Out-thinking God! "When He Gives You What You Say."

I know the bible tells us that His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts, but sometimes we can think we have arrived at a place with God that we can figure some stuff out on our own.  It may not be intentional, but if we are not careful we can find ourselves almost out-thinking God!  Let me explain...

POST DIVORCE DECISIONS 

After my divorce, I got to thinking.  It was an innocent thought but this is how it went.  I realized that in the circles I frequented there were men who loved God, but I was not really interested in any of them.   Since I have my own relationship with God, I figured that if I was to marry again, I was not really looking for someone to help keep me saved... that was not changing.  I knew that a life with God was good, He is faithful, meets my needs, and cares about me beyond my own understanding.  NO one else can do that, so if I was to marry, I didn't need him to hold a title or any role in a church.  Yes I wanted him saved, but if he was not as 'learned' as I was, it was okay, he can do what he does,  I will do what I do.  It was an innocent thought and I shared this with God - believe it or not.  Mind you I know what the bible says about being unequally yoked, and all that, but  somehow those verses didn't have the same impact that they did in my early years.  It was almost like those directives were really for new believers; or so it seemed. 

So off I went on my new venture to meet people and meet them I did.  I found that there were really nice and successful men who were not as faithful in church as I was, some were caring and honest and even lovable.  On occasion I would see something that was slightly troubling, but I would remind myself that they were not on the same journey that I was, and I should not judge them.  Until the day God  finally interrupted my thoughts and spoke. 

GOD'S LOVING  INTERVENTION 

God reminded me of His goodness when I ran into someone who actually had a role in the church.  He is outside all the things I told God I wanted. He is further along than I am spiritually, and more given to serving God than others I have spoken to.  The conversation brought life to me, it brought about more of an awareness of God's love and mercy, it brought back conviction and joy at the same time! I enjoyed the easy banter about the word of God with someone who actually understood my jokes and scriptural puns I couldn't help saying!  I had almost forgotten  about the JOY OF MY SALVATION, when God reminded me of it through this encounter.  As a result, I saw where I was, how off I had gotten in my thoughts by changing what God has said in His word to fit my reality.  The TRUTH always trumps REALITY, no matter how real something feels or how much we can make it look like the truth.  My lesson going forward ... I will be aware of leaning on God's word and not mine.  

CONCLUSION

The scriptures remind us that our ways are right in our own eyes.  We may not be trying to deceive ourselves, and we may actually think God is in agreement with our thoughts or conclusions.  But the scripture stands sure.... His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.  His ways and His results are MUCH better.

If you have found yourself unknowingly compromising God's truth in your life, look again at what God has said.  It doesn't always make sense, but He says it for a reason that we may not be aware of.  It is better to realize it before it is too late.  Don't wait until you have lost the result He intends for you.   God will give us what we want, or rather allow us to walk in what we think is right.  I am thankful that He will also deal with us whenever we are straying away from His word.  Whether through a friend, a message, gentle nudging from the Holy Spirit, or even circumstances that remind us... "This is not God's best for Me!"   I know now more than ever before that  I want what God has said for me, His ways and His thoughts are always best.  I now have a greater appreciation for the things God has said, and I realize that He really loves me and the boundaries He sets are always for our good!    Thank You Lord for Out-thinking ME! 

BACK ON TRACK!

A TAIL of Two Species! "The Gator v/s Man."

I love animals!  As long as I can remember, we've had pets.  There was a bird called 'Tweety',  'Schatze' the whippet,  two dachshunds called "Sonny and Cher",  a white poodle named 'Shaney', Trojan was our mixed breed, Hassena was the black shepherd and recently for me, Shakkar and Zoe.   We have always taken care of our pets and treat them right and in return they give unconditional love, and attempt to protect us.  I really do love animals, so hopefully the animal lovers will understand the context of this blog.

MR. STUBBS

I recently saw a story about Mr. Stubbs, the alligator who's tail was bitten off by another gator.  Those who rescued him went to work to help him because there was a concern that without his tail, he could drown.  He was also at a disadvantage when it came to gathering food since other gators or prey could move faster, so there was a concern that he could also starve to death. He has survived for a few years under the watchful care of doctors and researchers. The idea was to devise a plan to get Mr Stubbs swimming again.  Through the use of various technology, they made a prosthetic tail for him-and believe it or not, after a few years of working, Mr Stubbs is once again mobile!   I love animals, so I really smiled at this story; then I got to thinking.

Mr Stubbs is an alligator.  I noticed as they put the tail on him, his mouth was still taped shut, why?  Because his natural instinct is to bite, eat and do all the things that holding him close could cause.  I also noted that whether through grant money or personal donations, - without a job or health insurance, Mr Stubbs was given treatment, care and concern.  Then I thought about people.

I know there is so much more to this note here than I have time to write so let's make it simple.   If we can take time, money, concern and care about the well being of an animal that will not contribute to society, cannot contribute to society, an animal that will bite you if you don't tape his mouth.... Why is it so difficult for us to see value in people- who with the right support, they can or possibly will contribute to society?    Most of us just need love, support and a little guidance.  Within the  8 years of care for Mr Stubbs, they taught him to dog paddle to survive, after 2 years of designing the new tail, they now have to 'unteach' him so he can once again learn to swim with his new tail.  Our children could sure use that type of follow up!  

DON'T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU

One reason I know that makes it difficult is because sometime people are simply ungrateful.  We can take what you give, take some more then curse you to your face.  That happens.  There is no guarantee that those you help will not bite the hand that feeds them, your hand.  I understand that many times the fact that people know better and animals don't makes us subject to helping the animal instead of hard headed people.  But somehow we have to still be able to value God's most precious creation, mankind.   

If you are someone who receives help from people, be thankful to God for it.  No one is really required to do anything to help you.  God still gives us a choice even when He is the one prompting us.  Take the help that God allows people to give you and benefit from it.  Don't treat it like a drug that they have to continue to give you, receive the help, learn to trust God and learn to help yourself. 

The waters of this world will always be filled with fighting gators and lost tails, just like our world will always be filled with fighting people and lost souls.  I would rather put my time and attention to people with the hope that they may choose to change, to better themselves and follow God.  That should make our investment worth it. 

Not a Gator Hater!  Happy swimming Mr. Stubbs! 

Two Types of People? Read the Signs!

We have all heard  about the two types of people we encounter in life.  I have seen posts, heard messages and even had conversations about it.  It seems that we all agree we have encountered them:

Two kinds of people, the ones that help you and the ones that hurt you.  

The ones that encourage your purpose and the ones that hate.  

The ones that lead you to your future, the ones that keep you in your past.  

The ones that are meant to stay, the ones that are supposed to leave.

I have heard and agreed with many of those comments, mainly because, like others... I have seen both kinds.  I was listening the other day to another of the analogies that talk about the two types of people, and it dealt with embracing one and releasing the other.  But there are too many people in this world to simply separate us into two categories.  I started thinking about all the people I have encountered over the years, and yes... some fit in there, but others were used by God, not just to hinder or promote me, but for so much more. 

SIGNS OF LIFE

To let you know what I am talking about, let's take a road trip.  Imagine you are driving somewhere, maybe you know where you are going, or maybe you don't.  You have STOP signs, that keep you safe, you have CAUTION lights that make you pay attention, YIELD signs that let you know to wait your turn and even FLASHING RED LIGHTS that tell you something is wrong, use another method.  Even DANGER signs that let you know- don't go down that road!  We often run across signs that let us know there is danger or a dead end, construction is going on, there are bumps in the road or turn around.  All of these signs are needed for the road you travel, without them you may not make it to your destination on time.  We don't complain about the signs, because we know why they are there. 

My thoughts are that people are the same.  I remember many times I  stopped what I was doing to help someone, intervened in a matter that had nothing to do with where I was, or where I was going.  Many thought that it was a distraction to my purpose or that it was a waste of time since it didn't propel me toward my future.  But there are moments that we take away just to help others.  We are often road signs for others and don't know it.  Our message may be that it is going to be okay, or that they are on the right track, or the wrong track.  Some signs are bolder, hard not to be seen and seem almost unnecessary, the same with people.  We may not always like it, we may think they are 'haters'. But if we learn from each other, we just might make it where we are going faster and even better. We will never know what our encounter with others may have helped us avoid.  What accident we missed because we  YIELDED our time to someone else. Some people bring delays and others have shown us to NEVER go down that road again.  If nothing else, we should remember to receive the benefit others bring and discard the drama.  I know many times we think it is just as easy as "Either you are for me,  or against me."  But God never said everyone on earth had to be for you, just Him.  We should give people the opportunity to be received and valued no matter what it looks like they bring.

TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE

With all the people in this world, I have to admit, I still think there are two kinds; however we are not limited to: 

The ones that help you and the ones that hurt you.  

The ones that encourage your purpose and the ones that hate.  

The ones that lead you to your future, the ones that keep you in your past.  

The ones that are meant to stay, the ones that are supposed to leave.

I choose to see more in people than that, I still see two kinds ....The ones you are called to help, and the ones called to help you, and both are a blessing.

Impressive Living!

 

Today we are not easily impressed.  People can sing until glass breaks, but there is someone else who can do the same.  If someone comes up with a witty idea, we are not moved because in may cases, we thought about something similar, or have our own thing we are working on.   People are not driven as much by what others think, so being impressive is hard, but that does not stop us from trying.  

Impressive is defined as:  

'Having the power to excite attention, 

awe or admiration through size, quality or skill.'

BEING IMPRESSIVE

I have found that sometimes the people we are least interested in are the ones we try to impress the most.   We have family and close friends that we really don't worry or often even care about what they think of us, or if they are impressed; but we put a lot of thought and  effort into impressing people who are basically, not impressed!  Why is that?  

"The ones I am least interested in, I try to impress the most.  

The ones who love me the most, and know me the most, I don't even try to impress because they already love me."        ~JHG

I have found that this applies with our relationships with with God as well.  He absolutely LOVES US!  Regardless to how we live, what we do, where we go and how we try to avoid Him, He loves us.   He is the only one who really knows how we are and continues to accepts us, help us and works to change us into a better version, or more so - the original version of ourselves.  He walks us through our struggles and forgives our every sin, yet we don't really live to impress Him. Now granted, the question is 'can we really impress Him when He knows everything'?  Not really.  But how we live, how we trust Him, lean on Him and allow Him to govern our lives, no matter how messed up we are, can be impressive... not to Him, but to others.  

LEAVING AN IMPRESSION 

Instead of trying to impress people with who we are and how what we acheive, we should instead seek to leave an impression on them.  Since being impressive points to being able to excite attention, we have to remember who the attention is for.   It feels good to get compliments and praise for things we do and work on in this life.  It is rewarding for someone to tell you how impressed they are at what you have done or accomplished, but truthfully as believers... that is not why we are here.  We are here to manifest His works in our lives, we are here to leave an IMPRESSION. 

An IMPRESSION is defined as:

'An idea, feeling or opinion about something or someone, especially one 

formed without conscious thought, or on the basis of little evidence.'

Many times we may encounter people who have no real idea who our God is.  They have heard one thing, seen something else and none of it may be good.  But when we deal well with people in a time that they are not accustomed to it, it leaves an impression.  When we ignore ignorance and love people in spite of how they treat us, it can leave an impression.  It can form an idea or opinion about God in during a time of their lives when they have seen little evidence of Him. 

We are told to 

"Let your lights shine so bright that others will see OUR good works and glorify HIM."  

That is impressive living.  

So as you go through life, instead of trying to please people and get them to notice us or our works, live your life so they will notice Him, and see His  great works through you!   Impress them, with an impression of HIM!

Philippians 2:3-13

Camp Immigration: "For Kids!"

CAMP

I remember so well the time we spent in summer camps in Ruidoso, New Mexico.   Living in a children's home in El Paso, Texas, afforded us some opportunities that others may not have had; and camp was one of them.  We slept in beds that lined  the walls in large areas in the sleeping area, we shared bath areas and ate together.  Main restrooms were outside and open t all based on their gender.  We played tether ball, and built  forts in the dirt by digging around large tree roots. Our creations were shaded  by large trees that hung over the grounds.   Some days we got to  ride horses and other days we went on a nature walk around a river bed.  We had vesper, sang songs, baked bread, took naps and we sent and got mail from home.  

Of course before going we had time to prepare, and our parents knew we were going so they had time to pack our things and give us instruction on brushing our teeth, taking care of each other as well as the "You better behave yourself or else." kind of talk.  Camp was scary at first, but the preparation and environment along with the attitudes of those trained to work with young minds made for a summer camp that was memorable, rewarding, challenging and fun...a good camp does that.  What is happening with  immigrant children in our country today, is not a camp.

IMMIGRATION

As children raised in El Paso, Texas, we didn't realize there was a war to hold and secure our borders.  We knew about constant movement from Juarez to El Paso,  and were aware that as high school students, if we went there to party, we were subject to run into difficulty getting back.  That is about all I knew as a kid.  I never understood what all the chatter was about.  I understand more now.  I understand enforcing law and what is legal and illegal.  I also understand people and how our life experiences form who we are and it dictates who our children are.  I am not going to try to convince anyone that breaking the law seems right when you are trying to protect your kids, I will not talk about trying to get a better life for your family, something every parent wants to do, or how difficult it must be to run from danger and find it. I won't mention the many jobs that are made or lost due to illegal immigration, but I will talk a moment about people, about children and how we treat each other.  

THE CRY OF A CHILD

With what we are seeing in the media, I am not quite sure what place America has arrived at, and I'm not sure how low we will go to make a point.  We have always paid attention to the cry of a child, not matter who their parents area.  Even with our CPS system, bad parenting is met with a temporary removal of the child for safety reasons, but our plan is always to reunite them with their parents because we understand that is what is best for the child. Removing these children and forcing them into our "Camps" is cruel and traumatic for the children first, and I am sure we will not gain any brownie points with their relatives either.   I don't have all the answers and I am sure our government does not either, but this is a short term, long term wrong.  Children who experience trauma  or injustices at young ages,  carry that pain for years.  They can become adults driven to retaliate against wrongs done to their families.  I know we can do better than this.  Every parent teaches their child about stranger danger, this has got to be a nightmare for them. We are AMERICA, this is not what we do.  We have laws that protect condemned criminals, but we find ourselves here.  This is politics at it's worst.

The sound of a crying child is universal, it hurts no matter what their gender or  race; no matter how they got here, or who their parents are.  A crying child hurts the heart of  every woman and grabs the attention of every man.  If we ever ignore the cry of a child, we ignore the humanity in us, we ignore God in us.  Regardless to your stance on immigration, we all know, we are better than this. 

Healing and Miracles! #2

We talked last week about healing- and that is what most of us need in this world. Knowing that God designed our bodies to heal themselves, we have to allow for the process and cooperate with it.  On occasion we find people who actually need not just healing, but they need a miracle.  Miracles can happen at any time, to any one, but it happens because God does it.  People do not perform miracles, though we may be used to usher them in, but it is a work that God does.   

A miracle is defined as: A surprising and welcomed event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws, it is considered to be divine workings.   Basically miracles don't happen because of science although we view breakthroughs and some scientific accomplishments as miraculous.  For the most part, miracles come from God. 

I love the ministry of Smith Wigglesworth!  If you have not ever read his books or about his life and ministry, I recommend it.  He had the strangest way of ushering in the move of God. He was used to facilitate many miracles in his lifetime.  People with cancer who were instantly healed, lame walked and even his wife was brought back from death's grip.  He had an intimate connection with God that  simpy gave room for miracles to happen through him.  Interestingly his heart was not consumed with the miracles, it was consumed with God and His word.   Before he died, he said he recognized that people were starting to look at him and the miracles more than focusing on  God, and he knew that God would not give His glory to anyone.  One day after he preaching a sermon, he simply went into his office and died, nothing wrong with him physically, just an awareness that he was in the way of people seeing God.  Those same people once again had to rely on God and not man.   Miracles are not for us to gloat in, they are not even really for people to have needs met, they are to bring glory to God and draw people to Him.   God is always moving- we just have to appreciate all the ways that He does.  

THE GREATEST MIRACLE 

Miracles happen to show God's power, His love for us and it evidences His work in this earth. Mircles are  not meant to be a stream of income for people to get rich, or an opportunity to make people think we are so spiritual.  Some  want to see miracles to draw people so our services can be full, or so we can be known as a place where God moves. Miracles draw people, but the purpose of drawing them in not even just for them to receive a natural miracle but so they can recognize the greatest miracle.   

I recall as a young christian,  I had a friend who's unsaved grandmother was sick.  He was not a believer at the time and I thought if God healed her, that would create the perfect storm for him to accept Christ.  So I asked a woman at the church to go to the hospital and pray for her, she agreed.  The next Sunday I inquired about the vist and she said she went, she prayed  and the woman accepted Jesus.  I expected her to tell me the woman got up and went home, but  I was excited anyway, especially since many people have received healing when this church mother prayers.   I just knew that healing was hers now, and my friend was as good as saved!  I commpletely missed thie greatest miracle, the one that said she received Jesus.  She was translated from darkness to light, from death to life, from sin to righteousness. That was not my focus, I only wanted the healing. 

Later when I asked my friend how his 'Big Momma" was, he said she died. I was soo messed up! I couldn't understand what happened!  I was in tears as I questioned God about this lack of performance on His part.  I thought it was supposed to happen that way so he would give his life to God, but it didn't. I didn't even think about her giving her life to Him.   As I wallowed in despair,  this was the only time I recall God audibly speaking to me.  He said "Never underestimate my grace." I was so shocked that my tears dried up as I began to understand what God was saying to me.  He let me know that  just because someone is healed does not mean that they will run and serve God.  They could be healed and still miss heaven, that healing was not His ultimate goal.  These bodies are not the most important thing we have, our souls hold much more value to God.  To us, we want people here with us, but that is still only for a short time.  God however wants them for eternity.   So God let me know, when she wanted Him the most, He took her.  Now the enemy will never have her again.  See, the greatest miracle does not happen when sickness disappears, it happen when sin does.

LOOK FOR THE MIRACLE!

When it comes to healing and miracles in our bodies, I have heard over the years all these reasons why they do not happen. when we pray.   Some say it is due to a lack of faith, and that sounds about right since we can't receive anything without faith.  But who are we to try determine whether or not someone has enough?  According to God, it only takes faith the size of a mustard seed and if we lack it we can go to His word to get it.   I have also heard that people are walking in disobedience, so they will not merit a miracle.  Maybe the atmosphere is not condusive to receiving a miracle?  We try so hard to find something that explains why a miracle does NOT happen, why not look at how it DOES?

Because God's ways are not ours, we don't really know what He is doing most of the time.  We should trust that He has things in His control.  Continue praying and seeking God for all His promises to manifest, and when they don't look like you think, allow for what you do not know.  Not everyone receives a miracle that we can see, some receive healing, and still others have to to trust God through a proccess that is difficult.  But if we take the time to really look, we will still see His hand in it all, because God is always working miracles. 

Healing and Miracles #1

Many of us have known people in the midst of physical challenges that needed intervention to survive or get better.  We have promises in the word of God that allows for healing in our bodies through the brokenness of Jesus' body.  So we pray, we call for the elders of the church and trust God to do what only He can do.  Sometimes we pray for healing and other times we are at wits end and pray diligently for a miracle.  We need wisdom to know the difference so when we pray, we are not discouraged and broken. 

WISDOM IN HEALING

Healing:  The process of making or becoming sound or healthy again.

The first thing we need to recognize if we are in need of healing, is that healing is not instantaneous, it's a process.  God can initiate the process, but we need to cooperate with it.   If we are praying to God for healing, it is in our best interest to do the things required to finish the process and maintain it.  Many think healing is a miracle, so they believe that God is going to do it all.  They may believe He is going to initiate it and maintain it for them.  But that is not so, healing is a process, a miracle is a surprising event that can't be explained; healing can often be explained, even if the prompting of it is seen as miraculous.

PRACTICING MEDICINE

I appreciate our doctors.  The time they take to learn, the investment they make in our lives every day is to be commended.  Of course like every profession, there are some who are there for their own benefit and not yours, but many are there on purpose.  Their heart hurts with you and they want to be part of the healing process in the lives of their patients.  Their hearts will rejoice when everything works out according to plan and there is pride when they feel they have had a part in it.  Finding a good doctor may not be easy but when you find one, cherish them.  As a believer, if you can get one that trusts God and  knows how to pray, that is a huge plus.  Of course a non believer can be just as skilled and when God does something they do not understand, it leaves room for an introduction.

I have heard believers who have received a negative report from their doctor and they discount and ridicule what the doctors have said in the attempt to walk in faith.  But if what the doctors said is 'a lie' then there is no need for healing or miracles in the first place.   I often tell people that "Doctors practice medicine, God perfects it."  Meaning our doctors have learned what they can  do to treat what they understand, and many times it is good, but when it is beyond them, it is good to know God.   In fact, it is always good to know God! 

FEAR v/s FAITH

Many times we get into fear-  thinking that it is faith.  We get kind of scared that God is not going to touch us, so we begin doing things to PROVE to Him that we trust Him.  That may include running to every church event and standing in every prayer line, going on 60 day fasts when we are supposed to be eating meals with our medications.  We even begin tossing medication or other things that we have been using to show God that we have faith.  This is not wise for many reasons, remember healing is a..... PROCESS!  If you are dealing with something in your body and are trusting God for healing, this is not the time to get overly religious and cast out all your medications.  In the case of a miracle, meds may not be needed or even effective anymore.  Your doctor should tell you that, just like your body will.  Some medications require tapering off of, so if you just stop, you can cause a problem in your natural body that has nothing to do with your original issue.  

When dealing with healing, remember it is a process, we have to work with the process.  No dumping medications, no pulling out ports in the name of Jesus and no tossing your glasses outside the car on the highway!  Healing is a process and we cooperate with it.   That means how we eat, what medications we take, exercise, lifestyle changes, laying aside habits that contribute to the ailments or disease.  Most of us want a MIRACLE, because then we don't have to discipline ourselves in the process, and healing is a process.  Remember faith without works is dead, let your actions cooperate with your faith.

PRAYER FOR YOU

I encourage you today, if there is something going on in your body, it is okay to check with the doctors.  It is okay to take some medication. (I still pray about what I take due to side effects) and it is definitely appropriate to talk to God about the healing He provided for our bodies.  Always remember that God is the Creator, He knows how these bodies are designed and He can bring back what has been lost as we cooperate with Him.

Father God, I thank You for the person reading this and for those they are praying for.  Thank You that You have provided the right to have our bodies healed, regardless to what we have done in the past.  We are not moved by our actions, but we are moved by Your word.  You said by Your stripes we are healed, so we thank You for the process that is taking place in  our bodies today.  Thank You for wisdom to know what to do and how to respond during this time.  Touch our bodies and bring healing speedily in Jesus name. Connect us with good doctors who will value our lives like You do. We lay aside every thing that is contributing to the problem and thank You for touching us today, In Jesus Name!

Need a miracle?  Join us on next week's blog as we talk about Miracles!