Monthly Archives: May 2014

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Choose Your Way

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What looks like the easy way, the way out, the way up, isn’t always the right way. That path strewn with flowers, smooth as a baby’s behind, you know the one that looks sunny and bright, may not be the path that you need to take. In fact most often, in the long run, it isn’t easy at all.

The paths we choose can’t be based on what they look like. We can never rely on our natural senses. The roughest looking road may be exactly the one God would have us walk. I often use the analogy out of the Disney movie “Beauty and the Beast.” There is a place where Bell’s father is faced with two paths. One looks lovely and the other is shrouded in darkness, there is an evil looking mist, and some scary looking trees. The horse is the only one who seems to have any sense, and in our hearts we are screaming “take the sunny path!” However, if we watch the scene through, the path he took was the right path to lead us to our happy ending. It is the same with us. Be led by God, not by our fears, anxiety, or laziness.

So why would God want us to take the road that is less traveled? Is it because He wants us to suffer and fight every step of the way? No. Those pits, road blocks, speed bumps, and glare ice have all been put there by our enemy. He wants to stop us from advancing. That’s how we know we are on the right road. Why would Satan hinder our path to Hell? He hinders our walk to the Abundant Life, the road that leads us into a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father. Our enemy doesn’t just try to impede our way, he also tries to distract us from the path. If he can get us to step off of the path, to try an “easier” way, or to completely suck us in by that sunny little path that leads straight to that beautiful oasis. You know, the one that leads to the sunny beach with a life of ease. Don’t be fooled that life is a mirage! All that glitters is not gold!

So why doesn’t God just sweep our paths clear? After all, He is all powerful. Because He knows what is best for us. He sees what’s up ahead. He knows the people we will influence, the trust and strength we will gain. Simply put, He wants us to be led by His Spirit, to learn to trust and rely on Him. In reality, we will never know how many obstacles He has removed! I know that He has protected me so many times. I put myself in some pretty dangerous situations when I wasn’t living for Him, and He brought me through them all. How much more protection do you think I have now that I have committed my way to Him? There are angels guarding around me at all times. I am confident that they have carried me up an over many pits and snares. God knows we need His strength. That’s why Jesus promised to never leave us nor forsake us. Matthew 28:20 (God’s Word Translation), Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. “And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.”

There were many times in my life when I was tempted to “take the easy way.” I went through things that weren’t easy. My teen years were some of the worst. I struggled with self worth, anxiety, and alcohol and drugs. Several times I almost gave into that voice telling me to “end it all.” Though I had left the path God had chosen for me at the time, He still kept me safe. My marriage is another example. We both came into it with issues and at many different times we wanted to “call it quits.” But, we stuck it out. (Granted sometimes in fear or stubbornness, but God turns it all around for our good.) We found some Godly counsel, many times over the years, and finally went through some deliverance. For years we both lived in a messy marriage, but we knew that God’s best for us and our children was to stay together. This summer it will be thirty years since we said our vows. For about the last ten, they have been better than we ever dreamed of! It was all worth it!

Sometimes the way gets rough. We can’t always see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have been known to say, “enough already” and “really?” Those both directed at God. At times in anger, and other times joking with my Father. Thankfully He is patient and forgiving, and He has a sense of humor. Do we always know why we have to walk such a spooky looking path? No. But can we be confident that God is good and He has our back? Yes.

The more we know Him, the more we know His word, the easier this walk gets. Are all the obstacles removed? No, but His word is a light unto our path. We can see them way ahead of time, so we can be built up and strong in the Lord. Whatever you do, keep walking forward. No turning to the left or the right, and for Heaven’s sake, don’t sit down! Never set up camp in a rough spot. Go through! Let His praises be on your lips. Let your heart be full of His joy. That’s where our strength comes from.

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In The Shadow of Your Wings Prayer

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Father,

You have called me in Your unfailing love. Keep me under the shadow of Your wings. Watch over me as I sleep. Let Your word illuminate my path, by day, do that I can clearly see every obstacle in the revealing light of Your truth. Open doors that no man can open and close doors that no man can shut. Anoint me to do Your will. Empower me to walk according to the plans and purposes You have for my life. Go before me as my shield. Follow behind as my rearguard. Wherever my feet tread today, give it to me as a portion of my inheritance. My desire is to bring Glory to You, Lord, in all I do this day.

Amen

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Being a Woman of God

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God has placed wonderful callings on women. He has called us to be nurturers, homemakers, teachers, sisters, daughters, wives, mothers, and grandmothers. Special traits, talents, and gifts have been placed in each one of us to make a difference in the lives of others. God put them there. He gave according to the plan He has for us. The road He has mapped out for each one of us is like no other. No two are the same. We each have to walk out our own path in our own ways. Because we are women, we aren’t afraid to ask for help, or to ask for direction. We build relationships easier than men.

There is a lot of talk about being part of a “brotherhood,” a common term is “a band of brothers.” I think the men of the Kingdom of God need that! For the most part we women have already had it. If we don’t let our lives get too busy and bog us down, if we don’t let Satan distract us.

Let’s look at a few scriptures about women:

Titus 2:3-5 (NLT), “ Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. So that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”

1 Timothy 3:11 (NLT) “ In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.”

There is something for all of us to do in the body of Christ! We can teach each other so much. We can encourage one another and impart some wisdom. We are to love our husbands and children, be sensible, pure, do our work at home, be kind, and stay submitted to our husbands, as the head of the house. Notice that there are a few things we aren’t supposed to do as well. Both verses talk about slander and malicious talk. Women tend to love gossip. Stay away from that. I even think you should stay away from those “Reality shows” and tabloid magazines, sometimes even Yahoo news. They are all about revealing the unsavory parts of someone’s life. Don’t be a part to that, even if it is just watching it. We also need to stay sober, honor God, and not dishonor the word.

Our roll as mothers:

Proverbs 29:15 (KJV), “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame.”

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV), “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (ESV), “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Sometimes as mothers, we want to leave all the discipline to our husbands. I think that as parents we have to show an undivided front. We both need to be part of this process. Remember disciplining is not the same as punishment. In disciplining our child, we teach them. We don’t leave them to their own devices. Foolishness is bound up in their hearts! Their ways are crazy and sometimes dangerous. So we put boundaries, expect them to respect them, and then give a consequence if they do not, and sometimes that rod of correction needs to meet their seat of understanding! It works. The best way to “train up a child” is to set a Godly example. Even if our kids are grown, there are other people’s kids that are watching us. When we mess up, fess up. Be real. Don’t use that as an excuse to vent and apologize, but we all make mistakes. Notice it doesn’t say “yell and scream at your child and expect them to change.” We deal calmly with anyone we need to correct. Sometimes we may have to raise our voice to get their attention, but losing control of our own emotions isn’t teaching them self-discipline.

Our roll as wives/helpmates:

Proverbs 31:10-30 (ESV), “An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”

The Proverbs woman takes care of her man, her children, and her servants. I love that she has servants. That means she has money. She, unlike modern women, doesn’t work outside of the home. However, she does work. She oversees her household, delegating tasks. Then she sells her wares that she has made with her own hands, buys property and is NOT stressed about the future. She lives in a way that people notice, for good, and her family can be proud of her. How many of us have had our children tell us, or have overheard a conversation where they are bragging on us? Doesn’t that just do something in a mother’s heart? Or what about a heartfelt show of appreciation from our husbands? Those are reasons enough to live right, but pleasing God is even higher on the list. Let’s face it, more often than not, our days aren’t filled with praise and appreciation. Most days our toils go unnoticed or taken for granted. On those days, remind yourself that you are doing it for the Lord, and that no matter what, the day will come when your family will notice and be grateful. On our 25 wedding anniversary, we celebrated by renewing our vows and having a reception at our Church. As we were leaving (first time I didn’t stay and help clean up after a Church function) my daughter came running out to the car, crying, and was able to choke out something like this, “I just wanted to say that I am so thankful that the two of you stayed together all of these years and were such great examples of love to me.” It may take years, but they do notice.

Being a woman is a gift! I love being a woman. We can be girlie-girls, love makeup and clothes, and we can be strong and courageous, defending our family like a mama bear. God has gifted us, anointed us, and ordained us as women. We aren’t competing with men, despite what the “women’s liberation” group may try to convince us of. We work along side them, as help mates. Together as a team, we work the work of the Kingdom. Do men sometimes get paid more? Yes. Do they sometimes get more recognition? Yes. Is that really important to the Kingdom? NO! Use the gifts God gave you, to the best of your ability, and don’t worry about the rest. God has your back.

Be thankful! And be blessed