Unequally Yoked

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from July 2, 2010]

Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever? What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”     2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (WEB)

I have heard this quoted most often in reference to Believers marrying non-Believers; essentially saying – don’t do it! After over 30 years of married life I can say without hesitation that Paul was right! A person’s faith is an essential characteristic. Whether you are Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Universalist, atheist, or the many ‘places’ in between, what and how you believe is at the core of who you are. Even in business, a partnership can not survive if the partners are trying to steer their business in different directions. Faith in a marriage is surely one of the rudders that directs the marriage. If two people are looking in different directions for their support and guidance, then they are not moving in the same direction. Paul’s analogy of a ‘yoke’ brings a picture of oxen or horses and it is easy to understand that the two must pull in the same direction, even anticipating the moves of the partner.

Now Paul makes the division clear as he speaks of light and darkness and Jesus and a demon. In his time and in the church to whom he was writing, Paul wanted the readers to understand that if you were a Believer, that meant you were a Believer in Jesus Christ. You had left the worship of idols (including the idol of religion) behind and in the climate of persecution from Rome as well as from the Jews at that time, Believers of Jesus Christ should not marry non-believers. Faith truly was a life and death issue.

What about today? Should a Methodist marry a Lutheran? Should a Catholic and a Baptist marry? I do not believe this Scripture was written to judge that. A member of a denomination does not signify a Believer or non-believer.

My husband, Henry, spent time in prayer, listening and discussing with God before he called me for our first lunch date. Before beginning anything in our relationship, Henry asked God if he was hearing God’s voice. As we got to know each other, Henry again went to the Lord, spending several days seeking God’s wisdom and approval before he offered his commitment to me. I spent several days, then, doing the same. In my case, I really sought the Holy Spirit to sift through all the emotions I was feeling and to give me a clear direction in how He wanted me to respond. On the day that I stood before God and our family and friends and entered the covenant with Henry and God, I had no doubts and complete peace. That hasn’t changed in almost 11 years.

As Believers we are temples of God. God is in us. We are His people. Great and extraordinary things will happen when Believers come together as a partnership or team. An unequal yoke, on the other hand, can bring division and destruction. God’s wisdom is in copious supply. All we have to do is ask.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.     James 1:5 (WEB)

Posted in 2 Corinthians, James | Comments Off on Unequally Yoked

Can You Hear Me Now?

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, but before they married, she learned she was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit.          Matthew 1:18 (NCV)

Marriage. I sometimes wonder if it isn’t God’s idea of Comedy Hour. Create two very different types of the same species, put in attraction to each other, establish this covenant called marriage – and watch the drama and comedy that comes LIVE every day, every week.

Seriously, I know that isn’t what God did. He created His children and despite our bad choices that resulted in sin, He has made it possible for us to live with Him forever. But while we are here on earth and in this time, He said that we should not be alone and so He did create this covenant called marriage. But we too often forget that the covenant is not just between a husband and wife but between a husband, a wife, and God Himself.

I read again Matthew 1:18-25 that begins with an engagement and a surprise pregnancy. The groom, Joseph, knows he isn’t the father and the bride, Mary, honestly admits that Joseph isn’t – God is. In these times, an engagement is like a marriage so Joseph will have to divorce Mary to dissolve this engagement. But he gets a dream with an angel who tells him to go through with the union. Then the baby, God in the flesh, is born in a barn. Joseph has another dream and they have to run away to Egypt to escape the threat of King Herod. No family. No friends or fellowship to support them.

I cannot imagine the conversations that went on between this young couple. Communication may be the single most difficult aspect of marriage. Telling the new person in your life what you are thinking, feeling, and in turn, interpreting what you hear them say and how they act – it is so very difficult. It takes patience and extra effort that isn’t always readily available during the stresses of trials and tragedies, even everyday life. After more than 30 years of marriage and spending the last 12 years really trying to learn from my LORD, I have three points that I wish I had known when I started:

Identify the weak areas in our communicating. For my husband and I, we realized before we were married that talking about money was going to require some extra effort from us. We think and see money in very different ways. I don’t mean how and where we spend it. We pretty much agree about that. I see our cash flow like a ledger. Money has to be very visual to me. My husband sees it as the whole and then divided into piles. We use different words that describe the same thing and so we don’t always understand each other. The other thing we have to keep in mind is time. I am not a morning person. My husband isn’t a late night person. So we don’t talk about money or any difficult subject before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m.!

Have a ‘Key Phrase’. It’s important to have a phrase that indicates to the other person that this is an important conversation and that you need their attention. They, in turn, need to be honest and admit if this is not a good time to talk and then make an agreed time to come back and talk – soon. There are times that I can talk about money or our business and then there are times that I am just not up to it. But if I know that my husband needs to talk about this, then I say, “Can we meet and talk in about 30 minutes?” and go have some quiet time and settle in to a good place to have that conversation.

Take intentional time. One thing that we have learned with being partners in our own business is that we need to meet 3-4 times a week and talk about goals and tasks. A marriage deserves at least that much. That can be really challenging when you have children and so many activities demanding your time – including individual time with God and sleep! But having a meal alone or just a walk together or make a time to come to the dining table for a cup of tea that says this is “our time” is so very important.

Mary and Joseph had a lot on their plate. Most of us who are married today also have full plates, just different kinds of things to move around. These points that I listed are important but we must never forget that vital third party of our covenant. Our LORD. Whenever and however we communicate in our marriage, we must begin and end with Jesus. Start any conversation with a prayer and continue the conversation under the guidance of His Holy Spirit. Start the day with a prayer that says, “Help us, LORD, in all that we say and do in our marriage. You are the head of our household. You are our wisdom and guide.” And at the end of the day let us turn to Him again and ask for His correction and give thanks for all that God has done in our marriage that day.

50% of marriages fail. I wonder what that percentage would be if we realized our weakness and how important God is to the keeping of the covenant that we have made.

The song today was written by a troubadour of the 1970’s named John Denver. Like many people he had difficulty expressing what was in his heart by sitting down and looking the person in the eyes. And so he wrote this song for his wife. A song, a card, a flower can all be a beginning to help us express ourselves. But like much in life that is worth more than gold, there are no shortcuts to taking a deep breath, asking God for help, and just taking the time and effort to communicate with the one we love.

Annie’s Song written and sung by John Denver (1973)

 

Posted in Matthew | Comments Off on Can You Hear Me Now?

Who Do I Call On?

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Protect me, God, because I trust in you. 
I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord.
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
As for the godly people in the world, they are the wonderful ones I enjoy.
But those who turn to idols will have much pain.
I will not offer blood to those idols or even speak their names.

No, the Lord is all I need. He takes care of me.
My share in life has been pleasant; my part has been beautiful.

I praise the Lord because he advises me.
Even at night, I feel his leading.
I keep the Lord before me always.
Because he is close by my side, I will not be hurt.
So I rejoice and am glad.
Even my body has hope, because you will not leave me in the grave.
You will not let your holy one rot.
You will teach me how to live a holy life.
Being with you will fill me with joy; at your right hand I will find pleasure forever.      Psalm 16 (NCV)

This is a psalm that is marked in my Bible as “go to”. That means when I am struggling to lift my head and feel like I am surrounded on all sides by problems and negativity – I can open my Bible to this passage and let it soak into my bruised and battered spirit. It’s like I am looking through some type of scope (telescope or periscope) and what may have appeared to be a massive enemy, comes down to size and then shrinks in the presence of my LORD.

“Even at night…” It has been said that the hours between 2 a.m. – 5 a.m. are the darkest and is the time when fear rules. Certainly when a child is sick, those are the hours when fever will often spike. When I worked for hospice, I would receive phone calls during these hours telling me that a patient was having uncontrollable pain and the caregivers were very scared. It would be easy to feel very alone in the quiet of a dark night.

When Jesus defeated death on that Easter morning, I was given a guarantee that when the time came for my earthly body to die, a grave was not going to keep me a prisoner. Because of Jesus and because I have made a choice to live in a relationship with Him, death cannot hold me down. This week I began calling a grave marker a ‘history marker’. It does not mark where a Believer now lives but instead records that the person did exist in this world but has now moved on.

So who am I going to call? My LORD. My Savior. My Teacher. My Friend. My Father. With Him, I have all that I need as I sail in these troubled waters. Thank You, God. Thank You.

Bridge Over Troubled Water written and sung by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel (1969)

 

 

Posted in Psalms | 1 Comment

Knowledge and Wisdom

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people.
How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!
All who delight in him should ponder them.
Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.
His righteousness never fails.
He causes us to remember his wonderful works.
How gracious and merciful is our Lord!
He gives food to those who fear him; he always remembers his covenant.
He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations.
All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy.
They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.
He has paid a full ransom for his people.
He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.
Praise him forever!                Psalm 111 (NLT)

Lectionary texts: 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14, Psalm 11, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58

This week God will be speaking to me about His knowledge and wisdom of which He has plenty and is willing to give to me freely. If I really consider His many gifts, is there anything better to ask God for?

In 1 Kings 2 I am told that King Solomon pleased God and so God told him to ask for “anything”. Solomon asked God for wisdom which pleased God even more and He answered Solomon’s request. And while we know that King Solomon utilized that wisdom (see the “Who’s baby is it?” story in 1 Kings 3), we also know that he sometimes did not use God’s wisdom (had too many wives that turned him away from God, 1 Kings 11).

Psalm 111 was so completely wonderful and filled with things to think about that I put the entire psalm here so that you would be sure to receive that blessings! The psalms are just the perfect tool that helps me to express so many different emotions. Today it is thanksgiving for the many varied ways that God has blessed me with His knowledge and wisdom. These free gifts are not only mine but also mine to give away as God gives in such abundance that they can just flow through me.

John 6 speaks about the “food” God gives just as the psalm did. Jesus is trying to get people to understand that He is God-in-the-flesh and it is through Him that we find all that we need. In the case of knowledge and wisdom, I can hear knowledge and wisdom through Jesus’ teachings, His way of speaking and treating people, and the way He always points to the Father and His promises. I will never “hunger” for the things of this world that never completely satisfy if I feast on the bread, the knowledge of God.

Ephesians 5 passage is like the closing hymn that tells me to live in God’s wisdom. Let my life be soaked in God’s wisdom. That happens as I spend time with Him every day in the study of His Word and in our conversations (prayer) and live out the wisdom that He freely gives to me. And speak those psalms, hymns and spiritual songs like sweet music in my heart and to others.

Oh my friends, may we get some holy fear if we do not make the seeking and asking God for His knowledge and wisdom a priority in our lives!

Breathe written and sung by Michael W. Smith (2000)

 

Posted in Psalms | 1 Comment

Memories

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!”    Revelation 14:13 (NLT)

This will be a weekend for memories. A very good friend of my son, James, is getting married to a wonderful young woman. And his wedding venue is a lakeside church camp that they spent many memorable days. This friend stood by him in some of his most difficult days, loving him even when he was bald!

I’m going to be very transparent today as I believe there are many who may read this that struggle with finding the truth of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and yet experience the sharp knife of grief when someone they love leaves them behind to respond to God’s call that it’s now time to go home.

I have no doubt that my son is home in the truest sense of the word. Jesus tells me that He personally prepared the place. It’s wonderful to have the best contractor preparing my place of residence where I will live forever. He knows my heart and so He knows all those little secrets that give me the greatest joy. I like a home with lots of light. I like openness. I like the smell of fresh linens and light-scented flowers. I like a gentle breeze. He knows all that and more.

I do not know what James is doing in heaven but I suspect it has something to do with music and action or what we would think of as athletics because he loved those two things. His idea of the perfect worship service involved about ten minutes of teaching and the rest in music. His idea of evangelism was a softball or baseball game that would hook people into coming back on Sunday morning. So whatever we do in heaven I believe will involve the God-given talents we have – ramped up a few notches!

Now since I have no doubt that James is enjoying this perfect place where there isn’t any more disease or pain or weakness, I know he also wouldn’t come back here if the offer was given. ‘Happy’ doesn’t cover how he feels about where he is.

So what I feel: loss, sadness, isn’t about James. It is about me. I am missing what once was. I am missing a dream that never came true. There was a different dream that came to be.

But while I will experience some sadness this weekend, I will also get to stand in witness to some extraordinary joy. And I will “see” James in this weekend because he would have had a great time hassling and celebrating with his friend. And that will be the new memory that I will make as I watch James walk on in his friend.

As disciples of Jesus we make a “footprint” in the life of every person we meet. It isn’t a choice; it’s a fact. For good or bad, we leave a mark on others. A disciple is one who represents their Teacher to others. Paul says we are “ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20) speaking for and working in the lives of others. What mark did James leave on his friend? I don’t know, we would have to ask, but he did leave one.

If you are homesick for heaven and someone who is already there, take sometimes to remember. Remember conversations. Remember things you did together. And thank our LORD for the marks that they left and carry them forward.

Memories written by Bill Strange and Scott Davis, sung by Elvis Presley

 

Posted in Revelation | 1 Comment

Laughter IS Good Medicine

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.      Proverbs 17:22 (HCSB)

When was the last time that you laughed? I don’t mean chuckle or smile. I mean bend over, slap your knee, and can’t catch your breath – laughter. Been a while?

Not only does the Bible say that laughter (a joyful heart) is good for you but so does the American Medical Association. Science tells us that something called “endorphins” are thought to be released when we have a big belly laugh. Endorphins are natural pain and stress relievers.

Laughter around a dinner table has always been one of the best “snapshots” that I can recall from various seasons in my life. Family reunions where groups of cousins tried to out-tell “remember when” stories from childhood bring back laugh-filled memories of Milde (that’s Mil-dee) cream soda and cold watermelon. Holiday tables that are littered with empty plates and the adults have loosened their belts but are reluctant to leave the table because surely someone has one more story! Laughter is like a force field that keeps worry and sadness at bay.

Throughout the gospels I read about Jesus’ healing of blindness, paralysis, even seizures and yet most of His teaching had to do with healing the non-physical aspects of my life. At the very core of my reconciliation with God is the healing that occurs in my heart, in my spirit. My separation from God through sin leaves me defenseless against the destruction of satan and his world.

There are many on my prayer list right now who are fighting a battle against cancer. Whether they are a little girl in Arizona, a dear friend in Alabama, a mentor in Texas, or a faithful sister in Christ in Virginia, I am asking God to bless them with a miracle of total and complete healing. And in that healing is a “hidden” extra blessing of the restoration and healing of their hearts that have been battered in this war. I ask God to give them times of great laughter and joy that occurs despite their circumstance and releases those natural endorphins, like anointing oil flowing over their spirit. Grief and sadness are banished as they rest in the knowledge and power of the One who is greater than all that is known and unknown in their lives.

Instead of a song today, I want to take time to listen to a woman that truly ministers through her gift of laughter, Jeanne Robertson. This story she is going to tell has had almost 5 million – yes million – people come by and listen to the story on YouTube. (I know I’ve listened to it at least five times myself!) I hope you receive a very large “helping” of endorphins and experience healing in your heart.

Don’t Send a Man to the Grocery Store by Jeanne Robertson

 

Posted in Proverbs | Comments Off on Laughter IS Good Medicine

Election 2008 – and 2012

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from September 15, 2008]

Jody note, August 8, 2012: Here we are coming up on another election. It is troubling to hear the “mob rhetoric” from people left and right who are “getting on bandwagons” because someone has identified someone (and I am speaking equally about President Obama and Governor Romney) that they can blame for what they perceive to be the downfall of our nation.

I hear people invoke our “Founding Fathers” and attribute great wisdom and perfection and unity of their leadership. If we take the time to read our history, unity was something verbally and physically fought for. Wisdom? Many – but not all – were praying men who found their wisdom not in demanding their own way but in finding a way to work together, make hard decisions that didn’t make everyone happy, and in the end, forged a nation.

Let us make prayer, not destructive “put down” rhetoric come out of our mouths. Let’s listen twice as much to God as we speak to others with our mouths. – Jody, 2012

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.    Matthew 4:18 (NIV)

Jesus chose two fishermen to be His disciples. He did not choose educated or popular men. He did not choose influential or even wise men. So why did He chose them?

In less than two months, we, the people of the United States, will chose new leadership. Will we choose based on popularity? Party affiliation? Will we choose because of race? Sex? Will the faith that a candidate professes impact our decision? Will his or her moral life (or lack) impact our decision?

Jesus did not choose based on any of these questions that I can see. Jesus was God in the flesh, right? So He had “inside” information. He chose these disciples because He knew.

God has the “inside” information on the candidates also. Am I seeking God’s advice on who I should cast my vote? Does that sound too ‘easy’ or too ‘silly’? I actually think it sounds hard! I think that to seek God’s desire and listen for HIS answer is going to be hard. It means that I will not take my agenda into the voting booth. I will be taking only God’s choices. I will listen with my ears tuned to HIS voice and not the media’s spin or the candidate’s advisers.

The older I get … the more questions than answers I have. The more I study the Bible and build my relationship with God the more I find myself leaving my agenda and know-it-all attitude behind and lean on God’s ways. It’s hard. It’s awesome! It’s hopeful. It means that the future will have more hope in it … because I trusted God for it.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.     Matthew 4:19-20 (NIV, my emphasis)

God Bless America by Irving Berlin (1938), sung by Kate Smith

 

Posted in Matthew | Comments Off on Election 2008 – and 2012

I Want To Be Just Like You

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Be imitators of God,therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

These particular verses were not part of the Lectionary texts but they were part of my reading this week. More often than not I read more than the verses noted in the lectionary. Too often by reading only bits and pieces I see or hear only part of what God wants to say to me. Context. Read Scripture in context.

It seems like a pretty big task to imitate God. Fortunately, God didn’t just say that and leave it. He gave me a list of what looks like Him.

Speak the truth in the Body of Believers. This is an area that I struggle with. There are times when I see things that are happening in the fellowship to which I belong. I pray about it. Is it my flesh or God telling me to speak out or telling me to keep praying? I am known by even my friends as a “plain speaker”. It might surprise people that I hold back on speaking what is on my mind. I pray God puts messages that “burn” inside of me and that they are the truths that I speak.

Do not stay angry. God warns me that holding on to anger will lead to bitterness. A bitter heart is a dying heart. I used to have a spectacular temper. My father and grandfather also had such tempers. It was like a fire’s flashpoint. When I gave my life to Jesus, He did a cleaning in my heart. I released a lot of bitterness. I found I didn’t want to lash out at people. But old habits? They require re-training. I have had to learn a new way of thinking. I am allowing God to re-program me. He isn’t done with me yet. I have learned a lot through my husband. We’ve learned together how to communicate and “appreciate” our differences. Not holding anger overnight is an important “Marriage Rule”.

Do not steal. This says to not to steal but it also says to work for my living so that I may provide not only for myself but for those who are in need. Is there a rebuke there for those who may “sponge off” others? And a Word that reminds me that what God provides to me, opportunities for work and favor with those in authority that gives me raises and bonuses, is not just for me but another opportunity from God to minister to others.

Do not speak destructively. Be an encourager. Lift others up. And going back to “speak the truth”, do it under the power of the Spirit that also builds a person when they know I care enough to be truthful and yet still loving, just as Jesus does.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. What does that mean? Entire theological books have been written on this verse in the Bible. To “grieve” someone means to sadden them with my actions. I have met people who were very afraid that they had done something to sadden or offend the Holy Spirit so that they would be forever separated from God. I’ve heard my husband explain to these panicked people that if they are “concerned” about this – then the Holy Spirit is still speaking and convicting them and has a relationship with them that desires that they come closer to God.

Get rid of the bitterness, rage, anger, fighting, and malicious words and behavior. Just do it. Ask the Holy Spirit to re-program me. Clean me from this “stuff” that is destructive and fill me with –

Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving just like Jesus has forgiven you. Every day I ask the Holy Spirit to shines His light into every corner of my life. I ask Him to show me where I need to make a change and repent so that I can also ask the Spirit to fill me up with all this that is from Him. It is a conscience choice. I choose to imitate Jesus. My life becomes an offering; an act of worship to my LORD (Romans 12:1-2).

Make a choice. Choose to imitate Jesus? – Or not.

I Want to be Just Like You by Phillips, Craig and Dean (1995)

 

 

Posted in Ephesians | Comments Off on I Want To Be Just Like You

Is Jesus Weeping for You?

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

The king [David] was overcome with emotion. He went up to the room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.”     2 Samuel 18:33 (NLT)

Lectionary texts: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 130, Ephesians 4:25-5:2, John 6:35, 41-51

David’s son, Absalom, has raised an army against his father. He wants his father’s throne. David knows that he must put down this rebellion before the kingdom is torn apart. His military commanders convince David not to lead the army himself and so while David agrees with them, he tells the commanders to be lenient with Absalom, in other words, “Don’t kill him.” The commanders believe that there can be no “change of heart” by Absalom and that he would continue to try to destroy his father and the kingdom and so they do kill Absalom. And David is overcome with grief. I suspect he not only grieves for the physical loss of his son but also for the “might have been” as he thinks of how his relationship with his son has ended in such a way. Very sad, isn’t it?

As I was reading this passage a New Testament passage came to mind where Jesus also cried:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”     Luke 13:34-35 (NLT)

It is hard for me to understand that Jesus is feeling the same grief for the “children of Jerusalem” as David did for his son and I did for mine. Jesus knows that if His children continue to make the choice to continue their rebellion reject Him, they will never see Him again. Unlike David and I who look at our children only with our very human eyes and hearts, Jesus is able to feel and extend the grief and compassion while still not lowering His holy standard and make a way for His children to meet that standard through His perfect sacrifice.

The psalmist writes a beautiful song about the mercy of God that is extended to us, the sinners. He says,

If you kept an eternal record of my sins, LORD, who could stand? (I would be overcome with the weight of the guilt!) But LORD, You have extended mercy to me, and that can only be done because of Your unequaled power. And so I bow in holy fear. Psalm 130:3-4, (my paraphrase)

And Paul reminds me (even implores me) to live my life as Jesus has taught me. Do not let my life just coast along. Pay attention and make it a priority to seek a closer relationship with Jesus. That means time in prayer, time in reading and studying of His Word, and then put what He teaches into action – every day.

In taking on the heart of Jesus, I am sad when I see we as a Church not putting Jesus first in our lives. We continue to “play at” being a Christian but do not let go of our own way and allow Jesus put the priorities in our lives and commit our time to Bible study and prayer. We turn a blind eye to those who are walking in darkness and explain our own lack of involvement by putting another $10-20 in the offering plate so the lights will stay on in a building. Surely those who are hurting and stumbling around outside can see this building and go on in??!!

Summer is ending. Now is the time to make a change, repent of my ways and take on the mind and heart of Christ. Sign up for a small group and take time each day to talk with Jesus. In Him alone will I find what I need for every day.

In Christ Alone by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend (2001)

 

Posted in 2 Samuel, Luke, Psalms | 2 Comments

Yes LORD, I Will …

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

All these people are known for their faith, but none of them received what God had promised. God planned to give us something better so that they would be made perfect, but only together with us.

We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.            Hebrews 11:39-12:3 (NCV)

I have really enjoyed watching the Olympics this week. One of the advantages to owning my own business and working in a home office is that I can have the TV on whatever channel I want. The Olympics is truly awesome compared to the usual options. Praise God for a music option!

The discipline and commitment that the Olympic athletes and their families have given to their craft is humbling and inspiring. This passage from Scripture ran through my mind as I watched the Olympians.

Surrounded by Witnesses. How often have I heard a story how of a medal-winner watched another Olympian when they were a child and decided “I can do that!”. And so it is in Jesus’ Church. The more we share our own journey, the more we encourage others, including the next generation. It’s not about “preaching” about what others should do but instead sharing a day-to-day story of how Jesus is in my life, in joy or sorrow.

Trials don’t defeat but strengthen. I suspect every Olympian has a story of some sacrifice (financially or moving away from home to train) or injury that derailed a training plan and threw doubt as to whether they would qualify or even compete. And so too, does every disciple have a story of great trial when doubt or a season came upon them that threatened to “derail” the plan that God had for them. My flesh is a place of weakness that can cause me to focus more on the “giant” that I face instead of staying focused on my LORD who stands between me and the giant. Paul has that wonderfully inspired passage that tells me “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope;” (Romans 5:4). It is never easy to see the positive aspect of trials at the time that the are happening. That is why for me journaling is a way to recall to my mind how God did see me through and have the faith and hope that He will do so again.

Never give up. There are also many stories of Olympians who almost made the decision to give up their training and quest to qualify for an Olympic opportunity. Young Gold-medal winner, Gabby Douglas, was so homesick and tired that she almost gave up one year ago. It was her family who supported her and encouraged her to pray and listen to what God had to say about it. I need encouragers in my life to help me not give up on the race God has given me to run (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). It is in that accountability and fellowship that I find strength to continue, listening to my brothers and sisters (Mark 3:35).

Hebrews 11:39 reminds me that I may not see the reason or answer of God immediately or even for years – or ever. That is hard to accept. But my relationship with God is about faith. It is about believing in Someone and His something that cannot be quantified through my human reasoning. I am seeking what God has promised – and it is “Gold”. There is no Silver or Bronze in God’s Kingdom. His reward is only perfection, no second best. The question is: Will I persevere to run my race and receive God’s promise? Yes, LORD, I will …

Yes LORD, We Will Ride by Andy Park, sung by Lindell Cooley

 

Posted in Hebrews | 1 Comment