Freedom

Fourth of July is a time to express our gratitude for the freedom we experience in our nation. Appreciation for those who have put their lives in danger are remembered and acclaimed. As fireworks are ignited, bar-b-ques fired up, parades and floats routed, celebration is all possible because of our freedom.

 

As a country, our bill of rights promises us several freedoms: speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. With this liberty we are allowed to pursue careers of our choosing, to live where we desire, and benefit from many amenities other countries may lack. As we watch places in the world where freedom is at risk or being taken away, we have much for which to be grateful. This is national or political freedom.

 

There is also a personal freedom - for the choosing - available to everyone around the world. No matter where we live it is promised to all who have a relationship with Jesus Christ. In the Bible, Galatians 5:1 reminds us: "It was for freedom sake that Christ set us free!" As followers of Christ, we can celebrate our freedom every day!  And what are we freed from? Sin and eternal death. (Romans 8:2) And what are the benefits? Peace, love, intimacy with God, and more.

 

Both national and spiritual freedom carry laws to uphold civility and order. Here on earth armies and police are given authority to keep peace outside of us. As Christians, Christ is our peace internally (Ephesians 2:14). We live by faith and not a legal system that defines our freedom. We submit to the authority of God and surrender to the law of love. Living in His love is peaceable. How blessed I am to be celebrating freedom with our nation, but especially the freedom and peace I have in Christ. I pray this is true for you as well.

 

Matthew 22:37-38: “Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.”  

 

Deeper in the Beatitudes

Beloved, the First Commandment (Matthew 22:37-38) is a priority to God, but really it is to be our response to Him. Mathew 5:19: “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

We may not have thought about that, but everything is prefaced by THE GREATEST LOVE He has for US!  Remember, greatness is determined by Him. “We love because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19. And the Cross is our anchor demonstrating Jesus’ love.

The Beatitudes from the Sermon on The Mount hinge on this foundational scripture. I think we can all agree that we are limited in walking out the first commandment, but The Be-Attitude’s help us understand how to do so. They define the godly character Jesus values, and the Holy Spirit helps us to grow in.

Why do we need to know The Beatitudes? The kingdom lifestyle described by Jesus at the  Mount is all about how we receive God’s blessings as He rules and reigns in our hearts as King and Lord. The Beatitutdes reveal God’s heart and when lived produce good fruit in our lives. Do you desire to know what He likes, loves, and wants? We find it, in part, in Matthew 5. We surely want to be pleasing to God, so there is great reward in pursuing the Be-Attitudes.

It is our responsibility to know, understand, and apply these scriptures. The Beatitudes lifestyle is for today and till the end of time. If you’re like me, I saw the Beatitudes on a surface level only. They confused me, and I focused on only a few in particular. Going deeper I was challenged to go further into their meaning. Let’s examine them together…

The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-11

“And seeing the multitudes, He (Jesus) went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

·         ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (This is being aware of our spiritual need of experiencing more of God’s presence and power in our heart and ministry ) 

·         Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. (This usually manifests itself in prayer but it’s recognizing the gap we feel between what God has for us and what we are experiencing.)

·         Blessed are the meek,  for they shall inherit the earth. (Meekness is power under control. It is a restraint on our spirit that causes us to be aware of our need for wisdom from others.)

·          Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled. (Hunger is key here, to have an appetite for more of Jesus' righteousness, and increase.)

·         Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. (Treating others with a tender spirit when they fail, attack, or disappoint us.)

·          Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. (Treating others with a tender spirit when they fail, attack, or disappoint us.)

·         Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God. (Bringing peace or healing to broken relationships.)

·          Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Bearing the stigma and pressures of standing for righteousness.)

·          Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Beloved, we have gone deeper through these incredible scriptures. I hope your heart and depth of understanding have been increased, and that you are inspired to prayer. I hope that you are motivated by grace to have faith in God for today, your future, and for your part in Jesus' plans. He always carves a path for us to follow because He loves us and wants us to succeed according to Him. Jesus wants YOU to be blessed and GREAT!

Love, Lydia

Prayer

Lord, as I live my life, help me continually keep these Beatitudes in mind and spirit. Help me intentionally live them out. When I fail to do this well,  give me strength to improve as your Holy Spirit strengthens and empowers me. I confess I want this lifestyle to alter my life in such a way as to purify me and cause me to walk in holiness. I desired to be pleasing to you, Jesus, by sharing and living this out the best I am able with your help.

AMEN

The Power of Faith

The Power of Faith

 

Hebrews 11:6 ^(TPT)

“And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who passionately seek him,”

Reading Hebrews 11 and 12, I am amazed at the power of faith.  From Abel to the present day, individuals have faced hardships. Amazingly, the one thing that brought victory and hope to those listed in these chapters was their faith that God was in both the good and bad situations they were in. Here we read of testimony and faith power. These are some of them:

• Abel chose by faith to make an offering that was acceptable to God – the best portions of his firstborn lambs. This instructs us today that obedience through sacrifice pleases God.
• Enoch never died – he just went straight to heaven - because his life was a faith walk that pleased God. He was a living example of trust and obedience powered by faith.
• Noah’s heart welcomed God’s warning. Believing His word in opposition to people of the day, he built an ark that saved his family and future generations while being mocked and scorned.
• Faith motivated Abraham to blindly obey God, even as a migrant traveling through unknown countries. His hope held to a promise of fulfillment for the unknown future. He was willing to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac, because he believed God would fulfill His promise of creating a great nation through him.
• Sarah’s faith through the years rested in the power of God and His faithfulness. Then, at an old age, she conceived and bore Isaac, the child promised by God to her and Abraham.
• Joseph was upheld by his faith in God’s purpose for his life as he was sold into slavery, interpreted dreams, led a godless nation, and prophesied the deliverance of Israel which led to saving the Jewish nation.
•  The parents of Moses believed that he was to be saved and found a way to preserve him for God’s purpose.
• Moses chose beyond what the world could offer. Following God’s will by faith, he led Israel through deliverance and a desert. He was disrespected, rejected, misunderstood, and exhausted while still anticipating and expecting favor and a future reward. Faith even removed his fear of a government official.
•  Faith made it possible for the Hebrews to cross the Red Sea safely and the enemy was destroyed!
• Faith in an unseen God was the basis upon which Rahab, a prostitute, was saved from destruction.
•  Kingdoms were conquered and saved based on the power of faith. It happened and does happen for prophets and ordinary people.                                                                                                
• Many died holding onto their faith without receiving their promise during their lifetime.

Each was able to do this because their hearts were fixed on what was ahead of them: heaven, where being face to face with Jesus.  He was their promise.  Hebrews 11:34 tells us that their “faith imparted power to make them strong.”  In the Aramaic, this is translated as being “restored or healed”.

All throughout the New Testament, we are shown the power of faith as apostles and disciples alike preached the good news. Strength was given to endure, be courageous, to suffer, to minister, to care for others, and so much more. Faith gave them the power they needed to live a life of belief and hope for what was yet to come beyond this world.  They fixed their mind, sight, and anticipation on what was eternal so that they could make it in this life.

If you are feeling weak, worn, and woeful, fix your thoughts, imagination, and hope on a heavenly world with a kingdom of love and life.  It is absent of hate, cruelty, sickness, death, and poverty.  Praise God who has given us the promise of a perfect life with a perfect Father, God, who will reward us for our active faith in Him. 

By Joy Pedersen

A LOOK AT MOTHERING

A LOOK AT MOTHERING

Happy Mother’s Day to all.  Whether your mother is living or has passed away this is a  time to celebrate the handiwork of God. Some women are blessed to raise children given by birth, and some are blessed by giving care to those who need mothering. Whatever your blessing, this is a day to commemorate the heart of a mother designed by God. Each woman contains the ability to mother.  

In May we celebrate motherhood, an honor and privilege created specifically for women.

Father God is revealed by Isaiah as also having the image of mother. It sounds unbelievable that He can identify so personally with the role of mothers. As we read this prophets description of God as a woman in labor (42:14) and as a mother who nurses and comforts her child (66:10-13) this truth is evident. Then Jesus came along and compared God to a mother hen who gathers her children under the safety of her wings (Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34).

Even as a small girl, I recall caring for my dolls as I rocked, fed, protected, sang to, played with, and talked to my ‘children’. Mother did these things with me, and I mimicked the activity and love. I think of Deborah as a mature woman given the position of mothering the nation of Israel. Judges 5:7 tells us that: “Deborah took command, protecting Israel as a mother protects her children”. She mimicked the image God showed to a nation. These character qualities of God were passed on us. As we fulfill the role of mothering for those who need protection, comfort, safety, food, and other provisions, God is on display for others see and believe in His love and care. 

As you celebrate this created role here in May, give thanks for those who have tended to your needs spiritually and emotionally, forgive those who have failed you personally as mothers, pray for those who are searching for fulfillment through a loving mother, and bless the Lord for all that He provides in this difficult world while mothering and fathering us.

- Joy Pedersen

A Prayer of acknowledgement for God who fulfills our need for a perfect mother!

God our perfect mother,
living water,
river of mercy,
source of life,
in whom we live
and move
and have our being,
who quenches our thirst,
refreshes our weariness,
bathes
and washes
and cleanses
our wounds,
be for us always
a fountain of life,
and for all the world
a river of hope
springing up in the midst
of the deserts of despair.

--Miriam Therese Winter

 

Developing Intimacy

“The most important commandment is this: Listen, O Israel!  The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.  And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.  The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.  No other commandment is great than these." Mark 12:29-31(NLT)

 

Intimacy

Webster’s definition:  A state of close relationship. We are made for intimacy; with God and with each other.  Intimacy allows people to bond with each other on many levels.  Therefore, it is a necessary component of healthy relationships.  In order to have intimacy with others we need to have intimacy with God first.

Being intimate means “in-to-me-see”.  It is a blending of our heart with another's, so we can “see into” who they really are, and they can “see into” us.  This is the mixing of our life with another’s, a mingling of souls, a sharing of hearts.  We all long for this because it’s how God made us.  We were designed to connect.

Real intimacy makes us feel known.  Real intimacy makes us feel alive like we’ve been found, as if someone finally took the time to peer into the depths of our soul and really see us there. Until we experience true intimacy, we will feel passed over and ignored, like someone is looking right through us. 

Sadly, we can miss out on intimacy that can make us and another person feel known, when we predetermine what we think we should see when we examine their life, heart, personality and soul.  When this happens, we will try to mold and make them into who we believe they should be.  As a result, we are blinded to their good qualities, and love and intimacy are destroyed.  When we ignore another person’s beauty and all that God made them to be, intimacy is lost.  Why?  Because intimacy flows out of feeling wholly accepted just the way we are.

-Sally Samarin

 

Pour Out Life

 

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but though love, be servants of one another.” – Galatians 5:13 RSV

 

What freedom and wonder I feel when sowing into others, watching the transformation that takes place in their lives just because love, grace and compassion are freely poured out.  The tired souls of those who receive this love are like wilting flowers awaiting a cup of water to revitalize their weak and drooping existence.  And when that cup is poured out, they can again lift their faces to the sun and take in the life-giving force of their Creator.  Standing tall and experiencing all that is so freely given in this life force, I can sow into them because I received it first. Praise God, Who pours His love into my heart.  Praise God, Who uses my life to pour His love into others. - Joy Pedersen

He Never Leaves

If you’ve ever had a loved one walk out of your life – a family member, a friend, a spouse – then you know the trauma an experience like this causes.  This is especially true if it wasn’t because of something you said or did that was ‘wrong’, but it was a choice they made willingly and, perhaps, unexpectedly.

When a loved one leaves like this, it can feel a lot like a death.  I remember several years ago when my BFF at the time, a woman I considered a sister, walked out of my life right as I was in the middle of chemotherapy for breast cancer.  Oh, how I agonized and analyzed every word I had said to her during our last – seemingly wonderful – dinner together.  I searched my heart for weeks, looking for some clue as to what would’ve caused her to betray our friendship like that.  As physically sick and emotionally wrought as I was at the time, I didn’t have the strength to “pursue” her.  Not only that, I knew her well enough to know that whatever the reason, she wasn’t going to “come back”.

It took a while but I recovered, both physically and emotionally.  My health is very good now and I have made many new friends since then. Friends that fill my life with laughter, love and Godly wisdom.

One thing, and one thing only, do I attribute my restoration to:  I am loved by the God Who Never Leaves. 

Jesus, when He walked this earth, experienced the painful betrayal of family and friends.  He knows what it feels like when someone leaves you in your darkest hour.   He understands the humiliation and heartache of rejection.

And because of this, He knows exactly how to comfort us when someone does this to us.  His strength becomes our strength so that we can feel joy and hope again.  Isaiah 61:1-3 says that Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted, to comfort those who mourn, and to give beauty, joy and praise to us when we’re mourning and in despair.

Friend, have you been abandoned and betrayed by someone you love? Come to Jesus!  Forgive those that have wounded you and let the Healer restore you to wholeness and peace.

He has always been, and will always be, the God who will never leave!

With love,

Janece