Just Do It

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

I have read commentaries, devotions, books, whatever literary offerings available under various names and listened to sermons and teachings in churches, classrooms, on DVDs and on television.  There are some inspired people out there.  Some are inspired by God. But one night about a year after I committed my life to Jesus, I was listening to a man of God who I respected and under whom I had grown spiritually as I had listened to him for that year. As I listened to him speak about a particular Bible passage, I followed along in my Bible – and stopped. I read the passage again. I listened to what he was saying. I read the passage again. And a Light when on in my spirit, “That isn’t what that passage says.” I went from being spoonfed to reaching out and grabbing a bite and bringing it to my own mouth. That isn’t pride or arrogance.  That is growing up! I still respect that man. I thank God for him. But he is human and humans do not always “throw strikes” in this baseball game we call our spiritual life.

Like Peter, if I want to walk on the water with Jesus, I have to get out of the boat. I may make a misstep and start to sink but I do not have to worry. Jesus is there with His hand out. Bible study is essential to my spiritual growth. Without Bible study and prayer, I will not be a disciple but only a Believer. Jesus spoke of the seeds that are sown (Matthew 13) and it’s those that fall on fertile soil and are tended that grow to strong, fruit-bearing plants.  We must exercise our spiritual muscles as we dig into God’s Word and bring it into our hearts so that it is part of our everyday thinking.

A frequent practice of my spiritual exercising in God’s Word is paraphrasing what I am reading. It answers the basic question: What is this passage saying to me? And, yes, I am blessed to have a husband who reads Hebrew and Greek like I read English. He is passionate about worshiping in the Bible. He is a resource for me – but not my primary resource. I would be back to being spoonfed if I only thought what Henry thought, wouldn’t I? With access to the internet, there are online concordances, sites to check Biblical history, and Amazon.com can hook us up to many resource books. But it is in paraphrasing that God’s Word becomes – God speaking to me, like we are sitting together and talking.

So here is my paraphrase of Psalm 91 that I recently submitted to a book that my church published on all 150 psalms: A Living Psalter.

Psalm 91

Living in the House of God is also where I sleep peacefully.
I say, “God is where I am protected in the keep of His castle.”

God will save me from hidden traps and horrible infections that plague me in this world. He covers me as a mother hen covers her chicks with feathered wings; like the King’s armor and castle fortification is the faithfulness of the LORD.

There will be no fear in my life, neither the thoughts in the middle of the night nor the unexpected accidents and traumas that occur during the day.

Though crowds of people may fall away all around me, I will trust God to totally protect me as I see the wicked punished by the LORD in due season because He is not with them.  For if I make the LORD Most High the place where I live, where I take shelter, then nothing can destroy my heart and my spirit, because God’s messengers will be commanded to care for me.  Those angels will lift me so that I do not stumble on the obstacles that come into my path, even predators that sneak in like a snake or lion. I will walk all over them!

“Because she is committed to me in her love,” says my LORD, “I will save and protect her.  She always gives me credit for the good in her life.  And I will walk with her when she has troubled times, bringing her through with honor. And after a long life, I, the LORD, will bring her home to an eternal life just as I promised.”  (my paraphrase)

Posted in Psalms | Comments Off on Just Do It

The Impotence of a Parent

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

Psalm 55

Jody Neufeld

1-3 Hello? God? Can you hear me? Answer me! My mind is a jumble of confusing, evil voices!

Everyone is looking at me! They hate me!

4-5 My heart is broken. I just want to die. I am so frightened here alone in my room.

6-8 I SOOO want to run away, LORD!

I would go to a quiet place where I could rest.

I would get away from my life which is standing in a hurricane!

9-11 The world is such a mess. Abusers, pedophiles, murderers, racists, liars, and those full of pride prowl in the shadows that they love, destroying.

12-15 If it was my enemy that opposed me, I could endure that but it is my friend that was a part of God’s fellowship with me! If you continue on this path, apart from God, may you be surprised by the evil, the death that God’s judgment will impart.

16-19 I have no pride. I call out to God morning, noon, and night. He hears me and saves me no matter how overwhelming my distress may seem. God, the Creator, the Great I AM, will cover me, His child, from any and all evil that tries to destroy me. Those who do not fear Him – you should be afraid, very afraid.

20-21 My so-called friend has a silver-tongue that speaks sweetly but manifests from a heart that is dirty and vicious. He breaks his covenant relationship with God and with me.

22-23 Cast all your cares on God and He will hold you in the hardest of times, His righteous child. But those He judges wicked, will not live even half their days.

I trust you, LORD. (my paraphrase)

We parents do not like to consider that should our children be in danger we could not do something to prevent, divert, or destroy that danger. The reality is – there are circumstances that we cannot change.

For five years I prayed and stood by in support while my son, James, battled cancer. I watched his eyes as they looked in confusion and fear at a diagnosis and abrupt changes in his young life. Baseball and music was replaced by sickening treatments and repetitive tests. I was there for every skirmish and, yet, the battle was his.

I SOOO want to run away, LORD!

I would go to a quiet place where I could rest.

I would get away from my life which is standing in a hurricane! (vv. 6-8, my paraphrase)

Yes, I have had several days in my life when I was looking for the “EXIT” sign! I remember sitting on my bed(which was actually a pallet) the night after my children and I moved to our new home. The enormity of being on my own with three children and newly divorced was like a boulder sitting on my chest. Sitting in my son’s room as chemo agents dripped into his arm was another time. I’m sure James would have been with me in our “great escape”!

As parents we want, even need, to feel that we can protect our children from the worse that this world can bring into their paths. That is not true. I believe that my #1 job as a parent is to be used by Him to equip and empower my children to be the best that they can be in God’s Kingdom. That does not mean that they will not stumble. It does not mean that “bad” things won’t happen to them. I pray that it means that they know to Whom to turn to first.

The psalmist speaks about all the evil people (even friends!) that seem to be “getting away with” stuff and he feels it is time for God to intervene with His justice.

Then the psalm comes full circle as I know that when I cry out to God – He will hear me. No matter the time of day or night, God hears and responds. His response may be His presence, His wisdom, and wonderfully, His healing and comfort.

Verse 22 is more familiar to me in Peter’s first letter (5:7) and has been a reminder in times when I think I have to do it all myself. What a deception! Beside peace that is bigger than I can understand, giving God all my cares brings wisdom to my choices, and a better night’s sleep!

And living in this relationship with God comes down to trust. There is no shortcut to building my relationship with God. It takes time and commitment to placing God as the first priority of my life. It is conversation with God (prayer) throughout my day, study in His Word, and worship of Him – just because.

These are the building blocks that show me that when the storms come into my child’s life, we are never alone and we have our Father who is big enough to carry us through.

[ reprinted from A Living Psalter: Creative Reflections on the Book of Psalms. A book just released by First United Methodist Church, Pensacola, FL]

 

 

 

Posted in Psalms | Comments Off on The Impotence of a Parent

I MUST

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

From then on Jesus began to point out to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to You!”

But He turned and told Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s.”

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it. What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will reward each according to what he has done. I assure you: There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”        Matthew 16:21-28 (HCSB)

I must –

Deny myself. Jesus starts with the pride. I cannot do the other two “musts” until I deny my way, my plan, and the “I – I – I” that runs through my head. This is sooooo opposite of what the world teaches and promotes. It is even contrary to some theologies – prosperity is the first one that comes to mind. Prosperity theology teaches that Jesus meant His promised “abundant life” (John 10:10) would include lots of money, big house, etc. Jesus wants me focused on Kingdom Life and lay up treasures in His Kingdom that are eternal (Matthew 6:19-21). He asks me to be obedient and trust Him to provide all that I need (not want).

Take up my cross. Each of us has a “cross”. Some are easily identified: a disease or physical challenge. Some of us may be like Paul; a “thorn” that isn’t specifically identified except by God and me. It is important to remember that Jesus had difficulty carrying His cross (Matthew 27:32) and had help from Simon of Cyrene. Jesus says I must take up my cross – but He will be there with help along the way.

Follow Jesus. I can do the first two steps but still miss God’s boat. I know a man who is very gifted. He uses his gift to serve others. He does not ask for any recognition. But he is not using the gifts in the place that Jesus led him to be (by his own admission). He allowed others to tell him to take the “safe” route and so he went off of Jesus’ path. Very sad. In reading the gospels, following Jesus may take me places I do not want to go. Jesus won’t make me. What did Jesus say to Peter?

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”       John 21:18-19 (NLT)

Jesus doesn’t have any hidden “clauses” in our covenant. He tells me that my life here on earth may not be a party of my making – but if I stick with Him, there will be joy; there will be peace. He told Peter that there will be a great reward. Am I willing to stick with Jesus? Am I willing to “lose my life” so that I find my life in Jesus?

Posted in John, Matthew | Comments Off on I MUST

Worship – Hurricane – Still Worship

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from November 12, 2004]

Jesus told her, “Believe Me, woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”     John 4:21-24 (HCSB)

This Scripture has taken on new meaning for me as my hometown area ‘recovers’ from the devastation brought to us this year by a hurricane called Ivan. It is said that the Pensacola area has lost 50% of its canopy. 50% of the trees that gave us shade and cooled our sea breezes during the hot summer months – is gone. Two months after the storm and still there are roadways blocked by trucks hauling wood debris. City sports fields do not have green grass. They have mountains (literally!) of wood chips from debris that has been brought in and ground up. The cost of paper products should go down this year!

Churches still have blue plastic covers on roofs needing repairs. Steeples are missing. Water leaks into places it does not belong. Homes – smashed roofs – yards are ‘battlefields’ – temporary housing which means trailers or a relative!

And so a ‘place to worship’ is on my mind this morning. I think we want to have some assurance that God will not let anything happen to the ‘place’ that we come to worship Him. And yet, Jesus tells us here that the Samaritans and the Jews were incorrect in their thinking about the sanctity of their place of worship. And, of course, I know that worshiping God is not limited to a building. But when that knowledge walks itself into my life and I have to apply it, personally and intimately, it’s difficult to understand what God allows. God is trying to tell me something again.

A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.          Acts 16:22-25 (NLT)

This is an awesome story about how God supernaturally released Paul and Silas from jail. But God did not do the miraculous until after Paul and Silas were “severely flogged” and put in prison with their feet in stocks so they couldn’t move. There was no finding a ‘comfortable’ position to lay on the floor. There was no going to the restroom down the hall. And yet – they were “praying and singing hymns to God” and being a witness to everyone in the jail. They did not need a nice place or a convenient place to worship and pray. Their sanctuary, their place of peace, was within them and provided by God Himself.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty…
If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge—
then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.           Psalm 91:1, 9-10 (NIV)

Today is a good day to move in with God. The rent/mortgage has been paid by Jesus and I have an ‘eternal lease’ that cannot be broken by anyone but me. No hurricane or storm can tear it down. It’s a safe haven that God has created for me to worship Him.

Posted in Acts, John, Psalms | Comments Off on Worship – Hurricane – Still Worship

Hell – Yes, It Is Real

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

I wonder how many have already decided not to read today’s devotion. Come on with me today. It will be encouraging.

[Jesus said,]“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.”      Matthew 5:21-22 (NLT)

Jesus spoke specifically about hell more than anyone else in the Bible. Pull out a concordance and you will find the passages for “hell” in the gospels except for one in James and one in 2 Peter. We think of Jesus speaking about the Father’s love and mercy. And I believe that message is the one to speak BUT there must be an underlying message of steel of the alternative. What happens if you say “No” to Jesus’ gift of salvation? Hell is the only answer. The details of whether hell is eternal or has some final end is immaterial. Hell is ultimately the place where God isn’t and it is final.

My faith in God is based on who I have learned that He is.

Creator – God has always been and brought all that I know into existence. When I look at the ocean, I see God who is so big that He can hold that water in the palm of His hand. When I look at pictures from the Hubble Telescope, God as made more than I know about and each star and planet is unique. When I look at a flower or a snowflake, I know that God has put such attention to detail that He also planned for me to be unique and knows my name.

Father – God is the dad I never had. He tells me every day how much He loves me. He gave His Son for me. He gave me Jesus to show me how to live an abundant life with Him. He gave me His Spirit to give me gifts so I can serve others. That feels great! Any time I want to talk, He is there. Any time I need to cry, He is there.

Judge – Here is where discipline and consequences come into my reality. When I first said “Yes” to Jesus 16 years ago, my focus initially was on His love. I soaked in Jesus’ love. I needed to. As I studied and prayed and lived my life from that point on, I learned about consequences. I learned that God gave me choices and when I decided to go my way and get what I wanted, then I had to live with that decision and what it brought with it. Repenting, asking forgiveness for what I had done, immediately restored me to my Father but it did not erase what I had set in motion. God is not the King of Monopoly passing out “Get Out of Jail Free” cards just because I said “Sorry”. As I come along to God’s plan and direction, obedience happens because of my love for my Father. I have come full circle.

I don’t think about hell for myself. I made a commitment to being Jesus’ disciple and that is never going to change. However, there are people in my life, people I see on the street, people who sit in pews at the church I attend, who do not know or accept Jesus as Savior and LORD. They are good people but I want to share this gift that was given to me. I want them to know joy no matter if there is a hurricane or earthquake in their life. A simple, extraordinary, extravagant Gift that quenches the fires of hell.

Posted in Matthew | Comments Off on Hell – Yes, It Is Real

Learn from History – Or Repeat It

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from July 2003]

I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of Him. Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. God repeats what has passed.         Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 (HCSB)

I admit to being a Star Trek fan. I am not a ‘Trekkie” because that would imply that I dress up in a costume, hold up my hand with fingers split apart and intone, “Live long and prosper.” Not likely. Some people are WWII or Civil War fans. I like looking into the possibilities of the future, not the past.

One of the underlying characteristics of the main character, Captain Kirk, is that he is a history buff. He has frequently repeated the words of George Santayana, “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.

God has given me a written word that is timeless. It not only provides wisdom from the past —

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2 For by it our ancestors were approved.          Hebrews 11:1-2 (HCSB)

– but it also legitimately provides me with an application in my life today —

Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us…Hebrews 12:1 (HCSB)

The really cool thing is that my heavenly Father desires that I learn from past errors and not repeat them. He gives me His Holy Spirit to inspire me and to reveal His perfect truth. Do I seek His truth or am I determined to go my own way? Am I willing to take God’s word for directions to a better path in my life or am I going to make my own road?

Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.”

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.”                  Revelation 22:10-17 (NLT)

 

Posted in Ecclesiastes, Hebrews, Revelation | Comments Off on Learn from History – Or Repeat It

Tough Love

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, along with my spirit and with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 turn that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord.            1 Corinthians 5:4-5 (HCSB)

I have often heard this Scripture quoted in the same breath (or blog) with the phrase “Tough Love”. It came back to me again yesterday as I watched a drama on TV. You’ve seen the story where the rebellious teenager is given an ultimatum by parents for repeated bad choices involving drugs, alcohol, gangs, or promiscuous behavior. What is “Tough Love” about from God’s perspective?

This often quoted Scripture should be first taken in context. And, that, frankly is problematic as Paul is not very clear about what he means in “turn that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh”. 1 Corinthians 4 ends with Paul speaking about arrogance in the Corinthian church that has him warning them that he is coming to visit with either a whip or a gentle spirit. And immediately after his statement regarding turning someone over to Satan, Paul addresses boasting and, using Jesus’ own metaphor, reminds the people that “a little yeast works through the whole batch”.

At this point in my meditation, I am reminded of the passage in Proverbs that the LORD detests seven things and a person who stirs up dissension among the brothers is included in His list (Proverbs 6:16-19). In my experience, dissension in the family of believers will find these characteristics of PRIDE (arrogance and boasting) at the roots. And this may be the reasoning behind Paul’s seemingly harsh words that dissect the dissension out of the fellowship.

I think for me, Tough Love, when applied between myself and a family member (be it child, parent, siblings, or in church) I must turn to the Holy Spirit and stand on that promise that He will give wisdom in the measure that I need (James 1). In prayerfully seeking God’s wisdom and guidance in how many times I extend compassion and forgiveness, I need to keep in mind that it is God who judges, not my impatient flesh. The decision to extend compassion or say, “Enough!” comes with consequences that only God can determine. It is just as disobedient for me to extend compassion when God says “Enough!” as it is for me to not extend compassion when I should have. Do you see how important prayer and the seeking of the Holy Spirit’s wisdom is? This may be the time for focused fasting and prayer!

Remember that in the midst of so many controversial, difficult subjects that are addressed in this letter we call 1 Corinthians, Paul pens possibly the most well-known and beautiful passages in Chapter 13. It is love, defined and lived out for me by Jesus, that must be the driving force in my life. It is this “Jesus Love” can cover and surround me, even heal me so that it overflows out of me to others. It too can be a Tough Love because of its power. Hmmm. Now that is something else to think about.

 

 

Posted in 1 Corinthians | Comments Off on Tough Love

To Whom Do You Belong?

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

If God hadn’t been for us —all together now, Israel, sing out!—
If God hadn’t been for us when everyone went against us,
We would have been swallowed alive by their violent anger,
Swept away by the flood of rage, drowned in the torrent;
We would have lost our lives in the wild, raging water.

Oh, blessed be God!
He didn’t go off and leave us.
He didn’t abandon us defenseless, helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs.       Psalm 124: 1-6 (The Message)

Lectionary texts: Exodus 1:8-2:10, Psalm 124, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20

I grew up going to basketball games. My brother played in high school and college. I remember the smell of salty popcorn and the taste of a cup of cold Coke. I would tear up the box when I finished the popcorn and run over to the railing and throw the box bits on my brother when he and the team would go down to the locker room after their victory. “Oh, man! Who threw that??!!” “That was R’s little sister!!” My brother was probably very embarrassed but I was proud! I was “R’s little sister!”

I am proud to be “Henry’s wife”, “Janet and John’s mom” but I have also learned that having my identity dependent on a person or a profession can change in a moment. Divorce, down-sizing, death can rob me of my identity if it is only based on people or my position in this world. I cannot depend on these to carry me.

Peter shows me in Matthew’s Gospel my real identity. I belong to “Christ, the Son of the Living God”. Jesus and I entered into a covenant relationship that cannot be affected by divorce, down-sizing, or even death. I will always belong to Him. There are no “snarling dogs” or a “raging torrent” that can change Whose I am.

Paul gives me the balance of my identity.

For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.                           Romans 12:3 (HCSB)

Belonging to Jesus means first, that I am God’s child because of His grace (His unconditional love). With that extraordinary gift comes Jesus’ example, His Commission, to teach and make disciples, not just Believers in Him; to also be a servant just as He was.

I know to Whom I belong. I must live my life like I know it.

Posted in Psalms, Romans | Comments Off on To Whom Do You Belong?

Psalm 51

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Jody Neufeld
There’s a new book coming out this weekend called A Living Psalter: Creative Reflections on the Book of Psalms. This is one of the “reflections” that I contributed. I encourage everyone to “paraphrase” Scripture when you read it. That means putting it into your own words. God is not going to judge you for using a different word than what is in your Bible. BLESSINGS on your time with God this weekend.
Psalm 51
1-2 Forgive me, God, not because I deserve it but because You have given me Your extravagant love.

Wash me with Your soap of Your spirit; cleanse me of the muck and crud of my sins.

3-6 I may try to ignore my sins but I do know them. I see them every time I look in the mirror. It is You that I offend with my sins. People may think I have it all together but You know. You know. From birth, I was stained with sin. Adam’s sin was there inside of me even then. And it got worse as I grew older and decided I knew everything and could do as I pleased. You tried to teach me and guide me to come closer to a right and truthful relationship with You – but I didn’t listen.

7-9 So wash me with Your fragrant soap, LORD. It will be the Blood of Your Son, Jesus, that cleans me and then I will be truly clean. I will leap for joy! My spirit that was once crushed will be whole! My sins will be obliterated from Your sight and never be seen by You again!

10-15 Take my heart of stone and give me a new heart that is flesh and devoted to You, LORD. My heart will be a place for Your Spirit to live. I will be Your Temple and live forever with You, teaching others what You have taught me. Those who were sinners like me will turn to You. I will sing and praise You all my days, rejoicing that the guilt that was once in me has been washed away.

16-17 How can I please You, LORD? I would write great books, pray hours of prayers, give up all that I own – but that isn’t the sacrifice You want. It is a humble and repentant heart that pleases You. It isn’t about me being perfect but my desire to stay close to You and hear Your corrections.

18-19 LORD, when I am living in You, that is where I will prosper. Where the wall of my faith in You will enclose the Temple and my life will be a Living Sacrifice for You. (my paraphrase)

Have you ever made a mistake? Ever made a decision to do “this” when you should have done “that”?

It is sometimes easier to think of sin as a mistake. And it is a mistake but I believe we must not allow ourselves to be deceived about sin. Sin is disobedience and only God can “fix” sin. Only God can restore our relationship.

The psalmist walks me through restoration. It begins with repentance. “God, I have messed up. I am sorry. I do not want to do this again. I want to be close to You. Please forgive me, Lord.”

Then I listen to Jesus teach me His truths. Jesus came to save me but He also spent the time here on earth to teach me. After asking forgiveness, it is an important time for me as I listen to Jesus speak to me about where and how I stepped off His path and the joy that can characterize walking with Him as He restores our relationship.

Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again.

Don’t chase me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me.

Make me as happy as you did when you saved me; make me want to obey! Psalm 51:10-12 (CEV)

All that I want, God can do. Am I teachable? Am I willing to admit that my way does not work as well as His way? The joy and blessings that I desire are there but too often it is my own independence and stubbornness that keeps that relationship from being all that it could be.

It can be difficult to see all the “ripple effects” of what happens when I make my relationship with God the #1 priority in my life. In my life, I have found a joyous marriage and relationships with my children and grandchildren that I could bore you for hours talking about! But it is that “peace past my understanding” in times of painful, difficult seasons that has encouraged me to faithfully seek Jesus every day. Time with God is time well spent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Psalms | Comments Off on Psalm 51

True Repentance

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the LORD has spoken:
“I have raised children and brought them up,but they have rebelled against Me…

Stop bringing useless offerings.
I despise [your] incense.
New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies — I cannot stand iniquity with a festival…

Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves.
Remove your evil deeds from My sight.
Stop doing evil.
Learn to do what is good.
Seek justice.
Correct the oppressor.
Defend the rights of the fatherless.
Plead the widow’s cause.
Come, let us discuss this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool.”                       Isaiah 1:2. 13, 16-18 (HCSB)

Repentance and acknowledging the consequences of my sins is not a subject that I want to hear. I would rather hear more about how much Jesus loves me and how merciful He is. Jesus is the Lamb of God. He is also the Lion of Judah who will come again as my Judge.

Repentance is not about sackcloth and ashes. It is not beating myself up. It is recognizing that I have sinned. I have chosen not to be obedient to God’s laws, commands, whatever they are called, just not “suggestions”. It is the part of Him that “does not change” (Malachi 3:6). If in asking God to forgive me, I hear things like, “Jody, you stupid idiot! You can’t do anything right! Just give it up! You can never be the woman God wants you to be!” – well, that isn’t God’s Spirit talking to me!!! Condemnation and feeling like I am being beat up by two big thugs is not the way God works. God is in the restoration business. God will convict me. He will be straight and true with me. “Jody, you really messed up. You got full of pride and put yourself above Me! And how did that work for you? It is time – right now to stop it! And come back to Me.” There it is. The truth. I messed up. He tells me exactly what I did and what I need to do. The next step is up to me. He’s waiting and ready to forgive and wash me clean – not because I deserve it, but because He loves me. Do I stop loving my child when she or he messes up? I don’t like what they did but I never stop loving them.

And then when I have said, “I am sorry, Father. I am so sorry. Please forgive me and make me clean.” This is when God says, “See, I am doing a new thing” (Isaiah 43:19).  In this wonderful New Covenant, Jesus paid the price on Calvary for the sins I committed today. Jesus’ Blood was enough – so perfect and complete – to cover every sin that had been and would be committed.

I am restored. BUT God doesn’t want to stop there. He gave me Jesus as my Living Example and His Spirit to speak to me and remind me of His laws. God wants me to be better than I was. Repentance can happen in a moment but restoration should be more than a moment. It should be a lifetime of teaching and building and strengthening so that every day is better than the one before. I think this is when I understand and learn from the consequences of my actions. That homework isn’t easy but the payoff is a Spirit-filled life that lasts an eternity. Need to repent about something? Today is a good day.

Posted in Isaiah | Comments Off on True Repentance