Have you ever had a secret? Perhaps some news that only you are privvy to? Maybe it's a secret only you carry. I had this discussion with my sister this weekend. We were discussing Beth Moore's Bible Study Sacred Secrets*.
I told her that I purchased the study and completed it myself. What an amazing study! [I recommend it for everyone]! I was telling her that I wanted my sisters to complete it. It's crazy how you can look at someone and not know what they are carrying.
One day I walked into a restaurant and saw a woman wearing a t-shirt that merely said "He Knows". that would floor me to no end to know that someone knew my secrets. You see, the secrets only serve to wear us out! They become a burden that can cause stress, cause us to become defensive, cause us to shy away even affect our health.
I saw the t-shirt and the large picture under the infamous "He knows" was a picture of Santa Clause. Okay so you can relax now because there really are no consequences in having Santa Clause know. Regardless of what it is, Santa knowing won't hurt us.
While we are worrying about who might find out, we are never hiding it from someone who really knows. Often times we plan things avoiding certain individuals, certain places, certain things in order to protect our secret. We may have to put on a mask, a disguise, or just plain pretend in order to maintain our secret.
David kept a secret from Uriah [2 Samuel 11]; Samson kept a secret from Delilah [Judges 16]; secrets have been kept for centuries. Unfortunately, there is one who knows all...He knows and I'm not talking about Santa. Not only does God know every secret, He knows the consequences of those secrets.
Many times the secret you carry impedes your walk with Christ. Not because of Him but because of you. You may feel like I did thinking I wasn't worthy because of my secret or struggling to cover the secrect I wanted no one to know.
The time has come. Let go of that secret. You don't have to tell your mom, you don't have to tell your friend...tell the one who already knows! I believe that deep down in our hearts, despite the fact that we may have carried that secret for years, despite the fact that it may have ruled us all this time, we know we must lay it down. Open yourself up for the revelation of God's Word without anything holding you back.
The time has come....lay it down before God because He already knows!
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may know all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29
*(C) Sacred Secrets, 2013-Lifeway, Beth Moore Bible Study
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Walk with Your Father
I just arrived back home from a trip to the hill country. I drove accompanied by my father and my son. Spending alone time with my dad is really difficult. Even as grown women, we all vie for his attention. We have seen my strong, resilient father change into a mild, more laid back man.
On the road, we had the opportunity to do what we do best....discuss God's Word. My father has been a "Sunday School" teacher for as long as I can remember. He knows so much about God's Word and I often go to him when I have a Bible question. We have good discussions often telling the other where something is located in the Bible.
When we arrived at our cabin, we walked back down to the bottom of the property. We walked and talked just my father and I. Nothing to interfere but the sounds of nature. I remember thinking "how awesome to walk alongside my father. How much I have learned just from listening to him."
Isn't that how it is with God? If we would walk with Him and take the time to listen, how much we could learn! I once read "The greatest treasure a man can leave his children is an intimate knowledge of God." Oh how my father has done that. It is a treasure left for us. God has left us a treasure also, it is the gift of eternal life.
Some of us have found that treasure and indeed do hold fast to it. Others are still looking for that gift. How can this treasure be found? By reading the Word of God and walking with your Father. I can not tell you the times my father and I shared laughter, knowledge, competition and often debate. The bonus was peace. It was so peaceful when walking with my father. Good times! Some of those times can also be found in our Heavenly father. Knowledge, laughter and the big one-peace.
I recognize that some don't have an earthly father but we all have a heavenly Father who loves us so much he is not willing that any of us perish. He loves us and wants us to spend time in his presence.
I love my earthly father and intimate times begin with spending time with him and sharing our hearts. It consists of a little bit of talking and alot of listening. I can only find it if I have alone time with him and you can only find that if you walk with your Father.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
I will walk among you and be your God and you will be my people. Leviticus 26:12
On the road, we had the opportunity to do what we do best....discuss God's Word. My father has been a "Sunday School" teacher for as long as I can remember. He knows so much about God's Word and I often go to him when I have a Bible question. We have good discussions often telling the other where something is located in the Bible.
When we arrived at our cabin, we walked back down to the bottom of the property. We walked and talked just my father and I. Nothing to interfere but the sounds of nature. I remember thinking "how awesome to walk alongside my father. How much I have learned just from listening to him."
Isn't that how it is with God? If we would walk with Him and take the time to listen, how much we could learn! I once read "The greatest treasure a man can leave his children is an intimate knowledge of God." Oh how my father has done that. It is a treasure left for us. God has left us a treasure also, it is the gift of eternal life.
Some of us have found that treasure and indeed do hold fast to it. Others are still looking for that gift. How can this treasure be found? By reading the Word of God and walking with your Father. I can not tell you the times my father and I shared laughter, knowledge, competition and often debate. The bonus was peace. It was so peaceful when walking with my father. Good times! Some of those times can also be found in our Heavenly father. Knowledge, laughter and the big one-peace.
I recognize that some don't have an earthly father but we all have a heavenly Father who loves us so much he is not willing that any of us perish. He loves us and wants us to spend time in his presence.
I love my earthly father and intimate times begin with spending time with him and sharing our hearts. It consists of a little bit of talking and alot of listening. I can only find it if I have alone time with him and you can only find that if you walk with your Father.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
I will walk among you and be your God and you will be my people. Leviticus 26:12
Sunday, December 15, 2013
He's a fake
What powerful words. That is to say that what you see, what you believe, what you thought was real, is not. Those are the words permeating the news waves during this past week at Nelson Mandela's funeral when a sign language interpreter was discovered to be "fake."
I clearly recall watching some of the memorial and paying attention to the interpreter. I am facinated by the ability to deliver the message to those unable to receive it. I recall something a speaker said when he said "they walked side by side" and I watched for that sign to which the interpreter raised both index fingers and brought them together. It looked real to me!
In the past I have sat through numerous interpreters who are translating English to Spanish. Usually the interpreter excells in one language or the other, in this case Spanish. Their inablity to recognize the English word causes them to interpret it incorrectly often changing the context of the sentence. I am able to recognize that. I often tell my husband something like "That's not exactly what that means." However, to the receiving parties, they don't know better, anymore than I did when I watched the sign language interpreter.
Within hours, it was discovered that this individual at the memorial service was a fake. That was supported by the fact that a true, certified sign language interpreter also saw the memorial and realized that it was not being translated correctly. Not only was it not being interpreted correctly, the certified interpreter did not recognize many of the gestures.
As a result of this discovery, the memorial interpreter stepped up and acknowledged that he was not a true interpreter and in fact had serious medical issues. How does this happen?
In our world today, there are many who do not recognize the Word of God. That is the foundation of our belief. It is important to know God's Word in order to dispute what is "fake." There will be those who come proclaiming an idea, theory, story or other relevelation contrary to God's Word. However, if we are not absolutely certain of His truth, we will not recognize false as false.
It is important for us to protect us against the falsehoods of this world. Some of it will look and sound as good as that interpreter did and if we are not prepared with the truth, we may fall into the lie. Keeping in God's Word is the only way to protect ourselves from that. Do you know how I know? God has already told me in His word to prepare for those coming who will not be in truth. Had I been prepared and certified in sign language, I would have been able to say "He's fake" and not rely on someone else to tell me.
I want to be prepared and recognize truth and the only way I can do that is by staying in the Word of God. How about you?
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretely introduce the destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them and their destruction has not been sleeping. 2 Peter 2:1-3
I clearly recall watching some of the memorial and paying attention to the interpreter. I am facinated by the ability to deliver the message to those unable to receive it. I recall something a speaker said when he said "they walked side by side" and I watched for that sign to which the interpreter raised both index fingers and brought them together. It looked real to me!
In the past I have sat through numerous interpreters who are translating English to Spanish. Usually the interpreter excells in one language or the other, in this case Spanish. Their inablity to recognize the English word causes them to interpret it incorrectly often changing the context of the sentence. I am able to recognize that. I often tell my husband something like "That's not exactly what that means." However, to the receiving parties, they don't know better, anymore than I did when I watched the sign language interpreter.
Within hours, it was discovered that this individual at the memorial service was a fake. That was supported by the fact that a true, certified sign language interpreter also saw the memorial and realized that it was not being translated correctly. Not only was it not being interpreted correctly, the certified interpreter did not recognize many of the gestures.
As a result of this discovery, the memorial interpreter stepped up and acknowledged that he was not a true interpreter and in fact had serious medical issues. How does this happen?
In our world today, there are many who do not recognize the Word of God. That is the foundation of our belief. It is important to know God's Word in order to dispute what is "fake." There will be those who come proclaiming an idea, theory, story or other relevelation contrary to God's Word. However, if we are not absolutely certain of His truth, we will not recognize false as false.
It is important for us to protect us against the falsehoods of this world. Some of it will look and sound as good as that interpreter did and if we are not prepared with the truth, we may fall into the lie. Keeping in God's Word is the only way to protect ourselves from that. Do you know how I know? God has already told me in His word to prepare for those coming who will not be in truth. Had I been prepared and certified in sign language, I would have been able to say "He's fake" and not rely on someone else to tell me.
I want to be prepared and recognize truth and the only way I can do that is by staying in the Word of God. How about you?
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretely introduce the destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them and their destruction has not been sleeping. 2 Peter 2:1-3
Thursday, December 12, 2013
New things
Sometimes, someone can do the most simple thing and make such an impact on others. The irony of it is that they may not even know it. This morning my friend Eva Wilson posted a bible verse on Facebook that really struck home.
You see, this has been a difficult year for us. In February we lost our 14 year old precious dog Sammy. He was Matthew's companion until he outgrew him then Sammy became a friend to my husband and father-in-law. We did not need Sammy to die when he did. As if that wasn't enough, our beautiful rescue dog Daisy who had also become a great friend to my husband died suddenly with blood clots and both dogs had become our companions since my father-in-law had become very ill. Not to minimize the situation but in August our youngest left for college leaving a huge void and empty nesters. Lastly, a little less than a month ago, we lost my 98 year old father-in-law to his heavenly home.
It has been a tough year indeed. As we come to a close, we also understand that my husband is awaiting news of a promotion and the deadline is tomorrow. When we hadn't heard anything by Monday, I told my husband that we needed to trust God and if it didn't happen, we would still trust that God could see our future and not fret.
We left for a short getaway and enjoyed a little quiet time but alas, it was time to get back to reality. As a wife, I pray for my husband and we often ask each other "How can I pray for you today?" I didn't ask this time, I merely asked God to show me how to minister to my husband if the answer was "no." I mean really, to the human eye and for logistics sake, if you're going to have a promotional ceremony, one should have sufficient notice.
We knew today would be the last opportunity and it would be sink or swim. We woke up and as I was having morning coffee, I checked Facebook. It was then that I read what Eva posted:
Lonely? Feling disjointed? Feel like your wandering in the wilderness" Listen for the Lord's voice. Look to His Word, "Look, I am about to do something new. Now it begins to happen! Do you not recognize it? Yes, I will make a road in the desert and paths in the wilderness." Isaiah 43:19
Yes, He is doing a new thing! At that moment, I resigned to the fact that God is doing a new thing in my life, in my husband's life, in our family's life and with or without this promotion, God would see us through. There has been so much sadness in our life I just really wanted this for him!
My husband left for work like normal and within the hour I got a phone call with these words "It's official, I get promoted tomorrow!" I remembered the words of the Lord in Isaiah. "Look, I am about to do something new!"
That facebook post prompted me to go to that chapter in Isaiah and I was reminded of God's mercy and power. "I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israeal's Creator, your King." [v10] Power! "This is what the Lord says-he who made a way...."[v16] God is not limited by our circumstances. Not by our schedule, ability or deadlines. He who "made a path through the sea, a path through the mighty waters" can and will make a way!
So to my friend Eva I say thank you! Thank you for the encouragement that had our names written all over it. To God I say thank you for using Eva for sharing your word and planting the seed that was harvested when it landed in our hearts!
I look forward to the new things God has planned for us.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in tbe wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 [NIV]
You see, this has been a difficult year for us. In February we lost our 14 year old precious dog Sammy. He was Matthew's companion until he outgrew him then Sammy became a friend to my husband and father-in-law. We did not need Sammy to die when he did. As if that wasn't enough, our beautiful rescue dog Daisy who had also become a great friend to my husband died suddenly with blood clots and both dogs had become our companions since my father-in-law had become very ill. Not to minimize the situation but in August our youngest left for college leaving a huge void and empty nesters. Lastly, a little less than a month ago, we lost my 98 year old father-in-law to his heavenly home.
It has been a tough year indeed. As we come to a close, we also understand that my husband is awaiting news of a promotion and the deadline is tomorrow. When we hadn't heard anything by Monday, I told my husband that we needed to trust God and if it didn't happen, we would still trust that God could see our future and not fret.
We left for a short getaway and enjoyed a little quiet time but alas, it was time to get back to reality. As a wife, I pray for my husband and we often ask each other "How can I pray for you today?" I didn't ask this time, I merely asked God to show me how to minister to my husband if the answer was "no." I mean really, to the human eye and for logistics sake, if you're going to have a promotional ceremony, one should have sufficient notice.
We knew today would be the last opportunity and it would be sink or swim. We woke up and as I was having morning coffee, I checked Facebook. It was then that I read what Eva posted:
Lonely? Feling disjointed? Feel like your wandering in the wilderness" Listen for the Lord's voice. Look to His Word, "Look, I am about to do something new. Now it begins to happen! Do you not recognize it? Yes, I will make a road in the desert and paths in the wilderness." Isaiah 43:19
Yes, He is doing a new thing! At that moment, I resigned to the fact that God is doing a new thing in my life, in my husband's life, in our family's life and with or without this promotion, God would see us through. There has been so much sadness in our life I just really wanted this for him!
My husband left for work like normal and within the hour I got a phone call with these words "It's official, I get promoted tomorrow!" I remembered the words of the Lord in Isaiah. "Look, I am about to do something new!"
That facebook post prompted me to go to that chapter in Isaiah and I was reminded of God's mercy and power. "I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israeal's Creator, your King." [v10] Power! "This is what the Lord says-he who made a way...."[v16] God is not limited by our circumstances. Not by our schedule, ability or deadlines. He who "made a path through the sea, a path through the mighty waters" can and will make a way!
So to my friend Eva I say thank you! Thank you for the encouragement that had our names written all over it. To God I say thank you for using Eva for sharing your word and planting the seed that was harvested when it landed in our hearts!
I look forward to the new things God has planned for us.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in tbe wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 [NIV]
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