Monday Morning Munch No. 20, Dictatorship

There was a time in high school I was borderline-obsessed with learning about Adolf Hitler and the tragedy of the Holocaust. The sordid tale fascinated me and I wanted to learn everything I could about it.

I'm thankful that in America we don't live under dictatorship.

...or do we?

It came to my attention (again) last night that I let circumstances and other people dictate my feelings far too often.

If someone is in a mad mood, I'll respond accordingly. If something happens that wasn't according to schedule/the plan in my head, I'll probably get frustrated. If someone says something hurtful, I'll probably take it too personally and (at least) temporarily be wounded.

You get the idea.

Why am I like that?

The only thing I can come up with is that we still live in a fallen body with a tendency to pity ourselves and incline toward self-imposed bondage.

Our inability to constantly and continuously lead our feelings is evidence of our fallen nature and tendency to be swayed by the flesh. 

God has freed us from the slavery of sin, yet so often--in situations such as those mentioned above--I'm so quick to run back into the dictatorship of feelings and situations around me that I don't live in the freedom Jesus died for.

To be under dictatorship means you have no control over the situations around you, and, while we don't have control over what happens to us, we have control over how we react to them.

"Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it." -John Maxwell

So, today I am seeking the Lord for strength to react in a Christ-like manner to the people and circumstances that come, recognizing that as a Christian I bear His precious name and don't want to do anything to tarnish it (2 Corinthians 5:20).

I am seeking the Lord to choose joy even when everything around me says to be depressed, hurt, sad, injured, etc. (James 1:1).

I am seeking the Lord to live in the freedom He provided and to tap into the eternal resources of life and godliness waiting for us as believers (2 Peter 1:3).

I am seeking the Lord to lay aside the sin that so easily entangles and run with endurance the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1-2).

I am seeking the Lord to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel and the upward calling of Christ (Ephesians 4:1, Philippians 1:27).


Will you join me?

 

Monday Morning Munch No. 19 - Battle, Victory, Battle

Victory = the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist; achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties.

Battle = a combat between two persons; a general encounter between armies, ships of war, or aircraft; an extended contest, struggle, or controversy.

Battle and a Victory

Two weeks ago I experienced a huge victory. One where God proved He would fight for me and all I must do is be silent and watch Him work. However, before seeing the victory, the battle was the most intense I'd ever experienced.

I prayed so much over the situation, seeking the Lord for answers to something infinitely bigger than me and asking Him to dissolve my will into His. There was a wrestling of the soul and complete and desperate dependence on the Savior because, again, I didn't know what to do.

Then victory came.

Joy flooded my soul and my eyes leaked as thankfulness washed over me as God so powerfully displayed His sovereignty, faithfulness and beautiful grace, along with radical and overwhelming love.

Another battle

"You're most susceptible to a great defeat after a great victory." 

That quote came to life the past two week as I've struggled in my walk with God ever since the huge victory. I didn't know what was going on, but God (my two favorite words), being rich in mercy because of the great love with which He has loved us, showed me.

I was living in the victory. But the victory was over.

A new day had come (actually, about 13 of them had come at this point) and with it came a new set of challenges, battles and opportunities for me to seek the Savior for victory, but I was too focused on the past to see the need for Him today.

Doesn't that sound ridiculous? It is.

Yesterday in Sunday School our pastor's wife shared how we cannot live on yesterday's blessings, but we must seek the Lord for today. That is exactly what God is teaching me.

I cannot afford to live in yesterday's victory when a war is still going on today.

Application

My prayer for us as believers is that we will see our need for Christ daily and let that need propel us to our knees to pray for help for this day and this hour.

I pray we will be on guard for the attacks of the enemy. He is like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour and he wants to devour our focus, turning it on us, our situations (whether it be a battle or a great victory), or our past, and off Christ. Fight that. Resist him and keep your gaze locked on God (Proverbs 4:25).

Let us not live in yesterday's strength, because yesterday has none. Let us pick up our armor and join back in the fight, remembering the victories and rejoicing in God for them, but boasting only in the cross of Jesus Christ who took our sin so we can experience victory with God.

Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand.

You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

(Psalm 73:23-26 ESV)

 

My Two Dads

This is a picture of my dad and I when I was a small child. A very small child. Only a few minutes old.

This is more recent.

My dad is one of the greatest people I know. His heart for the Lord and the intensity of his pursuit of Him as the supreme treasure is an example I don’t take lightly. He and my mom raised my sister and I to love God and others, laying ourselves down for the betterment of the group, to do what’s right—come what may, to make wise choices, choose friends carefully and to always, always remember where strength comes from.

Today I watched my dad serve others. This is not a new thing, he does it as often as he breathes, but I saw something different today as my dad distributed freshly smoked ribs and chicken to neighbors on either side of us.

As he called the neighbors to ask if he could bring them something, their responses struck my heart. “Well, Stan, that’s right neighborly of you!” (And with that I was transported to a different era, where neighbors cared for each other and said things like “that’s right neighborly.”)

He is cautious and careful in decisions; always striving to be a wise steward of all God has given him, including money, time and family. He is a strong leader, a man’s man who knows how to work and plan to get things done in an efficient, productive manner. He has the gift of mercy and extends grace as he’s been given from the Lord, but he doesn’t mess around when it comes to sketchy behavior or having hard, but benefiting, conversations.

My dad loves me. He tells me that 8,293,471 times a day and I’m learning what a gift that is.

But here’s the thing I remembered as I admired my dad’s intentionality in serving our neighbors. I have another dad. One who is even better than the first, though at times I can scarcely take that in.

My other dad loves and serves others even more than the first. He goes to great lengths to prove His love, including sending His only Son to a cross formed from a tree He made, setting the stage for a grand story of redemption and reconciliation that brings even the hardest sinners into His family if they accept His pardon offered.

That’s where I came in. He adopted me. Now I have two dads—an earthly dad and a heavenly one. Though they can hardly be compared to each other because of God’s holiness, Jesus Himself makes the connection.

“What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:11-13 ESV)

What a great Father. Believe Him for big things for He is bigger than our comprehension and delights in blessing His kids, just like an earthly dad.

I realize some people don’t have the greatest relationship with their earthly dads and some even carry scars so deep because of their past encounters with or the absence of their father, but I encourage you to not carry that same view of your earthly dad to your heavenly Father.

He promises to never leave you or forsake you, to lead, guide and protect you and to be your refuge, strength, comfort and salvation if you trust Him.

For those of us with amazing earthly dads, remember that as great as they are the Lord is so much more. Cast your affections on Him and He will pour Himself into you. Give Him your heart, you can trust Him with it.

unmasked.

The following is a raw, unedited journal entry from yesterday.

I don't know if anyone else will be able to identify with the internal struggle going on in my heart and mind yesterday, but encouragement for any and every reader is the goal of this "blog."

God, be glorified. Use my hurts to bring healing to others. 

Somedays I have to repeat "Take every thought captive" to myself almost every second. My brain and imagination begin working (often in contrast to God's Word and will) and discontentment settles in faster than water in a puddle.

Today is one of those days. 

"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but we have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."  --2 Corinthians 10:4-5

(First off, just let it soak in that we have divine power to destroy strongholds.)

The mind is the threshold of spiritual warfare and I am feeling the oppression and harsh reality of wartime right now. Perhaps it's due to this being Wednesday and the enemy wants to thwart my gaze off the Lord because of True Beauty tonight or maybe it's something completely different simply designed to sharpen and sanctify me. 

God is so good that He will use everything--the good, the bad and the ugly to "bring us to completion," although sometimes being shaped and molded like the piece of clay we are is more painful and obvious. Again, this is one of those times.

With holiness a pursuit and godliness the aim, I desperately desire a life saturated in Christ's love and goodness. Yet this poking (of discontentment) in my imagination and heart keep occurring, more frequently over the past few days, and my gaze is shifting slowly but surely off Christ and on myself. 

Dreams over the past week have been intense, very real and difficult to push aside. What makes it more difficult is that I rarely dream. My sister lovingly and wisely pointed out these dreams to be an attack from Satan. Upon further prayer and investigation I believe she's right. I've allowed these dreams to have my thoughts and attention throughout my waking hours, which means what? My thoughts and attention were on me.

Discontentment roared its ugly head and selfishness came quickly.

Today I just keep whispering "take every thought captive to obey Christ," and it is crazy how powerful it is just to say those words. It's like God's Word is living and active. Weird.

It is my firm belief that thankfulness is an antidote to discontentment, therefore I will make a list (it's what I do).

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR: 

• God's Word
• The Holy Spirit
• Blue ink pens
• Palm trees
• My job that hardly feels like a job
• My family
• Water
• Fall
• God overcoming the enemy and conquering evil
• Shoes
• Ponytail holders
• Coffee
• Blankets
• Black babies
• Our supreme and awesome Creator
• GRACE
• Joy despite trials
• Post-it notes
• Sunshine
• Open windows
• Lists
• Encouragement
• Examples of Christians before us (Paul, Peter, Elisabeth Elliot, Amy Carmichael, etc.)
• This particular moment God has me in for His purpose and glory, preparing me for a future only He can see.

God, 

You are so faithful. You are Redeemer, Refuge, Fortress, Strong Tower, Champion, Father and King. Thank You for salvation and for blessing us with every spiritual blessing. You are so good and Your love endures forever.

Lord, I ask for Your help today. Help me to be content. Content in the circumstances You have me in and the people You've placed around me. Swallow my pride in Your grace and may You receive glory from this day and all that is in it. Help me to live in the freedom You died for and not be so easily entangled by sin and a willingness to pick up and cuddle discontentment and self-pity. 

You are worthy of everything, Lord, and I want to give that to You. Use even this feeble attempt to worship and be glorified in all the earth. Let all the people of the world know that You are God and there is none beside You. You are God and they will all one day bow to You. Oh, God, let it be sooner than later. 

Save to the uttermost, God. Rend the heavens and come down. Fill us with You and touch this dying world once again, Father. Thank You for Your bloody and beautiful cross and for taking my sin and shame upon it. You are so good.

Monday Morning Munch No. 13 - Hide and Seek?

I have a simple mind. Maybe that's why chocolate wrappers and tiny things like that speak to me. 

This chocolate wrapper especially struck me.

Lose yourself in a moment.

As I read that I was struck by the inconsistencies of the human race. People go to far away colleges and on world-wide voyages to escape current situations so we can "find ourselves," but then when we get there what happens? Dove chocolate tells us to lose ourselves in a moment.

Wait, wait, wait. Are we supposed to find ourselves or lose ourselves?

It is my belief that we "find ourselves" but then want to just as quickly "lose ourselves" (even if only for a moment) because we're actually not happy nor content with our "finding." 

I mean, let's be honest, the more we dig into ourselves the unhappier we become as we realize we aren't all there is to life. That's why we (think we have to) go to far away lands to discover what we're really about. 

The little chocolate wrapper is partially right though (and therein lies its danger). You do need to lose yourself. "Lose," as in 86 your life, nix yourself, give yourself the slip. 

"And (Jesus) said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." (Luke 9:23-24 ESV)

 In contrast to the glorious inheritance we receive upon losing ourselves for the Lord's sake, "finding ourselves" just isn't that glamourous. 

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say we have not sinned, we make [God] a liar, and His word is not in us." (1 John 1:8,10 ESV)

"Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool." (Proverbs 28:26 ESV)

"For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." (Mark 7:21-23 ESV) 

"And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone." (Mark 10:18 ESV)

The list of verses proving our depravity go on. We have to first lose ourselves and our pride before we can realize and accept the fact that we are a helpless and hopeless people without the grace and mercy of the holy and just God of the universe. 

So I admonish you to indeed lose yourselves.

Don't gain the whole world and lose your soul.

Instead, lose yourself in the greatest exchange of all times; not to escape or evade the reality of this present life, but to accept the pardon of a gracious and perfect God who sent His Son to die for our sinful and wicked selves.

Studies show that 10 out of 10 people die, so what will it profit you if you base all happiness on something (this life) you will one day lose? Therefore, lose your life now so you may keep it for eternity, that is what God is asking of you today.

Ironically enough, a synonym for "lose" is unburden. 

Therefore, unburden yourself and turn to Jesus, the One who bore your burden so you wouldn't have to. 

May it one day be said of you:

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.  

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:1-9 ESV) 

Monday Morning Munch No. 10 - Rebuke, Encouragement and Things I Hate

Sometimes I think I receive encouragement differently than most people.

I (usually) don’t enjoy compliments. Mostly because I don’t believe they are given sincerely. False flattery is probably No. 3 on the list of things Sophie hates. Apparently it makes me so mad I speak in third person. (For those of you wondering, sin is No. 1 followed by a deep abhorrence to candy corn.)

The order of importance there is still a little sketchy. Mice are on that list too. Probably ahead of candy corn.

I digress.

The way I do receive encouragement and feel the most loved by people is when they rebuke me.

You know someone really loves you when they sacrifice both their comfort and yours for the sake of something greater.

As always, the Bible says it best (I mean, it’s hard to beat the whole God-inspired-Word stuff).

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.” –Proverbs 27:5-7

The awesome thing about receiving a rebuke from someone is that when those same people offer you compliments or encouraging words you know they are genuine—they have proven they can be trusted.

The Latest Rebuke

Sometimes rebuke comes from the most unlikely places. Most of the time it comes from sermons, books or my closest friends (I know they’re my closest friends because they love me enough to point out things I’m blinded to, sins, areas needing growth, etc.), but the last zing of conviction and rebuke came from Lecrae.

Yes. Lecrae. The rapper. If you don’t know who he is, look him up. You’ll get more theology in one song than in most American church services every week. Combined.

The rebuke came from a line in “Boasting,” one of my all-time favorite Lecrae songs. If you don’t know it you can watch the video/lyrics here.

Glory was solely meant for You,Doing what no one else could do.With all I have to giveI’ll use my life, I’ll use my lips.I’ll only glory in Your Word, a gift to me I don’t deserve.I’ll live in such a way that it reflects to You my praise.

The rebuke came gently but firmly.

How many times do I pray for God to use me but (sometimes subconsciously) have a preconceived idea of what that will look like? I fear that so often He wants to use me but because of anxiety, intimidation, pride and all kinds of other stupid things, I don’t open my mouth—a tool He has given each of us to use for His glory, purposes and divine use. I ask to be used but don't use what He's already given me. That's just silly.

“With all I have to give I’ll use my life, I’ll use my lips.”

So God, here am I, send me. Send me to the farthest regions of the world or just to a hurting person right here. Use me to speak grace, life, love and hope to everyone I encounter in the form of Your glorious Gospel upon which You gave Your life and I now stake mine.

Monday Morning Munch No. 8 - Redemption is Here

My mind and heart are completely fixed in prayer for the salvation of souls. I am beyond ready for God to pour out His Spirit and save multitudes;

my True Beauty girls,

my family, 

our church members who sit in the pews week after week and know the truth but choose to reject it, 

my classmates, 

my teachers, 

the basketball team,

the lady in Kroger, 

the tiny African baby and her parents who are dying of HIV/AIDS, 

the young men at church, 

the old men who are too proud to ask for help from anyone, especially God...

The list goes on. 

I don't even know all of them, but these people have my heart. I desire so desperately for them to experience the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. The One, completely God as if not man and completely man as if not God, who left heaven to come down to us. He didn't make us go to Him, He came to us, meeting us in our sin and pain and mockery of a life and offering the hope of redemption. 

Redemption (Greek word lutrosis from lutroo = to release on receipt of a ransom. Lutroo is derived from the root verb luo = to loosen that which is bound, freeing those in prison, release from prison, opening of what is closed, destroying of foundations, putting off of fetters) describes a ransoming, a liberation, or a deliverance (in the New Testament, especially from the penalty and power of sin).  [From Precept Austin]

I'm writing this because I know the person reading this has been changed by the Lord also has a heart for lost souls perishing every minute without hope. Sometimes it can be frustrating, daunting and downright exhausting pouring into hungry and not-so-hungry souls day in and day out, but don't lose heart! 

"Never must we cease to pray until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless while Jesus lives." -Charles Spurgeon 

Praise the Lord. We are not responsible to save, but we are responsible to speak His Word.

Go. Tell. Minister. Serve. Love. Forgive. Support. Share. Speak. He is worthy.


Dear holy Father,

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for redemption. I pray You continue that work and redeem the nations, draw them to Yourself and show them the love they've only dreamed of. I pray for the people on the above list, save them, God. Open their eyes and reveal Truth to them. Show them mercy, Lord, for they don't know what they're doing as they fool about with frivolous and mundane things while the hope of glory waits expectantly. Don't let them die in their sin, Lord. Redeem them with the blood of You Son- our ransom. 

For my brothers and sisters this week, Father, encourage their spirits, uplift their faces and turn them to see Your face. Refresh their hearts and revive their hope. Help us to share Your Word and our very lives with others this week. May our countenance scream Your glory so that the nations may be glad and sing for joy, so everyone around us may know of the hope that lies within us. Help us to not waste our lives living for anything less than what You died for. 

Father, receive the glory. May the Lamb of God receive the reward of His suffering.

 

Monday Morning Munch No. 7 - Why do bad things happen?

It's a constant question, "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?"

First, I would ask you to define 'good.'

Then you would most likely stumble over an answer and maybe even rephrase the question to say, "Why does God allow so much evil in the world?"

Either way you're asking the wrong question.

Why doesn't God allow us to experience all of His wrath like we deserve?

There is none good, none (Romans 3:10). We have all fallen from God and are completely wicked.

Therefore, if God removed all the evil in the world He would have to remove us to, because when you eliminate the bad things where do you stop? Murders, rapes, lying, cheating or bad thoughts? They're all bad, so if He eliminated those we'd have to go too.

We constantly ask self-centered questions that are phrased in such a way that look deep, philosophical and sometimes even theological when really we just want to know why we're feeling pain.

Then we want to blame it on someone, and who better but God who is in control of all things?

Ahh, but the majority of Americans, even professing Christians, want a God who will only give them what they want, fix their problems and set them on a course of smooth sailing all the way to the pearly gates.

But God is too good for that.

He designs situations to come in our lives that show us we are not all that we think we are. We are finite, breakable creatures who suffer under the divine sovereignty of a good and holy God. Why? So we will realize He is great and we are not. He is perfect and we are sinners. We are needy and He is the fixer.

God shows us our fragile state and helplessness so that we finally recognize our need for Him.

He knows our inability to come to Him on our own, so He came to us. He did what we could not do: live perfectly. Then Jesus, God in flesh, died our death. He took all of God's wrath on the cross, then rose from the dead three days later finishing the impossible task and conquering over death, hell, sin and Satan.

He doesn't stop there.

God then ordains situations and circumstances to bring us to the end of ourselves so we realize how finite we are and how we need an infinite God. In His breathtakingly beautiful mercy, God saves all who repent and turn from their sins, who surrenders their life into His hands and call on Him in humility and brokenness (Psalm 51:17).

So bad things do happen, pain comes in like a flood and it seems like we can't do anything to fix the situation- praise God! In His mercy He's showing your need of someone bigger than you- Him.

Therefore we can say with great hope, that God will never do anything that is not for our ultimate good and His ultimate glory.

Turn to Him. Turn away from your sin and let God take your life. He makes the painful times make sense and the happy times full of joy inexpressible.

“Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God is of a different nature altogether. It does not hate tragedy. It never denies reality. It stands in the very teeth of suffering. The love of God did not protect His own Son. That was the proof of His love – that He gave that Son, that He let Him go to Calvary’s cross, though “legions of angels” might have rescued Him. He will not necessarily protect us- not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.” -Elisabeth Elliot

If you would like to read more on God's sovereignty and hope through the trials, please read:
Encouragement Through the Trials,
How to Have a Life of Worship Through Trials, Obstacles and Fire,
and God is in Control,
for Scriptures and encouragement.

A Dream Come True - RTM Magazine

Today is a very exciting day for Real Truth Matters and for me personally as we just launched the new RealTruth Matters Magazine.

One of my long-time dreams of designing my own magazine has been fulfilled and my heart feels like it could explode in tiny little particles of joy and gratitude. I am so excited for this magazine and the opportunity to take God’s Word to the nations in a completely different avenue than I ever imagined. God is so good and may He receive all the glory! 

For the past several months, the Real Truth Matters team has been working on a brand new interactive web magazine that launched yesterday. RTM Magazine has a little something for everyone: a Christian living section, a pastors section, a missions section, and much more. This magazine is designed to equip, encourage, challenge and motivate Christ-followers around the world to a greater pursuit of Jesus Christ, who is the Gospel. 

As you open the first issue of the magazine you will journey on the mission field of Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Europe, read about God’s commitment to you, and discover the real definition of meekness. You will also meet a family with a heart for displaced children and a couple driven away from God and right into His arms.

Below is the promotional video for the magazine. Please watch and then share it on your Facebook and Twitter as a way to inform others of this exciting new publication.

Real Truth Matters Magazine from Real Truth Matters on Vimeo.

We are eager to share this new resource with you and hear your feedback. However, we need more than feedback, we need your help. We are asking you to send us 10 names and email addresses of people who would benefit from this exciting new magazine. 

In addition to the email addresses, we ask that you join us in prayer asking God to use this publication to spread His fame and glory among the masses.

Thank you for helping us spread the word about this new resource and the Gospel of Christ! Together we can join God in wrapping His arms around the nations. 

To access the magazine made ideally for the iPad, but also available for viewing online, visit: www.realtruthmatters.com/magazine.