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Pharisees/Saducees were steeped in a spirit of RELIGION. Jesus lived and operated in a spirit of HOLINESS. There was a massive difference between the two. And, I believe that many in the Church struggle in this same area today. Brace yourselves....
Spirit of RELIGION :
-Focuses on power of sin, not power of God. (Romans 5.20)
-Takes pride in genealogy (fear of man), not spiritual inheritance. (Matthew 39)
-Separates from "bad people" (fear of defilement), staying close to "good people" and only within certain circles, not allowing the process of sanctification to leave us and use us in the world but not be of it. (Matthew 9.10-13)
-Believes that if any activity is different from past experiences it is demonic or not "of God", not realizing that God constantly acts/moves in NEW ways. (Matthew 12.33-34)
-Gives the devil too much attention and God too little glory.
-Loves to accuse by quoting scripture but doesn't value the truth. The Holy Spirit frees and convicts (no condemnation) through scripture. Satan actually misquoted scripture several times in order to tempt or confuse or cause doubt. He tempted Jesus in Matthew 4 by this same device. Because Jesus knew the true word of God, He was able to fight.
-Requires man's "holy" traditions, not God's holiness. (We must throw off any human tradition if it hinders deeper walk & love relationshp with Jesus!)
-Gives man authority, not God. When their own authority is questioned, use confrontation/disdain as a wapon. (The Holy Spirit will confirm God's delegated authority of a man as His vessel.) (Matthew 21.33-37)
-Appeals to ego through flattery, false admiration. (Matthew 22.15-22)
-Appears deeply spiritual, but actually denies the supernatural power of God; trusts in man's strength or scoffs at supernatural altogether. (Matthew 22.29)
-So convinced of its own 'rightness' that it is unteachable and therefore divisive. (Matthew 22.34)
-Causes men to walk in fear of punishment/disapproval of God, not the righteousness of Christ. To APPEAR holy, rather than to BE holy.
As the Holy Spirit reveals in me an increasing knowledge of God, His sovereignty, authority, mercy, love my heart will be transformed in such awe of Him and my need of a Savior. So, sanctification progresses, pulling me closer and closer to God, more aware of my shortcomings and need for Him. Healthy fear of the Lord is mine!
Chasing this airy creature always proved exhausting. Frustrating. Defeated, I would release the jar from my grip and lay down in the thick bed of clover. Warm tears stream from my eyes as I beg to catch a glimpse of your love.
Stars are undressed above me. Just as my eyes begin to take them in, one by one, I catch my breath -- I am surrounded by dozens of glowing fireflies! Dancing all around me. I giggle. I weep. I rejoice. For your love is not a creature to be captured, but a beautiful reality to experience. And, the moment I settle, simmer, stop -- you dance all around.
Oh, that Your love has found me! Oh, that it is not from my committment to you, but Yours to me. Oh, what grace is given! What love is finally known!
To KNOW God's love. Wow. Hurts my head. Can't wrap my brain around it. Then, you add the word "knowledge" and it seems as if I am required to study & comprehend this love. Which is where so many of us get stuck. But, it's impossible. We can't understand it. It doesn't make sense that God would love us-- for we are ragamuffins. Doesn't make sense that He would send His Son to pay the price for our frivolous & flippant choices. Doesn't make sense that He would want to dwell with us, intimately.
But, the word KNOW here, translated in the Greek, means "to experience". So, here goes: "to EXPERIENCE this love that surpasses knowledge--"
Yes, I know the verses on God's love. Yes, I sing praise songs to Him about His love. But, until I actually EXPERIENCED HIS LOVE, my words were but a resounding gong. A clanging cymbal. I got it in my head (knowledge, as if from a book), but I didn't get it in my core being. Now, realizing that His love never fails, that He is JEALOUS for me, that He is pursuing me constantly, that His love is inexplicable because He just IS love.....and living in this.....I KNOW this love that surpasses knowledge.
Hallelujah!
"I wanna get baptized, mom." I whispered. Fighting off tears, trying to be a big guhl. Petrified. Seized by thoughts of being in hell for eternity.
"Why?" my mom questioned.
"Because I know the difference between right & wrong. And, if Jesus were to come back today, I would go to hell." I squirmed.
"We'll talk to Brother Larry (our pastor) on Sunday. You can walk the aisle then." she said with a smile.
Deathly afraid that Jesus would return before Sunday, I nodded in agreement.
Little did I know that was just the beginning. Fear. What a thief! From such an early age I can remember it -- and it has traced its menacing finger throughout my life. Fear of the Lord. Fear of Failure. Fear of Man. Fear of Rejection. More importantly, it has prevented LOVE from awakening.
Most people come to know the Lord & His saving grace by experiencing and wanting more of His love. I, on the other hand, knew only of this JUDGE, enthroned in heaven, casting out sinners left & right because they could not measure up to His standard. Some people have earthly fathers who shower them with unconditional love and affection and affirmation. I, on the other hand, knew only of love based on condition, performance, and deed.
What a breaking this has been. What a constant, never-ending breaking this has been. God has refused to leave me behind. Like a fellow soldier trapped in enemy fire, I have been caught in fear's ugly snare. But, being the magnificent redeemer and rescuer -- He has refused to leave me behind. And now, I bask in the overpowering truth of 1 John 4.18, "THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. BUT PERFECT LOVE DRIVES OUT FEAR, BECAUSE FEAR HS TO DO WITH PUNISHMENT. THE ONE WHO FEARS IS NOT MADE PERFECT IN LOVE."
Fear and Love are actually complete opposites. They can not co-exist. Oh, the rejoicing in heaven as I finally grasp this -- and breathe it in. How the enemy has tried to blind my eyes to His love. His protection. His care. His affection. But, no longer! My God knows how to be gracious to me, how to supply my every need, how to love me, how to teach me, how to refine me. My primary identity is to love and to be loved. Period.
Oh, Lord, that I would LET YOU love me. That I would LET YOU take care of me. That I would LET YOU shelter me. That I would LET YOU fight for me. Sit, Amy Leigh, at my feet. Watch my love surround you. Watch my protection envelop you. Watch my plans unfold in miraculous symphony.
"One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: that you, O God, are STRONG, and that you, O Lord, are LOVING." (Psalm 62.11-12)
Shazam. I'm so over the whole self-confident thing. I don't want to be confident in myself or my abilities. But confident in Christ. And Christ in me. It's been really difficult for me over the past 6 months as the Lord is just pulling this out of me. Mostly due to the pride that had built itself up in me -- and the judgmental attitude from the pride -- all tracing back to a self-confidence in my natural abilities and gifts. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT? God has just been teaching me, as He taught Paul, that I should "never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6.14, NIV)
So, as I've gotten older I've realized they don't give trophies such as "MOST LIKELY TO NOT CUSS SOMEONE OUT AT THE GROCERY STORE" or "MVP OF CHURCH CHOIR" or "BEST MODESTLY DRESSED". My confidence is in Christ. Period.
God Sees Every Ministry As Important.
The part we each play is parallel to the interdependent workings of all the parts of the body. We are each needed; the eyes, the ears, the hands, the feet. We are each being prepared, as the Bride of Christ, to build the Kingdom and to be brought from "glory to glory". It's a process, yes, but a necessary one that is filled with immense growth and joy!
Let us not discount any gift, any ministry, any opportunity. For God uses every single opportunity to shape us into the Bride He longs for.
*How are you actively showing appreciation for how people serve? How do you show appreciation for the using of their time and talents?
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body....in fact, God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be....
You are the body of Christ, and each one of you has a part of it."
~1 Corinthians 12.12-27
You are the body of Christ, and each one of you has a part of it."
~1 Corinthians 12.12-27
GOD DOES NOT SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR "VOLUNTEERS".
Oh, no. He actively recruits! H-E-L-L-O -- can we say BURNING BUSH (Moses)? BIG FISH (Jonah)? BRIGHT LIGHT (Saul)? God always actively recruits.
Jesus always meets people where they are -- Peter & Andrew were casting a net. (Matthew .18-19) James & John were in a boat with their father when Jesus met them. (Matthew 4.21)
I love that God sees someone who has the potential to actively advance His Kingdom ... and then He goes and GETS THEM! In the Church, we should be the same way. We should recognize the potential in others -- their gifts, their abilities, their passions, their faithfulness -- and GET THEM ON OUR TEAMS!
*Why do we wait on Pastor Chris to make an announcement from the stage? Why do we expect a response from the Worship Guide or the Growth Track?
*We should be wiling to go the extra mile in our recruiting efforts. Jesus does. (Remember: Jesus, the "Master Recruiter", had people reject Him, antagonize Him, shoot Him down. But it never stopped Him from communicating, from trying to reach people. So, if we approach someone and they are rude/snappy-do-little, don't take it personally!)
RECRUIT. RELATE. BUILD COMMUNITY. LEAVE THE RESULTS UP TO HIM.
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field."
~Matthew 9.35-38
~Matthew 9.35-38
Through the Holy Spirit. By giving us spiritual gifts that enable us to carry on the work.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him e the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4.10-11)
God is so intentional with His distribution of gifts. And He most certainly did not make a mistake in creating us and assigning gifts to us. His entire purpose is to equip us, as a body, so that we all fit together in perfect unity. Preparing and becoming (simultaneously) the Bride of Christ. How beautiful!
Be assured of this -- we will each be asked to answer one day for what we have done with the gifts given to us, for how we steward our one and only life. We must not think we "get off easy". For we are gifted to lead. As leaders, and yes, you are one, we will be held accountable for those we lead -- our families, our Dream Team teams, our friends.
* Why do we believe that just anybody will do for certain areas of ministry? why do we not seek to fit specific gifts with specific outlets?
* Why do we overwork the faithful few, expecting them to do it all? Let us seek out others who are gifted, passionate, and faithful.
Truly, God could just SPEAK and make anything happen. After all, that is how He formed the oceans, the mountains, everything! Genesis 1 is filled with the words "And then God said", "And God said", and the like.
But, instead, God chooses to use humanity to carry out His work. Isn't that just crazy/ridiculous cool?
-God used Adam to do His work: name all of the animals in the garden, all living creatures. (See Gensis 2)
-God used Moses to do His work: to lead His people from captivity. (See Exodus 3)
-God used Esther to do His work: to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. (See Esther)
-God uses YOU to do His work: to raise an army of believers, to be in community, to be a light in a dark world, to bring His truth into every corner of the earth.
Over and over again throughout Scripture we see it. God using humanity to accomplish all that He desires. That is His intention and we must get on board with it. We will be used by God.
*Why do we make excuses and fail to hold ourselves & others accountable to this?
*We are chosen BY GOD for His acts of service. This is why we are called. Why do we act as if serving is optional?
"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
~Ephesians 2.10
There is this suspenseful scene in the movie when Jem, Scout, & Dill are sneaking up to Boo Radley's house. (Remember how frightful this house is? I mean, seriously! There were NO landscape designers in Macon County then!) They have to climb through Boo's collard patch to get to his house & this patch is surrounded by a fence. The fence has a squeaky gate that can't be opened without severe squeaking - - alerting Boo to the children's scheme. So, the all-knowing Jem asks for Dill & Scout to "spit on it" to make it quit squeaking. Twila & I were in hysterics. Seriously? That's the smartest thing I've ever heard! Spit on it!!
This morning, Twila opened the refrigerator to get some milk. Our refrigerator, nearing its end, has a severely squeaky door that annoys the fire outta me. As Twila opened the door & the squeak burst forth, I heard a giggle. I replied..........."Spit on it"................
This man, Watchman Nee, is rocking my world.
This book, Spiritual Authority, is completely wrecking me.
"Persons with many opinions, ideas, and subjective thoughts are to be feared. They like to be counselors to all. They seize upon every opportunity to press their ideas on others. God can never use a person so full of opinions, ideas, and thoughts as the one to represent His authority.
This is not to imply that before he can be used by God he must be reduced to having no opinion, no thought, and no judgment. Not at all. It merely means that the man must be truly broken; his cleverness and his opinions and his thoughts must all be broken. Those who are naturally talkative, opinionated, and self-conceited need a radical dealing, a basic bending. This is something which cannot be either a doctrine or an imitation. It must be wounds of the flesh. Only after one is scourged by God does he begin to live in fear and trembling before Him. He dare not open his mouth inadvertently. Were his experience nothing more than doctrine or imitation, then as time goes on the fig leaves will soon dry up (Genesis 3.7) and his original state will reappear. It is futile for us to control ourselve by our own will. In our much talking we will soon forget ourselves and expose the real self. How we need to be slain by God's light. Like Balaam in Numbers 22.25, we need to be pushed against the wall and to have our foot crushed. We will then feel pained as we move and will dare not speak casually. It is not necessary to advise one, whose foot is crushed, to walk slowly. Only by such painful experiences as this shall we be delivered from ourselves."
Wow. And thus was my fall. A season of scourging. Of crushing my feet underneath me. Oh, that the God of this universe would find me malleable, like clay.
Thoughts?
Saturday morning, while driving to a funeral, I slid sideways and backwards down a slick, steep exit ramp. My car came to a complete stop after turning nearly 360 degrees on the slick surface. Wow. God has me.
I was reminded of a comment made to a close friend that deeply impacted her. Wow. God uses me.
I sneak peeked as a new friend gave her life to Christ during a Sunday service. Wow. God moves.
I read today in John 3, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Wow. God loves me.
Never doubt, friends. The word. The hug. The challenging question. The phone call. GOD IS IN US!
How is God showing Himself faithful to you?
*Wanted to give you a snapshot of our week in the mountains! Meet God the Creator!
After hiking all of these amazing mountains, viewing the spectacular waterfalls, and just standing in utter amazement, something became perfectly clear to me for the very first time. With insane amounts of vision, God hand-crafted the oceans. He set water moving through mountain terrain. He dotted the landscape with oaks and rhododendrons and palms. He even knit me together. (Freckles and all!) Knowing what we would all look like in symphony together -- as His mighty orchestra of creation plays -- I am but a part. What an honor!
I want to know that God-- God the CREATOR. That God that envisioned the Atlantic Ocean and the Grand Canyon and the Nile River and the island of Australia. That beautiful God. Oh, how I have shortchanged myself with Him. Only knowing of His suffering and death. Knowing Him as God the Redeemer. God the Sovereign. God the Father. Now, I have truly grasped this truth: God is infinitely rich in vision and creativity. He set this whole universe in motion. So, when I need a creative idea or vision for life/ministry -- it is GOD THE CREATOR I seek -- God always sees the potential. That's why He's such a visionary.
I am simply a voice -- to whisper, sing, shout the nature and person and return of Jesus Christ. And, my song is stronger now for having experienced the magnificent beauty of God's creation!
"I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ' Make straight the way for the Lord.' " (Isaiah 40.3)
What a great song.......but, truth is, holidays can be very difficult. Over the past week I've heard SO MANY of my friends expressing their anxiety or frustration with impending family situations throughout the holidays. I've been kinda out of it, really. Haven't really thought much about it (mostly because of the preparation necessary for 16,800 peeps to bust up in Highlands this week). But, after talking with my Dad yesterday ...... opportunity hit.
Opportunity to get frustrated. To get my feelings hurt. To get anxious. My family is so different -- everyone is so independent -- so when you put us in a room (or house) together, it gets a little outta control. Everyone fighting for the right to be right. For "center stage" of any debate. And, it is absolutely exhausting.
So, this year, here's my thought. I am going to SHUT IT. I'm going to respect & honor my Dad. He can't see Jesus in me when I'm frustrated or angry or impatient (even if it's legitimate). I'm going to LISTEN more to what my Mom & siblings have to say. (even if I don't agree) I'm going to constantly remind myself that God has placed these parents & siblings in my life FOR A REASON. They are my authority and my accountability. They are here to be used by God to develop patience, peace, confidence, and wisdom in me.
And, God never asks me to do ANYTHING that He won't completely ENABLE me to carry out. Including Christmas Family Marathon 2008!
What are your FAMILY HOLIDAY TIPS?Here is the simple, fundamental TRUTH:
1. Abide in Christ.
2. Act in boldness.
The rest is up to God.
Wow. . . . . Why isn't this on every felt board in fellowship halls across America????
What's your favorite Christmas Song?
Just realized a huge stronghold in my life -- wanting to be "perfect" -- in order to avoid criticism or rejection. Hmm...this is pretty deep, so hold on to your beltloops....
Spirit of perfectionism is completely rancid. It inflitrates every portion of my being -- work, relationships, even creatively with my landscape designs -- and I have traced it directly to a fear of failure. Everything within me cries out to return to living for the law -- because it's what I've been doing my whole life. But, THERE'S NO LIFE THERE! There's no Jesus there!
If perfection were possible (through the law), Jesus would never have come, much less died. It's impossible to live a life of perfection! Hello -- that's why we need G-R-A-C-E!
"If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood...why was there stil need for another priest to come -- one in the order of Melchizedek (Jesus) not in the order of Aaron (Levites)?" ~Hebrews 7.11
"Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God's Grace!" ~Romans 6.14
I'm officially set free -- from years of trying to be something I am not in order to please people I do not know to gain something I do not want. So there! Grace Rules!
And, can you even stand it -- awaiting pictures from my 10 year reunion in the 'Boro? To come.....
All I can say is THIS BOOK ROCKS! It's going on my Dream Team recommended reading list for sure! Here's what I'm learning:
-Compliance is simply following "the rules" of the Bible out of obligation or duty. In expectation of a blessing from God or His favor on your life.
-Obedience is a natural overflow from a love relationship. Wanting to serve God because I love Him so much. And I see how much He loves me.
**OK, so I have lived my entire life out of "COMPLIANCE" to the Bible. I'm very BLACK or WHITE in life. It's either "Good" or "Bad". "Right" or "Wrong". There is no in between with me. Therefore, I've been doing what the Bible says -- not stealing, committing adultery, trying to be generous, trying to reach the lost. But, inevitably, every day, I FALL SHORT! And this has been so hard for me -- wanting to "achieve" the great Christian walk. Wanting to have all the right answers. Wanting to "succeed". But, here's the thing: I can't "achieve" victory in the Christian life. All I can do is RECEIVE it. Through grace.
God doesn't want me focusing on "doing the right things". He wants me focusing on HIM! As our intimacy grows, the natural overflow will be trust and love -- allowing Him to fulfill His desires THROUGH me.
For the first time in my life I'm realizing that it really is NOT about me. It's all about the Lord using me, working THROUGH me. That He chooses to do this still blows my mind. Because I know who I am -- a pile of dirt -- and He chooses to use me anyway. Wow. Humbling. That I would step outside of my selfish pride, foolish desires, and mindless attempts to be something -- and that I would allow the Creator of this majestic universe to be at work in every fiber of my being. That is my prayer -- that is my desire -- that is truly living!
Isn't it cool, though....how God reveals Himself to us as He simultaneously peels off layers of junk? I feel like I'm at warp speed. On the Starship Enterprise. Fastforwarding through heavy revy after heavy revy and receiving healing and basking in authenticity and growing in confidence and becoming keenly aware of this one simple truth: I MUST LIVE A LIFE OBSESSED WITH JESUS. PERIOD.
Today is the day of my birth! And, my mom's birth! How fun! I arrived at the office this morning to find this:
And, it can't go without mention that chicken wire & toilet paper are my favorite combinations! Please check out:
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n316/b
