Somedays I Just Miss You

Some days I Just Miss You

I have been blessed to have a large family and lots of friends. Because my parents (pastor/missionaries) moved a lot when I was a child, I was blessed to make meaningful relationships all over the country. Like most people, many of my family and friends no longer live near me. With things like face book, it is fun to connect with many of them via the Internet. But, connecting with others via Internet, text, and even a phone call just isn't the same as living life together with people. You know, sharing life together at church, in each others homes, and at other activities (kids sports, recitals, etc.). So there are days that I just miss sharing those moments with others.

Two of my sisters are both living in western Kansas right now. There are days I just wish we could pack up and move too. I want my kids to hang with their kids, I want to see my nieces and nephews grow and experience new things. I want to discuss God's Word with my sister's and their husbands. I want to serve in their community and church with them. Some days I just miss them.

My In Laws live in Indiana, and there are days I wish we lived near them. Days when I know my nieces and nephews are doing sports, and I want to go to the game. I want to discuss with them what books they are reading, and help them with their homework (not that they need it). I want to have my in laws over for Sunday dinner, and back yard fires. Oh, there are just those days that I miss them.

My closest childhood friend lives in Texas. She and her husband come back to visit in Michigan a couple times a year, but there is never enough time to visit everyone. Oh, I wish I could sit and have a cup of coffee with her and discuss how God is working in our kids lives. I want to encourage her and her husband as they wait to see where the Lord is taking them next in life. Oh, there are just those days I miss her.

Two of my closets friends both live in Cincinnati. They are both married and have children now. I wish I could just sit and watch their families interact. I wish I could get to know their husbands. Oh, how I wish I could sing and worship God with them again. There are days I think I could just get in the car and drive there for a visit. Oh, how I miss just sitting and sharing life with them both, through the good and bad days.

There is a church in Pennsylvania full of some of the most wonderful people God ever placed in my life. There are Sunday's I just wish I could be there in the worship service with them all. Oh, how I miss them.

I could go on and on. There are cousins I miss, aunts, uncles, friends, there are even new online friends that I have never met in person, and yet I miss them too.

Maybe you have loved ones in life like that. Maybe some of the people you miss, like me, have died and are no longer even here on this earth. Maybe some of the people you miss are not so far away, but never have time to spend with you, or you with them. Life moves on, and it moves faster and faster as we get older.

Yes, I miss all of these people that God has blessed me to know. But, instead of sitting and missing them. I am going to celebrate those whom God has blessed me to be with today, and I am going to look forward to that glorious day when we will all be together in His Glory.

How about you? Are you focusing on those days gone by, or are you looking forward with anticipation to the day of the Lord? Are you celebrating the lives God has placed in your path today? Look around and rejoice. Today is the Day of the Lord.

So to all of you whom I miss dearly, I leave you with these words from Paul written to those he missed and loved.

Philippians 4:1, 4-9

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!



4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I am rejoicing in the Lord today that each of you are a part of my life. May He bless you richly today.

BE NICE

In my last post I talked about how I often struggle with being critical, complaining, and comparing.  So, I decided I was going to really work on this problem area in my life.  I really want to be a positive influence in the lives of those around me, so I decided I am going to, "Be Nice."  I thought a lot about it and prayed, and thought some more.  As I thought I remembered attending my grandma's funeral so many years ago.  I didn't spend a lot of time with my grandma as a child.  She lived in Michigan and most of my childhood I lived in Arizona and Indiana.  But, I do remember spending some time with her.  But, the thing I remember about her funeral is that, person after person mentioned that she was not only a prayer warrior, but a woman who never had a negative word to say.  Wow, what an amazing thing to say about someone.  So, as I was thinking about how to be more positive and "nice"  I asked my dad if it was true.  I asked him if he ever remembered his mom losing her temper, being unkind, or talking badly about anyone.  He said no, that she and all of her sisters were known for not gossiping and not speaking ill of others.  Again, I was in awe.  How did they do that?  Then I realized that even though my dad sometimes was loud or direct with us kids, he actually wasn't a negative person either.  Then it dawned on me, I know the trick, it is holding your tongue. 
In that moment a light went on and a flood of verses came to me. 
Verses from James chapter 1 and Ephesians chapter 4, verse from Proverbs all came to mind.  Verses that talked about being quiet in anger, speaking only what is good, etc.  But then the verse that really hit me was this: 2 Corithians 10:5-6
⁵ We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

But, I have to admit I didn't understand what this passage truly was saying, and I wasn't sure what it had to do with me being nice.  I mean Paul is talking about himself and the other leaders of the new church here.  He is talking about his witness and example to the church.  What does this have to do with me?  Paul is defending his words written to the Corinthian church.  He is saying that it is necessary to speak out against wrong teaching, but then there comes the part that God was trying to show me.  "Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ"  What does this mean?  Paul is not talking only of his thoughts, he is talking about the thoughts and questions of the church.  He is saying that they, the leaders, have heard a great deal of crazy, misleading, and wrong thoughts being taught in the church.  But rather than just harshly and rashly coming down on the people for their wrong thoughts, he and the other leaders are taking the time to think through these ideas and thoughts before they start showing them their disobedience.  Yes, they are going to speak truth, and point out wrong thinking and disobedience, but first they are going to stop and weigh their response against Christ and His WORD. 
Wow, I got it.  Being Nice is not letting people get away with wrong behavior.  No, being nice is taking the time to think and pray and seek Christ's way of handling a situation.  So, when I feel like being critical, complaining, or comparing instead I need to stop and capture that thought and see if it is in line with obedience to Christ.  Sometimes, when I am in the middle of a discussion I just want to speak the first thing that comes to my mind.  But if I slow down and capture my thoughts and weigh them against Christ's word, then I may find that my thoughts were not of Him, but wholly my own. 
So now I am on a mission to stop and take every thought captive.  This is not an easy task, but with Christ all things are possible. 
What about you?  What is God showing you in his Word, where is he trying to mold and shape you?

Loving the Bride

This video was shared last night during our lesson on Colossians, by our pastor.  I have to say it made me think good and hard about how I feel about the church (all of her).  I don't know about you, but often I find people to be annoying, and I just would rather not deal with them.  Don't get me wrong, I love them, I just can't always tolerate them.   Especially, those in the church.  I guess I offer more grace and forgiveness to those whom I think don't know any better.  You know what  I mean.  When you meet someone who is for sure totally "lost,"  It is so much easier to offer compassion, grace, and forgiveness.  But, when you know someone is a part of the body of Christ, and especially when they have been a believer a long time, it is so much harder to offer that same love to them. 
Do you struggle with this too?  I especially struggle with those in the church that spend a lot of time comparing, complaining, and criticizing.  Yet, I am often one of those people too.  How strange is that?  I may be more private about it.  You know only talking to my spouse, family, or close friends, but still it is not different than anyone else.  Just because I don't make a dramatic scene, doesn't mean I am not causing division or bitterness in the church.  So, what is one to do?  How in the world are we to love these people, this body, Christ's Bride?  I am so glad Christ gave an example to follow.  Oh, it isn't an easy answer, but it is the only answer.

Sacrificially, Whole heartedly, Selflessly, with reckless abandonment.  This is the example Christ gave us as he lived and died for us.  I feel challenged to go for it.  How about you?

Ephesians 5:1-2
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;  and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

Let peace reign in Suffering

This Sunday in our life group we discussed the passage in 1 Peter 5.  It was a great discussion on humility, leadership, and suffering.  If you take a look at the complete letter Peter write to these saints in the book of 1 Peter, it is quickly understood that suffering is expected in the life of a believer.  The whole book is about suffering for the cause of Christ. 

1 Peter 5

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Serve God Willingly

5 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, ² shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; ³ nor yet as lording it over ^[a]those allotted to your charge, but ^[b]proving to be examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading ^[c]crown of glory. ⁵ You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. ⁸ Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 [d]But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your ^[e]brethren who are in the world. ¹⁰ After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. ¹¹ To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
¹² Through Silvanus, our faithful brother ^[f](for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! ¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace be to you all who are in Christ.

 

Since Sunday, I have thought on this closing chapter of this letter over and over.  It is beautifully written and easy to understand.  The chapter opens with speaking to leaders.  He says leaders you are to lead by example.  Then he says to the young to follow in humility.  He then goes on to tell everyone to be humble, not to worry, be alert, and prepared.  He concludes with saying though we will all suffer for a while in the end Christ will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.  So, stand firm and love one another, and rely on Christ's peace. 

So are you a leader?  Are you humble?  Do you listen well?  Do you set a good example?  Are you worrying?  Are you on the alert for the attack of the evil one?  Are you prepared to fight the Good fight and to share the gospel at all cost?  These are questions I have been asking myself this week.

Can you imagine what it will be like to be made perfect?  To be confirmed by Christ?  To know what it is like to be truly established and full of all Christ strength?    What a glorious day that will be.

I can't wait, but until that day, I will with His strength stand firm and love others as Christ loved me. 

I hope you know the peace of Christ in your life, and that you too will Stand up for Christ in this life of suffering. 
Blessings.

Does Scripture ever overwhelm you?

Does Scripture ever overwhelm you?  It does me.  You know those verse with "always," "never," and "everything."  Here I will give you a few examples of the ones that ALWAYS seem to get me.


1 Thessalonians 5:14-18
^" We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. ¹⁶ Rejoice always; ¹⁷ pray without ceasing; ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."


Philippians 2:14-16
"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; ¹⁵ so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain."

Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:23
^" Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,"


Ok, so you get the point.  These verse are challenging to say the least.  In reality, these verses are completely impossible.  So, what do you do about such verses.  Do you just do your best to follow them?  Do you convince yourself these verses don't apply to you?  Do you come up with a step by step plan to be successful at obeying these verses? 
Can we do these impossible tasks?

Yes, we can.  Here is the answer to how to be successful.

1.  Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

2.  Luke 1:27 "For nothing is impossible with God."

3.  Romans 8:37 "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."

4.  Galatians 5:16 " But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."

I am so glad that it is not up to me to do the mighty work of the Spirit in my life.  I could never live according to the scripture on my own.  But with Christ in me, I am able to do the Impossible.  What a great and loving God.  I am so thankful He provides the answers for every situation. 
To really think deep on this topic go to Romans 8 and meditate on it for a day or two.

Discouraged, then go encourage someone else

Are you feeling discouraged today?  Then it is time for you to encourage someone else.  I have found that when I am feeling like life is too much and overwhelming, that if I take the time to look to care and encourage someone else.  In the process of giving them a pep talk I give myself one too. 

Try it and let me know if it works for you.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hebrews 10:19-25

 

¹⁹ Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a ^[a]sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

 

 

 

Do you know what I believe?

This last Monday (Memorial Day), I had the privilege to visit with one of my favorite Vietnam Vets.  This dear friend/relative has always been a joy to visit with.  I met him many years after he served our country.  I did not know him when he came home from that terrible war, but I know from stories of his sons and nephews that he struggled for a long time after that.  By the time I met this man though, he was just another kind and gentle man who enjoyed his family and a good joke.  
This past Monday morning as I walked over to his place, I sat down outside with him.  He was reading the paper, and commented on how much bad news there always is.   This opened a wonderful conversation between the two of us.  As always, I can't help but talk about God and my faith when I am visiting with others.  This gentleman has always made it clear that he is not religious and has some issues when it comes to God.  But I have never experienced any animosity from him.  As we continued to visit, he mentioned that he appreciated that I wasn't one of those religious people that had to be so pushy.  He went on to say he had other religious relatives that every time they saw him asked him if he had repented.  I could tell that his experiences with people of faith had been less than pleasant.  I truly thought a lot about what he said that morning for many days. 

I try and always be myself and live my Christian faith out loud.  I do sometimes share the gospel message boldly, but most of the time I trust that God will use me and my life to be a witness of His great love.  But, I wonder sometimes about all the people I know and love that have not accepted Jesus Christ as the one and only way to eternal life with God.  I wonder have I said enough, done enough, prayed enough.  As I was thinking about all this, a letter I wrote fifteen years ago came to my mind.  God laid it on my heart to write a letter and send it to those I love and care about.  I have kept the original copy of this letter all these years, and I decided I would like to share it with all of you today.  I am not going to edit it from it's original form.  You will see my writing style and ability has improved since then, but the heart of this letter is the same as my heart today.  I hope it blesses you, and if it does that you share it with others.  If it changes your life, please let me know.   Like I told this dear friend on Monday morning, I pray and believe that those I love will all come to Truth and Salvation in Jesus Christ.  I wait for that day when each and everyone will call to say that day has come and that the peace, joy, and hope that is found only is Christ is now theirs.  My hearts desire is to live in eternity with all those God has blessed me to know and love in this short life here on earth.

My letter written in 1998:

This letter is for you from the Lord Our God.

 

This letter is for you, the one who feels unworthy.

 

This letter is for you, the one who says, "I am a good person, I'll go to heaven."

 

This letter is for you, the one who feels empty inside, like something is missing.

 

This letter is for you, the one who says, "there is no God, no heaven, and no hell."

 

This letter is for you, the one who believes in Jesus, but is unsure of your salvation.

 

This letter is also for you, the one who calls yourself Christian.

 

 

 I am writing this letter to encourage, guide, and direct you into the life God wants for you.  God wants you to be blessed and loved.  He wants you to be a part of his family.

 

This is the message God has for you:

 

First, I must share with you that the Bible is God's Word.  It is the key to knowing and finding God's will. 

Now, let me tell you that God sent His one and only son, Jesus Christ, down to earth in the form of a man, to die a horrible death on a cross for all mankind.  Anyone who believes that this is the truth, and confesses that they are a sinner(a person who is no good), can be saved from death.  This is how the Bible says it,

"For God so loved the World that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16 NIV



God loves you so much that he sent his son to earth for you. 
 In Romans 5:8 the Bible says,
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this;  while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
It is also written in Romans 10:9-10,
"if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is LORD,"  and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
You see Jesus did not just die for you, but he also rose from the dead to prove He was God, the Christ, the only one who can save you from death. 

Now, to you who says, "I am too bad, he could not and will not forgive me for what  I have done."  Let me assure you that Jesus and only Jesus can and will forgive you. 
So, "Believe in the LORD Jesus, and you WILL be saved."  Acts 16:31
You say, but I can't change my ways.  You are right.  Only God can change you, so ask Him to save you, because it is also written,
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new Creation, the old has gone, the new has come."  2 Corinthians 5:17

 

To you, the one who says, "I am a good person."  You may be a great person, but the Bible says,
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast."
God says,
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  1 John 1:8-9
So,
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the LORD."  Acts 3:19
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD."  Romans 6:23

To you the one that feels like something is missing, or your not sure of your salvation in Jesus. 
Jesus says," I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10b
So, "I tell you the Truth, whoever hears my Word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned: he has crossed over from death to life."  John 5:24
So, believe that you are saved and rejoice in the exciting life God has for you.

To you the one who does not believe Jesus is the only savior, or maybe you believe he is okay for those who believe, but you can choose to believe you own way,
Jesus says," I am the Way and the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father (God) except through me."  John 14:6
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."  Acts 4:12
Jesus is the only way to eternal life in heaven with God.

To you who says, "There is no God, no heaven, and no hell."  I will not argue scripture with you.  I simple ask that you be sure in your heart that is what you believe.  Because I believe fully in God, and in His hope, peace, and my faith is firm in Jesus Christ.  I also believe that I am bound for heaven and without Christ's forgiveness I will be headed for hell.  How sure are you that you are right?  I am positive I am, and I want you to share eternity with me.

Now you may have read all this and are still saying, "I have waited too long, God won't take me now."  Or, "Jesus doesn't want me."  You are Wrong.  Jesus says,
 "Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in."  Revelations 3:10
"He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9b
So now that you know Jesus is the son of God, and that he died for your sin, and rose to prove he is God.  What are you going to do?  Are you going to accept His gift?  I hope you will.  You can right now.  Just tell Him you know you are a sinner, that you believe He is God and died for your sins.  Thank him for his gift and become part of His family. 
"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God."  John 1:12

God has given this letter to me to write to you.  It is not always easy to obey God.  This has been a difficult task for me and I realize by sending this letter to you I may offend you or anger you.  But, I pray that the Lord's Word will speak truth to your heart.  Here is a simple prayer to ask Jesus to be Lord of your life. 

Dear Lord Jesus,

 

I know I am a sinner and need your forgiveness.   I believe you died for my sins.   I want to invite you to come into my heart and make you Lord of my life.  Please, make me your child, a member of your family.  Thank you, Lord.

Amen

 

May the Lord guide and direct your life.

 

In the Lord's service,

Katie

Want to change to the World than Know God's WORD

All week my heart has been heavy.  I have been so burdened for the lost people of our world.  There are still so many people groups in the world who have not even heard the name of Jesus.  But, this is not the only lost souls of the world.  Here in our country so many do not know or understand the Truth.  There are churches full of people Sunday after Sunday, weekend after weekend, that are NOT free in Christ.  They have not heard the Truth, or they have not understood it.  How can this be?  How can we be living our lives side by side with our neighbors and not impacting them?  What is our role?  How can I make a difference?

As I prayed and searched my Bible, and visited with others on this issue of sharing the gospel and making disciples I realized there is only one answer.  It is the WORD of God.  I can tell lots of people my personal stories and experiences, but it is His Story that will change their lives.  It is His Word of Truth that has the power to save.  So I kept coming back to this same truth, the answer to how I can impact my world, is the same answer to the question how do I prepare my children for this world.  That answer is this.  If I want to change the World, I have to know God's Word.

There is a Nike commercial that goes something like this.  Eat Soccer, Drink Soccer, Sleep Soccer, Play Soccer, Live Soccer, JUST DO IT.  I want that to be my motto, just change soccer to the Bible, God's Word, the good book, whatever name you call it.

Eat God's Word, Sleep God's Word, Drink God's Word, Pray God's Word, Live God's Word.  JUST DO IT!

or maybe something more like this:

 

 

Read the WORD.

 

 

 

Study the WORD.

 

 

 

Memorize the WORD.

 

 

 

 

Listen to the WORD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share the WORD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teach the WORD.

 

 

 

I want to stop making excuses for bad behavior (that is a phrase we use in our house all the time).  I want there to be no reason why I can't live my life to the full, so I am going to make it my number one priority to JUST DO IT!!!

 

How about you?

 

 

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^{Colossians 3:18-4:6}

¹⁸ Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. ²⁰ Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

²² Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with ^[external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. ²⁵ For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.

 

4 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

² Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; ³ praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; ⁴ that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

⁵ Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

 

I thought I would give you a little glimpse of one of the ways I like to study the WORD.  One of the ways I like to look at God's Word is to read a small section of it and see what jumps out at me.  Then I take the section apart by highlighting in different colors.  As I reread the verse over and over, I look at them from different perspectives, and find knew meaning in them.

If you take a moment and read the verse above out loud, emphasizing the different highlighted colors each time, you will hear a different perspective each time.  Read it first emphasizing the yellow.  As I do that, I see the LORD's role in my life as primary, not mine, or even others.  Now try focusing on a different highlighted color, or if you have time print out the verse for yourself and highlight the words you see jumping out at you.  Read and reread the passage several times, and let the Holy Spirit speak to you.  Then if you have time, share with us what spoke to you.  It will be interesting to see the many different responses. 

 

So, one of the things that stood out to me was "seasoned with salt."  I love salt.  I love how it makes everything taste better, if you put just the right amount in.  I was pondering the mention of salt in the Bible this past week.  In Mark 9:50, we are told by Christ to have "salt in ourselves," so to be at peace with one another. 

So what is SALT?  That is my question.  Salt is not sugar.  It doesn't make food sweet.  Salt is not pepper, it does not make things spicy.  Salt is not garlic or onion or oregano.  But, if I add salt to any of these other things it brings out the flavor of what I added it to.  It enhances what is already there.  So salt is defined as being used especially to season or preserve food in Webster's dictionary.  So what is Jesus and Paul trying to say to use Christians if we are to be salt.    When I am salty I can enhance and help preserve others lives.  COOL!  The results of having salt in us creates peace with others according to Mark 9:50.  The evidence of salt in us is the knowledge of how to respond to others with gracious speech according to Colossians 4:6.  Wow, I want to be salty.  How about you? 

 

Is it OK to speak out against Authority?

 

 

 

 

Those who know me, know I don't watch a lot of television, so therefore I don't often watch the news. But, this last week there was no getting around the media influence on the Internet. Every time I logged into the web, I saw something about abortion, homosexuality, and politics. The stories that ran last week, were big because they covered not just one area of interest but many. These stories were about sports, politics, and religion. So they were hot topics.

As I saw many different views of these stories, I was saddened to the core of how off course even the Christian church has gone. I wondered, like so many other believers, what is my role in all this. How do I handle these things? So, as I prayed and asked God to show me the answers, he did just that.

I always find the ways God works so cool. Anne started doing a blog study on the book of 1 Peter, and our life group returned to a Bible study, we started a few weeks back on 1 Peter. I love when God does that. So, now I get to study 1 Peter closely with others, near and far.

If you want to check out Anne's blog, she has only posted two posts on 1 Peter so you can catchup quickly, just go here and join in.

Back to my question of how should I, a child of God, handle the sad truth of what is going on in the world around me. Is it OK to speak up and say that sin is sin? Is it OK to say that those who lead my country are speaking and doing evil? What is acceptable according to God? In a conversation I was having on this topic with an acquaintance, he said, that the Bible said, we are not to speak against those God placed in leadership, like our President. I did not recall reading that anywhere in the Bible. I had read Romans 13, which speaks on Respect of authority and that God placed those in leadership in place. But I had also read the books of the Old Testament where the people asked God to give them Kings, and he gave the people what they asked for even when they chose the ways of the world over the Lord's ways. I have read Hosea 8, which makes it clear that even when Israel was warned to allow God to lead them, they chose men instead. But, in all my reading and studying I did not recall anything that said God's people could not speak truth about false leaders. So, I was praying and thinking about these thing,s and yesterday when I was in Bible study with my life group, boom God showed me the answer.

1 Peter 2:13-20

Honor Authority

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond slaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

So there it was, submit to every human institution, king, government, etc. Submit because it is God's will that we submit. So what does that word submit mean then. It holds the key to answering the question of how we respond to an evil and corrupt government. Does it mean I can not speak truth about the evil of the President? Does it mean I should do everything that the government tells me to do? Absolutely not. Submission is not allowing someone or an institution to rule over you with an iron fist. Submission is recognizing the authority that has been given to someone. It is treating people and institutions with the proper respect they deserve for the position they hold. I am called to submit to my husband as the head of my home. That means I respect him, and even obey him. But, it doesn't mean I can't stand up for myself or righteousness. If my husband is leading our family down a path away from God, then it is my duty as his help meet to gently and respectfully point out his error. This is no different in the world, those who have been placed in authority are to lead in righteousness and truth. If they are not then they need to be called out in love and respect to Truth. Every prophet in the Bible was given the job of speaking the truth in love. Often it made their lives terribly miserable because those they had to speak to were people of authority who did not want to change from their wicked ways.

  This too is our calling. As you read on in 1 Peter 2, we are reminded that Jesus had to speak out against the evil of His day. He had to shine the light of Truth for us all and because He did he suffered the greatest and worst suffering of all on our behalf. Therefore, it is our calling, our duty to follow Him in suffering for the Truth. This is the message of 1 Peter 2. Submit to authority, speak Truth in love, and Suffer for the sake of the Cross.

1 Peter 2: 21-25

21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

    

So, if you are suffering because you are following Christ, be encouraged this is your High Calling.