enthroned ???

Hear my cry, O God;
       listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
       I call as my heart grows faint;
       lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For you have been my refuge,
       a strong tower against the foe.

I long to dwell in your tent forever
       and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
       Selah

For you have heard my vows, O God;
       you have given me the heritage
       of those who fear your name.

Increase the days of the king’s life,
       his years for many generations.

May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
       appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

Then will I ever sing praise to your name
       and fulfill my vows day after day.
                                        Psalm 61 NIV

This morning, as D was praying, thanking God for the gems we found in the Word, he spoke of being enthroned on jewels.  Suddenly I got one of those “whole scenario” pictures in my spirit.  My life as it is. And as it might have been.

Here I am, a child of God.  It is possible for my spirit to be enthroned upon a mountain of treasures from His Word.  There are diamonds and rubies; emeralds and amethysts, pearls of great price, precious and semi-precious stones only God can offer.  There is everything I could possibly ever want or need available for the asking.

There is wealth unimaginable.
There is health inconceivable.
There is grace and favor,
forgiveness and love.
All unconditional.
All undeserved.

If…there is faith.

On the other hand, I could be enthroned here.  A child of God – unable or unwilling to accept His promises.  I could have refused His love, refused to turn the failures, hurts, and issues from my past over to my Abba Father for healing and freedom. What if I’d insisted upon hanging on to all that stuff? What damage would my spirit suffer? 

Once carried for so long these issues become hard and dry with age, solid as bricks. Eventually the anger, the bitterness, the poor-me attitudes all pile up into a mountain, too. But there are no gems in this mountain…instead my spirit becomes enthroned on bricks of dung

The choice is mine. 

do not become involved in the occult

 

“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.  Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the Lord your God will drive them out ahead of you.  But you must be blameless before the Lord your God. The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the Lord your God forbids you to do such things.” Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Back in the “Dark Ages” – before I knew anything about being a Christian – I was fascinated with all things spiritual.  My library was mostly popular mystery novels, with heavy emphasis on the paranormal.  I could make the planchette on a Quija Board fly through the letters, answering any question I chose to ask. I bragged about a sort of sixth sense, that I referred to as being ‘fey’ – partly  because of my Celtic ancestry and partly because it got the attention I was seeking when I went out with the girls.

At the time I was working in a large insurance office surrounded by women of varying belief systems. And many of them were also fascinated with the paranormal.  So much so, in fact,  that they were spending coffee breaks and personal time charting  their Horoscopes and making plans to attend a “parapsychology course” at the local University as a group.

One of these women thought of herself as an astrologer.  Her library included many volumes on the paranormal, plus one huge book teaching “how to chart your own horoscope.” This was the book she loaned to me over a long holiday weekend so I could “chart” my horoscope.

I took the book and the charts home and spent most of the weekend trying to accomplish a horoscope that would foretell my future.  Somewhere in all that reading one sentence jumped off the page and seared itself into my conscience as if highlighted in florescent yellow marker. Do not become involved in the occult.

On Tuesday morning I gave the book back to Penny and told her what I had accomplished; the warning I had been given.  She looked at me as though I’d lost my mind and stated flatly, “Ellen, that is NOT possible. I’ll re-chart your horoscope myself and prove it to you.” 

Early the following Monday she handed me her version of my “correct” horoscope with these words:  “There is nothing anywhere in my books that warns against becoming involved in the occult. Nothing!”

But I know what I saw!  I can close my eyes and see it to this day.

Hindsight is 20/20.

Today I know if I had continued along the path I was following, deeper and deeper into the occult, my life would be very, very different than it is now.  God has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the occult.  He showed me how He feels about it before I ever cried out to Him for help; asking Him to guide and protect me.

Earlier this week, I was reminded of the warning God gave me so many years ago. And this morning in our Bible study time D read this devotional from Neil Anderson:

[Quote]“The lure of the occult is almost always on the basis of acquiring knowledge or power. We desire the power that comes from unusual insight and a knowledge of the unknown. We want to experience a power that is spiritual and supernatural in origin. In a sense these are God-given desires, but they are intended to be fulfilled by the knowledge and power which comes from God. However, Satan is busy trying to pass off his counterfeits for God’s knowledge and power as the real thing. If he can get you to accept his versions of knowledge and power, he has a foothold in your life.

“The lure of satanic knowledge and power is nothing new. God’s people have been warned against it from the earliest times. The command in Deuteronomy 18:9-12 is as viable for us today as it was for the Israelites under Moses’ leadership. We live in a contemporary Canaan where it is socially acceptable to consult spiritists, mediums, palm-readers, psychic counselors and horoscopes for supernatural insights and abilities.

“This was clearly brought home to me while I was finishing my doctorate in a class I took on business forecasting. One of the men in the class presented a paper describing a scenario of the future he had researched. He excitedly explained that we were on the threshold of new frontiers in the mind: astral projection, telepathic images, levitation, etc. This public school principal was promoting New Age and the occult and the other class members were eating it up.

“After the class had enjoyed several minutes of lively discussion I asked, “In all your exploration of your subject, did you ever ask yourself if it is right for people to get involved in it?’

“’Oh, I’m not interested in whether it’s right or not,” he replied. “I just know it works.’

“’I have no question that it works,” I argued. “The question we need to answer is not whether or not it works, but whether or not it’s right. What you are presenting is as old as Bible history.’

Prayer: Create in me a constant thirst for knowing You, Lord, and a readiness to recognize and reject Satan’s counterfeits.” [Close Quote]

After agreeing with this closing prayer we opened the Word to Deuteronomy 18 and read the whole chapter again.  And at this point I have to say – I know it works, too.  And I know why it works!  It works because the enemy knows how gullible human beings can be; he also knows how God feels about having His kids play around in the satanic.  God’s Word tells me he [satan] prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone he may devour. 

We live in a world where thousands upon thousand of “Christians” are being devoured by seemingly innocent practices. These innocent practices have their roots firmly planted in satan’s realm and will eventually lead those who follow them deeper and deeper into enemy territory, cutting off the flow of grace and favor God offers every one of His kids.

I am reminded that satan counterfeiting God’s power is not a new problem.  The first century church dealt with it, too.  In Acts we are told: “Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.  Acts 19:18-20 (New Living Translation)

My personal prayer today is for the “Christians” among my family and friends who are being deceived and devoured by the occult.  I believe the Word that tells me, “if the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.” And I ask God for freedom for every Christian falling deeper and deeper into seemingly innocent occult practices. I ask, in Jesus name, set them free, Lord.  Set them free.

preach the word

Preach the Gospel all the time.
If necessary use words!
_St. Francis of Assisi

Today we received an email that’s been going around the internet for awhile.  I’d never read it.  I think it’s great! And certainly worth recording for future reference.

Now this is the Living Bible:

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes.  This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.

He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.

The church is completely packed and he can’t find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.

Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.

Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit.. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can’t blame him for what
he’s going to do.

How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man’s cane. All eyes are focused on him.. You can’t even hear anyone breathing. The minister can’t even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.

And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won’t be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion.
When the minister gains control, he says,

‘What I’m about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.’

‘Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!’

knowing the shepherd

 

    This morning, as we studied Ephesians again,  we read about a famous actor who was once the guest of honor at a social gathering where he received many requests to recite favorite excerpts from various literary works.
     An old preacher who happened to be there asked the actor to recite the Twenty-third Psalm. The actor agreed on one condition…that the preacher would also recite it.
     The actor’s recitation was eloquently done…just the right
dramatic emphasis on just the right words. And when he
finished, he was given a lengthy applause and a standing
ovation.
     Then the old preacher rose to recite the psalm. His voice was rough and broken from many years of preaching, and his diction was anything but polished. But when he finished there was not a dry eye in the room.
      When someone asked the actor what made the difference, he said, “I know the psalm, but he knows the Shepherd.”

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Jesus is the patient and understanding Shepherd. Jesus loves the sheep.

I am a sheep. Well…actually, I am a sparrow. But either way, Jesus loves me.  How much He loves me does not depend upon my intellect. It does not depend upon my beauty. It does not depend upon my loyalty.

Sheep are not intelligent – in fact, sheep are stupid. Sheep are not beautiful, especially when they are in desperate need of a good shearing.  And sheep are not loyal. They will follow anything from a goat to a wolf in sheep’s clothing away from the protection of the shepherd. Yet, we are told the good shepherd is willing to lay down his life for the sheep.

I have spent more than half my life getting to know the Good Shepherd – Jesus Christ. I believe I’ve come to know Him fairly well. Still, every day I learn something new and amazing about His love for me.

Today, in our prayer time a new insight caught me by surprise, casting a bright light on the blessings I tend to take for granted every day. Like a stupid sheep I allow myself to accept the blessings without having a grateful heart for the one who blesses me.

Luke 17:13-17
In this passage Jesus walked into a village one day and ten lepers cried out to Him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”  He stopped, looked at them and said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And “as they went, they were cleansed”. But only one came back and fell at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Notice the very sad words of Jesus that followed: “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”

Now obviously the other nine knew it was Jesus who had cleansed them. Still, they did not bother to go back and thank Him. I pray that when the blessings come, and they come every single day, I will always remember to give God the praise, glory and honor, and acknowledge that He is the source of every blessing in our life.

Right here we learned that when the man came back to thank Jesus, he received the additional blessing of becoming whole! Jesus said to him, “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Luke 17:19, KJV) He was not just cleansed of leprosy, he got his missing fingers and toes back!

This tells me when my heart is thankful toward the Good Shepherd, I position myself for even greater blessings! 

We also learned another lesson today. It is about serving God as a shepherd (pastor)…a vision we still hold close to our hearts. If we are ever to step up to lead another flock for the Good Shepherd we must be acutely aware of the warnings.  Shepherds are to be smarter than the sheep! Jeremiah 10:21 says:

For the shepherds are stupid:
    they don’t seek the LORD.
    Therefore they have not prospered,
    and their whole flock is scattered.

This tells me only if and when we seek the Lord, with willing hearts, before we attempt to guide a band of His sheep, will they prosper and not go astray. 

Thank the Lord for all His blessings!

write the vision

Then the Lord answered me,
   “Write the vision.
      Make it clear on tablets
         so that anyone can read it quickly.
The vision will still happen at the appointed time.
   It hurries toward its goal.
   It won’t be a lie.
If it’s delayed, wait for it.
   It will certainly happen.
   It won’t be late.
                  Habakkuk 2:2-3 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

God requires that we make our relationship with Him our highest priority. He has promised with covenant faithfulness to respond. “All these things shall be added to you.”  Matthew 6:33

Habakkuk invites us to add action to our faith. I take that to mean set aside a regular time and place that is Holy to the Lord. Spend time listening for His Word as I read and study scripture.  Be faithful in daily prayers – for others as well as for myself. Then write the vision. Write it clearly. Document those things the Lord speaks directly into my spirit or makes more alive to my heart. For years I have recorded the promises He brings into sharp focus for me and I hold fast to them…knowing they will come to pass.

It is always a source of amazement to me, when I read through some of my old journal pages, how faithful and loving God is with me. With ME! Personally!  My journal pages are stored away in a file box, and they go back to the early 80s.  In those pages I poured out my heart and soul, talking to my Abba Father about everything and anything.  Every so often something comes to mind that God showed me or helped with and I go dig out the box and sift through the pages until I find that particular gem.  The thing is…I can never stop with just one thing.  My journal pages are a treasure trove of God’s amazing love and understanding – poured out for me personally. 

I must confess, there are some huge gaps in my journal.  There have been times, weeks and sometimes even months on end, when the last thing I wanted to do was take the stuff going on in my life to my Abba Father.  There have been times when I was sooo angry with Him for the stuff He allowed to happen in my life I simply decided “What’s the use in praying? He’s going to do what He’s going to do anyway. Praying about it doesn’t matter!”  There have been times when I’ve simply ignored my journal, and the Word, and God.  Having a pity party. Pouting. Being rebellious.

Here’s some really good news!  God, loving, gentle, wonderful, Father that He is, ignores my temper tantrums, my pity parties and my pouting.

So…when I go back to my journal, ask His forgiveness, and tell Him what’s been bugging me…He fixes it.  Perfectly. Every time!  I think that’s probably the reason David wrote the 34^th Psalm. I know that’s the reason I wrote about Bootsey (that’s little e) and her picnic.

Write the vision…make it plain.  Read it as you run and all your days will be Wonderful.

use me – week 8

 

The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease,
          For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
         Great is Your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
         “Therefore I have hope in Him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 (New American Standard Bible)

Bible Study – Week 8

With today’s study we come to a point of ending and one of beginning.  You’ve spent the past eight weeks working toward a more Christ-like self image and attitude; learning who you are in Him.  It is my fervent prayer you have developed Bible study skills that will serve you well throughout the rest of your life. With this week’s study we come to the end of our time together, but your life in Christ is new every morning.  He has promised He will never leave you, or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:7-9

As you review the past few weeks you will see that you are indeed being made new.  The old ideas, images and patterns are passing away. A new, fresh, mental and spiritual attitude is growing within you.

Last week as you studied Ephesians you were taught to be renewed in the spirit of your mind and to put on a new nature. 

The Greek word for renewed is ananeo?  “to be renewed, to be renovated by inward reformation” suggesting the whole course of life now flows in a different direction.

The Greek word translated put on is endy? – literally, to be clothed in. If you are clothed in a beautiful garment, you are beautiful, because you are covered by the garment. Nothing can be seen of you except your smile, and if the garment is truly beautiful, you will be smiling.  When you put on Christ, you are clothed in Him. Your new nature says you are clothed in Christ – to see you is to see Jesus.

Paul also told his readers in Ephesus to be filled with the spirit. The Greek word has its root in pl?r?s, and where it speaks of the soul, it implies to be thoroughly permeated with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:17-19

All believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit when they become followers of Christ and are spiritually reborn into God’s kingdom.  But, just as a new born baby is not fully mature, thoroughly permeated with wisdom and understanding, neither are believers fully mature at the moment of their rebirth. Believers are not to remain in a carnal state where life is marked by the appetites and passions of their old nature.  God’s kids are not meant to live a defeated life. We are to grow up – into Christ.

If we would become useful members of God’s Kingdom we must have a renewed spirit, we must be clothed in Christ, and we must be walk by the Spirit.

The Assignment

Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, telling them to bear one another’s burdens.

   “Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
   “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
   ”Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.
   “Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.”  Galatians 6:1-8 The Message

These verses set the goal for a useful Christian life: Restore your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Love your neighbors as well as you love yourself.

This week…study Paul’s letter to the Galatians.  Use the skills you have learned to dig out every kernel of truth, all the promises, all the personal commands and every shred of Good News.  Then…in the weeks and months to come…reach out to those who are not doing so well in their Christian walk. Lift them up and where possible, restore them.  Don’t be misled…what you plant, you will harvest.

Today, my final challenge to you is this – always work to become a more effective follower of the Lord Jesus by putting on all He offers you. Don’t settle for anything less.

My precious Lord Jesus, may the words written here and the meditations of each heart who reads them, be acceptable in your sight.  Open our eyes and ears to your Word and by your Spirit convince every soul as you purpose.  We receive these blessings in Your Holy Name.

AMEN

use me – week 7

    Their purpose is to prepare God’s people to serve and to build up the body of Christ. This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head.
    He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:12-16

Bible Study – Week 7

Over the past six weeks you’ve been growing up in your relationship with Christ. You’ve been studying and allowing God’s Word to give you an attitude adjustment. And – whether you knew it or not – you’ve been preparing yourself for service to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

As you’ve prayed daily for understanding and enlightenment you’ve gained new knowledge of the eternal hope you have in Christ.  Today,  if you’ve faithfully followed the Holy Spirit through these weekly Bible studies, you have a better comprehension of the deep things of God and Christ’s love for you.

The Apostle Paul told the believers at Ephesus they [we / the church] are part of the body of Christ. He tells them, “as each and every part does its job, he [Christ] makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4-6; 4:12-16 

In Romans we find these words, “For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, so we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].

The writer of Romans goes on to say, “Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them…” Romans 12:4-5; 12:6a AB

I truly believe, just as our first priority must be to seek God’s kingdom, as children of the kingdom, our second priority must be finding out what our part is; what faculty, talent or quality we are to use to build up the kingdom. 

Dear heart, you and I must come to the realization that as a part of the Body of Christ everything we do affects the entire body!  That sounds like an awesome responsibility doesn’t it?  But you are growing up and it’s time to accept some responsibility.  Even if your part of the body is the skin on the bottom of the littlest toe – you have an affect.  Think back to the last time you stubbed your toe – walked into a chair leg in the dark.  Did your whole body sit right up and notice the pain?  Of course.  No matter how small a part we are, everything that goes on in our lives has an emotional or cognitive impact upon the whole body.

Your home, your job, the social gatherings you attend all represent where your part of the Body of Christ has an impact.  The way you see yourself…your Christ-like image dictates how your part of the Body of Christ impacts everyone you meet, every day.  But you need to know what part, what faculties, talents and qualities, God has called you to use – given you His grace to use – before you can impact [build up] the kingdom with the LOVE of Christ.

The Assignment

Your assignment for the coming week is a comprehensive study of Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus.  Read the entire letter every day.  Study as you have during the past few weeks.  Use all of the tools available to you; footnotes, cross-references, different Bible translations…you know how.  Ask the Lord to show you the part you have been called to play in the Body of Christ, and how your part can affect the whole body.

Remember as you study, a large portion of what you learn will have to do with your family.  A large part of Paul’s letter speaks to the affect each member has on the Christian home. 

I have to tell you, this study of your part of the Body of Christ will take a very long time.  It can’t be completed in any one week or any one year!  But, as you study this week, the Lord will reveal the many facets of your particular part, and you will grow with each revelation.  As you grow and learn you will become more proficient at doing what God has called you to do for His kingdom.

There is no place to stop this study of your second priority, just as there is no place to stop seeking His kingdom.  You will always, and forever more, be a part of the Body of Christ.  And, now that you are truly developing a Christ-like self image through the Word and the counseling of the Holy Spirit you will always desire more and more knowledge of God’s kingdom and God’s way of doing and being right.  As a child of the king your spirit, soul and body were designed by the creator to seek Him first.  Your trip has only begun.

I have frequently compared my trip through life, with Christ, to a dump truck flying down the road with its tail-gate down.  When I look back to where He’s brought me from, the road is strewn with junk.  Behind me lies the trash of a life littered with pain, sorrow, anger and worse.  But it is behind me now!  I am not so weighed down with my past or bound by emotion to carry it forward with me.  Working on my Heavenly Father’s priorities for my life has freed me from myself – and from my past.

I can wholeheartedly promise you – if He’ll do this for me – He’ll do it for YOU too!

God’s blessing upon you.  See you next week.