ACTUALLY WATCHING OVER!
Consider this:
Eph 3: 10
His intent was that now, through the church, the MANIFOLD wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.
It is always good to learn something new. After 38 years of reading and studying God's Word, I never saw this coming.
"The angels are actually watching us to see how we react to life. They are learning from us!"
I see you, you are going "Oh, now Souder, you have really gone off the beam!" Maybe so, but when you read this and understand the whole concept, it sure set me up straight in the bed.
This week when I was going over readings and scriptures this particular author pointed out something I had never noticed about this scripture.
Let's look at the word MANIFOLD. Manifold in the dictionary means - operating several parts of one kind. Having many forms. Angels. They were created just below our God, and they are our protection yes. Psalm 91: 11.
When I see what this author is saying, it causes me to pause. They are not only watching OVER us and after us, but they see every little eyebrow raise, every reaction we have to the people and events of life. Think of it as you are performing on stage and you look out over the audience and they are taking notes of what you are saying and doing. It is one thing to have God know everything about me, but to be even the tiniest representative or role model to an angel - takes my breath away.
I always think about them being nonjudgmental in their care of us. I see them as overseers and here we learn they are learning about our relationship to God.
How does that affect you? I am also learning about Temperance this last week. I am praising God for conviction of actions and that He forgives. I am praising Him because I can then make a choice
to change. Conviction - repentance. Commitment - Reconciliation. Change - Restoration.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
FREEDOM AT ALL COST!
Last week a client said to me, "I want Freedom from this nightmare at all cost!"
Everyone at some point and time, no matter what age will incur a situation in their life that brings on "the nightmare", "I am trapped" feeling.
When I think about that statement of I want freedom at all cost, it brings on a lot of ideas. What does it mean to do something no matter what the cost? We all understand freedom in our own minds. Running down a beach in Florida with no more thought then - how beautiful it is, and how the sun glistens on the water. Dozing on the porch or in a favorite chair. Laughing at a friend for being so silly. Going to any church of your choice. Freedom to vote for who you want. Eating a dish of ice cream and feeling no guilt. But, what is the cost?
Let us take a look at Gal. 5: 1
In (this) freedom Christ has made us free (and completely liberated us); stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery (which you have once put off).
AMP
Since we see here that Christ has already supplied us with the freedom we need to apply to our life, what is the problem? Why do we get so scared, frustrated, blown away, and caught up? I see this over and over in my practice, with many people in my life. They hide, they cover up and they run for cover.
The cost then is we will have to give up our fears, lack of trust, frustrations, ill gotten ideas about our life.
The Word clearly states - "Stand Fast then!"
DO NOT be HAMPERED and ENSNARED -
DO NOT SUBMIT CONTINUOUSLY TO THE YOKE
OF SLAVERY.
I added the word continuously! It is insane to keep doing something over and over again, expecting a different result. The cost is surrender! The cost is giving it up! The cost is making a NEW choice. It is always about the choices. A). Do I want to continue in this blackness or B), do I want to risk it all and step out to do something new. Make a choice to be free.
It does have to be that the PAIN of CHANGE exceeds the PAIN to STAY. Trusting Our Lord Jesus Christ to help us through the knot hole. I have personally experienced that it is painful to change, but once I stepped out and experienced the freedom, now it is much easier. He is always there to help you manage the pain of change.
Everyone at some point and time, no matter what age will incur a situation in their life that brings on "the nightmare", "I am trapped" feeling.
When I think about that statement of I want freedom at all cost, it brings on a lot of ideas. What does it mean to do something no matter what the cost? We all understand freedom in our own minds. Running down a beach in Florida with no more thought then - how beautiful it is, and how the sun glistens on the water. Dozing on the porch or in a favorite chair. Laughing at a friend for being so silly. Going to any church of your choice. Freedom to vote for who you want. Eating a dish of ice cream and feeling no guilt. But, what is the cost?
Let us take a look at Gal. 5: 1
In (this) freedom Christ has made us free (and completely liberated us); stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery (which you have once put off).
AMP
Since we see here that Christ has already supplied us with the freedom we need to apply to our life, what is the problem? Why do we get so scared, frustrated, blown away, and caught up? I see this over and over in my practice, with many people in my life. They hide, they cover up and they run for cover.
The cost then is we will have to give up our fears, lack of trust, frustrations, ill gotten ideas about our life.
The Word clearly states - "Stand Fast then!"
DO NOT be HAMPERED and ENSNARED -
DO NOT SUBMIT CONTINUOUSLY TO THE YOKE
OF SLAVERY.
I added the word continuously! It is insane to keep doing something over and over again, expecting a different result. The cost is surrender! The cost is giving it up! The cost is making a NEW choice. It is always about the choices. A). Do I want to continue in this blackness or B), do I want to risk it all and step out to do something new. Make a choice to be free.
It does have to be that the PAIN of CHANGE exceeds the PAIN to STAY. Trusting Our Lord Jesus Christ to help us through the knot hole. I have personally experienced that it is painful to change, but once I stepped out and experienced the freedom, now it is much easier. He is always there to help you manage the pain of change.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
BEING STILL MEANS WHAT?
Have you ever heard the story about the little boy who was so busy during church time, that his mom began to lose it. She kept putting her finger up to her lips. She also gave him "that" look only women have that indicates how serious and displeased we are. But, to no avail, he kept getting up on the bench, getting down to pick things up, moving, and squirming constantly. Finally she got a hold of his arm and whispered. . ."Get up here, sit down and be still. I want you up here next to me and sit down, now!" The little boy lowered his head, got up and sat quietly for a minute. Then he poked his mother on the arm and said so everyone could hear, "I want you to know I am sitting down and being quiet, but on the inside I am standing up." Clever, of course he was. And, who of us wouldn't have had to laugh. Several people did snicker. Many of us adults have pointed at God and said, okay I will be still and wait on the Lord, but I just want you to know I am standing up on the inside.
Being still and waiting on God is a huge job. It brings on all those patience lectures and scriptures we need to hear.
How clever of the enemy to use every tempting sidetrack he can think of to keep us from being still and waiting on the Lord.
What are you waiting for? A husband to start going to church with you? Perhaps one of your children is going through some major trials? Waiting to hear about that job you need so desperately?
You could be waiting for God to tell you why He continues to allow bad things to happen to you, or others?
It is so easy to be unnerved, to want to take the wheel, and let us get this show on the road - now!
I still go back to Deut. 31: 8 - God goes before us, God marches with me. Maybe its time for you to finally learn the lesson He has been pointing out all along. He allows us to be prepared to learn our lesson. We have no need to fear, he never forsakes, fail's or abandons us. He says in His word that we are to not be afraid, depressed, discouraged, or unnerved with fear.
Wait for it! I can't! Yes you can! What other option do you have. Staying in God's Word and praying helps you focus and wait upon the Lord for what you are to learn from this time. This period of time and how long it is depends on you. Jesus was tempted and the enemy tried to sidetrack Him with all kinds of things. Matt. 4: 1/11 Jesus was tired. He had been fasting and praying for 40 days. He was hungry. Satan swooped in and brought him bread, and offers of great magnitude. What did He say? "Get thee behind me Satan, for I only bow down and worship the Lord God and He only."
It wasn't even about the food or tiredness. It was a major event to get Jesus to be sidetracked and give in to him. Being still and waiting on the Lord simply means. Focus on His Word. Read it every day. Pray and seek your Lord. Trust. Wait for it. Wait for Him.
II Cor 5: 17 - Calling on the Lord and claiming Him as your personal Lord God. Lord of your heart and life. The old you will go away and behold you will be a new creation.
Being still and waiting on God is a huge job. It brings on all those patience lectures and scriptures we need to hear.
How clever of the enemy to use every tempting sidetrack he can think of to keep us from being still and waiting on the Lord.
What are you waiting for? A husband to start going to church with you? Perhaps one of your children is going through some major trials? Waiting to hear about that job you need so desperately?
You could be waiting for God to tell you why He continues to allow bad things to happen to you, or others?
It is so easy to be unnerved, to want to take the wheel, and let us get this show on the road - now!
I still go back to Deut. 31: 8 - God goes before us, God marches with me. Maybe its time for you to finally learn the lesson He has been pointing out all along. He allows us to be prepared to learn our lesson. We have no need to fear, he never forsakes, fail's or abandons us. He says in His word that we are to not be afraid, depressed, discouraged, or unnerved with fear.
Wait for it! I can't! Yes you can! What other option do you have. Staying in God's Word and praying helps you focus and wait upon the Lord for what you are to learn from this time. This period of time and how long it is depends on you. Jesus was tempted and the enemy tried to sidetrack Him with all kinds of things. Matt. 4: 1/11 Jesus was tired. He had been fasting and praying for 40 days. He was hungry. Satan swooped in and brought him bread, and offers of great magnitude. What did He say? "Get thee behind me Satan, for I only bow down and worship the Lord God and He only."
It wasn't even about the food or tiredness. It was a major event to get Jesus to be sidetracked and give in to him. Being still and waiting on the Lord simply means. Focus on His Word. Read it every day. Pray and seek your Lord. Trust. Wait for it. Wait for Him.
II Cor 5: 17 - Calling on the Lord and claiming Him as your personal Lord God. Lord of your heart and life. The old you will go away and behold you will be a new creation.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
BELIEVING IS SEEING!
Oh so you think I have that backwards! Really!
I Peter 1: 8
"Though you have not seen him, you love him;
and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." NIV
Thomas was the one who set the bar on "But let me touch the hole in your hands, and then I will believe." So to him it was "I need to see it to believe it."
Jesus had so wanted them and us to believe without seeing him. Most of the disciples and people back then got to see, hear, and touch him. We do not have that privilege. Think of what it is like for a blind person. Think about what it is like to have seen and then go blind. Think about what it is like to see it but not get it.
Another version:
I Peter 1: 8
"You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy." NLT
Both verses put an emphasis on trust, believe, rejoice with an inexpressible joy that even though we don't see him physically, we could be physically blind, and know he is there. He is here. He is inside
me.
When I was reading this morning from a new author's daily devotional, I came to terms with the fact that she is physically blind. She travels the world speaking and writing. Gets on airplanes and depends on people sometimes to tell her what is happening and why. She is married and raising two children. Not many of us would sign on for that to be a part of our destiny. Yet, here we are most generally saying, "Well, if He would just tell me what to do, where is He when I need Him?" "How long do I have to go through this. . .?
As long as it takes to believe and then see His hand was in it all along. It even turned out better then you could have dreamed. I learned that one the hard way and a long time ago. BELIEVE IT! Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior knows it all and has a plan. The trial - that despicable period of time you went through or are going through will stop. How you ask? When you believe that He has a better plan and that this is just preparation for you to do better things, be stronger, be tougher, and grow you up. TRUST me, I have been there and am still being prepared at times.
Next time - What does it mean to be still and wait on God!
I Peter 1: 8
"Though you have not seen him, you love him;
and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." NIV
Thomas was the one who set the bar on "But let me touch the hole in your hands, and then I will believe." So to him it was "I need to see it to believe it."
Jesus had so wanted them and us to believe without seeing him. Most of the disciples and people back then got to see, hear, and touch him. We do not have that privilege. Think of what it is like for a blind person. Think about what it is like to have seen and then go blind. Think about what it is like to see it but not get it.
Another version:
I Peter 1: 8
"You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy." NLT
Both verses put an emphasis on trust, believe, rejoice with an inexpressible joy that even though we don't see him physically, we could be physically blind, and know he is there. He is here. He is inside
me.
When I was reading this morning from a new author's daily devotional, I came to terms with the fact that she is physically blind. She travels the world speaking and writing. Gets on airplanes and depends on people sometimes to tell her what is happening and why. She is married and raising two children. Not many of us would sign on for that to be a part of our destiny. Yet, here we are most generally saying, "Well, if He would just tell me what to do, where is He when I need Him?" "How long do I have to go through this. . .?
As long as it takes to believe and then see His hand was in it all along. It even turned out better then you could have dreamed. I learned that one the hard way and a long time ago. BELIEVE IT! Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior knows it all and has a plan. The trial - that despicable period of time you went through or are going through will stop. How you ask? When you believe that He has a better plan and that this is just preparation for you to do better things, be stronger, be tougher, and grow you up. TRUST me, I have been there and am still being prepared at times.
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