To Know Him

Wait For Me - Rebecca St. James Chapter One "The Dream"

2011-05-18T06:38:00.000-07:00

Rebecca explains how it would seem that the majority of singles in today's culture have given up "the dream" - that of finding prince charming. She encourages us to instead go against the grain and never give up the dream and the longing that God has planted deep in our hearts from the moment we were created.

She then goes onto explain how immorality is glamorized in Hollywood but what is not often shown is, "the very unglamorous, often agonizing consequences of an immoral lifestyle." She urges that keeping oneself emotionally and physically pure for marriage is a beautiful thing, full of romance.
She does not say that it is any easy thing to do - To trust Him [God] with your love life but the challenge to lay all at God's feet, to put all our dreams in His hands is most assuredly a worth while one. A challenge that can have nothing but rewarding outcomes.

In summary of chapter one Rebecca encourages us to regain the dream we buried long ago under the worlds way of thinking and to instead reset our thinking.

Jesus

2011-04-29T06:37:00.000-07:00

Has anyone out there been finding it hard to get Jesus off their mind lately?

Does anyone get the sense that our King is on His way?

Martin Luther King

2011-04-28T03:37:00.000-07:00

"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefields besides, is mere fight and disgrace if he flinches at that point." - Martin Luther King

Honours Reward Chapter 2 - Honouring Parents

2011-01-10T15:50:00.000-08:00

The word "Honour" was expounded on in chapter two and I found it very extremely enlightening. Also extremely challenging, in a good way.
"The simplistic and literal definition of honour is "a valuing."
When you speak of the word honour to a Greek man, he thinks of something valuable, precious, weighty, such as gold. Think of it-you don't put gold in your junk drawer; rather you assign it a place of honour. Other definitions of honour are appreciation, esteem, favorable regard, respect.
Sometimes to better understand a word, look at its counterpart. The antonym of honour is dishonour. The Greek word is atimia. Some of its definitions are: to not show respect or value; to treat as common, ordinary, or menial. When you speak of dishonour to a Greek man, he would think of something common, light, and easily done away with, such as vapor. A stronger form of dishonour is to be treated shamefully and even humiliated."

Through this section especially, God challenged me; "Do I hold my parents up in highest regard with honour? Or do I ultimately treat them with dishonour, if not in word or deed but in my heart?

This is the biggest thing for me since in the outward sense, to other people I would seem to be honouring to my parents. However God does not judge from the outward, God judges the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)
Do I truly honour those God has placed over me? Do I hold them in highest esteem as I would gold or silver? Do I appreciate them not for what they do for me but for who they are in my life - My parents. The very fact that God saw fit to give me to them is enough of reason alone to honour and respect them. For by honouring them I am honouring God's decision and choice for me in this life.

I know all too often I treat them with disrespect maybe not in the outward sense but most definitely at times in my heart. I treat their advice especially at times as "easily done away with", "menial", "common". Not a good thing.

We see the weight God puts on honouring parents alone in Exodus 21:17; "Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death." And also in Leviticus 20:9; "If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother, and his blood will be on his own head."
Pretty hefty punishments there in the old law regarding the dishonour of ones Father and Mother. Through these scriptures we can see God's heart on the matter quite clearly and the bible says "He does not change, He is the same" (Micah 5:2) so its safe to say that He still holds the same value on honouring parental headship. If its this important to Him, it should be this important to us.

So to wind up my findings in chapter 2 I would say that God has definitely highlighted my need for first honour and respect in the home. Change has to begin within before we can start taking it out into the world and impacting others lives ("..You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much..." Matthew 25:23). Especially in the area of honouring parental headship. It is probably the most crucial step in our journey of learning to honour even though to our generation it would seem to be the least important.

Honours Reward - John Bever Chapter 1. "Our actions have consequences for eternity"

2011-01-07T18:43:00.000-08:00

I think the biggest thing that really stood out to me in this first chapter of Honours Reward is that every action has a consequence for all of eternity.
That there alone is enough to ponder on for a long time. It is also a very humbling thought. Even though we are forgiven our sins when we confessed Jesus as our Lord and are saved from eternal damnation, the very fact that each choice we make here and now affects how we spend eternity with Christ, is quite frankly a scary one.

This is the couple of paragraph which really stuck out at me:
"Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward." (2 John 8)
Notice John says "That we may receive a full reward." While I meditated, the word full jumped off the page. I thought, If there's a full reward, then there's a partial reward, and even a no-reward scenario. (Remember we are not talking about salvation here, but rewards.) Upon further meditation I concluded there are two applications to which John is referring. The first is the Judgment Seat of Christ. Paul states: "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8).
We know immediately Paul is not addressing all humanity, for when an unbeliever is absent from the body he is not present with the Lord; rather he is in hell. This may sound harsh, but its the truth. Jesus didn't come into our world to condemn it, quite the contrary, to save it. The world was already condemned because of Adam, who sold us over to eternal death (see John 3:17-18). Only those who receive Jesus the Christ by committing their lives completely to Him will be present with the Lord when they leave behind their earthly bodies. Paul continues to address the believers.:
"Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
Every believer will stand before Christ's Judgment Seat. On that day each of us will receive according to what we did in our short time on earth. The Today's English Version states, "We will each receive what we deserve."* Our sins will not be judged, for the blood of Jesus eradicated the eternal punishment ascribed to sin. Rather, we will be rewarded, or suffer loss, for what we did as believers. Our deeds, words, thoughts, and even motives will be inspected in the light of His Word. The temporary things on which we built our lives will be devoured which will result in loss, and the eternal will be purified into everlasting rewards."

I think that for me, this is the beginning of an understanding of the weight that our Father in Heaven puts on each and every little choice we make.

*Its funny how when we hear that said in the religious or spiritual terms we get all upset as if some sort of right has been taken away from us. Yet in our natural world and judicial system we see it as only fair and right that a person receives either punishment or reward for their various actions.

Near misses

2010-09-10T00:59:00.000-07:00

God is so good (just thought I'd put it out there in case it wasn't a known fact). Every time I get in my car I pray for a safe trip and charge ministering angels all around. The angels have never had a dull day when I'm behind the wheel.

This morning, as I was driving to meet up with my workout partner I almost swiped a cyclist who for some silly reason rode straight by on my right side as I was about to turn right. It was a near miss and a scary one and even though he was in the wrong I was so grateful to God.
This afternoon after work I had to duck into the city to pick up some Body Shop products for my sister. Usually it is a real nightmare (if not impossible) to find a park. But I prayed before I went. I got the park, right where I wanted it and made sure all the signage was a O.K for me to be there. It was, or so I thought. I raced into the Queen St Mall and grabbed what I needed and headed back...just as I was reaching my car a man in a blue uniform approached me and said; "Your lucky you didn't get a $200 fine. This is a tow-away zone." Yikes!!! How blessed am I.

The end for today.

The Battle Field

2010-04-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

The sorrow is turning to anger. First it was dispare and sadness mixed, then it all came out in tears from two holes in my face, my brain was angered at the disturbance as it ached with the fact of the life around me. O' help!

To stop this cry that reaches from my heart and pours down my cheeks, this endless longing for a basic knowing.

Fighting the thoughts that threaten to push me back into the black, misty hole where arms are desperately trying to reach at me, grab me and pull be down into the inky blackness of no return.

I fight. I struggle. In my mind its all a battle field of thoughts and words of which I have let grow and take root for too long.

But somewhere there is a sprig of truth being tossed around for a lie. It's stem is both fresh green and a golden yellow and it shines like a light in the middle of a gray and horrific battle field. Will I reach the petal and grasp it up and treasure it and believe that it is more right and more truth than all the carnage I see on every side?

This is the mystery and this is the battle field where I fight.

Isaiah 55:10-11 "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

Total abandonment to the One who died so that I could live.

2010-01-12T17:29:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I have been on here [as is obvious] and today when I logged on I scrolled through my posts and saw that when I first started this blog it was the day of my 19th birthday. Well that is almost one whole year ago. Time flies.

This update is just an excerpt from an email I was writing out to my friend to day and its the subject that has been on my heart lately.

"I know how it feels being scared about stepping out for God and all. I battle the same thing. But really its just all about love and obedience. And we've just gotta look fear and the face with the "I just don't care" attitude and step out. I've done it before and it works. (Makes me wonder why I don't do it more often). Oh and about feeling inadequate, that's no excuse unfortunately. (I try to use that one on God often, it doesn't hold up). He is using "inadequate" people every second all over the globe. All He needs and wants is willingness and obedience. Look at Moses for instance, He didn't even know God and He was "slow of speech" but God appeared to Him in a really dramatic way and told Him to go and do a really dramatic thing. It was scary and Moses was scared but He stepped out. God used Him. He was called "A friend of God". Actually the book I am reading is not a 'preaching-at-you' sort of book. Its just a book sharing true stories and God has been extracting old truths out of it and bring them to my attention (Sister Freaks - Rebecca St James). Things that I had forgotten and buried under the "old-school religion" files. But Jesus is showing me, its not "old" or "religious" its called abandoning all to Him and sacrificing everything because He sacrificed His son for us. In our western world we don't know the meaning of sacrifice, we've watered down God's will and Word to suit our lifestyles ("Oh we'll go without one of our favourite foods for 40 days" or something. (Not criticizing anyone or anything, just thinking that there is more). All good intentions to be sure, but we cannot escape from the truth of the absolute hardcore sacrifice God gave us which was His son. Have you seen Will Smiths "Seven Pounds"? For me, that movie really brought to life what Jesus did for us and how we therefore should live out our life. Think about it. The character that Will Smith plays gives vital parts of His body to people who were struggling to live without them. In turn, how do you think these people [who were now free to live a normal life without fear of dying from their unfortunate circumstances] would feel? I know if I was in that position I would not take life for granted and I would try to live every day keeping in mind that a man died so I could live this day (and every day of my life) out in health and freedom. I would want to make the most of every second, every minute. Well, Jesus did no less, more in fact and look at the way we (or at least I) treat my life at times and live it so selfishly, as if its not worth all that much or of any great importance. But that wasn't how the King of Kings saw our lives as worth. He gave up everything for us because He saw us so worth it. Its only right, that I lay everything down in return at the feet of our King in honour and respect and thankfulness and love and reverence of what He did for me. He gave us life. Therefor we should be living it for Him with every fiber of our being. My spirit craves that life but my flesh screams at me and fights and kicks all the way. Its a journey in itself to get my flesh overcome by building my Spirit up stronger in Christ. I am so selfish. Jesus has made His power available to us and look how we live? We let the devil stamp and stomp all over us. If we truly knew who were were in Christ and really understood ALL that He has done for us. We would be 'blown away' and the devil in turn would be terrified of us. Anyway....that's my little raving rant for the day."

To love so much puts one in a vulnerable place. Jesus risked so much for love but "...for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame..." (Hebrews 12:2). Every soul that ever makes the decision to accept Him, every decision that we make to love, honour and obey Him is worth it. To Him it is worth all the pain He went through. Let us make more of those decisions and bring ultimate joy to our maker.

"Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all"

Above All - Michael W. Smith

Knowing How to Know Him

2009-08-19T03:31:00.000-07:00

The last weeks have been tough mentally and spiritually and emotionally for me. So obviously I have been feeling really drained and on top of that being really busy and not getting much sleep. During this time I have found the desire stronger, to want to cuddle up on my Heavenly Father's lap and to just be. In Him. But I struggle to know how to do that. I want to know how to know Him.

This is not an encouragement post. Or an insightful post. Its a post rather to record and 'jot down' the beginning of the realization of a journey that begun when I was born, knowing how to know Him. Knowing how sit on His lap and cuddle. And as I glean from Him and the people He has placed around me, the wisdom and advice of 'knowing how to know Him' I will try to 'jot it down' here.

This morning was so beautiful. I woke up and the Lord instructed me to go to Psalms 31 so I grabbed my Bible from the desk and flipped to Psalms while still lying in bed and began to read. In it, David was describing the exact same things my heart and soul had been struggling through (maybe in a not so physical way but definitely spiritually). David was crying out to God and putting his trust in Him. He knew God would answer. I got to verse 19 where David's situation began to change and he began to physically see God's hand at work and began to praise Him and write of the things that the Lord had shown Him during His tProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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als. (i.e vs. 21"Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city..."). But in vs 19
though, "How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you." The Father whispered to my heart and showed me that this was a promise to me from Him as well. It completely breathed life into the scripture and I knew how much he cared for me and He was not ignorant to the turmoil in my heart, He heard and He was answering. And He had just given me a bunch of key's in His Word to unlock the Proxy-Connection: keep-alive
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ors to victory and peace in my mind and heart through Him. What a perfect start to yet another day to experience His goodness and live for Him.

Psalms 31:19-20 NIV
¹⁹ How great is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you,
which you bestow in the sight of men
on those who take refuge in you.

²⁰ In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from the intrigues of men;
in your dwelling you keep them safe
from accusing tongues.

The Love Factor

2009-07-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

People get angry when someone else sees God in a different way than to what they see Him. I suppose it is the arrogance of man to take pity on another who does not see eye to eye with us, who is 'blinded' by his own idea or interpretation of who God is and how He acts.
I know I personally get caught up in the web of feeling that there is somehow a form of a void in a potential friendship or relationship with another human being if we do not share the same interpretation of God. Truth be told, we are all made in His image, in the likeness of Him. God is never ending. Wouldn't it be dull if his never 'endingness' was all the same flavour constantly? What if he were, for eternity, just like me? Or just like you? No thanks! He is endless, His ways are indescribable. He is unique. Every person on this earth has a different part of God in them. Should we not therefore instead celebrate that unique DNA of God in each person and get beyond the theological right and wrong game and instead reach out in love and embrace each other and the image of God that is placed in each of us?
If we could all join together we will end up having the complete picture of who God really is. Ultimately it's all about love. Like He said in 1 Corinthians 13:8 & 1 Corinthians 13:12-13.

What would happen if you attempted to cook a cake but all the ingredients had a mind of their own and wouldn't come together because they didn't like what the other ingredients looked like, tasted like or smelled like? Well the obvious outcome is that the cake would never be completed. And if someone attempted to eat a single ingredient by itself, they would most likely find it very bland and boring, not at all tasty. This is the way I believe it has become in the body of Christ. Satan, has tried to keep us all apart through division, theology, hate, religion, strife and every evil thing [James 3:16] for so long. I know that if we all came together sharing one single vision of "completing that cake" then we would see who The Father truly is and the aroma and the attraction of his beauty, and His love would be wafting all over the place and would attract people of all kinds, even people who might not like raw butter on its own may find that they really do quite enjoy it in the cake, or they might not even notice that its in there, instead they are simply enjoying the deliciousness of the completed, baked cake.

We are His children. Free to grow in each of our own little characteristics and traits but ultimately we should remember that we share the same Father and that love should circulate through us all from the Father. Lets move beyond petty religion and theology. Lets see God for who He really is and who He's really all about. Love.

What do you think are some major issues that Satan has divided God's people over?
Do you think these dissagreements can be put aside all in the name of God's love?
Do you think this is how we were created to live?
Do you have any testimony's of seeing beyond dissagreements and walking in true love that you'd like to share?

True Purity. Have I been faithful?

2009-06-17T03:33:00.000-07:00

There is something I cannot begin to place a finger on. That something is buzzing in my heart and spirit. It is a feeling of missing, of perhaps great longing. For what, I do not as of yet know. But I believe [as cliche as it sounds] it has something to do with waiting for my future husband. Yes, I am technically pure on the outside, but if my heart were to become visible on the outside would people be shocked, disgusted, disappointed? If God looks at the heart to judge purity and holiness as He states in Matthew 5:28 then am I truly pure? Or only in the natural? Am I really pure on the inside, the place where it matters the most? The place where God alone judges? [1 Samuel 16:7] . Honestly I cannot say that I am. I suppose that longing in my heart is for change. To turn my heart around and prepare it for the Lord and the man He has chosen for me. How can I be so critical and lay such a standard on him to remain pure in every way when I myself are not reaching my own standard? Perhaps this pain I feel in my soul is that of remorse and conviction.
I just now watched Rebecca St James "Wait For Me Song" which I have known for a long time and I was convicted as tears rolled down my cheeks. Romance is something beautiful to be treasured and well worth waiting for. Oh the pure joy of being able to give my heart over whole and in one perfect piece to the man of my dreams. I want to do the best job I can at waiting. Tears run down my face even now as I type. Even if my heart has been torn and cut the blood of Jesus is able to cleanse and mend all the damage my sinful ways have wrought. Praise Him!

The answer to keeping a pure heart? Keep the Word of God in you're heart. The Lord through King David revealed the key to keeping a pure heart in Psalms 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you". [NIV]

So I suppose the big question I challenge you to today is. Have you been faithful with you're heart? Lets examine ourselves honestly and make changes where we see the need and also ask Holy Spirit to reveal to us the things we don't notice that need adjusting.

Marks Of A Wasted Life

2009-03-04T18:03:00.000-08:00

The Rebelution's blog "Marks Of A Wasted Life" updates have been SPOT ON. These guys are truly in sync with the Holy Spirit and just life in general. They write so well also. Two big thumbs up.
And it's amazing because what they are discussing is exactly the subject matter on which I need some slapping around the ears and a wake up call about.
More later.

The Rebelution email/blog update. A Lukewarm Attitude of Complacency

2009-02-24T18:28:00.000-08:00

So this really impacted me when I read it a few days ago. Wow so true! God has really been speaking to me on this subject and now this comes along. Spot on. I should listen.

The Rebelution: Email Update

A Lukewarm Attitude of Complacency

Posted: 21 Feb 2009 10:52 AM CST

The fourth installment of our Not Too Young to Die series has been a long-time in coming, but I’m happy to announce that we are now back on track. If you haven’t read the first three installments, use the links at the bottom of this post to catch up.

In our last installment, Your Life Story, we discussed three marks of a tragically wasted life. Today’s post looks at the first: a lukewarm attitude of complacency. Here is one of the best descriptions of complacency that I’ve come across:

“Complacency is a blight that saps energy, dulls attitudes, and causes a drain on the brain. The first symptom is satisfaction with things as they are. The second is rejection of things as they might be. ‘Good enough’ becomes today’s watchword and tomorrow’s standard. Complacency makes people fear the unknown, mistrust the untried, and abhor the new. Like water, complacent people follow the easiest course — downhill. They draw false strength from looking back.”

For Christians this often reveals itself when we become satisfied avoiding evil, but not pursuing good. Psalm 1 tells us that “blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, no stands in the way of sinners, no sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night.”

Charles Spurgeon comments, “Perhaps some of you can claim a sort of negative purity, because you do not walk in the way of the ungodly; but let me ask you — is your delight in the law of God? Do you study God’s Word? Do you make it the man of your right hand, your best companion and hourly guide? If not, the blessing of Psalm 1 does not belong to you.”

This is important, because we’re often tempted to sign-up for a less “extreme” version of the Christian life. Instead of the Platinum “Jim Elliot” Membership, we like the sound of the Bronze “Joe Christian” Membership. Less benefits, but less effort. Sounds good, right? But Scripture doesn’t leave that option open to us.

Writes C.S. Lewis: “It is hard; but the sort of compromise we’re hankering after is harder — in fact, it is impossible. We are like eggs at present. And we cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.”

In other words, we can’t just go on being ordinary, decent Christians, giving God part of our lives while holding back the rest. Either we are hatched and learn to fly or we are a dud that will soon start to stink.

The first mark of a tragically wasted life is complacency.

Some questions for discussion:

Read the description of complacency above. What “symptoms” of complacency do you see in your own life?
Are you known for what you don’t do, or for what you do? Why do you think it’s easier to just avoid evil than to pursue righteousness? [Note: Tasha has posted an excellent response to this question. Check it out!]
In the words of C.S. Lewis, are you trying to just be an ordinary, decent egg? What would it take for you to “hatch and learn to fly?”
Katie’s “Bonus” Question from the Comment Section: What is the difference between contentment and complacency?

Part One / Part Two / Part Three / Part Four / Part Five
Part Six / Part Seven / Part Eight / Part Nine / Part Ten

< <> । . . Lazy Procrastination >>

More than a devotional relationship.

2009-02-09T15:33:00.000-08:00

This morning as I groggily rolled out of bed, the thought came to my head; "Must read devotional, to start the day". It was sort of like a ritual, not a real "I'm going to do this because I love Jesus", it was more like a "I have to. It's the right thing to do. I'll be successful if I do this ." (Which is true but it shouldn't be the only reason we choose to spend time with our Lord). As I picked up my Bible and my "Faith to Faith" devotional I sensed the Spirit of the Lord say; "I don't want a devotional relationship with you." That really hit hard. He wants so much more than a ritual, run-of-the-mill relationship with us. He wants a love relationship. I want that too, but my flesh screams at me when I feel the tug on my heart to come away and spend quality time with Jesus throughout the day and to really abandon all for just an hour. I have to break through this first step that seems so tough to experiencing a fulfilling love relationship with Christ. Because it's so worth it. Oh so worth it.

19yrs

2009-01-31T14:56:00.000-08:00

This, my 19th year on this earth I have looked forward to this year more than any year. Most of my other teenage birthday's I was mellow, wistful, lonely, sad and wanting more in life. This year I am instead excited about turning a year older and fulfilling all the plans God has for me this year. I don't want to sit on the sidelines and watch. I want to be involved in what the Spirit of God is doing. Yes, my foe, 'fear' is screaming at me but how long will I continue to listen to him and stay locked in the cage I've put myself in?
It is an uncomfortable illusion of comfort this prison. I used to think that one day someone or something would supernaturally come and break me out, but I have realized that the door is pretty much already open (I have the key) and the Lord is gently calling me out. I want to follow, desperately.

Well today is Febuary 1. How January flew.
There is more I want to write but I must get ready for church.
The Lord IS my Shepherd. He is a GOOD father. I will trust in Him.

All my Love Elizabeth

To own it.

2009-01-24T07:22:00.000-08:00

This is just a start but today is the beginning of God stirring up my heart to become more hungry for Him. To actually seek Him out.
I only just realized today after doing a lot of internet researching and a debate [a good one] with my Dad, that I have a great desire to know God's word, actually know it and know why I believe what I believe. What is the foundation for my faith? etc etc. The time has come.
"God, fuel this fire that you've begun in me. I want to burn for you. "

A question:
Do you know why you believe what you believe or are you still 'living off' your parents' faith and beliefs. Do you own it yourself?