Gathering Rubies

Everlasting Love

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Everlasting loveI have wondered at times had I lived in the days when Jesus was on earth and about to be crucified which crowd would I be standing in. Would I be in the crowd chanting “Crucify! Crucify!, or would I be in the crowd with his mother, watching, brokenhearted, as her son is being led to be hung on a cross.

I love God with every fiber of my being and I love to think I would be courageous, that I would fight for him, trust him in all I do at any given moment. Yet deep down, when fear grips the soul, when death is lurking near, what oh what would I do? Would I be like Peter, one minute ready to cut off the ear of a soldier or would I deny him, just as Jesus told him he would and then walk away, weeping bitterly.

Today our nation is in mourning over the death and devastation that has struck so many families in Oklahoma this past week, and especially yesterday, in Moore OK. I did a little research and found the following states have all experienced tornados this year alone. AL, AR, GA, KY, KS, LA, MS, NY, OK and TX.

I won’t even pretend that I have any inkling of the pain and suffering these families are experiencing. To be on the outside looking in is painful and heart-wrenching in itself. As I go to God in prayer I can’t find words, so I leave my groaning to the Spirit.

Again, this brings me back to “what would I do” and again, I can only say, I pray I would do what I have learned from God. That I would continue to trust him, believe in him and cling to him tighter than ever. I pray that I would have hidden so much of his word in my heart that I could freely draw on it for my own peace, hope and comfort.

I am reminded of the following from one of my daily devotionals…
From Sarah Young’s, Jesus Calling

I Love You with an everlasting Love. The human mind cannot comprehend My constancy. Your emotions flicker and falter in the face of varying circumstances, and you tend to project your fickle feelings onto Me. Thus you don not benefit fully from My unfailing Love.

You need to look beyond the flux of circumstances and discover Me gazing lovingly back at you. This awareness of My Presence strengthens you as you receive and respond to My Love. I am the same yesterday, today, and forever! Let My Love flow into you continually. Your need for Me is as constant as the outflow of My Love to you.
Jeremiah 31:3; Exodus 15:13; Hebrews 13:8

I pray I will always give back to God, my God, my Savior, the same everlasting love that he gives to me.

My prayers are with each and every family as they pick up the pieces.

 

Gathering Rubies

Moonlighting For the Devil

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imagesCAGO01REWhen I hear the word ‘Moonlighting’ I usually think of having a second job. Usually the second job is at night time and sometimes the person is paid under the table. Today I want to look at it through a different perspective, simply as a servant of God. Not that being a Christian is a job, but we do have a duty to God.  If we are to be whole and satisfied, our lives must be centered on honoring God and following his plans.

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matt 6:24 

Notice the words serve and money.  Serve denotes being a slave, literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary. We may choose to voluntary follow God, and we may involuntary or voluntary choose to do the devil’s bidding. Paul sums it up this way in Rom 7:21-24 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  Paul isn’t saying that we don’t have a choice. He is reminding us of the uselessness of trying to live right and please God in our own strength, without depending on God’s grace, mercy and strength. For more on this read Rom 8:5 and Acts 9:1-19.

Instead of money, the KJV uses the word mammon. i.e. wealth. There is nothing wrong with wealth; it becomes wrong by the importance we place on it. If it dominates our life, if we place our trust in our possessions, and if we measure our happiness by our wealth and by our possessions then we have placed those things above God. Our mind then becomes controlled by greed.

Satan wants us, and his favorite way to tempt us is through our desires.  I’m reading a book in which the author describes how Satan lures us by…
the cravings of the sinful man
the lust of his eyes
and the boasting of what he has or does.

If you were to take your spiritual inventory today, what would it look like? Have you been guilty of doing a little moonlighting? Is God first on your list or last, or is he even on your list. I wish I could say he is always first on my list and first in my heart. I must confess there are times when I find myself doing a little moonlighting.

I’m reminded of Eccl 5:11
As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owner
except to feast his eyes on them?

Heb 3:12-13 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

2 Peter 2:19b… for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

 

Gathering Rubies

Their Way of Life Stank to High Heaven; They Lived Like Whores

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In so many ways, this reminds me of our nation today.

It’s Psalm 106 from ‘The Message’.

Hallelujah! Thank God! And why? Because he’s good, because his love lasts. But who on earth can do it — declaim God’s mighty acts, broadcast all his praises? You’re one happy man when you do what’s right, one happy woman when you form the habit of justice.

Remember me, God, when you enjoy your people; include me when you save them; I want to see your chosen succeed, celebrate with your celebrating nation, join the Hallelujahs of your pride and joy!

We’ve sinned a lot, both we and our parents; We’ve fallen short, hurt a lot of people. After our parents left Egypt, they took your wonders for granted, forgot your great and wonderful love. They were barely beyond the Red Sea when they defied the High God — the very place he saved them! — the place he revealed his amazing power! He rebuked the Red Sea so that it dried up on the spot— he paraded them right through! — no one so much as got wet feet! He saved them from a life of oppression, pried them loose from the grip of the enemy. Then the waters flowed back on their oppressors; there wasn’t a single survivor. Then they believed his words were true and broke out in songs of praise.

But it wasn’t long before they forgot the whole thing, wouldn’t wait to be told what to do. They only cared about pleasing themselves in that desert, provoked God with their insistent demands. He gave them exactly what they asked for — but along with it they got an empty heart. One day in camp some grew jealous of Moses, also of Aaron, holy priest of God. The ground opened and swallowed Dathan, then buried Abiram’s gang. Fire flared against that rebel crew and torched them to a cinder.

They cast in metal a bull calf at Horeband worshiped the statue they’d made. They traded the Glory for a cheap piece of sculpture — a grass-chewing bull! They forgot God, their very own Savior, who turned things around in Egypt, Who created a world of wonders in the Land of Ham, who gave that stunning performance at the Red Sea.

 Fed up, God decided to get rid of them — and except for Moses, his chosen, he would have. But Moses stood in the gap and deflected God’s anger, prevented it from destroying them utterly. They went on to reject the Blessed Land, didn’t believe a word of what God promised. They found fault with the life they had and turned a deaf ear to God’s voice. Exasperated, God swore that he’d lay them low in the desert, Scattering their children hither and yon, strewing them all over the earth.

Then they linked up with Baal Peor, attending funeral banquets and eating idol food. That made God so angry that a plague spread through their ranks; Phinehas stood up and pled their case and the plague was stopped. This was counted to his credit; his descendants will never forget it.

They angered God again at Meribah Springs; this time Moses got mixed up in their evil; Because they defied God yet again, Moses exploded and lost his temper.

They didn’t wipe out those godless cultures as ordered by God; Instead they intermarried with the heathen, and in time became just like them. They worshiped their idols, were caught in the trap of idols. They sacrificed their sons and daughter sat the altars of demon gods. They slit the throats of their babies, murdered their infant girls and boys. They offered their babies to Canaan’s gods; the blood of their babies stained the land. Their way of life stank to high heaven; they lived like whores.

And God was furious — a wildfire anger; he couldn’t stand even to look at his people. He turned them over to the heathen so that the people who hated them ruled them. Their enemies made life hard for them; they were tyrannized under that rule. Over and over God rescued them, but they never learned — until finally their sins destroyed them.

Still, when God saw the trouble they were in and heard their cries for help, He remembered his Covenant with them, and, immense with love, took them by the hand. He poured out his mercy on them while their captors looked on, amazed.

Save us, God, our God! Gather us back out of exile So we can give thanks to your holy name and join in the glory when you are praised!

 Blessed be God, Israel’s God! Bless now, bless always! Oh! Let everyone say Amen! Hallelujah!

Daily Life

Bitter Root

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Heb 12:14-15 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

BITTER ROOT. A “bitter root” refers to an attitude of deep-seated resentment in one’s heart that continues to grow and has consequences for others. Here it may refer to an attitude of bitter resentment toward God’s discipline instead of humble submission to his plans for our lives. Bitterness can also be directed toward other people in the church. It corrupts the person who is bitter, making him or her unfit to approach God in prayer or to grow spiritually. If not dealt with, a bitter root can spread within a church congregation and corrupt an entire community of believers, destroying the holiness without which “no one will see the Lord” (from Fire Bible, Global Study Edition)

When was the last time you made “every effort” (verse 14) toward anything? That means really trying, exerting yourself. Different translations read “follow peace”, “work at getting along”, “work at living in peace”, “strive for peace”, try to stay out of quarrels”, and there are others. The message is clear though, it’s not to be taken lightly. See to it that no one misses the grace of God

And we are to be holy, desiring to make our ways like his way, living the example left to us. To be set apart, dedicated to God.

Deut 29:18-21 Don’t let down your guard lest even now, today, someone — man or woman, clan or tribe — gets sidetracked from God, our God, and gets involved with the no-gods of the nations; lest some poisonous weed sprout and spread among you, a person who hears the words of the Covenant-oath but exempts himself, thinking, “I’ll live just the way I please, thank you,” and ends up ruining life for everybody. God won’t let him off the hook. God’s anger and jealousy will erupt like a volcano against that person. The curses written in this book will bury him. God will delete his name from the records. God will separate him out from all the tribes of Israel for special punishment, according to all the curses of the Covenant written in this Book of Revelation.
(from THE MESSAGE)

We are to stay focused on God, on his ways and watch out for one another and encourage one another. As Russell recently said, “we are to have each others backs!”

I was really struck by the depth of these verses as I read them recently. I know many could write much more in depth than I am able to do, still, I hope you will take time to Read Hebrews Chapter 12 and do some deep thinking on it.

God bless you all.

 

Daily Life

Bathroom Crisis 101

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Note to Self… Be prepared!

I’ve never thought I needed to keep tools in the bathroom; that is until two nights ago. If my memory is correct it was last Thursday when I noticed what I thought was the bathroom door sticking. As hundreds of times before, I turned the knob and pulled to open the door and exit the room. This time the door didn’t budge! A couple of more pulls and it finally opened. I briefly thought that’s weird as it had never happened before. Over the next few days I had the same experience and finally asked my husband if he had noticed the door sticking and he hadn’t.

At 2:30am Monday morning after my visit to the restroom and more asleep than awake I turned the knob and tried to open the door. It didn’t budge. I tried enough times to get the door open that I woke Larry with the constant turning and tugging. I’m watching the latch and it isn’t moving at all, it’s completely stationary inside the strike plate. At this point Larry is trying to open the door from his side and it isn’t budging.

I’m fully awake by now and looking at the pins on the door. I know how to take them out, I just don’t have anything to take them out with. I’m trying to think what implement or gadget I have in my bathroom or closet that I can pry those pins out with. I’m also thinking this is not good, what if I was home alone. My cell phone was charging on the kitchen counter, I didn’t have any tools with which to get the pins out of the door, I can’t call for help. I needed a Plan B.

By now Larry is working on trying to get me out. First he tries twisting and turning the knob and pulling on the door from his side. Then he tired the key. Finally he got a small sharp paring knife and was able to push the latch back enough to get the door open. My hero!!!

By now we are both wide awake and it’s almost 3am. Crises over, we finally crawl back into bed and thankfully neither of us had a problem drifting off to sleep again. The door knob has been removed. Larry said the part that broke is a piece of plastic, all the while shaking his head saying “they don’t make things the way they used too.” Now we get to purchase a new knob.

I’m still not sure what my Plan B would have been, especially if I had of been alone. I suppose I would have, prayed a lot and tried my best to get those pins out so I could remove the door. If that failed then I would try and pry the door open somehow or bust it open. My last option would be to break the window out, yet it’s so thick I’m not sure I could.

If you ever see buzzards flying over your neighbor’s house, you may want to check to see if they are locked in their bathroom.

Oh, and that note to self. Put a few tools in the closet and start charging my phone in the bathroom. Lesson learned!!

 

Daily Life, Meditation

Reflecting on Psalm 73

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I read an article this morning that struck more than a few chords with me. One of the main things that the article did was spark my memory of how I use to be, and I use to be one of the millions that would have completely approved of the conduct of Beyonce and, even participated in such conduct. Here is the link to the article I read-  http://exministries.wordpress.com/

When I examine my past the old memories bring much shame. When I finally hit my bottom, I turned to God and he didn’t let me down. I never dwell on my past, I know I’m forgiven and I love who I am now and who God is still shaping me into. I love my life now more than I ever loved my past and my sinful choices.

I know this is a lengthy article. I hope readers will take the time to read this Psalm and ask yourself which category would you fit in from the Psalmist description. If you get a chance go to the link and read the other article too. As you read, prayerfully examine your life and remember this from Proverbs—

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:23-27

Ps 73:1-74:1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”

This is what the wicked are like — always carefree, they increase in wealth.

Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.

If I had said, “I will speak thus, “I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.