Experiencing the Real Meaning of Free

Astounded By An Amazing God

2009-11-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

"Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed."
Acts 12:16

Let's back up a bit to the close of yesterday's reading:

"But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him."
Acts 12:5

Yesterday, we left the church, an assembly of believers praying for Peter's release. The church had cause to pray for their brother Peter. James had already been put to death and it appeared that Peter was next. Scripture tells us they prayed earnestly, which translates as fervently, without ceasing, or assiduously. Assiduously begged to be researched. It means constant in application or effort; working diligently at a task; persevering; industrious; attentive; unremitting. In other words these people were praying for Peter and had no plans to stop until they got an answer.

Then they got an answer. How did they react? They were amazed. The Greek translated word for amazed means to throw out of position, displace, throw into wonderment, astounded; to be beside one's self. It makes me chuckle to think of this assembly of people being "displaced from their position" as they stared in wonder at the answer to their intentional prayer. They suggested that the young girl who went to the door was out of her mind. In others words, "There is no way God could have answered our prayer."

Has this ever happened to you? You intentionally, fervently, with great effort, and unremitting determination prayed for something. Then when your answer came, the answer you prayed for, you stood in wonder. You couldn't believe that God had answered your prayer.

If it has happened, you are not the first and won't be the last. Why do we act so surprised when God answers our prayers? Honestly speaking, at least for me, I don't pray with complete faith and belief that God will answer my prayer. I offer prayers of hesitation and prayers with an "it's OK if you don't" attitude. How this type of praying must disappoint our powerful God.

May we pray with same intensity and tenacity as this assembly but react as if we were expecting the answer.

No Favorites

2009-11-11T00:01:00.002-05:00

"In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right."
Acts 10:35

When I was young, my brother believed that since I was the baby and the only girl, I was momma and daddy's favorite. It appeared to him that I received preferential treatment. Isn't that they way it is all families? Someone always appears to be the favorite.

Today's key scripture tells us in the family of God there are no favorites. But sometimes in our perception of things we don't believe that God treats all His children the same. We look at the possessions, accomplishments, and appearances of other people then determine God's love for us based on those perceptions.

God welcomes (NASB) all who fear Him and does what is right (acceptable) into His family. God extends eternal life to all. He extends His grace and mercy to all who will accept it. He died so we all could have eternal life. We all are the apple of His eye. Let's all live like it and put the liar of doubt in His place.

P.S. Thank God for sending His only Jesus to give us eternal life. Thank God for all the men and women who have died and for those who continue to defend the freedom to live in this great country. Proud to be Christian and an American

Go and...

2009-11-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

"The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas."
Acts 9:11

My imagination runs away with me with I think of things that must have gone through Ananias' mind when God gave him the command to "Go." Then I read Ananias' "But Lord." I would have been saying the same and more. But God gave assuring words to Ananias'. Ananias' believed God and allowed His words to calm his fears. With assurance, he went to the house of Judas.

Has God ever asked you to go to "the house of Judas," to do something that did not make sense? Did you do it? I went to "Straight Street and the house of Judas" one day. With fear and trembling I obeyed.

I had been at the home of one of my friends. She had given me a bag of clothes for my son that someone had given to her son but were too big. They were actually too big for me son but she insisted that I have them.

I went home another way, by way of "Straight Street.' This was not the closet route home but I followed my instincts. This way lead us to pass a home that a burned several days prior and outside the home stood a family. As I passed by the Lord instructed me to turn around and give this family the clothes that my friend had given me.

I quickly retorted arguments back to the Lord giving sound reasons why a mother should not stop at such a place in the evening with her young children in the car. As I challenged the Lord, my car was turning around-almost by itself.

The only member of the family that spoke English was a young man who looked to be the perfect size for all the clothes in the bag. Hmmm? I left the clothes in the name of Jesus and with His love. This confirmed once again: My obedience matters to someone else besides me.

Tell us about a "Straight Street trip to Judas' House" that you have experienced. Perhaps you were the one at "Judas' house."

Is There An Echo?

2009-11-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

"As they stone him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." He fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord don't charge them with this sin!"
Acts 7:59-60

As I read through today's reading I will admit I struggled with what to write. The disciples choosing helpers was interesting. (Acts 6:1-7) They set a great example for us busy beavers and over achievers, didn't they? Access our assignments and then ask for help. We don't have to do it all. Whew-what a relief!

I put my Bible down thinking, "Oh well-I will come back later and something will hit me." In the middle of my working on my to-do list Stephen's words from Acts 7:59-60 played in mind. My mind hit pause then I heard:

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
Luke 23:46

Did you hear the echo? Did you noticed they both shouted? Jesus was being crucified. Stephen was being stoned. Oh, how I pray that when I experience betrayal and/or pain at the hands of others that others could say of the words I utter, "Is there an echo?"

Open Blog Weekend November 7-8

2009-11-07T00:01:00.002-05:00

WOW!!!! What a week!!

God has blessed me and many around me beyond measure.

First:

The response to Read Through the Word was incredible. 607 people have made a commitment to read through God's Story in 2010. I stand amazed at what God can do with words-His and mine. It looks like our bloggy family is going to grow next year. Good thing we have room. The Bibles arrived Thursday via an extra large UPS Brown truck. We were all doing the happy dance.

Here is our special UPS guy-Mike

Second:

I prayed for a friend and God answered my prayer quickly, beyond all I could ask or imagine. He blessed her abundantly. You know her. Her name is Wendy Blight.

Third:

God miraculously worked out a HUGE problem for another friend. Her spirit went from desperation to complete elation and awe within two hours. You know her. Her name is LeAnn Rice.

On the same day I got to share a smile and some love with our sweet baby Aster.

Fourth:

Today is my birthday and I received many emails and expressions of love. Thank you to all who expressed love to me.

On the same day, my son received his green belt in Karate.

Wow-what a week! And the weekend will be even better. I will update you later.

Suddenly

2009-11-06T00:01:00.002-05:00

"Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!" Luke 24:31

Have you ever had an Emmaus road experience? You moved through life taking inventory of all that had happened in you life. You couldn't make sense of it. You were numb. You wondered if you would ever hear from the Lord again. In your mind, He was gone.

Then suddenly...you recognized Him. You recognized Him in a worship song or pastor's message. You recognized Him in a quiet time and truth was translated to your heart. You recognized Him as you sat still before His throne. How did it feel?

I had an Emmaus road experience recently. When I was at very deep and dark place, not having truly and intimately seen or heard from in Him recent days, I recognized Him in my quiet time reading. I opened my eyes and then He was gone-at least the intense presence that had arrived moments prior. But I celebrated the moment.

As walked back down the stairs all I could utter was, "Thank you Lord." And like these two followers of Christ, I could not wait to tell someone. How about you? Do you an Emmaus road experience to tell.

Preparation Day

2009-11-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

"This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath."
Mark 15:42

This preparation day was not only the day before the Sabbath but the day before Passover. They were preparing for 7 days of celebrating and remembering what God had done for them by sparing the lives of their ancestors in Egypt. The angel of death swept through Egypt passing by the homes whose doorposts were marked with blood, killing on the youngest Egyptian boys. Oh, it was a day of preparation alright.

In preparation for the Passover it was custom to remove all yeast from the home and prepare for their first yeast-free meal for seven days. (Thus Passover was also called the Feast of Unleavened Bread.) All bitter herbs and wine were also removed. A lamb was to be taken to the Temple to be slaughtered. Oh, it was a day of preparation alright.

The Lamb had already been taken to the Temple. He had already been slaughtered. The celebration of the passing over of their death had been set in motion, the blood had been shed. The death of this Lamb would allow all who believed in the name of Jesus to pass over from physical death to eternal life. Oh, yes it was a day of preparation alright-like none before.

This Lamb was crucified and buried but rose again! He prepared the way for us on this preparation day. He is alive!

A Passerby

2009-11-04T00:01:00.002-05:00

"A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross."
Mark 15:21

Thank you Simon for carrying the cross for my Lord.

I paused then placed my name in this scripture. "A passerby named Wendy..." Every day we are called to take up the cross of Christ and follow Him. The cross is a symbol of death. The Lord died for us as a payment for sin and He asks us to die to our own right, desires, wants, and expectations each day.

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34

Today was difficult to read. This video tells the story beautifully, Watch the Lamb.

Being One Of The Crowd

2009-11-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

"Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, become friends that day."
Luke 23:12

The crowd's passionate hate for and cruelty of Jesus shown in today's reading became so intense. I found myself thinking of days prior when Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. As He rode in on a donkey, He was praised, adored and fanned with palm leaves. The crowds that shouted "Praise God! Blessings on the One who comes in the name of LORD!" now shouted "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"

What happened? How could they have turned so quickly and become so vile? It unfolded from the top down. The leading priests joined forces to incite the crowds. They used lies and half-truths to win support. Their plan was so successful that it united two men who were previously arch enemies.

Dangerous are the days when we fall in "with the crowd." Hatred can spread quickly. It is infectious. If we aren't careful we can become part of something we had no intention of being part of. We can become responsible for something we will regret later. Listen the words of the crowd, "And all the people yelled back, 'We will take responsibility for his death-and our children.'" (Matthew 27:25) Our actions have consequences that effect more than just ourselves.

Being part of the crowd can be dangerous. You may be asked to pay a price too high and placed in situation that you will regret forever. I want to believe the crowd that day, lived with regret.

It is hard not join the crowd. We can only do it by daily yielding to the power and presence of our Advocate, sometimes yielding minute by minute.

When The Rooster Crows

2009-11-02T00:01:00.005-05:00

Welcome and good Monday morning to you, a special welcome if you visiting from Encouragement for Today. Today, we celebrate day 306 on a 365 day amazing journey through God's Word.

It is a somber day in our reading, our Lord has just been turned over to Caiaphas. We are particular close to the story this year because we have fallen deeply in love with the story, God's story. We are going to read this incredible story again next year and would love to have to you join us.

We have prayed for you today. If you are considering joining us next year and wonder, "Can I do this? Is is hard? What is it like?" Follow Read Thru the Word and click on the Testimonials button in the sidebar. Everyone one can meet this challenge. We have an outstanding teacher-the Holy Spirit. He teaches us everything we need to know and encourages us along the way.

"And he broke down and wept."
Mark 14:72

Several things jumped out at me from today's reading. Having read the Old Testament and seeing the priesthood from the beginning, I am sad at how the leading priests seem so worldly and so easily convinced to do the wrong thing. Secondly, I have read this story over and over again. Each time I have a deep longing that my Lord would not be so publicly abused. But alas, that does not happen. (Oh, my heart is so heavy as I think of His face getting slapped then being blindfolded only to hit, spat upon and mocked.)

Perhaps what hit me most was Peter's reaction to his own denial of the Lord. The word wept is the Greek word klaio. (klah'-yo) It means weeping as the sign of pain and grief for the thing signified (i.e. pain and grief); of those who mourn for the dead. Peter felt the sting of his denial as one feels the sting of death. In fact, this is the same word used to describe how Mary cried for Jesus at the foot of the cross.

The long and short of it for me was: When (not if) I deny Christ do I feel the sting of the denial like one who has experienced pain and grief? Honestly, no. After today, I pray this will be my response the next time denial happens then I can become a Peter in my generation.

This experience changed Peter's life forever. I want my life changed forever.

Open Blog Weekend October 31-November 1

2009-10-31T09:00:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone!

Soggy and sickly describe the weekend. We are having more rain in the Charlotte area this weekend. I am fighting off some kind of "bug." It jumped on me yesterday. Yukk! So needless to say, I will planted at home for the day and possible the entire weekend.

I wanted to ask you to be in prayer for Encouragement for Today on Tuesday, November 3. We have decided to run, with some revisions, my Read Through The Word devotion. (I mentioned it to you already.) We want to pray for the Spirit to move in the words the Lord wrote to prompt people to commit to read the Bible in 2010. Please pray that all the links work and that there are no technical problems. Last year over 1400 people responded to the "challenge." We are not looking at numbers. We are looking for lives to be changed by the power of God's Word. You all are testimonies to the power of God's Word.

I prayed for you all today. Praise the Lord for you and asking Him to bless you beyond measure for your faithfulness to the commitment you made one year ago.

Have a great weekend! Is the sun shining somewhere?

P.S. Check out the testimonials button in the sidebar. If anyone still wants to give a testimonial, it's not too late for me to include it.

Our Friend

2009-10-30T00:01:00.001-04:00

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you."
John 14:16

Rejoice as you read the synonyms for advocate used in the other translations of the Bible.

Advocate (NLT)
Counselor (NIV)
Helper (NASB)
Another Friend (MESS)
Comforter (KJV)
Comforter,Counselor, Helper, Intercessor,
Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby (AMP)
Holy Spirit (CEV)
The Spirit of Truth (Wycliff)

Jesus asked His Father to send an Advocate to the disciples. A disciple is one who follows Jesus Christ. We are disciples. Therefore we receive the same Holy Spirit Jesus spoke of in John 14. We also receive the benefits of the Holy Spirit.

He will never leave us. (v16)
He will teach us. (v26)
He will be our reminder. (26)

We can call Him friend. Let's celebrate the friendship.

At The Feet Of Betrayal

2009-10-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

"After washing their feet..."
John 13:12

I almost missed this. Jesus washed "their" feet. He washed the feet of all the disciples, even the one who would betray Him. Betray means to give over the hands of another. Jesus knew that Judas was going to turn Him over to the hands of another. He had foreknowledge of the betrayal and yet He served the very one who would turn against Him. He also keep this knowledge to Himself. He did not slander Judas to the other disciples.

If I had the foreknowledge of someone betraying me the last thing I would want to do is serve Him and the first thing I would want to do is run tell someone. Jesus goes beyond serving. He humbly lowered Himself at the feet of this His enemy and washed His feet. Truth be told when I have post-knowledge of betrayal I don't want to serve my betrayer.

The example He set for us in the upper room is impossible for us to do in our own human flesh. But with God all things are possible. I loved the insight IVP commentary offered:

Having taken off his outer garment (himation), Jesus was left with his tunic (chiton), a shorter garment like a long undershirt. Slaves would be so dressed to serve a meal (cf. Lk 12:37; 17:8). Jesus tied a linen cloth around his waist with which to dry their feet, obviously not what one would expect a master to do. A Jewish text says this is something a Gentile slave could be required to do, but not a Jewish slave (Mekilta on Ex 21:2, citing Lev 25:39, 46). On the other hand, footwashing is something wives did for their husbands, children for their parents, and disciples for their teachers (b. Berakot 7b; cf. Barrett 1978:440). A level of intimacy is involved in these cases, unlike when Gentile slaves would do the washing. In Jesus' case, there is an obvious reversal of roles with his disciples. The one into whose hands the Father had given all (13:3) now takes his disciples' feet into his hands to wash them (cf. Augustine In John 55.6).

I am not suggesting we offer a footwashing ceremony for all those who have betrayed us. My take-away from today's reading is my attitude to those who have betrayed . I need to be more like Christ. Christ took on the attitude, position, and posture of a servant. A servant does what the Master tells him to do. If we take this position and are asked to reconcile with our enemy or do something for our enemy we don't want to do, we should do it. (Did I just say that?-Dog---that is hard, almost impossible-almost.)

Jesus' obedience pleased His Father and our obedience will please Him, too. I have to ask: "Wendy, how bad do you want to please your Father?"

Fear Not

2009-10-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

"I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back."
Matthew 25:25

Fear. Fear can keep us from many things. Fear can keep us from going for the promotion at work. Fear can keep us from saying yes to God. Fear can keep us from righting a wrong. Fear can keep us from living out God's plan. Fear can..... you finish the sentence.

The word fear jumped out at me today. Not because I am particularly fearful of anything right now but because I never noticed the third servant was afraid. What was he afraid of? He was afraid he would "mess-up" what his master had entrusted to him. In fear he hid the money and in humility he gave it back.

The picture my mind painted was of me bowing before my Holy Lord giving back exactly what He trusted to me, nothing more. I questioned, "Am I responding to my Master as this servant responded to his master? Have I fully used or am I fully using, even developing the gifts and talents He has entrusted to me to grow His Kingdom? Am I hiding them out of fear of "messing-up"?"

What about you? Are you trapped in the fear factor, hiding what the Lord gave you to use for His glory? Let's commit to asking Him to supply the answer to that question and move from fearful to fearless in developing all the Lord entrusted to us.

Salvation is Near

2009-10-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

"So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!"
Luke 21:28

Ya'll (I know that sounds Southern and believe me, I say it with a draw.) when I read verses 27 and 28 I almost had to do a hallelujah dance. Here they are together. They sound so good when you read them together. Go ahead, read them out loud.

"Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

If they doesn't make you want to dance the Hallelujah I don't know what will. Well, maybe this will. The word used for salvation in the Greek is redemption. It means...are you ready for this? Redemption or Apolutrosis (ap-ol-oo'-tro-sis) a releasing effected by payment of ransom, liberation procured by the payment of a ransom. Ransom is the sum or amount demanded or paid.

Can you picture this day? He, the King of Glory in all His splendor, our Father will come on a cloud with power and great glory. When this happens there will a releasing. Does anyone besides me look forward to some releasing?

Releasing of pain. Releasing of fear. Releasing of loneliness, doubt, and indecision. Releasing of sickness. Releasing of strongholds. Releasing of burdens carried way to long. Releasing of cruel behavior and treatment. Releasing of misunderstanding, unmet expectations, and unfulfilled dreams. We will be released because our ransom has be paid! Our redemption draws near!

Are you dancing yet? If not, maybe you should check your pulse and listen to this.

Clang, Clang

2009-10-26T00:01:00.001-04:00

"Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts"
Mark 12:41

Can you hear the sound of the money as it lands in the Treasury? As her coins fell Jesus watched.

It was an obligation for those coming into the Temple to place a silver coin in one of the many Treasury boxes placed within the Temple. The very poorest people were allowed to give the smallest coin of value, a copper coin, a mite. The Treasury was collected to help with the cost for the wood for the altar and other Temple up-keep.

The first coin she gave was what she knew to be her obligation but the second was her offering to the Lord. Did you notice that Jesus told the others that the woman was poor and had given everything she had? He could have easily known she was poor, perhaps by the way she was dressed or by the copper coins but the only way He could have known that she had given all she had was because He was God, all-knowing God.

Our Omniscient, all knowing God watches what we give. Our giving is not just what we place in the offering plate each Sunday. God watches what we give of our time, talents, and time. In the Greek the word watched is translated observed and means to view attentively, view mentally, perceive with the eyes, to discern. The Lord views attentively and discerns the gift we offer Him.

Barton Johnson, the writer of one of the commentaries I read said this about giving:

The worth of a gift is to be determined, not by intrinsic value, but by what it costs the giver. The measure of that cost is what is left, not what is given.

I had to ask myself, what have I placed in the Lord's Treasury lately?

Open Blog Weekend October 24-25

2009-10-24T08:43:00.004-04:00

Good Weekend to you Bloggy Friends.

This is the first weekend in a while that is not jam packed with events and other to-dos. Sigh and deep breath. My son has birthday party to attend today and during the party my daughter and I will have some girl hang time at the mall.

We have had much to celebrate this week: Susan and Joy's good news. Joy,I wish I could be there when your Daddy walks in through door. It makes me cry to think about it!

God is truly good and truly faithful. He has answered so many prayers for us all this year. Can you believe how close we are to being finished? I can't. I know I have said it before but it bears repeating: thanks for hanging in there with me, all of you, the commenters and the non-commenters. It has been quite a journey and just think we get to do it all over again next year.

Till Monday-

Being Remembered

2009-10-23T00:01:00.003-04:00

"I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
Mark 14:9

Remembered and discussed. Not just remembered but also discussed. This woman had no idea that what she was doing was going to be remembered and discussed today, Friday October 23, 2009. She did what came natural to her. She humble herself before the Lord. She fell at His feet, the feet that in only a few short days would be nailed to the cross for her eternal freedom. She gave all she had to Him regardless of the cost to her finances, reputation, or security. This was a woman who loved her Lord.

The Greek translation for remembered is rendered memory. It is used only 3 times in the New Testament. Once in Matthew's account of the story and the other in Acts. The occasion in Acts describes Cornelius' acts to the Lord. Scripture says he was a devout man who feared God, prayed continually and gave alms (charity and support) to the Jewish people. His acts would be remembered and made a memorial to God. The Greek word literally means that by which the memory of any person or thing is preserved.

How will my memory be preserved? Will what I did while on this earth be remembered and discussed? (Not boastfully-hear my heart) Will it matter? Will someone generations from now know how much I loved Jesus? Am I giving Him all I have regardless of my finances, reputation, and security?

As I read today's reading, I could not help by start singing one my favorite songs ever. I trust it will bless you as much as it has blessed me. We never know the cost of someone's Alabaster's Box.

Believing Is Seeing

2009-10-22T00:01:00.001-04:00

"Lord, I want to see!"
Luke 18:41

I breezed through Matthew's account of the healing of the blind men with familiarity. As I started to breeze through the healing of Bartimaeus I was struck by the words of our key verse. Luke's account, particularly verse 41 stopped me. The man told the Lord exactly what He wanted. He did not skirt the issue. He did not mince words. The Lord asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" And he exclaimed, "I want to see!" (Did you notice the exclamation mark?)

Read Jesus' response out loud.

"All right, receive your sight!
(Did you notice the exclamation mark?)

He believed then he could see. This man received physical healing. He was blind physically and God restored his sight. But looking deeper, we can apply these same truths to spiritual and emotional healing as well as our personal needs.

So many times we believe (Oh, am I talking to myself here.) that we don't believe we deserve from God or that we have the "right" to ask God for exactly what we want. (Keep in mind-God answers our prayers with our good in mind, His glory to be shown, and within the context of His perfect will.) This scripture tells us we can ask. Did ya'll get that? We can ask.

All this is good but Bartimaeus had to do his part. He had to receive. Jesus told Him to "receive your sight." Bartimaeus had to open his eyes and receive with his heart. This was not a matter of unbelief, the belief was already there. He knew who Jesus was. He knew what Jesus could do. He called him Lord. We can receive sight into our personal needs. We can receive sight to the answers for our spiritual matters. We can receive sight into our emotional well-being.

I "see" it like this:

Believe with our heart
Ask with our mouth
Open our eyes
Receive our sight

We know who Jesus was. We know what Jesus can do. We call him Lord. Let's ask and receive.

2009-10-21T00:01:00.000-04:00

"When Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed Him there and He healed their sick." Matthew 19:1-2

How many of us would help someone we knew was going to betray us? I am so thankful that God does not let me see into the future of my life. A glimpse into my future would have a great effect on how I acted in the present. This was not a problem for Jesus.

Commentaries tell us that "when Jesus finished" and left Galilee it was for good. He would not return until after His death and resurrection. He was fully man, remember. He was heading up to Judea across the Jordan knowing full well what was awaiting Him there. He was not traveling alone. He was traveling with a crowd. He was fully God, remember. He knew the people in this crowd, the ones who left their homes and jobs to follow Him would betray Him. And yet...scripture tells us He healed them.

What a powerful message Jesus is teaching us? Do what you know to do regardless the circumstances. This isn't always easy. For our Christ, by doing the thing He knew to do lead Him to Calvary. Walking the road to our "Calvary" isn't easy but dying to self is what we are supposed to do, regardless of our circumstances.

Wearing God Out

2009-10-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

'"But this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'"
Luke 18:5

We can't give up in our prayers. This is a great lesson to me today. Like the woman who wore out the judge with her constant requests, so can wear out Heavenly Father.

This woman believed she deserved justice. She believed in the judge who had power over her circumstance. And because she believed she deserved justice she would not give up until she got it. We must pray likewise, not that we "deserve" certain this or that. We must pray like we believe in the One who has power over our circumstance.

This word was for me today, friends. I have a circumstance but have worn myself out fretting over it instead of "wearing out" the One who has the power of it.

Oh Lord, help me to believe and live out this truth.

The Chance Of A Lifetime

2009-10-19T00:01:00.003-04:00

"But Abraham said to him, "Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted and Lazarus had nothing."
Luke 16:25

The "elephant in the room" is the word hate in Luke 14:25. This verse has always disturbed me. How could Jesus ask people to hate the own family?

Jesus was teaching about what the cost of being a disciple, a learner of his teaching would be. He was telling those listening and us today to choose a relationship with Jesus before any other relationship on earth. No relationship, no relationship should come before your relationship with Jesus Christ. I can testify to the truth of Jesus' words. I am not always good at it but when the vertical relationship is right all the horizontal relationships seem to work better.

Now that the elephant is out of the way, I must write about what grabbed my attention in today's reading: the rich man's in the place of the dead. The words Abraham said to him (our key verse) pierced my heart but not as much as the rich man's pleading on behalf of those family members who were not saved. He was desperate to give them a warning of what was to come if they did not live their lives for Christ. I could almost hear his desperate pleas as I read.

I had to ask myself: How many people will be in the place of dead because I did not take the time to share the good news of Jesus through word and deed? This calls for some BIG team repentance of my heart and a change of direction in my thinking. How about you?

Open Blog Weekend October 17-18

2009-10-17T10:11:00.002-04:00

Overwhelmed. That is the word that best describes how I felt as I read each precious word of the testimonials I received. Not because of your thanks to me. God heard and answered my prayers for you, for us. We built a community-those who commented and those who need not comment. He fed us everyday, daily manna, just enough for the day-golden nuggets as one called them. He gave us a "burning desire" to know His Word. He gave us a hunger for more. He called us to spend time with Him each day and we were "lost" if we did not. He is FAITHFUL!!!!! I can't wait to see what 2010 brings. More God--that is what I want--more God.

This weekend is much like most the week has been-cold and wet. Cold as defined by Southerners. Scott and I are attending his 25th high school class reunion. We are excited to have a night out together as well as being with friends we have not seen in years.

Hope you all stay warm, dry, and have some moments to celebrate this weekend. Thank you for your continued prayers for me this week. There are decisions to be made and we are seeking God's guidance for every step. He is showing Himself through the process. I appreciate you all!

If you want to send a testimonial but haven't yet. Please feel free to do so. I would love to hear from you. wendy@wendypope.org.

Wash Good

2009-10-16T00:01:00.001-04:00

"Then the Lord said to him, " You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy- full of greed and wickedness."
Luke 11:39

I give the same instructions to my 9-year old dirt-dobber son every night as he goes upstairs to take his bath. "Wash good. Every part of your body. With soap and water. And a washcloth. Put the soap on the washcloth and wash every part of your body with the washcloth, even inside your ears." All the way upstairs he mumbles, "I know, I know, I will." Later when we sit down to study or read, I see it: the dirt in his ears. He thinks since the ear is small I can't see the dirt. He doesn't understand that dirt can cause infection and infection can lead to temporary loss of hearing.

This Pharisee did not realize how wicked he was, inside. He thought since he tithed, sat in a seat of honor, hung around important people, made important laws, and built monuments to important people he was good and better than others. He knew how to look "right" and "clean" on the outside but was totally aware of the uncleanliness of his inside.

We often resemble the Pharisee, taking time and putting effort into all the wrong things: our outside appearance. Our Father tells us, "Wash good. Wash every part, especially your inside." We fool ourselves into thinking the area of our dirt (sin) is located is small and can't been seen. He knows that dirt (sin) can cause "infection" and "infection" can lead to temporary loss of hearing.

I have had enough hearing loss lately. I could use a good washing, how about you?

Discovering It

2009-10-15T00:01:00.001-04:00

"There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be take away from her."
Luke 10:42

What had Mary discovered? According to the scripture, Mary had discovered "it." What was "it?" Mary, unlike Martha had learned what to be concerned about. She learned she should only be concerned about listening to what was being taught.

Wow...this hits home to me today. I shared awhile back that I was struggling with some things. Lately, the Lord keeps asking me to let go and I am not obeying Him. There is too much at stake here, I argue. I struggle to relax and trust His plan for this situation. Control. Fixin' it. This is my trouble! I need to apply Mary's lesson to my own life.

All this struggling has consumed me to the point that I don't sleep well or eat enough. But most of all I have forgotten "it." The thing that I am to be most concerned about: listening to what is being taught. Why is that we forget and have to start all over again and again? I don't know the answer to that question but I sure glad we can start over. Grace. Grace. God's grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin.

I got more personal today than ever, I don't usually do that. The Lord was leading me to confession and real transparency, neither of which are comfortable on the front page of your blog which is read by 100s of people each day. Thanks for listening. Maybe you can relate- do you have something at stake that is consuming you?

Oh Lord, hear.
Oh Lord, forgive.
Oh Lord, listen and act.

Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32