*Scriptures taken from Biblegateway.com
[Matthew 7:7-12]
This is one passage that encouraged me for a long time, and I'm certain those of you familiar with it were encouraged as well. Recently, passages like these didn't cut as deeply as they used to, separating between what I want and what I need, between how I feel and what I know to be the truth, between the soul and the spirit [Hebrews 4:12].
I had slipped into a state of depression. Really, it was more of a time of frustration and anger. Too many nights were spent with tears in my eyes, telling my roommate that I was going to bed because I was tired when it was really an escape from the day. When I had the room to myself, I'd find myself yelling and screaming with God, asking why things were happening to me, begging Him to leave me alone but at the same time crying out, "Don't take your presence from me!" [Psalm 51:11].
From messages sent to me, I know a lot of you ladies have gone through the same. Sometimes, God does things that leave us so broken. Some of you do the right thing and deal with it immediately. Others, like me, repress it until it erupts, spewing out harsh words and damaging thoughts that leave your life in ashes. But we serve a God who would, if we allow, turn ashes into beauty [Isaiah 61:3].
For too long I couldn't believe it. I had faith for the moment, but not for the next; when things wouldn't work out immediately, I raised so many questions. After all, countless times in Mark we would the immediacy of the Lord's work, so God must be a God of now. And "now" was when I needed Him. But, oh, how dark were those moments! I should have held dearly to the Word of God, letting it be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path [Psalm 119:105]. But rather I cried out to God, entreating Him with "Why's?" and "How come's?" and even a few "How dare You?" Some of you have been in that place. Some of you are there right now.
But I implore you, sisters, with a Word that has comforted me time and time again: Psalm 42:11. So many times, we have to utter the words the sons of Korah use here. We have to speak to our spirit and force it to focus on God, asking "Why are you downcast? Hope yet in God!" He is surely the help of our countenance. We saw in a previous devotional how God has proven Himself by showering us in grace (see "Grace-based obedience"). If He has helped us when we didn't deserve it, how much more will He help when we do? Our own parents would do at least that much. Then how much more will our Father in heaven? [verse 11].
Listen carefully, sister. I want you to know that it's okay to hope. I know there are pessimists out there - I'm one of them. I wake up feeling good and know instinctually that it's going to be a bad day. It has to be; things always get worse before they get better.
That is something we all can believe - that eventually it will work out. But we need to hope for now just as much as we have faith for the future. Even if we don't see it now. Hope is, after all, what prayer is. All the asking, seeking, knocking of prayer is hoping in God to get us through now. How though? One verse comes to mind: "Set your minds on things which are above, not on earthly things." [Colosians 3:2] That, again, should be what happens when we pray. We shift our eyes upward and try to see things from God's perspective. It is then that God reveals His divine purpose for our present problem. It is then that we receive, find, and have the door opened (verse 7).
And as we begin to see things from God's perspective, it becomes easier to hope. And as we hope, we can say as the psalmist said, "For I shall yet praise Him." Our worship is free to take reign in the midst of our difficulties. We all know that in worship we have the victory, even if it does not take on the form the world and flesh expect. Because as we worship, we have peace even in chains [Acts 16:25]. The watching world will wonder why, just as the prisoners did with Paul and Silas, and we can share our hope with them. You see, God did have a greater purpose after all. Trust Him. He has not failed us yet.
God bless,
Alisha
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Lying Mirrors/Lying Scales
*Scriptures taken from Biblegateway.com
Matthew 7:1-6
The wisest advice I've ever read not given directly from the Bible was in the book The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky. In a priest warns the village idiot of lying to oneself. "The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself." (Book II, Chapter 2) The power of its veracity has never left me.
I find it difficult to think that Jesus would make use of the example of the man with the plank in his eye just so he could get us to laugh at the hypocrite's blunder. I think there is a much more serious message behind it. We all have sin in our lives, some "big" and some "small" (though all sin leads to the same result - separation from God). But there are those of us who go to church regularly, read the Bible, pray, and maybe even read this blog who are walking around with planks in our eyes. We have become desensitized to it, after awhile forgetting that it's not suppose to be there. These are our closet sins of which Jesus made mention in chapter 5. It is no coincidence that these are the sins that begin with "the eye." As they linger, they become a part of us, and we cannot see how they impair our vision of the things around us.
After all, is that not what judgment is - rightly discerning the things we see? We carry around these planks and think we're in a position to help others with their specks because we've acquired so many spiritual accolades. And the funny thing is that Jesus, in exclaiming "Hypocrite!", is not saying, "How dare you?!" Notice in verse 5, He does address the speck removal as that man's mission. But first, the plank has got to go.
My sisters in Christ, I come bearing this message, "The plank has got to go." The last devotional on grace-based obedience left a huge impact on myself, and from the multiple responses I received, I know it left one on you all as well. With the new year fastly approaching, I implore you to make obedience to God by following His Word the foremost resolution on your list. But confession must precede repentence. And for some of us to confess, it takes a change in furniture. We need to stop looking into the mirror that shows us as we see ourselves and start seeing things from God's perspective. We may have grown accustomed to the plank, but God knows it for what it is - an intrusion on His perfect creation.
That's right - we are His perfect creation. I believe with all my heart that He created us to perfectly fit His intended mission for each of us. But the plank gets in the way. It may be adultery, anger, or any of the other sins we've addressed. Particulary adultery - the "Jesus definition." How many ministers do we hear about whose ministries fall apart because of their sexual, financial, and fame lusting? It's hard to picture comparing ourselves to these large-scale ministries, but that is another lie we tell ourselves. Our work is just as crucial as theirs, and any impediment is just as destructive.
I know these are not easy addictions to let go of. A change in character takes time, and the road will be arduous at best. But, oh, if you could see the the plans He has for you - how the difficulties pale in comparison! Every time someone messages me about the devotionals, my heart rejoices - God is showing me another woman who is called to be a light unto this darkened world! Whatever our sins may be, let us lay it down today at the foot of the cross, and let Him equip us for unfathomable victories ahead.
God bless,
Alisha
Matthew 7:1-6
The wisest advice I've ever read not given directly from the Bible was in the book The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky. In a priest warns the village idiot of lying to oneself. "The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself." (Book II, Chapter 2) The power of its veracity has never left me.
I find it difficult to think that Jesus would make use of the example of the man with the plank in his eye just so he could get us to laugh at the hypocrite's blunder. I think there is a much more serious message behind it. We all have sin in our lives, some "big" and some "small" (though all sin leads to the same result - separation from God). But there are those of us who go to church regularly, read the Bible, pray, and maybe even read this blog who are walking around with planks in our eyes. We have become desensitized to it, after awhile forgetting that it's not suppose to be there. These are our closet sins of which Jesus made mention in chapter 5. It is no coincidence that these are the sins that begin with "the eye." As they linger, they become a part of us, and we cannot see how they impair our vision of the things around us.
After all, is that not what judgment is - rightly discerning the things we see? We carry around these planks and think we're in a position to help others with their specks because we've acquired so many spiritual accolades. And the funny thing is that Jesus, in exclaiming "Hypocrite!", is not saying, "How dare you?!" Notice in verse 5, He does address the speck removal as that man's mission. But first, the plank has got to go.
My sisters in Christ, I come bearing this message, "The plank has got to go." The last devotional on grace-based obedience left a huge impact on myself, and from the multiple responses I received, I know it left one on you all as well. With the new year fastly approaching, I implore you to make obedience to God by following His Word the foremost resolution on your list. But confession must precede repentence. And for some of us to confess, it takes a change in furniture. We need to stop looking into the mirror that shows us as we see ourselves and start seeing things from God's perspective. We may have grown accustomed to the plank, but God knows it for what it is - an intrusion on His perfect creation.
That's right - we are His perfect creation. I believe with all my heart that He created us to perfectly fit His intended mission for each of us. But the plank gets in the way. It may be adultery, anger, or any of the other sins we've addressed. Particulary adultery - the "Jesus definition." How many ministers do we hear about whose ministries fall apart because of their sexual, financial, and fame lusting? It's hard to picture comparing ourselves to these large-scale ministries, but that is another lie we tell ourselves. Our work is just as crucial as theirs, and any impediment is just as destructive.
I know these are not easy addictions to let go of. A change in character takes time, and the road will be arduous at best. But, oh, if you could see the the plans He has for you - how the difficulties pale in comparison! Every time someone messages me about the devotionals, my heart rejoices - God is showing me another woman who is called to be a light unto this darkened world! Whatever our sins may be, let us lay it down today at the foot of the cross, and let Him equip us for unfathomable victories ahead.
God bless,
Alisha
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Grace-based Obedience
*Scriptures taken from Biblegateway.com
Matthew 6:25-31
I'm studying for my finals, which of course entails an hourly walk to clear my mind. As I browse the books, one crosses my field of vision about South Africa, and I decide to take it off the shelf. I read the back cover and it talks about the current situation. I observe that the pages are stained yellow and wonder what exactly "current" means. I look at the date of publication - 1986, two years before I was born - and I have a startling revelation. I'm 20 years old.
I'm 20 years old. What have I accomplished in 2 decades of life? Jesus in three and a half years started a revolution, giving it a strong enough foundation that in 2,000 years it still stands. We are tempted (we here literally meaning you and I) to offer the excuse that I'm young. But it's important to realize that I have had a precedent to follow, having been born and raised in church, having at an early age developed a love for the Word of God and especially the radical ministry of Jesus. But Jesus was the Revolutionary. He was the Force of change that was so extreme the whole world thought it necessary to divide human history into pre-Him and His life + post-resurrection. That was my Jesus.
My Jesus studied the Word in depth in Hebrew school in a manner, I'm sure, that parallels my own Sunday School education. Yet, He not only fulfilled the Law, He was the Fulfillment of the Law. A pastor today so eloquently put it as, "Jesus not only preached the good news, He was the good news." And I? I falter in even sharing my faith. I falter in fulfilling the righteous acts of obedience of which Jeremy Camp's piercing eyes constantly remind me (see the "2-D God" devotional).
I get it- I'm not the Messiah. Thank God for that. But to say that I am not to hold myself up to the standard of Jesus's life is equivalent to going against the principle I constantly emphasize - to measure the world's "truth" against the standard of the Word of God. It is valid to extend this principle to our actions because Jesus demonstrated His fulfillment via His actions. So great was His work that four gospels were written about it. So intricate and well-developed was His work that it could be written about through four completely different lenses, better than any poem by T.S. Elliot.
Jesus astounds me. He blows me away. And He puts my daily actions to shame, but not to my disgrace. On the contrary, I am all the more aware of the grace that pervades my life, the grace that sneaks into every nook and cranny, even the areas of which I would shut Him out, but God knocks down the door instead of just simply knocking because He knows - He knows I need His grace even more in those places. The Bible says that where sin abound, grace abound further still [Romans 5:20]. I am covered, fully saturated in His grace and mercy. In 20 years of halfway living, I am saturated with grace. In this season of remembering the wonderful bundle of joy that came into the world 2000 years ago, I realize He came that I might have all-sufficient grace [2 Corinthians 12:9]. We can argue that with this economy we don't have money to buy gifts and can't decorate like last year. True, but we have grace.
Well, grace doesn't pay the bills. No, but obedience does. I promise you that. That's why we seek first the kingdom of God [verse 33]. Better to obey now than sacrifice later (Sound familiar? [1 Samuel 15:22]). Obey, today, my sister. Trust me in that you have grace enough for the future. Obey now.
God bless,
Alisha
Matthew 6:25-31
I'm studying for my finals, which of course entails an hourly walk to clear my mind. As I browse the books, one crosses my field of vision about South Africa, and I decide to take it off the shelf. I read the back cover and it talks about the current situation. I observe that the pages are stained yellow and wonder what exactly "current" means. I look at the date of publication - 1986, two years before I was born - and I have a startling revelation. I'm 20 years old.
I'm 20 years old. What have I accomplished in 2 decades of life? Jesus in three and a half years started a revolution, giving it a strong enough foundation that in 2,000 years it still stands. We are tempted (we here literally meaning you and I) to offer the excuse that I'm young. But it's important to realize that I have had a precedent to follow, having been born and raised in church, having at an early age developed a love for the Word of God and especially the radical ministry of Jesus. But Jesus was the Revolutionary. He was the Force of change that was so extreme the whole world thought it necessary to divide human history into pre-Him and His life + post-resurrection. That was my Jesus.
My Jesus studied the Word in depth in Hebrew school in a manner, I'm sure, that parallels my own Sunday School education. Yet, He not only fulfilled the Law, He was the Fulfillment of the Law. A pastor today so eloquently put it as, "Jesus not only preached the good news, He was the good news." And I? I falter in even sharing my faith. I falter in fulfilling the righteous acts of obedience of which Jeremy Camp's piercing eyes constantly remind me (see the "2-D God" devotional).
I get it- I'm not the Messiah. Thank God for that. But to say that I am not to hold myself up to the standard of Jesus's life is equivalent to going against the principle I constantly emphasize - to measure the world's "truth" against the standard of the Word of God. It is valid to extend this principle to our actions because Jesus demonstrated His fulfillment via His actions. So great was His work that four gospels were written about it. So intricate and well-developed was His work that it could be written about through four completely different lenses, better than any poem by T.S. Elliot.
Jesus astounds me. He blows me away. And He puts my daily actions to shame, but not to my disgrace. On the contrary, I am all the more aware of the grace that pervades my life, the grace that sneaks into every nook and cranny, even the areas of which I would shut Him out, but God knocks down the door instead of just simply knocking because He knows - He knows I need His grace even more in those places. The Bible says that where sin abound, grace abound further still [Romans 5:20]. I am covered, fully saturated in His grace and mercy. In 20 years of halfway living, I am saturated with grace. In this season of remembering the wonderful bundle of joy that came into the world 2000 years ago, I realize He came that I might have all-sufficient grace [2 Corinthians 12:9]. We can argue that with this economy we don't have money to buy gifts and can't decorate like last year. True, but we have grace.
Well, grace doesn't pay the bills. No, but obedience does. I promise you that. That's why we seek first the kingdom of God [verse 33]. Better to obey now than sacrifice later (Sound familiar? [1 Samuel 15:22]). Obey, today, my sister. Trust me in that you have grace enough for the future. Obey now.
God bless,
Alisha
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Absolutes
*Scriptures take from Biblegateway.com
Matthew 6:19-24
A lot of what Jesus speaks about in the sermon on the mount can make us feel uncomfortable. Nothing, for me personally at least, makes me feel as uncomfortable as being given only two options. I enjoy living in a nation where I don't have to be just a Democrat or Republican (I can be Independent), where I don't have to like just vanilla or chocolate (I can choose strawberry), where I can choose from the hundreds of channels available on the cable network my campus provides. I like having options. In these Scriptures passages, however, Jesus makes it blatantly clear that there is no gray area, only black and white.
Side One:
Here you can lay up treasures on earth. Store your money away so that you can buy that well-deserved vacation. Splurge a little bit more than you would normally on those shiny trinkets. Get clothes that are trendy, knowing full well that you're going to buy a new wardrobe next year so you won't be outdated. Watch a movie or television show that you know has images you'll struggle to get out of your mind. Serve both God and "mammon" (riches).
Side Two:
Here you can lay up treasures in heaven. Give, give, give until you feel what I like to call "the pinch." It's a idea that C. S. Lewis (my bff if he were alive) propagated, that you haven't given enough until it starts to hurt a little. Spend your overtime pay on sending an orphan a Christmas basket or feeding a missionary family in persecuting nation. Give a little extra in the offering basket this Sunday because of that touching sermon, even though you were saving that money for that dream bag that finally came on sale. Filter your field of vision to exclude shows/movies that make you depressed and bitter. Learn to love God first and let that love lead you to love in all its other forms (loving my neighbor as myself, for example).
I write to you plainly because here it is plainly presented. Darkness is the absence of light, so where there is light, darkness cannot also be. Where there is holiness and righteousness, there cannot also be sin. It's hard to accept in a world where we see a spectrum to everything, but daily I see reminders that the boundaries of the standards by which we must live are clearly delineated by Scripture. John's first epistle can be particularly convicting:
"... let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil ... Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him ..." [1 John 3:7-9]
Or what of Paul's epistle to the Romans:
"Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. " [Romans 6:16-17]
Earlier he writes how "our old man was crucified with [Christ]" [verse 6] and that when Christ died, "He died to sin once for all" [verse 10]. When we choose to go back to our old ways, we are walking in old man and not the "new creation" [2 Corinthians 5:17] God made us to be, and we, essentially, put the cross to shame by denying its power to transform our lives. What examples then are we demonstrating to the world? Even more so, how can we possibly be say we are living the life of someone who is "saved from sin" if we return to that which enslaved us?
There is so much more I could write. But honestly, what more can I say? If this devotional is making you feel uncomfortable, then good. How much more do I feel uncomfortable by writing it? But it must be said. The summary is given by Jesus Himself in John 14:15 - "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Holiness is not a optional way of living Christianity; it is the only alternative to sin. The decision is ours.
God bless,
Alisha -/-
Matthew 6:19-24
A lot of what Jesus speaks about in the sermon on the mount can make us feel uncomfortable. Nothing, for me personally at least, makes me feel as uncomfortable as being given only two options. I enjoy living in a nation where I don't have to be just a Democrat or Republican (I can be Independent), where I don't have to like just vanilla or chocolate (I can choose strawberry), where I can choose from the hundreds of channels available on the cable network my campus provides. I like having options. In these Scriptures passages, however, Jesus makes it blatantly clear that there is no gray area, only black and white.
Side One:
Here you can lay up treasures on earth. Store your money away so that you can buy that well-deserved vacation. Splurge a little bit more than you would normally on those shiny trinkets. Get clothes that are trendy, knowing full well that you're going to buy a new wardrobe next year so you won't be outdated. Watch a movie or television show that you know has images you'll struggle to get out of your mind. Serve both God and "mammon" (riches).
Side Two:
Here you can lay up treasures in heaven. Give, give, give until you feel what I like to call "the pinch." It's a idea that C. S. Lewis (my bff if he were alive) propagated, that you haven't given enough until it starts to hurt a little. Spend your overtime pay on sending an orphan a Christmas basket or feeding a missionary family in persecuting nation. Give a little extra in the offering basket this Sunday because of that touching sermon, even though you were saving that money for that dream bag that finally came on sale. Filter your field of vision to exclude shows/movies that make you depressed and bitter. Learn to love God first and let that love lead you to love in all its other forms (loving my neighbor as myself, for example).
I write to you plainly because here it is plainly presented. Darkness is the absence of light, so where there is light, darkness cannot also be. Where there is holiness and righteousness, there cannot also be sin. It's hard to accept in a world where we see a spectrum to everything, but daily I see reminders that the boundaries of the standards by which we must live are clearly delineated by Scripture. John's first epistle can be particularly convicting:
"... let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil ... Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him ..." [1 John 3:7-9]
Or what of Paul's epistle to the Romans:
"Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. " [Romans 6:16-17]
Earlier he writes how "our old man was crucified with [Christ]" [verse 6] and that when Christ died, "He died to sin once for all" [verse 10]. When we choose to go back to our old ways, we are walking in old man and not the "new creation" [2 Corinthians 5:17] God made us to be, and we, essentially, put the cross to shame by denying its power to transform our lives. What examples then are we demonstrating to the world? Even more so, how can we possibly be say we are living the life of someone who is "saved from sin" if we return to that which enslaved us?
There is so much more I could write. But honestly, what more can I say? If this devotional is making you feel uncomfortable, then good. How much more do I feel uncomfortable by writing it? But it must be said. The summary is given by Jesus Himself in John 14:15 - "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Holiness is not a optional way of living Christianity; it is the only alternative to sin. The decision is ours.
God bless,
Alisha -/-
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Watching World Wonder Why
* Scriptures taken from Biblegateway.com
Matthew 6:1-18
This is a rather large portion of the sermon on the mount to lump together, especially since there were studies in chapter 5 with as little as two verses. I opted to put these together because they share one common theme. We have the choice to announce our deeds, or to commit them in secret (where the Father sees) and allow Him to reward us openly.
As in all the other parts of the sermon on the mount that we have looked at, we can read Christ's message and instantly know what point He is trying to make. And as in all the other studies, I feel little need to add on to what He said; it really does not need much clarification. So I'd rather take a different angle on this familiar scripture:
Motivation. When I took an acting class, we would joke about the clichéd actor who would ask the director, "What is my motivation?" My professor would explain that, most times, the motivation for a character was his circumstances. Each motion and vocal inflection were a part of his struggle in ascertain a particular goal. I fear that if we were to look inside our hearts and be completely honest with ourselves, we would find that that is, in fact, our Christian walk. We're all actors manipulating circumstances to pursue a goal. This was the sin of the Pharisees. They would use any form of pomp and circumstance to announce their good works. They would pray an elongated dissertation to appear holier than others. They would literally paint their faces white to elicit sympathy and praise from their neighbors so they could "silently" announce their fasting. In this era, such traditions are absurd, but pride has since adorned a three-piece suit. We find more acceptable ways of showcasing our holiness. This devotional is not about condemning the praising and encouraging of one another for our good deeds. But we must ask the question, what is our motivation? Are we sharing our testimonies to inspire others to do likewise, or are we itching for a pat on the back?
If the answer is that you are not sure, then Jesus offers sound advice. Eliminate temptation from the start. Perform good works so covertly that your left hand doesn't know what your right hands is doing [verse 3]. Pray in your "prayer closet", after shutting the door at first [verse 6]. (This is sound advice - apart the humility factor - since in solitude we can be less hesitant to be honest in our confessions and more free to worship however the Spirit may lead.) Fast in a manner that shows you to be strong, not weak, in the flesh [verses 17, 18]. This is, after all, a key concept in fasting - to deny the physical in an effort to focus on edifying the spiritual. A distant relative of mine decided to fight cancer without medicinal therapy. She was a mother of two young children at the time, and it was easy for our church to pity her. But, ironically, as we sat with tears in our eyes, she stood firm, a pillar of strength in the midst of the darkest part of her life. That image of her is forever burned in my head.
Women of God, we are meant to stand firm and shine as lights to this world. How can we do so if we are seeking after the very thing everyone of the world seeks - the approval of others? Would it not be absolutely wonderful if one woman could seek the approval of God first? Would it not be all the more wonderful if a group of say three hundred plus women in a certain Facebook group decided to live up to the title of that very group? What would be the result?
The answer can be found in the lyrics of the Newsboys song Shine, which go:
... The truth is in
The proof is when
You hear your heart start asking,
"What's my motivation?" ...
Shine
Make 'em wonder what you got
Make 'em wish that they were not
On the outside looking bored
Shine
Let it shine before all men
Let 'em see good once again
Let 'em glorify the Lord
I love how this song says that when our hearts start asking, "What's my motivation?" then we can only reach the conclusion that we must "shine before all men" so that they can "see good" and "glorify the Lord." (Does this sound familiar? Matthew 5:16) The good they see can be manifested in quiet acts of service, and these actions can be the most powerful. Quiet acts do not mean we're ignoring the fact that mankind is watching. Rather, we shift our attention to where God alone sees, trusting that He is faithful to reward us openly. And, in the process, we cause the world to wonder why we do what we do the way we do it. We can "make 'em wish they were not on the outside," and wish, instead, to have our motivation.
God bless,
Alisha
Matthew 6:1-18
This is a rather large portion of the sermon on the mount to lump together, especially since there were studies in chapter 5 with as little as two verses. I opted to put these together because they share one common theme. We have the choice to announce our deeds, or to commit them in secret (where the Father sees) and allow Him to reward us openly.
As in all the other parts of the sermon on the mount that we have looked at, we can read Christ's message and instantly know what point He is trying to make. And as in all the other studies, I feel little need to add on to what He said; it really does not need much clarification. So I'd rather take a different angle on this familiar scripture:
Motivation. When I took an acting class, we would joke about the clichéd actor who would ask the director, "What is my motivation?" My professor would explain that, most times, the motivation for a character was his circumstances. Each motion and vocal inflection were a part of his struggle in ascertain a particular goal. I fear that if we were to look inside our hearts and be completely honest with ourselves, we would find that that is, in fact, our Christian walk. We're all actors manipulating circumstances to pursue a goal. This was the sin of the Pharisees. They would use any form of pomp and circumstance to announce their good works. They would pray an elongated dissertation to appear holier than others. They would literally paint their faces white to elicit sympathy and praise from their neighbors so they could "silently" announce their fasting. In this era, such traditions are absurd, but pride has since adorned a three-piece suit. We find more acceptable ways of showcasing our holiness. This devotional is not about condemning the praising and encouraging of one another for our good deeds. But we must ask the question, what is our motivation? Are we sharing our testimonies to inspire others to do likewise, or are we itching for a pat on the back?
If the answer is that you are not sure, then Jesus offers sound advice. Eliminate temptation from the start. Perform good works so covertly that your left hand doesn't know what your right hands is doing [verse 3]. Pray in your "prayer closet", after shutting the door at first [verse 6]. (This is sound advice - apart the humility factor - since in solitude we can be less hesitant to be honest in our confessions and more free to worship however the Spirit may lead.) Fast in a manner that shows you to be strong, not weak, in the flesh [verses 17, 18]. This is, after all, a key concept in fasting - to deny the physical in an effort to focus on edifying the spiritual. A distant relative of mine decided to fight cancer without medicinal therapy. She was a mother of two young children at the time, and it was easy for our church to pity her. But, ironically, as we sat with tears in our eyes, she stood firm, a pillar of strength in the midst of the darkest part of her life. That image of her is forever burned in my head.
Women of God, we are meant to stand firm and shine as lights to this world. How can we do so if we are seeking after the very thing everyone of the world seeks - the approval of others? Would it not be absolutely wonderful if one woman could seek the approval of God first? Would it not be all the more wonderful if a group of say three hundred plus women in a certain Facebook group decided to live up to the title of that very group? What would be the result?
The answer can be found in the lyrics of the Newsboys song Shine, which go:
... The truth is in
The proof is when
You hear your heart start asking,
"What's my motivation?" ...
Shine
Make 'em wonder what you got
Make 'em wish that they were not
On the outside looking bored
Shine
Let it shine before all men
Let 'em see good once again
Let 'em glorify the Lord
I love how this song says that when our hearts start asking, "What's my motivation?" then we can only reach the conclusion that we must "shine before all men" so that they can "see good" and "glorify the Lord." (Does this sound familiar? Matthew 5:16) The good they see can be manifested in quiet acts of service, and these actions can be the most powerful. Quiet acts do not mean we're ignoring the fact that mankind is watching. Rather, we shift our attention to where God alone sees, trusting that He is faithful to reward us openly. And, in the process, we cause the world to wonder why we do what we do the way we do it. We can "make 'em wish they were not on the outside," and wish, instead, to have our motivation.
God bless,
Alisha
Monday, October 27, 2008
Good Samaritan Principle
*Scriptures taken from Biblegateway.com
Matthew 5:38-48, Luke 6:27-36
For those of you wondering if I forgot we were studying the sermon on the mount, do not be perplexed. There is a connection between the title of this devotional and the scripture given.
The hardest sayings in the sermon on the mount come from these two passages that are so interrelated that I felt compelled to put them together. Apparently, I am not the only one of this opinion - Jesus Himself says that if we follow these guidelines we will be perfect, just as our Father in heaven is perfect [Matthew 5:48]. The standard for perfection is, well, perfection. What makes us perfect? It is our actions stemming from a deep, profound, intense, divine love.
I feel that verses 38-42 make better sense after reading verses 43 onwards. After all, it was Jesus who in this very sermon taught us that all our sinful actions stem from sinful thoughts, raising the criteria for heavenly entrance from "doing good" to "thinking good." What can drive a person to commit these illogical, thoroughly unpragmatic acts? Love. Simply love.
I find it absolutely amazing at the stark contrast between what the world teaches as love and what Jesus teaches. The love of the world is selfish, always promoting our own gain, often at the expense of others. Even when we do "the right thing," how many times is the motivation still not based on ourselves? We are nice so others will be nice to us; we are polite so that they will like us, an altruistic friendship based more on a symbiotic relationship than on genuinely seeking the others betterment. No, the love of God calls us to something higher. His love, His agape love is defined by selflessness. If we do the same "right thing," our motivation is plainly to do the Father's will. He commands us to love and we do so. Sometimes, I admit I do it solely because I known it answers the question WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?), but I just as honestly confess that it leads to a transformation of character. When I say character, that includes, of course, my thinking as well. The more I seek out to follow these ridiculous guidelines, the more I see my selfishness become transparent and God's love shine through, driving me toward perfection.
These guidelines are indeed ridiculous, but these are the qualities that makes the world stop its busyness and wonder. Anomalies are among the best witnessing techniques, like a Truth commercial, only here we represent the Truth [John 14:6]. For instance, Jesus gave the example of the Good Samaritan, who was the least likely to help - certainly the least obliged by society - yet chose to assist the wounded man [Luke 10:25-37]. The backdrop to this story is that Samaritans were considered (and referred to as) dogs by the Jews. So abhorred were they that the Jews, when going from Galilee to Judea, would purposely take a much longer detour to avoid stepping into Samaritan territory. It was very likely that the Samaritan experienced the acts of discrimination described by Jesus in the Matthew passage - slapped, sued, forced to go where he did not desire. Yet, to this person who probably would not have taken his help unless he was incredibly desperate, the Samaritan was kind, gentle, and gracious enough to not only tend his wounds but pay for his room and board until his recovery.
This is real love. Giving to charity is wonderful, but how many of us would offer food to a starving general whose army wreaked havoc on our homes? For that matter, how many would wash the feet of those who would later deny ever knowing us? How many would die on a cross so that billions of people only two thousand years later would refuse to accept your sovereignty? How many would send their son to do so?
There is something divine about this agape love. Recall what Jesus said about the peacemakers. We cannot have peace without forgiveness, without civilly letting go of past wrongs and looking forward to a time of fellowship with our wrongdoers. Those who do this "will be called the sons of God." [Matthew 5:9] We established already that the world recognize this, but now we have a greater revelation. It is Jesus who beckons us to become sons of God. More than the fame of this world, we will be called as God's own by God's own. What greater motivation need we to shine the light of God's love?
God bless,
Alisha
Matthew 5:38-48, Luke 6:27-36
For those of you wondering if I forgot we were studying the sermon on the mount, do not be perplexed. There is a connection between the title of this devotional and the scripture given.
The hardest sayings in the sermon on the mount come from these two passages that are so interrelated that I felt compelled to put them together. Apparently, I am not the only one of this opinion - Jesus Himself says that if we follow these guidelines we will be perfect, just as our Father in heaven is perfect [Matthew 5:48]. The standard for perfection is, well, perfection. What makes us perfect? It is our actions stemming from a deep, profound, intense, divine love.
I feel that verses 38-42 make better sense after reading verses 43 onwards. After all, it was Jesus who in this very sermon taught us that all our sinful actions stem from sinful thoughts, raising the criteria for heavenly entrance from "doing good" to "thinking good." What can drive a person to commit these illogical, thoroughly unpragmatic acts? Love. Simply love.
I find it absolutely amazing at the stark contrast between what the world teaches as love and what Jesus teaches. The love of the world is selfish, always promoting our own gain, often at the expense of others. Even when we do "the right thing," how many times is the motivation still not based on ourselves? We are nice so others will be nice to us; we are polite so that they will like us, an altruistic friendship based more on a symbiotic relationship than on genuinely seeking the others betterment. No, the love of God calls us to something higher. His love, His agape love is defined by selflessness. If we do the same "right thing," our motivation is plainly to do the Father's will. He commands us to love and we do so. Sometimes, I admit I do it solely because I known it answers the question WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?), but I just as honestly confess that it leads to a transformation of character. When I say character, that includes, of course, my thinking as well. The more I seek out to follow these ridiculous guidelines, the more I see my selfishness become transparent and God's love shine through, driving me toward perfection.
These guidelines are indeed ridiculous, but these are the qualities that makes the world stop its busyness and wonder. Anomalies are among the best witnessing techniques, like a Truth commercial, only here we represent the Truth [John 14:6]. For instance, Jesus gave the example of the Good Samaritan, who was the least likely to help - certainly the least obliged by society - yet chose to assist the wounded man [Luke 10:25-37]. The backdrop to this story is that Samaritans were considered (and referred to as) dogs by the Jews. So abhorred were they that the Jews, when going from Galilee to Judea, would purposely take a much longer detour to avoid stepping into Samaritan territory. It was very likely that the Samaritan experienced the acts of discrimination described by Jesus in the Matthew passage - slapped, sued, forced to go where he did not desire. Yet, to this person who probably would not have taken his help unless he was incredibly desperate, the Samaritan was kind, gentle, and gracious enough to not only tend his wounds but pay for his room and board until his recovery.
This is real love. Giving to charity is wonderful, but how many of us would offer food to a starving general whose army wreaked havoc on our homes? For that matter, how many would wash the feet of those who would later deny ever knowing us? How many would die on a cross so that billions of people only two thousand years later would refuse to accept your sovereignty? How many would send their son to do so?
There is something divine about this agape love. Recall what Jesus said about the peacemakers. We cannot have peace without forgiveness, without civilly letting go of past wrongs and looking forward to a time of fellowship with our wrongdoers. Those who do this "will be called the sons of God." [Matthew 5:9] We established already that the world recognize this, but now we have a greater revelation. It is Jesus who beckons us to become sons of God. More than the fame of this world, we will be called as God's own by God's own. What greater motivation need we to shine the light of God's love?
God bless,
Alisha
Friday, October 10, 2008
Keeping Oaths
* Scriptures from Biblegateway.com
Matthew 5:33-37
I used to believe that this part of the Sermon stemmed from the former, that it had to do with the sanctity and sacredness of marriage as a covenant that needed to not be entered into lightly. I still do partially believe this, but I now extend it to many more promises - in fact all of them.
We all do it; we all break our promises. We intend to keep our word but often times something gets in the way and we are unable to do that which we swore to do. It may be over something small, and those who had trusted us may have forgiven us, but it is still a broken commitment.
We want to argue that it is not our fault:
"How was I suppose to control the weather?" Or ...
"Can I control the ants taking over my house?" Or ...
"I'm not the one who made the rules - blame the government/society!" Or ...
"Honestly, do you think I wanted to get sick?"
The heavens, the earth, government, even our own bodies. That is what Jesus was saying here. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is completely within our control. Control was partially deferred to us by the One who controls everything. Do not fool yourself. The car you drive was not a product of your sweat, blood, and persistence, although those may be the reasons why He allows you to enjoy it. Your body has thousands of dying cells, and you had no part in the complex arrangement of protons, neurons, and electrons that steadfastly work together to keep functioning cells ahead of the race. The more we decode the complexity of this natural world the more we realize the extent of its intricacy. And only One is able to keep it all together.
We are taught at a young age that He's got the whole world in His hands, but as we grow older we begin to put more faith in one nation, one company, one man. "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses ..." [Psalm 20:7] Eventually we realize that we are placing our trust in someone who is just as fallible as we are, and by substitution, we feel we are able to handle much - just as much as we place into the hands of others. The effect of this is a people who flaunt accolades instead of being humbled by the honor, allowing their pride to take on more than they can handle, leading to imminent failure. The ironic response is disappointment and disillusionment - how could, no, how dare that person fail. "Does s/he realize how much I counted on them?"
That's just it. Why did we count on them that much? I need to pause here as assure you that I am in no way encouraging a pessimistic view of humanity as a failing bunch never to be trusted. But there is a need for our society to gain some perspective. Mankind will never be omnipotent. There is a reason we assign only God this supernatural quality. Our broken promises stem from a compulsion for power, to think that we are able to do all we need to do. In fact, the word for ability and the word for power is the same in Latin. Do we now see why whatever is more than a "yes" or "no" is from the evil one? [Matthew 5:37] The power to succeed in any given task comes not from something innate, but from the grace that God has imparted to us. His grace is sufficient for us. [2 Corinthians 12:9] It is His grace that provides, not anything of our own.
So what is the resolution? To never make a promise? Proverbs certainly advises something that appears that way. (See Proverbs 6:1-5) It would be extreme, however, to never assure someone that you will accomplish something. Instead, set your thoughts heavenward, realizing that you cannot accomplish it without God. The appropriate thought process should include some remembrance that you can do it "If the Lord wills..." [James 4:15]. This small reminder of humility will keep us from being ensnared by the trappings of the evil one. I encourage us all (yes that includes myself) to try it out, and see if our outlook is transformed.
God bless,
Alisha
Matthew 5:33-37
I used to believe that this part of the Sermon stemmed from the former, that it had to do with the sanctity and sacredness of marriage as a covenant that needed to not be entered into lightly. I still do partially believe this, but I now extend it to many more promises - in fact all of them.
We all do it; we all break our promises. We intend to keep our word but often times something gets in the way and we are unable to do that which we swore to do. It may be over something small, and those who had trusted us may have forgiven us, but it is still a broken commitment.
We want to argue that it is not our fault:
"How was I suppose to control the weather?" Or ...
"Can I control the ants taking over my house?" Or ...
"I'm not the one who made the rules - blame the government/society!" Or ...
"Honestly, do you think I wanted to get sick?"
The heavens, the earth, government, even our own bodies. That is what Jesus was saying here. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is completely within our control. Control was partially deferred to us by the One who controls everything. Do not fool yourself. The car you drive was not a product of your sweat, blood, and persistence, although those may be the reasons why He allows you to enjoy it. Your body has thousands of dying cells, and you had no part in the complex arrangement of protons, neurons, and electrons that steadfastly work together to keep functioning cells ahead of the race. The more we decode the complexity of this natural world the more we realize the extent of its intricacy. And only One is able to keep it all together.
We are taught at a young age that He's got the whole world in His hands, but as we grow older we begin to put more faith in one nation, one company, one man. "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses ..." [Psalm 20:7] Eventually we realize that we are placing our trust in someone who is just as fallible as we are, and by substitution, we feel we are able to handle much - just as much as we place into the hands of others. The effect of this is a people who flaunt accolades instead of being humbled by the honor, allowing their pride to take on more than they can handle, leading to imminent failure. The ironic response is disappointment and disillusionment - how could, no, how dare that person fail. "Does s/he realize how much I counted on them?"
That's just it. Why did we count on them that much? I need to pause here as assure you that I am in no way encouraging a pessimistic view of humanity as a failing bunch never to be trusted. But there is a need for our society to gain some perspective. Mankind will never be omnipotent. There is a reason we assign only God this supernatural quality. Our broken promises stem from a compulsion for power, to think that we are able to do all we need to do. In fact, the word for ability and the word for power is the same in Latin. Do we now see why whatever is more than a "yes" or "no" is from the evil one? [Matthew 5:37] The power to succeed in any given task comes not from something innate, but from the grace that God has imparted to us. His grace is sufficient for us. [2 Corinthians 12:9] It is His grace that provides, not anything of our own.
So what is the resolution? To never make a promise? Proverbs certainly advises something that appears that way. (See Proverbs 6:1-5) It would be extreme, however, to never assure someone that you will accomplish something. Instead, set your thoughts heavenward, realizing that you cannot accomplish it without God. The appropriate thought process should include some remembrance that you can do it "If the Lord wills..." [James 4:15]. This small reminder of humility will keep us from being ensnared by the trappings of the evil one. I encourage us all (yes that includes myself) to try it out, and see if our outlook is transformed.
God bless,
Alisha
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Marriage
* Scriptures from Biblegateway.com
[Matthew 5:31,32]
If the last passage Jesus spoke was controversial, then this statement was certainly a slap in the face to the first century Jews, and, unfortunately, many in the church today. Even I was hesitant to approach the topic, not because of the words but because I am purely basing this on teaching, not being married myself. Today, however, I realized something critical: Jesus was not married either. That did not keep Him from speaking with authority (which we will see later). I am not an ordained minister, but I do come to you to share what God has shown me from those who have authority. Please read on with an open mind.
Notice that I titled this devotional "marriage," and not "divorce." This reflects what I feel was Jesus's purpose in saying what He did. He was not attacking divorce, but rather the act of giving up on one's marriage. It is easy to get caught up in a lot of red tape, so let us get to the root of the problem. Divorce is not a healthy decision that one wishes to make. Most understand that "'til death do us part" means the corporeal death, not the death of the love's flame. If they honestly do feel that way, they should reread Jesus's words here, that there is no legitimate cause for divorce except sexual immorality. Sexual immorality was addressed in the last devotional so we will not indulge in the subject except to mention this - it can be argued that if sex is not left as something for marriage, then it may encourage one to participate in it with a person other than their spouse. If it is not exclusive to marriage can be treated casually, then it should not be considered dishonorable to engage in a casual activity with another.
What was Jesus trying to say here then? To those of you who are married, the message is to be taken literally. He addresses the issue later in Matthew 10, when the Pharisees asked Him if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. These are the words that Jesus spoke: "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?' So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate" [Matthew 19:4-6] (emphasis added).
It is important to see marriage as something that God has joined together, and not something that man joins together. Marriage is a holy occasion. It is the blessed union of one man to one woman, two people who have chosen to follow after God's eternal purpose of creating a family, of "being fruitful and multiplying," of "filling the earth and subduing it" [Genesis 1:28]. It is not something to be taken lightly - and that is the message to those of us who are not yet married. There is a common saying among Christians that marriage takes three. It is true in every way, because marriage is more than an expression of love; it is the establishment of a family. Family is what God is all about. He loves it so much that He has three Persons within Himself. Being Father, Son, and Holy Spirit from the alpha, He has the most experience out of all of us, and He knows what it takes to make a family stand - the secret is Himself. We all know that a life apart from God is futile. The same applies to relationships. God created us to worship Him, and even in our relationships we glorify the Father.
That is why marriage is such a serious matter. Again, it is not something to be entered into lightly. We must be careful to abstain from the "So What?" generation, from the attitude that makes apathy fashionable, deceiving us until we are vomited from the mouth of God (see Revelation 3:16). Some call it tolerance, but we are not to tolerate sin. We are to admonish one another, not to bring about shame, but repentance (see 2 Thessalonians 3:14,15). God is faithful to forgive; if He was not, then teaching would be pointless. But He does forgive, and when He lives in us we are His body, including His eyes. We are not to be blind to the sins around us, but to spot it and use our arms to extend God's love toward those who are lost, broken, alone, and most importantly confused. We can show the truth to those who are despondent, the truth that Jesus taught in Matthew 5 and 19. And our message to those who are saved from sin will be to them the very power of God [1 Corinthians 1:18]. Live your life as God has called you, that the world may be saved.
God bless,
Alisha
[Matthew 5:31,32]
If the last passage Jesus spoke was controversial, then this statement was certainly a slap in the face to the first century Jews, and, unfortunately, many in the church today. Even I was hesitant to approach the topic, not because of the words but because I am purely basing this on teaching, not being married myself. Today, however, I realized something critical: Jesus was not married either. That did not keep Him from speaking with authority (which we will see later). I am not an ordained minister, but I do come to you to share what God has shown me from those who have authority. Please read on with an open mind.
Notice that I titled this devotional "marriage," and not "divorce." This reflects what I feel was Jesus's purpose in saying what He did. He was not attacking divorce, but rather the act of giving up on one's marriage. It is easy to get caught up in a lot of red tape, so let us get to the root of the problem. Divorce is not a healthy decision that one wishes to make. Most understand that "'til death do us part" means the corporeal death, not the death of the love's flame. If they honestly do feel that way, they should reread Jesus's words here, that there is no legitimate cause for divorce except sexual immorality. Sexual immorality was addressed in the last devotional so we will not indulge in the subject except to mention this - it can be argued that if sex is not left as something for marriage, then it may encourage one to participate in it with a person other than their spouse. If it is not exclusive to marriage can be treated casually, then it should not be considered dishonorable to engage in a casual activity with another.
What was Jesus trying to say here then? To those of you who are married, the message is to be taken literally. He addresses the issue later in Matthew 10, when the Pharisees asked Him if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. These are the words that Jesus spoke: "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?' So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate" [Matthew 19:4-6] (emphasis added).
It is important to see marriage as something that God has joined together, and not something that man joins together. Marriage is a holy occasion. It is the blessed union of one man to one woman, two people who have chosen to follow after God's eternal purpose of creating a family, of "being fruitful and multiplying," of "filling the earth and subduing it" [Genesis 1:28]. It is not something to be taken lightly - and that is the message to those of us who are not yet married. There is a common saying among Christians that marriage takes three. It is true in every way, because marriage is more than an expression of love; it is the establishment of a family. Family is what God is all about. He loves it so much that He has three Persons within Himself. Being Father, Son, and Holy Spirit from the alpha, He has the most experience out of all of us, and He knows what it takes to make a family stand - the secret is Himself. We all know that a life apart from God is futile. The same applies to relationships. God created us to worship Him, and even in our relationships we glorify the Father.
That is why marriage is such a serious matter. Again, it is not something to be entered into lightly. We must be careful to abstain from the "So What?" generation, from the attitude that makes apathy fashionable, deceiving us until we are vomited from the mouth of God (see Revelation 3:16). Some call it tolerance, but we are not to tolerate sin. We are to admonish one another, not to bring about shame, but repentance (see 2 Thessalonians 3:14,15). God is faithful to forgive; if He was not, then teaching would be pointless. But He does forgive, and when He lives in us we are His body, including His eyes. We are not to be blind to the sins around us, but to spot it and use our arms to extend God's love toward those who are lost, broken, alone, and most importantly confused. We can show the truth to those who are despondent, the truth that Jesus taught in Matthew 5 and 19. And our message to those who are saved from sin will be to them the very power of God [1 Corinthians 1:18]. Live your life as God has called you, that the world may be saved.
God bless,
Alisha
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Adultery
[Matthew 5:27-30]
This is the second of Jesus's teachings where we see Him take one requirement, one law, and addresses the heart of the matter. For Jesus, formality was nothing: "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7). He sets out to prove that there is a reason behind all the things we commonly acknowledge as sin. Many Christians fear condemning sin, and to some extent they are correct. It is not our place to condemn, for that is a task left for our perfect Creator. It is, however, our responsibility to correct one another in accordance to the Word of God. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ..." (2 Timothy 3:16) It is for this reason we are addressing this very sensitive subject.
What is adultery? In essence, it is infidelity (having a relationship with another as you have vowed to have with one person), or, as I put it, the "lending" principle: you are lending a relationship with one person to fulfill each other's wishes, without a specified commitment. The next question is why is it wrong? The simplest answer I can give is because Jesus said so. Now that should technically suffice, and if it doesn't I have every right to answer, "Take it up with Him." But we will indulge a bit today.
Everything that Jesus reveals to us in this sermon is for our benefit. He is imparting heavenly knowledge in that He is showing us the literal standards of heaven, the standards that He alone meets without exception, and the standards that we are required to meet by way of His heavenly guidance (i.e. by His grace). So how does this explicit claim to not lust (to the point of dismemberment!) possibly benefit us? Is it not our instinct to give in? Thus, is Jesus requiring something that supersedes our natural abilities? Yes! Exactly. He is asking for the supernatural. After all, the supernatural is that which the world is searching. What an excellent example to serve as a testimony!
I digress. What is the benefit to us specifically? Sanity for one thing. Ms. Spears said it well - that boy can "drive you crazy." C. S. Lewis addresses the topic of adultery, and the perversion of our society, a perversion that has been around for centuries and was common in many pagan practices. (Unfortunately, some of these practices still exist today, but in today's pc/pr world we are not made aware of it). He tells us to imagine a world in which, for entertainment, people gather around a silver platter. And slowly, they lift up the lid, displaying a perfect oven-roasted chicken, before quickly shutting it again. The people would hoot and holler, and the entertainer begins showing a little leg here, a chicken breast there, maybe even a wing. The people would go crazy. Now, if we stumbled upon this crazy world, wouldn't you say something had seriously gone wrong with their sense of appetite? If they stumbled upon ours, wouldn't you say something has gone wrong with our sexual appetites? We are no longer satisfied with what God intended for us - a man for every woman and vice versa. We fear the commitment but desire the relationship. We abdicate the responsibility and thirst for the rewards.
In Proverbs, the Bible instructs a young man: "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love. For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress?" (Proverbs 5:18-20). That is what the Bible teaches us. Do not be gluttonous, but be satisfied. This ministry was founded on the principle of developing women who follow after God, committing wholly to Him. Your side lives, your side relationships should not compromise that. There are no side lives. The next verse of that chapter says, "The ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord."
This devotional is not to put anyone on blast. If you are feeling any form of shame, then go ahead a rebuke it. But if you feel guilt because you know that you are not living a life in accordance to God's commands, I strongly suggest getting in touch with an anointed ordained minister for counseling. And if you are too scared, even a strong Christian friend can help. She can pray with you to help you overcome, and to help you decide what steps should be taken. God is calling out to someone. Answer His call - the call to holiness.
God bless,
Alisha
This is the second of Jesus's teachings where we see Him take one requirement, one law, and addresses the heart of the matter. For Jesus, formality was nothing: "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7). He sets out to prove that there is a reason behind all the things we commonly acknowledge as sin. Many Christians fear condemning sin, and to some extent they are correct. It is not our place to condemn, for that is a task left for our perfect Creator. It is, however, our responsibility to correct one another in accordance to the Word of God. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ..." (2 Timothy 3:16) It is for this reason we are addressing this very sensitive subject.
What is adultery? In essence, it is infidelity (having a relationship with another as you have vowed to have with one person), or, as I put it, the "lending" principle: you are lending a relationship with one person to fulfill each other's wishes, without a specified commitment. The next question is why is it wrong? The simplest answer I can give is because Jesus said so. Now that should technically suffice, and if it doesn't I have every right to answer, "Take it up with Him." But we will indulge a bit today.
Everything that Jesus reveals to us in this sermon is for our benefit. He is imparting heavenly knowledge in that He is showing us the literal standards of heaven, the standards that He alone meets without exception, and the standards that we are required to meet by way of His heavenly guidance (i.e. by His grace). So how does this explicit claim to not lust (to the point of dismemberment!) possibly benefit us? Is it not our instinct to give in? Thus, is Jesus requiring something that supersedes our natural abilities? Yes! Exactly. He is asking for the supernatural. After all, the supernatural is that which the world is searching. What an excellent example to serve as a testimony!
I digress. What is the benefit to us specifically? Sanity for one thing. Ms. Spears said it well - that boy can "drive you crazy." C. S. Lewis addresses the topic of adultery, and the perversion of our society, a perversion that has been around for centuries and was common in many pagan practices. (Unfortunately, some of these practices still exist today, but in today's pc/pr world we are not made aware of it). He tells us to imagine a world in which, for entertainment, people gather around a silver platter. And slowly, they lift up the lid, displaying a perfect oven-roasted chicken, before quickly shutting it again. The people would hoot and holler, and the entertainer begins showing a little leg here, a chicken breast there, maybe even a wing. The people would go crazy. Now, if we stumbled upon this crazy world, wouldn't you say something had seriously gone wrong with their sense of appetite? If they stumbled upon ours, wouldn't you say something has gone wrong with our sexual appetites? We are no longer satisfied with what God intended for us - a man for every woman and vice versa. We fear the commitment but desire the relationship. We abdicate the responsibility and thirst for the rewards.
In Proverbs, the Bible instructs a young man: "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love. For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress?" (Proverbs 5:18-20). That is what the Bible teaches us. Do not be gluttonous, but be satisfied. This ministry was founded on the principle of developing women who follow after God, committing wholly to Him. Your side lives, your side relationships should not compromise that. There are no side lives. The next verse of that chapter says, "The ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord."
This devotional is not to put anyone on blast. If you are feeling any form of shame, then go ahead a rebuke it. But if you feel guilt because you know that you are not living a life in accordance to God's commands, I strongly suggest getting in touch with an anointed ordained minister for counseling. And if you are too scared, even a strong Christian friend can help. She can pray with you to help you overcome, and to help you decide what steps should be taken. God is calling out to someone. Answer His call - the call to holiness.
God bless,
Alisha
Monday, September 1, 2008
Anger
[Matthew 5:21-26]
Anger is an emotion that can be complicated. From personal experience, I know that anger can be a fuel to itself, until it becomes a destructive fire. No one benefits from giving into their anger, whether they be on the giving or receiving end.
Some of you, in fact I expect most of you, have been deeply hurt at one point in their life. That scar is still tender to touch. You want to hold onto your anger because it empowers you. You feel that if you become this unreasonable woman, there is no way - no way - that you can be hurt again. That's what you promise yourself, that you will never be hurt again.
But how long does that last? And what's more, into what type of person does that make you? Bitterness upon bitterness builds up in your heart, until you find it hard to love. That is not the women you were call to be. That is the woman the devil wants you to be, a force that he can use for his purpose. But you were called to God's purpose. He created you to love and be loved. And if you can love in the face of hatred, well, then people will call you "the sons of God" (remember verse 10?).
That is why Jesus equates anger with murder here. Because anger not only is the beginning of murder, but kills something inside of you- the ability to forgive. Feeding into anger is not healthy. Most therapists offer the same advice Jesus gives, to go and make reconciliation with whoever "has something against you." The advice is practical; it saves you from punishment later on (see verses 25, 26).
Practicality aside, it is the wisest option. Whatever side you're on, whether you caused the problem or were affected from it, yielding to anger is never the option. The Bible says, "Be angry and do not sin." (Psalm 4:4) Pray today that God give you the ability to forgive and make amends, that you may be able to continue to walk in His perfect will.
God bless,
Alisha
Anger is an emotion that can be complicated. From personal experience, I know that anger can be a fuel to itself, until it becomes a destructive fire. No one benefits from giving into their anger, whether they be on the giving or receiving end.
Some of you, in fact I expect most of you, have been deeply hurt at one point in their life. That scar is still tender to touch. You want to hold onto your anger because it empowers you. You feel that if you become this unreasonable woman, there is no way - no way - that you can be hurt again. That's what you promise yourself, that you will never be hurt again.
But how long does that last? And what's more, into what type of person does that make you? Bitterness upon bitterness builds up in your heart, until you find it hard to love. That is not the women you were call to be. That is the woman the devil wants you to be, a force that he can use for his purpose. But you were called to God's purpose. He created you to love and be loved. And if you can love in the face of hatred, well, then people will call you "the sons of God" (remember verse 10?).
That is why Jesus equates anger with murder here. Because anger not only is the beginning of murder, but kills something inside of you- the ability to forgive. Feeding into anger is not healthy. Most therapists offer the same advice Jesus gives, to go and make reconciliation with whoever "has something against you." The advice is practical; it saves you from punishment later on (see verses 25, 26).
Practicality aside, it is the wisest option. Whatever side you're on, whether you caused the problem or were affected from it, yielding to anger is never the option. The Bible says, "Be angry and do not sin." (Psalm 4:4) Pray today that God give you the ability to forgive and make amends, that you may be able to continue to walk in His perfect will.
God bless,
Alisha
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Reconciliation of the Law
[Matthew 5:17 – 20]
The importance of the Old Testament, or the “old covenant,” is debated in some institutions. If we are indeed under a new covenant, then why even look at the old one? Christ came “not to destroy but to fulfill” the law, being the only One who was perfect enough to be the spotless Lamb offered once and for all for our sin. Yet, in verse 18, we see that even with Jesus fulfilling the law, it will remain until heaven and earth passes away. How can we reconcile this?
It’s quite simple – the New Testament was birthed out of the Old Testament. We are able to meet the requirements of the law through our relationship with Jesus Christ, not through our works. According to Oswald Chambers, “Once you have the right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances may be, you have been placed in them by God. And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill His purpose, as long as you continue to ‘walk in the light as He is in the light’ (1 John 1:7 ).”
Everything the Old Testament mentions, every law God instituted, every offering, ever feast, all served a predecessor for the New Testament. Jesus embodied the Law when He came to this earth, and by living in Him we abide in the law. In this manner, we are able to have our righteousness "exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees."
By learning the Old Testament, we can stand in awe at the fulfillment that came through our Savior. By studying the Word, we develop the very relationship God desires to have with us. Relationships are based on communication and getting to know each other. We get both by reading the Bible. And the best part of studying is what I'm doing with you all. I'm able to do even the least of the commandments and teach others to do so. But should I forget to read, should I stop discovering new truths, I may break the least of them, and (God forbid) even teach others to do so. It is a somber reminder of our task on earth. God desires that we know Him, and has given us the venue. It's up to us to open it up and meditate.
The importance of the Old Testament, or the “old covenant,” is debated in some institutions. If we are indeed under a new covenant, then why even look at the old one? Christ came “not to destroy but to fulfill” the law, being the only One who was perfect enough to be the spotless Lamb offered once and for all for our sin. Yet, in verse 18, we see that even with Jesus fulfilling the law, it will remain until heaven and earth passes away. How can we reconcile this?
It’s quite simple – the New Testament was birthed out of the Old Testament. We are able to meet the requirements of the law through our relationship with Jesus Christ, not through our works. According to Oswald Chambers, “Once you have the right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances may be, you have been placed in them by God. And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill His purpose, as long as you continue to ‘walk in the light as He is in the light’ (1 John 1:7 ).”
Everything the Old Testament mentions, every law God instituted, every offering, ever feast, all served a predecessor for the New Testament. Jesus embodied the Law when He came to this earth, and by living in Him we abide in the law. In this manner, we are able to have our righteousness "exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees."
By learning the Old Testament, we can stand in awe at the fulfillment that came through our Savior. By studying the Word, we develop the very relationship God desires to have with us. Relationships are based on communication and getting to know each other. We get both by reading the Bible. And the best part of studying is what I'm doing with you all. I'm able to do even the least of the commandments and teach others to do so. But should I forget to read, should I stop discovering new truths, I may break the least of them, and (God forbid) even teach others to do so. It is a somber reminder of our task on earth. God desires that we know Him, and has given us the venue. It's up to us to open it up and meditate.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Salt and light
[Matthew 5:13-16; Luke 14:34-35]
Israel Houghton says in his song “Identity,” “One of the things plaguing our generation is people trying to figure out who they are. … We bear the name of our Father, and in Him we find our identity.”
That’s what comes to mind when I read this passage. We sing songs declaring Jesus to be the light of the world, which He was, but He calls us the light in verse 14. What an honor, a privilege, and responsibility. It is crucial in this world to know who we are, and to Whom we belong. When we forget who we are in Christ, we lose sight of our purpose. Many women lose their identity because they take on the attributes that others notice. We must remember that only God has the perfect perspective. He is so far above us that He cannot be slighted or biased. At the same time, He knows us so intimately that He can say with confidence who we are.
So look into the mirror today and tell yourself, “I am the salt of the earth. I am the light of the world. I am who Jesus says I am.”
It might be a little difficult if you do not understand what Jesus means by this. In his book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis offers that salt and light share the purpose of exposing other tastes/sights. Someone who has never tasted salt before would not believe us that it can be used to bring out the flavors in other foods. They would think it much too strong. Similarly, a world in darkness, having seen light for the first time, would not believe that through it we can see other things. They would figure that its effect would be too blinding. But we know the truth, because have been exposed to salt and light. And if the world were to be exposed to our salt, to our light, then they too would know the truth. We, in doing what we were innately created to do, draw others to Christ.
If we forget our purpose, then we are “good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” But if we complete our purpose, then our works will shine before men, and they will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. This is not a time to sit idly and wait for just one chance to honor God. Every second given to us is a gift from God, and an opportunity to praise God through our works and to testify to the world. Do not waste time on wondering who you are. You are the salt. You are the light. Ask God to show you how to be used for His glory.
God bless,
Alisha
Israel Houghton says in his song “Identity,” “One of the things plaguing our generation is people trying to figure out who they are. … We bear the name of our Father, and in Him we find our identity.”
That’s what comes to mind when I read this passage. We sing songs declaring Jesus to be the light of the world, which He was, but He calls us the light in verse 14. What an honor, a privilege, and responsibility. It is crucial in this world to know who we are, and to Whom we belong. When we forget who we are in Christ, we lose sight of our purpose. Many women lose their identity because they take on the attributes that others notice. We must remember that only God has the perfect perspective. He is so far above us that He cannot be slighted or biased. At the same time, He knows us so intimately that He can say with confidence who we are.
So look into the mirror today and tell yourself, “I am the salt of the earth. I am the light of the world. I am who Jesus says I am.”
It might be a little difficult if you do not understand what Jesus means by this. In his book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis offers that salt and light share the purpose of exposing other tastes/sights. Someone who has never tasted salt before would not believe us that it can be used to bring out the flavors in other foods. They would think it much too strong. Similarly, a world in darkness, having seen light for the first time, would not believe that through it we can see other things. They would figure that its effect would be too blinding. But we know the truth, because have been exposed to salt and light. And if the world were to be exposed to our salt, to our light, then they too would know the truth. We, in doing what we were innately created to do, draw others to Christ.
If we forget our purpose, then we are “good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” But if we complete our purpose, then our works will shine before men, and they will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. This is not a time to sit idly and wait for just one chance to honor God. Every second given to us is a gift from God, and an opportunity to praise God through our works and to testify to the world. Do not waste time on wondering who you are. You are the salt. You are the light. Ask God to show you how to be used for His glory.
God bless,
Alisha
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Beattitudes & Woes
[Matthew 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-26]
Verse one of Matthew 5 sets up the scene for probably the greatest mind-boggling speech in history. Jesus saw the crowd, recognized their desire to learn, and more importantly, saw the need to correct. One of the characteristics I love about Jesus is how He was able to see things so very differently from us. He saw the world from God’s perspective. This wasn’t only because He is the Son of God. It was His prayer life that brought Him this viewpoint.
Prayer gave Jesus the assurance that when He was poor in spirit, mourning, hungering/thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, making peace, and persecuted, He was indeed blessed. It also gave Him the assurance that when anyone else felt any of the above, he too was blessed. Jesus saw trials as testimonies in the making, as a way to bless others and in process be blessed Himself.
Luke shows us the other side of the story. Woes to the “haves” because they will lose what they have. Woe to those who trust in anything besides God(emotions, materialism, popularity), because they will be sorely disappointed. This is certainly not what the world teaches us. Pursuing our own happiness leaves us temporarily on a high, as opposed to the pure, unadulterated joy that comes ONLY from fellowship with the Creator. Prayer helps encourage that fellowship, as does reading the Bible and doing His will daily. Spend time today with God and see things from His vantage point.
God bless,
Alisha
Verse one of Matthew 5 sets up the scene for probably the greatest mind-boggling speech in history. Jesus saw the crowd, recognized their desire to learn, and more importantly, saw the need to correct. One of the characteristics I love about Jesus is how He was able to see things so very differently from us. He saw the world from God’s perspective. This wasn’t only because He is the Son of God. It was His prayer life that brought Him this viewpoint.
Prayer gave Jesus the assurance that when He was poor in spirit, mourning, hungering/thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, making peace, and persecuted, He was indeed blessed. It also gave Him the assurance that when anyone else felt any of the above, he too was blessed. Jesus saw trials as testimonies in the making, as a way to bless others and in process be blessed Himself.
Luke shows us the other side of the story. Woes to the “haves” because they will lose what they have. Woe to those who trust in anything besides God(emotions, materialism, popularity), because they will be sorely disappointed. This is certainly not what the world teaches us. Pursuing our own happiness leaves us temporarily on a high, as opposed to the pure, unadulterated joy that comes ONLY from fellowship with the Creator. Prayer helps encourage that fellowship, as does reading the Bible and doing His will daily. Spend time today with God and see things from His vantage point.
God bless,
Alisha
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
A 2-D god
I know it’s been a while since I sent a devotional so here is on a very important subject: Jeremy Camp. More specifically my Jeremy Camp poster that hangs in my dorm room.
Don’t delete this message. Allow me explain. It is no secret to my closest friends that I am a huge fan of the contemporary Christian artist Jeremy Camp (this is not an endorsement I assure you). His picture hangs on my wall, and I joke with my roommates that I talk to it. My friends always give me a look as if to say, “You know it’s not real though, right?”
During one of my many mental wanderings this morning, I imagined myself answering them in my room, “Of course not! But it’s nice to have him around.” And since in my daydreams anything can happen, I see this J. Camp poster staying tight-lipped and angry with me when my friends leave – upset that I denied his existence, when he was always there in my room when I cried myself to sleep late at night, when I wrote and sang songs of worship and pain, when I played my guitar until the discouragement was released from my fingers. “He” was there, in my room, when I needed someone but couldn’t have anyone because it was that period, that time of being alone, when you cannot expect anyone to be there for you because it just wouldn’t be fair to them. And I denied him in front of him for the sake of my friends, because if I acted like I knew he was watching me, they would think I’m crazy.
I feel that’s how we often view God. He’s this two-dimensional figure of something we greatly admire and love to sport and represent as Christians. But we keep Him in this little room in our heart. When we’re outside with our friends, He’s not there with us. He’s stays in the room. When we’re in class or at work, He’s not there. He’s in the room. But when we’re hurt, when we’re broken, when we’re scared, and when we’re alone because we just can’t be with other people, He’s there. He watches us. He’s just an image even then. We don’t let Him interact in the healing process. And when we let friends get close enough to the room, suddenly we deny the reality of His existence. We deny that He’s watching us. Because what can He say? He’s just a two-dimensional picture.
I know I can say for myself that for a large portion of my Christian journey that was who God was to me. Something to store, something that could be contained, a source of life when I opened the bottle filled with living water, but something I could close up again. I personally refuse to live like that anymore. I refuse to let Him hang on the wall. I want Him to not just take over my world, but to become my world. If you want to do so as well, I suggest to log off Facebook and spend some time in prayer. God is really yearning for you to let Him be God in your life. To be your Lord and Master. Not to rule over you, but to love you as no one else can for every moment of everyday.
I’ll close with a thought from Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life, “God … chose to create you for His own enjoyment … and He considers you valuable enough to keep with Him for eternity …” That’s how much God loves you. That’s what He wants to do with you if you let Him – to shape you into the vessel He intended in the first place. Actually, I like to think of it more as He’s already shaped us into our unique forms and the closer we get to Him the more He reveals our shape, our purpose. And all our pain comes from doing what we weren’t created to do – like square pegs trying to fit in round holes. But He won’t show us if we don’t want to see it. Don’t limit what God can do in your life. Don’t keep Him in two dimensions.
Don’t delete this message. Allow me explain. It is no secret to my closest friends that I am a huge fan of the contemporary Christian artist Jeremy Camp (this is not an endorsement I assure you). His picture hangs on my wall, and I joke with my roommates that I talk to it. My friends always give me a look as if to say, “You know it’s not real though, right?”
During one of my many mental wanderings this morning, I imagined myself answering them in my room, “Of course not! But it’s nice to have him around.” And since in my daydreams anything can happen, I see this J. Camp poster staying tight-lipped and angry with me when my friends leave – upset that I denied his existence, when he was always there in my room when I cried myself to sleep late at night, when I wrote and sang songs of worship and pain, when I played my guitar until the discouragement was released from my fingers. “He” was there, in my room, when I needed someone but couldn’t have anyone because it was that period, that time of being alone, when you cannot expect anyone to be there for you because it just wouldn’t be fair to them. And I denied him in front of him for the sake of my friends, because if I acted like I knew he was watching me, they would think I’m crazy.
I feel that’s how we often view God. He’s this two-dimensional figure of something we greatly admire and love to sport and represent as Christians. But we keep Him in this little room in our heart. When we’re outside with our friends, He’s not there with us. He’s stays in the room. When we’re in class or at work, He’s not there. He’s in the room. But when we’re hurt, when we’re broken, when we’re scared, and when we’re alone because we just can’t be with other people, He’s there. He watches us. He’s just an image even then. We don’t let Him interact in the healing process. And when we let friends get close enough to the room, suddenly we deny the reality of His existence. We deny that He’s watching us. Because what can He say? He’s just a two-dimensional picture.
I know I can say for myself that for a large portion of my Christian journey that was who God was to me. Something to store, something that could be contained, a source of life when I opened the bottle filled with living water, but something I could close up again. I personally refuse to live like that anymore. I refuse to let Him hang on the wall. I want Him to not just take over my world, but to become my world. If you want to do so as well, I suggest to log off Facebook and spend some time in prayer. God is really yearning for you to let Him be God in your life. To be your Lord and Master. Not to rule over you, but to love you as no one else can for every moment of everyday.
I’ll close with a thought from Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life, “God … chose to create you for His own enjoyment … and He considers you valuable enough to keep with Him for eternity …” That’s how much God loves you. That’s what He wants to do with you if you let Him – to shape you into the vessel He intended in the first place. Actually, I like to think of it more as He’s already shaped us into our unique forms and the closer we get to Him the more He reveals our shape, our purpose. And all our pain comes from doing what we weren’t created to do – like square pegs trying to fit in round holes. But He won’t show us if we don’t want to see it. Don’t limit what God can do in your life. Don’t keep Him in two dimensions.
Smudged
Please take the time to read this and do not be daunted by the size of the message. It's all about God wanting you to spend time with Him.
Not to feel guilty, but here's what He showed me: there are some girls who will see the message length and leave it for a rainy day. They may not delete it, but they will certainly not come to it for a while. We are all busy with our own schedule. But – and ladies I implore you to not think of this as some form of condemnation – if we can make the time for the hour to watch America’s Next Top Model (even I do), and the hour and a half for class, which only feed us socially and mentally, respectively, how much more time should we give to God who will feed us spiritually? If you looked at your spirit-man today, would she be emaciated? Sometimes I feel as though we suffer from spiritual anorexia, that we refuse to take the time to take in and chew the good meat of the Word of God, all because we seek to control our lives in our own way.
Please, daughter of God, my sister in Christ, take the time to read this message. I promise it is for you. And here’s what makes me so sure. Last night as I sat in the library, my mind wandered into the past and brought up feelings and emotions of another girl. I was so overcome with emotion that I took whatever paper was with me and wrote from that girl’s perspective. It evolved into something beautiful, and here I share it with you. I was tempted not to, but the Lord sent me confirmation in the form of my devotional for the day, which not only addressed the same topic but quoted the same verse. See for yourself after reading this if you don’t believe me (http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml ).
“SMUDGED
“That girl’s song resounds in my head and as always I find that it is a reflection of how I feel in my heart. ‘Broken up deep inside. You won’t get to see the tears I cried.’ God I feel so – so torn. So absolutely, positively torn. I don’t know why You put me in his life but I know You did and I see it serving its purpose each day.
“It hurts God. It hurts to see him pursue another, more pretty. I don’t even envy her. I know You made me beautiful and wonderful and very unique. I don’t know. I guess it hurts that no one sees that. That I am seeing it in myself, but nobody else does, or if they do then, well, they’re girls.
“It hurts Father to see him pursue another when I feel as though I was the one who was there. But I always chose to make myself not seen. I worked in mysterious ways, moving the hearts of others to go talk to him when he was hurting. I didn’t care that he didn’t turn to me, though it hurt. What mattered more was that he hurt. And I was going to do whatever it took to get him to feel better. So if he wouldn’t talk to me then he’d talk to another. And he’d feel better and draw closer to that girl until he realized that she wasn’t the right fit. So he turned to another.
“And there he is, pursuing girl after girl when he doesn’t realize that I can fit his need. That I have been the eye that saw him, that cared for him. That brought him to you in my intercession. Ever-interceding on his behalf. ‘Father, he just can’t see right now. He hasn’t totally rejected me yet, Father. Give him one more chance. He’s made the mistake to see me as just a casual friend but not as we are meant to be. I yearn for that deeper relationship, sure. But if all he sees me as is just a smudge, a faint reminder, then at least I’m present. At least I’m noticed.’ But I yearn for more.
“And now I see how You feel. I get, Jesus, what You mean. Jesus, I know it hurts to see me pursue another when You were the One who was there. But You always chose to make Yourself not seen. You worked in mysterious ways, moving the hearts of others to go and talk to me when I was hurting. You didn’t care that I didn’t turn to You, though it hurt. What mattered more was that I hurt. And You were going to do whatever it took to get me to feel better. So if I wouldn’t talk to You, I’d talk to another. And I’d feel better and draw closer to that person until I realized he wasn’t the right fit. So I’d turned to another.
“And here I am pursuing person after person when I don’t realize that only You can fit my need. That you have been the eye that saw me and cared for me. That You, Jesus, brought me to the Father in Your intercession. Ever-interceding on my behalf. ‘ “Father, she just doesn’t see Me right now. She hasn’t totally rejected Me yet, Father. Give her one more chance. She’s made the mistake of seeing Me just as a casual friend, but not as we were meant to be. I yearn for that deeper relationship, sure. But if all she sees Me as is just a smudge, a faint reminder, then at least I’m present. At least I’m noticed.” But I yearn for more.’
So what do I do Father? What choice do I make? Do I continue to smudge You, make You less and less distinct until You are so faded that I forget You’re there? Or do I choose to write a new chapter, this time in pen. And not bur the promise I’m making with You but keep it distinct, intact, TRUE! The choice is mine to make. I alone can make it. But should I do so, I will not be alone – no, I will never be alone.”
Ladies, what is the decision you will make? If you’ve come to this part of the message then you’ve taken the first step – making the time to receive from Him. Now it’s time to open the door.
“Behold I Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)
God bless,
Alisha
Not to feel guilty, but here's what He showed me: there are some girls who will see the message length and leave it for a rainy day. They may not delete it, but they will certainly not come to it for a while. We are all busy with our own schedule. But – and ladies I implore you to not think of this as some form of condemnation – if we can make the time for the hour to watch America’s Next Top Model (even I do), and the hour and a half for class, which only feed us socially and mentally, respectively, how much more time should we give to God who will feed us spiritually? If you looked at your spirit-man today, would she be emaciated? Sometimes I feel as though we suffer from spiritual anorexia, that we refuse to take the time to take in and chew the good meat of the Word of God, all because we seek to control our lives in our own way.
Please, daughter of God, my sister in Christ, take the time to read this message. I promise it is for you. And here’s what makes me so sure. Last night as I sat in the library, my mind wandered into the past and brought up feelings and emotions of another girl. I was so overcome with emotion that I took whatever paper was with me and wrote from that girl’s perspective. It evolved into something beautiful, and here I share it with you. I was tempted not to, but the Lord sent me confirmation in the form of my devotional for the day, which not only addressed the same topic but quoted the same verse. See for yourself after reading this if you don’t believe me (http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb
“SMUDGED
“That girl’s song resounds in my head and as always I find that it is a reflection of how I feel in my heart. ‘Broken up deep inside. You won’t get to see the tears I cried.’ God I feel so – so torn. So absolutely, positively torn. I don’t know why You put me in his life but I know You did and I see it serving its purpose each day.
“It hurts God. It hurts to see him pursue another, more pretty. I don’t even envy her. I know You made me beautiful and wonderful and very unique. I don’t know. I guess it hurts that no one sees that. That I am seeing it in myself, but nobody else does, or if they do then, well, they’re girls.
“It hurts Father to see him pursue another when I feel as though I was the one who was there. But I always chose to make myself not seen. I worked in mysterious ways, moving the hearts of others to go talk to him when he was hurting. I didn’t care that he didn’t turn to me, though it hurt. What mattered more was that he hurt. And I was going to do whatever it took to get him to feel better. So if he wouldn’t talk to me then he’d talk to another. And he’d feel better and draw closer to that girl until he realized that she wasn’t the right fit. So he turned to another.
“And there he is, pursuing girl after girl when he doesn’t realize that I can fit his need. That I have been the eye that saw him, that cared for him. That brought him to you in my intercession. Ever-interceding on his behalf. ‘Father, he just can’t see right now. He hasn’t totally rejected me yet, Father. Give him one more chance. He’s made the mistake to see me as just a casual friend but not as we are meant to be. I yearn for that deeper relationship, sure. But if all he sees me as is just a smudge, a faint reminder, then at least I’m present. At least I’m noticed.’ But I yearn for more.
“And now I see how You feel. I get, Jesus, what You mean. Jesus, I know it hurts to see me pursue another when You were the One who was there. But You always chose to make Yourself not seen. You worked in mysterious ways, moving the hearts of others to go and talk to me when I was hurting. You didn’t care that I didn’t turn to You, though it hurt. What mattered more was that I hurt. And You were going to do whatever it took to get me to feel better. So if I wouldn’t talk to You, I’d talk to another. And I’d feel better and draw closer to that person until I realized he wasn’t the right fit. So I’d turned to another.
“And here I am pursuing person after person when I don’t realize that only You can fit my need. That you have been the eye that saw me and cared for me. That You, Jesus, brought me to the Father in Your intercession. Ever-interceding on my behalf. ‘ “Father, she just doesn’t see Me right now. She hasn’t totally rejected Me yet, Father. Give her one more chance. She’s made the mistake of seeing Me just as a casual friend, but not as we were meant to be. I yearn for that deeper relationship, sure. But if all she sees Me as is just a smudge, a faint reminder, then at least I’m present. At least I’m noticed.” But I yearn for more.’
So what do I do Father? What choice do I make? Do I continue to smudge You, make You less and less distinct until You are so faded that I forget You’re there? Or do I choose to write a new chapter, this time in pen. And not bur the promise I’m making with You but keep it distinct, intact, TRUE! The choice is mine to make. I alone can make it. But should I do so, I will not be alone – no, I will never be alone.”
Ladies, what is the decision you will make? If you’ve come to this part of the message then you’ve taken the first step – making the time to receive from Him. Now it’s time to open the door.
“Behold I Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)
God bless,
Alisha
Dirty Feet
This being Good Friday (and what a good Friday it is), I wanted to share something special with all you lovely ladies. Something that ties in with the suffering of Jesus so that we can be reflective, quiet, and somber. God had other plans.
A friend of mine (and I hope she doesn’t kill me for posting this) made a comment on my wall about a picture I put up, complaining that she had dirty feet in the picture. I couldn’t care less because it was in India and, yes, the roads are dusty and one’s feet definitely do become dirty. I remember that it was there that I understood the ancient Jewish custom of washing someone’s feet when they entered the home. It was so no dirt would drag in.
Once someone had forgotten to do so, and a woman with a little bottle of alabaster oil washed the dirty, smelly feet of a Prophet, rinsing it with her tears and wiping it with her hair. This story (Luke 7:36-50) is one of my favorites because of the humility she showed. As I said before, the feet of a person was dirty, disgusting, filthy, and smelled awful from walking through the dusty roads, but she used her most precious things to clean the feet of Jesus. The alabaster oil was costly, but she would gladly give up her riches for the Christ. Her hair was perhaps more costly, being the quintessence of female beauty, but she would sacrifice her body for her Savior. Her tears were the most costly thing of all, the very keys to her heart, but she would give it up to her God. All she had she gave up to wash the feet of Jesus.
God use to require us to examine those lower appendages too. What did God tell Moses at the burning bush? Exodus 3:5 tells us that He instructed him to remove the sandals from his feet for the place where he stood was holy. There are probably a few interpretations for this. Mine is simply this: God didn’t want Moses to get His place dirty. Removing one’s sandals is taking away the part of you that most clearly highlights where you have been. If you were in water, they would be wet; if you were in the mud, they would bear it too. But it God’s presence, he wanted Moses to separate himself from the world and leave it outside. Moses would have to put back on the sandals eventually, but when he was with God, he was not to bear any sign of the world. Pause now, and let that sink in.
I’m not trying to make you feel guilty today – no, in fact, I hope to do quite the opposite. It was not only us lowly sinful humans who had to be mindful. Isaiah 6 tells of the cherubim who would stay before the presence of the Lord. They each had six wings, two to fly, two to cover their face, and two – yes – to cover their feet. Imagine these lovely celestial beings flying around proclaiming, “The whole earth is full of His glory” and yet never being able to see it? Why? Because they still had to be mindful of their feet. They still knew their place – not yet holy.
But in Revelation 4 we see an awesome picture. Four living creatures, which can be interpreted as the four representations of Jesus in the Gospels, that too have six wings are flying about the throne room of God. They are in the very presence of the Almighty! And are they covering their eyes or feet? No! In fact, the Bible says that they are covered in eyes, as if to say they cannot get enough of seeing the glory of God!
That’s the difference! That’s the difference that Jesus made. See, He didn’t come into this world to condemn us. I’ll tell you what else: it might have been your sins that nailed Him to the cross, but He did not come into the world to die either. He came into this world to RESURRECT! The cross is not our hope – though it is our reminder. The empty tomb is our hope! If Jesus had just lived a good life and taught people and died, then we would be no different from every world religion out there. But Jesus was the Son of God and proved it by “laying down his life that He may take it again” (to paraphrase John 10:17). No one could take it from Him without His permission; He gladly gave it up and He knew He was going to take it up again. There is freedom from His resurrection!
Here’s where it really ties in girls. (Before you read on, first read Hebrew 12:1, 2 so that you can understand from where I’m coming.) Last night I had a dream that there were all these women running a race, not against each other but with themselves; it was all about just trying to finish it. Some inevitably looked to each other to see where others were at, but for the most part they knew it was not a competition. And I was there too, running with them, cheering them on, encouraging them to persevere. But there were a few girls who started to lose hope. They looked down at their feet and thought about where they had come from. They were thinking about they had gone through and wondered if it was even worth it to keep running. Some had been badly abused, others molested as children. Society told them that it was okay to become “rejects,” because they had somebody to blame. They didn’t have to run the race. Everyone would understand that they just didn’t have the strength because what happened to them crippled them spiritually. And slowly, they more they looked down, the more discouraged they got. Finally some quit altogether, and when we called out to them and asked why, they said, “It’s just not for me,” too ashamed to tell the whole truth.
But ladies, you do not have to give into that lie. Something beautiful God taught me through the book The Purpose Drive Life by Rick Warren was that God uses our experiences, even our hurtful ones, for His glory and for His ministry. The creatures did not hide their feet; they showcased it, knowing full well that it was what the Father had used to help them help others get into heaven. They wore their feet with pride, as a living memorial of how God uses our weaknesses, mistakes, shames, and trials for His glory. Jesus made that difference. And once we enter into heaven, we too will behold His majesty freely because we don’t have to worry about our dirty feet.
A friend of mine (and I hope she doesn’t kill me for posting this) made a comment on my wall about a picture I put up, complaining that she had dirty feet in the picture. I couldn’t care less because it was in India and, yes, the roads are dusty and one’s feet definitely do become dirty. I remember that it was there that I understood the ancient Jewish custom of washing someone’s feet when they entered the home. It was so no dirt would drag in.
Once someone had forgotten to do so, and a woman with a little bottle of alabaster oil washed the dirty, smelly feet of a Prophet, rinsing it with her tears and wiping it with her hair. This story (Luke 7:36-50) is one of my favorites because of the humility she showed. As I said before, the feet of a person was dirty, disgusting, filthy, and smelled awful from walking through the dusty roads, but she used her most precious things to clean the feet of Jesus. The alabaster oil was costly, but she would gladly give up her riches for the Christ. Her hair was perhaps more costly, being the quintessence of female beauty, but she would sacrifice her body for her Savior. Her tears were the most costly thing of all, the very keys to her heart, but she would give it up to her God. All she had she gave up to wash the feet of Jesus.
God use to require us to examine those lower appendages too. What did God tell Moses at the burning bush? Exodus 3:5 tells us that He instructed him to remove the sandals from his feet for the place where he stood was holy. There are probably a few interpretations for this. Mine is simply this: God didn’t want Moses to get His place dirty. Removing one’s sandals is taking away the part of you that most clearly highlights where you have been. If you were in water, they would be wet; if you were in the mud, they would bear it too. But it God’s presence, he wanted Moses to separate himself from the world and leave it outside. Moses would have to put back on the sandals eventually, but when he was with God, he was not to bear any sign of the world. Pause now, and let that sink in.
I’m not trying to make you feel guilty today – no, in fact, I hope to do quite the opposite. It was not only us lowly sinful humans who had to be mindful. Isaiah 6 tells of the cherubim who would stay before the presence of the Lord. They each had six wings, two to fly, two to cover their face, and two – yes – to cover their feet. Imagine these lovely celestial beings flying around proclaiming, “The whole earth is full of His glory” and yet never being able to see it? Why? Because they still had to be mindful of their feet. They still knew their place – not yet holy.
But in Revelation 4 we see an awesome picture. Four living creatures, which can be interpreted as the four representations of Jesus in the Gospels, that too have six wings are flying about the throne room of God. They are in the very presence of the Almighty! And are they covering their eyes or feet? No! In fact, the Bible says that they are covered in eyes, as if to say they cannot get enough of seeing the glory of God!
That’s the difference! That’s the difference that Jesus made. See, He didn’t come into this world to condemn us. I’ll tell you what else: it might have been your sins that nailed Him to the cross, but He did not come into the world to die either. He came into this world to RESURRECT! The cross is not our hope – though it is our reminder. The empty tomb is our hope! If Jesus had just lived a good life and taught people and died, then we would be no different from every world religion out there. But Jesus was the Son of God and proved it by “laying down his life that He may take it again” (to paraphrase John 10:17). No one could take it from Him without His permission; He gladly gave it up and He knew He was going to take it up again. There is freedom from His resurrection!
Here’s where it really ties in girls. (Before you read on, first read Hebrew 12:1, 2 so that you can understand from where I’m coming.) Last night I had a dream that there were all these women running a race, not against each other but with themselves; it was all about just trying to finish it. Some inevitably looked to each other to see where others were at, but for the most part they knew it was not a competition. And I was there too, running with them, cheering them on, encouraging them to persevere. But there were a few girls who started to lose hope. They looked down at their feet and thought about where they had come from. They were thinking about they had gone through and wondered if it was even worth it to keep running. Some had been badly abused, others molested as children. Society told them that it was okay to become “rejects,” because they had somebody to blame. They didn’t have to run the race. Everyone would understand that they just didn’t have the strength because what happened to them crippled them spiritually. And slowly, they more they looked down, the more discouraged they got. Finally some quit altogether, and when we called out to them and asked why, they said, “It’s just not for me,” too ashamed to tell the whole truth.
But ladies, you do not have to give into that lie. Something beautiful God taught me through the book The Purpose Drive Life by Rick Warren was that God uses our experiences, even our hurtful ones, for His glory and for His ministry. The creatures did not hide their feet; they showcased it, knowing full well that it was what the Father had used to help them help others get into heaven. They wore their feet with pride, as a living memorial of how God uses our weaknesses, mistakes, shames, and trials for His glory. Jesus made that difference. And once we enter into heaven, we too will behold His majesty freely because we don’t have to worry about our dirty feet.
Dealing with Grief
For over a month I have been wanting to do some devotional on pain, and now I feel is the time.
More specifically, I want to talk about dealing with grief, which I here define as a pain that stems from a loss. We associate grief with death, but that's not the only way you can lose a loved one. The woman who loses her son to gangs, her sister to drugs, her boyfriend to another woman, or even her best friend to her own selfish desires equally feels sorrow.
That's the first of five principles you should keep in my mind:
1. Realize that you're hurt.
Don't be ashamed. There is no shame in shedding a tear. It's good to be strong and courageous, but it doesn't show a lack of faith to say that you are pain. Acknowledge it. For a long time, I would not tell anyone what was going on in my life, inside and outside, kept my depression to myself, let it eat me up inside. I felt that God put people in my life who "have it a lot worse" so I had no right to complain. But I realized now that I could not have been more wrong. To say that someone else has a worse life than me is to say that God is unfair. And He surely is not. God is merciful and just to EVERYONE. You are not exclusively His child. You do receive grace, or unmerited favor, but you do NOT receive special attention. He loves EACH person individually. So yes, you are going through a rough time. It's rough for you - admitting it only admits that you are human and weak, which is the truth.
2. Know that God put it in your life for a reason.
One of my favorite characteristics of God is his eternal nature, how He is able to see all of time at once as if it were every page in the book of history strewn about before Him. He knows you. He knows everything about you. The Bible says the very hairs on your head are numbered [Matthew 10:30]. He knows your body; He knows you physically. The Bible also says that God looks at the heart [1 Samuel 16:7] - He knows you emotionally. He knows your every thought so He knows you mentally. Need I go on? He knows you. He knows you so well because He loves you so much; only a person passionate about a subject will investigate every detail of it. He loves you with a passion.
Now that we have that established, do you honestly believe that God would put you through pain for no reason? The reason may not be apparent but He will reveal it in time, though maybe not to you. Job never saw the book that was written about his life, so famous today that it's studied in philosophy classes throughout the nation. Sometimes you'll never understand why you go through a trial, but it is a trial - it is to try you. You will get stronger in the end.
3. Remember and record every step of the way because it will be your testimony.
You yourself may not receive true benefit that comes from the experience, but guess what? You weren't meant to. Your tribulations are not for you; they are for another. There's another girl whose cousin fell through the cracks and now you know to tell her how to deal with a loved one battling addiction. There's a teenager who feels like she's losing her father to his own selfishness who you can help. There's a wife who thinks she cannot cope with her husbands adultery whose hand you can hold. It may not be now or even soon, but you can help. You will help. Your experience is your ministry. That's why it's so crucial to record in any way suitable to you the way you got through this. Because you will get through this.
4. Remind yourself that you are not alone.
God is always there. Focus on that fact. Recall the previous devotional on letting God be a three-dimensional part of your life. He can be if you let Him. He wants nothing more than to scoop you in arms and hold you tight. And He does it every morning when He sends you his sun. He proclaims His love for you every night with billions of stars. Even if you can’t “feel” Him, He’s there. He hears your prayers. He sees your tears. Even if every waking moment is filled with pain, He blessed you with fragility so that at some point you have to sleep. Your pain is not perpetual.
He has not left you, _____. I wish I could know all of your names so I could write it out 250 times with each of your names after the comma. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” [Deuteronomy 31:6] That’s His promise to you. And God cannot lie – He is too powerful. Anything He speaks automatically becomes the truth. So He meant it, my friend. He never, ever leaves. There’s nothing that you can do can push Him to the point of giving up. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Romans 8:38, 39]
5. Call on a friend.
A human friend. God placed people into your life for a reason. No one, not even Jesus Himself, went through life alone. Sure there are times when you need to be by yourself. We just established that God is always there for you. But there is a power that comes with human interaction - simply put, it heals. Don’t avoid your problem; please, talk about it. My suggestion is to first go to a Christian friend who will know that God is the ultimate source of comfort and strength. But even if you can only talk to an understanding non-Christian, turn to them. You cannot and should not go through this by yourself.
I’ll leave you with the word’s from Kirk Franklin’s song “Afterwhile.”
Afterwhile, afterwhile
This too shall past, afterwhile
Scars will heal,
You'll love again
It won't hurt you afterwhile
It won't hurt afterwhile
Stuck between if and when
You prayed and tried
But still no end
God's purpose soon you'll understand
It won't hurt you afterwhile
It won't hurt you afterwhile
Afterwhile, afterwhile
This too shall past, afterwhile
Scars will heal,
You'll love again
It won't hurt afterwhile
So when the pain has come to end
And now your heart is whole again
Help someone who needs to know
That it won't hurt them afterwhile
It won't hurt them afterwhile
It won't hurt them afterwhile
More specifically, I want to talk about dealing with grief, which I here define as a pain that stems from a loss. We associate grief with death, but that's not the only way you can lose a loved one. The woman who loses her son to gangs, her sister to drugs, her boyfriend to another woman, or even her best friend to her own selfish desires equally feels sorrow.
That's the first of five principles you should keep in my mind:
1. Realize that you're hurt.
Don't be ashamed. There is no shame in shedding a tear. It's good to be strong and courageous, but it doesn't show a lack of faith to say that you are pain. Acknowledge it. For a long time, I would not tell anyone what was going on in my life, inside and outside, kept my depression to myself, let it eat me up inside. I felt that God put people in my life who "have it a lot worse" so I had no right to complain. But I realized now that I could not have been more wrong. To say that someone else has a worse life than me is to say that God is unfair. And He surely is not. God is merciful and just to EVERYONE. You are not exclusively His child. You do receive grace, or unmerited favor, but you do NOT receive special attention. He loves EACH person individually. So yes, you are going through a rough time. It's rough for you - admitting it only admits that you are human and weak, which is the truth.
2. Know that God put it in your life for a reason.
One of my favorite characteristics of God is his eternal nature, how He is able to see all of time at once as if it were every page in the book of history strewn about before Him. He knows you. He knows everything about you. The Bible says the very hairs on your head are numbered [Matthew 10:30]. He knows your body; He knows you physically. The Bible also says that God looks at the heart [1 Samuel 16:7] - He knows you emotionally. He knows your every thought so He knows you mentally. Need I go on? He knows you. He knows you so well because He loves you so much; only a person passionate about a subject will investigate every detail of it. He loves you with a passion.
Now that we have that established, do you honestly believe that God would put you through pain for no reason? The reason may not be apparent but He will reveal it in time, though maybe not to you. Job never saw the book that was written about his life, so famous today that it's studied in philosophy classes throughout the nation. Sometimes you'll never understand why you go through a trial, but it is a trial - it is to try you. You will get stronger in the end.
3. Remember and record every step of the way because it will be your testimony.
You yourself may not receive true benefit that comes from the experience, but guess what? You weren't meant to. Your tribulations are not for you; they are for another. There's another girl whose cousin fell through the cracks and now you know to tell her how to deal with a loved one battling addiction. There's a teenager who feels like she's losing her father to his own selfishness who you can help. There's a wife who thinks she cannot cope with her husbands adultery whose hand you can hold. It may not be now or even soon, but you can help. You will help. Your experience is your ministry. That's why it's so crucial to record in any way suitable to you the way you got through this. Because you will get through this.
4. Remind yourself that you are not alone.
God is always there. Focus on that fact. Recall the previous devotional on letting God be a three-dimensional part of your life. He can be if you let Him. He wants nothing more than to scoop you in arms and hold you tight. And He does it every morning when He sends you his sun. He proclaims His love for you every night with billions of stars. Even if you can’t “feel” Him, He’s there. He hears your prayers. He sees your tears. Even if every waking moment is filled with pain, He blessed you with fragility so that at some point you have to sleep. Your pain is not perpetual.
He has not left you, _____. I wish I could know all of your names so I could write it out 250 times with each of your names after the comma. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” [Deuteronomy 31:6] That’s His promise to you. And God cannot lie – He is too powerful. Anything He speaks automatically becomes the truth. So He meant it, my friend. He never, ever leaves. There’s nothing that you can do can push Him to the point of giving up. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Romans 8:38, 39]
5. Call on a friend.
A human friend. God placed people into your life for a reason. No one, not even Jesus Himself, went through life alone. Sure there are times when you need to be by yourself. We just established that God is always there for you. But there is a power that comes with human interaction - simply put, it heals. Don’t avoid your problem; please, talk about it. My suggestion is to first go to a Christian friend who will know that God is the ultimate source of comfort and strength. But even if you can only talk to an understanding non-Christian, turn to them. You cannot and should not go through this by yourself.
I’ll leave you with the word’s from Kirk Franklin’s song “Afterwhile.”
Afterwhile, afterwhile
This too shall past, afterwhile
Scars will heal,
You'll love again
It won't hurt you afterwhile
It won't hurt afterwhile
Stuck between if and when
You prayed and tried
But still no end
God's purpose soon you'll understand
It won't hurt you afterwhile
It won't hurt you afterwhile
Afterwhile, afterwhile
This too shall past, afterwhile
Scars will heal,
You'll love again
It won't hurt afterwhile
So when the pain has come to end
And now your heart is whole again
Help someone who needs to know
That it won't hurt them afterwhile
It won't hurt them afterwhile
It won't hurt them afterwhile
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Proverbs 31 woman - Post 21
Day 21 – Prov. 31:31
"Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."
- (New King James Version)
We ended the last devotional saying that "when you remember to fear Him (revere Him), then you shall be praised." And here we see it.
Our speaker, recall, is a mother who is telling her son the right woman to look for. Most people know how hard it is to please a mother-in-law ;) But here we see her actually imploring her audience "GIVE HER the fruits of her labor." Our virtuous woman has lived a life so ... well, virtuous, that perhaps one of the last people to praise her cannot deny her her due rewards. What an amazing life she must have led!
I find myself smiling again as I address the second part of the verse. "Let her own works praise her ..." Probably the only woman worthy enough to toot her own horn must now bear with another restriction (though I hesitate to use that word). She never boasts of her good deeds, but lets her good deeds boast for her. But this really isn't a restriction because, as we've addressed numerous times before, pride is itself a trap, and completely unfounded since she has nothing to be proud of - GOD provided her with every good trait.
And HE in the end will be the rewarder. Countless times I've read this passage, these 22 verses, and been so awestruck by the last verse that I missed the message in the last phrase. "In the gates ..." I associated it with the same gates in which her husband is known, when he sits among the elders of the land. I found such honor in her being known among the people as a virtuous woman. Surely, this is how her works speak as a testimony of her virtue. But then I realized that I was thinking too small.
It's too small an act to be honored by her husband or her children. It's too small an act to be honored by the maidservants for whom she loving provided clothing and a meal. It's too small for her to be honored by the merchants who go to far away lands and still can attest that they've never met a woman as fantastic as she. It's even too small for her to be honored by the elders of the land, whose word is law.
Similarly, it's too small an act for a virtuous woman in our time to just be honored by her family. It's too small for her to be honored and revered by those with whom she works (with or under). It's too small for her to be honored by the educated class, the worldly, the "cultured" and well-rounded, who think they've seen it all and thus feel themselves apt to judge. It's even too small for her to be honored by the kings/rulers/presidents what-have-you of this world, who with one word can alter the course of history.
No, this is too small. And if she were not to be honored by any of these, it would be okay. Because in the end, her works would praise her "in the gates." Those gates that so many virtuous women have seen but whose names have never been mentioned in any book, magazine, or Facebook message. Those gates that open to a glorious home, where each brick was laid for each of her acts of righteousness mortared with love and affection, not self-satisfaction. Those gates where her Savior stands, ready to greet her with open arms. How we long for those gates!
Can we see it now? Can we understand the gravity of the task we are undertaking? To make the vow of living a virtuous life - what an investment in our future! And each day as we grow closer to Him, we reflect Him more and more, until our face shines like Moses when he came down from the mountain. This is our true beauty - the glory of God that resides in each us, manifesting itself in faith, hope, purity, and love.
showcase your true beauty.
God bless,
Alisha Philip
Proverbs 31 woman - Post 20
Day 20 – Prov. 31:30
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."
- (New King James Version)
I can't tell you how many times I hear stories like this: "I can't walk out of the house without makeup." "I work in a higher profession - it requires me to look good." "I get more respect/attention when I look better."
I've said before that these mini message sets are not against any show of outer beauty, but they are not necessarily for it either. I really love this verse because it reminds of a time when I too was unable to look past my own exterior. God had a plethora of riches stored up inside, but I was took preoccupied with decorating the outside of this vessel. But beauty fades as quickly as it comes. So why immerse yourself into its troubles in the first place?
The world, I feel has caught on to this notion, and turned it into an anti-establishment, let-your-hair-flow-free, go-all-natural fashion craze. They tell us that the true beauty comes in confidence. "Guys love a girl who's confident in herself." This may or may not be true. But here we see that "charm is deceitful," and I've come to realize that it is. We become so confident in ourselves, charm our way into a boy's heart and for what purpose? Who are you making yourself out to be? He's falling in love with an image, a mirage, a hologram (or hallow-gram as I like to think of it). What is there to gain from that?
There's nothing wrong with being happy with who you are, but there's everything wrong with being proud of it. Why? Because you can only really be proud of something you completely controlled and turned out perfect. You are perfect (in God's eyes), but it's not a result of your actions. HE made you beautiful, inside and out. HE gave you the ability to sing, dance, speak, draw, act, think, listen, care, forgive, love. Whatever makes you you was a gift from God to share with the world. That makes you very precious, but He is the one who gave you your worth. When you remember that, when you remember to fear Him (revere Him), then you shall be praised.
showcase your true beauty.
God bless,
Proverbs 31 woman - Post 19
Day 19 – Prov. 31:28, 29
- (New King James Version)
And here it is. The one I've been saying would come, and you just had to take my word for it. We always knew this woman was praiseworthy, but we had yet to see her getting praised. It's funny how Day 16's verse (v. 25) taunts a little, saying that "she shall rejoice in the time to come," suggesting that she will be praised and thus justified, but qualifies it by saying in such future time.
Finally, as we approach the end of this passage, we see her getting her "just desserts." We spoke on numerous occasions of the faith principle, how you have to put in the work now and trust in God to give you the reward in the end (in fact we saw that yesterday).
But here's the beautiful thing. Look at who is praising her. It's her family - those that know her best. The hardest thing in the world is to get people who know you to praise you. They see your flaws on a DAILY basis, and love you still, though sometimes through obligation. But for them to praise you, you need to be a spectacular type of woman.
Indeed her husband tells her that, "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” And this same man, recall, sits among the elders of the land, so he has probably seen the best of the best. Still he can say this compliment honestly.
Her children even call her blessed. That is perhaps even more important, because we all know that the one true legacy we leave is our future generation. So, though her children are too young to see and appreciate her dedication, they are not too recognize how good they have it. They know that she is a blessed woman, and in turn uses it to bless others.
Live a life that makes you praiseworthy.
showcase your true beauty.
God bless,
Proverbs 31 woman - Post 18
Day 18 – Prov. 31:27
"She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness."
- (New King James Version)
Today's virtue: vigilance. Defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as, "alert watchfulness," vigilance is one of those things I like to consider as a "higher" virtue. I am in no way implying that some virtues are greater than others, but I do believe that some take longer to require.
I'm struggling, admittedly, to look at this verse from a new perspective. There's just such a unity in this entire passage so that I find myself repeating what was said in the past. But reinforcement is always for a reason, and perhaps someone today needed to hear this one more time.
Recall on Day 12 when we discussed preparedness. Our virtuous woman took the effort to prepare her house against the snowstorms of life, covering ALL her household in scarlet, which I suggested to represent the blood of our Savior. We also discussed, on numerous occasions, about how life is an active process - that you have to go out and get what you need. It's encourage again in the latter portion of this verse: she "does not eat the bread of idleness."
But the activity described here is interesting because it is not something others would take notice of. To be vigilant, or watchful, is often overlooked. At least when she was preparing, we could see our woman busily working away, and so she'll be praised undoubtedly for it. I take vigilance here, however, to represent those things we do not to be praised by others, and not even to serve as a testimony for others. It's those things that we do because if we don't we'll suffer in the end. And no one's going to appeal to you before to do it and no one's going applaud you after for doing it.
It's sounds rather laborious, doesn't it? Why would anyone in their right mind add to their workload? Sometimes, though, we need to look at the benefits in the future and make the little sacrifice now. And this is why I said it can be seen as "higher" virtue, because only after having learned to discipline yourself in the other ways mentioned can you foresee future failures and prevent them. You will get there though, I assure you.
showcase your beauty.
God bless,
Proverbs 31 woman - Post 17
Day 17 – Prov. 31:26
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness."
- (New King James Version)
A good friend of mine always says, "God is a funny one." It seems to apply here. I love how He so nonchalantly tells us to submit ourselves to wisdom and kindness as we speak, as if it were the easiest thing to do. =)
But, if you think about it, it kind of is. "She OPENS her mouth with wisdom." In other words, if you have nothing wise to say, don't say it; or, as my father always admonishes me, "Think before you talk." Proverbs 17:28 speaks the truth: "Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive." So think twice before even considering making a comment. Does it reflect the wisdom of God, His love, His praise?
And by what do you govern what you say? By the "law of kindness." If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. Isn't it funny how these little cliches we grew up with seem to have more wisdom than we previously thought? Maybe these truths are not only universal, but unending in their relativity to our lives.
And you'll notice that these traits are indeed universal. Almost every culture, at least every one with which I've come into contact, has stories depicting strong women as those who are kind but shrewd. So how about today we take it to another level? We show ourselves to not only be strong women, but "strong Christian women," who seek to be admirable not to exalt themselves, but to exalt the One who made them.
showcase your true beauty.
God bless,
Proverbs 31 woman - Post 16
Day 16 – Prov. 31:25
"Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come."
- (New King James Version)
Does this verse conflict with the one that speaks of her clothing being "fine linen and purple"? I think not. Can a woman dress herself in this day and age in beautiful garments and still consider herself adorned in "strength and honor"? I think so.
These sets of messages are a rant for nor against makeup, jewelry, or fashionable clothing. They merely are meant to encourage you to look at the beauty inside and show it outwardly. It's not something to be hidden. Wear yourself with dignity. Be proud of who you are in Him. Be proud to be His dearest princess. Yes, you. You as an individual, not just a member of this FB group. God looks at me and says, "I love you, Alisha, with all my heart. And I long for the day when you will give me all of your heart. I long for the day when you'll see me as I see you, and are unafraid to show this to the world, no matter what the consequence."
Showing who you really are can be frightening - I know, I feel it daily. But God has encouraged today (literally) to let you know that I may be swimming upstream, against the current, but I know where I'm going, and I'm only getting stronger in the process.
So say this to yourself today, filling in your name, in front of a mirror, looking directly eye-to-eye. "God loves me, ___, with all His heart. And He longs for the day when I will give Him all of my heart. He longs for the day when I'll see Him as He sees me, and am unafraid to show this to the world, no matter what the consequence." Believe it to be true, because it is, and you SHALL "rejoice in the time to come."
showcase your true beauty.
God bless,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)