Lord, Subdue My Stubborn Heart

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Good Morning, Tuesday Worshipers!!

It's been a while (a crazy, chaotic while) since I was able to sit down, meditate on, love the Lord and bless His name with you.  

Thank you for your kindness and grace in all things toward me.  God (true to Self) has been working and pruning the hedges, so to speak.  All good, but certainly difficult.  
I'm praying that as He continues His good work - because all that He does IS good (Psalm 145:17-19) - I am able to see His bounty of grace, feel His heart of compassion, move with His guidance, and share Him accordingly!  This is the hope!  

There's a book that I've been reading on and off for the last year called, "Valley of Vision."  It's a puritan's prayer book, something that has been written to guide our prayer life.  As I read it, there is something that continually stands out to me about it: grief over sin is absolutely necessary for genuine repentance and continual growth.  
Let me explain a couple of things first.
There is nothing in the Bible that states we are to relish in our sin, dwell in our sin, continually think on our sin, or obey the temptation to sin.  NOTHING.  
The Lord tells us to set our minds on things above (Col. 3:2), to engage our minds in the true, lovely, praiseworthy things (Phil. 4:8), flee temptation (2 Tim. 2:22-24), enter God's courts with thanksgiving and praise (Psalm 100:4), and so on.  
In fact, we are reminded as believers in Christ that we are no longer slaves to our sin, but set free in Jesus (John 8:36), a temple of His Spirit (Romans 8:9) and called "saints" (Rom. 1:7, 1 Cor. 1:2).  

So, what of this grief over sin? 
Why continually?
Is it truly necessary?

Well for all of you who have put your sole trust in God alone, and read His Word with a studious faith, you know it is impossible for God to lie, sin, or contradict Himself (Num. 23:19).  For those of you still skeptical over the truthfulness and variable nature of the Bible, let this not be a hindrance or stumbling block.  Rather, look at it as an argument for why it's possible to live in the tension a joyful love and service to God, even in the middle of sorrowing over our broken nature and human state that exists until glory.  After all, "a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."  (Psalm 51:17)
Praise Him.
David held to that.
I will hold to that.

The puritan's prayer is a page long of old English prose, but let me recite the part that stood out to me, which is the purpose I write this blog.

"I thank thee (God) for they riches to me in Jesus,
    for the unclouded revelation of Him in they Word,
    where I behold his Person, character, grace, glory,
    humiliation, sufferings, death, and resurrection;
Give me to feel a need of His continual Saviourhood,
  and cry with Job, 'I am vile',
               with Peter, 'I perish,'
               with the publican, 'Be merciful to me, a sinner'.
Subdue in me the love of sin,
Let me know the need of renovation as well as of forgiveness,
   in order to serve and enjoy thee forever.
I come to thee in the all-prevailing name of Jesus,
   with nothing of my own to plead,
   no works, no worthiness, no promises.
I am often straying...."

It goes on, and there is some before it.  But do you get the general feel?  The title of this prayer is (ironically) "GOD THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD."  

Now, some may still argue that this prayer is for those who long to administer the penal code against themselves in prayer, laying punishment on them and beating their own hearts for what they have done.  Nope.
Nope.
Nope, nope NOPE! 
Because God is good and is the source of all good.  Because of His goodness He has laid the punishment of all sin on His beloved Son Jesus Christ, that through Him all would be saved, healed and sealed to Him. 

Joyfully, I look at this prayer and see a couple of things (things that I hope you will also see), which guides me into a praise and worship meditation of the Lord Christ.
1.  I am in CONSTANT need of my Savior.  In realizing my constant need for the Savior, 
2.  I have CONSTANT joy in serving Him, loving Him, and living in His promises!

This is a WIN/WIN.  I hope you can see that.  
Grief over the hardness of our hearts, that "fleshly" nature that we battle in thoughts, words and deeds daily, is a good and godly thing.  
Firstly, God KNOWS that our hearts are broken.  He KNOWS that we rage war on ourselves daily to suppress the sin-nature, and develop the mind of Christ.  He KNOWS the attempts we make at bringing our own strengths and weapons to the battle field.  He knew it way back when, when through the prophet Ezekiel He would add to the beauty of the Gospel through this promise:

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.  And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." (Ezek. 36:25-27)

The promise made to Israel is the Promise of the Holy Spirit.  
DID YOU HEAR THAT!?  
The promise of being made new, being made clean, being given a new heart, a new spirit, a new trajectory, a new way of life, would come through the work of His very own Spirit that would dwell in each believer.  
Friend, in Christ - in the belief that He is the anointed One of God sent to die for the sins of world, raise again the 3rd day and rise to His place of power - you receive the power of God unto salvation and unto the beautiful work of sanctification which is a big word for "becoming like Jesus."  
What does this mean?

We bring nothing - REALLY, NOTHING - to our salvation and change.
Even when we are broken and contrite before Him who is holy, it remains purely by the will of God to send His Spirit, to make us new, change our hearts to the obedience of our Faithful Father, convict us of our deep, ugly, morbid, twisted, perverse and unholy ways, and bring us to ongoing repentance.  

This is the M.O. of the One who promises His riches in Christ Jesus.  This is how we identify with Him who was crushed for our iniquities, bore our shame, and paid our unfathomable debt of sin.
Christ died for our sins. 
They're all paid for. 
Every.
Single.
One.
Until glory, however, we will daily need Him.  Until His triumphful entry into our world as The King, His Spirit will do His work as promised, carving away the hindrances to the Light He's put inside us; refine us by fire and purify us for Himself; work through our mess to better serve as Gospel proclaimers and ambassadors to our neighborhood, city, family, friends, church!  
Again...
Why continually?
Is it truly necessary?

As He subdues our stubborn heart (the heart that loves sin, rather than Jesus), we will see that grief over our daily sin, will lead us to Him.  Draw us into His presence.  See Him for who HE is, and better see who WE are.  
Do not be afraid to approach God in sorrow over your sin.  He will neither reject you nor punish you.  
In fact, those who entrust their lives to the Life-Giver, find life indeed.  Freedom indeed.  

Lord, keep subduing our stubbornness to your work, and help us understand better that the Holy Spirit is leading us into life, just as you promised that living in the Spirit leads to life!  Joy! Peace!  Love!  Compassion!  

In your sweet and precious name, Jesus...
Amen.

Much love, sweet sisters.
Deeds
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Healer of My Heart

Christ Died for My Sins

Hello again, Tuesday!

I trust your holding on tight as our summer swirls and hurls us about like tumble weeds in a dust storm! HAHAHA! It's so crazy that we're already finishing out July and approaching the (not so scorching) days of August. <3

 I've enjoyed the studies I've been doing recently - most recently is the ones in books like, "Gospel, 90-day Devotional, (WOW!)" "Growing Together,(YES!)" "Exalting Jesus in Leviticus," and "Exalting Jesus in Acts."
Those last two mentioned are part of a series and they're SO helpful. 

To give you a bit of an overlook at what these books are, they're primarily commentaries written to help pastors develop a clear and concise mode of preaching through each book of the Bible.  Each book of the "Exalting Jesus" series helps a pastor to gain the understanding of the Gospel as it pertains to each book! 

These have been incredibly simple in their layout, their insight, they're connections from one passage of Scripture to another.  It is no wonder these are made for a pastor to deliver a sweet and clear message to his congregation about the supernatural grace and wonder of the Lord Jesus Christ - the Gospel! Everything is tied to it!
Side note:  no, I'm not a pastor by profession, nor do I plan on assuming such a role.  But I AM a born again Christian, hoping to bring the light of the Gospel to my surroundings and even to my own life.  It's the hope that is primary and essential, priority and converting.  Thus, as Peter said, "Such as I have, I give to you…" in the context of what I know.  What I DO know, I give, in the name of Jesus Christ. 

Lord of Grace, I ask that You be here right now.  That You be working and tenderizing.  That You will penetrate and fill.  That You would bring to light the Gospel and the way it works in our lives, both to save and to sanctify. 
In Jesus Name, Amen.

In your Bibles, there's going to be places that are more cryptic and bewildering than others.  You've most likely stepped up to bat in your Bible reading plan, reached the book of Leviticus, and signaled for a "pinch hitter."  I get that.  I totally get that. 
Some books of the Bible are easier to get a sense of the flow and nature of the character of God and the relevance of His Word.  I want to offer something to you: don't let that hinder your desire to learn of God, and get to know Him.  He is absolutely gracious as He offers 2 things to help us in our studies:
1. The Holy Spirit.  In Christ, we have a perfect communicator between us and God that will help us come to an understanding of His Word.  It's the Helper.  He's with us to help us.  When you come to a Bible passage that leaves you wondering, it's ok to ask for help.  It's ok to not know, to pray over a selection of the Word of God, and to seek His counsel.  It's ok.  AND, it's ok to need additional support from those who have gone before us to seek and study the hard and deep things of the Bible.
2.  Books and commentaries.  These are written for the explicit purpose of helping us "connect the dots" between books, the truths therein, and the relationship to God they have.  The commentary series I mentioned above has helped me immensely to travel through a book - LIKE LEVITICUS! - bringing incredible insight and guidance toward knowing and loving my Lord! 

We are NOT alone in our studies.  We are NOT alone in our questions. 
Tim Keller

Paul Tripp

Sinclair Furgeson

Don Carson

Albert Mohler

NT Wright
Tim Mackey
Mike Bullmore

Jen Wilkin

Tony Merida

David Platt

JD Greear

Melissa Kruger

Trilia Newbell…

…and more have been down those paths of not knowing, questioning, searching, and prayerfully considering the text of Scripture before them.  They're ever-learners just like you and me.  They're ever-seekers, longing to know more of God, as that endeavor is ongoing and cannot be satiated on Earth.  For our benefit in knowing the Gospel better, and certainly by the grace of God, they have provided the fruit of their studies, the gifts of their teaching, and the love of our Father.  God has been so kind to provide all the ways we need in order to know and follow Him better!

Having said all of that, I would like to give a short Gospel message:  Christ died for our sins.  That's it.  That's the entire Gospel message. 
Christ.
Died.
For.
Our.
Sins. 
A five-word, all-inclusive explanation of what it is we initially believed in faith when we came to Christ. 
A famous hymn put it another way:
Jesus.
Paid.
It.

All.

This alone is the gift of God, by His grace.  The Gospel is the core belief system of a Christ follower.  And in Christ, we are meant to live, breathe and eat by it! 
Not only that, but it's strewn throughout the Bible.  It's laid out in the whole story of Scripture and plays out beautifully from beginning to end.  

For example: Proverbs 14:9 which says,

"Fools mock at the guilt offering,

    but the upright enjoy acceptance."

At first glance, it's easy to pass right over this verse in Proverbs with a quick nod to its teaching.
"Fools, bad."
"Upright, good."
Then we move on with a sense of, don't be a fool because it's better to be upright. 
In themselves, those statements are true.  There is a positivity to "upright" and "enjoy." We like those words.  Sounds bad, being a "fool" or one who "mocks."  But, what does that even mean!?
Why was this written?
Who wrote it?

What's the less obvious implications of "fool" vs. "upright?" 
Upright in what?
Guilt offering, huh?

To be as concise as possible, "fool" is used to describe those with no real sense of what life is about: God.  "Fools" are those who say, "there is no God," who live life in recklessness and carelessness.
Ok. Got it.  That's bad.
Upright.  Ah, more complex.  But simply put, he's the one who lives within his God-given boundaries.  He's wise and God-fearing.  He's moral and has a sense of justice.  He's conscientious of God and his standing before the Creator.
Cool!  I wanna be THAT guy (or gal).

So we have a stark contrast in characters here, which is the overall gist of the book of Proverbs.  It's the 31-chapter book of the Bible that lays out differences between one who fears the Lord and one who does not in great detail.  You can read Proverbs for yourself and get a pretty good idea of it's layout.  Praise the Lord for understanding!

Alrighty, but what of this guilt offering in relationship to a fool?  And how does that contrast with the upright who "enjoy acceptance??" 
This is where commentaries come into play.  There is a lot of background and history to the culture of the world that was; a lot of context that comes into play when dealing with who wrote this proverb (Solomon, son of David), and the audience to which he wrote it (the nation of Israel).  Having read the "Exalting Jesus in Leviticus" commentary (particularly surrounding Leviticus 5 and 6), I looked at this passage with more than a sense of right and wrong; more of a deep-hearted thrill for God!  For Jesus!  For who He is.  For what He's done. 

Leviticus is the law of God to the people of Israel.  They were given strict and detailed instructions about being the chosen nation of God Almighty.  What did life look like?  What did worship look like?  What did relationship look like?  What did sacrifice look like?  Why sacrifice?  What is the purpose behind ceremonies, festivals, purifications? 
All of Leviticus details the particulars of God's heart toward the nation of Israel, that they be holy, as God is Holy.  Set apart, different, in living and in worship from all other nations. 
In His love and because of His holiness, He provided a way - through rituals and observances - for the people of Israel to be reconciled to Him, grow closer to Him, and worship Him.  What a good God to be so kind as to provide a way in which we can be in a right relationship with Him!
In Leviticus 5 and 6, we get the finite details of what pursuing that relationship with Him looked like through something called, the "guilt offering."  This offering would be done by one who sinned unintentionally - broke the law without knowing it either because they didn't know it was a law, or because they simply forgot.  We'd call this a "mistake." Something done without intent.  Even still, it was a failure before the LORD; a sin nonetheless.  Just because we don't know a law exists doesn't make us any less guilty when we break it. 
This offering is made also when someone cheats another individual in any way.  If one took from another individual, one incurred guilt, and God gave direction as to how to make that right, both by making the offering as well as returning what was stolen, plus some. 
You can probably imagine how often this would have happened.  Unintentional sin?  Cheating another?  The priestly office was always a necessity - the burdens borne on the backs of the ones who brought these offerings before God was a heavy one.  Each. And. Every. Time.  Following the "ample" (I use that term loosely) sacrifice made by the priest, the idea and hope would be that said "offender" would walk away with a repentant heart - a heart of Godly grief - and live accordingly. 
Proverbs is alluding to this by saying that the "fool" mocks this offering as being inconsequential; unnecessary; a waste; a bother; an annoyance.  When you mock something, you're making less of the gravity of which it consists - the gravity of our sin (unintentional at best) is so heavy, and the "fool" mocks at it, and the offering that must be made in order to be reconciled to God and others.
Then, there's the opposite reaction to sin - the better and ideal way to handle it.  The Bible calls this being "upright."  The one who longs for that reconciliation with God and others, is the one whose prize possession is that relationship with God, His acceptance and His intimacy.  In bringing this guilt offering, Proverbs says that the "upright" does what is necessary to make things right, with godly grief and godly intention.  "A broken and contrite heart, the LORD will not despise," says David (Psalm 51).  

Hopefully this ties some things together for you.
1. The holiness of God vs. the sinfulness of man
2. The grace that made a way for man to be made right with him through sacrifice.
Finally, that this initial model of guilt pardoned, sin covered, and reconciliation extended was not the full and perfect mode God to reconcile people to Himself - it was however, a pointer to something - SOMEONE - greater.
Because of sin, the damage done, and the consistency of it, they (we) could not slaughter enough animals, wash enough hands, say enough prayers, do enough mourning, pay enough recompense to earn our right standing with God.  We are limited.  We are finite.  We are imperfect. 
This is not a gloom and doom thought.  This is a sobering thought, to be sure, but it is to serve as the preface to something more amazing, more deep, more radically different, and more unfathomably gracious: the Gospel.
 

As much as Proverbs points to Leviticus and Leviticus explains the Proverbs, they both "tip their hats" as Jen Wilkin would say, to the new and perfect covenant - Jesus Christ.  The covenant that God makes with His people now is through the perfect blood of the once-and-for-all, eternal, completely satisfactory sacrifice made through the Son of God.  

HE is the perfect offering for guilt to pardon our sins (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
HE is the perfect priest who brings our guilt before God (Hebrews 3-5).
HE is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29, 3:16).
Christ.
Died.
For.
Our.
Sins.

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures," 1 Cor. 15:3.

Jesus paid it all.  All to Him I owe.  Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. 
OH PRAISE THE ONE WHO PAID MY DEBT AND RAISED ME UP TO LIFE AGAIN!

Much love,
Deeds

Declare the Goodness of God!

SNEAK PEEK at a part of May's release!  Cannot wait for tomorrow!

Hello again, ladies.
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to deliver a small message with some of the ladies in my local church.  We had a virtual "tea" and may I just tell you, what a thrill to see and hear these special ladies!!  It was only a 45 minute Zoom chat, but there was plenty of smiles to last me...at least until the Saturday. ;)
When God lays it on your heart to share something, you should.  That's why I want to share with you what He gave me to share on Friday.

This past year God has shown me over and over again that I need the Gospel. I've been a Christian for over 20 years and I still need the Gospel every day. I need Jesus to be a better mom, to be a better friend, to be a better wife, to be a better me.

The first thing God has been teaching me is this: The Gospel is for all people, whether you are a disciple of Jesus or one who has walked away or one who doesn't know who Jesus is, you need the Gospel.

The second thing God has been teaching me is this: The Gospel is for all people, whether you're interacting with a disciple of Jesus or one who has walked away or one who doesn't know who Jesus is, they need the Gospel.

Let's look a bit at something that I believe the Lord wants to say to all of us about that.  1 Peter 2:1ff says,

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
    a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”

8 and

“A stone of stumbling,
    and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

 WOW!  Did you see it?

If you have not rejected the Living Stone (that's talking about Jesus Christ) but instead, believe God is building you as a spiritual house to be "a holy and royal priesthood" you have power for impact to those around you.

But what does it mean to for us to be priests? Cuz, that's kinda different.
Back when Peter wrote this, when someone thought of a "priest" they would have thought of a Jew from the tribe of Levi, publicly ordained and anointed with oil, to be a minister and mediator between man and God by way of offerings and sacrifices.  I got to thinking and studying about this, and would submit that it's not so much the title of "priest" that Peter is emphasizing, but rather the lifestyle of a priest.  As Peter speaks, he doesn't say a word about being a Jew, or a Levite, dripping oil, handling the blood of sacrifice, or any such specific access to the Holy of Holies…

So, if that's not what he's referring to, what does he mean? Listen again to what Peter says of us…

1. a holy nation - Set apart, anointed not by oil, but the fire of the Holy Spirit.
2. a people for God’s own possession - in His service, working as a purposed part of His body of believers to keep the body functioning with Christ as head.
3. to proclaim

announce officially or publicly,

declare something you consider important with due emphasis

   4.     the virtues:  that's a strange word, so here's what virtues means:

behavior showing high moral standards

In face some of your translations of the Bible may say, "goodness," "excellencies," and "praises"

of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

At first, I couldn't see anything here that Peter is saying as having much relation to a priest's responsibility in the Old Covenant.  At least, I couldn't before I had this book, "Christ-centered Exposition in Leviticus."
Peter is telling us the purpose of our life in Christ.

How are we like the Levitical priests?

We are set apart and distinct representatives of God, that's true. What else?

He says, Proclaim…

Declare…

Make public the goodness and praises of God?  Did priests used to do that?

Priests, even in the strange garb and attire, turbans and all, announced God's virtues. Even as the ordained minister of sacrifices, handling the offering of an animal, blood, guts, and all, his proclamation would be, "the goodness of God."

Upon fulfillment of the sacrifice by the priest, someone - the one who brought the sacrifice and offering for sin, for guilt, for restitution, would be declared forgiven; covered; made right with and reconciled to God.  You can see that all over in the sacrificial system as written in Leviticus.

Their job pointed to the Messiah.  Jesus is the fulfillment of the law (Matt. 5:17)
We know that He was a Jew, from the Kingly line of Judah (Heb. 7, Rev. 5);  He was anointed by God the Father Himself (Matt. 3:17)
to be the High Priest and Mediator between God and man
(Heb. 7), offering Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of all people (John 3:16).  And, as Hebrews again puts it appears "for us in God's presence." (9:24)

The priest's were pointing to the Gospel! And what is the Gospel?  The spotless Lamb, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed for our sins, our guilt, to restore and reconcile us to God, that we would be declared forgiven! Covered! Made right in our relationship to God Almighty.  This is wonderful news!  This was wonderful news for the Hebrew children in the time of the Levitical system, and it's wonderful news for us, right now, in the 21st century!

Peter says,

"Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

We are priests, not of the Levitical priesthood; but of a royal priesthood.
We are priests, not serving an earthly high priest, but under the rule of a perfect heavenly high priest.
We are priests, not by name, but by lifestyle.

We are priests, partakers in a holy calling, having tasted and seen that the Lord is INDEED GOOD, commissioned to declare the goodness of God - the praises of God - the mercies of God - the grace of God - the love of God.  Peter writes that
We have been chosen.

We have been forgiven.

We have been set apart.

We have become priests, in God's service, to proclaim and declare God's goodness - the Gospel.  And,  as we have encountered it in our lives, and as we know it to be completely needed in our world around us.  Like we agreed on before, we need this good news and we all know people who also need this good news!
News is for sharing.  News is for proclaiming.  This news of God's goodness is our declaration today! The Gospel is for us to give to others that they too may

1. Taste and see that the Lord is good
2. Come out of darkness into light
3. Become a people of God
4. Obtain the mercy of God
5. Become a priest under Christ
6. And declare the goodness of God to more!

I pray this was good for your heart and soul.  God's word is living and active, and I'm so excited that we have this good news to share with all people!

Much love,

Deeds

Stamps Used:
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Rebecca Script

Fear the LORD Only

It's surreal, right?
This time we live in is completely foreign - alien! - to our sense of peace, hope, comfort, convenience, health… The list goes on and on of just how many challenges have eroded the security we once felt. 

It's surreal.
Even as a Christian that attempts to maintain while others around me scurry, hurry, shuffle and hurt, my mind cannot help but be distracted by the waves of panic.  Those waves are big.  Bigger than anything I've ever known. 

What waves? 

The waves of fear. 
Fear that injures.

Fear that cripples.

Fear that mortifies.

Fear that terrorizes.

Fear that terrifies.

Fear that confuses.

Fear that deceives.

Fear that squeezes.

Fear that breaks.

Fear that weathers.

Fear that darkens.

Fear that blasphemes.

Fear that taunts.

Fear that ridicules.

These waves crash into the supermarkets, drugstores, libraries, nursing homes, arenas, and schools. 
These waves leave no survivors. 
These waves cause massive hysteria.

These waves bring onslaughts of mania.

These waves break walls of security.

These waves press hard on faith.

What are we afraid of?

We're afraid of something we don't know. 
Something we have no control over.

Something swift, painful, stealthy and pervasive.

A virus.

Something that the medical field hasn't prepared for. 
Something our brains haven't prepared for.

Something our bodies are not ready for.

Something our homes are not ready for.

Let me get to the point more quickly as I can sense the light is dimming on the hope that we say we have in Jesus, as Christ followers. 
WE NEED ONLY FEAR GOD ALONE.

Because this swift and swiping medical phenomenon - though "novel" - is still not a surprise.  Though unknown and unprecedented, it's still known and controlled.  By God.

There is no sense in fearing something that can be created, controlled, killed, obliterated, instilled, and changed. 

The greater sense of fear, the Bible says, is due the One who has the power to "kill the body and the soul in hell." 

Is that supposed to be helpful, Deeds?

Actually, yes.  And refreshing.  And encouraging.

Proverbs 9:10

"The FEAR of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.  And knowledge of the HOLY ONE is understanding." 
If we know, trust and believe the One who we know made heaven and earth and everything in it, we have started on the wonderful course of obtaining wisdom and understanding of the One who has the power over all things, including BODY and soul.   

Look around you.

Look inside you.

Do you see fear of the Lord in our world?   
Do you see people living, reacting, responding, treating each other in understanding? In wisdom?
Do you see results of life, peace and hope?  
 

When we fear God, it means that we have entered into a relationship with Him wherein He remains the Sovereign, the Ruler, the Good, and the Wise over our lives.  Fearing Him means the fear of other things (Coronavirus included) diminishes the waves of confusion, hurt, crippling, anxiety, panic, stress, darkness and wandering.
The Proverbs are a great source of encouragement to choose "wisdom."  She, as the book puts it, is what gives you life, hope, joy, and the blessed produce of more wisdom!  When we gain wisdom, which the Bible says is totally available to us from God Himself, we gain more understanding of who God is!  Fear of God = wisdom = life!

The fear of God is the beginning of life.

The fear of God is the beginning of joy.

The fear of God is the beginning of hope.

The fear of God is the beginning of light.

The fear of God is the beginning of peace...

Fear the Lord only; trust Him in this messy time.

Fear the Lord only; bring Him into all your life's agendas, tasks, and concerns.

Fear the Lord only; begin thinking, acting, and speaking like Him.

You may hate me for this, but I am THANKFUL that the Lord is bigger than the virus, and He's allowed it to shake our world.  

Why?  

Because the sudden onset of this virus triggered an onset of prayer warriors from around the globe.  

Bands of Christians have come together to fall before the Lord and give Him honor and glory due His name.  

It has brought me to my knees in my own unbelief to lean more heavily on the provision and power of my Mighty God.

It has crushed walls of division, creating unity under the same hope of something better and brighter.
I have seen the church of God BE the church of God, extending beyond the boundaries of Sunday fellowship!

Tell me that this is the Satan's doing.

Absolutely not.  

The Satan will not get the credit for this.

My God who is above all holy and awesome, worthy of all fear and reverence, will receive the glory for even something like COVID-19!!

"Trust in the LORD with all of your heart, and lean not on your OWN understanding.  In ALL of your ways, acknowledge HIM and HE will make your paths straight."  That's a promise from Proverbs 3:5-6.

It is your life!

Much love,

Deeds

PS -
God is good.
God is in control.

God is sovereign.

Whom (what) shall I fear?

Where Can I Run From Your Love

Read Psalm 139 here.

Where shall I go from your Spirit?  Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8 

If I ascend to heaven, you are there!  If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

Good morning
from yours truly!
I've been seriously considering just how fortunate I am that there's a platform for me to share - what a grace to be able to share openly, the love, faithfulness, and mercies of our God!  Simply amazing!

This blog post won't be like others, though it will still come from a heart that seeks the Lord and His strength, day by day.  Of that, I am certain.  I've had a somewhat miserable, and definitely difficult season these past couple of months.  I suppose it hasn't been weeded out of me, this desire to control all situations and lives in my care.  I suppose Jesus is still working on me, my heart and all the deep, underlying issues that remain.
My daily prayer is that one day soon, I will be able to face hardship without feigned faith, with unfettered hope, armed with the sword of His truth.  The most common place in which I typically find myself is in the valley, wishing for the peak.  I know I'm not the only one.  I think we all fight the urge to long for better, comfortable, and easy.  I understand fully however that until glory, we are in the thick of the earth's corruption, powers of the air, and spiritual battles for lost souls.  Which is why I'm so thankful for the comradeship of the Holy Spirit, and the companion of His Word.  I have Jesus Christ to thank for saving my soul, and Him alone to thank for the Helper He has so generously given.  I desperately need Him!

This introduction is a preface for the outstanding and timely effects of God's presence.  His movement in my heart as He guides the trajectory of my day, is too much for me to handle at times.  Even when it's hard, He's there.
Even when it hurts, He's there.
Even when it's lonesome, He's there.
When I sleep,
When I wake,
When I hide,
When I speak,
When I rise,
When I fall,
He is there.

This is why I labeled the blog "Where can I run from your love."  It's the simple question of rhetoric that follows hard on the heels of the rest of Psalm 139.  Where, indeed?
This, and Psalms like it, have an invasive glow in the darkness that surrounds both the Psalmist and me.  I'm sure this is something you've run into before as well as you've battled the schemes of the enemy to further work out your salvation:
"Lord God, it's hard.  It seems to never end.  This turmoil, this trial, it's forever.  It's devastating.  It's hurting me, my mind, my will to go forward.  I want to bury myself in heaps of comforts that can only serve their purpose as would my next breath.  I feel alone.  But...
God, I know you're here.  I know you've not gone.  I know you've never gone.  You're never caught fleeing the scene of my days, my panic-stricken mind, or ever-burdened soul.  I cannot hide my thoughts, my words, or my person from You.  You do not run for cover - You ARE my cover.  I pick up the functional, tangible savior, only to put it down again because in Your mercy, You remind me of Your faithfulness."

You cannot hide from this God.
That's a good thing.
That's a gracious thing.
That's a God thing.

His hand is on the matters of His creation, His heart tenderly working for our complete healing and sanctification.  No wonder the Psalmist says,
"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.    I awake, and I am still with you."  (vv.17-18)
This God of all comforts never sleeps.  Always thinks.  Always considers.  Always knows.  Always sees, always seeks, always loves.
God, even when I get caught up in my mess, or lost in my thoughts, or deep in my disbelief, You are there.  Where could I possibly go that Your love will not find me?  I do not ask for an answer, but glory in Your unbending will to see me through.  God, You are so good!

I pray you have a wonderful day, friends! Below are links to the stamp sets I used as well as the link to the song that inspired this page.  I thank you for your time in reading this, and I encourage you, sweet and hopeful sister, to continue on knowing that the Lord has not lost your way; He is leading you home!  Hallelujah!

Much love,
Deeds

Early Bird Bundle!
hurry!  Ends 12/9

Vintage Love

Art Deco Alpha

Youtube video, "139" by Gateway Worship .  ENJOY!