February Theme: Love
His Loves: John 21: 15-17
My Love: Ephesians 5: 29-30
In John 21, Jesus presents Himself a third time to the disciples “after that He was risen from the dead.” (vs. 14) And on this particular visit He confronts Peter by making Peter face his own love for the Lord. “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He [Peter] saith unto him, Yea Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He [Jesus] saith unto him, Feed my lambs. [Jesus] saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. [Jesus] saith unto him, Feed my sheep. [Jesus} saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto Him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
Even reading it, I too am grieved on Peter’s behalf and have (in the past) been confused by Jesus’ harassment. I figured Jesus was just getting Peter back for having denied Him 3 times and cursing when Christ was being taken to be crucified. Which, still could be somewhat true (in the sense that Peter denied Christ three times and Christ asked Peter about his love, that significant amount of three times) - even in light of the truth and context of what Jesus is really asking Peter and how He is asking.
One of the portions of Jesus’ repeated questions that keeps jumping out at me is the fact that Jesus reminds Peter on all three occasions just who’s natural son he is - “Simon, son of Jonas.” In some translations it reads, “Simon Bar Jonas” which is the same definition in Hebrew. However, when you read Bar Jonas, it sounds like a last name (a surname) and not a declaration of who Simon Peter belongs to.
In Simon’s day a son was considered just as the father – like unto being one and the same. This was why it caused such an uproar amongst the Jews when Jesus declared, “I and my Father are the same, if you have seen me, then you have seen the Father.” He was claiming (in absolute truth) that He was one and the same with our Father, God in Heaven.
And so if we are so like someone (particularly our father) that we are the same – what is our nature? Who are we the same as? And do we treat ourselves and love ourselves the same as how we treat and love the one we are the same as?
Proverbs 18:24 – “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” The same is true of love. I believe that to be loved you must first show yourself to be lovable. But if no one loved you, how then would you show your own self to be lovable? The answer, of course is by loving yourself. It is a concept that is so common to us that we actually take it for granted. Many people will say they love themselves absolutely, but then do not treat themselves as if they do and do not speak of themselves as if they do.
Ephesians 5:29-30 – “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.”
Think of the person you love most dearly in this world (excluding God or Christ) – imagine how you treat that person, the things you do for that person, the priority they get in your thoughts and actions and especially the loving and positive way in which you speak of and speak to that person. Imagine that you treated yourself the exact same way. Remember they say that love is an action and not a feeling – and therefore actions speak louder than words. How do your actions contradict your words when you say that you love yourself?
Jesus was asking Peter with what kind of love did he [Peter] love Him [Jesus]. Well, I am asking each of us, in this February month when everyone seems to have “love” on the mind (or the lack thereof), lets start first by considering with what kind of love do we love ourselves?
The last portion of Luke 10:27 says that we should love our neighbor as we love ourselves. But many of us actually love ourselves the way we love our neighbor. We treat our neighbor with vague regard, distrust, condemnation and harsh judgments. Rarely do we as Christians love our neighbor with unconditional love. And if we do, it’s only a few of them – perhaps the ones we know, or the ones who keep their homes clean and are loving towards us or the ones who are clean and even have a home.
The story of “the good Samaritan” answers the question “Lord, who is our neighbor?" Our neighbor is anyone who is the least of these. And unfortunately we treat our own selves as if we are the least of these.
But let’s go back to Simon, Bar Jonas – we have been adopted through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus into the family of God – sons and daughters – like unto Him who is our Father – created in His own image. We have the God-given right to change our last names to Bar Abba. I am Deidre Bat Abba – daughter of the Father. And if like the first portion of Luke 10:27 says, I actually do love the Lord with all my heart and all my mind and all my soul, then I must treat myself with that same kind of love and love myself with the love of the Father. It is then that my love can truly extend to anyone who is my neighbor and to anyone else for that matter.
So now, in stead of Jesus, I ask myself, Deidre Bat Abba, lovest thou me? And I can answer, “Yea, Lord – you know that I love me!”
Your Home Study homework: Read Jesus’ parable of “The Good Samaritan” in Luke 10:30-37 and first, answer Jesus’ question in verse 36. Then answer what it was Jesus was telling them to do in verse 37. Finally, compare this honestly with how you treat your neighbor and how you truly treat yourself.
© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
CHASTEN ME AMORE!
February Theme: Love
Our Chastening: Hebrews 12:11
His Chastening: Hebrews 12:6
It is of course, typical and fitting that for the month of February our theme will be “love”. What is not so typical is that we will start it out on a subject we rarely associate with love – even though scripture plainly says it and we’ve often heard it: Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.”
Our idea of a loving relationship is one of approval, not correction. We tend to think that once we no longer need correcting we’re in the mix. And, we have good reason to think that way. Growing up with our parents we learned very quickly that if they weren’t upset with us, we were probably doing something right. In school we answer correctly to get a good grade and we get praised for doing well. If we consistently answered incorrectly and got poor grades, we were not doing well at all, and it was time for a conference with the teacher for correction. Even after school, the business world is set up much the same. When we start a new job we are trained and go through probation – and when the training and correction stops and we’re left to do our jobs, we know we’ve done it well with praise and promotions. Any meeting with the boss in which we are chastised means we’re not doing so well and in danger of losing the job all together.
It seems only fitting then to me that this topic is actually a good segue from January’s theme to February’s. Last month we talked about “old” compared to “new”. So let’s start this month talking about the old concept of correction and a new concept of chastisement. And Hebrews is the scripture that relates them both to love.
Hebrews 12:11: “Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Nobody likes to be chastised, corrected, or punished. And no matter whether the correction is for an overall better purpose: to become a responsible citizen; to be a successful student; or to be a valued employee, we always take the matter with condemnation and concern.
We then learn from the world around us and we tend to be hardest on ourselves. And in essence we try to correct ourselves before anyone else does. And if we find ourselves to be acceptable, then we balk against any correction that goes against our personal assessment - especially with God. Instead of receiving His correction, we rally at him, trying to convince Him that we’re doing the best we can, that we’re following the 10 commandments, and paying our tithes, loving our neighbor and being kind to strangers. We remind Him that we go to church diligently each Sunday, that we read the scriptures, and participate in an awesome emailed bible study every Friday, and that we are trying to be and do what God wants us to. Why then won’t He leave us alone, do this job of being a good Christian, and finally give us the approval we are working so hard to achieve?
This morning as I was thinking on which topic of love I wanted to share with you from my last lesson at the Bible College, when my mind began to wander. I found myself thinking that today; I just want to live in God’s love. I just want to live in that higher plane of peacefulness that must surely come when we absolutely 100% get it and get God. But stuff kept happening – the child was disrupting my peacefulness by waking up at 6:30 am, the husband came down as well, all dressed and raring to go for the day… Usually it’s quiet and peaceful at that time of the morning – where was my enlightened peaceful life with God!?
Well, God was quick to remind me that “life” does not promise that kind of peace. Instead we are promised trials, tribulations and struggles. I was gently corrected and reminded that God’s peace is to get us through the struggles and there is never going to be a time when as a Christian I’ve “arrived” and am no longer in need of correction and education.
In fact, when I thought further about it – I don’t want to reach a time when I know it all and no longer have anything else to learn. I am thrilled by every new revelation of God’s word and by every fresh revelation of His presence in my life. I am so overjoyed when I learn something knew about the Lord we love, that I am excited, anxious and even impatiently anticipating the next lesson.
Guess what? God is too! His correction for us is not punishment and condemnation of what we are doing wrong but it is proof of what we have already done right! And He is excited for every new opportunity to reveal Himself further and more deeply to us!
Ok, try and follow along: have you ever worked an online educational program – the kind where you work at your own pace? Often you are required to read your passage and then you are asked a challenging question. If you get it wrong, you are to go back and read the passage again. If you get it right, it knows you are ready for the next level and gives you the next passage and an even more challenging question.
So it is with the Lord’s chastisement. Hebrews 12:6 says that God chastens whom He loves. Don’t you know He loves us all? The verse also says He scourges every one that He receives. Our approval is in His receiving us! Our arrival is marked by His continued chastisement. Once we have arrived and accomplished and “gotten” the lesson in chapter 1, God shows His love and approval of us by moving us on to the harder lesson in chapter two. Why? Because He loves us, and he knows we can do it, and wants us to become responsible citizens; to be successful students; and to be valued employees.
Do you constantly feel like God is just beating you up, over and over about the same old things? Compare those feelings to the paragraph about the online educational program and describe what God would have you do if He was that online program.
Do you feel like just when you get a handle on things, God just throws more at you and you feel like he really is giving you more than you can bear? Compare those feelings to the paragraph about the online educational program and describe what God is saying of you if He was that online program.
To be scourged obviously does not sound like it feels good. Then again there have been many a challenge I have faced in which I was proud of how I handled it; science class was a nightmare until I realized I actually understood what the teacher was talking about; and every good job I had started out not at all as good.
A punishment can be administered without any love at all. Add a generous dose of God’s love and what we get is peace in the midst of chastisement and comfort in the correction. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be easy – but God loves us, He is encouraging us, strengthening us – and occasionally He will even lovingly sneak in an answer or two. He wants to give us the joyous, peaceable fruit of righteousness through His Love! All we have to do is receive it!
Your Home Study homework: Compare the instruction to the Hebrews in 12:6 to the revelation of Christ Jesus in Rev. 3:19. What is similar and what is different?
© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones
Our Chastening: Hebrews 12:11
His Chastening: Hebrews 12:6
It is of course, typical and fitting that for the month of February our theme will be “love”. What is not so typical is that we will start it out on a subject we rarely associate with love – even though scripture plainly says it and we’ve often heard it: Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.”
Our idea of a loving relationship is one of approval, not correction. We tend to think that once we no longer need correcting we’re in the mix. And, we have good reason to think that way. Growing up with our parents we learned very quickly that if they weren’t upset with us, we were probably doing something right. In school we answer correctly to get a good grade and we get praised for doing well. If we consistently answered incorrectly and got poor grades, we were not doing well at all, and it was time for a conference with the teacher for correction. Even after school, the business world is set up much the same. When we start a new job we are trained and go through probation – and when the training and correction stops and we’re left to do our jobs, we know we’ve done it well with praise and promotions. Any meeting with the boss in which we are chastised means we’re not doing so well and in danger of losing the job all together.
It seems only fitting then to me that this topic is actually a good segue from January’s theme to February’s. Last month we talked about “old” compared to “new”. So let’s start this month talking about the old concept of correction and a new concept of chastisement. And Hebrews is the scripture that relates them both to love.
Hebrews 12:11: “Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Nobody likes to be chastised, corrected, or punished. And no matter whether the correction is for an overall better purpose: to become a responsible citizen; to be a successful student; or to be a valued employee, we always take the matter with condemnation and concern.
We then learn from the world around us and we tend to be hardest on ourselves. And in essence we try to correct ourselves before anyone else does. And if we find ourselves to be acceptable, then we balk against any correction that goes against our personal assessment - especially with God. Instead of receiving His correction, we rally at him, trying to convince Him that we’re doing the best we can, that we’re following the 10 commandments, and paying our tithes, loving our neighbor and being kind to strangers. We remind Him that we go to church diligently each Sunday, that we read the scriptures, and participate in an awesome emailed bible study every Friday, and that we are trying to be and do what God wants us to. Why then won’t He leave us alone, do this job of being a good Christian, and finally give us the approval we are working so hard to achieve?
This morning as I was thinking on which topic of love I wanted to share with you from my last lesson at the Bible College, when my mind began to wander. I found myself thinking that today; I just want to live in God’s love. I just want to live in that higher plane of peacefulness that must surely come when we absolutely 100% get it and get God. But stuff kept happening – the child was disrupting my peacefulness by waking up at 6:30 am, the husband came down as well, all dressed and raring to go for the day… Usually it’s quiet and peaceful at that time of the morning – where was my enlightened peaceful life with God!?
Well, God was quick to remind me that “life” does not promise that kind of peace. Instead we are promised trials, tribulations and struggles. I was gently corrected and reminded that God’s peace is to get us through the struggles and there is never going to be a time when as a Christian I’ve “arrived” and am no longer in need of correction and education.
In fact, when I thought further about it – I don’t want to reach a time when I know it all and no longer have anything else to learn. I am thrilled by every new revelation of God’s word and by every fresh revelation of His presence in my life. I am so overjoyed when I learn something knew about the Lord we love, that I am excited, anxious and even impatiently anticipating the next lesson.
Guess what? God is too! His correction for us is not punishment and condemnation of what we are doing wrong but it is proof of what we have already done right! And He is excited for every new opportunity to reveal Himself further and more deeply to us!
Ok, try and follow along: have you ever worked an online educational program – the kind where you work at your own pace? Often you are required to read your passage and then you are asked a challenging question. If you get it wrong, you are to go back and read the passage again. If you get it right, it knows you are ready for the next level and gives you the next passage and an even more challenging question.
So it is with the Lord’s chastisement. Hebrews 12:6 says that God chastens whom He loves. Don’t you know He loves us all? The verse also says He scourges every one that He receives. Our approval is in His receiving us! Our arrival is marked by His continued chastisement. Once we have arrived and accomplished and “gotten” the lesson in chapter 1, God shows His love and approval of us by moving us on to the harder lesson in chapter two. Why? Because He loves us, and he knows we can do it, and wants us to become responsible citizens; to be successful students; and to be valued employees.
Do you constantly feel like God is just beating you up, over and over about the same old things? Compare those feelings to the paragraph about the online educational program and describe what God would have you do if He was that online program.
Do you feel like just when you get a handle on things, God just throws more at you and you feel like he really is giving you more than you can bear? Compare those feelings to the paragraph about the online educational program and describe what God is saying of you if He was that online program.
To be scourged obviously does not sound like it feels good. Then again there have been many a challenge I have faced in which I was proud of how I handled it; science class was a nightmare until I realized I actually understood what the teacher was talking about; and every good job I had started out not at all as good.
A punishment can be administered without any love at all. Add a generous dose of God’s love and what we get is peace in the midst of chastisement and comfort in the correction. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be easy – but God loves us, He is encouraging us, strengthening us – and occasionally He will even lovingly sneak in an answer or two. He wants to give us the joyous, peaceable fruit of righteousness through His Love! All we have to do is receive it!
Your Home Study homework: Compare the instruction to the Hebrews in 12:6 to the revelation of Christ Jesus in Rev. 3:19. What is similar and what is different?
© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones
Friday, January 23, 2009
RESOLUTION REVOLUTION
January Theme: New
Old Resolution: James 1:22-24
New Revolution: Philippians 3:13-15
At my church we have a very dear and sweet Deacon who periodically mixes up words. Shortly after the New Year he gave a heart warming testimony to the whole congregation in which he continuously said “New Year’s Revolution” instead of “Resolution”. And trust me, he said it a lot. Of course we all knew what he meant and there were only a few titters and chuckles.
Mostly I took his testimony for what it was worth and dismissed his intention to say resolution because I don’t generally make New Year’s resolutions. But throughout each New Year you tend to hear the phrase a lot. Even in my daily devotionals Christians are talking about New Year’s Resolutions – why you should make them; how to make them stick and what scriptures back that up. The ones I tend to pay closest attention to are the ones that explain why resolutions don’t work.
One particularly good devotional spoke about resetting your preset buttons. Basically he explained that many of us have old habits that we don’t break before making a new resolution and therefore we easily fall back into the old ways. Well that made perfect sense but his great article did not go on to explain how he suggested we should reset our presets. That’s when I got to thinking about the Deacon’s revolutionary slip of the tongue. God may have been speaking through him more than he knows.
James 1:22-24 says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
For many of us, making a New Year’s resolution is really a matter of deceiving our own selves. Even when we make them, we know we really aren’t going to keep them. And trying to follow a New Year’s resolution is like being a hearer and not a doer of the word. We speak about the changes we want to make; we write them down and even make a list of how we want to accomplish them. And then we even try. We start our resolution, we jump in and swear this time we’ll accomplish our goals. But right about this time of the year we have fizzled out already and we’re looking for a good justification for why we couldn’t change or we’ve already begun wallowing in the guilt of not being able to change.
It is as if we see our real selves in the mirror of decision and several weeks later we have already forgotten what we look like.
Webster’s New World Dictionary gives three basic definitions for the word “revolution”. 1: A complete cycle of events. 2: A complete or radical change of any kind or 3: The overthrow of a governing system with another governing system taking its place.
Obviously when we make a resolution and do not follow through, we are not completing the full cycle of events we’ve laid out for ourselves. Obviously there has not been a radical enough change in order for the change to stick. And obviously, we would not so easily fall back into our old ways of doing things if the new goal had taken the place of the old habit.
Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Can you see the three definitions illustrated here?
To complete this full cycle of events we must first forget the things in the past; secondly we much reach for the things in front of us, and finally we must continuously strive for the final goal or prize at the end. So let me interject briefly – Does your goal, resolution or New Year’s Revolution contain a prize waiting for you at the end?
Next, the radical overhaul in this scripture is to forget what has happened in the past. Friends and family often hear this phrase from me: “yeah, but…” I know, forgetting the past results, past events, past circumstances, past failures and past pains is not so easy at all. However, this scripture gives us the instructions on how to make that radical change – by replacing the thoughts of the past with the prize that remains.
When your mind strays back towards “yeah, but…” Tell it, “No, see…” Yeah, but – last time I tried to start a business… No, see if I launch this business I’ll have more security. Yeah, but everyone says I need something to fall back on… No, see if I pursue this dream I will be walking in God’s will for my life. Yeah, but last time I gained all the weight back… No, see if I lose this weight I’ll be happier, healthier and sexier too. Yeah, but I just can’t seem to stick to a budget… No, see if I get a handle on my money, I’ll have more money to spend on me.
If we have to be hearers as well as doers then don’t listen to yourself when you remind yourself of the past. Instead speak positive words of encouragement to yourself, pay attention to yourself and keep pressing on towards the prize of the goal before you.
Revolutions that have been fought and won by countries did not fight one small battle for a few weeks and declare the revolution a success. A true revolution can be a lengthy campaign with many smaller battles won and lost along the way. Often even the battle is not won until the troops regroup, change direction or alter their original plans. Have flexibility, have a bit of forgiveness for yourself and keep doing what you know you must to accomplish your goal.
You see, resolutions are a thing of the past! Forget about them and make a New Year’s Revolution instead! Continuously, consistently, ever seeking, ever stretching, ever reaching – revitalizing, revamping, refreshing, resetting, renewing and redoing whatever you need to in order to press toward the mark until the prize is obtained.
Your Home Study homework: Describe how the parable found in Luke 11:24-26 is an example of one of Webster’s three definitions of “revolution.”
© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones
Old Resolution: James 1:22-24
New Revolution: Philippians 3:13-15
At my church we have a very dear and sweet Deacon who periodically mixes up words. Shortly after the New Year he gave a heart warming testimony to the whole congregation in which he continuously said “New Year’s Revolution” instead of “Resolution”. And trust me, he said it a lot. Of course we all knew what he meant and there were only a few titters and chuckles.
Mostly I took his testimony for what it was worth and dismissed his intention to say resolution because I don’t generally make New Year’s resolutions. But throughout each New Year you tend to hear the phrase a lot. Even in my daily devotionals Christians are talking about New Year’s Resolutions – why you should make them; how to make them stick and what scriptures back that up. The ones I tend to pay closest attention to are the ones that explain why resolutions don’t work.
One particularly good devotional spoke about resetting your preset buttons. Basically he explained that many of us have old habits that we don’t break before making a new resolution and therefore we easily fall back into the old ways. Well that made perfect sense but his great article did not go on to explain how he suggested we should reset our presets. That’s when I got to thinking about the Deacon’s revolutionary slip of the tongue. God may have been speaking through him more than he knows.
James 1:22-24 says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
For many of us, making a New Year’s resolution is really a matter of deceiving our own selves. Even when we make them, we know we really aren’t going to keep them. And trying to follow a New Year’s resolution is like being a hearer and not a doer of the word. We speak about the changes we want to make; we write them down and even make a list of how we want to accomplish them. And then we even try. We start our resolution, we jump in and swear this time we’ll accomplish our goals. But right about this time of the year we have fizzled out already and we’re looking for a good justification for why we couldn’t change or we’ve already begun wallowing in the guilt of not being able to change.
It is as if we see our real selves in the mirror of decision and several weeks later we have already forgotten what we look like.
Webster’s New World Dictionary gives three basic definitions for the word “revolution”. 1: A complete cycle of events. 2: A complete or radical change of any kind or 3: The overthrow of a governing system with another governing system taking its place.
Obviously when we make a resolution and do not follow through, we are not completing the full cycle of events we’ve laid out for ourselves. Obviously there has not been a radical enough change in order for the change to stick. And obviously, we would not so easily fall back into our old ways of doing things if the new goal had taken the place of the old habit.
Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Can you see the three definitions illustrated here?
To complete this full cycle of events we must first forget the things in the past; secondly we much reach for the things in front of us, and finally we must continuously strive for the final goal or prize at the end. So let me interject briefly – Does your goal, resolution or New Year’s Revolution contain a prize waiting for you at the end?
Next, the radical overhaul in this scripture is to forget what has happened in the past. Friends and family often hear this phrase from me: “yeah, but…” I know, forgetting the past results, past events, past circumstances, past failures and past pains is not so easy at all. However, this scripture gives us the instructions on how to make that radical change – by replacing the thoughts of the past with the prize that remains.
When your mind strays back towards “yeah, but…” Tell it, “No, see…” Yeah, but – last time I tried to start a business… No, see if I launch this business I’ll have more security. Yeah, but everyone says I need something to fall back on… No, see if I pursue this dream I will be walking in God’s will for my life. Yeah, but last time I gained all the weight back… No, see if I lose this weight I’ll be happier, healthier and sexier too. Yeah, but I just can’t seem to stick to a budget… No, see if I get a handle on my money, I’ll have more money to spend on me.
If we have to be hearers as well as doers then don’t listen to yourself when you remind yourself of the past. Instead speak positive words of encouragement to yourself, pay attention to yourself and keep pressing on towards the prize of the goal before you.
Revolutions that have been fought and won by countries did not fight one small battle for a few weeks and declare the revolution a success. A true revolution can be a lengthy campaign with many smaller battles won and lost along the way. Often even the battle is not won until the troops regroup, change direction or alter their original plans. Have flexibility, have a bit of forgiveness for yourself and keep doing what you know you must to accomplish your goal.
You see, resolutions are a thing of the past! Forget about them and make a New Year’s Revolution instead! Continuously, consistently, ever seeking, ever stretching, ever reaching – revitalizing, revamping, refreshing, resetting, renewing and redoing whatever you need to in order to press toward the mark until the prize is obtained.
Your Home Study homework: Describe how the parable found in Luke 11:24-26 is an example of one of Webster’s three definitions of “revolution.”
© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANCE
Here are my hopes for my family, my friends and indeed all of mankind in the midst of yesterday’s significance:
Whether you voted for “the guy” or not… No matter what your political party… No matter what your ethnicity or economic status or religious beliefs are… There is a particular and extremely significant significance to the events of yesterday: The inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama.
And yes, part of it has to do with ethnicity – but only a part. And part of it has to do with economic status – but only a part. And again, some of it does have to do with religious belief – but only a part, and only perhaps for those who believe in God and in His Holy Word. And finally another small part does indeed have to do with our political parties.
I will start at the latter. You see, no matter whether you consider yourself Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, Independent, Moderate or other – there is no way Barack Obama could have been voted into office by just the Democrats alone. And with an 80+% approval rating – or some such thing – there is no way he could reach a number like that through just the Democrats alone. And so it seems his message of unifying the parties has already begun to come to fruition – and that is a fact that is significant. My hope is that it continues.
And you see, no matter what your ethnicity, race or nationality – there is no way Barack Obama could have been voted into office by just the African Americans, Hawaiians and citizens of Illinois all by themselves. And with that 80+% approval rating – or whatever it is – there is now way he could have reached those kinds of numbers with just the African Americans, Hawaiians and Illinois residents. And so it seems as if his message of unifying the American people regardless of ethnicity, race or nationality has already begun to come to fruition – and that is a fact that is extremely significant. My hope is that it continues.
And so, you see, no matter how much money you do or do not make, no matter how affected you are or are not by the current economic crisis, and no matter whether you might or might not be affected by any taxation changes Barack Obama may or may not make; approximately 80+% of Americans (no matter what their economic status is) have a hope that he will make significant changes to the current economy. And there is no way that number of 80+% - or something like that – could have been reached by just poor people with hope better income, unemployed people with hope of a job or people who hope they won’t lose their homes. And since it seems that hope alone is very good for the economy – for example; hope can make the stock market soar and fear can make the stock market plummet – it also seems as if Obama's message of economic hope has already begun to come to fruition (at least if only in the hearts of the American people) – and that is very significant indeed. My hope is that his actions in office match the hope in many of our hearts.
And finally, you see, (for those of us who believe) that God does indeed ordain and/or choose the world's leaders - that would have to include the “good” ones and the “bad” ones. The “bad” ones pave the way for the “good” ones, and the “good” ones provide a foundation for the “bad” ones. One cannot be without the other preceding or following. And so whether you think the former administration was good or bad, and whether you think the new and current administration will be good or bad – the truth of the matter (to those of us who chose to believe) is that “ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) And that is significantly significant indeed. My hope is that in all things – or at least 80+% (or somewhere around there) – Barack Obama (through the will of God) will succeed in all he hopes to do.
So whether he does or not, the significant significance of today is that I am included in about 80+% of the American people whose hope extends towards all mankind – whether you voted for the guy or not; no matter what your political party; no matter what your economic status; no matter what your ethnicity and no matter what your religious beliefs are or are not.
I wish you all happiness and hope and better days ahead for us all.
God bless you and may God continue to richly bless America.
© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones (aka – “Min. Dez”)
Whether you voted for “the guy” or not… No matter what your political party… No matter what your ethnicity or economic status or religious beliefs are… There is a particular and extremely significant significance to the events of yesterday: The inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama.
And yes, part of it has to do with ethnicity – but only a part. And part of it has to do with economic status – but only a part. And again, some of it does have to do with religious belief – but only a part, and only perhaps for those who believe in God and in His Holy Word. And finally another small part does indeed have to do with our political parties.
I will start at the latter. You see, no matter whether you consider yourself Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, Independent, Moderate or other – there is no way Barack Obama could have been voted into office by just the Democrats alone. And with an 80+% approval rating – or some such thing – there is no way he could reach a number like that through just the Democrats alone. And so it seems his message of unifying the parties has already begun to come to fruition – and that is a fact that is significant. My hope is that it continues.
And you see, no matter what your ethnicity, race or nationality – there is no way Barack Obama could have been voted into office by just the African Americans, Hawaiians and citizens of Illinois all by themselves. And with that 80+% approval rating – or whatever it is – there is now way he could have reached those kinds of numbers with just the African Americans, Hawaiians and Illinois residents. And so it seems as if his message of unifying the American people regardless of ethnicity, race or nationality has already begun to come to fruition – and that is a fact that is extremely significant. My hope is that it continues.
And so, you see, no matter how much money you do or do not make, no matter how affected you are or are not by the current economic crisis, and no matter whether you might or might not be affected by any taxation changes Barack Obama may or may not make; approximately 80+% of Americans (no matter what their economic status is) have a hope that he will make significant changes to the current economy. And there is no way that number of 80+% - or something like that – could have been reached by just poor people with hope better income, unemployed people with hope of a job or people who hope they won’t lose their homes. And since it seems that hope alone is very good for the economy – for example; hope can make the stock market soar and fear can make the stock market plummet – it also seems as if Obama's message of economic hope has already begun to come to fruition (at least if only in the hearts of the American people) – and that is very significant indeed. My hope is that his actions in office match the hope in many of our hearts.
And finally, you see, (for those of us who believe) that God does indeed ordain and/or choose the world's leaders - that would have to include the “good” ones and the “bad” ones. The “bad” ones pave the way for the “good” ones, and the “good” ones provide a foundation for the “bad” ones. One cannot be without the other preceding or following. And so whether you think the former administration was good or bad, and whether you think the new and current administration will be good or bad – the truth of the matter (to those of us who chose to believe) is that “ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) And that is significantly significant indeed. My hope is that in all things – or at least 80+% (or somewhere around there) – Barack Obama (through the will of God) will succeed in all he hopes to do.
So whether he does or not, the significant significance of today is that I am included in about 80+% of the American people whose hope extends towards all mankind – whether you voted for the guy or not; no matter what your political party; no matter what your economic status; no matter what your ethnicity and no matter what your religious beliefs are or are not.
I wish you all happiness and hope and better days ahead for us all.
God bless you and may God continue to richly bless America.
© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones (aka – “Min. Dez”)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
READY FOR THE WORLD
January Theme: New
Old World: Matthew 16:26; Mark 4:19; John 14:27
New World: John 1:1-4 & 9; Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15
It seems everything we do and everything we strive for is to be presentable to the world. We get a good education so that we can be ready for the “real world”. We are disciplined at home so we can be ready for the outside world. The kind of adults, the kind of parents and perhaps even especially the kind of Christians we are must all be acceptable to the world around us – and quite often are frequently judged by the world around us.
We spend our time preparing ourselves, repairing and renewing what we have to offer – to our bosses, to our clients, to our instructors, to our students, to our children, to our parents and even to our family, friends and neighbors. Often we even clean our own homes based upon the perspectives of potential visitors. And many times even our self-help and Christian growth is based upon or at least influenced by what the world deems necessary. The world is always watching and subconsciously we constantly ask ourselves “am I ready for the world?” And so our every activity then also subconsciously becomes an answer, “I am trying to be ready for the world.”
According to the guidelines, examples and expectations of this world – that may indeed be working. Spiritually, I ask, is it also working? Matthew 16:26 says: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” And so every Sunday we attend church; we read the word of God, and we attend Bible study in order not to lose our own soul. But Mark 4:19 explains: “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel as if I lust after other things. I try not to let the cares of the world get the best of me. And I don’t feel as if I’ve been deceived by riches – how could I when I don’t have any? Still and yet, I have to admit there has been a bit of “unfruitfulness” in my life. And I remember when my old boss’ treatment of me used to consume my every thought. And admittedly I now spend a fair amount of time concerned about my finances and how I will get them in order to pay my bills… You see, “cares, deceitfulness and lusts” translate as such harsh words that we automatically reject them as things we are not doing. But when we truly look at the basic aspects of our lives, there is a fair amount of things of this world that enter in and perhaps choke out the word – making our worlds a bit unfruitful.
Do not be dismayed – there is hope – and it exists in the word of God. John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
In the midst of this world and all its cares and distractions, lusts and things – there is peace, not as the world gives it or perceives it, but as the Lord gives it. And it comes in a gentle reminder: John1: 1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” And verse 9: “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” Matthew 5:14 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” Also, Philippians 2:15: “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”
Because of your profession or your vocation you may not realize that much of what we accomplish in this world is based upon someone else’s approval, permission or acceptance. Other types of jobs or career paths exemplify this blatantly and openly such as careers in writing, politics and the entertainment industry. My husband is an Actor. And in one particular conversation he casually made a comment that he knew “all odds were against him.” It made me stop and ponder that statement for a while before I asked him – “who told you that?”
Yes, Acting is a tough profession to crack into and do so successfully. But realistically he’s not doing badly at all. And in an industry that is governed by the choices of various, diverse people, who really sets the odds? And even if there was someone who had a precise mathematical equation they could run through a super computer and determine that the odds of my husband becoming even more successful in the industry are 1,000,000 to 1 – if God told him, yes, he would be even more successful, then those odds are in his favor because he would be that “1”.
Presidential candidate Barack Obama was giving one of his pre-election interviews in which the program’s reporter asked him, “Is the world ready for an African American president of the United States of America?” Without hesitation, Barack Obama said “yes.” And so now it is after the election and not only have we discovered that the majority of the world within the US is indeed ready, but that currently much of the world is waiting with excited – if not curious – anticipation.
How in the world could Barack Obama have been so sure? Because I believe Barack Obama knew many things beforehand – primarily I believe he was confident of his success. He was probably confident of how his light would shine throughout this world.
We easily sing “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” And we traverse the ways of this world as if indeed it is a little light. But a fantastic and anointed new Minister I know once said that our light is not little at all – even though we act like it is. Our light comes from Christ Himself and if we truly let it shine as big as a lamp in the darkness, perhaps the world would not even be able to look directly at us.
Say you have an old lamp that has been hooked up to a light switch every since it was new and you never knew it was a three-way. But your eyes got adjusted to the low level of light even though deep down you wished it was brighter. If someone suddenly turned up that light to its brightest setting, would your eyes be ready?
When I brought up Barack Obama’s interview response to my husband I asked him to consider thinking about his career differently and instead of meeting each audition wondering if this was his time or if he was ready for the part or if he was truly ready for this industry; to go into it boldly asking “Is the industry ready for me?” and confidently answering, “yes it is!”
And even as I said it, admittedly I had a hard time considering the same for myself. Yes, I "think" I can. But I too have to put away old perspectives of the world and the light I shine in it, for a new perspective of this world and a brighter, more confident, Christ-magnified light!
So instead of “are you ready for the world,” ask yourself is the world ready for you? Imagine what this world could be like if we all said “yes” – boldly and confidently through Christ.
© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones
Old World: Matthew 16:26; Mark 4:19; John 14:27
New World: John 1:1-4 & 9; Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15
It seems everything we do and everything we strive for is to be presentable to the world. We get a good education so that we can be ready for the “real world”. We are disciplined at home so we can be ready for the outside world. The kind of adults, the kind of parents and perhaps even especially the kind of Christians we are must all be acceptable to the world around us – and quite often are frequently judged by the world around us.
We spend our time preparing ourselves, repairing and renewing what we have to offer – to our bosses, to our clients, to our instructors, to our students, to our children, to our parents and even to our family, friends and neighbors. Often we even clean our own homes based upon the perspectives of potential visitors. And many times even our self-help and Christian growth is based upon or at least influenced by what the world deems necessary. The world is always watching and subconsciously we constantly ask ourselves “am I ready for the world?” And so our every activity then also subconsciously becomes an answer, “I am trying to be ready for the world.”
According to the guidelines, examples and expectations of this world – that may indeed be working. Spiritually, I ask, is it also working? Matthew 16:26 says: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” And so every Sunday we attend church; we read the word of God, and we attend Bible study in order not to lose our own soul. But Mark 4:19 explains: “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel as if I lust after other things. I try not to let the cares of the world get the best of me. And I don’t feel as if I’ve been deceived by riches – how could I when I don’t have any? Still and yet, I have to admit there has been a bit of “unfruitfulness” in my life. And I remember when my old boss’ treatment of me used to consume my every thought. And admittedly I now spend a fair amount of time concerned about my finances and how I will get them in order to pay my bills… You see, “cares, deceitfulness and lusts” translate as such harsh words that we automatically reject them as things we are not doing. But when we truly look at the basic aspects of our lives, there is a fair amount of things of this world that enter in and perhaps choke out the word – making our worlds a bit unfruitful.
Do not be dismayed – there is hope – and it exists in the word of God. John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
In the midst of this world and all its cares and distractions, lusts and things – there is peace, not as the world gives it or perceives it, but as the Lord gives it. And it comes in a gentle reminder: John1: 1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” And verse 9: “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” Matthew 5:14 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” Also, Philippians 2:15: “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”
Because of your profession or your vocation you may not realize that much of what we accomplish in this world is based upon someone else’s approval, permission or acceptance. Other types of jobs or career paths exemplify this blatantly and openly such as careers in writing, politics and the entertainment industry. My husband is an Actor. And in one particular conversation he casually made a comment that he knew “all odds were against him.” It made me stop and ponder that statement for a while before I asked him – “who told you that?”
Yes, Acting is a tough profession to crack into and do so successfully. But realistically he’s not doing badly at all. And in an industry that is governed by the choices of various, diverse people, who really sets the odds? And even if there was someone who had a precise mathematical equation they could run through a super computer and determine that the odds of my husband becoming even more successful in the industry are 1,000,000 to 1 – if God told him, yes, he would be even more successful, then those odds are in his favor because he would be that “1”.
Presidential candidate Barack Obama was giving one of his pre-election interviews in which the program’s reporter asked him, “Is the world ready for an African American president of the United States of America?” Without hesitation, Barack Obama said “yes.” And so now it is after the election and not only have we discovered that the majority of the world within the US is indeed ready, but that currently much of the world is waiting with excited – if not curious – anticipation.
How in the world could Barack Obama have been so sure? Because I believe Barack Obama knew many things beforehand – primarily I believe he was confident of his success. He was probably confident of how his light would shine throughout this world.
We easily sing “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” And we traverse the ways of this world as if indeed it is a little light. But a fantastic and anointed new Minister I know once said that our light is not little at all – even though we act like it is. Our light comes from Christ Himself and if we truly let it shine as big as a lamp in the darkness, perhaps the world would not even be able to look directly at us.
Say you have an old lamp that has been hooked up to a light switch every since it was new and you never knew it was a three-way. But your eyes got adjusted to the low level of light even though deep down you wished it was brighter. If someone suddenly turned up that light to its brightest setting, would your eyes be ready?
When I brought up Barack Obama’s interview response to my husband I asked him to consider thinking about his career differently and instead of meeting each audition wondering if this was his time or if he was ready for the part or if he was truly ready for this industry; to go into it boldly asking “Is the industry ready for me?” and confidently answering, “yes it is!”
And even as I said it, admittedly I had a hard time considering the same for myself. Yes, I "think" I can. But I too have to put away old perspectives of the world and the light I shine in it, for a new perspective of this world and a brighter, more confident, Christ-magnified light!
So instead of “are you ready for the world,” ask yourself is the world ready for you? Imagine what this world could be like if we all said “yes” – boldly and confidently through Christ.
© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones
Sunday, January 11, 2009
THINGS (God Said) TO DO LIST
January Theme: New
Old Plans: Proverbs 16:3 & 9
New Plans: Proverbs 3:5-6; 4:26 & 16:1
We’ve begun talking about “newness” this New Year and in our first study we didn’t talk about a New Year’s Resolution. I suppose it’s because there are different schools of thought on the matter – some make them, some don’t. But if you’re like me you may have made a list of goals you’d like to accomplish this year. Your 2009 Things to Do List.
Last year I read an awesome little book by Rev. Robert Schuler called “Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do.” And even though it was written in the 80’s you would have thought Rev. Schuler was writing it for today. In it he talks about making a plan with God for every thing you want to accomplish.
About that same time, my Bishop mentioned an illustration in one of his lessons in which he told his son to always make a plan for any issue he was battling – even if it was for something as simple as affording tires for his car.
Now mind you – I am a planner! I can plan the heck out of anything! And for years now I had been living off of Proverbs 16:9 “Man devises his plan, but God directs his steps”. Now when I say I had been living off of this scripture, I mean I had been using it to bend God’s will towards mine. How do you think that worked for me?
You see, early on in my walk with Christ – before discovering Proverbs 16:9, I would make a plan, follow the plan until I hit an obstacle, quit the plan and wonder why the plan didn’t work or wasn’t “meant to be.” After discovering the scripture in Proverbs I thought it was the key that answered why my plans didn’t work and I changed my mode of operation – slightly.
I felt that God definitely wanted me to make my plans, but that I had left out an important step towards assuring those plans would work. So then I made a plan and fervently, diligently prayed to God that He order my steps, direct my path and essentially work it all out. How do you think that worked for me as well?
Maybe I had missed out and skipped over Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit thy works unto the Lord and He will establish your thoughts”? After all, it does come before 16:9. Perhaps I hadn’t committed my plan to the Lord, and therefore He couldn’t establish my thoughts of accomplishing that plan. Here’s how I adjusted my process again: I committed each new plan to the Lord by promising to do it all for Him and act righteously in all my dealings so as to be a shining example of Him. Then I made my plan and prayed that He direct my steps. Once again, I would begin the plan, hit an obstacle, stop the plan and wonder what had gone wrong and why God’s promises didn't apply to me.
Ultimately that nonsense began to stop me from making a plan at all – fearful of failing yet and fearful of friends and family seeing me start something and never finish it yet again. For months I became stagnant, lost and even more confused than ever. Then I read Dr. Schuler’s book which said, in essence, to make your plan with God - to pray about your plan and to pray about making your plan. Honestly, it seemed so obvious that I swore I had already been doing it. I went back to Proverbs for more answers and here’s what I found in the highlighted portions of my previously studied scriptures:
Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 4:26 “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” Also Proverbs 16:1 “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” All my plans had been according to my own understanding. But if I lean not unto my own understanding, then I have to acknowledge God before making that plan - and that is when He will utilize and organize my thoughts and direct my heart in making that plan. This is how I (as in, mankind) must devise a plan, and that is how God can order my steps according to that plan.
Finally, I got it - I cannot make my plans all by myself. Once I pondered the (many) paths of my feet, I realized I had not let God establish my ways - I had established my own ways for myself (no matter how generally good and sound they were) and I had begged God to agree.
So this time I prayed to God to guide me in making a plan. I prayed to Him for that plan and expressed my deep need for a plan from Him. And guess what? God gave me a plan! A clear, purposeful plan of action – step by step! You see, when I stopped making plans I started building a relationship with God. My communication began to be a dual, mutual, back and forth, two-way conversation with the Lord. I realize I couldn’t just talk to Him and tell Him what I wanted, I had to listen to Him and hear what He has purposed.
So now I’ve got this plan and admittedly, I am gun-shy about pursuing it. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I hit another obstacle? What if it really isn’t God’s plan at all? But here’s the truth of the matter – God’s plan cannot fail. Why? Because God cannot lie and He said if I acknowledge Him in ALL my ways (even the way in which I make a plan), He WILL direct my paths. And also, with God’s plan there automatically comes a way to overcome the obstacles. Why? Because when God gives you the plan it absolves you from the responsibility of it not working out. It becomes clear now that obstacles are from the enemy trying to keep you from your goal, or from your own flesh that believes and perpetuates the lies and misunderstandings others believe about you, and not from the Lord telling you that you are going in the wrong direction.
God does have a direction for you to go! And, He is so willing to give it to you if you ask - acknowledge Him and do not try to do it all yourself and unto your own understanding. Trust me - God is a planner! He can plan the heck out of anything - literally! Just ask Noah regarding that daggone boat and all those animals...
So, this New Year and every one after that – go ahead and make your “things to do list” but make sure you pursue the things GOD SAID to do on that list and watch as He establishes all your ways.
In HIS will,
~Min. Dez
© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones
Old Plans: Proverbs 16:3 & 9
New Plans: Proverbs 3:5-6; 4:26 & 16:1
We’ve begun talking about “newness” this New Year and in our first study we didn’t talk about a New Year’s Resolution. I suppose it’s because there are different schools of thought on the matter – some make them, some don’t. But if you’re like me you may have made a list of goals you’d like to accomplish this year. Your 2009 Things to Do List.
Last year I read an awesome little book by Rev. Robert Schuler called “Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do.” And even though it was written in the 80’s you would have thought Rev. Schuler was writing it for today. In it he talks about making a plan with God for every thing you want to accomplish.
About that same time, my Bishop mentioned an illustration in one of his lessons in which he told his son to always make a plan for any issue he was battling – even if it was for something as simple as affording tires for his car.
Now mind you – I am a planner! I can plan the heck out of anything! And for years now I had been living off of Proverbs 16:9 “Man devises his plan, but God directs his steps”. Now when I say I had been living off of this scripture, I mean I had been using it to bend God’s will towards mine. How do you think that worked for me?
You see, early on in my walk with Christ – before discovering Proverbs 16:9, I would make a plan, follow the plan until I hit an obstacle, quit the plan and wonder why the plan didn’t work or wasn’t “meant to be.” After discovering the scripture in Proverbs I thought it was the key that answered why my plans didn’t work and I changed my mode of operation – slightly.
I felt that God definitely wanted me to make my plans, but that I had left out an important step towards assuring those plans would work. So then I made a plan and fervently, diligently prayed to God that He order my steps, direct my path and essentially work it all out. How do you think that worked for me as well?
Maybe I had missed out and skipped over Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit thy works unto the Lord and He will establish your thoughts”? After all, it does come before 16:9. Perhaps I hadn’t committed my plan to the Lord, and therefore He couldn’t establish my thoughts of accomplishing that plan. Here’s how I adjusted my process again: I committed each new plan to the Lord by promising to do it all for Him and act righteously in all my dealings so as to be a shining example of Him. Then I made my plan and prayed that He direct my steps. Once again, I would begin the plan, hit an obstacle, stop the plan and wonder what had gone wrong and why God’s promises didn't apply to me.
Ultimately that nonsense began to stop me from making a plan at all – fearful of failing yet and fearful of friends and family seeing me start something and never finish it yet again. For months I became stagnant, lost and even more confused than ever. Then I read Dr. Schuler’s book which said, in essence, to make your plan with God - to pray about your plan and to pray about making your plan. Honestly, it seemed so obvious that I swore I had already been doing it. I went back to Proverbs for more answers and here’s what I found in the highlighted portions of my previously studied scriptures:
Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 4:26 “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” Also Proverbs 16:1 “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” All my plans had been according to my own understanding. But if I lean not unto my own understanding, then I have to acknowledge God before making that plan - and that is when He will utilize and organize my thoughts and direct my heart in making that plan. This is how I (as in, mankind) must devise a plan, and that is how God can order my steps according to that plan.
Finally, I got it - I cannot make my plans all by myself. Once I pondered the (many) paths of my feet, I realized I had not let God establish my ways - I had established my own ways for myself (no matter how generally good and sound they were) and I had begged God to agree.
So this time I prayed to God to guide me in making a plan. I prayed to Him for that plan and expressed my deep need for a plan from Him. And guess what? God gave me a plan! A clear, purposeful plan of action – step by step! You see, when I stopped making plans I started building a relationship with God. My communication began to be a dual, mutual, back and forth, two-way conversation with the Lord. I realize I couldn’t just talk to Him and tell Him what I wanted, I had to listen to Him and hear what He has purposed.
So now I’ve got this plan and admittedly, I am gun-shy about pursuing it. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I hit another obstacle? What if it really isn’t God’s plan at all? But here’s the truth of the matter – God’s plan cannot fail. Why? Because God cannot lie and He said if I acknowledge Him in ALL my ways (even the way in which I make a plan), He WILL direct my paths. And also, with God’s plan there automatically comes a way to overcome the obstacles. Why? Because when God gives you the plan it absolves you from the responsibility of it not working out. It becomes clear now that obstacles are from the enemy trying to keep you from your goal, or from your own flesh that believes and perpetuates the lies and misunderstandings others believe about you, and not from the Lord telling you that you are going in the wrong direction.
God does have a direction for you to go! And, He is so willing to give it to you if you ask - acknowledge Him and do not try to do it all yourself and unto your own understanding. Trust me - God is a planner! He can plan the heck out of anything - literally! Just ask Noah regarding that daggone boat and all those animals...
So, this New Year and every one after that – go ahead and make your “things to do list” but make sure you pursue the things GOD SAID to do on that list and watch as He establishes all your ways.
In HIS will,
~Min. Dez
© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Halleluiah! NEW YEAR NEW
New Life; New Days
New Years; New Ways
New life: 2 Corinthians 5:17
New days; new years: Job 36:11
New ways: Proverbs 3:5-6
In this newness of 2009, and in the afterglow of celebrating on New Year’s Eve, I’ve found myself thinking about the word “new”.
This new bible study commemorates a new aspect of my ministry. And while technically for most it is exactly as I just stated, “an aspect of my ministry” – it is indeed for me a new ministry, a new direction and ultimately an entirely new life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” When I was first saved, this was the scripture that clung to my heart and made a difference for me. It was a scripture that not only gave me relief but hope as well. But the more I struggled with change (wanting to change and not seeming to be able to change), the more I wondered about the time-line of this scripture. When was the old going to all be new?
It has been 23 ½ years or so now since that day I was saved and as I look back I realize there has been a whole lot of “new” in the course of those years as more old continuously passes away. It has always seemed to me that 2 Corinthians 5:17 was meant to be interpreted as instantaneous – as soon as you are in Christ, all your old life is miraculously gone and you wake up brand-spanking new – a new creation. But today’s study on the word “new” has given me a new interpretation on the concept of “old” in this scripture.
Old isn’t old until you think it is old. If you are throwing out old clothes you generally would not pick out the new shirt you bought the day before, declare it as old and toss it in the pile, price tag and all. If something in your life has not passed away it is not because you are not in Christ it is because it has not become old for you yet. It is current, active and still in style – in your lifestyle, that is. Being in Christ helps you recognize the newness of life that Christ offers - which brings us to the words “are become”.
I had always just excused this grammatical confusion as some old-world dialect like “sayeth”. But considereth thou this: “are” is present-tense. “Become” implies future tense or even past tense, considering how you use it. How then does it make sense to say “are become”? I always translated this portion of the scripture to be “have become” (past tense) or “will become” (future tense) – but you can’t really mix the two, can you? Yes – if God had intended past or future He would have had it stated as such. What he meant was present and continuous. “Are become” is a present and active sense of continuously becoming as in saying; “all things keep becoming like new.” Now we see why old scriptures can have new meaning each time we read them, and behold, I keep noticing my life is continuously made brand new.
And as I look back over this past year and consider the details, I can recall both good times and bad times; struggles and triumphs; fears and joys; concerns and victories. And even if my woes out-weighed my wows, I can still look back with a smile and say 2008 was a good year. Low and behold, I found out just last Tuesday, that this is not a phenomena – it is a promise from the word of God.
Job 36:11 “If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.” With a glad heart and a cheerful spirit I did indeed obey and serve the Lord last year. And, there were days of prosperity – although not all the days of the year – and scripture doesn’t necessarily say that. But I can be assured of all my years as pleasurable ones so long as I continue to obey and serve.
Sheesh, it seems so daunting! Obey and serve – the implication is arduous and tedious, I know! And trust me, obedience this past year was definitely NOT always (if at all) easy. And service is only easy when we’re serving the ones we love or the ones who treat us well. But God does make it easy for us: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
The Lord will show us how to obey and serve, because He knows the way: He is the Way. We do not have to understand how, we do not even need to understand Him – we only need to acknowledge Him, lean on Him and I might add, listen to Him. We spend so much time begging Him for answers and hardly give him time to answer or give ourselves time to listen. And when we do, He’ll provide a plan and direct our path. God is a God of promises and He keeps His word to His own.
And so in the dawn of 2009 as I look forward to the newness of my life and a new way of doing things, I know my new life, my new days, my New Year’s and my new ways are all only possible and are absolutely probable because of The Way, the Truth and the Life, Jesus; the Christ. The thought alone brings me great JOY and so, I wish you all a joyous New Year as well!
New Years; New Ways
New life: 2 Corinthians 5:17
New days; new years: Job 36:11
New ways: Proverbs 3:5-6
In this newness of 2009, and in the afterglow of celebrating on New Year’s Eve, I’ve found myself thinking about the word “new”.
This new bible study commemorates a new aspect of my ministry. And while technically for most it is exactly as I just stated, “an aspect of my ministry” – it is indeed for me a new ministry, a new direction and ultimately an entirely new life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” When I was first saved, this was the scripture that clung to my heart and made a difference for me. It was a scripture that not only gave me relief but hope as well. But the more I struggled with change (wanting to change and not seeming to be able to change), the more I wondered about the time-line of this scripture. When was the old going to all be new?
It has been 23 ½ years or so now since that day I was saved and as I look back I realize there has been a whole lot of “new” in the course of those years as more old continuously passes away. It has always seemed to me that 2 Corinthians 5:17 was meant to be interpreted as instantaneous – as soon as you are in Christ, all your old life is miraculously gone and you wake up brand-spanking new – a new creation. But today’s study on the word “new” has given me a new interpretation on the concept of “old” in this scripture.
Old isn’t old until you think it is old. If you are throwing out old clothes you generally would not pick out the new shirt you bought the day before, declare it as old and toss it in the pile, price tag and all. If something in your life has not passed away it is not because you are not in Christ it is because it has not become old for you yet. It is current, active and still in style – in your lifestyle, that is. Being in Christ helps you recognize the newness of life that Christ offers - which brings us to the words “are become”.
I had always just excused this grammatical confusion as some old-world dialect like “sayeth”. But considereth thou this: “are” is present-tense. “Become” implies future tense or even past tense, considering how you use it. How then does it make sense to say “are become”? I always translated this portion of the scripture to be “have become” (past tense) or “will become” (future tense) – but you can’t really mix the two, can you? Yes – if God had intended past or future He would have had it stated as such. What he meant was present and continuous. “Are become” is a present and active sense of continuously becoming as in saying; “all things keep becoming like new.” Now we see why old scriptures can have new meaning each time we read them, and behold, I keep noticing my life is continuously made brand new.
And as I look back over this past year and consider the details, I can recall both good times and bad times; struggles and triumphs; fears and joys; concerns and victories. And even if my woes out-weighed my wows, I can still look back with a smile and say 2008 was a good year. Low and behold, I found out just last Tuesday, that this is not a phenomena – it is a promise from the word of God.
Job 36:11 “If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.” With a glad heart and a cheerful spirit I did indeed obey and serve the Lord last year. And, there were days of prosperity – although not all the days of the year – and scripture doesn’t necessarily say that. But I can be assured of all my years as pleasurable ones so long as I continue to obey and serve.
Sheesh, it seems so daunting! Obey and serve – the implication is arduous and tedious, I know! And trust me, obedience this past year was definitely NOT always (if at all) easy. And service is only easy when we’re serving the ones we love or the ones who treat us well. But God does make it easy for us: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
The Lord will show us how to obey and serve, because He knows the way: He is the Way. We do not have to understand how, we do not even need to understand Him – we only need to acknowledge Him, lean on Him and I might add, listen to Him. We spend so much time begging Him for answers and hardly give him time to answer or give ourselves time to listen. And when we do, He’ll provide a plan and direct our path. God is a God of promises and He keeps His word to His own.
And so in the dawn of 2009 as I look forward to the newness of my life and a new way of doing things, I know my new life, my new days, my New Year’s and my new ways are all only possible and are absolutely probable because of The Way, the Truth and the Life, Jesus; the Christ. The thought alone brings me great JOY and so, I wish you all a joyous New Year as well!
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