Tag Archives: Christ

The First 100 Days – day 11 – I want to be like Mike!

Do you remember the commercials years ago where everyone wanted to be like Michael Jordan?
The Original:

The Remix:

Ok, what does that have to do with the Bible? Or a 50 year old, 5’2″, 250 pound me?
This quote:

I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. ~Michael Jordan

or this quote:

If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. ~Michael Jordan

Michael was looked over in his sophomore year for basketball. He was 5’11’ and deemed too short to play.(Wikipedia) He eventually grew to 6’6″.

I’ve read that he spent hours practicing foul shots.  I can’t find that right now, but the point is, Michael Jordan is what he is because of talent AND tough practice. And he was practicing before anyone even though the was good enough.

Real sports practices are tough. Just ask any football player doing “three-a-day’s” in August heat! My husband says they come home beat…then turn around and go back.  Why? Because they want to be the best.

I know the girls I coached in soccer didn’t like the running around the fields, after school…even in the cold and wet.  But it paid off in our 1-8 record! Ok, so I was given the unwanted team, the under-dogs, under trained, under provided for, and made fun of at every game. We won our last game…against the top team.  Why? Because we practiced.  We trained.  We talked soccer before the game, during the game, after the game, and of course, at practices.  Those girls were never so happy, as when they were jumping up and down, on that cold day, having won, their one and only game.  Priceless. No one grew up to be a Mia Hamm, but I pray that victory stayed with those girls forever.

Exodus 31:1-5 Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts–to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.

God chose someone – filled them with the Spirit of God – to be creative, to have talent.

Ex 31:6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:

KJV says it this way: And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

Then Moses went back and said – Hey Bez and Aholiab…God says you know what you’re doing, so you’re gonna oversee and build all the stuff for the Holiest place on earth!(Ex 35:30-35)

Who, ME? God called me out by name?Um, people have died when He called out their names!

The creative force upon the water in Gen 1:2 was poured out upon men.

Ex 36:2(NIV) says this Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.

God even included those that were willing to do the work….just hold that thought.

God put within Bezaleel and Oholiab(Aholiab) special wisdom by His Spirit to be able to do special tasks for HIS Kingdom.  Skills, ability and knowledge have been placed within these two for the glory of God.  But where had they been practicing these skills? In Egypt!

Matthew Henry doesn’t believe that any Israelites would have been used to perform this special work in Egypt…so, therefore, it was a supernatural impartation. But when Aaron created the golden calf, he had some sort of engraving tools and knew how to do so.  So, in my humble opinion, I believe that these men learned their skills at the hands of the Egyptians, who would not have desired to do such lowly tasks as creating the furnishings for themselves.  They had slaves to do that.  This does NOT deny the fact that giftings are imparted by the Holy Spirit.  Only that some giftings come from the heat and pressures of life.

In Germany, the Jews continued to do the special crafts under the iron fists of the Nazis.  In America, slaves did the elaborate sewing for the women of the plantations. In Africa, the slaves work with the diamonds from the mines. In a German cell, Dietrich Bonhoffer wrote his beautiful memoirs.

WE are the diamonds that God is working on.  WE are HIS workmanship, WE are His crowning glory of creation. A naive person cannot be considered wise, because they are prevented from knowing the wisdom that comes from knowledge and choices.  A diamond does not become a diamond, unless it goes through heat, fire, and pressure.

My husband has been reading a book called Outliers:The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell.  The book is about how talent really doesn’t matter as much as putting forth the time and effort.  What he’s shared with me has been very interesting. Many of the people we consider greats in our time were people with the time, the opportunity, and the willingness to apply their aptitude to something, and it later turned out great.  Bill Gates is one example.

Through the years of being a slave to Pharoah, Bezaleel learned something, and when the time came, God called upon him and said “build my tabernacle”.  And he did.  And he oversaw and taught others to do the same.  The sad thing? Bezaleel never entered the promised land, and of course, never saw the Temple(built much, much later).

I have a friend who has suffered with many things in her life.  She is an amazing artist.  I know that there were years where she was housebound, a slave to her physical issues.  On Feb 6, 2011, she has an art show.  God has blessed her with talent, and I’m sure that her time in that slavery had an impact on her art.

Beethoven was deaf.

Michelangelo went nearly blind painting the Sistine Chapel.

Though my struggles with slavery to trauma, tragedy, and terror, I learned to paint.  People have said that God has given me this talent, and I assume that would indicate God putting His Spirit upon me.

  • I can’t jump like Mike.
  • I can’t run like Eric Liddell.
  • I can’t kick like Mia Hamm.
  • I can’t write music like Handel, Mozart or Beethoven.
  • I can’t paint upside down like Michaelangelo, and
  • I am not a skilled scientist like Leonardo DaVinci.

But I can do what God has given me.

Matthew 25 starts with the tale of the foolish virgins.  They all had oil to begin with, but five foolish ones didn’t do what it took to have oil to take them all the way through the night.

Then, the parable of the talents.  Each person was given something, and told to make something of it before the master returned.  No one knew when the master would return.

When the lacking virgins returned, they were late to the wedding, and the bridegroom said: But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.(Mat 25:12)

moral? Matt 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

What happened with the servant that just hid his master’s coin in the ground?

  • Matt 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant,
  • Matt 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents.
  • Matt 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

That is a high price to pay for not cultivating the talents that God has given me.  Did you hold the thought about those willing to do the work? Here’s where that comes in.   It is my heart’s desire to hear a different phrase from my master when He comes.

Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.(Matt 25:23)

The ones that did the work were blessed AND ENTERED INTO THE MASTER’S/BRIDEGROOMS JOY!

Bezaleel died with the others in the 40 years wandering. He never entered into the physical promised land.  I don’t know if he’s in heaven or not, but we know that only two lived to go into the promised land – Joshua and Caleb.  I can’t imagine working with my hands to create the home of God here on earth, and not following through to get to see the promised land.  Well, actually, yes, I can.

I have hidden the talents that God has given me for long enough. I painted one painting that stands out, and then I basically stopped.

This year is about coming out of the darkness, and bringing things into the Light.  But, like Mike & Eric Liddell, I need to acknowledge that God has given me gifts.  AND like Mike and Eric, I need to practice the talent God has given me.  I believe that Bezaleel was chosen because he was given a talent by God, and he had practiced it, and was skilled when the time came to create for the temple.  I believe that every one of us has a talent.  What’s your talent?  Is it still hiding under a bushel?

Shine down Your light on Me! ~ Sandi Patti

Thanks for joining me on this journey!

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only Wise God our Savior be glory and honor, dominion and power both now and ever. Amen. Jude 24-25

  1. 100 days challenge – moving – check
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 90 days Bible Reading – check-tackling Numbers
  4. 50 days T-Tapp – check
  5. 21 days Fasting for Food – check – I made lentil soup!

The First 100 days – day 10 – Mighty

I just realized it would have been neat to do something about the number of the day…”today is day 10, let’s talk about the 10 plagues…oh wait, let’s talk about the 10 commandments, instead!”

That’s not what is on my heart today.  Today I awoke with the scripture “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty.”  That’s all I got.  Over and over and over.

Zeph 3:17 KJV The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Sounds good, eh? But, to get the gist of what Zephaniah was prophesying, I thought I’d read the whole book, all 3 chapters! And, I did it in English Standard Version, so I didn’t get stuck on the KJV terms.

Zeph 1:2 & 6 ESV “I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD…. those who have turned back from following the LORD, who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.”

Zeph 1:7 & 14 ESV Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the LORD is near; the LORD has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests….The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there.

And the cry to the true followers:

Zeph 2:1-3 ESV Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect —before the day passes away like chaff–before there comes upon you the burning anger of the LORD, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the LORD. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.

A Warning to those that are supposed to be believers:

Zeph 3:1-2 & 4 ESV Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city! She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God. Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law.

To those that are supposed to know Him, and don’t….

Zeph 3:5 ESV The LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.

God gave His believers a chance, with His word, with His touches in our lives, with His Son, Jesus Christ:

Zeph 3:7 ESV I said, ‘Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you.’ But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt.

Zeph 3:8-20 Is for those that have not turned their hearts away from God – it is His promise for His coming Kingdom after the Tribulation.  And then, there is joy.

Zeph 3:14-15 ESV Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.

And then – here’s the verse:

Zeph 3:17 ESV –

  • The LORD your God is in your midst,
  • a mighty one who will save;
  • he will rejoice over you with gladness;
  • he will quiet you by his love;
  • he will exult over you with loud singing.

And, the Creator of the Universe, the one that made me, that set laws into motion, that decreed behavior that would honor Him, and gave the only pathway to eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ, after having fought all that were my enemies says he’ll do this:

Zeph 3:18 ESV I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach.

I really embrace this one!

Zeph 3:19 ESV Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.

Change my shame? into praise? save the lame? gather the outcast?  I represent this promise! I’ll take this one, too!

Zeph 3:20 ESV At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the LORD.

I don’t know about this one…I have no fortune to be restored…but I know where my treasures are laid up! The promise is that while life here is hard, there is a better day.  The promise is that the Lord will return, just as surely as the ones hearing this prophecy knew that Jesus was coming. He came first as the servant King, to deliver us from our sins, so that we could choose to heed this exhortation:

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

ESV- He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

NLT No, O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

It is hard for me to imagine, the God of the universe doing this for me: Zeph 3:17 ESV –

  • The LORD your God is in your midst,
  • a mighty one who will save;
  • he will rejoice over you with gladness;
  • he will quiet you by his love;
  • he will exult over you with loud singing.

I can hardly speak at this thought…..I can only imagine….

If you like the song – please support the band Mercy Me – I have.

1 The 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

I told the Lord, no one wants to read such a downer of a blog. He said “write it.”

I told the Lord, no one would read this blog, and He sent me to 1 Thes 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The Lord’s return is closer now than it was in Jesus’ day or  Paul’s day – and the world is fulfilling all of the prophecies.  But, we can be encouraged that the God of all creation has chosen each of us, and as long as we are on God’s side…His return will be like the arrival of the allied forces into the concentration camps of Nazi Germany.  Rejoice!

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To the Only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

Thank you for joining me on this journey,

…show me that God was right…and leave a comment here, saying you read this.

…and please, if you think this is relevant, share it with others…we need to gather the faithful, and to strengthen one another in Christ.

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing beneath the shadow of your wings.

  1. 100 days challenge – moving – check
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 90 days Bible Reading – check
  4. 50 days T-Tapp – check
  5. 21 days Fasting for Food – check.

The First 100 days – day 7- Messed UP!

As part of our choice to remove the darkness and run toward the light, we made some commitments for the first part of the year.

One was to put no evil thing before our eyes, as David vowed:

Ps 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:

Solomon had something to say about it:

Prov 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Well, we decided to watch a movie…and I am not saying that everyone should stop watching movies…though, if we are honest, how many of them fit the above criteria? My purpose for this example is OUR commitment to not put any wicked thing before our eyes – a 30 day fast to see what has a hold on us, and what helps us to grow closer to the Lord. And, we MESSED UP!  We even messed up our schedule – we stayed up way past midnight to watch a series of movies that did not glorify the Lord!

I felt so bad…and the visuals I had to deal with were, well, wicked. And I cried out for forgiveness.  I can’t get those hours back.  I can’t stop my memory from working, but I can ask God to wash away the sin, and cleans me.

Ex 29 is the consecration of the priests – through Aaron.

  1. First, they are washed with water – in the door of the tent of meeting…Public confession of uncleanness. Ex 29:4
  2. Then, they were given special garments for worship. Ex 29:5
  3. Then, they were given crowns(mitres) upon their heads Ex 29:6
  4. Then, they were anointed with oil(Ex 29:7)
  5. And then, the sacrifice:

Exodus 29:10-14

  • 10 “Bring the bull to the front of the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.
  • 11 Slaughter it in the Lord’s presence at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
  • 12 Take some of the bull’s blood and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest of it at the base of the altar.
  • 13 Then take all the fat around the inner parts, the covering of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar.
  • 14 But burn the bull’s flesh and its hide and its offal outside the camp. It is a sin offering.

I know that Jesus was the perfect sin sacrifice.

  • The priests put their hands on Him.
  • He was publicly flogged, though he needed no cleansing.
  • He was publicly killed, though he did no wrong.
  • His blood flowed out, to pay the price for MY sins.

Heb 9:13-14 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

There is nothing I can do to wash away my sins, Ps 51 cries out for forgiveness…I need to

  • come with the sacrifice of a contrite heart(Ps 51:17)
  • wash myself with public confession (I confess here)
  • put on the garment that Christ has purchased for me
  • and receive the cleansing blood of Jesus
  • And I am allowed to enter into the presence of GOD!!!

Leviticus 16 talks about the ‘holy garments’

Isaiah 61:3 says that part of the reason Jesus came was:

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

This is what Jesus read, when HE announced His ministry as told in Luke 14:8. But there’s more.  When the perfect sacrifice came – He came to:

  • The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me
  • to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to
  • bind up the brokenhearted,
  • to proclaim liberty to the captives,
  • and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;
  • To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
  • and the day of vengeance of our God;
  • to comfort all that mourn;
  • To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,
  • to give unto them beauty for ashes,
  • the oil of joy for mourning,
  • the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
  • that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. (Is 61:1-3)

Sacrifices for our sins was NOT for us to feel guilty, and mope and be in fear…it was to release us from bondage, to proclaim that we belong to the LORD, to cloth us with praise, anoint us with the oil of Joy, and to plant us, to root us into the Vine so that we may produce eternal fruit – with great joy!

Forgiveness is a JOYFUL thing!

  • I messed up.
  • I was sorry to disappoint my Abba
  • I asked for forgiveness, washed with my tears
  • He gave it immediately, totally, and completely.
  • He washed me, so that I am whiter than snow!

Is 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Eph 5:25-27 even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

1Pet 1:17- 21 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

If you want to learn more about the beauty of the grace of Christ’s sacrifice, I recommend reading Romans chapters 5 & 6. But I do want to point out that just because we have grace, and forgiveness, it does not give us a license to sin.

Rom 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

The joy that there is a sacrifice does not trump the fact that I belong to God, and if I love Him, I will (attempt to) keep His commandments.(John 15:10; 1 John 2:3; 1 John5:2-3;)

Jesus said it so simply :

John 14:15 KJV If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:15 NIV “If you love me, you will obey what I command.

This is not to burden us, but to release us from the burden of sin.  Christ’s yoke is…well, here’s how Jesus said it:

Matt 11:28-30 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

His commands are not heavy, nor burdensome. Bearing the correct yoke makes all of life easier, and even a joy.

John 14:21(NIV) Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

What greater joy to know that even though we are inclined to fall, we have a safety net.  While 1 John 2:1 says IF any of you sin…we all know in our hearts that we are going to mess up.  We try and try, but we keep stumbling like a toddler learning to walk.  God knew this.

The priests had to go through washing, and stuff every time they went into the tabernacle, or temple.  Over and over again.

We are the temple of the Holy Ghost – but we need to get washed up on a daily, sometimes minute by minute basis!  But here’s a promise I am so glad a friend shared with me:

“For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee: Fear Not, I will help thee!” Is 41:13

It is preceded by another great declaration promise by the Lord:

“Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Is 41:10

With God on my side, ready to complete the work He began in me, I can rest within my Yoke of Jesus, I can be at peace beneath the burden that Jesus puts upon me.

“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the glory of His presence with exceeding joy, The only Wise God and our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power now and ever. Amen.” Jude 24-25

Thanks for joining me on this journey, and remember to keep your lights shining on the hill where your heart lives!

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

  1. 100 days challenge – moving – check
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 90 days Bible Reading – check
  4. 50 days T-Tapp – check
  5. 21 days Fasting for Food – check.

The First 100 Days – day 6(94 left to go)

Yesterday’s readings were in Exodus. Exodus 1- 15.

Ex 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

The background is that God chose this man before he was born (Ps 139:13-16) as He does all of us.

Jer 1:4-5 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Moses is a type of Christ.

  • Born in troubling times.
  • Had to be hidden from those that would kill him
  • Taken to a pagan culture to grow
  • Jesus jumped the gun when he was 12
  • Moses jumped the gun when he killed the Egyptian
  • When revealed, his country turned on him.
  • Jesus spent 30 years in obscurity.
  • Moses spent 40 years on the other side of the mountain.
  • Moses delivered his people from the slavery of Pharoah
  • Jesus delivered His people from the slavery and penalty of sin
  • Moses was prophesied by Jacob and Joseph
  • Jesus was prophesied by, well, the Old Testament!
  • John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

But Moses doubted his calling, even with a burning bush, heavenly voices, and all that.  He told God he couldn’t do it.

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I [am] not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I [am] slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. (Ex 4:10)

Likewise, Jeremiah, after hearing God’s words, said:

Jer 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.

Even Jesus questioned before His ministry started. When Jesus was told to turn water into wine for a family wedding, he turned and told His mother “it’s not my time yet.”( John 2:4)

Other examples:

  • We have Jonah, and
  • Abraham and Sarah,
  • Peter,
  • Hosea,

and so many others that didn’t feel like they were up to the job.  Even Jesus struggled with His ultimate calling:

Mark 14:34 – 42 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

AND THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE:

And he said, Abba, Father, all things [are] possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Each of us feels weak to do what God has called us.  Isn’t it interesting that we can think we are good at something, but that may not be what God has called us to do? Or what God has called us to do, we don’t feel good enough to do it?

In response to our questions, our doubts, our fears God says:

Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Ex 4:11

And then, he lets us know that He is not going to leave us alone:

Ex 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

Jer 1:7-8 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Even Jesus was encouraged by His Father before going to the cross on the Mount of Transfiguration:

Matt 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Whatever God is asking us to do, He had a plan before we were born for us to perform it.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Whatever skills God is asking us to use, He created them within us, when he hand made our mouth, eyes, ears, hands and whatever else we may consider a liability.  These are marks of GOD’s ownership of us…these are what make us special.  And our weakness, disabilities, handicaps, whatever, give Him the greater glory when His works are done.

1 Cor 12:9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

If we could do it in our own strength – what glory is there for God? The greater glory, is when we give it all to the Lord, rest in Him, and just go with the flow.

1 Tim 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Moses delivered a lot of people…because he walked with God. Moses talked with God. Along life’s narrow way.  And now he knows that:

He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart…..

You ask me how I know He lives,

He lives within my heart!

Here’s another:

Because He lives – by ignighter

And that is the point…If Jesus lives within our hearts, then we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us! (Phil 4:13)

And, we are called to be the light of the world.

Moses brought the children of Israel out of the darkness of Egypt.

Jesus brought the children of God out of the darkness of sin.

We are to give light in the darkness to call others to Him.

Shine your lights! Polish those lenses! Make white your robes, for your redemption draws nigh! Thanks for joining me on my journey.

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

  1. 100 days challenge – moving – check
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 90 days Bible Reading – check
  4. 50 days T-Tapp – check
  5. 21 days Fasting for Food – check.

The First 100 Days – day 4

In the secret
in the quiet place
in the stillness You are there
in the secret
in the quiet hour i wait
only for You
‘cuz i want to know you more

i want to know you
i want to hear your vioce
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more

i am reaching for the highest goal
that i might receive the prize
pressing onward
pushing every hindrance aside
out of my way
‘cuz i want to know you more

i want to know you
i want to hear your voice
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more

I”m confused by the SonicFlood Version – talking about quiet place, and it’s SO LOUD and Fast!

But the Words…

I want to know you, I want to hear your voice…this is my heart cry! I want to touch you, I want to see your face, I want to know you more.

I’ve been thinking about Psalm 91 this morning…

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

DWELLS – an action – a choice to dwell in the secret place, and THEN we will ABIDE under the shadow of the Almighty.  But FIRST we must choose to DWELL there.

I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

SAY – I will SAY – ALL of Christianity has to do with confession.

Rom 10:8 – 10 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The rest of Ps 91 is a confession of faith in God, until you get to verses 14 – 16. This is God Almighty, Yahweh, Jehovah, Abba, talking:

Because he(me) hath set his(my) love upon me(Abba),therefore will I(Abba) deliver him(me):I(Abba) will set him(me) on high, because he(I) hath known my(Abba’s) name.

He(I) shall call upon me(Abba), and I(Abba) will answer him(me): I(Abba)will be with him(me) in trouble; I(Abba) will deliver him(me), and honour him(me).

With long life will I(Abba) satisfy him(me), and shew him(me) my(Abba’s) salvation.

I have responsibility to seek God’s face! Seeking is another post.

But, I have to choose to be in the secret place, I have to choose to abide in the vine, I have to choose to SAY HE IS MY GOD – my refuge, my strength.

Jesus said, in Matthew 10:32-33

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

This really lays down how important it is to confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and to say of our God, He is our refuge and strength(a very present help in trouble – another psalm!).

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and may God bless you for doing so!

Jesus is Lord, He is my God, my refuge and strength, and I choose to seek His face, and dwell in the secret place, and desire to abide in His glory.

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Please consider sponsoring Christi in Fasting for Food at $21 for the 21 day fast.  All money goes to Compassion.


The First 100 days – day 3

Day 3.

  • Already lost the notes I wrote for Day 2.
  • morning time was filled with sleep, then rush to deliver the trailer
  • Jim and I have headaches from the lack of caffeine – based on the fasting for food.
  • the sunny day turned gray…
  • my ankle hurts more and more in the likelihood of tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • I can’t remember much about the techie things I now own

Phil 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

I really dislike that verse. But, I know that God put things in the Bible for a reason…like this verse:

2Tim3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Both of these verses end with an (:).  That means, there’s more to it. and both of the ‘more to it’ seem to point to the same thing:

2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Phil 2:15 – 16 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Jim and I have been called to focus on LIGHT this year. And these ‘silly’ scriptures make out murmuring and disputing as activities that would hamper our lights.

In Genesis, Esau complained, and lost his birthright.   Sarai complained about not having a baby, got Hagar mixed up in it, then got mad at Hagar, and complained having her get special favor with God, then brought her back, then after having her own son, complained that Hagar’s son was illegitimate (duh, whose idea was that?) and had them sent out…and guess what.  We have the Arab-Israeli conflict that is causing trouble all over the world.  All because Sarah complained!

We are doing the Fasting For Food program, to raise funds for Compassion, and really become aware of how much we complain about what really is ridiculous.

  • grumble – I can’t have pop – Tesfaye may not have water!
  • murmur – I can’t have meat – Rosa lives on grains
  • disputing – I have liberty in Christ! reality – many go hungry, thirsty, cold because they have nothing.

Paul said: Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.

Timothy said: 1 Tim 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

The writer of Hebrews said: Heb 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

And Jesus said: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof. Matt 6:33-34

If I am content, seeking first the Kingdom, trying to walk in the fruit of the Spirit (which doesn’t include murmuring OR disputing), then I am alright with God. The promises include:

  • may be perfect
  • thoroughly furnished unto all good works
  • blameless
  • harmless
  • sons of God
  • without rebuke
  • shining as lights in this dark world
  • holding forth the word of life.

All for not murmuring or disputing.  All for being content with what God has laid before me.  All for hearkening to His word!  Oh yeah – Deut 28 has some great lists for hearkening or not!  Great to read at the beginning of this year!

  1. 100 days of movement – I drove a truck with a trailer!
  2. 90 days of Bible – caught up!
  3. 21 days of Fasting for Food – today, in honor of Tesfaye

Thanks for listening!

In His hands and under His Wings,

~Christi

To sponsor me for Fasting for Food, go to FirstGiving and follow the links! Thank you!

The First 100 days – day 2

Already, I’m delusional. I am sure I wrote this somewhere, and I cannot find it, so I am going to reproduce it today.

Day 2 of my Bible reading led me to Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

What could be more impossible than bringing life into and from the grave of an old woman’s womb?

  • God becoming man?
  • Raising Christ from the dead?
  • Forgiving the sins of perpetual sinners?

Isaac was a type of Christ.

But, to Sarah, God asks, is anything too hard for the Lord? and the answer was, a baby!

To Mary, talking about Elizabeth being pregnant, the angel says

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 KJV/BLB

When Jesus was explaining what the choices were, what the expectations were about His followers, His disciples asked “who then can be saved?” and His answer was:

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27 KJV/BLB

There are a few other references to Impossible –

Hebrews 6:4 and 18, but my favorite is Heb 11:6:

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We are responsible to walk in faith – and that pleases God! But faith is impossible for us to have on our own…. Eph 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Who gets this faith? everyone – Rom 12:3

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

A Promise out of a Rebuke: Matthew 17:20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Therefore, we are responsible to some extent for our faith growth…and we even have that answer! Rom 10:17

So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I am able to do anything when I am walking in faith… faith that has grown by hearing, and hearing the word of God.  It is first a gift, then it is my responsibility to nourish it and water it, and cause it to grow.  And in these last times, is there anything to difficult for God? And the only thing making things too difficult for me is my unbelief, so says Jesus.

May God find grace to pour out upon me, as I have laughed at things He has put before me.  I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me! Phil 4:13

Now on to day 3!

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

The First 100 days – Day 1

In addition to the 100 day of movement, 90 days of Bible Reading, 21 days of Daniel Fast for Compassion, I have also committed to Beth Moore’s 24 Bible verses in a year.
Living Proof Ministries

Today, I sat by a lake.
Today, I stopped thinking about the verses I should memorize.

I woke up in the middle of the night, 12/31/2010 or 1/1/2011…I don’t really know. The verse that spoke loudly to me, loud enough to wake me was this:
Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Ps 119:105
We have been convicted that we are to choose LIGHT and LIFE this year, rather than Darkness and Death.

We have been convicted to remove anything that is darkness, does not conform to the image of Christ, does not help us to grow in the image of Christ, and does not bring health to our bones, from our lives.

Genesis 1:16 & 18
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also.
And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good.
Gen 1:16 KJV/BLB

We are the lesser lights(the moon), living in the darkness of this world, and we are to shine our light (reflection of the Greater Light, the sun/Son) in the darkness.

So, this is our theme this year:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 KJV/BLB

My memory verse:

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Jude 24-25 KJV/BLB

I’m totally blessed with what the Lord has set for me…I’m ready for the challenge.

Daniel Fast starts tomorrow, 1/2/11
100 days of moving – check
T-Tapp – 2 sets Hoe Downs – Check
90 days Bible – Gen 1-16 – check
100 days of Journaling – check

In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. Ps 63:7 NIV/BLB

Have I lost my FREEDOM?

This is based on a conversation I was having online with some friends, based on how the first time we do something, we seem to be able to choose to say yes easier, and it’s harder once we slip.

One person asked, did we lose our freedom? Here’s my comments:

Theologically, we have not ‘lost’ our freedom, because Jesus said ‘it is finished’ when He completed the work on the cross.
Obviously we are not free from our flesh – because we are here, not in our resurrected bodies with Christ!

I am so thankful to be going through this with you all  because you all have a heart for the Lord based on the promises in His word.  YOU GET IT!

We can call gluttony what it is – sin. Put a knife to your throat rather than eat the King’s dainties.

Proverb 23 KJV/BLB

We can call procrastination what it is – laziness, go to the ant thou sluggard!
Proverb 6:6 KJV/BLB

We can encourage each other to get back up, brush yourself off, and start all over again (another ant theme).
High Hopes

I’ve read so many posts in the last few minutes, I don’t remember which one said ‘doing it on our own’ –
Ever notice how there is a gift of grace and mercy waiting when you first get angry at someone?  Well, for me it works this way.  I am given a choice – and it’s like I’m on a fence, and I could fall either way – one way into the fire of anger and hurt, and the other into the cushioned arms of the Lord.  But if I choose the Lord’s side, I don’t get to defend myself!  I don’t get to give them a piece of my mind!  It took years, yeeeaaarrrrrsssss, to get to that point in my walk, that before I sinned, I could see the choices.

This year, doing T-Tapp with ya’ll has made the choices more obvious for me.  Sit in the recliner(my ankle/foot/hip hurts) or get out the chair and the dvd and do something that might get something moving.
Or worse: sit on the recliner and watch stupid movies to distract my brain from the pain, rather than reading God’s word, listening to His music, and entering into His presence.  yeah, I’ve been a wimp…a wheelchair wimp – even when I haven’t been in the wheelchair!

The veil has been torn open.  We all see clearly what our sin/s is/are, and now we have a choice. Like the alcoholic has to choose, sometimes minute by minute…I choose life, not death; I choose health, not death; I choose breath, not death.

A dear friend wrote something on her FB status that goes like this:
“I’m living the next five minutes
like they were my last five minutes
’cause I know the next five minutes
may be all I have.
After the next five minutes
turn into the past five minutes
I’m taking the next five minutes
and starting all over again!”

What can you do with five minutes?

What excuse would you give for adultery?
What excuse would you give for stealing?
What excuse would you give for child abuse?
What excuse would you give for murder?

I have spent 20+ years making excuses for my health – and undermining God’s plan for my body.  I have been fighting God with my eating!!!

I have been fighting God with some of my personal issues.
I have been fighting God with my choices to not fall off the fence on His side.  While there is a scripture that says “if they’re not against me, they are for me” – there is another that says ” if they are not for me(or with me) they are against me.”

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:30 KJV/BLB

One was because those that had heard, but weren’t of the ‘organized’ followers were baptizing…and Jesus didn’t have a problem with it.

The other is Jesus speaking about being part of HIS flock, and being of His Spirit and lists those that are not with God as his enemies.

I do not want to be any where near a place that I could be called an enemy of God.  I want to stay WAY WAY away from that line!
I also don’t want to be one of the foolish virgins…not prepared, not able to wait because they ran out of oil(juice, fuel, energy).

This year, T-Tapp and diet are taking on a whole new spiritual dimension for me.
AND IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!  YES YOU!!! (my dear T-Tapp Sisters)
Thank you –  for being with me, so that when I have fallen on the wrong side of the fence, ya’ll are there to remind me, 1John1:9 KJV/BLB – come on back up on the fence and try again.
We HAVE a high priest that is familiar with our weaknesses – AND He stands before the throne of God so that IF any of us sins, He is the propitiation of our sins.

God knew it all along – and from the supernatural prophetically fulfilled birth of the baby Godman, all the way to Calvary, and His resurrection – God had a plan.  And just like with the intricate detail in fulfilling every prophecy about Christ’s birth…he is fulfilling every intricate detail of our lives, as He had planned from before time began.  AND He has planned everything down to the tiniest detail, to fulfill the volume of the book!  Rom 8:28 is followed by some great verses!
God does not think we are failures.
God knows what HE has in store for us!
God has provided everything we need to be the glorious temples He intends, we just need to pray, believe, trust, and push past the flesh.

I just got a vision of Eustace, when he was a dragon, because of his greed(glutton is a lot like greed, right?).  He couldn’t cut the dragon flesh off, no matter how hard he tried.  But when he asked Aslan, Aslan slashed through the flesh, and helped him get it off.(Voyage of the Dawn Treader – read the book, I was disappointed in the movie – by Disney).

Anyway – I have a dragon suit of gluttony.  I have tried and tried to get it off of me.  I have tried to do it for Jim, for the kids, for Jesus, for me…and ‘I’ can’t do it.
I need to go humbly to the Lord, EVERY DAY if necessary, and ask Him to deliver me from this fleshly prison.

This is my focus for the next year.
I hope you will all be here with me on this journey.
I love you ladies so much!

~Christi

PS – 1/1/2011 –
In reading Genesis 12, I realized that God blessed Abram BEFORE Abram told Sarai to lie to the Pharoah, and started the whole deception, fleshly attempts for protection and procreation.  God blessed Abram, even though he messed up!

CONVICTION!!!

I am so convicted about not being consistent…I am doing this to get God’s temple in shape…and I keep feeding my flesh instead of feeding my soul.

I don’t finish Bible Studies.
I don’t finish projects.
I don’t finish challenges.
I don’t continue in the good things that I know to do.
I just wallow in the darkness, when I know I can get up and walk in the light!

I am repenting – turning as best I can, and praying for God to help me to endure to the end, mentally, physically and spiritually.  And I pray that 2011 will be the year of break through.

My flesh issues are so indicative of my mind and spirit issues.  I MUST burn this fat to the Lord as a sacrifice of repentance for my lack of constraint.  I must bring my mind into submission to the Word of God.  I must structure my life around the word, and cause my spirit to reign over me, as the Spirit of God has more and more freedom to flow in me.

Anyway – I am trying NOT to feel like  failure.  I am a stumbling child, and my Father knows this, loves me, and is waiting for me to take His hand..minute by minute, step by step.

FWIW,
~Christi