*Scriptures provided by Biblegateway.com
Last week we celebrated July 4th, and I promise I thought of the title before the holiday hit. It comes from the U.S. Constitution, and essentially says that no matter what state laws may say, whatever is written in this document has to be followed. It has greater power because it holds greater authority. It is supreme.
That's how I've learned to view the Bible. Its authority is supreme, defying even physical principles at times. I'll put it this way - Back to Basics Lesson 2: God's Word is Sovereign. His Word carries the very weight of the King of kings, like a decree would carry the weight of the government official who declared it.
It's easy enough to put on paper, but what about in everyday life? How can this been seen as a fundamental Christian principle and not as a deep theological mystical property? We know God's Word serves a purpose, as shown in 2 Timothy 3:16. This verse tells of the disciplining power of the Bible, and we must be mindful that the law did not make us imperfect but rather revealed our state of imperfection. This law was fulfilled by Jesus (recall Reconcilation of the Law) and established a new covenant, or New Testament, with us. But the promises of old remain as well as some new ones: "I will never leave you," "I will never forsake you," "When you pass through the waters ... they will not overflow you." [Isaiah 43:2, Hebrews 13:2]
That's okay when all is well. It's easy to believe that God is with us when we have His favor. But remember that's just what it is - favor. An irregular, undeserved period of grace. And when it removed, it doesn't mean God has left. His "favor" may, but He does not. As Regina Spektor sings, we treat Him like a genie or Santa Claus who grants us wishes. The true Christian, the strong Christian woman who understands Lesson 2 must see that God's Word is still true during moments when His grace is less evident to us. It's there and still all-sufficient, but we have to look deeper to see it.
It's then that I have to contemplate God's character and recall Lesson 1 - He loves us. It makes me sigh with deep resignation. I quit fighting it anymore; I accept the fact that He loves. And, knowing this because I know Him, I agree with the song by Third Day, that "nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord." [Based on Philippians 3:8]. I am amazed by His love, the most fundamental truth of all, and, knowing Him and knowing His love for me, I can trust (yes trust) that all His promisses are yes and amen. [2 Corinthians 1:20].
Ladies, here I make an appeal to you. I know for a fact that all of you know someone is going through/has gone through some terrible things, things that are/were unfair and tempt/ed her to doubt God. (That girl may even be yourself). It has caused her to become a pessimist (or "realist" in her terms). I've experienced that. But I urge you to appeal to that woman. Tell her God's Word is still sovereign; His promises are still true. Romans 5:5 tells us that His love gives us the right and authority to hope. It's okay, I repeat, it's okay to hope. Hope comes from character which developed from pereservance built up during our tribulations [verses 3 and 4]. His grace will always enable us to stand thorugh the storm [verse 2] In this we can rejoice. In this we can rejoice. You are allowed to hope, my sister. You can trust in Him. [Psalm 34:8] He is good.
God bless,
Alisha
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Vested Interest
*Scriptures provided by Biblegateway.com
There is a thought that seems to have gotten lost along the path that begins when I first became a Christian and continues on to heaven. Or maybe, because I've lost this notion, I'm not on the path anymore, but rather I've lost my way by meandering as I seasonally do. The thought is this: God loves me.
I knew it when I accepted Christ. Why else would He send His Son? Why else would He die? I knew He loved me to save me. But I got caught up in legalism in my strive to acquire "holiness," forgetting that true holiness is only found in Christ. I forgot that it is my love for God that should compel me to obey, not that I had to obey for Him to love me. I had it backwards. For that matter, I had it backwards from the beginning. He didn't have to love me to save me; He had to save me because He loved me. I mean, of course, it took nothing short of love to endure what He did, but that's only an angle, not the whole picture. Ultimately, He saved me because He loved me so much that He couldn't bear to see my life in ruins without Him.
Proof. In this divorce-ridden world, we want proof of love. Let us turn to His love letter. For brevity's sake, I'll list it:
1 John 3:1 - God shows His love by making us His children.
1 John 3:5 - Jesus manifested Himself to take away our sin.
1 John 3:16 - Because He laid down His life for us, we know love.
1 John 3:20 - If our hearts condemn us, God's love is greater than our heart.
1 John 4:9 - Jesus was sent into the world so that we may live through Him.
1 John 4:17, 18 - His love perfects us, and this perfect love casts out fear.
1 John 5:3 - His commandments unto us are not burdensome.
Notice all these promises come from just one book. Imagine in the entire Bible! Each of these points can serve as a devotional by themselves. I could go into excruciating detail of how much work goes into each of the afore-mentioned actions that God undertook for our sake. But I fear that in the narrowing of the topic, I'll have lost the purpose of this devotional series - Back to Basics. Trust me. God's love took work. He invested in you.
Hence the title. He has a vested interest in you. When an American sugar company hears news of insurgency in the land where its plantation lies, it doesn't scrap the whole thing, ignoring the problem because it's not in the United States. It convinces American government to talk to the plantation's government to solve things peaceably in order to protect their investment. God has invested His most precious treasure in you when He turned over His Son. The price He paid was just too great for Him to give up on you now.
So all you ladies who thnk God has shut heaven, don't worry. He's just having a metting with the Board of Directors. He cannot afford to let you go. So don't you let go of Him.
God bless,
Alisha
There is a thought that seems to have gotten lost along the path that begins when I first became a Christian and continues on to heaven. Or maybe, because I've lost this notion, I'm not on the path anymore, but rather I've lost my way by meandering as I seasonally do. The thought is this: God loves me.
I knew it when I accepted Christ. Why else would He send His Son? Why else would He die? I knew He loved me to save me. But I got caught up in legalism in my strive to acquire "holiness," forgetting that true holiness is only found in Christ. I forgot that it is my love for God that should compel me to obey, not that I had to obey for Him to love me. I had it backwards. For that matter, I had it backwards from the beginning. He didn't have to love me to save me; He had to save me because He loved me. I mean, of course, it took nothing short of love to endure what He did, but that's only an angle, not the whole picture. Ultimately, He saved me because He loved me so much that He couldn't bear to see my life in ruins without Him.
Proof. In this divorce-ridden world, we want proof of love. Let us turn to His love letter. For brevity's sake, I'll list it:
1 John 3:1 - God shows His love by making us His children.
1 John 3:5 - Jesus manifested Himself to take away our sin.
1 John 3:16 - Because He laid down His life for us, we know love.
1 John 3:20 - If our hearts condemn us, God's love is greater than our heart.
1 John 4:9 - Jesus was sent into the world so that we may live through Him.
1 John 4:17, 18 - His love perfects us, and this perfect love casts out fear.
1 John 5:3 - His commandments unto us are not burdensome.
Notice all these promises come from just one book. Imagine in the entire Bible! Each of these points can serve as a devotional by themselves. I could go into excruciating detail of how much work goes into each of the afore-mentioned actions that God undertook for our sake. But I fear that in the narrowing of the topic, I'll have lost the purpose of this devotional series - Back to Basics. Trust me. God's love took work. He invested in you.
Hence the title. He has a vested interest in you. When an American sugar company hears news of insurgency in the land where its plantation lies, it doesn't scrap the whole thing, ignoring the problem because it's not in the United States. It convinces American government to talk to the plantation's government to solve things peaceably in order to protect their investment. God has invested His most precious treasure in you when He turned over His Son. The price He paid was just too great for Him to give up on you now.
So all you ladies who thnk God has shut heaven, don't worry. He's just having a metting with the Board of Directors. He cannot afford to let you go. So don't you let go of Him.
God bless,
Alisha
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
What Do You Believe?
A lot of us who grew up in church have heard hundreds, maybe thousands, of sermons, and in the process grown much in the Word. However, I worry that we have learned so much of the intricacies that we have forgotten the very basic truths.
Join me as I personally dive into the unshakeable truths of Christian belief. Should we waver in our faith, should we blur the lines for our own convenience, we place ourselves in a most precarious position, one that the enemy is sure to use to its advantage.
Don't worry. This is not an attempt to "dogmatize" anyone. I'm talking about addressing the points that Jesus Christ Himself always emphasized, the very points that drew all of us to Him - His love, His life, His purity, and His dedication to His Father's work.
I pray you will all be blessed.
Join me as I personally dive into the unshakeable truths of Christian belief. Should we waver in our faith, should we blur the lines for our own convenience, we place ourselves in a most precarious position, one that the enemy is sure to use to its advantage.
Don't worry. This is not an attempt to "dogmatize" anyone. I'm talking about addressing the points that Jesus Christ Himself always emphasized, the very points that drew all of us to Him - His love, His life, His purity, and His dedication to His Father's work.
I pray you will all be blessed.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Heart/Mind
I was debating whether or not this could be considered stewardship. After all, if we're responsible for our heart and mind, isn't it because this is really ours? Don't we "own" our heart, and are not just stewards of it?
My confirmation to write this devotional came when a minister reminded his audience that we are a spirit, and that we have a soul. A soul is what I mean by "heart/mind." The soul is source of our emotions and contemplative thoughts, and I suppose I can see how that can be confused with one's spirit. Realize this, though - the soul does not continue into eternity; it is the spirit that lives on. That is a somber reminder that we should endeavor to do more to feed and train our spirits than our souls.
Nevertheless, the soul is with us while we are here on earth, and thus we have the responsibility to take care of it. It reminds me of a story I read by Joshua Harris, called "The Room." With powerful and convicting imagery, he describes the depth of God's love for us, and the grotesque nature of the sin that somehow does not limit it in the slightest. After reading this story, I personally understood that my sins break the heart of my Father, and wanted to henceforth be a good steward of my soul. Soul stewardship can be remembered like this:
1. Watch what comes in.
"The lamp of the body is the eye." [Matthew 6:22, 23] Jesus warned us long ago to be careful what we see. Casting Crowns' song "Slow Fade" reminds us that it is just that, a slow fade that dissolves our relationship with Christ. I do believe that every person is given different levels of tolerance in different areas. Some people need to separate themselves from worldly music because the suggestive lyrics will run through their mind without their permission. Others choose to not watch movies with explicit scenes, knowing that the worst parts will be replayed late at night when no one can judge them. Still others separate themselves from individuals who have destructive, pessimistic thoughts that induce worries in all their peers. Some need all three. Sometimes, our sanity requires the our minds' sanctity. Sanctification is separation for a holy purpose. Separating ourselves from what we know will defile us can help serve as our defense for holiness. If you want to "love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind ..." [Mark 12:30], then you will make this small sacrifice. Remember that the liberty we find in Christ is greater than the slavery of sin.
2. Watch what stays in.
What if something is already in our hearts? Unforgiveness certainly falls into this category. I know so many stories of people who let past wrongs sit down and fester in their souls, allowing them to spiritually decay from the inside out. I understand that there are some emotional pains that make the most excruciating physical pain seem like a paper cut. My heart breaks for those who suffer, and I know unforgiveness is an impossibility. Fortunately, we serve a God of the impossible. He has sent a Helper to counsel us, enabling us to let go. Unforgiveness is one of the most deceiving sins. We think that we're hurting that person, but ultimately who we're really hurting are ourselves. We also hurt those we care about, because hatred sucks the love out of us like a black hole sucks out light. Only Jesus can make us whole again, and He desires that we forgive not just for the sake our relationship with that individual, but also for our relationship with Him. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." [Matthew 6:14, 15] Be careful what you let sit in your heart. Make sure there's always room for God's love.
3. Watch what comes out.
Have you ever had a "Freudian slip"? It's when what we say reveals something we unconsciously desire. It's a misnomer, however, because Freud did not invent this idea. Jesus said, "... Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." [Luke 6:45]. I use these slips of the tongue to monitor my heart. I'm grateful for them, because I think we can deceive ourselves into thinking a matter is settled when it is not. This often happens when we have head knowledge, and not heart knowledge on the matter. What I mean is that often times, for some more often than others, it takes a while for something we know in our minds to be acknowledged by our hearts. For example, when I really caught grasp of the meaning of grace, it still took a while before I would go to God to ask for forgiveness. Oswald Chambers tells of a God who waits arms-open at the back of the wall of the world, "and every man driven there is driven into the arms of God." Even though I knew God to be this loving Father, I still was reluctant, seeing instead a drill sergeant waiting to reprimand me. Over time, and with much prayer, my heart has slowly changed. Prayer is key. When we see a matter is not resolved, we should take it to the Lord in prayer. The song is right; it truly is a privilege of which we should take greater advantage.
The Bible warns us that "the heart is deceitful above all things." [Jeremiah 17:9] That's why it's imperative that we learn to not let our heart govern us, but rather to be strong enough to govern our hearts. Ultimately, we cannot do it in our own strength. Really, we require divine wisdom, for it is the Lord who searches the heart and tests the mind [Jeremiah 17:10]. Pray that God grants us the ability to know when our hearts and minds are leading us astray. Let the Word of God be our guiding light. As David prayed,
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts. [Psalm 119:133, 134]
God bless,
Alisha
My confirmation to write this devotional came when a minister reminded his audience that we are a spirit, and that we have a soul. A soul is what I mean by "heart/mind." The soul is source of our emotions and contemplative thoughts, and I suppose I can see how that can be confused with one's spirit. Realize this, though - the soul does not continue into eternity; it is the spirit that lives on. That is a somber reminder that we should endeavor to do more to feed and train our spirits than our souls.
Nevertheless, the soul is with us while we are here on earth, and thus we have the responsibility to take care of it. It reminds me of a story I read by Joshua Harris, called "The Room." With powerful and convicting imagery, he describes the depth of God's love for us, and the grotesque nature of the sin that somehow does not limit it in the slightest. After reading this story, I personally understood that my sins break the heart of my Father, and wanted to henceforth be a good steward of my soul. Soul stewardship can be remembered like this:
1. Watch what comes in.
"The lamp of the body is the eye." [Matthew 6:22, 23] Jesus warned us long ago to be careful what we see. Casting Crowns' song "Slow Fade" reminds us that it is just that, a slow fade that dissolves our relationship with Christ. I do believe that every person is given different levels of tolerance in different areas. Some people need to separate themselves from worldly music because the suggestive lyrics will run through their mind without their permission. Others choose to not watch movies with explicit scenes, knowing that the worst parts will be replayed late at night when no one can judge them. Still others separate themselves from individuals who have destructive, pessimistic thoughts that induce worries in all their peers. Some need all three. Sometimes, our sanity requires the our minds' sanctity. Sanctification is separation for a holy purpose. Separating ourselves from what we know will defile us can help serve as our defense for holiness. If you want to "love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind ..." [Mark 12:30], then you will make this small sacrifice. Remember that the liberty we find in Christ is greater than the slavery of sin.
2. Watch what stays in.
What if something is already in our hearts? Unforgiveness certainly falls into this category. I know so many stories of people who let past wrongs sit down and fester in their souls, allowing them to spiritually decay from the inside out. I understand that there are some emotional pains that make the most excruciating physical pain seem like a paper cut. My heart breaks for those who suffer, and I know unforgiveness is an impossibility. Fortunately, we serve a God of the impossible. He has sent a Helper to counsel us, enabling us to let go. Unforgiveness is one of the most deceiving sins. We think that we're hurting that person, but ultimately who we're really hurting are ourselves. We also hurt those we care about, because hatred sucks the love out of us like a black hole sucks out light. Only Jesus can make us whole again, and He desires that we forgive not just for the sake our relationship with that individual, but also for our relationship with Him. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." [Matthew 6:14, 15] Be careful what you let sit in your heart. Make sure there's always room for God's love.
3. Watch what comes out.
Have you ever had a "Freudian slip"? It's when what we say reveals something we unconsciously desire. It's a misnomer, however, because Freud did not invent this idea. Jesus said, "... Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." [Luke 6:45]. I use these slips of the tongue to monitor my heart. I'm grateful for them, because I think we can deceive ourselves into thinking a matter is settled when it is not. This often happens when we have head knowledge, and not heart knowledge on the matter. What I mean is that often times, for some more often than others, it takes a while for something we know in our minds to be acknowledged by our hearts. For example, when I really caught grasp of the meaning of grace, it still took a while before I would go to God to ask for forgiveness. Oswald Chambers tells of a God who waits arms-open at the back of the wall of the world, "and every man driven there is driven into the arms of God." Even though I knew God to be this loving Father, I still was reluctant, seeing instead a drill sergeant waiting to reprimand me. Over time, and with much prayer, my heart has slowly changed. Prayer is key. When we see a matter is not resolved, we should take it to the Lord in prayer. The song is right; it truly is a privilege of which we should take greater advantage.
The Bible warns us that "the heart is deceitful above all things." [Jeremiah 17:9] That's why it's imperative that we learn to not let our heart govern us, but rather to be strong enough to govern our hearts. Ultimately, we cannot do it in our own strength. Really, we require divine wisdom, for it is the Lord who searches the heart and tests the mind [Jeremiah 17:10]. Pray that God grants us the ability to know when our hearts and minds are leading us astray. Let the Word of God be our guiding light. As David prayed,
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts. [Psalm 119:133, 134]
God bless,
Alisha
Friday, April 10, 2009
Family
* Scriptures taken from Biblegateway.com
As the Easter season is upon us, I think about the joy I get from spending time with my both my biological family and my spiritual one. At the same time, I cannot help but think about my friends who will be unable to celebrate Easter with their family, those who carry the burden of desperately wanting to see their family members come to Christ. I understand.
Lately, God has been showing me a lot about families and why He instituted it. Family was the basic structural unit from the beginning. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." [Genesis 2:24] Family begins with marriage and continues on until death. At death, we join our spiritual family. It is important to realize this, because sometimes I think people are under the impression that when a family member passes, they continue their role in the family. For example, if a grandfather passes, some feel they can pray to the grandfather and continue to request his guidance. Jesus addresses this issue when speaking to the Sadducees in Matthew 22:23-33. This sect questioned Jesus about a woman who had been married to a man with seven brothers. The man passed before an heir was produced, so according to Jewish law it was the duty of the brothers to produce an heir for him, so that his inheritance may not be lost. They asked Jesus to whom would the wife be married at resurrection. Jesus answered, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven." Now if there is no marriage when we leave this world (save for the marriage of the Lamb) and marriage is the foundation of a family, then there can be no family unit (except for the universal church family). That is what makes it stewardship; we are responsible to our families but for a time, because ultimately they are God's.
The family on earth originally was meant to consist of a man, his wife, and their children. The children were to grow up and leave their home to start their own families, so that they could "be fruitful and multiply ... fill the earth and subdue it." [Genesis 1:28] Of course today the structure of the family unit is not as simple as a nuclear family. There are one-parent homes, no parent homes, and homes with various members of extended family. The show "Full House" comes to mind. Are these families in disobedience to God by not having His original setup? I think we know the answer is no. But certainly God instituted the structure for a reason, and when positions are lacking we try to fill the void with the "next best thing." Some of us do not use the best discretion in choosing with what we fill the hole, and are left embittered and more broken-hearted than before. I understand.
That's why I have a special prayer this Easter. I pray that all of you are able to have for yourself family figures: a father, mother, brother, and sister. A "father" can teach us women the role men should play in society, and also show us love as Christ has loved us. A "mother" can show by example how to be submissive (not subjected) to her husband. A "brother" offers practice, showing us how to deal with men when the generational gap with our fathers raises questions. And a "sister" so that we can learn fellowship, and not the harsh cat-like behavior shown when media portrays female relationships. Certainly, we will be able to receive much from these kinships.
I cannot, however, stress enough that we are required to give much as well. As I am writing this devotional, I lie in my grandmother's bedroom, the site of countless prayers offered daily. And as I said my nightly prayer yesterday, I realized that one day I would have to take up the reign and intercede for my family as she has for so many years. Prayer is, after all, the best thing you can do for a family member, for I promise you that it truly works miracles. I tried something new; I prayed for each family member by name and asked God to make me a better daughter/granddaughter/sister/neice/cousin.
As I did so, I knew what I was really asking - the humility to learn what that relationship would entail. For those older than me, it would mean I'd have to learn how to give proper respect in exchange for being taken care of, i.e. learning to be submissive. We can consider this relationship as a type for our relationship with our heavenly Father. He takes care of us and nurtures us, and in exchange we offer our humble gratitude and utmost respect. I know personally of a few rebellious teens whose improvement in their relationship with God was simultaneous with an improvement in their familial relationships. I don't think this a mere coincidence. For those younger than me, it requires me to be less selfish and more giving. This duty parallels that of an minister, to give sound counsel and lead by example. If any of you be 'elders' in your household, understand your God-given position of authority that is coupled with responsibility.
Many of these ideals are embraced in traditional ethnic communities, so for some of you it is nothing new, and for others it will sound too conservative (and I'm sure some fall into both categories). These things are hard to swallow, especially when we're in a point in our lives where ethnic traditions interfere with our pursuit of self-actualization. Separating ourselves from our families for the sake of personal growth is important, but it does not relinquish us from our obligation to care for our family members. That's another thing family teaches us - obligatory love. No matter how deeply a family member hurts us, if they apologize, then there is something inside of us that has to forgive. Whether or not we want to, it just has to forgive- because in the end, we're family. It's probably the closest thing to grace we can experience on human terms. Anyone who has not felt this kind of love in their family, know that I am truly sorry. But Christ is calling you to step out of your harsh upbringing so that the generational curse of conditional love would end here and now. Make the decision to be the person who forgives mercifully.
We all should make the decision to be better family members. It's difficult to be submissive and it's hard to be responsible. Again, I understand. But as I think about the resurrection and ascenscion of Christ, the day when heaven's Family was reunited in part and longs for the day when we're reunited in whole, I long to have a family that is at least a glimpse of the glory to come. And I know I want to do whatever I can to make it so.
God bless,
Alisha
As the Easter season is upon us, I think about the joy I get from spending time with my both my biological family and my spiritual one. At the same time, I cannot help but think about my friends who will be unable to celebrate Easter with their family, those who carry the burden of desperately wanting to see their family members come to Christ. I understand.
Lately, God has been showing me a lot about families and why He instituted it. Family was the basic structural unit from the beginning. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." [Genesis 2:24] Family begins with marriage and continues on until death. At death, we join our spiritual family. It is important to realize this, because sometimes I think people are under the impression that when a family member passes, they continue their role in the family. For example, if a grandfather passes, some feel they can pray to the grandfather and continue to request his guidance. Jesus addresses this issue when speaking to the Sadducees in Matthew 22:23-33. This sect questioned Jesus about a woman who had been married to a man with seven brothers. The man passed before an heir was produced, so according to Jewish law it was the duty of the brothers to produce an heir for him, so that his inheritance may not be lost. They asked Jesus to whom would the wife be married at resurrection. Jesus answered, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven." Now if there is no marriage when we leave this world (save for the marriage of the Lamb) and marriage is the foundation of a family, then there can be no family unit (except for the universal church family). That is what makes it stewardship; we are responsible to our families but for a time, because ultimately they are God's.
The family on earth originally was meant to consist of a man, his wife, and their children. The children were to grow up and leave their home to start their own families, so that they could "be fruitful and multiply ... fill the earth and subdue it." [Genesis 1:28] Of course today the structure of the family unit is not as simple as a nuclear family. There are one-parent homes, no parent homes, and homes with various members of extended family. The show "Full House" comes to mind. Are these families in disobedience to God by not having His original setup? I think we know the answer is no. But certainly God instituted the structure for a reason, and when positions are lacking we try to fill the void with the "next best thing." Some of us do not use the best discretion in choosing with what we fill the hole, and are left embittered and more broken-hearted than before. I understand.
That's why I have a special prayer this Easter. I pray that all of you are able to have for yourself family figures: a father, mother, brother, and sister. A "father" can teach us women the role men should play in society, and also show us love as Christ has loved us. A "mother" can show by example how to be submissive (not subjected) to her husband. A "brother" offers practice, showing us how to deal with men when the generational gap with our fathers raises questions. And a "sister" so that we can learn fellowship, and not the harsh cat-like behavior shown when media portrays female relationships. Certainly, we will be able to receive much from these kinships.
I cannot, however, stress enough that we are required to give much as well. As I am writing this devotional, I lie in my grandmother's bedroom, the site of countless prayers offered daily. And as I said my nightly prayer yesterday, I realized that one day I would have to take up the reign and intercede for my family as she has for so many years. Prayer is, after all, the best thing you can do for a family member, for I promise you that it truly works miracles. I tried something new; I prayed for each family member by name and asked God to make me a better daughter/granddaughter/sister/neice/cousin.
As I did so, I knew what I was really asking - the humility to learn what that relationship would entail. For those older than me, it would mean I'd have to learn how to give proper respect in exchange for being taken care of, i.e. learning to be submissive. We can consider this relationship as a type for our relationship with our heavenly Father. He takes care of us and nurtures us, and in exchange we offer our humble gratitude and utmost respect. I know personally of a few rebellious teens whose improvement in their relationship with God was simultaneous with an improvement in their familial relationships. I don't think this a mere coincidence. For those younger than me, it requires me to be less selfish and more giving. This duty parallels that of an minister, to give sound counsel and lead by example. If any of you be 'elders' in your household, understand your God-given position of authority that is coupled with responsibility.
Many of these ideals are embraced in traditional ethnic communities, so for some of you it is nothing new, and for others it will sound too conservative (and I'm sure some fall into both categories). These things are hard to swallow, especially when we're in a point in our lives where ethnic traditions interfere with our pursuit of self-actualization. Separating ourselves from our families for the sake of personal growth is important, but it does not relinquish us from our obligation to care for our family members. That's another thing family teaches us - obligatory love. No matter how deeply a family member hurts us, if they apologize, then there is something inside of us that has to forgive. Whether or not we want to, it just has to forgive- because in the end, we're family. It's probably the closest thing to grace we can experience on human terms. Anyone who has not felt this kind of love in their family, know that I am truly sorry. But Christ is calling you to step out of your harsh upbringing so that the generational curse of conditional love would end here and now. Make the decision to be the person who forgives mercifully.
We all should make the decision to be better family members. It's difficult to be submissive and it's hard to be responsible. Again, I understand. But as I think about the resurrection and ascenscion of Christ, the day when heaven's Family was reunited in part and longs for the day when we're reunited in whole, I long to have a family that is at least a glimpse of the glory to come. And I know I want to do whatever I can to make it so.
God bless,
Alisha
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Body
*Scriptures taken from Biblegateway.com
The most abused part of me, I must admit, is my body. When I start slacking in a particular area, most often in my work ethic, I pay the price physically. Some of you know what I mean. If I, in my laziness, did not study enough for an exam or put off some project, I use the time that should have been meant for sleeping or eating to do my work. At some point, I realized that had I been a more efficient steward of my time, then no sacrifice would have had to been made (see Time Stewardship).
There is another extreme that I must acknowledge. There are times when I put the body's needs at the top of the list, and find myself succumbing to the flesh. I refuse to discipline my body for the sake of building up my spirit. How many of you can identify with such actions as:
When I started college, a friend of mine really showed me what true discipline was about. Her stance always was that if the body really is the temple of God [1 Corinthians 6:19], then we ought to respect it as we do any other edifice of worship. She would regularly go to the gym and ate healthy foods as a way to keep her body strong. Now, healthy food does not make us holy. Paul dealt with this issue when many argued that the Christian Gentiles ought to take on the Jewish diet. Jesus said that it is not what goes into a man that defiles him [Matthew 15:11], so the opposite is also true - what goes into man cannot make him pure. Both food and stomach will be destroyed in the end, and will only be redeemed when the body is glorified by resurrection. [see 1 Corinthians 6:12-13] Also, self-denial does not holiness make. Colossians 2:23 reminds us that fasting from the flesh without building the spirit only serves to feign wisdom. Asceticism is not the goal. Discipline, however, does show that we respect the creation of God, and recognize that this body is a loan. We discipline ourselves so as to build up our body, not to tear it down.
Discipline obviously extends farther than diet and exercise. One of the most commonly quoted verses in the Bible is Romans 12:1, 2:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Here Paul states two specific conditions for our bodies - that they be holy, and that they be acceptable to God. Holiness entails setting ourselves apart for God's glory. Being acceptable means being able to "come correct." Of course when we first come to God, we are disheveled, torn, broken and bruised. But when we are saved, we ought to strive to live lives of purity.
This is no small request. In order to understand what Paul is writing of, we need to look earlier in the epistle. Paul says to present our "members," essentially our body parts, as "slaves of righteousness for holiness." We ought to be let righteousness dominate in ourselves, and not let lawlessness lead to uncleanness. [Romans 6:19]. We are all under the dominion of something; that is to say we are all slaves to something, and we can choose to be slaves to righteousness or slaves to the lusts of our flesh [Romans 6:12]. Realize today that it can be one or the other. Darkness and light cannot coexist. 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 warns us that we should not use our bodies for glorifying God and then participate in harlotry. If so, then we are going against the very definition of holiness, and not setting ourselves apart.
This is an aspect to this that I feel we women forget when we engage in such actions. The Bible tells us that when we commit adultery (which it is whether or not we are married), we are "becoming one flesh." One minister explains this as a part of us is being given to that man. We are losing a part of ourselves in the process. If this man does not end up being our husband, then we end up offering our husbands less than all of us. What a terrible thought! Of course the same goes for the guys as well. If we really care for a man but know it is not God's will for us to be with them, then we are selfishly taking more and more of him, leaving less and less for him to give to his future wife.
Now I understand that not all of us are under the best conditions when we fall to temptation. Sometimes it is not even our fault; we are taken advantage of. Others fell way before they decided to truly live for Christ. To them and to those who are willing to change their lives this day, I offer this hope. My God is still a Creator. He is able to restore that which was lost, because restoration is a part of salvation (see Psalm 80:3, Matthew 18:11). He is mighty to save us from whatever has overtaken us. But to those of you (and I promise I am admonishing myself as well) who partake in this actions and hope to still enter into God's loving presence, know that you are bringing much disrespect to your Father. For the Bible tells us that we were bought with a price. That is what makes this stewardship. Our bodies belong to God. We are the earthen vessels that hold the treasure of Christ [2 Corinthians 4:7]. Let us strive to keep these vessels clean.
God bless,
Alisha
The most abused part of me, I must admit, is my body. When I start slacking in a particular area, most often in my work ethic, I pay the price physically. Some of you know what I mean. If I, in my laziness, did not study enough for an exam or put off some project, I use the time that should have been meant for sleeping or eating to do my work. At some point, I realized that had I been a more efficient steward of my time, then no sacrifice would have had to been made (see Time Stewardship).
There is another extreme that I must acknowledge. There are times when I put the body's needs at the top of the list, and find myself succumbing to the flesh. I refuse to discipline my body for the sake of building up my spirit. How many of you can identify with such actions as:
- Falling asleep during prayer?
- Starting a fast with only water and ending up nibbling on a snack or drinking soda?
- Committing adultery in your heart because you're "too holy" to do it in the natural?
When I started college, a friend of mine really showed me what true discipline was about. Her stance always was that if the body really is the temple of God [1 Corinthians 6:19], then we ought to respect it as we do any other edifice of worship. She would regularly go to the gym and ate healthy foods as a way to keep her body strong. Now, healthy food does not make us holy. Paul dealt with this issue when many argued that the Christian Gentiles ought to take on the Jewish diet. Jesus said that it is not what goes into a man that defiles him [Matthew 15:11], so the opposite is also true - what goes into man cannot make him pure. Both food and stomach will be destroyed in the end, and will only be redeemed when the body is glorified by resurrection. [see 1 Corinthians 6:12-13] Also, self-denial does not holiness make. Colossians 2:23 reminds us that fasting from the flesh without building the spirit only serves to feign wisdom. Asceticism is not the goal. Discipline, however, does show that we respect the creation of God, and recognize that this body is a loan. We discipline ourselves so as to build up our body, not to tear it down.
Discipline obviously extends farther than diet and exercise. One of the most commonly quoted verses in the Bible is Romans 12:1, 2:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Here Paul states two specific conditions for our bodies - that they be holy, and that they be acceptable to God. Holiness entails setting ourselves apart for God's glory. Being acceptable means being able to "come correct." Of course when we first come to God, we are disheveled, torn, broken and bruised. But when we are saved, we ought to strive to live lives of purity.
This is no small request. In order to understand what Paul is writing of, we need to look earlier in the epistle. Paul says to present our "members," essentially our body parts, as "slaves of righteousness for holiness." We ought to be let righteousness dominate in ourselves, and not let lawlessness lead to uncleanness. [Romans 6:19]. We are all under the dominion of something; that is to say we are all slaves to something, and we can choose to be slaves to righteousness or slaves to the lusts of our flesh [Romans 6:12]. Realize today that it can be one or the other. Darkness and light cannot coexist. 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 warns us that we should not use our bodies for glorifying God and then participate in harlotry. If so, then we are going against the very definition of holiness, and not setting ourselves apart.
This is an aspect to this that I feel we women forget when we engage in such actions. The Bible tells us that when we commit adultery (which it is whether or not we are married), we are "becoming one flesh." One minister explains this as a part of us is being given to that man. We are losing a part of ourselves in the process. If this man does not end up being our husband, then we end up offering our husbands less than all of us. What a terrible thought! Of course the same goes for the guys as well. If we really care for a man but know it is not God's will for us to be with them, then we are selfishly taking more and more of him, leaving less and less for him to give to his future wife.
Now I understand that not all of us are under the best conditions when we fall to temptation. Sometimes it is not even our fault; we are taken advantage of. Others fell way before they decided to truly live for Christ. To them and to those who are willing to change their lives this day, I offer this hope. My God is still a Creator. He is able to restore that which was lost, because restoration is a part of salvation (see Psalm 80:3, Matthew 18:11). He is mighty to save us from whatever has overtaken us. But to those of you (and I promise I am admonishing myself as well) who partake in this actions and hope to still enter into God's loving presence, know that you are bringing much disrespect to your Father. For the Bible tells us that we were bought with a price. That is what makes this stewardship. Our bodies belong to God. We are the earthen vessels that hold the treasure of Christ [2 Corinthians 4:7]. Let us strive to keep these vessels clean.
God bless,
Alisha
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Work
Before I write this devotional, I want to mention why I feel the need include disclaimers before each one. I'm simply incredibly convicted of how I fail to live up to the Bible's standard for living. And once I realized - from writing this devotional set - that it's really all about doing it for God's glory because everything is His and we are just stewards ... it's just too much. I hope you all have had the same epiphany and know the gravity of what we've been discussing.
*Scriptures taken from Biblegateway.com
Not everyone has a job right now, so I feel I should clear up what exactly I mean by work. To put it in child-like terms, work is simply whatever you "do." If you have a profession, which I confess to not having, then that is your work, or at least part of it. If you're going to school, then you're job is to be a student. And if you are actively involved in extracurricular activities (here's I'm excluding ministries, which we'll discuss on a later date), those too are your work.
How is work an act of stewardship? Surely at least this is ours. My reply is to consider when we got notice that we received our job, or got into that school. Were we not grateful? Was that the proper response? Of course it was! Would we not think it horrible to believe otherwise? The reason for our thanksgiving is that, in the end, we know it is not by our own hands that we received this blessing. God's grace provided it to us. Now if God is the Provider, then how can we claim ownership?
Now that we've cleared that up, let's see what the Word of God has to say about work.
First, let's briefly consider the principle of tithing. Malachi 3:8-12 strictly warns us about robbing from God. I don't need to tell you how crucial this is. We discussed in the devotional on time stewardship the comparison of tithes and offerings. Tithes are owed to God, hands down. Offerings are whatever extra we give in addition to our tithes out of a grateful heart. It is in our offerings that we receive the true blessings, because our offering is a sign of our growing affection toward our Lord. Here is a good place to mention stewarding our money. Our money is not ours, similar to how property is not ours. Thus, it is critical that we know how to use and save our money appropriately. I'm sure this is nothing new to all of you, and I trust you all are not robbing God (after all you are Strong Christians), and since I do not like to talk much about money, we'll move on.
Second, keep your commitments. We shouldn't accept an occupation if we honestly do not think we will be able to handle it. The Bible says, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” [Luke 9:62]. We must learn not to have a hasty tongue. On the smaller scale, when we are asked by our bosses to complete a task as part of our job, we should not be so quick to say yes. I understand that we want to impress them, but we must also remember that it's better to say no and go back later than to say yes and not complete the task given to us [see Matthew 21:28-31]. It will more impressive to be dependable than to be a yes-man.
Third, once we agree to a task, it's important to keep ourselves from complaining about the weight of it. We should learn to let our "yes" be "yes" [Matthew 5:37], and to add nothing more to it. For example, if another person, over whom we have seniority, receives the same benefits as us, then we have no be angry, because we agreed to work for those same benefits. This may be hard to swallow, especially when we think of worker's rights. I'm not against all the many perks for which unions and other institutions have worked so hard. But I also feel that when we give our consent to do something, we do not have a right to complain when we get exactly what we have asked for. It's actually not Christian-like. In the parable of the workers in the vineyard [Matthew 20:1-16], Jesus speaks of workers protesting to their employer that those hired later are receiving the same wages. The vinedresser replies, "Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?"
This ties into our fourth point. Whatever we do, we must do so with diligence [Proverbs 10:4], always remember who we are representing. Here I'll give a personal example. I am a pastor's daughter, and so I know what it's like to have things unrelated to church judged by those who are not a member of a pastor's family. If things are done wrong, they are twice as worse because for some strange reason, a pastor's kid is supposed to know better. The same thing is expected of us as Christians from outsiders. We are just suppose to know better. Is this logical? Of course not! But should that be our excuse for failing? Of course not. The world has no knowledge of the thought process of Christians, outside of the occasional glimpses that have been illuminated by our gracious God. Come to think of it, neither do we. But as Christians, we spend more time with God, and thus become more attuned to His will and His style. So if the world judges us wrong, we ought not to complain. Rather, we must consider what they're asking, and, if it's in line with God's Word (as we showed it was in Proverbs), then we should just do it without reservation.
My friend, who I assure you has a heart of gold, often tells me to "Suck it up" and "Walk it off." I think that's what we need to do here. The world should not hold us to a higher standard, because we are just as fallible as they are. So what? The worldly worker has no right to work less diligently than we Christians do. Who cares? We cannot use that as an excuse. I personally know how tempting it is to evaluate our work ethic based on the procrastination of others, and to pat ourselves on the back when we compare. But is that any different from the Pharisee who compared himself to the tax collector [see Luke 18:9-14]? This parable was about comparing spirituality, but in essence, we should not compare ourselves with anyone except the Infallible One. What was Jesus's work ethic? We should "go and do likewise."
God bless,
Alisha
*Scriptures taken from Biblegateway.com
Not everyone has a job right now, so I feel I should clear up what exactly I mean by work. To put it in child-like terms, work is simply whatever you "do." If you have a profession, which I confess to not having, then that is your work, or at least part of it. If you're going to school, then you're job is to be a student. And if you are actively involved in extracurricular activities (here's I'm excluding ministries, which we'll discuss on a later date), those too are your work.
How is work an act of stewardship? Surely at least this is ours. My reply is to consider when we got notice that we received our job, or got into that school. Were we not grateful? Was that the proper response? Of course it was! Would we not think it horrible to believe otherwise? The reason for our thanksgiving is that, in the end, we know it is not by our own hands that we received this blessing. God's grace provided it to us. Now if God is the Provider, then how can we claim ownership?
Now that we've cleared that up, let's see what the Word of God has to say about work.
First, let's briefly consider the principle of tithing. Malachi 3:8-12 strictly warns us about robbing from God. I don't need to tell you how crucial this is. We discussed in the devotional on time stewardship the comparison of tithes and offerings. Tithes are owed to God, hands down. Offerings are whatever extra we give in addition to our tithes out of a grateful heart. It is in our offerings that we receive the true blessings, because our offering is a sign of our growing affection toward our Lord. Here is a good place to mention stewarding our money. Our money is not ours, similar to how property is not ours. Thus, it is critical that we know how to use and save our money appropriately. I'm sure this is nothing new to all of you, and I trust you all are not robbing God (after all you are Strong Christians), and since I do not like to talk much about money, we'll move on.
Second, keep your commitments. We shouldn't accept an occupation if we honestly do not think we will be able to handle it. The Bible says, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” [Luke 9:62]. We must learn not to have a hasty tongue. On the smaller scale, when we are asked by our bosses to complete a task as part of our job, we should not be so quick to say yes. I understand that we want to impress them, but we must also remember that it's better to say no and go back later than to say yes and not complete the task given to us [see Matthew 21:28-31]. It will more impressive to be dependable than to be a yes-man.
Third, once we agree to a task, it's important to keep ourselves from complaining about the weight of it. We should learn to let our "yes" be "yes" [Matthew 5:37], and to add nothing more to it. For example, if another person, over whom we have seniority, receives the same benefits as us, then we have no be angry, because we agreed to work for those same benefits. This may be hard to swallow, especially when we think of worker's rights. I'm not against all the many perks for which unions and other institutions have worked so hard. But I also feel that when we give our consent to do something, we do not have a right to complain when we get exactly what we have asked for. It's actually not Christian-like. In the parable of the workers in the vineyard [Matthew 20:1-16], Jesus speaks of workers protesting to their employer that those hired later are receiving the same wages. The vinedresser replies, "Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?"
This ties into our fourth point. Whatever we do, we must do so with diligence [Proverbs 10:4], always remember who we are representing. Here I'll give a personal example. I am a pastor's daughter, and so I know what it's like to have things unrelated to church judged by those who are not a member of a pastor's family. If things are done wrong, they are twice as worse because for some strange reason, a pastor's kid is supposed to know better. The same thing is expected of us as Christians from outsiders. We are just suppose to know better. Is this logical? Of course not! But should that be our excuse for failing? Of course not. The world has no knowledge of the thought process of Christians, outside of the occasional glimpses that have been illuminated by our gracious God. Come to think of it, neither do we. But as Christians, we spend more time with God, and thus become more attuned to His will and His style. So if the world judges us wrong, we ought not to complain. Rather, we must consider what they're asking, and, if it's in line with God's Word (as we showed it was in Proverbs), then we should just do it without reservation.
My friend, who I assure you has a heart of gold, often tells me to "Suck it up" and "Walk it off." I think that's what we need to do here. The world should not hold us to a higher standard, because we are just as fallible as they are. So what? The worldly worker has no right to work less diligently than we Christians do. Who cares? We cannot use that as an excuse. I personally know how tempting it is to evaluate our work ethic based on the procrastination of others, and to pat ourselves on the back when we compare. But is that any different from the Pharisee who compared himself to the tax collector [see Luke 18:9-14]? This parable was about comparing spirituality, but in essence, we should not compare ourselves with anyone except the Infallible One. What was Jesus's work ethic? We should "go and do likewise."
God bless,
Alisha
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