God’s blessings

 I will do my BRP in a minute further down

        Have you ever had a moment where you hear someone’s story, or testimony and thought to yourself how are they able to receive God’s blessing or why does God answer their prayers and not my own? Well, first off the only person we should compare ourselves to is that of the Trinity, Jesus. Secondly, we can’t see the big picture of what God has in store for us. Yes, we know the end of the overall story, God wins. Have you ever realized what life would be like if Jesus had been the same way? Yes, Jesus asked questions of God the Father, because He had a relationship with Him and God is big enough to handle any question we might have. Jesus, also went about it in the proper way, through prayer. Everything Jesus did was to set an example for us. Well, today when I was listening to someone’s testimony about the healing of her son she said God chose to heal Him through prayer, He also may heal through modern medicine or He may heal through calling the person home.

      I went to do my BRP and was led to look at something else first that of Isaiah 53:5-6. I want to breakdown this scripture a bit and want to not just skim over it. (Go and read the verses now, I read the NIV and HCSB) Also, used Miriam Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus.

He was pierced for our transgressions (crime, offense, sin, violations, felony, trespass, wrongdoing, misdeed, error, breach, debt, lawbreaking, malefaction, and the list goes on)  Yowza that is a list! 

We often want to put thing in less than to greater than type of sin. Ex. In my eyes stealing a piece of candy, knowing it is wrong, is worse than murder. However, God has His standards, His plumb line, and all sin is equal. Anything that separates us from God is sin. So, when you see transgressions in this verse know that it in capsules all SIN. Yikes, so I am as evil as a murderer? Yes.

He was crushed (visualize this) for our iniquities (Corruption, evil, sinfulness, depravity, wickedness, vileness, ill, badness etc.) Yowza, again. 

Crushed- almost beyond recognition, I find myself so unworthy. Iniquities- to be described as any of these words might make you feel unworthy too. The price that God paid through Jesus, I find myself wanting, needing to be more like Christ. 

The punishment that brought us peace (tranquility, rest)

It is mind blowing to think that Jesus had to endure all this in order for us to have peace. I again, do not feel worthy of such a high priced gift.

By His wounds we are healed (repaired, mended)

WOW! What an amazing, un-repayable gift. We are healed, from sins curse! Does that mean you will never have trials like cancer, No. However we know we won’t be alone here on Earth as we suffer. Even if we don’t receive healing in this mortal body, we know that God has a healed immortal body for us.

We have all like sheep gone astray (off the path, in error) turned to our own way.

I definitely am guilty of this.

The Lord laid on Him the iniquities of us all (every single person’s sin was paid in full by Christ Jesus, even though some will refuse His gift)

    DO you see here why we should be ever grateful of the gifts God has for us? The great price that was paid for us?

This is why it has been so important for me to get my house (myself in order). Christ did not pay the costly wage of my sin so that I could just Willy-nilly live my life how I want, I must look at the plumb line that God has set before me, in every aspect of my life, starting with the inner me. So, I encourage you to do the same. Be a believer in Christ, not just by words but by doing his will.

BRP is 30th 1Peter 2: 24-25 and 31st 1Peter 3:1-2

    The verses at the end of chapter 2 tie in with the things I said above. “He Himself bore our sins, in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness;  by His wounds we are healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

    The verses 3:1-2,

    We are to submit to Christ male and female; husbands and wives. We are to submit to God, a husband who is in right standing with God will be a devoted man who submits to God will and guides with a loving  hand. However, a woman should submit to God so that even if her husband is lost she will be a witness unto her husband. She can by her witness and submission win him over without  her words, but by her deeds and behavior.

    Submit to God! All else will fall in to place God is good.  

Do as I do (Jesus)

 BRP 1 Pet 2:22-23

22) He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. 23) When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate, when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. (NIV)

WOW, the perfect example of do as I do! I am not sure I would have been silent. Thus it reminds me of Peter, they came to take Jesus away and he was like “over my dead body”, (as he pulled out His sword) and chopped the soldiers ear off. Jesus, is like woah, woah, woah “this is not the way” (as He puts the soldiers ear miraculously back on). {This whole section is definitely paraphrased} 

We want to go in all guns blazing, even if we have never fired a gun before. See Peter is so relatable here. He sees the most unjust thing to ever happen on Earth, and wants to do something about it. He goes on to deny Christ 3 times publicly, and he is a common ordinary man- a husband and a fisherman. However, we know he was a fisherman first, then God called Him as a disciple and missionary. We can relate here in the south to fishing, I do catch and release mostly as I do not care for eating fish.  See there are points to grasp from ole Peter in correlation to this book and these particular verses, when he wrote this it was after the death/resurrection of Christ. Think of it too as he, Peter, severally messed up and this is what He gleaned/learned from it. He isn’t using hypothetical situations he is telling of what he experienced, the things he now knows he should have been doing all along. Doing as Christ did. You see the commonalities we have with Peter? He was a plain ole Joe, from the working class, he wanted to do what was right though he didn’t always go God’s route about it, he denied Christ as we do in one form or another- even more than once. But listen here! GOD IS NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!!!! You might rebel you might get frustrated and mad, YET, GOD IS NOT DONE WITH YOU YET! He meets us where we are, even if we make stupid choices, say stupid things (I should substitute ignorant with stupid as my nephew is having to work on not saying stupid). Regardless, of where you are- whether you feel unworthy -not good enough -or that you have slipped to far Just say to yourself or aloud GOD IS NOT DONE WITH ME YET!!! He doesn’t expect perfection He expects us to be willing, willing to change and grow, which means dear child, to be pruned and disciplined and and these come through pain and trials.

Stay ever close to God so that you to can be commended, you can stand strong in Him. Remember He is with you and working all things to His GLORY, for those that are called according to His purpose.

Privileged to suffer

 BRP 1Pet 2:21

       I do not know about  you, but I have rarely thought, said or prayed “Thank you God for my suffering.” Yet, here Peter we were called to suffer, Christ gave us His example of how to suffer and exalt God at the same time. The commentary in my (NIV- Study Bible- fully revised by Zondervan- 1984) states that we should count it a privilege. Yowza, a privilege ?!?!?! That seems a big ask, doesn’t it? He wants us to “patiently endure as it is a part of God’s plan, Christ suffered for us- thusly we should instead of seeing and feeling it as misery, count it privilege” (NIV)

     I think one time in my life did I ever during my misery, exalt God. I wouldn’t have even realized I had done it except someone commented on it. I was in the ER with kidney stones, the first time, I was miserable and in a lot of pain. She commented something along the lines of “how I kept God in my mind and singing to Him through my pain.” I knew that in that moment I was doing things the right way, but I didn’t realize, as I have had to rely on GOD’S strength to get me through a lot already. Now, I know I have made many poor choices and not exalted God in all things, yet I do know He has made beauty out of my many messes. I have had trials that were not a punishment, but a chance to rely on God and grow ever closer to Him. There have been trials that had me frustrated and mad at God, and you know what I found out, GOD IS BIG ENOUGH, He handled my failings, He met me when I was done being a brat thinking it wasn’t fair, He was able to take my burden and remove it when I was no longer able to carry it. You see that is one of the many reasons I love God the Father. He meets us where we are, when we cry out to Him, we might not see it during the storm/trial, although we can feel Him, when the storm is over and we reflect on it we can see how God’s hand guided and protected up through it.

Here is some of the things I went through whether by choice or a God given trial:

Mental abuse

Sexual abuse, as a child by adult(s) -around people others knew were abusers.

Torture- as a child by peers

Spanked- for telling the truth

Several auto accidents, never my fault

Fear of STD/AIDS (I didn’t end up having either, but scary still)

Rebellion- ran way from home, drugs- marijana, drinking hard liquor, wine coolers all underage drinking. Smoking underage, sexually promiscuous underage- I felt it was all I was good for, adultery, 

Miscarriages 

Lack of motherhood 

Loss of potential adopted children, 3 days before I could legally fight for them.

House broken into

Loss of my dogs, one got out when the house was broke into, he got run over. Another 2 dog were ran over at different times several years apart. Another died from some strange mass in the back of her throat.  

Divorce

betrayal- my best friend dating my recent ex. I dated a guy who an acquaintance had dated.

Friends and family killed before their time- in my way of thinking 

And more but that is all I will put for now, the point is this, stuff happens. Our question is will we foolishly rely on our self  or will we trust God. Regardless of the storm, we have to choose who we will serve, who we will rely on. Only Trust Him only trust HIM!

Close and commendable

 BRP 1 Pet. 2: 19-20

Have your ever prayed for patience? God has a way of helping us to learn patience, through trials that require us to do just that…have patience. Often we will feel it is a daunting task that we regret praying for. Not because we don’t want to honor God with our learning of patience, but because it can be extremely difficult to grow closer to God in this way. He wants our trust, wants us to depend upon Him. Yet we are weak and unable to do a lot on our own.

In these verses He wants to remind us to ever be close to Him. That way we can stand strong during the trials, tribulations in this world, as well as learn to cling to Him during those times. The reason why God wants us to rely on Him, is because we can do a lot of things in our own strengths just as the lost do. Yet, when we cling to and exalt our Savior through the trials beyond our human strength, He gets the glory and we are commended by Him and our relationship is closer to Him. Even in our punishments of life we still can cling to Him, (I think of my dad saying, “This is going to hurt me more than you.”) He knows what is best for us and what will shape us into His image. He never said that molding us would be easy, but He did say He was with us though. So, when it is time for you to receive your “spiritual spankings,” for your wrong doings cling to Him. When you are in a season getting beat, whether literally or by the storms of life, know that God is with You. That is why we are to pray without ceasing, to have time with Him daily, and spend time in the Holy Word of God. Allow Him an active place in your life.

Remember that of Job. If you haven’t read his story or haven’t in a while go and read it. Then, think back to what I just said.

God, loves you and longs for the relationship with you that brings Him honor and glory.

 BRP 1 Peter 2: 18

This verse as an American is troubling to me, it says that slaves should submit with fear to their masters, not just the good masters but to cruel masters too.

I have seen documentaries and heard tales from people that were African American slaves. Some have stated how the “white masters” would quote and with misrepresentation use the Bible’s verses dealing with slavery. The African Americans were severely mistreated, beaten, raped, torn from their families and who knows what all other kinds of humiliation and troubles they dealt with. We know from History class they were murdered, had their homes, and churches burned. Even after slavery was abolished they still dealt with a lot, and were not treated as equals to the whites. There are some places still that are very cruel to minorities.

Can you imagine having to submit and standby and/or serving a master that had murdered your child or spouse? I can’t! I have had a couple of unfair bosses in my day, but none compare with what these slaves dealt with. When we read the word of God there is a reason for all words spoken or given. Even if the words we read are hard to swallow, it is our duty to understand the reasoning, the context and outcome. You see when we face trials and have to submit we are in good company as the Lord, Jesus submitted to the authorities of the day, which in the end made for His death upon the cruel cross. Now, He submitted even though He could have called legions of angels to His rescue, or had God take it all away and curse us all to Hell. Yet, he humbled Himself as a servant, His captors and killers didn’t know the end of the story and how God would ultimately WIN. We know the rest of the story, death did not keep Jesus, He conquered death and came alive again. We never know either how God will use our trials to bring Him honor and glory. So, whatever you are facing remember God is with you in all things.

Respect to all/freedom and more me

 BRP is from 1 Peter 2: 16-17

    When we here free a lot of times we are like, “WOO HOO!” “I can do whatever I want, when I want and how I want! YES!” But! Rewind… wait… stop! Before you go having those woohoo thoughts and moments there are things that need to be considered. Our freedom ends, where someone else’s begins. A professor of mine Mary Lewis, demonstrating this in our class and quite frankly shocked the room. She stood in front of a very tall, muscular basketball player and stated “Your freedom ends, where someone else’s begins” as she made the statement she seemed as if she was going to hit that basketball player right in his face, she stopped very close to his nose. Though we were shocked, it drove the point home, I still remember it today and that was 20+ years ago. Our freedom has boundaries, our freedom has consequences, our freedom is a gift.

    We are all grins and giggles about being free, which to a certain extent is great. We should, to a point, rejoice in our freedom as they came at heavy costs. Maybe not to you specifically, but freedom is not free, it has/had a cost. Jesus lost His life, and was beaten- nearly beyond recognition- so that we can be free from our sin. Does that mean that we should take the gift of Freedom, that He gave us and hide behind it our “secret” sin or our un-confessed sin? No! God wants us to live lives above reproach. He does not want for us to hide behind the cross our short comings. I guarantee someone already knows the sin, or it will come out. I can also tell you God does not sit on His throne with a smite button to strike you down each and every time you or I fall. He has love and understanding, grace and mercy, because the price that His Son Jesus paid was very costly.

    We are called to be servants of God. Which means we must show the proper respect that is due. That means to EVERYONE, not just our mom and dad, He says to EVERYONE. I can tell you from experience that this can be very hard. I know for those who love me, it has been very hard and at times very costly. (I will explain more about that in a second). We must respect everyone our siblings in Christ, our fellow believers. We are called to fear God, yes, fear Him, reverent, formidable and yet reassuring fear. GOD is Love and therefore He Loves Jealousy. As a husband loves His wife. As a mother loves her children. He longs to keep us near and protected, but He allows us free will to choose. Now we must decide what we will do with our Freedom. Live to grow closer to God and honor Him with our words deeds and actions or turn from Him.

Okay, here is something about me.

    I have been on this Earth for more than a couple decades. Yet, I am just now seeing me. Not the me I hope to portray, but the real me. I mentioned a moment ago that it is/has been hard for people that love me to love me. That is because I shut down or run. I find that my whole life has been this way, I just didn’t see or recognize it completely. I was fine living in my own little world as a kid, or retreating inside myself. I was not big on playing with kids my age, most of the time. I was generally okay when it was just me and my siblings (I have cousins that to me are like siblings, I truly have two sisters and I am the middle), However, other children and extended family were often harder for me. For some reason when there is a group of children they will pair off, whether by age, gender and or commonalities of some sort. When it came to this, I remember either choosing not to group and being picked on or not being picked by a person(s) to pair or group with and being picked on. I think I was in Junior High before I found people that I liked to hang out with, but that didn’t last long as they wanted more and different types of friends where I was content with what and who we were. Anyway, I am a horse of a different color, I generally was one to do what I wanted and hangout or run with who I wanted. 

[Back story: I was abused as a child, by adult(s) and curious with peers, that crossed lines that children should not cross. I honestly can handle, mentally, the curiousness of peers, but not adults, as they know better. Anyway, I won’t get into anymore detail about that currently. However, one other note, there was pornography available at our finger tips, mostly in tons of magazines in the wash house but also “professionals” on video tape.]

    Anyway, I think that due to a lot of my back story and being extremely sick as a child, made me the horse of a different color as I had to survive in the world I was raised in. This was my normal so I had to adapt, I also have a lot of autistic tendencies too. Especially, tactile items and textures and crowds- I tend to sit on the sidelines or miss events that have them. When I go to my Dad’s side of the family’s reunion, I am the opposite I just keep moving and talking and going to each group to say hello, that’s what my dad has always molded for me to do there, so I guess that is why I still do it. Although, I didn’t go to last years as I knew I did not have enough energy to go, go, go. 

    All that to say, I am unique, I am every learning myself and allowing for change. I am still not a hugger, nor do I think that will change. I am trying to be molded by God and in His image. NO< I AM NOT> PERFECT. I mess up daily. But, I am learning me and how God can use me. When things get tough I have been a runner, but I am trying to remember to RUN TO GOD. I retreat inside my shell, but I am trying to RETREAT TO GOD. He understands me more than anyone on this Earth ever could. He has allowed me to have a husband that truly tries to understand me, who doesn’t raise his voice or hands at me. I know that not everyone likes that my husband and I are together and some have reason not to like it. I know that God can make beauty out of our messes and grow us where we are as we are. We are trying to do that. Any way I am grateful that Brian loves, respects, honors and has compassion for me. He listens even when there are no words spoken, he just knows….. which is mind boggling to me. If God can use a donkey He can use me, He can use Brian our worts, flaws and all.

Seek not to be Perfect but Perfected by God.

Free, yet

 The weekend BRP are from 1 Pet 2: (11-12), (13-14 ), & (15).

I have been taking a break from technology for the most part, except to jot here in my blog. That is why I didn’t write here on Saturday, I did do the reading just didn’t type up the reflection or thoughts that came to mind. Till today.

    Before I start, I will begin with we joined a different church, yesterday. We have been visiting for over a year, it is where my Aunt needs to be, so we decided we should grow where we are planted, and currently God has us planted at NCBC. Now, before you ask, no, my Aunt is not the only reason we joined, but it did weigh in. Anyway, if you are not an active member, of your local Christian Church, getting spiritually fed, I recommend you pray about it. If you have never been to church before, visit and/or call the church. Even, if you have to leave a message on a machine or voicemail. When you listen to the message or when they call you back ask these 3 questions or see if these 3 questions were answered 

    Number 1- Do you preach about Jesus, and how he died and rose for my sin?

    Number 2- Do you support missionaries?

    Number 3- Will I be welcome? (Don’t describe yourself, or anything about you, simply ask and listen to               the answer).

    Now you may wonder why these 3 questions here is why:

    Number 1- All things in the Holy Bible, Old Testament or New Testament point to Jesus, His Death and His rising from the dead to pay for our sin. If they answer anything differently then hang up, that is not where God wants you. If they say yes to all parts then go to question 2

    Number 2- If they yes ask them how they support missionaries. They should list at least one local mission and at least one foreign mission. If they say No. Then hang up as they are not following scripture. This is not where God wants you. If they say yes and list a local and foreign mission that they help then go to question 3

    Number 3- If they ask any questions at all, even, “why do you ask?” Hang up, or if they say anything besides yes, absolutely……. Let me tell you why they should say Yes, because Jesus said “come unto me.”  He Himself dined and interacted with all sorts of people, meeting them where they were and where they are. You do not have to be “perfect” to attend church. The church is essentially a hospital, in the since that we all need help from “Dr. Jesus”.

    Remember, Jesus is the one who calls people to Himself, so if you have called, listened to the greeting on a voicemail, talked to a preacher or someone who answered the phone at church, or even googled the church and they meet all these questions. BE THERE ON SUNDAY MORNING OR WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR SERVICE (SUNDAY SCHOOL). God is probably calling you!

Now to tell you what was laid on my heart, besides those three questions.

    Living a good life, is not according to worldly standards, but to God’s standards. He is wanting us to live our lives away from sinful desires. What specific sinful desires do you think He means? ALL Sinful desires, as sin separates from God. We can’t fully know what God has in store for us if any sinfulness separates us. Now that is not saying that you can lose your salvation, it is saying that you cannot know, nor fully grasp all that God has in store for you, nor can you grow exponentially with sinfulness ruling you. We are to live good lives so that we can be a witness, and our good deeds will bring glory to the Father to further help the lost. Then, when God calls a lost sheep or a lost soul to Himself, we can rejoice and be ready to welcome a new sibling in Christ, or one returning from wandering.

    Free.We are free! In Christ we are free. Yet, God tells us to respect the authority of those in power over us. In America, that is President, Vice- President and all the politicians that were elected to power. Regardless of whether or not we agree with them 100% or 0%. It does not matter as God has them in places of power over you. They are there in places of power because God wanted a judicial system to keep checks and balances over the people of Earth. 

    We are to do good so it will silence the fools. The Bible says that the tongue is sharper than a double edge sword. So, be careful and mindful of what you say with it, it can bring death. The saying “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is wrong. Our very mouth can shut the ears of the lost, there by ensuring their condemnation to Hell. I don’t know about you, but I would hate to be the person who is responsible for a lost person, going to Hell, ever separated from God the Father. I honestly can’t tell you if I have already condemned people there by my words, or by my actions. I won’t know till I stand and answer for all the deeds I have done. All I know is I have to do better, the lost need me to do better.

    Think about you, and your relationship with God. Will you hear Him say, “Well Done! My Good and Faithful servant” or “depart for I never knew you.”  Now, before you get to gloomy remember as long as you have breath in your lungs and a beat in your chest, GOD IS NOT DONE WITH YOU! You still have a way to God, Repent. You still have a way to God, Trust. You still have a way to God, JESUS!

Go find the Light that is Jesus. Then, go and tell others about Him, who is the light.