Do the Will

July 8, 2015 / Jodie / Leave a comment

Joshua 24:15

15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Once more, I’ve found myself looking back at my relationship with God only to discover I delayed my obedience to Him….again. But that’s smoothing over it a bit. Let’s just call it like it is: I disobeyed Him. I refused to surrender my will. I neglected to do the will of the One who created me, and has a purpose for my life.

Several years ago, God told me to do something. I started the process, but then placed it on a shelf- literally. Multiple times the Holy Spirit would remind me of it, but I would listen to the lies of the enemy instead. As the deceiver whispered “did God really say to do that?” I’d justify why it was a bad idea or how nothing good could possibly come from it (for me).

And then, one day, as I was reading another Oswald Chambers devotion I was reminded, AGAIN, and I could no longer ignore God’s prompting to obey. In that moment, I had to choose whom I would serve: God, or the enemy. I immediately got up from my secret place where I had been sitting in the Lord’s presence… and DID something! I also confessed my disobedience (sin) to my husband and mentors so that they could pray for me.

James 5:16

16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

On judgment day, it won’t matter how many blogs I’ve written, couples I’ve mentored, small groups I’ve led, or conferences I’ve spoken at…..my entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven will be determined by whether or not I chose to do the will of God.

Matthew 7:21-23

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

Jesus did the will of the Father. Every moment of every day for the 33 years He lived on this earth. Each mundane, each epic event was submitted to the will of the One who sent Him. And God requires the same of me.

“I cannot give up my will, I must exercise it. I must will to obey, and I must will to receive God’s Spirit….. Profess to Him – “I will be loyal.” Immediately, you choose to be loyal to Jesus Christ, you are a witness against yourself. Don’t consult other Christians, but profess before Him- I will serve Thee. Will to be loyal- and give other people credit for being loyal too.” Oswald Chambers

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.

My Friends

June 29, 2015 / Jodie / Leave a comment

John 15:9-17

9 I have loved you just as My Father has loved Me. Stay in My love. 10 If you obey My teaching, you will live in My love. In this way, I have obeyed My Father’s teaching and live in His love. 11 I have told you these things so My joy may be in you and your joy may be full.

12 “This is what I tell you to do: Love each other just as I have loved you. 13 No one can have greater love than to give his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I tell you. 15 I do not call you servants that I own anymore. A servant does not know what his owner is doing. I call you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from My Father. 16 You have not chosen Me, I have chosen you. I have set you apart for the work of bringing in fruit. Your fruit should last. And whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you.

17 “This is what I tell you to do: Love each other.

Ever since I was a little girl I have been very selective when choosing my friends. I had many acquaintances as a child and knew lots of kids in our small town, but I only had a handful of people I considered true friends. Decades later, I have become even more choosy. Sure, I have hundreds of Facebook “friends,” Pinterest “friends,” Twitter & blog followers, but again, only a handful of those virtual voyeurs are my real life friends.

For nearly twenty years my most intimate friend has been my husband. I keep nothing hidden from him- we share every joy and every deep, dark secret of our souls with one another. But, he is imperfect and so am I. And, as you know, sinners inevitably hurt and disappoint one another- which we’ve done thousands of times throughout our marriage. Thankfully, though, our BEST friend has loved and forgiven us and enabled us to love and forgive one another so that our relationship could be rebuilt, redeemed and restored into oneness.

My BEST friend, however, is absolutely perfect! He willingly laid down His life for mine thousands of years ago. Because of His love for me, when by body dies, I am destined to spent eternity worshipping our Father in heaven. But until that day comes, I get to remain in His love EVERY moment of EVERY day on this earth!

How?

By obeying His commands.

How do I do that?

By reading His life story so that I can get to know Him.

By talking and listening to His voice – without ceasing.

By submitting my will to His in every single detail of my life.

Only then can I produce lasting fruit that will glorify our Father in Heaven. Only then can I love my friends, as He has commanded me to do. Only then can I be confident that Jesus will call me His friend.

“Friendship is rare on earth. It means identity in thought and heart and spirit. The whole discipline of life is to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ. We receive His blessings and know His word, but do we know Him?”

–Oswald Chambers

I Will Follow You, BUT first…

June 21, 2015 / Jodie / Leave a comment

Luke 9:57-62

57 As they were going on their way, a man said to Jesus, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes. Birds of the sky have nests. The Son of Man has no place to put His head.” 59 He said to another, “Follow Me.” But the man said, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the people who are dead bury their own dead. You go and preach about the holy nation of God.” 61 And another one said, “Lord, I will follow You, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “Anyone who puts his hand on a plow and looks back at the things behind is of no use in the holy nation of God.”

As Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, two men volunteered to follow Him on His journey. Another man, whom Jesus invited, agreed to go, but quickly replied that he had family obligations to fulfill first. Was the man’s father already dead? Was he terminally ill & needed a caregiver? Was this man an only child or his parent’s only son? Did he feel pressured to provide, prepare and protect his mother and siblings upon his father’s death? I don’t know. Whatever the circumstances, his heart was torn between obeying Jesus by following Him immediately and going home, first.

Jesus’ rebuke may seem harsh. The truth, however, was that the man delayed obeying the Savior of the World, which revealed a heart of disobedience. Our Father requires a “yes” or “no” and immediate action. There are no “but’s” in the Kingdom of God.

The Lord also revealed that the man’s family was “spiritual dead,” so the task of burying the patriarch or caring for the family was not the sons responsibility in that moment. Instead, the man was called by God to preach. By becoming Jesus’ disciple, he would learn who the Father was by having an intimate relationship with the Son and he would be equipped to tell others about the Kingdom of God. But all of that was contingent on what the man chose to do immediately after the call. Would Jesus be first, or his family?

When the Lord said, “Come….” 16 years ago, I also responded, “I will follow you, but…..I want to do this, this and this, first.” In the years since, He’s continued to ask me the same question, and he’s continued to rebuke me when I have given the excuse of fulfilling my responsibilities, first. Now let me be perfectly clear: God has called me to be a wife, mom & homeschol teacher, BUT my roles should never, ever, ever take precedence over the One whom I am following. When Jesus says “come, follow me” it’s a command and a question in one: are we willing to leave home- leave those who are precious to us, and go with Him to the ends of the earth? If the answer is “yes….but” we will never be fully prepared to go make disciples because our hearts will be divided between our family and the One whom commands us to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, first.

Luke 14:25-27

25 Many people were traveling with Jesus. He said to them, 26 “If you come to me but will not leave your family, you cannot be my follower. You must love me more than your father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—even more than your own life! 27 Whoever will not carry the cross that is given to them when they follow me cannot be my follower.

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.

Cleared of Guilt

May 21, 2015May 21, 2015 / Jodie / Leave a comment

Psalm 32

1 Oh, what joy for those  whose disobedience is forgiven,  whose sin is put out of sight!

2 Yes, what joy for those  whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

3 When I refused to confess my sin,  my body wasted away,  and I groaned all day long.

4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.  My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you  and stopped trying to hide my guilt.  I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”  And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,  that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

7 For you are my hiding place;  you protect me from trouble.  You surround me with songs of victory.

8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.

9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule  that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

10 Many sorrows come to the wicked,  but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!  Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

During a recent road trip adventure, our family checked into a hotel, unloaded the luggage & left our precious pooch, Maggie in the room while we went to dinner. On the previous nights hotel stay, she had been content to take a nap while we were gone….but not this time.

Upon our return, we were unable to fully open the door to the suite. After our youngest daughter squeezed in to find out why she gasped, “oh, Maggie…what have you done?!”

We all stood there stunned- as we gazed upon the carpet and padding that had been ripped to shreds at the threshold.

Anger welled up in my heart as I considered the additional cost we’d be charged for the destruction.

Regret for not kenneling her flooded my mind.

And then compassion crept in as I realized she must have been suffering from severe separation anxiety.

One look from Doug and Maggie knew she was in trouble. One loud “bad” from me, followed by a pop on the nose sent her crawling under the table to hide.

She was guilty.

Some time later, after the general manager assessed the damage, Doug and I took a moment to process the event. Immediately after I went back over to our adopted dog and stood, staring into her beautiful brown eyes. She looked at me, and then looked away. This exchanged happened a handful of times before she eventually laid down and rolled over, begging me to love her, which I willingly did.

I sat there on my knees, stroking & kissing her furry head, overwhelmed by emotion as I realized our interaction mirrored my relationship with my Savior. The Holy Spirit confirmed my thoughts as Doug whispered, “what a picture of the Father’s love for us….”

The two of us then decided to take her for a walk around the surrounding area, so we laced up our tennis shoes and clipped her leash to the harness.

Her tail wagged.

No more hiding.

She was forgiven.

She was cleared of guilt.

She was free to trot along the pathway with us, enjoying our company.

As we walked, I wondered…

How many times have I suffered from separation anxiety when I’ve walked away from the Father?

How many times have I felt heavy from His hand of discipline?

How many times have I destroyed the carpet instead of submitting my fear to Him?

How many times have I looked away from His gaze, choosing instead to hide my shame under the table?

How many times have I refused to be honest with Him (& others) by confessing and repenting for my sin?

How many times have I been that senseless horse or mule (or dog) who sometimes needs a bit and bridle (or kennel) to keep me under control?

Way too many to count.

But oh, what joy this adopted daughter has when I finally sit down before my Master, roll over and beg Him to forgive me! What love floods my soul as I am cleared of my guilt. What gratefulness I express when I know that my sins are put out of sight! What freedom I experience in walking with Him along the best pathway, knowing that He will advise and watch over me- always. For I believe that He is my hiding place and He will protect me from trouble, when I come to Him.