Practicing His Presence

Have you ever wondered how it's possible to fulfill certain scriptures? I Thessalonians 5:16-18 offers these instructions to us as believers. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

The words used here are pretty emphatic... "always, without ceasing, and in everything". I think where I've gotten tripped up in the past is looking at scriptures like this as a task list, when really what God is talking about is doing a heart check.

Rejoicing always and giving thanks are a state of the heart, not just positive words and emotions. For myself, these things spring from knowing and focusing on all that Christ has done for me on the inside, that as time goes on I see so marvelously manifesting all around me on the outside. It doesn't mean I never have "a moment" when I feel upset or discouraged, but it does mean that it will stay just that...a moment. Rejoicing always and giving thanks are the intentional decision to move past negative feelings and choose not to focus on a problem or challenge, but on the fact my God is bigger than any problem or challenge! 

"Pray without ceasing" can sound like a big order until we understand what prayer really is -- not just words, but a constant state of fellowship between my heart and the Father. I certainly believe that we should have personal, focused times of prayer, but when we leave those times is prayer over for the day? The great evangelist Smith Wigglesworth is quoted as saying this regarding prayer, "I rarely pray longer than 20 minutes at a time, but I never go for more than 20 minutes without praying."

I was walking around my house this morning just loving on the Father...spending time telling Him how grateful I am for all He has done and thanking Him for His goodness. While doing this, I was doing laundry and making my breakfast. When I sat down to eat, I had taken a few bites before I realized I hadn't specifically prayed over my food. All at once I felt a pang of guilt, but no worries... that was quickly dispelled by the Holy Spirit reminding me that I had been in prayer all morning, and my thanksgiving covered the food I was eating. Am I saying not to pray over our food when we eat? Of course not! What I am saying is that a continual state of fellowship with the Father covers so much more than we realize. What God truly desires is my fellowship, not just the things (that if we're honest) we often do more out of form and tradition. I can recall countless times of sweet fellowship when doing housework or driving down the road the Father has revealed things to me, comforted me in amazing ways, and given me direction I needed.

I encourage you to simply begin to practice God's presence. He is always there...right there with you, right now. It doesn't matter where you are in the world, what is going on in your country, in your house, on your job...or anywhere else...He is there. Really, that's all that matters. Don't let so many moments pass without speaking to Him. Love Him... tell Him what is on your heart... thank Him for all He's done... ask Him questions... just be with Him. My eyes fill with tears just thinking of how very glad I am to have Him always so near. He truly is the friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Amazed at His love,

Debbie Beck

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The Ugly Sin Within

When I began my research on the topic of the sin of pride, I didn't think that I would be the one getting the lesson on humility. That should have been an obvious sign to me right there! God began to show me how our culture perpetuates this sin, to the Nth degree! Think about social media. What is it that we see a lot on social media? Not all of the time or for all people, but sometimes people post and display their vainglory accomplishments and grandeur that they have attained. Never mind that they have gone into untold debt to "afford" said grandiose ways of life or objects.  And then sometimes we feel compelled to "stay up with the Joneses" so to speak. I suspect some of these same people post their accomplishments to feel approved, "liked," or to feel superior. What ends up happening many times is that it puffs up. I am guilty of this myself. Ouch. Being real honest here. The more likes I may get on that sermon I preached, I feel a little bit of pride trying to subtly inch its way into my life. I have to be very careful not to let this attitude and sin of pride become entrenched in me. I guess I'm in good company. I read a story about a very famous preacher by the name of Charles Spurgeon. It made me feel a little better, but not much ;). Spurgeon had just finished preaching a powerful sermon and as soon as he had spoken his last word, the devil whispered to him, "That was a fine sermon. You preached magnificently!" And for just a moment, he agreed with him. As he was stepping off of the platform, a deacon of that church told him his preaching was a masterpiece. Interrupting him, Spurgeon says, "You're too late. The devil told me that a few moments ago." All people, I don't care who you are, super-spiritual Christian, pastor, volunteer at the church-all of us must engage in the battle to keep the sin of pride from rearing its ugly head. And if you hear preachers who never admit to any weaknesses or shortcomings, beware. A preacher who won't authentically be themselves from the pulpit and every once in while show themselves to have weaknesses, probably has pride. Pride sees faults in others, not within.

So how does God view pride, what are its fruits, and what is the answer to the sin of pride?

Pride stands in direct opposition to God. God hates the sin of pride (Prov. 8:13). God never will and never has tolerated pride. Remember what happened to Lucifer? We read in Ezekiel 28:17 how he was puffed up with pride because of his own beauty and splendor and because of that he wanted to exalt his throne above the stars of God. This literally got him thrown out of heaven and then he became what we call the devil, all because of pride.

We read in 1 John 2:16 that everything in the world system comes from the sin of pride (the boasting of what one has and does) and from the lust of the eyes. Every sin in the world is spawned from these two sins. 

One of the "fruits" (if you want to call it that) of the sin of pride is conflict. Proverbs 13:10 says, "Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise." I dare say that every argument, disagreement, marital conflict, family turmoil, church split, even war-can all be traced back to pride. Pride separates us from other people and from God. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. I surely don't want God to resist me, I want grace! Much better for us to dwell with humility. 

Pride sets itself against God; it says, "I don't need God. I know so much that I can do this on my own!" In regards to people, it places little to no value on God's gifts in others. In relation to oneself, pride boasts that those talents and abilities, which are really gifts from God, were the result of our own doing.  

Pride will cause us to judge other people, to look down on others, to defend ourselves, and to refuse to forgive. If we don't want broken relationships with God and with others, we need to learn to say these words, and say them quickly: "I'm sorry," "I was wrong," "Will you forgive me?" 

Again and again the Bible also repeatedly warns us that pride comes before destruction and a fall (Proverbs 16:18). We should take this pride thing seriously!

The answer, of course, to pride is humility. Humility has the power to annihilate pride. Humility could be defined as not thinking of oneself. C.S. Lewis writes, "Christian humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less." Paul in Philippians 2:3 admonishes us, "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves." We need to learn from our Master, the Lord Jesus. Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart."  (Matthew 11:29) The evidence that we are learning of Christ is that we are becoming more and more like Him. He humbled himself and took on the nature of a servant and became obedient to death on the cross-for us! (Phil. 2:7-8) If we take an honest assessment of ourselves, are we looking more and more like Jesus or less and less like him? Are we humble, a servant to others, willing to wash others' feet, as the Lord did? 

In order to learn humility, we must first acknowledge that we are proud-whatever that looks like in our lives. And it can take so many different forms. I think one of the most offensive forms is that of religious pride. Pride can be so deceptive-we can even pride ourselves on how humble we are! Oh my, how backwards and upside down is that?! But if we are careful to honestly see ourselves in view of the cross and see how desperately we need a Savior, pride doesn't stand a chance. How can it? All of our righteous acts are like filthy rags to a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). When we remember that, we will truly stay humbled. But we must constantly fight to keep a right view of ourselves in order to not become inflated with pride. Everything we are and everything we have, we have because of God's grace and love. I am sure thankful that the sin of pride, just like every other sin, can be washed away in the blood of Jesus.

Grateful,
Kim Dillingham

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I am Enough

"Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me.  All because of Jesus."

(1 Timothy 1:14)

Grace doesn't stop pouring over us the day we call on the name of Jesus, but it continues to wash over our daily lives.  Grace awakens us to a new day and extends to us divine favor.  It exempts us from our debts, evaporates anxiety and drives out fear.  Circumstances arise, but grace overwhelms us with joy.  Grace overflows into the lives around us.. extending God's grace as we love others the way God loved us, through Christ.  The Lord declared,

  "My grace is enough, it's all you need." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

We live in a generation that takes twelve selfies before posting the one where our flaws are hidden by the lighting and perfectly angled lens... we all do it! We update our social media sites with scriptures, recipes, share parenting advice, post workout selfies as well as celebrate life events and pray for one another.  Our lives are intwined together via Facebook, Instagram and Pintrest.. it's a wonderful tool to stay connected with friends across the world.  But when we share our cropped and filtered life, it's easy to forget the battles that each of us are forging through and we may even be tempted to compare our real life "selfie" to the photoshopped lives of our friends.  Well, I have news for you...God created you in HIS image.   He "liked" your unfiltered "selfie" before leaving a comment...

"You are enough." - Jesus

  "Yet grace (God's unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ's [rich and bounteous] gift.  

(Ephesians 4:7)

You are uniquely designed by your creator to fulfill what He has purposed in you from the beginning of time. His grace (unmerited favor, exemption, approval, mercy, pardon, privilege) is enough.  If you didn't take your kids apple picking and bake pumpkin muffins from scratch, His grace is enough.  If you didn't freeze your crockpot meals for the month, and make your own laundry detergent, you are enough.  If you didn't risk hypothermia to dump ice water over your head... we haven't forgotten! ;) When our awareness becomes who we are IN HIM, and we allow God's grace to consume our lives, we can rise above the noise that says we have to be something or do something and we can experience the freedom of...

"I am enough."

"And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted) forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

     The awareness of God's grace working in our lives creates an overflow...that extends grace to those around us.  When we accept Christ to be the Lord over our lives, we are not just excepting a one time gift..we are allowing HIS grace to flow through us on a daily basis. We can put on the new self, created after the likeness of God (Eph. 4:24)...and extend grace to others, just as God has done for us, through His son!

     We don't have to filter and crop our lives for God to accept us as His friend..  We can let go of our shortcomings and allow God's grace to be enough!  It's not about what we do, but what HE has done!
We can wake up and go to bed knowing that no matter what has happened in our day.... "I am enough!"

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If I Only Had More Time

Sorry, I don’t have enough time.

I just need more hours in the day.

Have you ever caught yourself thinking these things?  Me too, however I’m convinced I’m wrong!

Our God in His infinite wisdom gave us 24 hours in the day & ordained part of that for sleep, rejuvenation.  He also is the one who numbers our days & promises to give us grace that will help us to live light & free.

“Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28-30

I once heard a great man of God say something that impacted me still to this day.  He said, “God won’t give you more than you can do in one day.”  He is a just & loving God!

Well, then, how come our days are too full?  Many reasons, actually!  Are we led by need or by conviction?  In other words, are we doing what everyone asks us to do or what we believe God is telling us to do.  I’m moved by compassion, but refuse to be led by need.

Trust me, everyone needs you!

Nonetheless, I have no problem turning off my phone or letting a call go to voicemail.  This one is just my personal preference, but my phone doesn’t alert me every time I have a new e-mail or a social media update.  No, I just look at those when I have the time to give. 

I guess I’m a mission field junky.  I lived on the mission field before cell phones & even laptops. Yes, no Internet. Gasp.  I long for those days when my day was fully mine & strive to keep in that attitude even now.  It’s nice not to have your attention diverted when focused on something God wants you to accomplish.

I also don’t drop what I’m doing for emergencies that aren’t emergencies at all.  Even Jesus didn’t.  How about the time they were all but demanding He stay, yet He said He had to go in Luke chapter 4.  “The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. ⁴³ But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

Oh, to learn this lesson.  Yes, I think we overload our schedules by saying, “yes” to man rather than “yes” to God.  After all, He is the one who sees the big picture & knows what will yield the greatest results.

Mastering our own time, one of life’s greatest lessons! 

I’ll conclude with this thought on what God does require of us. As we choose to give God the time He deserves each day, we allow Him to be the orchestrator of our life! He is the best day planner you can ever invest in…  trust me, the one who created it all in 6 & rested on the 7^th, knows just how to order our week!  

~Judi Jo

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