Purging Solution

In my previous post, I had posed the question on how we can purge the evil from our nation.

Tuesday morning, I was challenged and corrected.  Even though we are citizens of America, we are still ambassadors of Christ.  Our focus isn't on purging the evil of our nation, but purging the evil of our Church.

I will admit, that this was very hard for me to hear...and my heart still isn't fully set on this.  My friends, I know the following sounds harsh...but God is just and loving, and everything he does it for our good. Our definition of "Just" and "Fair" is far from His, and we need to trust that because God knows everything, He knows how the hurt and pain now can change us and others later for the better...God needs to break us before He can really fix us, and we need to trust God with this. 

As I read through Deuteronomy, I saw so many harsh things He commanded the Israelites to do, which made me question my role in purging evil in the first place...but as my study went on and my friends told me more with New Testament references, I found myself at a hard place...

I have friends that are caught in sin, and they know Jesus...so what am I commanded to do?  I love them dearly, and I know they still love Jesus...but they refuse to turn from this sin in their life.  I want to love them.  I want to encourage them.  I want to stay their friend.  Maybe I can...but what am I seeing here?  


Deuteronomy 22:13-21 explains about a marriage situation in which the woman was accused of not being a virgin...now when there is no proof of her virginity...here is what is required of the people back at this time:

If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the young woman’s virginity can be found, she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done an outrageous thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father’s house. You must purge the evil from among you. (Deuteronomy 22:20-21)  

If a man lies with a male as with a women, both of them shall be put to death for their abominable deed; they have forfeited their lives. (Leviticus 20:13 NAB)

If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10 NLT)  

If your own full brother, or your son or daughter, or your beloved wife, or your intimate friend, entices you secretly to serve other gods, whom you and your fathers have not known, gods of any other nations, near at hand or far away, from one end of the earth to the other: do not yield to him or listen to him, nor look with pity upon him, to spare or shield him, but kill him. (Deuteronomy 13:7-12 NAB)

This was harsh!!  God did not show any slack with Israel...He knew that if people were "lax" on these sins, that it would get out of control and spread quickly throughout the nation.  God had to nip it in the butt. 

Even when Jesus came down to earth, he did an amazing job of bringing reality to our nature. 

Matthew 5, one of many passages, is Jesus talking about how impossible it is for us to be without sin in our lives.  He takes the Law, and says "Oh, you were able to do this?  What about this??"   Of course, we crawl into our holes more and realize...

We cannot live the righteous life by our own power, nor do we have the ability to purge the evil within ourselves.


So friends, what's our solution?  How do we purge?  How can we purge?  If we have so much crap in our own lives and cannot get rid of it on our own, what can we do?


We rededicate our lives and tell Jesus "I promise, next time, I will do this better."  And according to Jesus here in Matthew 5, it is impossible for us to do it.  We need to be purified...and it had to be done like this:


Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart. (Proverbs 20:3)

Feeling discouraged?  There is good news...such good news...

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.  (Isaiah 53:5)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.  (1 Peter 2:24)
Through Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, we are CLEAN.  We are healed, purified, purged!!  Our hearts undergo a further purging process that Jesus does inside of us daily!  Amen!! 

But now, to paraphrase a lesson given by Louis Giglio, "We should not just sit back in our Grace EZ Chair."  Through Jesus, God fulfilled that physical punishment to cleanse away evil, but we have a choice still.  We can choose to throw off everything that hinders, or we can continue to live in our sins because we don't want to give up our pleasures...or we feel we cannot overcome those sins, so we give in. 

Here's the thing...you cannot overcome.  Jesus made this very clear in Matthew 5.  You cannot over come, but in John 16:33 we are told that Jesus has overcome!!  And in Colosians 1:27, Jesus lives IN us...so...through the power of Christ in us nothing can hold us back!  On our own we are slaves to sin...but because of Jesus IN us we are slaves to righteousness. 

This is good news...but the hard part comes next...

Let me point out another phrase in I Peter 2:24.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

It is only by Christ we can possibly have the opportunity to die to our sins, but we need to want to die to our sins....not live in them.  We need to truly give it to Jesus to overcome the sins, because we can't...and too many people in our Church give in or refuse to give it up.

Sometimes your good believing friends.

“If your brother or sister sins^, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."   (Matthew 18:15-17)

Jesus still makes it harsh...but not because we don't love them.  In fact, I do believe in tough love as a solution, because anything other than tough love enables the person in their wrong more, and if you don't rip the bandaid off and it will always be there.  

"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."  (Proverbs 27:6)

Also, the deeper reason isn't because Jesus didn't want us to have friends...but he was more concerned about purging the heart from our earthly desires and creating heavenly desires so that they may see greater joy.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."  (Matthew 18:18) 
My heart hates to bring pain to people...especially close friends...I love you all so dearly, and I really hope and pray that my brothers and sisters who refuse to give up their sins or try to overcome it themselves will see the Grace and Power in the Name of Jesus and allow Him to overcome it instead.  I don't want to give up friends...but if I have to in order to let God purge that sin from their lives, I understand that it will create a greater opportunity for them to see God more clearly, and love Him more. 

Pray for me friends, and our Church.  We need to purge again...even if it hurts us now.  The reward is greater that is to come. 

I love you all. 

Comparing and Purging

I thrive on comparisons.  In fact, I compare way too much.  I compare myself to others very easily…I “enjoy” comparing myself to those that aren’t as skilled as me, but I hate it when I feel inadequate to others.  It hurts my self-esteem, and often times keeps me from doing things that God would find honoring.   But also, many times I try harder because I can show them!   

I found in Ecclesiastes 4:4 how wrong this thinking truly is for me: 

“And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbor.  This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”  

One of my books now that I’m reading through is called When People are Big and God is Small.  Too many times I’m so worried about what man thinks of me instead of what God thinks of me.  Too many times, we as a whole, find ourselves absorbed in the opinions of this world and trying to impress our neighbors, or trying to out-do them.  Our focus is on man, fearing their opinion more than God’s. 

It is comforting to me to know that this isn’t something that’s new to God.  In fact, He was totally used to this with the Israelites.  As I read through Deuteronomy, I am so encouraged through the Israelites’ lack of obedience and faith…not necessarily because I can compare to that (I will admit…I do feel better sometimes…) but rather because I see that God is still patient and compassionate.   

The Israelites refused to go into the land of Canaan because they feared the people  more than God’s comforting words of victory and blessing.  So, as a punishment, God kept them wandering in the wilderness for 40 years until a whole new generation of people (aside from a couple originals) were left. 

This brings another twist to my post…one that I ponder more and more.  I understand that God hates sin, and I understand that God wants to really eliminate the sin that separates Heaven and Earth…but many times I don’t always understand how God works with sin.  My eyes are opened more and more to this concept…and I hope that what I say next not only makes sense, but is accurate and doctrinally correct. 

The idea of God as a purifier brings great comfort to me, knowing He holds me in a fire to purge the evil from my life.  However, what does this always look like in life?  Could it simply be a trial that we go through individually?  How does God really purge the evil from our lives?  I was thinking of this too micro…too personally.  True, I am going through individual growth and refining, but what about us as a whole?  In Deuteronomy 13, and 17:7-13, we see God commanding the nation of Israel to destroy towns and stone people that have strayed from the Law.  He commanded the people to intervene on His behalf.  Now I know God is fully capable of blotting out corrupt people on His own (Sodom and Gomorrah, and the Flood), so why would He command Israel to intervene?  

Would God call us today to intervene in the purifying of our nation?  

Now mind you, this is all pre-Christ…but I do believe God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  Just because the Law is different, doesn’t mean God is.  Doesn’t mean God’s meaning behind His calling is different.  What was the purpose of the Law?  For Israel, it was to remind them of their salvation from captivity in Egypt.  What is the purpose of the Law post-cross?  To remind us of the salvation we have in Jesus.  That purpose still stands for us today…just in a different way.   

So, what was the purpose of God purging the nation through stoning and destruction?  To keep His people pure and blameless, seeking Him above all things (to us, this seems drastic, but in God’s eyes, this was the way to eliminate sin).  There must be a deeper meaning in God commanding the Israelites to do it…it appears to be an accountability, but also they witness and experience the punishment in a way to keep them from falling into it as well…I’ll keep pondering.  

But without getting into politics and our nation in too depth…how would purging the sin in our world today happen?  How would God use us and command us to purge evil?  This actually is my prayer, because I don’t have the answer.  I will say right now, that I am not going to lead a group to stone sinners and destroy towns.  (I might as well start with destroying myself at that rate).   

However, I will fall on Romans 13:8 for an answer:  “Owe nothing to anyone- except for your obligation to love one another.  If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.”  Times today aren’t any different…we are still wicked, seeking and creating other gods instead of the One True God, and forgetting the good things God has done for us.  But because times aren’t different, we are still being called in some way to intervene…I just don’t know how.  

Thankfully, we have the hope that Jesus is coming back to make all things right.  He will purge the sin completely from this world eventually, but I do believe that we are being used to begin this.  

Philippians 1:4-6 “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

In the mean time, seek the LORD above all things.  We may not agree in our world of how God works, but unless we set aside everything of this world and focus on things above, we won’t understand God’s way of justice, and if we don’t begin to understand it how can we delight and anticipate its coming? 

 

 Proverbs 28:5 “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.” 

Seek justice and trust God’s methods of implementing it.  I love you all. 

SLAVE

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,  and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

This morning, I was reading with a couple women through the book of Deuteronomy because my knowledge of the Law is so...not present in my being.  I find that this is a great way to start my Tuesdays, and it is a huge blessing to be part of a community where I can meet with fellow sisters and absorb God's blessing in His Words.

In the passage we read today, a couple times I noticed that the above passage was presented.  It seems plain and simple, right?  This is what God requires of us daily.  Yes, back in the day with the Israelites, they were presented with this commandment, but this is still God's character, this is still all that God wants of us...and I believe that pre and post cross, this is still what God wants of us.  He wants our hearts.  He wants our obedience.

I Peter 2:16

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

We are free from sin, but slaves to God through Christ.  As slaves, we are still called to obedience, and slaves back in the day devoted themselves to their masters.  They were taken care of and protected, but they swore to serve.

That's what we are called to do.   That's what God wanted of the Israelites, and that's what we are called to do.  What kind of master do we serve? 

Deuteronomy 10:18-23

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.  And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.  Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Your ancestors who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.  

How encouraging???  He defends the weak, the hurting, He loves the foreigners, and we are the foreigners.  Thank goodness.  He provides for us.  He really cares about us as His slaves, His children, His beloved.  

Still, we find ourselves running to other masters...and they don't meet our needs near as much as the Holy God of Israel.  Something I am thinking and praying about is to "brand" myself as a slave of Christ.  I had been debating for a long time about getting a tattoo....I keep telling myself to hold off and if the desire is still there with right motives then I "may" get one.  I would use this tattoo to spark conversation.  To get something with meaning, but obscure enough for people to ask about it and have an opportunity to present the Gospel.  We will see if this door stays open for me...

How are you serving your Master today?  Be thankful that we follow someone that cares and obey Him today.  

I love you all.

Love-Light

All glory, honor, and power to our Heavenly Father.  Thank you Jesus for opening my eyes to see the depth of all these truths come together so I can share with my fellow brothers and sisters, in the hopes of encouraging their faith through your work in my life. 

A few weeks ago, I had a dear friend of mine pass away.  She was very musical...a beautiful piano player.  She left behind a legacy to those around her that was highlighted numerous times during her funeral service...Love.  She wrote a short song called "Love-Light." 

This song was a prayer...a prayer for God's light to shine through us day by day.  My friend called this light from Jesus "Love Light"  because through Him loving us, we can love others with a love that only He can provide for us...a love that will shoot out in all darkness.  Within the past few weeks at my work, I have seen how after this lady's passing away, God has morphed my life into a deeper boldness to share the light that dwells inside of me.  Everyone remembered her for her Love-Light.  She adopted so many spiritual brothers, sisters, children, and grandchildren into her life because of this. 

When I was a senior in high school, and was preparing my senior pictures in a slide show format, I picked a song called "Legacy" to play with my pictures.  

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy 

My friend left this legacy, and I am encouraged all the more to live for my funeral today.  Now...let me show you what God says about this kind of love...

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Psalm 63:3 
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  


My friend was pretty much a superhero.  She had this love radiating throughout her into everyone!  We all have struggles, strongholds that tie us down.  Sometimes we don't even realize it's a stronghold that has kept us from allowing our true "power" to burst from us. 

The best way I can describe this is through a visual given to me...prepare your imaginations:
 
You are standing on a porch...staring at a door, probably of your own choosing mind you.  This single door, has been the main focus of all your prayers, your thoughts, actions...sure once in a while you'll stand aside and glance toward another door briefly...but you're stubborn in waiting for this door to open.  Pretty soon, you're kicked off the porch.  Now, since you are kicked off that porch, you see so many other doors that need that focus and attention...and these doors are open for you.  You see how the Love-Light in your soul has touched individuals in those open doors.  It shines more, and more doors open....doors you don't even realize were there (because you weren't looking). That Light peeks into more than one area, because your focus has branched out beyond a single door that won't open.  You don't try to focus it in one place, but allow God's love to radiate into more lives by taking action in doing so.  A light won't shine in a closed door...and in Isaiah 22:22 the only one that can open and close a door is God.  You can't make people see the light of Jesus, only Jesus can.  He sends us out to share the Light, but whether the door is open or not depends on if they will actually see the Light you show them. 

It is at this point that I realize how my friend was able to touch so many people...she loved everyone and sought to do so...not just one direction.  Not just one door.  She looked for open doors that God picked for her and Love-Light poured out.  I want to live this legacy.  I want to love everyone.  She had a love only Jesus could give her, and I desire to understand that more and more.  When it is time for the celebration of my life, I pray that I can leave this legacy for someone to claim as his/her own as she did for me. 

Dear Lord, remind me that only you can open and close doors in my life, and only in those open doors will your love-light radiate in.  I pray for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ...that you will reveal to them doors of opportunity to share your Love-Light.  Give me strength to walk away from the closed doors and to stay away until, by your power and will, those doors open in their time. 

When It Really Hurts

The vision:  

I'm laying on a hospital bed in a room with IV needles injected into me.  I hurt, I ache, the pain at first seemed overbearing.  I lay there receiving my treatment.  
God speaks from beside me, "This hurts doesn't it?" 
"Yeah, it sure does."  
"But you know you need to go through this to get better." 
"Yes, I believe that.  I don't know how long it will take, nor do I know what will come of this...but I know it will make me better." 
"I will be right here beside you the whole way." 
"I know.  I can make it through this knowing that."  
"I love you Kat...this is for my ultimate good."  


Recently, I had held to a promise for some time now.  I believed (at the time) that my intentions had purified, my motives with this party had been under control, and I thanked God for allowing me to be living at peace in myself (mostly) while I believed what He was going to do. 

In a whirlwind of emotions from losing a very dear friend at my nursing home, I was overcome with fear and confusion when I noticed a glimpse of my promise being shattered.  I ran for assistance immediately.  And my assistance, I mean that I ran to a trusting source to tell me that this was happening and break me hard now so I could cry that night and get on with life the next day.  My friends and parents were there instantly to console my heart through this tough time, but to my Mom this hardship was an answer to her prayer and I found delight in that despite my struggle.

Monday came, and a wave of comfort came through devotionals and coworkers and residents who had no idea what I was going through.  I truly felt my vision constantly throughout the day, and it gave me the strength I needed to keep going and look past that promise I made for myself and hear God tell me a greater promise that I can't put into a box nor a face.

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about a thorn in his flesh that he prayed God to get rid of.  God's answer was no.  (This is hilarious, because in the past 2 days, I have had 3 devotionals and/or verses tell me this exact same thing)  Through this thorn however, he was able to rely more dependently on God.

Yesterday, I held a memorial service for my residents because of all the deaths they've experienced in such a short time.  In that service we talked about hardships and one man asked me "Why would God put you through such difficult times?"

I pondered that, and responded "I honestly can't tell you right now why God is putting you through the hardship and struggle you are going through now, but I can tell you reasons I've seen from hindsight in ways He has used hardships."

I proceeded to explain that we live in a sinful world.  God can use our hardships to make us more dependent on Him.  He can use hardships to help others overcome theirs.  This man listened, and I knew the words of God were speaking through me because if there was a time when I was truly at my weakest emotionally, I saw Him make me my strongest emotionally for my residents.  

In the last few days, God has overpowered VAST amounts of wisdom and opportunities to me...more than I can explain at the moment.  As doors open and I am able to walk through them, I will post more. 

In the mean time, my friends, take comfort in your hardships.  God is sitting next to you encouraging you that this moment in your life is for His own good, even though we don't understand.  Someday, you may.  But  trust Him, because God's ways are perfect and truly for our own good. 

I love you all.