Identity, Position, Purpose

“You are light for the world.

A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket.

Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house.  

In the same way let your light shine in front of people.

Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5: 14-16 GW

Again, Jesus speaks of our identity, but in these verses He also addresses our position and purpose.

In addition to salt, we are light. We are to shine in darkness. When we "let" our lights shine, we are actually letting God shine through us. We should light the path to Jesus.

The words hidden and under a basket make me think of one who purposely holds back his or her talents or gifts. We hold back, making ourselves appear smaller as to not overshadow someone else or make them feel less than. There are other reasons...fear (don't want to fail), doubt (don't think you have what it takes for God to use you), ignorance (unaware of your gifts/talents and what to do with them) and false humility/pride (we hold back pretending to be humble but really just want someone to beg us).  Whatever our reasoning, God's word clearly directs us not to hide. To do so is to disallow the Lord's positioning of us.

Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.

It all leads back to Christ!

God bless you.

Your flavor

“You are the salt of the earth.

But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

Matthew 5: 13 NLT

Jesus identifies us as the salt of the earth and goes on to point out the necessity of maintaining our flavor. He says when we don't maintain who we are called to be, we are treated as worthless, as though we have no purpose.

I've always found the reference to salt and flavor interesting.  My mind immediately goes to food.  I searched for the purpose of salt in cooking and seasoning and found a good article entitled, "Six Functions of Salt in Food".

Salt is a:

color enhancer...maintains color in foods, but is also responsible for the vibrancy of food coloring

binder...holds food together, the right amount amount is what holds certain products together 

nutrient source...essential for survival when consumed appropriately

flavor enhancer...it can intensify sweetness and counteract bitter flavors

texture enhancer...many foods, bread for example, get their texture from the salt added

food preservative...salt helps food last a little longer

Are you...enhancing your environment, working to hold things together or tearing them apart, affecting the sweet and the bitter, adding shape, etc?  Is it a possibility that your presence is helping someone last a little longer?

How's your flavor?

God bless you.

Because of Him

The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the Lord’s promise is reliable;
he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.
Indeed, who is God besides the Lord?
Who is a protector besides our God?

The one true God gives me strength; he removes the obstacles in my way.
He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend even the strongest bow.

You give me your protective shield; your right hand supports me; your willingness to help enables me to prevail.
You widen my path; my feet do not slip.

Psalm 18:30-36 NET

I love the transition between verses 34 and 35! David goes from talking about God to talking to God...and who might he be talking to in verses 30-34?

David sang this psalm to the Lord after deliverance from all his enemies; verses 30-34 read like a declaration of God's keeping power. I can't help believe he is preaching, either to himself or those within hearing distance. He may also be putting future enemies on notice. There are times we must boast in the Lord, making it clear that we are still here because of HIM. 

We are well equipped, even when we don't feel like it, even when it looks like we might succumb to the pressures of life, we have everything we need IN Christ. Our strength and our footing set us up for victory.

The next time the devil whispers defeat in your ear, talk back Psalms 18-style. Remind him and yourself where your strength comes from.

Say -vs- Spirit and truth

The sovereign master says,
“These people say they are loyal to me; they say wonderful things about me, but they are not really loyal to me.
Their worship consists of nothing but man-made ritual.

Isaiah 29:13 NET

But a time is coming—and now is here—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers.  

God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:23-24 NET

Isaiah 29:13, took my mind immediately to John 4:23-24 because of the contrast.  It's been even more powerful to view them together.  

God declares the people are not loyal because their worship is man-made. The Holy Spirit directed my eyes to the word, "say".  It is used twice to describe the people, "...say they are loyal to me; they say wonderful things about me, but..."

To worship is to show reverence, adore, or prostrate oneself in homage. Words can allow us to control the environment, but spirit and truth require surrender. Their worship was based on what they spoke, man-made rituals. First, the praise team leads, then we pray, make announcements, give our tithes/offerings, sing another song, then the preached word...is there any room for Spirit and truth? God wants to know if He can linger a little longer in any area?  

Can you let go of the program and get prostrate? 

I thought I was done, but the Holy Spirit challenged me with, "I know you get this for church encounters.  You're all in for me to linger, even if the pastor doesn't preach/teach, but what about outside of church?"

What about work, school, the grocery store, the gym, etc...? 

Can you stop long enough to do something different?  

Is there room for spirit and truth when your coworker or classmate is visibly heavy?  

When the Holy Spirit prompts you to stop and pray...do you debate about the other things you need to do first or how you feel?  Do you "say" you will pray or do you pray?

What if God has placed you wherever you find yourself today to worship?

May God bless us with a day filled with spirit and truth, no man-made rituals!

The power of the semicolon

“Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him..."

Proverbs 30:5 NIV

Every word of God proves true.
He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

Proverbs 30: 5 NLT

As I read various versions of the Proverbs verse, I was interested in the use of a semicolon in the NIV. Several versions use periods instead of a semicolon creating two clauses.  I understand when to use a semicolon, but decided to get an "expert" explanation of why (google lol).  A semicolon is used for closely related independent clauses and a period is used to end a sentence.  The other sentences are not necessarily unrelated, but the period closes what the semi-colon implies is of equal importance. In other words, the two clauses can stand on their own, but there is a need for the reader to know they are related and carry the same weight or importance.

So, what's the relationship or connection?

• It is important that we understand God's word is living truth and full of power.

God’s word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions.

Hebrews 4: 12 GW

• It is important we understand God is our protector.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Exodus 14: 14 NIV

• It is of equal importance that we understand because God's word is living truth and He is our protector, we are safe when living a life IN Him.

God is not a man, so he does not lie.

He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

Numbers 23: 19 NLT

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth intoit, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10 KJV

God bless you.

Maybe God is calling you tonight

“Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless..."

Proverbs 31: 8 GNT

Who comes to mind when you consider those who cannot speak for themselves?  

How does the thought of protecting the rights of someone else make you feel?

I feel helpless, like the need is so great that I'm not sure what I could say or do. I'm also not sure of how equipped I am to act.  I'm convinced that's exactly where the enemy wants me/us...in a position that never moves from feeling bad for "them", one that doubts our calling and ability.

God has placed us on assignment and equipped us to speak up for those with no voice and to protect their rights, but we often run into two problems.

• We don't seek God for the who or the how...We go looking for causes to support and there are folks at arm's reach in need of what the Lord has placed inside of us.
• We attempt to emulate another person instead of being who God created us to be...This is where our life scripture helps us.  I write and teach.  You supervise and lead.  She sings and creates.  He marches and debates.  When we all abide IN the vine, the Holy Spirit will guide us to produce fruit that gives God glory.

May God give us eyes to see, ears to hear, lips that edify, and hands and feet to serve in Jesus' name.

God bless you.

I encourage you to check out the lyrics to a song entitled, "Save My Life" by the Sidewalk Prophets.  It reminds me of my calling I so often take for granted.

Supplication

Never worry about anything.

But

in every situation

let God know what you need in prayers and requests...

Philippians 4: 6 GW

Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4: 6 KJV

Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

Philippians 4: 6 NIV

Prayer is communication, listening and speaking with God.  Supplication is a humble prayer, entreaty, or petition.  An entreaty is an earnest request or petition. A petition is a request made for something desired, a respectful or humble request.  Plea, request, and solicitation (urging) are a few synonyms of supplication.

Pray in every situation.

Pray.

God bless you.

You're not done

Never worry about anything.

But

in every situation

let God know what you need in prayers and requests...

Philippians 4: 6 GW

How are you going to face your Jericho(s) if you don't face your fears?

How are you going to knock the walls of your Jericho(s) down if you are too heavy for the journey...stuffing, hiding, holding on to things you weren't meant to hold on to and are not equipped to carry anyway?

Yup, the questions are back!  

I thought about those questions most of yesterday and wrote an abbreviated version of them next to my list.  After jotting down the questions, I began to do the unthinkable. Next to each fear/concern, I wrote specifically what scared me.  Yikes!!  I actually had to face them...and the Holy Spirit is now saying, "You're not done."  

Honestly, I want this over with.  You may be thinking, "Me too...I'm looking forward to the next subject."  I'm not offended because this causes me discomfort and I know it causes you some.  No one likes to face their Jerichos and Goliaths, but we have a promise. Both of them fell, so we press on toward the mark. We keep on marching (journaling), screaming (magnifying God NOT our issues), and we keep on trusting till they come tumbling down!  

Next lap...each fear/concern gets a page.  Read Psalm 119...write a prayer for each.

God bless you.

Another lap

Never worry about anything.

But

in every situation

let God know what you need in prayers and requests...

Philippians 4: 6 GW

The alternative to worry is prayer.  Instead of worrying, I will pray.  As I studied, it came to my attention that prayer is not the hard part.  The hard part is to pray in every situation, while giving thanks.

Today...in every situation...

I reviewed "my first lap" list and something was missing.  I thought about "it", but didn't write it.  I left it off because this "thing" is a natural part of life.  It's not the kind of "thing" you take to God because He already allowed it, His will was done.  As a faithful daughter of our Heavenly Father, I must go through. I'm not the first, not the only one, and I won't be the last.  But I am challenged by three words, in every situation.  

While typing my true, but faulty thinking, I was convicted.  The Holy Spirit revealed how the words above starting with, "I left it off..." were an example of me winding myself in worry.  Just like the illustration I so love to share...I am, going in circles, saying/thinking one thing, but demonstrating disobedience and a lack of trust.  

God asked me:

How are you going to face your Jericho(s) if you don't face your fears?

How are you going to knock the walls of your Jericho(s) down if you are too heavy for the journey...stuffing, hiding, holding on to things you weren't meant to hold on to and are not equipped to carry anyway?

God bless you.

Your first lap

Never worry about anything.

But...

Philippians 4: 6 GW

The use of but provides or submits an alternative action (i.e., Instead of this action, I can..., or In place of this behavior, I will...).  I have a substitute for worry. As much as I may say or feel as though I can't help myself, it is a choice. The enemy would have me think differently, but the bottom line is God says (the word of God is alive, active and full of power) never worry about anything.  

If I believe in Him, I must believe His word and walk IN it.  I'll never forget the illustration a pastor gave for worry.  He turned in circles repeatedly and said worry was like winding yourself around something in one spot.  He circled aimlessly, illustrating how we get wrapped up and held captive by our problems. God wants us free.  In fact, Jesus died for our freedom and whom the Son set free is free indeed.

God gave me a powerful picture of what He wants us to do with our worries and concerns, anything causing us anxiety.

The Lord said to Joshua, “I am about to hand Jericho, its king, and its warriors over to you.  All the soldiers will march around the city once a day for six days.  Seven priests will carry rams’ horns ahead of the ark. But on the seventh day you must march around the city seven times while the priests blow their horns.  When you hear a long blast on the horn, all the troops must shout very loudly. The wall around the city will collapse. Then the troops must charge straight ahead into the city.”  Joshua 6: 2-5 GW

I believe God is telling us, just as He told Joshua...go face your issue or problem. But instead of you being consumed by it, you intimidate it. What's your Jericho?  What did you write on your list, yesterday?  I'll be honest, my list was in my head until writing it down 5 minutes ago.  But yesterday after each "thing" I faced and finished, I said "never worry" and I praised.  After God's enlightenment of Joshua walking around Jericho, I realize the list was my first lap around my Jericho(s).

God says...Walk around it, yell at it, sing songs of praise and worship around it, and watch the walls collapse, in Jesus' name!  We may not always feel like warriors, but because of our Father, we have resurrection power living within us!

God bless you!

https://youtu.be/rx524_8KwY8

My BFF

Never worry about anything.

But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.  

Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine,

will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 6-7 GW

Monday mornings are special, a new work week begins for many of us.  

I laid in bed a little longer and thought.  I thought about how fast the weekend went and how I spent my time spent. I thought about the struggles and triumphs of last week, along with my desire to do better.  I thought about my To Do List for this week.  I asked God for His word to share and He gave me, "Never worry about anything."

Never worry about anything (let's call her NW) is a faithful and dear friend to me, my bff.  I met her in my mid twenties. I wasn't worried about any particular thing because I worried about everything. Thankfully, I became acquainted with a sister at work and we began studying God's word together on Tuesday nights.  At some point, she gave me a gift. It was NW, in a small frame.  I kept this gift by my bed well into my 40s.

NW is my bff because she holds me accountable.  She knows me well, yet stands firm...she tells me not to worry about anything PERIOD.  She allows me no loop holes and refuses to cosign my nonsense.  She'll listen to my concerns, then remind me to never worry about anything.  She's seen me through wonderful times and some tough times. NW has remained my bff when others have not been friends and when I've not been a friend. There were times I'd look at her and act like I didn't see her, but she remained faithful.  I don't abandon her anymore, but sometimes she gets on my nerves because no matter what I say, she counters, Never worry about anything.  She's one of my best friends forever.

Along with giving me Philippians 4:6-7 this morning, I felt God prompting me to make a list of my concerns. When worry and anxiety rear their ugly heads, my bff will be right there reminding me not to worry about anything.  I'm considering writing NW next to each concern.  

I encourage you to consider a list for yourself and identify your bffs.

God bless you.

https://youtu.be/u5hf86_hIBk

A foothold

Don’t give the devil any opportunity to work.  Ephesians 4: 27 GW

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  1 Peter 5: 8 NLT

Because of the context of Ephesians 4: 27, I would often associate the opportunity or foothold for the devil with anger, only.  The Holy Spirit has made it clear to me that he (our enemy) seeks to "get in where he fits in".  his prowling is not limited to anger.  he will use your anger, your grief, your low self-esteem, as well as your triumphs.  For your anger, he's got rage and violence.  For grief, he has depression and suicidal thoughts.  Low self-esteem can bring about envy, as well as promiscuity.  Triumphs can cause us to be prideful.

Stay alert, watch out, don't give any opportunity are all calls to action.  We can't passively watch the devil devour when we've been given weapons for battle.  

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.  Ephesians 6: 13-18 NLT

Don't give the enemy a foothold or any opportunity to run amuck in your life or the life of your brothers and sisters, pray.

https://goo.gl/AlNGdV

Here I am to worship...

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, 

and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,

    who was and is and is to come!”

Revelation 4: 8 ESV

Never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty..."
I question what that might look like today because I have to go to work.  I have errands to run and responsibilities to take care of.  

We make things so complicated when it comes to God.  We get extreme about giving to Him, but we can check our Twitter and IG accounts regularly.  We can send and receive personal texts during work hours, but we can't sing "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty" without ceasing.  This is not a rant...well, it is but it's me questioning me.

God impressed upon my heart that my worship is or should be every act I commit, thought I think and word I speak...day and night they never cease...   

Today I declare,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,

    who was and is and is to come!”

Stay Rooted!