Broken Horses and Armor Bearers

                                                         

          The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility Proverbs 15:35

       Anyone out there ever said,thought,or heard "You're not the boss of me!"?
            That is the opposite of what that verse is talking about up above.

Most of the time the word humility seems to be looked at as something related to embarrassment (like "I was so humiliated") or a lesser position in esteem and identity(almost like a slave). Humility has different synonyms and one I like is the word meekness. Long ago I heard a teaching on meekness. It was described as "power under control".
The example was a powerful wild stallion who came under ownership and was broken to put the power to use. Not broken like destroyed and beaten up and mistreated. But broken to be used in higher ways. This type of horse held position, was cared for, could win contests, be taken into battle, was trustworthy, could be counted on to carry out commands, bear weight, precious cargo and officers, even kings.
This keeps bringing to mind the concept of the Armor Bearer. There are whole books and sermons on this that I have only heard snatches of. The role of Armor Bearer is so important! This is a person who holds his power under control to serve the one in command. Someone who knows how to hold position and doesn't try to rip or undermine the position from the one over them to take it for themselves. Starting to sound like the fruit of the spirit now. This is a person who knows how to serve the one in direct command over them. A few examples in my eyes would be Joshua serving Moses, Elisha serving Elijah, Ruth serving Naomi, Abigail with her husband Nabal, Esther with her Uncle Mordecai,with the palace advisor over women being presented to the king, with the King himself...Like I said I haven't studied the armor bearer completely but the concept is there.
Humility isn't a matter of low self esteem or being a nothing or doormat. It is the person who knows who they are and puts themselves in position to help carry out a vision without making a name for themselves.
Jesus is the very best example for us. He never doubted who He was no matter what others said about Him or to Him. Did He hang around for abuse or never answer back those who accused Him? There were times He would answer so wisely! Times He would slip through the crowd and go on His way avoiding being stoned by the crazy crowds. He knew He was King yet didn't fall to the peoples demands for what that king should look like and do. Of course when it was time He did yield to beatings, embarrassing shouts, then painful crucifixion for us!  Philippians 3 says we are to have the same mind He did when He laid aside heaven and glory to serve us and His Father.
"...He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death,even death on the cross."
Remember this is not saying wives submit to being beat up. I do not believe God is advocating submission to abuse in the concept of humbling or submitting.
Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for many. Anyway back to the verse
"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name...."
Have a beautiful day! Remember the One who loved you so much He gave His life for you and let Him know how thankful you are...

I Will Not Envy My Neighbors Green Thumb-Pearls and Costly Gems

 The wise woman builds her house...
the foolish one tears it down with her own hands...proverbs  14:1


I am running slim on how to keep pulling verses from our daily proverbs reading that mention jewelry to keep with the gem theme of this devotional, I decided to make this one a picture of a Sapphire just because. I guess I could still run pictures of crowns since surprisingly they are mentioned quite a bit through the 31 chapters. Really any bit of wisdom I gain from proverbs is a "gem".
Even though there are verses in todays reading alone that are well used for messages time and again, the kind of thing I want to write about which doesn't have a particular place to land on in chapter 14, is my struggle with "neighbor envy". As in I shall not envy my neighbors oh so green and creative thumb. I shall not compare my landscaping skills with hers because my skills fall so short of even my own expectations of how I should care for my yard. Which brings me to identity and how do I not have a crisis in my identity in this area. I feel like I am not a good representative of God with a crummy yard. Not doing my part to tend the garden so to speak. Is that really how God sees it though? Yep this cheery monday morning post is fairly dripping with self condemnation...
The change from winter to spring does have its transitional woes. I am glad to have the piles of snow that made our 8th of a mile long driveway navigation only for the brave of heart (or perhaps desperately driven) finally melted! However those drifts did cover a multitude of sins in my yard which are sadly now exposed for all to see.
We have a Puppy named Piper, which I still try to tell myself was a good idea to get when we did. She is a sweet tempered dog. She is also large and puppy clumsy and has been allowed to develop the habit of using the very front yard as the worlds largest doggy outhouse. And I did say she is large so her piles are corresponding in size. (much as I hate to I will take responsibility for the poor training she has gotten)I am the owner of two pooper scoopers one which has been repaired at least twice from wearing out on the job. Then there is the fact that she detirmined for what ever reason to use my solar garden lights as her chew toy challenge leaving those remnants behind here and there. Then there is the burning pile (ok I will guiltily admit that living in the country, we do burn stuff from time to time like paper with info you don't want found in garbage dumps and sometimes poopy disiposable diapers...) Piper is delighted to find gross things and drag them to the front yard shredding them and then of course leaving them.
All of this mixed with the general dreary, not yet green grass, along with wet leaves and branches dropped from storms, randomly growing twiglets of rose of sharon trees still gray in color and some piles of things left along the fence from (You know what even I do not know what they are from! Some kind of work projects and ramps for snow boards among other things) do not have me motivated unfortunately, but instead somewhat oppressed.
So today the scripture speaking to me the most is this from Isaiah 41:9a-10
...you are My servant,
I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
I feel so much better now! My imperfect yard does not keep me from His acceptance and choosing me...or YOU in whatever you are dealing with. We all have our stuff we think cuts us off. But really even sin has provision made for it to bring us back to Him. ( you know the if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9 provision)
This new day of the week, be blessed! Let Him help clean the yard of your heart and fill you with His presence and I will do the same! Actually I hope you got off to a better start than I did in the first place...

Rings of Gold- Pearls and Costly Gems

 ...A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches... proverbs 11:16

...As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion... proverbs 11:22   

All of us know of people who are lovely on the outside but quite the opposite inside which naturally shows itself in how they behave. Scripture tells us it is as absurd as putting something fine, pure and precious in the nose of an animal that smells, rolls in muck and and eats garbage. We tend to be pretty distant overall from the process of the meats we eat, assuming we are meat eaters that is, but there was a phase when our kids were young that we had a "pet pig". It was a surprise for one of our daughters who just happened to really, really, really want one. Since we lived in an area that allowed for farm animals, we secretly prepared a pen. Her Daddy, 2 two of her brothers and their friend went off to the Lake County fair to secure a piglet. By the time they got home with the "prize" they all had headaches from the smell while traveling in the van with a pig in a box. You know piglets grow up, get big and stay messy. Piercing the nose of that pig and putting fine jewelry in it would be the last thing we would think of doing! Our pretty, sterile pictures of how things will be, so many times get blown away by real life.
We also know people who the world doesn't consider to be airbrushed pretty but there is something captivating about them. They sparkle and have qualities about them that attract us to them. We trust them and like to be around them. They live the saying "pretty is as pretty does".
I kind of think our appearance is a picture frame to our life. It adds to our life the way a frame adds to a picture displayed on a wall. It isn't the picture but an enhancement to it. A frame that is gorgeous does not make an ugly picture prettier really. It is simply a gorgeous frame. Carrying that just a bit further. I can be a sweet person but dress inappropriately for occasions framing my life in a way that detracts from the picture or sends a wrong message about who I am.
I am not a person that thinks we should dress from another century where women wear dresses only, never wear makeup, or cut their hair. God placed us uniquely in this generation. I still believe in modesty however and think we can find style that's fresh, fun, attractive and not lust provoking.
A gracious woman will conduct herself with kindness, respect and sensitivity. Basically the fruit of the Spirit. I know I miss the mark on that sometimes. I have my times I want to excuse as menopausal moodies or PMS peevishness, childcare crankiness...Frankly sometimes those are legitimate mood altering experiences but what I do with the fallout matters. Do I repent? Do I look to restore and recover not just the situation but put myself in a place where I can regroup and regain strength and composure? Yeah not always perfect with all that either but it is a heart goal and those are the things that build graciousness and discretion in our lives. Have a blessed weekend! Remember you are a blessing!

Pillars In The Storms- Pearls and Costly Gems

 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars...proverbs 9:1
Well here I am having not finished yesterday to post and today is promising to be busy too. I heard a great message today as I was coming home from taking Lily to school. It was about not making "friends with our storms". You know not hanging out with them but hanging out with Jesus instead, the One Who takes us through them and speaks to them and they stop. Usually the storm is designed to make us stop as we are on our way to where He has us going. It was a timely and encouraging word. So back to where I left off yesterday:

What do you suppose the purpose of Wisdom's pillars would be? And why seven? Honestly I am not that deep of a Bible Scholar but do like to check out the background for things and meaning of words. In Isaiah 11:2 are found the following seven things that would rest upon Jesus. The Spirit of the LORD, the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, of counsel, of might, of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
While columns or pillars may be decorative, a pillars purpose is to bear and help spread the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. They may even be designed to resist the stressful conditions of earthquake or winds. Anyone dealing with some things feeling like too much weight, or maybe storms or earthshifting lately?
Revelation 3:11-12a says "Behold I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God..."
Heavenly Father, today I pray not just for me but those I love, those who take time to be reading these words, those who love you and who YOU LOVE SO MUCH...Father may the above 7 things that rested upon Jesus rest on us today. May they be strong pillars in our life that keep us upright and standing, bearing things that are ours to bear. Let the storms take the things that are not designed to be part of our structures and what is from You remain strong. Our foundation is in You and You are NEVER shaken. You are always with us. Thank You. We love You. Amen
If you get a chance to read Proverbs 10 please do. I am not commenting on it today. Be blessed! You are a blessing!

The Voice- Pearls and Costly Gems

 ...Listen for I will speak of excellent things...proverbs 8:6a

   Did you ever notice how many voices clamour for our attention? And how many times we use our voice to get someone to hear us? Naturally as kids want us to listen, they have an ability to project their voices quite a ways. But it isn't just kids...I noticed the commercials on TV actually get louder than the program I was watching. I am guessing the advertisers know we will be leaving the room to get snacks or tend to something so they elevate to grab at our ears as we go.

     Then there are our spouses if we are married. Let's face it,women are shown in general to have more words to use up in a day than men so may need a good listening ear when a husband comes home. Frankly there were days I used so many commands, corrections, comfort and clarifications raising children I had a word deficiet by the end of the day. I remember one day my diaphragm hurt from pushing so much air through my lungs to form words!

     We have employers speaking to us, telephones ringing, friends and family, music, sounds of traffic- well you get what I am saying. I love being able to hear don't get me wrong. My point is that we have so many voices crying out we might not be hearing the voice Proverbs is talking about. The voice of Wisdom. She calls out a little differently than most of the others.
     She calls out from the pages of scripture. That means we need to read it and hear it because her crying out doesn't shout noisily at me or rudely push itself on me. Remember "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness". She calls out from the hill top (our renewed minds) from the place where paths meet (where we have choices to make) at the gates and doorways (double checking our coming and going).
     She lives with someone named Prudence (good judgement and foresight) and hangs out with Knowledge and Discretion. She is fine enough to rule from Kings palaces and is a personal possession of the Most High God working with Him on all of creation from before the beginning. She invites us to hang out at her door and doesn't threaten us with no trespassing signs. She is easily entreated. She is a voice well worth cultivating an ear for.
     I listen for so many things. The voices of those I love, I still turn in public places if I hear a child call mom or cry. My newborn breathing from the crib. The right pitch in a song. What a customer really is wanting. A phone call letting me know my adult kids got home safely or a call in the middle of the night when my teens are sleeping over somewhere. A door closing letting me know they are back home. I am attentive to hear those certain sounds above all others...I want to be just as attentive to hear the voice of wisdom from the pages of scripture...
Blessings!

Engraved Hearts- Pearls and Precious Gems

...treasure My commands within you...write them on the tablet of your heart.
the book of proverbs chapter 7

The word write in the scripture above can also be translated inscribe.To inscribe is to engrave or etch something making a lasting mark. Looking over the last week of Proverbs it seems to first be a schooling on what is needed most in life (getting wisdom and using it). Injected in the what wisdom is and what it does for us are examples of people to watch out for- those enticing sinners, examples of how to treat others- like being good to your neighbors, avoiding uncalled for strife and the envy of wicked people.

We left off for the weekend at the end of Proverbs 4. I don't know if anyone went on to read 5 and 6 just to stay on track with matching the chapter to the date this month. What I noticed though, was days 5-7 very definitely deal with people relationships. In particular male/female with a few other relationships concerning financial matters seemingly tossed in. Also couched in chapter 6 is the note worthy list of 7 things that God hates. Take time to look that over if you didn't already.

There are things we should listen to and things we should not. There are also things we should use our mouths to speak and things we should not. There are places we may safely go and places we should avoid. There are things we should look at and keep before our eyes and things we should turn our gaze from.

If I am a man (I am not) I need to be aware that I am going to set my guard up at the ear gate and also the eye gate in the sense that words can appeal to my need for respect. Hence the warning about the harlots seductive, flattering words and the way she dresses. She may even appeal to his "religious" standards! (do not be ignorant of Satan's devices and don't think just because you may be a Christian and be married you are completely immune). Scripture basically says "run for your life" from this woman! Don't suppose you are to be her knight and rescue her from her miserable life and will remain unscathed.

As a woman, on the other hand, I need to be aware of how I affect men by my words,dress and actions. I also need to be sure I am keeping myself for my husband in all ways. (Even if  and maybe even especially if I am in a strained marriage it matters how I conduct myself) If you are not currently married the scripture tells you your "Maker is your husband" Isaiah 54

Why was this woman in chapter 7 pretending to be "right with God" but offering herself to another man? Why was she making a romantic atmosphere in the home she shared with her husband for another man? Why was she preparing her appearance for another? And using her words to build another mans ego?

Look I know there could have been unmet needs for this woman but take a look at Abigail(1 Samuel 25) in her relationship with a husband who was known for being churlish (now there is a word for you to look up!) and a fool (his name even means Fool from what I understand). See how she carried herself in her relationships as a wise woman.

God does not want people to be ruined so He goes to great lengths to tell us how to avoid that. So let's inscribe His words on our hearts. Let's let them rest deep and monitor all we do and think and find the benefits of wisdom surrounding us.

Blessings!

Crown of Glory- Pearls and Precious Gems

 ...a crown of glory she will deliver to you...proverbs 4:9a
There is of course not normally a physical crown delivered to us by exalting wisdom but there is something of glory that rests on us when we walk in wisdom. That was recognized in Josephs life when he was a young man even though he didn't seem to live in honorable conditions what with being sold by his brothers to be a slave and later falsely accused of going after Potiphars wife then getting thrown into prison. What he did was to continue to walk uprightly. To conduct himself wisely when he had every opportunity to become bitter and mean. In time (it seems like it took a very long time) he was elevated to second in command in Egypt, just under the Pharoh himself. He was used in a strategic position to preserve two nations; Israel and Egypt...His legacy lives on. We speak of him today and use his life as an example of how to live well to make right and wise choices when everything seems to be against us.
Proverbs 4:6-9 says of wisdom
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.
I just wonder what would happen if we begin making a practice of asking for wisdom every day if we haven't been already. To begin recognizing our need for it and crying out for it- every day.
King Solomon saw his need for wisdom above all other things and God honored him by his request for it. Most of the writings in Proverbs are from Solomon and even though I realize I have been reading it as a mom talking to her son, it really is wise father leaving wise instruction written for his son to refer to time and again so it's not just words in one ear and out the other.
They can be taken into his heart.
God bless you with wisdom this weekend. Be blessed!

Precious Rubies - Pearls and Costly Gems

Happy is the man who finds wisdom...she is more precious than rubies...proverbs 3
Have you ever wondered what the value of rubies would be? I admire jewelry but haven't been much of a purchaser frankly. So I looked it up. Online. I love being able to do that!

Rubies are the world’s most expensive gemstones, the best Burmese rubies being valued more than an equivalent-sized flawless diamond.¹ The world record paid at auction for a ruby is U.S. $3.63 million in 1988 for a 15.97 carat Burmese ruby (U.S. $227,300 per carat). (By comparison, a 62 carat flawless diamond recently sold for just over U.S. $8 million, or U.S. $130,000 per carat.)
from report by Dr. Andrew Snelling

Seems like something I should pay attention to then. God does not say He will lavish me with rubies but delights in giving me something far more valuable than that! He tells me the "fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom". Remember the treasure hunt I would send my kids and their friends on? There was a place to start. So our place to start is with the fear of the LORD. Something that seems to be missing in many places now a days. Its that recognition of honor and reverence due to the Most High who made all things including me and knows how it should all work.
 Some of the outcomes of wisdom walking are length of days, riches, honor, peaceful paths, pleasantness, a tree of life, happiness, grace, safety,sweet sleep, freedom from fear of sudden terror or trouble from the wicked because my confidence is in the LORD.
You know I really can't buy all those things. There are things that promise they can give one or another of them maybe. For instance, new shoes do make me happy for a while!! They won't keep me safe though. They won't prolong my life. They might give me a touch of status but not really honor and there is no guarantee they will keep me safe on my path. I can hope to walk gracefully in them but they won't bring  grace overall. They may carry me to my occupation and home again and be an asset to my business wardrobe but they really won't make me money. Maybe I will fall asleep with a smile over my new shoes but can not promise me peaceful sleep.

We are told in scripture that in quietness and confidence He will be our peace. That joy in Him is our strength.We are told above it is wisdom that makes us secure. I don't believe God is opposed to our having things but rather to things having us by the way. I don't think we should hide ourselves in our things but in the shelter of the Most High. I think if we are going to hoard or stock pile things they should be hoarded in the heavenly realm. Yet I do think there is common sense financially to be used while we are here on earth. But even that is from wisdom! So then let's keep seeking, knocking and asking. He promised it to us after all.

Treasure Hunting - Pearls and Costly Gems

...Search for her as for hidden treasure...book of Proverbs 2:4a
One of the favorite things we would do for the kids birthday parties was to set up a treasure hunt. Lots of clues (they rhymed depending on how energetic and creative I was) that sent them from place to place running off energy until they finally found what was usually their goodie bags.
They had to follow the clues to find their "treasure"
God is telling us in Proverbs 2 that Wisdom is to be sought after like treasure.
Here are  His "clues":
Receive My words
Treasure My commands
Incline your ear to wisdom
Apply your heart to understanding
Cry out for discernment
Lift up your voice for understanding
Seek her as silver
Search for her as treasure

That is all pretty active participation. In other words He isn't just dropping it down on us. In James we are told if we lack wisdom we should ask and He will give it to us but we are not supposed to doubt....

Proverbs 2 goes on to tell us what we will find if we do the above. So I encourage you to read it (all of the rest of chapter 2) for yourselves. Remember reading or at least hearing in history class about the people who left everything to pan for gold? They spent all day long in all kinds of weather hoping for a gold strike. I know we are busy, busy, busy! Thats why these devos get started early, saved, then finished when I can sqeeze in more time later in the day...but take some crying out, lifting up voice, inclining ear, applying heart time today or maybe tonight. Just think the Creator of the Universe who knows how everything works and knows all about us and loves us, wants to meet with us!!!

Ornaments of Grace-Pearls and Costly Gems

For they will be a graceful ornament on your head

and chains about your neck...The book of Proverbs 1:9

Today we will begin looking at a gem of wisdom from the book of Proverbs corresponding with the date. The verse right before this one is a mother instructing her son to listen to those who care most for him, his parents. A listening that hears the heart of the speaker.
When those instructions and "laws" are given and put into practice they will be like the laurel wreath put on the head of someone who finishes the race in first place. Something that makes those around take notice of you. An ornament of grace that comes from living in the wisdom of God.

I have to admit I did not realize until I was a parent, the investment my parents had in me. There are different kinds of investment. It isn't all about money. I would be foolish though, to ignore that there is definitely a large monetary investment.  I have had my heart wrapped up in my own children, have had the majority of my time, had lost hours of sleep, wept, prayed and fasted, disciplined and rewarded, fed and clothed, carpooled and counseled, nursed sick ones to health, endeavored to impart God's principles and heart, and sanctified myself for not just myself but for them. Until all of that, I did not realize my parents primary purpose in instruction was not to make life easy on themselves and hard on me. That is just a laughable thought now that I have been a parent! (alright I would be also foolish to not recognize a well disciplined child does make my life easier too and also that there is great joy in raising children )

I want my kids to live well. To do that they need wisdom and until they know to ask God for that it is my part as a parent to get wisdom from God for me, then I can live it and impart it to them. This does not guarantee no bumps in the road or side tracking when they enter the years of wondering and  maybe wandering before making my God their own who they know. It does give them the keys and foundation to prevent a world of misery though and to walk in favour and grace with God and man as they grow.

Devotions and Diadems-Pearls and Costly Gems

Do you ever have those days where you feel like Cinderella (you know before she was ever set into the place of  who she was for real)?Today that is my feeling. Sick kids, dr appointments, dishes, dishes, dishes, dogs, keeping a listening ear for wise solutions for on going struggles (that threaten to make me feel like a failure). But I don't have to stay there in that feeling!  When we know Who and Whose we are, serving at home or on the job, takes on a whole new light. I can get rid of the weariness and poor me's. I wonder how many of us walk far short of the true person we are in Christ shrinking inside with little expectation of good to come our way. Cinderella sang in the midst of her oppressive circumstances seemingly forsaken and little more than a slave to her wicked and jealous step mother and step sisters. When every cruel attempt was made to rob her of value and dignity.
I know the scripture I am about to share was directed to Israel but I would like to personalize it for us.
...you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah (literally My delight is in her) and your land Beulah (literally Married) for the LORD delights in you and your land shall be married...
from the book of Isaiah 62:2a-4
Cinderella may be a fairy tale but there are plenty of examples of people raised from rags to ruling in scripture. You may be one of God's best kept secrets right now but get ready for Him to reveal who you are. It will start on the inside princess.And that goes for you guys getting this-you are made to rule and reign with him. Let's begin believing His press about us and not the evil ones lies.

Day 5 Pearls and Costly Gems

 “Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,
I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with lapis lazuli.


 I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels,
and all your walls of precious stones." from Isaiah 54:11-12


My experience in my walk with Jesus (much to my initial surprise) has had various types of affliction. I am not complaining about my life, just so you know. I am not looking for sympathy or an outlet to feel sorry for myself either. But sometimes  like it says in 1 Peter 1
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed...
We aren't supposed to think it's strange either when we encounter these fiery trials! During those times I want to say like the Psalmist did "my heart is fixed (set) trusting in the LORD, I shall not fear when evil tidings come".from psalm 112
There does come a time though for the promise of being be set or established and rebuilt with foundations of precious stones.
So today we are ready to see the stone set. Sometimes stones are just kept aside until they chosen to be put into use. Sometimes a group of stones are used together in a setting. Sometimes the use is solitary in a simple ring. Or it may be solitary in a specially wrought work of silver or gold. There are many ways and many purposes for a stone to be displayed. It could be a ring that is worn everyday signifying engagement or a family or organization I am part of. Could be earrings or necklaces and bracelets. Could be for very special occaisions only and seldom shown off... However they are to be used, they are "set" to be useful.
Much of the time we have an inkling of what we think we are called to be or do for the LORD. And then begins the process and all we have spoken of this week until God is ready to fully establish us. So enters the season of wondering if I even heard from God and if I did what in the world is going on with me and my life?!? Even though we have seen Him use our lives in many ways and known His hand on our lives the separation, preparation and process can make us feel forgotten.
But now in the setting phase we are matured more and will bring more forth in our lives. Don't get weary of process. Don't worry if you feel put aside a while. Seek Him and He will be found of you. Trust Him, you are not forgotten and discarded. The day will come where you will hear "Ready, get set... GO!"

Day 4 Pearls and Costly Gems

...He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire...from Matt 3:16

The gem process we are looking at today is the purpose of heat. Not every stone has heat applied. Those that do, have different types, temperatures and length of time used according to the stone they happen to be. Heat helps to do a couple of things.

First of all it clarifies and brings out the color like in the picture above. The stone on the left is after heat was applied. Have you ever felt like you were going through the "fire" so to speak in the difficult trials in life?  Is there a point? There is a promise that we will walk through the fire and not be burned Isaiah 43:2 (This isn't walking a bed of hot coals by the way). Remember the Hebrews Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego who refused to bow to the idol even though they would be thrown into the fiery furnace? Daniel 3 They came through without being singed or even the smell of smoke on them. And what's more there was "One like the Son of God" who joined them in the fire. We don't go through our fires alone. And in the end God is glorified and we display more of His glory ourselves. We get our "color"...

The second use of heat on gems is to "fill in cracks". That makes me think of the Holy Spirit filling me! Where I am weak, He is strong. He gives super to my natural! He also reveals the areas that need tightening up in my walk. The areas that need healing. And then goes about helping to make that happen. He is so indispensable to our walk with God yet is the quiet almost forgotten One in the Trinity. He is the promise Jesus spoke of when He was ascending to Heaven.

So today remember He never leaves you nor forsakes you. He is your comforter and teacher making Gods word alive and real in your life. Making life shine in your countenance. He will bring you through the fire.

Day 3 Devo Pearls and Costly Gems

Do you not know that you are the temple of God                                                  
                
   and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16


God went to great length and detail in the design of His temple in Old Testament times. He had all sorts of people involved in different ways but He ultimately had some who were filled with skillful wisdom in the areas requiring the finer details of color and weaving and working with metals, wood and stone. The scripture above tells us we are the temple of God now. Scripture also tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. And we know He spared no expense in redeeming us.

This week I am drawing comparisons between our lives, the work of God in them and the process of refining precious jewels. Today I am looking at the process of cutting the stones into a glorious reflector of light. In our case reflectors of His light.
When we submit to His word, wisdom and ways we are yielding to being shaped carefully under His skillful hand. When a diamond, for example, is cut the depth of the cut and the angle and symmetry are all important for the stone to reflect brilliantly.
The lower picture of the above chart is a shallow cut stone. We could say we want to be sure our walk with God is not shallow. I was thinking this morning how it is possible to be saved from sin but still not walk with Jesus as my LORD. That is a shallow cut.
I am not too sure what application to make of the center cut except disobedience where our walk is on again off again or our character is not well developed so the reflection is not as broad or brilliant.
Then there is the "perfect cut" in all it's beauty. I don't know if anyone is a perfect walker with God no missteps (we do have Enoch who walked with God and then was not because God took him). But I do know His love covers a multitude of sins. I do know it is not my perfection that saves me but I also know my disobedience hacks away at my testimony. 
I want to keep in mind obedience to Him. I want to be sensitive to His voice telling me "this is the way walk in it" book of Isaiah and I want to reflect Him to others around me so I want to yield to His skillful working. Be blessed today and shine!

Day 2 Pearls and Costly Gems

                         "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of Hosts,
               on the day that I make   them my jewels. Malachi 3:18a
Do you ever have those days where a scream is just welling up inside? And you know you really can't let it rip (or at least it would be best if you didn't!).... Yes, well today and yesterday too, that has been this blog writers experience as I sit here tip tapping away on the keyboard and eating left over perogis for breakfast. Just so you know there is only One real Hero who never blew His cool unless you count the whip and table flipping at the temple one day. And  it is true the Holy Spirit can be grieved. Then there is the bit where God sent plague after plague to stubborn Pharoh's realm. I guess it's that God is always  righteous in the things that provoke Him and in His response. In fact God even invited negotiation in some of that. Hmm, ok then on with the devotional...

Jesus sees something in you! Value, potential and beauty. He bought and paid for you while you were still rough cut material being mined from the ground. To bring the gem to full value there is process involved. Just as, obviously, when a baby is born there is process invested in the growing of that person into full potential even though I don't wait for them to be full grown to declare them precious and valuable to me. And so it is with us in our Christianity.

There is a procedure in fashioning the stone to a useful adornment. One of the processes I want to touch on today to compare with our walk is called Tumbling.  This is not the fun tumbling in gymnastics.
 A well-chosen speed for stone polishing causes the rocks within (a)  barrel to slide past each other, with abrasive grit between them. The result of this depends on the coarseness of the abrasive, and the duration of the tumble.Wikpedia

Did you catch that part about abrasive grit? Does any one have any circumstances going on that might fall under the category of abrasive grit? (Why else would I have a scream welling up inside) God has a plan for the jewels we will ultimately be. Remember His good plan. So even though I may not like the abrasive circumstances taking me through the process of getting there, I am committed to the barrell tumbling instead of barrell jumping.

But then this almost begs the question "How long?".The precise tumbling time is determined by many factors, including the hardness of the rock and the degree of smoothing desired in the coarser steps. wikpedia Some of us come into the process with pretty hard hearts or heads. We also have some sharp barriers we have built around us to "protect ourselves" so some of that will have bearing on the overall process.

His word says I am being conformed to the image of His Son and that nothing can separate me from His love and all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. the book of Romans So hang in there Ruby. Hold on Pearl. Don't quit Jasper! Your brilliance is about to reflect His glory!

Pearls and Costly Gems

Sometimes we have irritating circumstances that seem to be part of our life for a long season. In and of itself that is simply irritating! However I think we can see a strategic life lesson in the oyster. When a foreign substance is introduced into its shell, it is kind of like getting a splinter so to relieve the pain that creates, the oyster secretes substance and surrounds the irritant with it. A cut in the mantle of the pearl can produce the same effect. It takes many years for a natural pearl to develop (about 5 years for a 3 mm pearl).

So what strategy am I trying to draw from this? These pearls are very valuable. I think the trials and tribulation the Bible says we will have in our lives can produce something better than crankiness or despair.

The substance we surround the irritant with is the Holy Spirit and His wisdom. After all one of the fruit of our Spirit filled life is (dare I say it?) long suffering. Ouch. No one wants to suffer long. But sometimes that is part of our life experience. Jesus sanctified Himself and suffered for us.

I am not saying every painful thing has to be accepted and we shouldn't take steps to resolve circumstances and differences, maintaining healthy boundaries. Or sometimes, as my friend said yesterday, determine if the offense while still needing our forgiveness, is a "deal breaker" and the offender not allowed to stay as part of our immediate relationship circle.

If it isn't a deal breaker though let's let it be a pearl maker (cheesy play on words I know).

Holy Spirit, today do your work in me. You make the difference in this situation I don't seem to be able to change on my own. I give it to You. Help me to cooperate with You. Fill me today. I choose Your way of responding. I choose to worship and keep a heart of remembering your goodness and promises. Amen

Looking From the Mountain Not the Valley

I started a blog post that was depressing me, myself and had to erase it to avoid sending any of that on to you. Ever have those days that you focus on the things that have been wearing you out? I know that was the thing about the 40 day Fast From Wrong Thinking. It was supposed to help turn those thoughts around to God's point of view. Because I went through it twice I do know it helped me to re-focus. And so many things are good and right! But the things battling to hold my mind today are up front in my face close so they look large and intimidating. God however has that view from above that lets Him see further than I do. He even sees the end from the beginning  If I will look at things from where He does they will look like ants crawling.
 
As we remember, David was a worshipper who knew Who his God was and he remembered and spoke of the things God had done for him and through him in the past when he faced the giant Goliath. Wow! I am amazed at how he was not intimidated by the giant but spoke back to him about how he was going to take him down in the Name of the Lord! Those were fighting words for sure! Well Goliath asked for it. He started it! He just really didn't think he could be beaten. Sometimes we just need to remember the things God has already done for us and promises to still do then speak to our giants in the Name of Jesus, and do what God has equipped us to do. We are told we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but principalities and powers and rulers of wickedness in high places. Unfortunately they tend to use people to do their work against us.
My paraphrase of Habakkuk 3:17-19 (though please read it for real for yourself) is this:
Even when everything I set my hand to seems to come up empty at the moment and challenges me to my face, I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD...He is my strength and will make my feet quick and sure like a gazelle ... to walk over the mountain set in my way..

Day 3 Valentines Day Devotional

Happy Valentines Day!

I am my beloveds and he is mine...His banner over me is love...I love chocolate...love you!...I love my car...I love playing golf...I love chicken nuggets... I love your hair...I love money...I love Jesus...I love my husband...I love my dog, my kids, my parents, my lattes, my boots, and so on. Love gets used so many ways for so many things, it kind of loses its meaning. I want my husband to know he rates higher than my favorite boots and I want to know I am more important than some TV show he might love to watch. (Just so you know, that is a random list there. Those are not all things I "love". For instance, I do not golf.)

I don't mean for this to be a dry topic since it is a holiday, but I want to bring the different levels or types of love to our attention (in between giving attention to my husband, kids, granddaughters, house, dogs and my malfunctioning computer, that is).Three of these involve our emotions.

The first comes from a Greek word storage. This would be the type of love and affection that naturally occurs between parents and children, between siblings and then in healthy marriages between an husband and wife.
 

Then we have the word Greek word phileo.  This would be the love that means "to have a special interest in someone or something, frequently with focus on close association; have affection for, like, consider someone a friend". So it is a strong liking or strong friendship. Since this implies strong emotional connection between friends, we would not phileo our enemies but is possible to agape them, which brings us to the next Greek word translated love.


Agape is the word that refers to the love of God, the very nature of God ("for God is love" 1 John 4:7-12 and "for God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son" John 3:16). It's one of the types we are to have for people. Even though we tend to think of love as primarily an emotion this type is actually love because of what it does regardless of feeling. I also think this means regardless of what I get out of it. It has the good of another in mind.



Eros is the word for passionate or sexual love. It referred to the Greek god of love when used as a noun and has pervaded our culture as seen in advertising, porn, attempts to legalize perversion and maintain legalization of abortion making uncommitted sex without responsibility possible and more "legitimate", the trafficking of young girls, clothing styles and more currently sexting. My lengthy assessment on this does not mean God is against sex. Of course not! He created it but also knows how we function best and are healthiest so set boundaries up (in marriage people!!!) for the enjoyment of sex. And as we see the above distorted uses of sex we can see His boundaries are for the protection of society and it's people.
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Again Happy Valentines Day! Enjoy the day and make sure those you love know you do!              

Day 2 Valentine Weekend Devotional

Do you know your loved ones love language? There is a book that is highly recommended called "The Five Love Languages" by Dr Gary Chapman. This is designed to help us understand each other better and communicate our love in a way the other can receive. Here is a link for an assessment tool:
                                                 www.5lovelanguages.com

I thought it was eye-opening. It doesn't take very much time and will be worth the time it takes. I only understand English for the most part so if someone is speaking to me in another language, I pretty much don't get what they are saying. I might guess at it and they might be smiling but it just isn't my language!

Let's just say I am a cat. I have hunted and brought home  a dead mouse and laid it at my person's doorstep as a gift because I love them and appreciate them feeding me everyday so it is my language as a cat to show that by mousing. My owner screams. She just doesn't get it. I am perplexed by her reaction to my expression of love.

Well clearly we do not always "get" each others expressions of love either so will end up feeling unloved when we are in fact unlearned in the others "language". On the other hand we may not understand why the person can not see I am showing love when I am speaking it loud and clear in my own love language.

This can be a fun tool to use as a couple to open conversation and to clear up misunderstandings paving the way to more loving relationships. Find some time to spend together for this. Loving relationships take time and maintenance and yours is worth it!

Day 1 Valentines Weekend Devotional

I love the absolute exhultation in his voice as he sings this! So many things cross my mind. I think of God when He declared His creation was good! I think of Adam when he saw Eve! I think of first love and then the moment of isle walking in weddings. I think of new borns. I think of God singing over us in Zephaniah. Proverbs says "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor of the Lord". It is shown in statistics that married men and women have longer lives than singles.They have lower levels of depression. Married sex is better. Married women are less likely to be victims of violent crime. Married men are safer drivers. Chidren are more secure. Society is stronger and safer. I know there are voices who would have us think differently. And sometimes our own experience may seem to say differently, but click this link for a fuller picture of benefits:
http://www.psychpage.com/family/library/brwaitgalligher.html 
So if all this is true what is the story behind all the broken families? That, my friends, is for another blog another day. But I want us to be reminded God means for marriage to be GOOD and til death do us part. 
Click on Stevie Wonders song and take time today to remember why you married who you married, if you are married that is. Begin to re-do the things you did in the beginning to win each others heart...and thank God for your husband or wife! 




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