Author: Jodie

Excited People

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Exodus 32:1-6IMG_4920

When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.”

2 So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.”

3 All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!”

5 Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!”

6 The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.

One of the many struggles I’ve faced as a leader is the desire to want to be liked by the people I’m serving. Although God has required me to love my neighbors and to make disciples, He has never promised that all of them would be my friends. Furthermore, He hasn’t promised that any of them will even LIKE me!

It appears as if Aaron struggled with the same desire to be accepted. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have listened to the people trash talk Moses while he was away worshipping God…. and then help them make an idol to worship!!!

Excited people are infectious. They speak and act with such fervor and facts that its easy to be pulled into their need for instant gratification. Mixed with our lack of patience in seeing God’s promises quickly come to fulfillment, the enemy uses our pride to convince us to take tangible items, melt them down, and worship what emerges from the fire.

Ludicrous.

Yet, it happens all too often in the Body of Christ.

Even though it may feel at times, like Jesus has gone up a mountain and left us, He is always present. Through His Spirit, His children are able to take possession of the land God has promised throughout the earth. In order to do that with greater effectiveness, however, we need “Aaron’s” who refuse to be swayed by excited people who demand their own way. We also need “Moses’s” who serve the Lord, regardless of the consequences. And we need people who are willing to kill their desire to be accepted by their excited brothers, friends and neighbors.

Time to take up my sword and obey God.

Exodus 32:27-29

27 Moses told them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone—even your brothers, friends, and neighbors.” 28 The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day.

29 Then Moses told the Levites, “Today you have ordained yourselves[a] for the service of the Lord, for you obeyed him even though it meant killing your own sons and brothers. Today you have earned a blessing.”

Instructions for your Marriage

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Exodus 25: 8-9, 10-11, 23-24, 31-32

8 “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. 9 You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.

10 “Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high.[a] 11 Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and run a molding of gold all around it.

23 “Then make a table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.[a] 24 Overlay it with pure gold and run a gold molding around the edge.

31 “Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. Make the entire lampstand and its decorations of one piece—the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals. 32 Make it with six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side.

Every time, without fail, when I read the multiple chapters in Exodus that explain how the children of Israel were to build the Tabernacle, Ark of the Covenant, a table, lampstand….I sigh, knowing that I’ll be bored out of my mind going through all the detailed instructions- again. This time, however, as I drudged through all the specifics the Lord gave Moses I asked, “God, why does this matter to ME?!” Immediately, the Holy Spirit aha moment came: God offers the same detailed instructions for how to build my life- and my marriage. Instructions on how to love God- and my husband are listed in scripture and the details are filled in when I ask Him pinpointed questions.

I used to pray very generally:

“Lord, bless my marriage. Please help Doug see that I’m right about ________. Amen”

Fortunately, by observing how several of my mentors prayed, I realized something was lacking in my conversations with God. So, I began to ask detailed instructions on how to build my ark, table, lampstand…

“Father, Thank you for giving me a husband who loves you. Bless him as he seeks to obey you in his life, his marriage, his parenting, his job & his ministry. I repent for not submitting to his decision about ________ . I see now that I was full of fear and as a result, didn’t trust him- or You. Lord, how should I apologize to him? How do You want me to respond the next time I feel afraid? How can I love Doug in a way that is pleasing to You and him? Help me to obey Your instructions for my life, and my marriage. Amen.”

078Not only have these in depth conversations with God radically changed my life- and my relationship with my husband, I’ve watched in awe as God has done the same for those I’ve been privileged to pray with. If your life – and your marriage seem to be wandering in the wilderness, I encourage you to go up the mountain as Moses did, and worship God. Then, seek detailed instructions on how to love Him- and your spouse (note: God’s spoken Word will NEVER contradict His written Word, so if you have any doubt about what you’re hearing, seek help from a trusted mentor who is willing to intercede for and with you). Once you’ve obtained specific blueprints for your life from the Master, choose to obey Him by building your tabernacle in the exact order as instructed. I promise you, His plans are never boring.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

I Don’t Love My Husband

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1 Corinthians 13:1-13

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;[a] but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages[b] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! 10 But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.

11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.[c] All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

I don’t love my husband. At least, not in every way mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

After a recent conflict filled conversation with my groom, I retreated to my secret place to ask God “why am I so irritated with this man!?” The answer was swift and clear: although some of my expectations of him were accurate according to scripture…most of them were self-centered. In short, during our discussion, I was continually demanding my own way.

Grrrrrr……

Then, ever so sweetly, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me (again!) that the deepest, purest, holiest and most complete love is always available from my Father. And when I engage in an intimate relationship with Him, all my expectations are met.

The love chapter was declared at our wedding 18 years ago and I’ve read this passage hundreds of times. But today, fresh revelation breathed life into the words penned by Paul. The majority of this section of scripture talks not about what love is, but how we try to manufacture it by what we do. How many times have I been caught up in the vicious cycle of serving others, instead of loving my husband? How many times have I spoken in unknown languages, prophesied, had great faith and given to the poor, but not loved the man I pledged to love for richer and for poorer, whether or not he met all my expectations, or showed love in return? My noisy gongs and clanging cymbals are far too numerous to count.

Let’s be honest. It’s easier to do things for our friends, family, or those in the body of Christ to remove our feelings of guilt or to fulfill our deep desire to be loved, feel important, worthy or needed. It’s difficult however, to invest our time, talents and treasure into our second most important relationship on this earth; our marriage, because loving our spouse largely goes unnoticed by them or others, and we are rarely praised for our efforts. Yet, if we’ll just be still for a moment each day to know and be consumed by the One who is love, we’ll realize that it “is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.” Then, when we surrender to His will, the Spirit will produce fruit that will enable us to love our spouse without giving up, or losing faith, and we will always be hopeful as we endure every circumstance….’till death do us part.

IMG_4385I don’t want to love my husband like a selfish child. Instead, I want to put away childish speech, thoughts, and reasoning so that I can submit to my groom out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:21-24

21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

Help Carry the Load

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Exodus 18:13-23

13 The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.

14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”

15 Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. 16 When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.”

17 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. 18 “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. 19 Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. 20 Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. 21 But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 22 They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. 23 If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”

IMG_4845Having lived in two states and several different cities during my lifetime, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of a myriad of local churches; some traditional, some contemporary. Despite all their theological differences and expressions of worship during their Sunday morning services, one aspect was always the same. The majority of the people took all their disputes to “Moses” (the preacher, senior pastor, reverend, etc.) Even though these men were extremely capable of dispensing advice and settling the cases between the quarreling parties they met with, Jethro’s warning eventually became a reality: “Moses” wore himself out physically, emotionally and spiritually….and the people became discouraged.

In order to avoid this catastrophe, there are two things the local church must be willing to enforce:

  • The “Moses” of the group must continue to teach God’s decrees to the people and show them how to conduct their lives. He also needs to select capable, honest men, and women who fear God, to lead others.
  • These leaders must always be available to serve others by giving of their time, talent and treasure to help them settle life’s common disputes. When they are faced with major disputes that they are not equipped to handle, they need to refer the people to “Moses.”

If this symbiotic relationship isn’t happening, the church will not effectively be able to “go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).” Fortunately, the solution to this dilemma is simple: repentance. If you’re a “Moses” who is acting as the head of the church, repent for your desire to be in control and surrender your will to the Father. If you’re a man, or woman who has been gifted by the Holy Spirit to help others, but choose instead to stand around watching others serve, repent for your selfishness and surrender your will to His.

Together, all of us MUST follow Jethro’s advice to help carry the load as we seek to “love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love others, as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-38).”

Together, all of us MUST follow Jethro’s advice to help carry the load as we seek to “love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love others, as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-38).”

Santa, St. Nick, Elf on the Shelf….baby Jesus

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Proverbs 22:6

6 Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.

IMG_4848Every Christmas season I hear and read many passionate parents give their opinions- and judgments about why they- and others should celebrate Santa, St. Nick….baby Jesus.

IMG_4849Many mom’s and dad’s follow the traditions set forth by their parents in order that they can re-live their childhood, and create the same magical memories for their little ones. Others follow their friends or holiday “experts” advice in order to do it all. They spend countless hours decorating, shopping, baking, wrapping, screaming, cussing and drinking too much spiked eggnog after the tree and the demands of the holiday come come crashing down around them on Christmas Eve.

But I wonder…in the hustle and bustle, do we ever stop and ask “why?”

Why do we celebrate the way we do?

Why do we celebrate Santa?

Why do we adopt an Elf on the Shelf?

Why do we go into debt in order to buy all these gifts?

Why do we praise St. Nick?

Why do we celebrate baby Jesus?

Why do we think make-believe is more magical, more fun than reality?

Regardless of our reasons for the answers to these questions, the greater question- the only one that truly matters for all eternity is this:

“God, what do you want my family to celebrate? What do you want me to teach our children during this season?”

John 16:13

13 The Holy Spirit is coming. He will lead you into all truth. He will not speak His Own words. He will speak what He hears. He will tell you of things to come.

Once we’re willing to ask the King of kings – and obey His answer, we can rest….and enjoy this holiday season, knowing that our kids will not turn away from His teaching when they are older.

6 Feet Deep

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Romans 7:14-25

14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[b] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

IMG_4845Occasionally, when we darken the doors of a building where His church gathers, we hear a convicting sermon that points to the obvious sins in our life. But what about those sins that are 6 feet deep, just like the bodies that lie in the cemetery next to those beautiful sanctuaries? How on earth do we recognize those hidden sins that live in the darkness of our souls?

We ask the Holy Spirit to use a shovel, or a backhoe, or whatever earth mover He needs to remove the layers of dirt so that His light will illuminate the sinful nature that continues to reek havoc- and bring death to our daily lives.

Every time I read this passage that Paul penned so very long ago I realize that no matter how holy I think I am or how worthy I believe my call from Him is, I am faced with the dilemma that there is another power within me that is at war. When the Holy Spirit brings conviction to the things I’ve done wrong they always, always, always reflect the sin that was committed in the garden at the dawn of creation:

-lust of the eyes (I see it)

-lust of the flesh (I want it)

-the pride of life (I justify why I should have it)

Even though I think I love Gods law with all my heart, there are still places that are not yet fully submitted to His lordship. Places where I’ve been hurt because of my wrong expectations of Him- or others. Places where I’ve sinned and not repented. Places where I’ve failed to trust Him completely and subsequently decided to taste the fruit for myself.

It all sounds terribly defeating – this cycle of wanting to do what is right, but inevitably choosing wrong. But there is HOPE….. a Savior, who is Christ the Lord! Who was born of a virgin, suffered and died for our sake, so that we could live a life free from the slavery of sin. Free from spiritual and emotional death. Free from everlasting torment.

Do you want a relationship with this Savior? Do you want to experience the freedom He offers? Then I implore you to read the following passage, and do what it says. If you already have a relationship with Jesus, but find yourself feeling 6 feet deep, retreat to your secret place and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any area of hidden sin. Then confess, repent and forgive, as He leads. If, however, the dirt is not easily lifted, ask a godly mentor to bring a shovel over to help you dig!

Romans 10:9-12

9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

11 The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.

12 [No one] for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. The same Lord is Lord over all [of us] and He generously bestows His riches upon all who call upon Him [in faith].

New

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Luke 5:33-37

33 One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?”

34 Jesus responded, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. 35 But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

36 Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment.

37 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins.

IMG_4831The deliverymen from Lowe’s were not very happy campers when they arrived 2 hours late last week to install our new refrigerator. To make matters worse, they quickly realized that our new appliance was not going to fit through our old doorways. An hour or so later, once they removed our back door from its hinges and disassembled the fridge and freezer doors, we stood and admired our new, shiny, energy efficient food storage container….that no longer fits into the 30 year old cabinetry in our home.

Time to renovate!!!

Romans 12:1-2

And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

The more I worship God, the more I realize that my mind continually needs to be renovated. As the Holy Spirit reveals areas of sin in my life (some, I have discovered, have been hiding for 30 + years!) I have the choice to:

-try to fix the “issues” by myself by using a new patch on an old garment

or

-submit my body as a living and holy sacrifice to God, so that He can burst the lies of the enemy, create a new wineskin and fill it with His Truth

The process of renovating my heart is often a messy and sometimes painful experience. But, I know that copying the behavior and customs of the world won’t provide me with the freedom my soul is yearning for.

As another year draws to an end- again,

and we begin the process of renovating our kitchen- again,

I am reminded that I continually need to apply this age-old phrase to my life: out with the old, in with the new –again!