What is My Outpouring?

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean’.” Mark 7:14-16 (NIV)

Jesus said that EVERYONE was to listen to what He had to say here. Those pesky Pharisees and Scribes were again trying to weigh people down with their rules and regulations that they thought created holiness in people. So Jesus wanted to make sure that THEY know that what He was about to say was for them, too! Today Jesus would have pointed to all of us church leaders who might be trying to impose OUR way of holiness on people instead of GOD’S way. Ouch. So I am going to listen to what Jesus has to say here.

What comes out of me? I don’t know what your workplace might be like but mine is a rather – profane – place. Profanity spills out of customer mouths like some disgusting litany. I do not tolerate that. I usually get my point across with a pointed stare, a raised eyebrow, and an “Excuse me????” “Oh…Oh…I’m sorry Ms. Jody!” That is an easy example of what Jesus was talking about. I used to speak such trash when I was in college. I hung around people who spoke like that and so I said what I heard. Thought it was cool or some such nonsense!

There are more hidden, less obvious unclean streams that can pour out of me. One that immediately comes to mind that I consciously battle every day is criticism. It is so easy to be critical of others. It is too easy to communicate my criticism with words, actions, a look, even by ignoring I speak loudly. Criticism is the manifestation of judging others. It is ignoring the plank in my own eye in order to pick at the speck in my neighbor’s eye! (Matthew 7) It is forgetting that Jesus is my standard. I am not the standard for others! Another is the hidden sins of my heart. I share so much about priorities but every day is a choice of listening to God’s plan for the day instead of my own. It is confirming my schedule (whether it is for a day or my life in general) by setting it up to the top three priorities that do not change: 1) God 2) my service/ministry 3) family. How important is my time with God every day as He examines my heart that only He truly knows!

Jesus so wants to teach me how to live the life of His disciple with joy and freedom! He wants me to listen to Him and see the wisdom of His words. It is such an opportunity to grow! Again, today, I am struck by how there is so much in three verses of Scripture. It is so important that when I read Scripture that I don’t rush over the words but think about them and savor their goodness!

I obey your word instead of following a way that leads to trouble.

You have been my teacher, and I won’t reject your instructions.

Your teachings are sweeter than honey.

They give me understanding and make me hate all lies.

Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk. Psalm 119:101-105 (CEV)

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So much!

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

At once the curtain in the temple was torn in tow from top to bottom. The earth shook, and rocks split apart. Graves opened, and many of God’s people were raised to life. They left their graves, and after Jesus had risen to life, they went into the holy city, where they were seen by many people.

Matthew 27:51-53 (CEV)

This is one of many passages in the Bible where 1-2 verses will be FULL of long-term, life-changing, eternal-plan words!

In this moment when Jesus laid down His life for me the curtain that separated me from the Most Holy Place, separated me from the very Presence of God – is ripped apart; destroyed for all time! I can now come and be with my Heavenly Father. Jesus showed me what it is like to have a relationship with God. No longer will the Father be ‘up there’ somewhere and I need a Moses or someone else to go and present my need or even my praise to Him!

In the moment that Jesus laid down His life for me all creation trembled…shook…and every barrier, or rock, was demolished! No more barriers! If there are ‘barriers’ in my relationship with God, they are of my own making. If there is sin that I choose not to release, then there is a barrier. If I allow unworthiness to keep me at a distance from God, then there is a barrier. If I put greater importance on other things or people, then there is a barrier. Jesus broke down every true barrier. I am FREE!

In the moment that Jesus laid down His life for me death truly died! Now that may sound redundant but when death no longer has the power to permanently destroy or separate us – hope lives! Graves are no longer the end but only a closet door to be opened, not into a closed room, but into life forever! How amazing that these people came alive and re-entered the lives of their loved ones – and this is all that we read about it! I think if I woke up tomorrow morning and found my son, James, or my parents at my door…I would be calling everyone to come over for a party! And then I would be flooding the blog world, Facebook, and asking my children for their expertise on how to get the word out! “WOW! Look what God did!!!”

John in his gospel tells us that not everything has been written about Jesus…there is more to come! It is for each of us to write about Jesus. We may write in many ways as we each have different avenue of communication. Some of us write. Some of us speak. Some of us are blessed to live our lives in such a way that all people see…is Jesus. That may very well be the best, don’t you think?

“I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

Another four verses of God’s word to think about today. God is so good and so faithful to invite me into His presence and give me fresh meat, fresh bread, fresh water to nourish my spirit. My spirit is filled with thanks as I sit with Him today.

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Seasons

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.

Deuteronomy 11:13-14(NIV)

God is God of seasons. That is a wonderful concept to me. When I am in the cold, rainy days of winter, I long for that sunny day when trees begin to bud and daffodils and pansies just begin to appear in the local nursery! But if the weather was always ‘spring’ would I appreciate it? Maybe I need some winter days to love the beauty of the spring! When the hot, humid days of summer seem to drag on, I long for the crisp snap of those first fall days when the air seems so clean and I notice the crackle of leaves under my feet. I wonder every year if God hasn’t invented some new colors to paint leaves when they turn from green! Would I appreciate the ‘fall’ if I had not done some serious sweating through summer?

It is not a far jump for me to see ‘seasons’ in my life. It is in the difficult ‘winters’ that I seem to walk alone. If God is about seasons, aren’t these winters the time for me to focus and use the solitary time to know that it is only God that is still there for me to rely??!! In the intense fire of ‘summer’ when I feel the conviction of God’s Spirit to lay aside (burn away) things that are not of Him, I grow and become refined and purified by God. Like a piece of metal that has been heated in the flames and pounded on the anvil to the shape and form needed by the Master, when He is done He dips me in the cool water of His encouragement . It is only then that God can use me for the purpose and plan that He has in mind.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

No matter what ‘season’ I am currently living, may I appreciate it and savor it for the life that it brings in my spirit. If it is a difficult season, may I rest in God’s assurance that He is there with me and that it will not last forever. It never has and it never will. If it is a time of joy and miracles, may I rejoice with thanksgiving and singing! May I also know that this season will not be forever in this world and savor the present and look forward to the eternal spring that God has planned for me.

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The ‘Ghost’ of my Sin

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled, yet he like to listen to him. — Mark 6:17-20 (NIV)

It’s easy to think of any of the various Herod’s that ruled over various parts of Palestine in the first centuries before and after Jesus’ birth as extraordinarily evil men, totally unlike any of us. But this passage presents a characteristic of Herod Antipas, the Herod of our story that is a common human failing. We can spend so much time in horror that he had John the Baptist beheaded, that we forget the way in which it happened. What happened to Herod is something that can happen to any one of us.

The bottom line is: we don’t like to have our own sin pointed out. Oh, we have plenty of ways of avoiding saying that straight out. The other person is overly critical, or controlling, or nagging, or just plain negative. Perhaps they’re proud, arrogant and judgmental. We’ll think or say just about anything to avoid simply admitting that they make us angry because they point out our sin.

Of course, it’s quite possible for people to be arrogant or overly judgmental. There are people who nag and those who criticize. But we use that type of people as an excuse to avoid hearing about our own faults.

In the four verses I quoted today, Herod starts down the road of temptation. It will end with an unjust execution and the grisly display of John’s head on a plate. But it starts with an every day offense. Herod was annoyed because John the Baptist called him out about his sin. Now God’s Spirit was still working on Herod, because he did recognize that John was righteous and holy. He didn’t even disagree with John about his sin. So he tried to shut him up by putting him in prison.

He probably even took fairly good care of him since he wanted to go listen to him every so often. But having John in prison probably made life seem so much safer. “I’ll just put him in prison, and keep him from inflaming people against me,” Herod may have thought. But that step was just the first one in the downhill slide.

Today ask yourself this: Can you take criticism? Can you handle it when people question your actions? If you are rebuked for doing something wrong do you make a correction or do you become angry?

These are questions I will ponder today and ask the Holy Spirit to correct my course. I do not want to start down Herod’s path!

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What is the state of the union where you live?

Posted on February 11, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

Fig trees may no longer bloom, or vineyards produce grapes;

olive trees may be fruitless, and harvest time a failure;

sheep pens may be empty, and cattle stalls vacant –

but I will still celebrate because the LORD God saves me.

The LORD gives me strength.

He makes my feet as sure as those of a deer,

and he helps me stand on the mountains. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (CEV)

This could be the Scripture to describe our current economy! At least the way it is being painted!

The prophet Habakkuk says things are bad. Crops are failing. Food is scarce. He is giving his ‘state of the union’ assessment here at the end of his prophetic writing. It seems like prophets always have a ‘tough’ message to deliver. They do not get the “Everything is going to be all right. Prosperity is coming!” No, prophets rarely get those messages.

It is tough right now. Many people are out of work. Many have been employed by the same company for 10-15 years and with cutbacks…they have been cut. There are still groceries to be bought. Mortgages or rent due. School supplies needed. Illnesses still occur.

Habakkuk says he is still going to be more than happy because he has God. I talk to people every day who think that response to our daily situation is ludicrous. The numbers do not add up! There’s more month than money!

I don’t think that God wants us to ignore numbers but the first question is: Do I begin my assessment with prayer? Do I turn to God first? Do I ask for His wisdom and understanding? Do I just go with the emotion of the situation or do I seek God’s peace and focus and truth and then look at the numbers? Where does faith fit into my equation?

Habakkuk speaks of what God gives. He speaks of God’s strength that will help me to work extra the job or walk the extra blocks to save money. Or maybe to spend some extra time on my knees asking for His help! Habakkuk says that God will make my steps sure so that I do not wander aimlessly in confusion and uncertainty. Now that is something we need right now!

If your days seems difficult and life is uncertain…then instead of increasing worry…increase your time with God! That is a good investment! That is a stimulus package!!! It has Holy Spirit stimulus! Standing with God means we do stand on mountains. God lives on mountains not in pits!

So while you may listen to the news or listen to the President’s news conference, make sure you spend more time listening to God than you do listening to a man/woman. Remember who God is! Remember who you are to Him! Live life as a child of God! Live with knowledge of the Hope that you have!

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God Gives

Posted on February 10, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Psalm 116:5-6 (NIV)

To be ‘in need’ means that I am not just ‘in want’ but that I am in want of something that is a requirement in my life. I want chocolate. I need water. I need God. This is not just a light bulb that clicked on in July 1995. This light, the realization, is part of me and part of each day of my life. I need God. Every day…I need God.

Some would think that the psalm writer is accurate; that I am “simplehearted” even ‘simpleminded’ to need God who I cannot see. It is simple…but not easy. It is simple because God loves me and He knows my needs. He can fill those needs. He is the only one who can. It’s not easy because I am a woman with ego and pride and do not like to admit my need. I’d like to find something that I acquired to fill my need. I’d like to not have a need. I’ve gotten passed those lies!

Yes, God saved me. He gave His Son to supply my greatest need…an eternal atonement for my sins. But God continues to save me every day. I need His grace (His love). I need His mercy (His forgiveness). I need His wisdom. I need His comfort. I need His courage. I need His strength. I need His peace. I need His self-control. I need His kindness. I need His joy. I need His beauty. I need His patience. I need His truth. I need His unity. God knows all this. In our conversations (prayer time), I can see God smile as I ask for what He knows I need. I was reminded of this with my granddaughters who visited recently. They are trying so hard to do for themselves. And it is right to let them try to accomplish a task for themselves. And then there is that moment when they stop and look up, because they know I am near, and say, “Nanna, help me do _____.” It’s great! They asked before they fell or got hurt. Can you see God in that same situation? He is the best Father!

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in haven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Luke 11:11-13 (NIV)

God gives in answer to my needs…He gives His Spirit. He gives Himself to me. No, I don’t deserve Him but being such a Father – He gives any way. There is no end to how God will give to His children.

No matter what this day brings, God will meet my need. I am going to start the day thanking Him for what He has already given.

Posted in Luke, Psalms | Comments Off on God Gives

Growing Up

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

We must stop acting like children. We must not let deceitful people trick us by their false teachings, which are like winds that toss us around from place to place. Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love.

Ephesians 4:14-16 (CEV)

I have received several comments on Friday’s devotion “I am a Big Girl Christian”. Thanks for writing! Some said they had trouble being a big girl/boy Christian! (It’s good to be among a crowd of witnesses! Hebrews 11-12) Others asked what was the definition or gave thoughts about what was a big girl/boy Christian.

Paul tells us it’s about not being deceived by false teachings. That implies to me that I actively study the Bible both personally and corporately. I spend time each day reading and listening to God’s Word. I also listen to preachers and teachers and then ‘digging’ in to what is taught and using the reason that God gave me to learn and weigh what I have been taught. And does the teaching line up with God’s Word in context from Old through New Testament.

Paul says it’s about love. Jesus showed love and compassion to all and yet always told the truth. I sometimes think that I cannot be totally truthful because I will hurt someone with the truth. It’s about my heart. Jesus’ heart was always pure. He had no hidden agenda; no spite or jealousy. As I grow into more like Jesus, keeping my eyes on Jesus as my standard, then my heart will also grow in its purity. I am looking at others as God’s children and He puts His compassion into me and it flows through me. And truth will be about love.

I grew up going to church. That was it. There was no relationship with God. In 1995 God, in His faithfulness, welcomed me with open arms. His prodigal daughter finally realized that her way was not the best way! For me that was a big girl decision. I was not ever going back to the old me. Fourteen years later, I can say that there have been some tough, really tough times and I have cried out to God and even shaken my fist at Him! But I am and always will be committed to Jesus! That has never been a question in my mind. I am His and He is mine.

All that is good but then it must translate to the Church. In that too, Jesus wants to ‘grow me up’ and not be deceived or forget Christ’s love. It means keeping my focus on Jesus’ plan and listening to His voice. If I am serving then I am not focused on my ego. If I want Jesus to get the credit for what works then I am not going to walk out because the piano gets moved or the carpet is not what I chose.

God is the best! He sees me as what I will be when He gets me grown! He will continue to guide, give His wisdom in the amount I need, and He will discipline me with consequences and love. Each day is a new day to grow into the mature Christian that God believes I can be…a Big Girl Christian.

Posted in Devotional, Ephesians | Comments Off on Growing Up

“I’m a big girl Christian!”

Posted on February 6, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

We must stop judging others. We must also make up our minds not to upset anyone’s faith…Don’t let your appetite destroy someone Christ died for. Romans 14:13, 15 (CEV)

“I’m a big girl Christian!” That is an identification that I have found myself saying recently. I said it to my pastor the other day. I told him that our new contemporary service would have more music, a strong message, and prayer time if it was designed to suit me. “But I am a big girl Christian so I can worship any way!”

Corporate worship is about coming together as a Body of Christ and worshiping our Lord. There are many people who haven’t been to church in a very long, long time who are coming to this “new” service and they are excited by it. And in my balance scale – that is more important than my worship preferences. I can put CDs in my player at home and I can sing and sing and sing and sing. I can pause the CD and pray. I can lift my hands and dance before the Lord and He is honored and pleased with that. God is pleased when I serve others and He is pleased when I worship. Serving is worship.

In corporate worship, my eyes are on God and so the ‘me’ is not in the equation except in serving. When Jesus gave us the perfect example in the Last Supper there was: leaders serving, the truth of God’s Word spoken, prayer, and there was reconciliation in the communion. “Do this in remembrance of me.” Jesus said. Be a servant. Think of others before yourself. For many years, when I receive communion I make this simple affirmation, “I am with Him and He is with me.” Oh, that I would live my life with that not only engraved on my heart but the life in my words and deeds!

As we go to worship on this Sabbath, let us consider our thoughts and our prayers. Are we there to worship our Lord and Savior? Do I bring my life to God as a Living Sacrifice … holy and acceptable to Him? Oh, my Lord, how awesome You are! Holy, Holy, Holy! You are worthy of all my praise!

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This is War!

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

When you go to war against your enemies, and you see horses, chariots, and a people greater than you, don’t be afraid of them, because YHWH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. — Deuteronomy 20:1 (TFBV)

Deuteronomy 20 provides some rules of war for the Israelites. They’re an interesting set of rules, especially when compared to the standards of warfare that were pretty general at the time. But in those rules, I find a plan of attack that can be used in facing whatever sort of difficulties in our temporal or spiritual lives. I’m learning by analogy here. There’s no doubt the chapter was written precisely for the purpose it appears to serve—a set of rules for the conduct of war. You might want to read the entire chapter.

Now here’s the outline:

First rule: Don’t be afraid (20:1-4)
This is the first rule of dealing with almost any problem. There are moments went a fear reaction is physiologically helpful. That spurt of adrenaline is useful in giving extra strength. But in most situations fear makes us do stupid things, or makes us freeze up. Now I don’t think the idea here is not to feel any fear. Rather, the idea is to be able to act in spite of whatever fear one may feel, to overcome it, and to act rationally and appropriately. But the scriptures give us the key reason not to be afraid—God is fighting on our side. If we can remember that, we can face whatever troubles may come.

Second rule: Go with those who can fight in unity (8)
The rule about fear is so important that those who cannot overcome their fear are to be left behind. Often when we are approaching a task we try to force as many people to get involved as possible, whether they want to be involved or not, and whether they believe God has called them or not. But it’s more important to work with those who can work in unity than it is to have lots of people. The best team is the called team.

Third rule: Go with those who are not distracted (5-7)
Distracted people don’t do that well in combat, spiritual or physical. The focus needs to be on the battle and on what needs to be accomplished. Let those who don’t have the right set of priorities go on about their business.

Fourth rule: Consider your enemy–be as tough as you have to (10-18)
Sometimes we act as though in spiritual situations, or in our day to day work life strategy is a bad word. But making a plan and applying the right approach to the right situation can be the key to victory.
Fifth rule: Consider the future; be prepared to rebuild (19-20)
Living by faith doesn’t mean living without consideration for the future. Keep in mind where you are going next in your journey. The folks you are offending today may be the folks you need to work with tomorrow.

Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. Psalm 102:1-2 (NIV)

Never forget that with God for me – whoever may seem against me – is a gnat in comparison. Seek God first. Keep my ears tuned to His voice. Walk in the way and timing that He directs. Remember what I know to be true in Kingdom terms: The war is already won.

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Kingdom Builder

Posted on February 4, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:1-3 (NIV)

I will admit that the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts are favorites of mine. I see things in the ‘white spaces’ that come from Dr. Luke. In these three verses, Luke doesn’t just say “After his death” but he says that Jesus experienced “suffering” AND gave “convincing proofs that he was alive”. I see the physician in Luke testifying from his professional viewpoint that the lies of the Pharisees re: Jesus’ death and resurrection (that it didn’t really happen) are just that – lies! How awesome to use your God-given gifts to testify to the power of God! Often in my teaching, God reminds me of incidents in my nursing career where healing in body or in spirit occurred and could not be explained away with medical science. I LOVE it when God confounds the doctors and nurses!!!

I began this reading with a question: What worked in the early Church that we have forgotten or chosen to forget? What is holding us back? The last sentence of these three verses gives me some insight.

1) Jesus was welcome in their group. They wanted to SEE Him and so they spent time together, making Him the focus, and keeping their eyes up – looking for Jesus. When I come to worship, is it about me worshiping God (period) or about what worship can do for me? I have checked myself in the last few months and I am not satisfied with the focus of mind during worship. Too often it is about me asking God to bless me with something instead of “Entering His sanctuary with thanksgiving and praise” (Psalm 100:4) for ALL that He has already given me!!! I am a work in progress and my Lord is faithful and patient!

2) Jesus “spoke about the kingdom of God”. The Church was headed toward terrible, horrific persecution. Jesus knew that. Did He warn them about persecution? Did He tell them how to pray to avoid that? Did He show them an escape route for persecution? Did He tell them how they were going to financially prosper with God meeting all their wants? No. He spoke about His kingdom: how to BUILD it, how to LIVE it, and how to MAKE DISCIPLES in spite of the persecution! Jesus said that He came so I would have an abundant life – in Him. Are my eyes looking with ‘eternal vision’? Do I look at opportunities to serve Him with eternal consequences or am I stuck in ‘instance gratification’? Ouch. Jesus had little time left with His disciples and so He kept pointing them toward working for His Kingdom to grow now and receiving the eternal rewards later. Do I seek to know and understand more about God’s Kingdom? Does He call me a Kingdom Builder?

So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8 (NIV)

“GO, Jody!!! Don’t worry about ‘stuff’ that isn’t your business and you have no control over any way! You will receive all the power and gifts you need to equip you to do what I need you to do! Don’t just stand there enjoy what has been but TELL what has been and what is and look forward to what WILL BE!!!”


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