That time is here

2 Timothy 4: 2-4 says, "Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. . . . For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths."

Now is that time. Past ... present ... future, failure to listen to right teaching has been consistently present down through the ages.

The Lord knows all, is all. Who are we, what are we doing, when we follow our own desires?

Insight ... understanding ... wisdom

We may think we know so much about this and that, but until we seek God's wisdom by listening, studying, praying, doing, what we know is so very shallow.

Thoughtful ramblings on God's leading

If God leads us to an unfamiliar place of obedience, He accompanies us and provides for our every need.

God is faithful when we are obedient to His will. We must act on that realization, not be fearful. Not do something because of our fear, but do it because God said so. When we are fearful, our faith is damaged. We are not believing what God has said --- "With God, all things are possible."

Fear is fueled when we focus on the limited information gained from our perceptions about a situation.

God is with us when we are following His commands, pursuing His will. When we rebell against Him and do our "own thing," we must not assume God will be there with us, helping us.

Wait on God. Trust His timing.

When we defy God's directive, thinking we know what's best for ourselves, we risk forfeiting or delaying the blessings God has reserved for us.

When we are impulsive, we go round and round and get no where.

The Lighthouse

It was rather small,
snug to the coastline,
This Lighthouse,
with a tiny window near the top
to view the skyline.

Not many ship's captains
nor boaters near.
Off the beaten path
It was
With only birds and animal critters roaming.

Traveling up above,
zooming along the highway,
high overhead,
Like an airplane
Cars, vehicles of all descript, whizzing by.

Look down. Look to the right.
See the magical, the imaginary fixture
in swirls of black and dull white ...
guarding its lone section
of earth against would-be attackers.

Birds - so generic
sunning themselves
on a slim section of beachfront property
smack dab in the middle ....
of a lake,
where people fish around its perimeter.

Cathy Orrick Luders

5.23.2007

Purpose - Glorifying God

Today's Scripture reading was II Corinthians 3: 11-18 and 4: 3-4.

If I understand it right, the Old Covenant is known as the Mosaic, with laws and rules set forth to follow in obedience to God. With Jesus' coming, death and resurrection, we have the New Covenant.

When you live within the confines of the Old Covenant, a veil covers your mind so you cannot understand the truth. But when we believe in Jesus Christ, accept Him as our Savior, that veil is lifted, removed.

Freedom. With the veil removed, with our minds opened, we can follow Christ more fully. We can reflect the glory of Christ more and more as His spirit works within us.

Having the New Covenant doesn't mean the veil is removed from everybody. The key is "when we believe in Jesus Christ, when we accept Him as Savior."

When that has happened, then our life begins anew and we glorify God by putting His character, His will, His ways into action in everything we do.

Satan is always present, always at work. See what II Corinthians 4 : 3-4 has to say:
"If the Good News we preach is veiled from anyone, it is a sign that they are perishing. Satan, the god of the evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don't understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God."

Resolving Conflict

Scripture for Jesus' process for resolving conflict with another believer is found in Matthew 18:15-17:

"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If that person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept it, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector."

Step 1 - confront the person by yourself

Step 2 - confront him or her with one or two other believers

Step 3 - bring the situation before the church

Step 4 - remove the person from church leadership/fellowship

I think sometimes we skip some of these steps. An individual may be afraid to confront another, even though they are a believer, so goes immediately to step 2. A group of believers, such as deacons, may decide its better not to bring the situation before the entire church, so skips step 3 and goes immediately to step 4.

I think it is very unfortunate when the church is not involved in the decision making. Except for a few, we have no idea why someone in our midst is ostracized and are often told, its of no concern. Doesn't this open up a whole new can of worms?

Love

Love is an attitude, Love is a prayer,

For a soul in sorrow, a heart in despair;

Love is good will for the gain of another

Love suffers long with the fault of a brother.

-- Anonymous

Give to the Winds Your Fears

Words to this song were written by Paul Gerhardt in 1653 and translated by John Wesley in 1739. Here it is:

"Give to the winds your fears;
In hope be undismayed;
God hears your sighs and counts your tears,
God shall lift up your head.
To him commit your griefs.
Your ways put in His hands --
To his sure truth and tender care
Who earth and heav'n commands
Who earth and heav'n commands.

O put your trust in God;
In duty's path go on.
Walk in his strength with faith and hope,
So shall your work be done.
Leave to his sov'reign sway
To choose and to com-mand;
So you shall, faithful, seek His way --
How wise, how strong His hand,
How wise, how stroong His hand!"

Looking back

It's hard to believe, but its been nearly 2 months since I have written anything in my blog. That's not to say I haven't done any journaling. I write every day - about what has gone on or hasn't in my life, about what God has said to me, about anything and everything.

Tonight while looking in my journal, I came across what I wrote Feb. 25. That day was when snow and ice bombarded Iowa and most churches across the state did not hold services.

The Scripture reading that morning was Hebrews 3:12-14. What I gleaned was ..... Today I must listen to His voice. Today I must not harden my heart. I must not turn away from the Lord.

Looking back is good when it is to recall what God has done on our behalf.

Looking ahead is good when we remember God is ever present. When we follow Him and obey His commands, He is always with us.

But when we see only obstacles and react to them out of fear we have taken God out of the picture.

Fear hinders faith, but trust kindles confidence.