tree tops, past the skyscrapers, past the clouds, going deep into the stars and galaxies to grab a hold of God’s throne and saying, ‘Whew, I made it, God! Please show me the inheritance you have been holding for me...because I'm sure you know....that was one crazy climb’.

I hope you get some things accomplished today, Peter. I look forward to your email tomorrow. TTYL

Stac

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/peoples-new-testament/1-peter/1.html http://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/meyer/the_spirit_purifying_the_heart.htm

http://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/watson/the_beauty_of_grace.htm

http://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/spurgeon/a_string_of_pearls.htm  

In a Rut, but Called, Cared For & not Disappointed

I hate it when I get in a rut. Sometimes when I read the bible, I feel like I’m just going through the motions. That is the main reason I try so hard to figure out how it applies to me. I feel like I have been in Isaiah forever and that it will never end. I think that is mainly because it is so difficult to grasp and apply to my own life. I will likely finish Chapter 49-there are only 5 more verses- and then venture on to something new for awhile. I will return to finish Isaiah at a later date. But next week, it will be something new.

*THE SCRIPTURE USED TODAY  Isaiah 49:22 This is what the Sovereign Lord says:“See, I will beckon to the nations,    I will lift up my banner to the peoples;they will bring your sons in their arms    and carry your daughters on their hips.23 Kings will be your foster fathers,    and their queens your nursing mothers.They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground;    they will lick the dust at your feet.Then you will know that I am the Lord;    those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”

*MY INTERPRETATION: I encourage all to follow me. They will see the sign I show you and THEY will gather up your children and bring them back to where I have called you. The rulers of the land will look after you and meet your needs. They will greet you with respect and be humble before you- I’m not too sure what to think about “licking the dust”...not sure if that is literal or figurative...any bible scholars out there that can elaborate?- By these things you will know that I am the Lord and by placing your hope in me you will not be disappointed.

*MY RESEARCH & REFLECTIONS OF THE PASSAGE APPLIED TO MY LIFE

I did a little research myself on Bible Hub to have a clearer understanding of the passage at hand.. According to the Matthew Henry Commentary God can and will use others to return the Israelite s to their home. According to the Pulpit Commentary and depending on the version of the bible used the word “Nations” and “Gentiles” are used interchangeably. I like how it is stated in the Living Bible Isaiah 49:22 Living Bible (TLB) 22 The Lord God says, “See, I will give a signal to the Gentiles, and they shall carry your little sons back to you in their arms, and your daughters on their shoulders. So they- the Gentiles, will bring the children - or new converts (likely Jews and Gentiles)-back to Jerusalem and the Gentiles will be adopted (fostered) into the family. As a part of the family they should be nurtured, cared for and respected. When you see these things happening you will know there is only one God and you will not be disappointed for having placed your hope in Him.

So this is my take away from this passage: I have been called-for whatever reason; I am cared for and I will not be disappointed for placing my hope in the Lord- Jesus Christ!

What did you take from it?

*DEFINITIONS REVIEWED: beckon make a gesture with the hand, arm, or head to encourage someone to come nearer or follow banner synonyms: sign,  placard, poster, notice foster care for, take care of, look after nursing feed; bow an act of bending the head or upper body as a sign of respect or greeting

Sometimes waiting is for a reason...

*THE SCRIPTURE USED TODAY

Isaiah 49:7-9 12- This is what the Lord says—    the Redeemer  and Holy One of Israel—to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation,  to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up,   princes will see and bow down , because of the Lord who is faithful,   the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you .” 8  This is what the Lord says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you,   and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you be a covenant for the people, to restore the land   and to reassign its desolate inheritances. 9 to say to the captives,‘Come out,’    and to those in darkness, ‘Be free! ’“They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. 10 They will neither hunger nor thirst nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.11 I will turn all my mountains into roads,    and my highways will be raised up. 12 See, they will come from afar—    some from the north, some from the west,    some from the region of Aswan.”

*MY INTERPRETATION: This is what the Lord of Israel had to say to the ones He gave his life for, to the ones He is dedicated. To those who are despised and regarded with disgust by other nations, he says ‘You will be noticed, and exalted by those in high positions. Simply because I am unchanging, loyal and devoted [to you] but mainly because I have chosen you.  

It is because of my kindness that I will reply [to your situation] on the day you are delivered from your sin. I will make it easy for you. I will keep you and make you the promise for others to see. When you return, you will be given back your land as well as some of the deserted land (now flourishing).

I will say to those held prisoner “come out” and to those deep in their sin “be free”. Food and beauty will abound wherever you go or look. What was once without life will now be multiplied. No one will hunger, thirst, or suffer from the heat. I will guide you and meet all your needs. I will remove obstacles before you get to them. See all my people are coming home”.

*MY RESEARCH & REFLECTIONS OF THE PASSAGE APPLIED TO MY LIFE [I have been stuck in this passage for what seems like two weeks now. I feel this sometimes happens because God his holding me in that particular piece of passage to show me something at an appointed time. There have been so many of these times while reading Isaiah, that this has seemed to happen to me. I try not to get discouraged and simply wait for the Holy Spirit to reveal whatever it is my soul needs to receive. So here it is finally. I hope it speaks to you as well.

This is what the Lord spoke to me, I am the one He gave his life for, I am the one He is dedicated to. When I am despised and hated by others, he reminds me that he has a plan -I will be noticed and elevated to higher positions simply because he has chosen me. He is loyal and devoted to me [because I have chosen to be a Christ follower]. The day I made the decision to follow him is the day I accepted the devotion He had already promised to me.

He will send answers to help me make decisions, He will protect me from harm. My life will be an example of his promises when he rights the wrongs that have been against me and restores me; when he gives me that which was once abandoned but is now flourishing; when he uses me to help others break free from bondage, when he uses me to be a light to help others see restoration is possible. It is because of his compassion that I lack for nothing, that I have been protected, that I am led and continually replenished. He is the one directing my path. I simply have to take the steps. When I am not afraid to move out in obedience and do what He has called me to do, others will follow the Christ I serve.