Category: Recent Blogs

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I always thought the apostle James was talking about suffering from catastrophic events that happen on this earth. Events that we have no control of… “Yea though I walk through the valley of the Shadow of Death”… events that test the mettle of our faith walk with Christ as He leads us through, without the guarantee of happiness, health, wealth, and wisdom. Events that give us a share (albeit a very small one in comparison) of the suffering He endured on the cross.

Though I still believe these life shattering events are used for good (to perfect, complete, so we are lacking in nothing) results in our lives, this morning, I realized James wrote this book with the idea that the DAILY EXERCISE of FAITH is required to grow a healthy body (the Body of Christ), and is not to be thought of as easy peasy, without necessity of a great deal of Holy Spirit nutrition, exercise and PUMPING the HOLY IRON of God’s commands!

James 4:7-10 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. 

Unfortunately some of us have been taught that God’s gym is the church building where we go in our “pretty clothes” with smiles and masks of “perfect makeup” hiding all of our weak muscles and stomachs full of unbridled feasts of jealousy and selfish ambition (James 3:14)

Faith on display – all dressed up and looking good but… What use is it, my brethren, if someone SAYS he has faith but he has no works? (James 2:14) If no action or sweat equity is produced, if no visible and life changing evidence of Christ LIVING IN YOU begins to be desired and pursued since being BORN AGAIN. Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. (James 2:17)… someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)

Verse 19 – You believe (and can quote Scripture to boast with the best) that God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!). You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

Verse 21 – BUT are you willing to recognize that faith without works is useless? Take Abraham for example… God asked him to offer up his son Isaac on the altar… faith is great but will you show WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU? I can only imagine what this “GYM WORKOUT” was like! Talk about sweat, and grief, and self-discipline… talk about putting EVERYTHING of VALUE on the line to TRUST GOD and what He has promised.

Talk about “Show me the MONEY!” (“Jerry Maguire” Tom Cruise – 1996 movie)

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

In verse 23 – the result of Abraham’s works – a spiritual body to crave… he was called a friend of God.

Without the sweat equity of works, Brother James tells us, James 2:26… just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Sounds like what my doctor tells me often – a healthy body requires sound nutrition but also must have sweat producing, daily, committed EXERCISE. (Yeah! I don’t like it any better when he tells me, either!)

Got some ugly body parts in need changing? Solution will always be… becoming God’s gym rat

NUTRITION – the Word of God and EXERCISE – the works/practice the Word commands and inspires.

Got temptation? James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 

Got bitterness/jealousy? James 3:14-16 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 

Got an untamed tongue? James 3:8-10 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 

Got relationship problems? James 4:1-3 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 

Get to God’s gym NOW! He is in the business oftraining up His children in the way they should go, (Proverbs 22:6)… even when you are old you will not depart from it.

James is right… Sweat Equity is absolutely necessary! Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. 

Sweat Equity with Brother James not your first choice of gym training?

James 1:5-7 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 

Like Brother James says:

James 1:19-21 everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 

Let this be our number 1 priority; to prove ourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (James 1:22)

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:23-25)

Blessed with SWEAT EQUITY!

James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 

Consider it all joy and become God’s little, but determined gym rat!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

1 Corinthians 13:13 But now faith, hope, love, abide (remain/live on) these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Yes! This is Scripture… but they are NOT just “religious” words, they are the matches that light man’s fire of LIFE. They are in the soul of EVERY man/woman/child

We (every man/woman/child) put our FAITH, our HOPE, our LOVE into serving something or someone…

EVERYDAY – ALL DAY LONG – EVERYTIME we CHOOSE to serve…

Joshua 24:15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve…

With each choice,  come the “matches” that will light the “fire” of the service you have agreed to and/or wish to give.

The match of faith – your agreement that the person/thing you choose to serve is worthy of your service (at least at this moment).

The match of Hope. With its fire lighting the way, we pursue that which we envision (or hope) is our DESTINY – the hope of our “calling’.

As we move toward what we Hope is our outcome, we TREASURE  each and every milestone and trophy. As our heart proclaims the trophies of success and celebrates by polishing them, The match of Love assures of our choice and the fire of service becomes brighter and more passionate than ever before.

I believe Faith, Hope and Love were put into the soul when God created man (and woman and child) in His personal image. I believe it’s what sets mankind apart from any other creature. The breath of God blew into man not just physical life but the soul of life that includes choice, and thought, and desire, and pursuit.

I know, I know, I just triggered that RELIGIOUS STUFF!

However…

Whether you believe in God or not, you DO CHOOSE a god to believe in. You set your standard and seek the BEST REPRESENTATIVE (god) of the standard you set, for ALL THE WORLD to see and KNOW YOU!

For a lot of us, WE are that standard, and as the standard WE sit on the throne as the BEST representative. We may be the god we serve.

You freely choose… Some might say that they do not have the freedom I speak of and I agree their life may include forms of slavery either by other humans or flesh induced addiction left unchecked. They do not FEEL free nor have opportunity to choose who will be their master!

But I say, even in the worst forms of slavery, there is a sliver of light that whispers to your soul and says, “I AM FREE!” Whether or not your outside environment tries to prove it untrue, your heart KNOWS the truth! The only person, place or thing that can truly turn off that sliver of light is you. If that should happen,  I would not be surprised if life, at that moment, ceases to exist because there is no faith, hope or desire for the future.

Choosing LIFE and who or what best represents your “kingdom” leads to striking the matches that light our fire for living…

From your choice of who/what, you give FAITH – trust/authority to that deity (sorry) representative. Their purpose/ministry strikes the match to light the way toward the Hope you envision… or else! With providing the path, Love is the match that lights the passion of your pursuit… the greatest of these is love!

Matthew 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Love is the most endurable! Whether love for the good of yourself and others or love that is questionable in its mission and purpose, love will PURSUE success until there is no more DESIRE.

When we define love, we all want it to be the “GOOD KIND”. In fact, I think we blind ourselves to ANY OTHER KIND. Or, we enhance its position by attaching “I NEED”, so that whatever our desire is, love becomes the word that makes everything acceptable.

There are two things every human seeks… significance and security… one might even say these must be the PROMISE MADE for us to choose to serve. Significance being the desire to be known and thought of worthy to be known. Security being the covenant that binds us together so we are never alone or forsaken.

Everyone of us will use our freedom to choose THE “representative” which will provide enough of each of these, in order for us to find… contentment – satisfaction – peace that we have attained that which we seek.

The sigh of relief that we have lived or are pursuing the best of the best we can believe in – hope for – find success in.

Free Will…choosing for yourselves today whom (or what)you will serve…

Choice striking the match of Faith… the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Faith striking the match of Hope… the vision/desire that you will be filled to overflowing with satisfaction.

Hope striking the match of the heart to reveal that your treasure, your true love, is safe, secure, full.

When All is Said and Done… these three – faith/hope/love remain!

Take a look at the fire of your life.

There is no doubt in my mind you have chosen THIS DAY whom you will serve – possibly there are MANY – too many to name and some you will refuse to name but will serve anyway. Check out whom or what you have chosen to serve

Check out what/who you have put your faith in.

Check out the glow of your hope in the blaze to come.

Check out what’s in your treasure chest.

It is important information! If these three are the ones that remain, if they are the fire that lights up your life, if your life flame is in need of some fanning, faith – hope – and love are the ones you can look to when all is said and done.

If we seek significance and love, yet we lack the peace that we have attained all that we need…

When All is Said and Done check out the matches that remain ready to light the fire of your life.

Maybe, and I’m not judging (Matthew 7:3-5 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.) maybe you have dipped your matches in things/people who prohibit your faith – hope – love from lighting the fire necessary to live well and burn bright. Maybe they have gotten wet from swimming in the ocean we call this world. Maybe the fire your passion for life has gone out and you just don’t want to strike any more matches.

Check out your Faith… your Hope… your Love. Whether they are burning bright or being threatened by the environment of your life, check them out.  And keep a check on them… because…

When All Is Said and Done… these three (faith, hope, and love) remain.

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Jeremiah 31:33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

I DO Declare…

Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh (does not mean worldly – means SOFT and PLIABLE with faith, hope, and love).

I DO Declare but first came a NEW heart and a NEW spirit! Thirty years ago! He has removed my heart of stone and given me a heart of flesh. God did what He said He would!

It’s me… I have not been paying attention to the work God has been doing in my life. I’ve been walking like NOTHING”S changed. I actually think and act (and sadly have been encouraged to think) as if God’s work in me has been more like “tweaking an almost there life” rather  a full on HEART TRANSPLANT!

Even now, as Ezekiel slams it home, instead of intimately consulting with the Surgeon of all surgeons Who gave me His heart, I begin to imagine a heart that would be perfect for… ME. Maybe a heart like my first pastor (not sure he’s ready to give up his yet), maybe like my best friend’s heart (no, Barb I still need you HERE).

Maybe Peter’s heart… or Paul’s heart… or… Jacob’s… YES! You even changed his name (to Israel) as he received his new heart!

See what I have been doing? Though you’d think I would be past my Eve-like nature, I still, after 30 plus years, tend to look OUTSIDE to declare and put into practice God’s Word. It’s just easier! As I have gotten more and more able to discern what God has, is, and will continue to tell me, I have the OLD nature in my soul that wants to make it pretty on my eyes (lust of the eyes), make it desert, not vegetables for my taste buds (lust of the flesh), and strategically place His Word where I feel it will do the MOST GOOD for me but mostly for everyone else (pride of life).

For the last few weeks, I have been placed in transplant therapy, with, none other than the THERAPIST above all therapists. For the last few weeks, the Holy Spirit has sat me down, filled me with His desire, and brought out His flash cards of His Word –  made flesh and DWELLS within me.

Flash Card: NEW HEART… whereas i thought my heart would be replaced… it is actually the heart of a NEWBORN.

John 1:12 But as many a received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

This is the heart that “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it

Flash Card: God’s Word… written on my newborn heart…

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and life was the Light of men. 

I DO Declare! God Himself, written on my heart!

“So, Ms Mary, you have been declaring this for a LLLLLOOOONNNGGG time. One might call me out with, “What’s changed – or better said, “What IS changing?”

Well…

Certainly, God has not changed – nor His Word – nor that He has been actively writing His Word upon my heart. (it is God who is at work in me, Philippians 2:13)

Therefore, I must conclude it is I that is changing! The Heart Therapy that has been going on since my new birth, has finally reached the eyes of my heart and has begun to show me the redesign (flesh) versus what it was BEFORE (stone).

I’m beginning to pay attention!

God has been faithfully writing His law upon my heart. I know that because if He wasn’t, I would NOT BE declaring His Word in any form or fashion.

What IS changing, and what I want to DECLARE today, is the Word made flesh and dwelling within me (John 1:14)

The Therapist above all therapist has given me what I believe are FLESH-MAKING FLASHCARDS, which I will label “I DO Declare!”.  The Word of God has been spoken over me and by me for the last 30 plus years, but now God has added an intimacy that I will admit has laid dormant more times than not when I open Scripture.

God’s heart changing therapy for me (and possibly you, should you decide to join in therapy) is, at least for now, a 3 step action plan.

Step 1… The Holy Spirit takes from His Word (that is written on my heart) and “flashes” a Scripture He wishes to turn from just words (Mary’s view NOT Holy Spirit’s view)to intimate, Mary’s heart changing, Mary’s HEART MELTING truth declarations.

Step 2… I receive the Holy Spirit’s flashcards. I take my pen and paper, enter the throne room (it is the best play room EVER), and write the verse.

Step 3… Having written the verse, I read it over and over, noting the thoughts that enter my mind, and heart-strings that sing like harp strings played by angels,  and my child-like spirit’s exclamation over the fireworks display as seen by the eyes of my heart!

I know God has already written His Word upon my heart, however, my visual of that has pretty much been of stone tablets, like Moses brought down from the mountain. Like Israel, I pretty much wanted to leave those stones in the hands of God’s chosen leader. LET Moses face God and speak with intimacy what obeying His Word will cost. Let the pastors try to tell me what God means and what I NEED to do in order to appease serve Him. Intimacy with God? Moses had to cover his face after being in God’s presence. I prefer to keep a my distance when He is writing His commands on my heart. Intimacy with ABBA? Of course! He is my Daddy! But when Daddy is laying down the law… I prefer to be outside playing!

I know… childish!

Thus the reason the Holy Spirit has brought His “I DO Declare” flashcards and His heart changing therapy into my life for a time such as this. God WILL NOT allow childishness to remain!

Mark 10:14-15 “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Childishness, NO! When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; (1 Corinthians 13:11)…“when I became an adult, I did away with childish things.

I DO Declare!, comes AFTER putting away childish things (even a 66-year-old needs to put away childish things).

If I am going to boldly blog using God’s Word, obviously I do and I’m going to, then I MUST become PERSONALLY INTIMATE with it. And so, my commitment to you and my covenant with the Holy Spirit is to remain in heart-changing, heart-melting therapy with the Holy Spirit and His “I DO Declare” flashcards.

Then, having softened my heart with the FRUIT of His Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23) I will (go out with joy And be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before me, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12)

I DO Declare!

I DO mean I  – in the power of The Therapist above all therapists – the Holy Spirit of God. I DO… How about YOU?

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 

The thoughts and ways of God are so much higher, they makes our thoughts and ways look like one those of a one cell amoeba which hasn’t yet evolved into what its future state of being.

What’s really mind-blowing is, though we act like the amoeba, we are created in the image of God! When He blew His breath of life into each of us, we became able to THINK, able to PLAN, able to CHOOSE our action/reaction, able to DO, and able to BE related and in relationship with our Creator and our peers.

Notice I said able. Ready and willing and doing happen throughout all the days of our life.

Genesis 1: 27-28 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Then God stepped back and left us to our own devices.

NOT!

The Lord God planted a garden, and there He placed the man whom He formed, and commanded Him to cultivate and keep it (Genesis 2:8-15). Our of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; the man gave names to all…(Genesis 2:19-20) There was not found (in all the creatures made and named) a suitable helper (companion/peer) for Adam so the Lord God fashioned a woman from the rib taken from the man, and brought her to the man, and WHOA, the man was completely smitten by this creature that was his equal – “bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:21-23).

THEN God stepped away and left us to do the heavy lifting of gardening and managing our earth.

NOPE!

Up until they “forgot” what God had spoken to them and did their own thing (Genesis 3:1-7), both of them knew and walked with Him in the garden, in the cool of the day without fear or shame. Genesis 3:9 then the Lord called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”

It wasn’t God who left man to fend for themselves, it was man/woman who hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God – “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10)

Ok, NOW God turns His back on us!

NO! NO! NO!

Though He does call them out… Genesis 3:11 “Who told you that you were naked?”… Have you eaten from the tree I commanded you not to eat? (Of course you have or you wouldn’t KNOW what naked means, which in the realm of knowing good and evil means you are no longer covered with the perfection of God and completely innocent of evil’s touch.)

And He puts into place His plan to PROTECT us from the touch of eternal evil… CLOTHE our nakedness with the temporary coverings… and REDEEM us from the fruit of the sin planted in souls. (Genesis and the rest of the Story… HIS story… The Word of God)

What is really MIND BLOWING… Not only did God not walk away and let us believe He never existed (Atheism) or turn His back so we think He is not aware or interested in our world (Agnosticism) or allow us to be eternally damned (Hopeless) by the wages of sin.

Romans 8:37-39 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Not only NOT SEPARATED… but LOVED

1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 

I Do Not have the mind of God… You Do Not have the mind of God… We are not and can not BE GOD!

My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways…  My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts

But WOWZA!

Jeremiah 31:33 “But this is the covenant which I will make…” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 

You can have Him within and and His thoughts and ways written on your heart!

Walk with Him in the cool of the day… hear for yourself from God, Himself…

1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. 

Run to Daddy… Cry out to Abba to show you how to… Wrestle with Father/Brother/Helper in training for preparing to go in the way you should go…

Ephesians 3:14-19 Let us bow our knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge; that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

I dare you… let God tell you HIS thoughts and HIS ways… guaranteed HE WILL! (Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.)

Guaranteed to blow your mind!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

1 Corinthians 12:4-10 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

Variety! Yes!! “Different strokes for different folks” … Variety IS the SPICE OF LIFE!

Gifts! Yes!! The MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT… Whoa; words of wisdom – words of knowledge – faith – healing – effecting of miracles – prophecy – distinguishing of spirits – various kinds of tongues – interpretation of tongues… GOOD STUFF!!

Same Spirit… Same Lord… Same God – who works all things in all persons!

Yes! Lord! We believe! You ARE and You are the rewarder of those who seek You! (Hebrews 11:6)

God gives – gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 

But, did you catch it?

FOR THE COMMON GOOD… wait, this isn’t just my toy to play with when and where I want to?????

The common good of WHO???? Oh yah, my family… (bigger) my play group – I mean my church family… (bigger) my classmates – I mean my denomination… (bigger) YOUR people… wherever and whenever You bring us together? WHOA!!! REALLY???

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 

YEP!!! Side by Side!!! Come On, take ahold, make it Hand in Hand!!!

What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. Mark 10:9

Sounds like… marriage???

It is like marriage! When we are baptized into one body, we leave our first birth with all it’s Adam-like natures, and we become BORN AGAIN into God’s FAMILY; 1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. 

Not only joined BY God but joined WITH God!

1 Peter 2:10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Now I ask you… FOR THE COMMON GOOD… WHO are these “commoner” ?????  As the Oxford Dictionary states,  the common good would be – the benefit or interests of all (might I just add) the people of God.

I know! I know! It is not easy for us to leave our cozy kingdom of comfort. We have spent so much time, and effort, and costume changes, in putting together our gang of merry men and women. We have found the perfect “pastor” – our Robin Hood of stealing (not really stealing – just borrowing) meaning from the Word of God and replacing (not really replacing – just interpreting differently) with feeling good.

THOSE people… yes, we MIGHT be related by the blood of Jesus Christ… but THEY are scary different! If I spend TOO much time around THEM – well let’s just say IT could be contagious. Sshh… no, no… ONLY people who look like me!

ONLY people who PLAY NICE and RIGHT with… the my toys. ONLY people who KNOW HOW to use the my toys correctly – BY THE  MY RULES!

Maybe this could be the reason your the toys are few and far between… just sayin…

Sshh – Side by Side… who are you standing beside? At God’s table there will be someone of HIS choice sitting beside you.

Sshh – Hand in Hand… whose hand are you holding on to? Whose hand are you grasping and raising high in worship and praise of our Messiah?

Sshh… See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are… 

Sshh… it’s not a secret… if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9)… WE ARE… Side by Side and Hand in Hand!

To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Let the GIFTING begin!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

 

 

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

First came Israel… a chosen race – a royal priesthood – a holy nation… a people for God’s own possession!

And then came the rest of us… Roman 11:17… you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,

FYI!!!!! Israel has NOT been replaced by us as some would have us imagine! God… does not change His plan (no variation or shifting shadow – James 1:17). 

Do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, REMEMBER that it is NOT YOU who supports  the root, but THE ROOT SUPPORTS YOU! (Romans 11:18)

The Root – GOD – supports BOTH! So… when God speaks to Israel… He is speaking to the WHOLE tree. As a branch (wild, no less) grafted in, we do not become the “boss” of the tree nor can we decide which nutrients we “want/don’t want” from the root.

Rather, being the one late to the party, we should look to and learn from all that Israel has been given, taught, trained up in, as God’s First Choice… our brothers/sisters… from another mother, yes… but from our same Father in heaven! Our Daddy is not bigger than Israel’s Daddy – He IS the Daddy of BOTH OF US! I would venture to guess this is exactly why His Word is filled with the truth about sibling rivalry… He knows us so well!

1 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

The pure milk… grafted in to a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. For you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 2:10). God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… has caused us to be born again to a living hope… to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away (1 Peter 1:3-4)

 

1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world (those NOT grafted in) does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. (1 John 3:13)

Yeah, I don’t understand the hatred either, but I’m not surprised by it, nor willing to grovel or chase their approval/popularity. I am a Jesus Freak and chase Him (if He wanted groveling I would do that too)

With no groveling required…

2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 

Now for this very reason, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. (2 Peter 1:5-7)

For this very reason… because we ARE grafted in… because “WE ARE FAMILY”!

It makes me sing! It makes me dance! It makes me proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light!

Are you grafted in? Our family not only has the biggest olive garden, we specialize in all the finest fruit (you will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:16) through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives (the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; Galatians 5:22-23)

***Knowing them by their fruit is not permission to judge nor a ruler by which to measure… it is the call to love, encourage, and pray for our orchard mates and those we’d like to be orchard mates with! ***

Are you in our orchard? If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; Romans 10:9

You will be a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession… You will immediately be… GRAFTED IN!

Welcome to God’s Kingdom… and all the brothers and sisters say… “AMEN”

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

 

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 

I am not a deep thinker. I am a girl who is entertained for a moment then scurries off to the next best moment. I love bling, I oooh and ahhh over all the beautiful things my eyes are drawn to. For me, life has mostly been defined by seeing, “What you see is what you get!” If things sparkle, they are good. If things don’t… I’m usually not interested.

Pretty shallow…

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, 

Not so invisible when you desire to see, but hidden to someone who only has eyes for the diamonds already mined, polished and presented in lavish settings. Clearly seen and understood requires an eye for the potential, the evolution of the whole, rather than just the right here – right now.

Add to my need for immediate gratification, religion (talking about God) convinced me that HE was not someone who would satisfy my desires, much less let me be who I was (even if He did create me). Sooooo… I refused to clearly see and therefore had no understanding of our GOOD GOD!

No understanding… no concept of need.

No need… no pursuit.

No pursuit… no sight.

No sight… no faith. How right was my “friend” when she spoke the beginning of the end of my life heading to hell, “You need Jesus!”

O taste and see that the Lord is good;

He didn’t come with bling. He came with the truth of who I was and where I was going.

He didn’t come with instant fun and games. He came with the challenge to pursue intimacy and eternal fellowship.

He didn’t come with a package of don’ts. He came with the excitement of who God created me to be and always knew I would be, because He was there when the breath of life was blown into me.

He didn’t come with immediate perfection. He came with a lifetime of training me up in the way I should go.

I tasted… and I am beginning to see!

Job 37:14 “Listen to this, O Job Mary, Stand and consider the wonders of God. 

Two years ago we tasted and saw Alaska. A place made from the ice and snow grinding the rocks of the earth into soil, then receding so the seeds dropped from the air and the living sea grasses are tossed up, out of the water, to begin new land where all sorts of creatures will be raised  up, live and thrive by the GRACE of GOD.

Job 38:4-6 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? “On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, 

This year we tasted and saw Hawaii. This too, a place made from an unimaginable evolution. Lava, the bowels of the earth cooked and spewed out with a fire that turned it liquid. Cooked and cooled, time and time again, until an island was formed (and more still forming), the new land sowed with the seeds for what so many call paradise. A joyous mixture of color and texture and natural beauty that requires participation above and beyond just watching. Whereas I would see the WORK required to enjoy, the people of this great land see LIFE – ABUNDANT LIFE in its offerings.

We’ve seen the Grand Canyon, a place only the finger of God could imagine and carve into this unimaginable display, and supply it with creatures He made specifically to enhance and enjoy its design. Like the first garden, He gives it to man/woman to populate, raise up, live and thrive.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Taste and See… though I am only beginning to clearly see and understand God’s attributes… His eternal power and His divine nature, I have tasted His love and see the future and hope in Jesus…

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

As shallow as I am, even I can taste and see how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 

Even I, who is mesmerized by bling – beauty – ease, can recognize ABUNDANT life for those who participate with God in LIVING the life He gives… even if it comes in a form I would not choose for myself.

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure

His eternal power… His divine nature… His plan… His work… His will… His good pleasure…

John 10:10  “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Even I, want ALL of that!

Come, Lord Jesus, Come!… Bo Yeshua!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

 

 

 

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

Simple? YES!

Easy? NO!

Cheap? HELL NO! …when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (John 19:30)

HOWEVER!!!!!

IT.IS.FINISHED!

I woke up this morning with the feeling that “There’s a Bad Moon on the Rise”. The unfinished dream, (I NEVER remember dreams), the cold/flu that came out of nowhere last week and won’t leave, the struggles of friends and family that leave me scratching my head saying, “Where did THAT come from?”. I KNEW I SHOULD get up and prepare to MEET WITH MY PEEPS… it’s Website Wednesday… I have been waiting ALL WEEK to find out what I would blog about this week! (Whether you all know it or not, I’m your biggest fan! For everyone who is a subscriber or just happens to read today’s words, I thank God for each and every one as He and I sit together and speak of putting His song in each of our hearts, His Word posted on its doorposts, and His name always upon our lips.)

This morning though, I didn’t WANT to begin! This morning, I couldn’t imagine the message when the world felt like it was ready to toss its cookies and it would NOT be pretty!

Lord, WHAT is going on?

He smiled and said, “Passover is on the way… just days away… What do you THINK is going on?”  Observe and Remember!

Passover… “Let My people go!” (Exodus 7:16) 

Passover Lamb… “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John1:29)

Jesus said…  “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. 

IT.IS.FINISHED!

Satan is MAD AS HELL (also I suspect, scared as hell!)… his minions fear for all that they are, all that they never were, and all that they will never be… the gates of his kingdom are on their final attempt to prevail against the judgement of God and rewrite the FINAL THROW-DOWN.

We often think of Armageddon as the final battle between Christ and Satan. I disagree, the final battle between Christ and Satan happened at the cross… Jesus WON… IT.IS.FINISHED!

Armageddon is the final battle between the earth and Satan who has been its prince” since he stole it and its princely title from Adam/Eve. When mankind, each and every one, have made their choice, and the declaration of that choice is clearly posted for all to know and see, THEN COMES what we have always imagined as the bloodiest – the hardest – the most costly battle of God’s Son versus Satan, the REAL ENEMY of God.

We imagine there is still something for God to win/loose.

Or at least Satan wants us to imagine that there is still something to win/loose.

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.

Revelations 19:20 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.

The battle taking place on this planet called earth, is NOT between Satan and Christ, the Son of God. The battle is between Satan and man/woman. DECLARE Satan your god or face the fury of hell!

I’m sure, some of us would like to continue to believe we have no skin in the game… “all of this folderol is a story from the pages of the longest running science fiction promotion brought to us by religion”.

I’m sure, some of us pray our choice will never come up for public scrutiny… “not sure I could speak with the voice of a martyr”.

I’m sure, all of us would just like to forget all this ugly stuff and get ready for the Easter Bunny… “so much to do and so little time to do it”.

Passover is on the way… Observe and Remember! “Let My people go!” (Exodus 7:16). With those words this morning, Jesus cleared the chaos and confusion. What do I think is going on????

Satan is observing and remembering and sees his future palace abyss (Revelation 20:3). He knows, he’s always known, IT.IS.FINISHED!

He is LIVID… he is SCARED… he is IN his FINAL DAYS! His end is imminent!

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

ONE… And Done! He is RISEN indeed!

Yep, the battle between Jesus and Satan is finished… WINNER DECLARED… God!

Spoiler Alert! There is no pay for view event still to happen. But…but… but… the heaven opened –  their armies assembled… 

READ ON! …the beast (the Anti Christ) was seized – thrown alive into the lake of fire

an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand) laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; 

ONE… And Done! …Revelation 20:7-10 When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them (“poof”). And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

I just have to shake my head, smile, and wonder WHY am I always “surprised” when my spiritual eyes are opened and I notice the spiritual realm experiencing shaking – warfare – chaos – confusion.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

The GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD is on the marquee and it begins with Passover… need I say more??

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

1 Kings 19:11-13 So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

Speaking with God, was proclaimed by our “expert” talk show madam, as insanity. Actually, she was specifically diagnosing those of us who believe Jesus walks with us and talks to us. She was saying that those who talk to God are normal, but those who HEAR God talking to them, are… well let’s just say… are insane.

After being taken to the woodshed, she admitted she didn’t have a clue so many would be offended. Unexpectedly, the brave woman, was bruised and bloodied after a playground battle in which she so joyfully brandished her sword of foolishness.

Unexpectedly, she heard the people of Jesus, who quietly go about His business of relaying His words of GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY (not the same joy…), raised up and unashamedly  proclaimed, “He speaks! If you don’t hear Him, you’re not listening!”.

Unexpectedly, this woman, of more glee than joy, was completely unaware she might be walking on God’s holy ground. I’m hoping she, unexpectedly, maybe for the first time, heard for herself the voice of God.

As a Jesus Freak Christian, a grafted in Gentile, a child of the most high God… I KNOW the voice of my God!

He could be in a great and strong wind. His voice would rend the mountains and break into pieces the rocks before the Lord… but no, the Lord was not in the wind.

He could be in an earthquake… but no, the Lord was not in the earthquake.

Or a fire… but no, the Lord was not in the fire.

Then, there was… A sound of a gentle blowing… 

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.

Elijah had run for the hills in fear… been fed and sustained by God, Himself… cried out over and over again for deliverance (even death) from these days of severe threat to his life by JEZEBEL!  (I mean he was being threatened by a very bitter woman).

Elijah was definitely talking to God about his predicament. He wasn’t claiming that he didn’t deserve such suffering. He was just saying how completely worn out He was from his battle with his enemies (1 Kings 19:4-5)

Did he, as someone might joyfully proclaimed, fall into insanity because he expected to hear from God about his situation? Do we, after bearing our heart and soul to Father in heaven, expect to also hear from Him?

May I just say… it would be insane to seek God for His answer if we didn’t EXPECT and RECEIVE His answer!

Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving-kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. 

Maybe some of the Joys of this world aren’t familiar with the Lord who delights in loving-kindness, justice and righteousness. Maybe some of the Joys are too busy boasting of their own wisdom, might and  riches to understand and know the GREAT I AM… Who IS, WAS, and always WILL BE.

For those who believe in and love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deuteronomy 6:5) Elijah teaches us about SEEKING – HEARING – FOLLOWING God.

Elijah sought the Lord… “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” He knew God would be there. And behold, the Lord was passing by! Even when God wasn’t in the dramatic and harsh elements, Elijah kept looking for Him. He KNEW God would speak to him so he PREPARED to listen.

He recognized God’s voice in the midst of all that was happening before him. Those winds, and earthquake, and fire,  probably reminded him of and felt exactly like the fear and threats that sent him running to the hills! In the midst, he didn’t run from God! He ran to God… when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.

And behold,  a (REAL – LIVE – LOVING) voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Elijah KNEW him and was KNOWN by Him! And then… Elijah did what God told him to do… immediately and without doubt. (1 Kings 19:15-21)

Oh, for joy to come in the morning… if only you would seek the God of Jesus Freaks all over the world… if only you knew His voice… if only  you listened when He speaks (because He is speaking)… if only you followed His Words… “for the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

However the Word of the Lord comes, whether in a hurricane, an earthquake, a firestorm, or a gentle blowing, it comes to all. Those who KNOW and are KNOWN by our God who SPEAKS it, HEAR it!

Call us crazy… we will be the ones… Singing praise to the Lord, we His godly ones, and giving thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:4-5)

A shout of joy in the morning and blessing for a lifetime!

Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. “For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.”

The Voice of God is speaking! Are you listening?

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Romans 10:8-10 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”— that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 

If you… What are my OTHER options? Luke 18:18-21 A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit (to receive an allotted portion… the portion assigned to me *Strong’s Concordance) eternal life?”

If you… But FIRST! – Matthew 8:21 Another disciple said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”

If you… Not now! – Luke 14:16-24 “A man was giving a big dinner, and  he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.’ Another one said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.’ Another one said, ‘I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.’

Have I hit upon the “goto” excuse to delay your eternal life choice yet?

Sometimes we make it sound as if the choice is our’s alone to make, that it doesn’t affect anyone but me. That the worst consequence is just a delay. It’s JUST a religion – it’s JUST a mindset – it’s JUST a personal belief.

We want to think that this “spiritual thing” is JUST a phase of life with no REAL STRUGGLE required. Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead… quick and easy peasy!

And… it is QUICK… with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation… Right Here! Right Now!

But easy? Should it be easy? After all, confession is more than speaking a few words, or promising a few things that you may or may not fulfill when the time comes. And believing? Way more than childish declarations tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (Ephesians 4:14). It is speaking the truth in love, growing up in all aspects into Him (Ephesians 4:15). It is laying aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and being renewed in the spirit of your mind, and putting on the new self, which is in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Yes, it will begin “Right Here! Right Now!”

But what really begins is A Wrestling Match like no other, just as in Jacob’s (and now our) life!

Genesis 32:24 Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak

Not only do we wrestle with ourselves (the laying aside and putting on a new self is a sometimes VERY BLOODY match), we wrestle with all who enter (at their own risk) into our wrestling ring. When we ask God into our ring – Right Here! Right Now! – through our believing and confessing heart, we enter into an eternal wrestling match with…Elohiym (Strong’s Concordance)… the God of Israel! (Genesis 32:28 He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.”)

Jacob, became, right then and right there, the example of being in, what we call a RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

This is how God does life!

Wrestling (like parent with a child NOT enemies)… When he (God) saw that he had not prevailed against him (Jacob), he (God) touched the socket of his (Jacob’s) thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he (God) wrestled with him (Jacob). 26 Then he (God) said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he (Jacob) said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:25)

Obviously this match did not cause Jacob such great fear that he refused to wrestle. Nor did it cause Jacob to hate the One he was wrestling with. In fact, it caused him to know he was in a special place – the place of seeing God FACE TO FACE… (so Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.” verse 30)

A real life relationship with the REAL God! (Now the sun rose upon him just as he crossed over Penuel, and he was limping (He was “touched” – no doubt it was real) on his thigh. verse 31)

May I just say… EVERY relationship is a wrestling match! Or should be! For if it isn’t, it is nothing more than empty words and empty promises. A living arrangement that requires very little “like” much less love.

EVERY relationship requires a battle, both within and without, to establish the boundaries of and the land on which the living together will take place. Most of us would like to live ALONE without the necessity of wrestling, however the nature of each individual is a WRESTLER! Alone or with another, WE WILL WRESTLE! We may not call it “wrestling” for that indicates fighting with the possibility of violence, “WE” are BETTER THAN THAT! “WE” are lovers not fighters! “Some” might even declare us better than, more loving than, more caring than, GOD – after all – He ALLOWS bad things to happen – we MAKE LAWS against bad things happening while ignoring the truth that bad things happen when LAWS (especially God’s laws) AREN”T FOLLOWED.

I think we truly despise wrestling for the results, i.e. consequences of the match. We despise the RISK of the MATCH.

There is… wait for it… a winner AND a looser. Someone gets AND someone has to give. Someone rules AND someone serves. We wish to be DECLARED the winner without the risk of loosing.

With God, there is no question of authority… He created – we became the creature.

With God, there is no question of power… He speaks and IT is done.

With God, there is no question of consequences… His word NEVER returns void.

With God, there is no question… He is the way, the truth, the life.

We don’t often dwell on the worst risk of all… We loose!

With God, there is no risk… We Win!

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him

God desires to declare us WINNERS! Might be saved… might not perish… might have not just this “life” but have an ETERNAL abundant LIFE…

All for the price of the other thing we despise but cannot escape – RELATIONSHIP.

For richer, or poorer, in sickness, and in health, till death do us part, we are NEVER alone. Whether we acknowledge another “sharer of our life” or not, we share this land we call earth with billions of other “us”. Whether we wrestle with them or not we are related to each and every one of “us” by being alive on this earth.  When we do wrestle with another “us” it isn’t always fun, or pretty, or successful. Heck! When we wrestle with ourselves it isn’t always fun, or pretty, or even successful (even when we pretend it is).

When we wrestle with God, it is sometimes painful, often times ugly, but successful? ALWAYS!

When you confess with your mouth (HE IS LORD) and believe with your heart (HE IS GOD) you, right here and right now, hand Him the invitation to reside and the power of attorney  over the residence.

Like Jacob, our choice has been made and we should,

• expect and invite wrestling
• stay with the match until we are blessed
• rejoice that we SEE GOD FACE TO FACE and we live to tell about it!

Right Here! Right Now! The wrestling match begins…

For it is God who is at work in (and outside of) us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 

Spoiler Alert – We win God’s good pleasure when we lose our will to “DO IT MYSELF!”

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.