It is Stupid

October 12, 2015 / Jodie / Leave a comment

Proverbs 12:1

To learn, you must love discipline;  it is stupid to hate correction.

During my journey as a disciple of Jesus Christ I haven’t always loved discipline. Alright…let’s be honest: at times, I’ve actually hated correction because I’ve trusted that what I was thinking, feeling, believing and doing was absolutely “right.” To make matters worse, I’ve even cited Gods blessings in my life as tangible evidence that I must be practically perfect in every way- and completely beyond reproach!!!

Enter pride: stage “right.”

Each time the Lord brings correction through His Word, prayer or others, my ego takes a huge slap to the face. If I choose to react to the pain and become angry and blame others (as Adam & Eve did in the garden), shame will consume me like a heavy cloak…. and I will remain a fool. But if I am able to lay down my offense and ask the Lord to penetrate the darkness with His light to reveal the Truth, I will see that I have once again rebelled against Him. And in His mercy, He will once again give me the opportunity to confess, repent, be forgiven & clothed in His righteousness.

It is stupid for me to hate correction, for I know the Father’s discipline is always, ALWAYS motivated by love. Even if a rebuke is delivered through someone who doesn’t articulate it with the most gentle, thoughtful and kind words, I can still receive it in love, because I know it comes from the One whom delights in me!

Proverbs 3:12

For the Lord corrects those he loves,  just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

If you want to know God, you must learn about Him.

If you want to learn about Him, you must love discipline.

If you want to love discipline, you must accept correction.

If you want to accept correction, you must be wise.

If you want to be wise, you must be willing to listen to others.

Proverbs 12:15

Fools think their own way is right,  but the wise listen to others.

Proverbs 12:15

Fools think their own way is right,  but the wise listen to others.

In Private

July 15, 2015July 13, 2015 / Jodie / Leave a comment

Matthew 6:1-4

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

The other day, as I was scrubbing the master bath sink, cleaning up toys in the living room, sweeping the kitchen floor and doing yet another load of laundry for our family I wondered “how many times have my good deeds gone unnoticed in this house?” In which the Holy Spirit quickly replied “your Father sees everything you do in private….”

But, oh…how great it feels to do the deeds publically. To serve others with my spiritual gifts and have them respond with gratitude and praise! Blowing my own trumpet feeds my flesh – look what I did for that person in need. How charitable I am. God used ME to pray in unknown languages, discern a spirit, give a word of knowledge, or prophesy. I should receive a reward.

What a hypocrite.

As I talked with my husband about this latest revelation I acknowledged how hard my soul sometimes battles to be a submitted wife and loving mom. They are roles that, when fulfilled the way God intended, require me to be selfless, self-sacrificing and humble….every moment, of every day. Yet, when I constantly surrender my will to the Father, He not only gives me the fruit of His Spirit to love and serve my family, He gives me the gifts of His Spirit to help them when they are in need. And often, one of the rewards He blesses me with is a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with my groom and all four of our children.

He is El Roi, the God who sees me…and sees EVERY thing I do in private – and public. He is the God who loves me and forgives me. He is my greatest reward.

A New Grip

July 6, 2015 / Jodie / Leave a comment

Hebrews 12:7-13

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?[a]

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

I STRONGLY dislike exercising. It’s boring and I feel like there’s no purpose in it- AT ALL. As a youngster, I was very physically active playing soccer, softball, basketball and tennis. I had fun. And my purpose was: to WIN! But when I became an adult, those reasons slowly began to fade and over time, my body became increasingly weak.

About a month ago, after running (no pun intended) out of excuses, I began asking God to help me strengthen His house.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Do you not know that your body is a house of God where the Holy Spirit lives? God gave you His Holy Spirit. Now you belong to God. You do not belong to yourselves. 20 God bought you with a great price. So honor God with your body. You belong to Him.

As I waited for a miraculous event to motivate me, I realized that my stubborn child-like will was getting in the way of my progress. As a result, I had to choose to surrender several rooms (unhealthy foods, being comfortable, my time, my desire for a quick fix, etc.) to God and force this mobile home to get MOVING! I also had to lay down my pride and ask others for help during the remodel.

Weeks later, my opinion hasn’t changed much about physical activity. Daily exercise is still not enjoyable for me. As I’ve taken a new grip on my old weights, my muscles continue to throb in pain during -and after my training. But, as I endure this divine discipline, my soul is beginning to understand that it IS good for me. And as His child, I know there WILL be peaceful harvest of right living in my life, IF I continue to honor God with my body.

In Our Group

June 17, 2015 / Jodie / Leave a comment

Luke 9:49-50

49 John said, “Teacher, we saw someone putting out demons in Your name. We told him to stop because he was not following us.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him. He who is not against us is for us.”

I’ve been like John; quick to judge someone who isn’t “in our group” of disciples. Quick to criticize the way they are ministering to others in Jesus name. I’ve even condemned other families of believers (churches) who aren’t in our group of denomination! In my pride and ignorance, I’ve assumed that they aren’t loving & obeying God because their worship services, small groups or outreaches aren’t the same as mine.

Uggggh.

The truth is, as Jesus clearly states when He rebukes his disciple, anyone who is a disciple of Jesus is for God. And as His children, we all have a part to play in the advancement of His kingdom on this earth.

Matthew 7:1

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

“Jesus says regarding judging- don’t. The average Christian is the most penetratingly critical individual. Criticism is a part of the ordinary faculty of man; but in the spiritual domain nothing is accomplished by criticism. The effect of criticism is a dividing up of the powers of the one criticized; the Holy Ghost is the only One in the true position to criticize, He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding. It is impossible to enter into communion with God when you are in a critical temper; it makes you hard and vindictive and cruel, and leaves you with the flattering unction that you are a superior person. Jesus says, as a disciple cultivate the uncritical temper. It is not done once and for all. Beware of anything that puts you in the superior person’s place.” –Oswald Chambers

By design, our Creator has given each of us unique abilities and specific gifts to edify the body of Christ so that we can do what God has called us to do. As we love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and love others as we love ourselves, those who are against us will see Jesus manifested in our loves and perhaps, want to follow Him too.

It is not our responsibility to judge the hearts of men. We are simply to be conformed to the image of Christ… and to go make disciples of all nations-, which may include casting out a few demons along the way!

Father, I repent for judging Your people. Please forgive me for hurting and wounding my brothers & sisters because of my sin. Help me to love every person, every part of the body of Christ so that we, together in complete unity, can fulfill Your great commission in our communities, our nation and our world. Amen

Slave to Sin

June 2, 2015 / Jodie / Leave a comment

Romans 6:4-7, 12-18

4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.

12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. 15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

After I died and was buried with Christ by baptism, I was determined to live a new life. I became extremely disciplined; doing everything “right” to ensure that sin would lose its power over me. Because I relied on my stubborn will instead of God’s grace, I repeatedly failed in my endeavor. Instead, I continued to live as a slave to sin in several areas of my life.

I see many in the body of Christ caught in the same vicious cycle. They try and try and try to obey the law. They meet with their pastor. They attend counseling sessions. They sign up for a bible study. They go to therapy. They serve every Sunday. They join a small group. They work at every outreach. But freedom in Christ continues to elude them.

Why?

Why can’t they break the power of sin?

The simple, yet difficult answer is this: they must give themselves completely to God. Completely. They can try to fight it (sin), discipline it, justify it, but if they fail to relinquish every area of their lives to the Creator of the Universe, they will, as Paul states, be a slave to it.

When I first surrendered my stubborn pride and crippling fears to the Father, He began revealing the sins from my past that were affecting my present. As I came face to face with my Savior and repented for each specific disobedience against the Father, the Son unlocked the prison door and beckoned me to walk out— into freedom!

As a result, many areas of my heart and soul are now FREE to love the Lord my God with all my strength, and love others as myself. Yet, there are still more areas which are hidden to me that my Healer has yet to shine His light on. And so, I continue to communicate with my Lord regularly, asking, “what areas of my life am I not trusting and obeying You?”

Luke 10:27

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Is sin controlling the way you live? Do you desperately want to become a slave to righteousness? I urge you….cry out to God, give yourself completely to Him and repent for everything the Holy Spirit reveals to you. Then stand up, walk out of that prison cell, and follow Jesus into the abundant life He has planned for you!

John 10:10

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

A Special Utensil

March 31, 2015 / Jodie / Leave a comment

2 Timothy 2:20-26

20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

Paul’s wisdom to Timothy gives us an excellent framework on how to be put to honorable use by the Father. If I want to live righteously, I must pursue purity. Rather, I must pursue Jesus by surrendering daily to the leading of His Spirit, to develop the fruit of faithfulness, love and peace in my life. I must also run from anything that stimulates lust (those things that make my 5 senses feel good, but that are not surrendered to Christ).

Paul also mentions the importance of companionship with other believers who have pure hearts. Why does that matter? Do we really need others to be used by God?

Absolutely.

As a little girl, I preferred to play alone. Not that alone isn’t good- it is, Jesus modeled the importance of aloneness when He continually went off by Himself to pray. But my aloneness was because I wanted to be in control of how the Barbie’s were played with, and which album spun on my Fisher Price record player! In short, I was prideful and I didn’t trust other people.

As I grew into an adult and a devoted follower of Jesus, it took quite a bit of effort to bend my will to the Father in regards to my aloneness. Honestly, I thought I was doing pretty good at the discipleship thing, so, I concluded, I didn’t really need others to pursue God.

I was wrong.

What I’ve since discovered is: my willingness to engage with those in the body of Christ has a direct impact on my ability to be a true servant of the Lord. When I choose to share my life with other “parts” and allow them to instruct, encourage, and rebuke me I am then able to teach, be patient with difficult people, speak Gods truth in love and help others escape the devils trap!

1 Corinthians 12:15-19

15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part!

Have there been a few “parts” that have proven themselves untrustworthy? Yep. And sadly, I’m sure there will be more. Still, I know that GOD can be trusted and as long as I pursue Him, He will help me enjoy the companionship of others so that we all may become special utensils together.

Ask for help!

March 27, 2015 / Jodie / 1 Comment

Isaiah 30:18-21

18 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him  so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God.  Blessed are those who wait for his help.

19 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem,  you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help.  He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.

20 Though the Lord gave you adversity for food  and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you.  You will see your teacher with your own eyes.

21 Your own ears will hear him.  Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,”  whether to the right or to the left.

I cannot count the times I’ve needed help from the Lord….and failed to ask Him.

Help with depression.

Help with anxiety.

Help with sickness.

Help with forgiveness.

Help with conflicts.

Help with fear.

Help with my marriage.

Help with communication.

Help with finances.

Help with sexual intimacy.

Help with our children.

Sure, there have been plenty of times that I’ve prayed, telling Him my wants and to bless me in whatever I decided to do. Much less frequently, however, have I put forth the effort to surrender my prideful will and humbly ask Him for help.

The truth is, the Lord is waiting for me EVERY day to come to Him about EVERY detail of my life, my marriage & my parenting. He wants to show me His love and compassion. And He wants to show me whether to go the right or the left. His faithfulness to this promise has been proven to me over and over and over again….yet, sometimes, I still forget to ask for help.

A few years ago, as I was struggling through a difficult season of life, my patience in waiting was beginning to wane. I was tempted to go my own way when God used my husband to speak wisdom to my soul, “Jodie…if God is silent, keep asking and waiting….He’s trying to teach you something.” How grateful I am that I submitted to His truth because in a short time I heard God’s voice, chose to obey and subsequently reaped a huge blessing.

If you’re facing adversity, ask God for help! Ask Him the difficult questions your soul yearns for answers to. Then wait until you hear Him before you go. As you wait, make sure your ears are functioning at optimum performance by asking the Holy Spirit if there is any sin you need to confess. Then humbly repent and continue asking and waiting. He will respond to your cries.

Proverbs 3:6

6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.