Getting even

After hearing the lecture about this weeks lesson which was on Matthew chapter 5 I got to thinking about the idea of "getting even". The speaker explained that the law or retribution found in the old testament was very specific when it said eye for an eye, hand for a hand, etc. She explained that if someone slapped you with an open hand then you had to slap back the same way, you couldn't punch them with a closed fist. Isn't that what we want to do though, get them back in a way that makes them understand that they better not mess with us again. Not just do back what they did to us but add a little bit more pain than we initially received. That is the human nature of getting even, but Jesus turns our world upside down by saying we need to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile. I'll be honest and this is not to boast but I am not very easily offended and no one has physically attacked me lately so I haven't had to worry about turning the other cheek much. However, what does bother me is when someone "messes" with my family. I thought about the movies I have watched where the bad guys are torturing someone to get them to talk, but when it doesn't work they start torturing someone else in front of them, usually someone they love or care about. Isn't that what our enemy does too? If he can't get to us by messing with us then he will start messing with our friends and family. For some reason it's easier to justify revenge if it's done on behalf of another. After all, aren't we suppose to be our "brothers keeper". Unfortunately no matter how we justify it, getting even and revenge are God's jobs, not ours.

Responding to the star

I have begun studying the book of Matthew with Community Bible Study. (the website which includes an audio of the lectures is at toccoalavoniacbs.org) One of the questions asked us to list the groups of people who were listed in chapter 2 and what their response was to the birth of Jesus. As I read the chapter I noted that there were 4 groups: 1)the magi 2) Herod and all Jerusalem 3) the chief priest and teachers of the law and 4) Mary and Joseph. This chapter and the story of Jesus birth is a familiar one to most so as I looked at the responses of these 4 groups I realized that in the past I had overlooked one. I knew that the magi were overjoyed, worshiped Him and brought Him gifts. (isn't it interesting that the first people to come and worship the King of the Jews were Gentiles?) I also knew that Mary and Joseph obeyed every step of the way, protecting our young Savior. And, it didn't surprise me to read that Herod and all Jerusalem were "disturbed". People don't like change, especially when that change involves a threat to your position and possibly even your life. What did strike me as odd was the lack of response made by the priest and teachers of the law. Nothing. Nada. No response at all. They answered Herod's question, that's it. Did they even look at the night sky? Did they even wonder if it was true? Did they care if the Messiah really born? Nothing. I guess we all have that same choice today. Jesus said that he will come back someday. I hope that we believe that and are looking at the signs. Every generation must hold on to the promise of his return.

Another interesting point was made during the study of this chapter. The magi were probably from the Babylonian region. If we look back at the book of Daniel we will see that Daniel was promoted and was placed in charge of all the magi in Babylon because of his ability to interpret dreams (Daniel 3:48). Could it be that these magi that came to worship Jesus had learned about it (the prophesies about the Messiah) because of Daniel? Just a thought.

Outshining the King

This summer was the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. I remember watching the television in disbelief 10 years ago as the tragic events were shared across the world. She was one of those people that you felt like you knew even though you never met her and I remember feeling so sad for her sons to have lost their mother at such a vulnerable age. I have read a few articles about her and as would be expected most of them shed a very positive light on the "People's Princess". One article, though, in comparing her with Camilla said that "Camilla, unlike Diana doesn't try to outshine Prince Charles". I got to thinking about that statement and initially got defensive....Diana did a lot of good things for a lot of people, it isn't her fault that she was more charismatic that Prince Charles, but I thought about it more and realized that yes, actually it was. And I had to ask myself, in using any of my gifts or abilities, do I ever end up outshining my King? Are people seeing me? or are they seeing Jesus in me? Diana knew what her "job" was when she married Prince Charles and as Christians we need to remember what our job is....like the song says....Lord let me shine, shine like the moon, a reflection of you in all that I do, Lord let me be a light for your truth, light of the world I want to be used to shine for you.

Sacrifice

I know it has been a while since my last post but sometimes it takes me a while to fully understand what the Lord is trying to teach me. I recently read the sermon notes from a Pastor in TX. He has a great blog. I'm still new at this blog thing so I'm not sure how to include the link but his blog is called "Hillcrest church - Pastor Mark's blog" and I have found a lot of valuable information and links from it. Back to the sermon notes...He used the story from 1 Chronicles 21:18-30. In verse 24 David says "I will not take for the Lord what is yours or sacrifice a burnt offering that cost me nothing." It reminded me of an illustration the Lord has been stirring in my heart. My children are at the age where they love to pick me dandelions.They bring them to me with huge smiles and say "look Mommy I picked you some flowers." I don't have the heart to tell them that they are actually weeds, and I always put them in a glass with some water and treat them like a priceless treasure until they die and when the kids aren't looking I throw them away. How would I feel if my husband brought me dandelions though? The same way any wife of 11 years would. I would give him that "you've got to be kidding me" look and storm out of the room. Why? Because he knows they are weeds and they didn't cost him anything. I had to ask myself, am I still bringing the Lord a handful of dandelions? Do I really expect the Lord to continue to accept an offering that has cost me nothing? Is my relationship still that shallow or is he expecting something more of me?

Knowing God's Will

It's what we are all seeking but yet many of us can't seem to figure out. What is God's will for my life? Or even what is God's will for a certain situation? Will I know it's God's will if I have a "peace about it"? I have heard that used by many people..."I just don't have a peace about it", but does God's will and peace always go hand in hand? As I think about many familiar Bible stories I have to say the answer is no. I don't remember it saying anywhere that Abraham had peace as he climbed Mt. Moriah to sacrifice Issac. He had faith and believed God would provide an offering but I don't read anywhere that he had peace during the whole ordeal. What about Jonah? He obviously did not have a peace about going to Nineveh, that's why he went the other direction. Even when he saw God have mercy on the people and they repented, Jonah still didn't have peace, instead he was mad that God had used him to show that mercy. There are countless other examples of men and women who did God's will despite their own feeling but I do have one more to share. Jesus knew that it was his Father's will for Him to die on that cross but the anguish and drops of sweat with blood don't sound like peace to me. Even Jesus had to put his own feelings aside and just do the Father's will, peace or not. My husband made a very profound statement while we were discussing this issue. He said "if God always paved the way for us then we wouldn't need faith." Wow. God's will is not a peace issue it's a faith issue. Faith comes from hearing and hearing comes from the Word of God. So, how do we know the will of God? Know the Word of God, and don't be afraid to step out in faith. God always rewards those who have faith.

the "Trouble Tree"

One day a man was on his way home when he saw his neighbor standing by his car on the side of the road. He pulled over and offered him a ride. The man accepted and got in. "What happened?" the man asked. "I ran out of gas. Today has not been my day. I got chewed out by my boss for a mistake someone else made, I missed lunch trying to fix the mistake and now I am going to be late for dinner because I ran out of gas." his neighbor replied. They pulled into the driveway and the man watched as his neighbor got out. He walked over to a tree and with both hands touched the end of the branches. He then walked into his house with a big smile and hugged his children and kissed his wife. He got back into the car after getting a gas can and the man had to ask: "What's with the tree?" and the neighbor replied, "Oh, that, that's my trouble tree. When I get home from work I go and hang my troubles on the tree so that I don't take them into the house with me then I pick them back up the next morning. But for some reason there are never as many troubles on the tree in the morning as I put out there the night before."

I recently heard that story and may have changed a few of the details because my memory isn't what it used to be but I am sure I haven't strayed from it's purpose. After hearing it I thought about the fact that as Christians we have a "trouble tree" too. It is a tree that has been cut down and made into the shape of a cross bearing our Savior. It has the same purpose though. As we approach our cross shaped tree we can lay all of our burdens there, and if we are foolish enough to pick them back up (and many times I am) there dosen't seem to be as many as we laid down. What a blessing to know that we can turn to our "trouble tree" in any situatuion and at any time. And, I don't know about you but I am sure my family would appreciate it if I left my troubles on the trouble tree before I spend time with them.

Ask first

Having children is one of the most eye-opening spiritual experiences. At least for me it is. Every time I say something to my children I wonder, has God ever tried to tell me that? Like times when I tell them to "be patient", I'm sure He has tried to tell me that or "be quiet", if you know me, you know He has said that plenty of times but lately I have been telling my daughter, "don't help yourself, ask first" and it struck me that maybe the Lord has tried to tell me this one and I haven't listened. I will be the first to admit that finances are my biggest struggle. I have plenty of excuses that go something like this...I grew up in the 80s (the material girl age), I was the baby of the family (I usually got what I wanted) and I have always tried to "show" love for my family by buying the things they want. My husband was the baby too so he isn't much help. We both have to fight the "I want it and I want it now" mentality. So, as I said to my daughter for what seemed like the 10th time in a week yesterday that she had to ask 1st before helping herself to the goodies, I felt that God was saying the same thing to me. I wondered how many purchases we had made without consulting Him and I decided it was most of them. I wish I could say that this will be an easy challenge for me but I have a feeling that just like any other bad habit this too is going to be a hard one to break. So, pray for me, I want to give God glory in everything I do, including the decisions to buy things, things that I need or just want.