Mercy and Truth

Psalms 57:1-3 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

As Mark and I finished language school, we were in serious prayer about where God would have us start a work for Him.  Villages, towns and cities dotted the jungle up and down the Amazon and also the Rio Negro, so we could have just gotten in a boat and traveled to any one of them, but we wanted to be where God wanted us.  Mark traveled around with a Brazilian pastor and preached along the way, all the while his heart growing more burdened for the people he saw.

Finally, God showed him where we were to go.  We packed up all our belongings, put them on a boat and headed almost 40 hours up river.  I was amazed at how the captain knew where to turn the boat in such a maze of trees and water, especially when night came.  Every now and then a big spot light was turned on in the night so that he could check for sandbars. I couldn't sleep for worrying about all the dangers of where we were and the thoughts of everything living in those black waters that could eat us for dinner if we were to sink, so I kept praying that God would protect us.   Eventually we made it to our town safely and I was glad to pick up my four babies, who were all under 5 years old at the time, and walk on dry ground again. 

We set up house, but God didn't want us to start a church there yet, so once again, Mark began traveling by boat and preaching in the villages near our little town.  God led him to a man who had family on another small river near us.  They got in Mark's john boat and the man sat in the very front to guide Mark along the way.  Mark said every opening in the flooded jungle looked the same, but the man would simply lift his hand and motion towards a direction and Mark had to trust him to lead him in the right way.  An hour and a half later they arrived at a small lake and the village of Bulixu.  Over the course of the following years we would meet, teach and win everyone there for the Lord.  After some time, Mark didn't even need a guide, but had memorized the way and we could travel back and forth on our own.

In Psalm 57 David was hiding in the cave from King Saul.  His future was unclear and seemed full of danger.  I wonder if he felt the way I did on that boat in the middle of the river, scared at what could not be seen?  I think he was a thousand times braver than I have ever been, but he shows his need in God in the very first verse where he says he is going to take refuge in God.  He doesn't lean on his own power, but God's and reminds himself that God is the One who performs all things for him.  I just love that. 

In our deepest, darkest moments, we can hide in God and trust in His ability to perform ALL things for us!  When we are literally without recourse and can do nothing, God still is able to make something happen.  We just have to trust Him.

David goes on to paint a picture of God's mercy and truth.  I can almost see these attributes going out in front of David to create the way and protection for him!  David is there hiding in God and telling us that God is sending out before him His protection, His guidance, His truth and the fact He will right all wrongs.  David wasn't the beloved king as of yet, no, he was considered a traitor of the king of Israel!  Imagine having that lie hanging over you!  But he trusted in God to perform for him. 

By the end of the chapter David returns to the Mercy and Truth of God and they fill his vision and future.  I think about Mark trying to navigate all those islands and waiting on the man in the front of the boat to lift his hand and point the way, until the day Mark could do it for himself.  I believe that is what God's mercy and truth do for us.  We can hide in God while the calamities and fears abound, but He let's us see Him in action, sending forth His Mercy in our lives, and with Truth, righting all wrongs.  Our faith is built during these times of trials, but in the end we lift our voices and praise God as we see His mercy and truth filling our future!  Not just our eternal destination, but our immediate future. 

If you are scared in your life right now, go sit up under His wings.  He is the God that can perform ALL things in your life for you.  He will send out His mercy and truth in front of you to guide your way.  It may not happen today, because He knows you are not ready to head out just yet.  He may just be enjoying having you up close to Him and resting in His power and care.  So don't hang your head and cry the whole time, sit there and watch Him work.  Believe in Him that He is sending out everything into your tomorrow that you will need in order to fulfill His will in your life.  Don't look out at the King Saul's in your life who want to threaten your peace and place with God.  They don't have the power to do anything anyway!  They may act like they do, and make you think that they do, but God's Truth will prevail their lying words.  Every. Single. Time.

One day you will find your praise again and you will stand and exalt the name of God for what victories He will perform.  Just wait for it.  You will see His Mercy and Truth fill your future and your faith will be stronger than it was yesterday. 

Until next time, Lord willing,
Sheri

Seasoned with Salt

Mr 9:50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Col 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Mt 5:13 ¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

According to the late John Phillips salt does three things:

1.       Salt adds tang.

2.       Salt arrests corruption

3.       Salt creates thirst.

When a family is first interested in our school our staff offers to give them a tour of our campus hoping to generate some questions along the way and to answer their questions as well. The virtual tour helps but often times whets an appetite to see and to know more. I love giving tours for more than one reason. I get to know people better and I really like stirring their interests in other areas of life. You can learn a lot about people if you spend time with them. Sooner or later I ask the question, “Do you attend a church close by?” That’s a very good question and is not offensive and it gives me an open door in their beliefs concerning Jesus Christ.

While on the tour, I get to observe the children and listen to their conversation between parents and find out their interests as a family. I can pretty much learn and know if the child is obedient or rebellious. The attitude of a child is very important during this time. A tour also gives the parents an opportunity to know me. Often times, I purposely do not reveal that I am the Principal. I do this for a couple of reasons:  I don’t want them to feel intimidated but I desire for them to relax and feel at home, comfortable, if you please. Also, I need for them to ask questions and lots of them.

Once they know that I am the Principal, their countenance changes and many times they turn to a more political side. It is very important to hold their attention as I try to sell our school.  Therefore, I must watch what I say and how I say it.  At times this is very difficult for me. Do you have trouble with your words? I’m from the South and too many times people from other parts of this United States, talk differently. I have to watch my slang.  My conversation must be seasoned with salt. It can’t be over whelming with too much information either. My words need to be kind, mild, if you please and not rash or condescending. I am representing the Lord Jesus Christ and His Christian education through our local church. Without fail, I must find out their spiritual condition. Only by listening to the Holy Spirit I am able to do this, and so it is with you, friend.

We may only have this moment! We have to be able to answer and respond to people as Christ would respond, especially those who are “without” or outside of Christianity. It takes work and practice and the constant reminder that Jesus walked about doing good and speaking absolute and perfect words to those He surrounded Himself with while on this earth. He also was the Master of perfect words. I am not! Are you like me? I am the epitome of a fool at times. I cannot let up for one second or I find that my expressions, my words, and actions are totally misunderstood, and off I go digging myself out of a hole that may become deeper and deeper as the conversation continues if I don’t purposely add the salt!

My speech, your speech, needs to be, MUST be, always with grace, seasoned with salt in order to give the right answer to the one who may question us or the one who needs answers and doesn’t even know the question!!

What would you do or say to……

·         The sick mom with a child who needs help, clothes, money, milk and sees all Christians as hypocrites?

·         The hurting wife who learned her husband has just recently had an affair with the church pianist?

·         The family who lost their only child?

·         The father who lost his job and the rent is past due?

·         The Muslim, the Buddhist, the Jehovah Witness, the Mormon, the Jew.

·         The frustrated parent in Wal-Mart trying to get a prescription filled while holding a crying child?

·         The wealthy parent who thinks she needs nothing but is empty, without hope, needing everything and is argumentative, oppositional, hateful,….(This one is difficult for me. I know what I WANT to do and sometimes it is needed!)

·         The young girl who goes to the altar inappropriately dressed but cries out of control seeking God?

·         The bus kid who just can’t seem to sit still?

The Holy Spirit knows all these people above and their circumstances, but you may not. You and I have the responsibility to be ready and to know how to answer EVERY man (or woman and child). An answer may be just a hug, but we must be ready.

Jesus knew how to answer EVERY man!

·         Jesus knew how to answer the woman at the well. John 4:13 & 14

·         Jesus knew how to answer Peter, as he called out to God while walking on the water.
               Matt. 14: 27

·         Jesus knew how to answer Saul on the road to Damascus before he became saved Paul!
               Acts 9:5

·         Jesus knew how to answer Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Luke 19:5

·         Jesus knew how to answer Judas Iscariot. John 13:27

·         Jesus knew how to answer the blind man. John 9:3-5

·         Jesus knew how to answer Nicodemus. John 3: 5-21

·         Jesus knew how to answer the nobleman whose son was sick unto death. John 4:48-50

·         Jesus knew how to answer Phillip when he found a lad with five barley loaves and two
               small fish. Mark 6:37 & 38

You and I are witnesses of this awesome, omnipotent Savior, as He allows us to be an instrument ready for use by the Holy Spirit of God!!  1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Jesus added tang, arrested corruption and created a thirst to know more truth and so can you and me!

Isn’t that what this road trip is all about for this year of 2015? If we KNOW the Word, we will have the WORDS to say as Jesus would have said, seasoned with salt!

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sharon

Weekend Getaway # 12

The Sword and Prayer

Ephesians 6:17-18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

In the city where I live in southern Brazil we have a very old, very stately, Catholic church building.  It is a point of reference when giving directions for any other place in town because everyone knows where the "Cathedral" is.  One day as I sat out in the plaza in front of the church I noticed something peculiar.  Everyone who drove by was crossing themselves.  So I started paying attention to the pedestrians, almost all of them did the same thing.  Later, I asked a lady from our own church, who was saved out of Catholicism, why the people were crossing themselves.  She said that from the time she was a child her mom taught her to do the same thing.  In part it was to show reverence for the church, but also out of fear that if they didn't, something bad would happen to them or they wouldn't be blessed. 

You and I can be guilty of the same unprofitable, ritualistic practices in our own Christian lives if we are not careful.  One example of this is how we treat today's verse.  We think that the Word of God is the Bible.  So we tout our Bible, sleep with our Bible, hold our Bible as if it is some amulet of magical protection.  People all over Lages have an open Bible in their stores that is covered in dust, but they believe it is protecting them and their store from evil.  This is occultism, and not Scriptural.

The word "word" in Ephesians 6:17 is not the object, but the memorized Word of God.  The Holy Spirit can not call to remembrance what is not there in your head.  We can't treat the Bible as an object of protection, we must thoroughly read, study and yes, memorize parts of it so that we can use it against our wicked enemy.  Jesus used it against Satan when tempted, so we should follow in His example.  It all comes back to the Truth.  Not just holding it, but knowing it.

The Christian Armor is:

1. Truth
2. Righteousness
3. Preparation
4. Faith
5. The Word

and finally,

6. Prayer

In the '90's my pastor preached a sermon that changed the way I view prayer.  He told our church that prayer can be used as a weapon.  I had never thought of it that way and it helped me to think on actually having something that I could combat the devil with every day.  Let me explain:

Let's say your area of temptation is anger.  You are going about your day and all of a sudden are faced with a situation that makes you want to be VERY angry.  You have been wronged and you want justice immediately.  You feel that sinful anger rising up inside of you and you know you are about to explode.  You would like to use a weapon, and trust me, it isn't prayer!  This is where the rubber meets the road so to speak.  You have a choice to either use the Christian armor against the enemy or enter into the battle of temptation and be wounded because you will not stand, you will fall.

In order to use prayer as a weapon, you should already have your target in sight and predetermined.  Make a list of your personal areas of temptation.  Decide one person or thing you are going to pray for when you are met with that particular temptation.  Here is an example:

1. Anger - Pray for Jane Doe who has stage 4 cancer and her family. 
2. Lust - Pray for the church missions program and missionaries by name.
3. Pride - Pray for your Pastor and his family each by name.

Do you see how you can target things that Satan is also targeting?  So while he may be attacking you at the moment, you can reverse the attack by targeting something he doesn't want strengthened.  In the act of prayer, you are NOT destroyed by the enemy and you are fortifying other brothers and sisters in Christ!  It is an awesome way to face the day. 

In all, using the Whole Armor of God takes character.  We can get the mindset to use it, OR we can be lazy good for nothing Christians and live in misery until Jesus comes back.  I urge us to daily put on the armor so in the end, above all, we can stand....side by side....smiling and crying....but victorious!

Until next time, Lord willing,
Sheri

Stumbling Along in Wisdom

Col 4:5 ¶ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Mr 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables

1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

How do we know what to say to people who come to us for advice or help if we really don’t know what to say? These are times when we have to sit back in our chair of life and pull from the supernatural power of the Living God. He is not dead, folks, and He can live, work and flow through you, the believer. So, let's get to know Him better even if it means we stumble along the way.

At any moment of any day you and I may be called on to speak in wisdom to those who are “without,” meaning those who are not Christians; those not born again. We cannot let our Savior down at these times. It is a matter of life and death. We must be prepared. Sheri is giving you this preparation step by step….. called the Armor of God. This armor is mandatory and our true defense unless we are not covered by the supernatural power of God, His Word.

We have what is called a gopher tortoise in our part of central Florida. True Floridians like me, call them gophers. If you look up “gopher” you will find something very different than what roams around on our patch of ground. I love this time of spring as we see them out and about, but they can be ever so destructive just like all the other varmints in this neck of the woods. The gopher tortoise can be seen slowly feeding on plants while going from one spot to another but there are times when the gopher will close up shop and all that can be seen is their big yellowish, tan shell. Danger is ahead and they have pulled in their limbs leaving just their armor. They don’t move because their shovel like claws are inside their cover. If they are near their hole (home), they’ll scoot on in, but most of the time they are too far and have to use what God provided for them to protect themselves. I like that, not that I am comparing myself to a gopher, but that God provided even for the gopher. God has given you and me that protection as we armor ourselves for the battle.

People on the outside, or “without” don’t know that they need God until they see that they need God. We, as Christians are responsible for their good eye sight. If we let our armor down and bite and devour each other, why would anyone who is not saved want what we have? We have to use God’s wisdom or we will fail every time and that opportunity may never arise again.

Ga 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

As Christians if we gossip and tear down our fellow church members, why would the unsaved give us even one minute of our time to discuss Jesus Christ?  The world “without” see and hear us daily. Our conversation, our life, is to be one above reproach. 

They judge religion; therefore they judge Christians because of the life they see.

They judge our church by the lives of the members of our church.

Our tongues wag so hard and so fast we keep those around us including unbelievers, spinning out of control. We must use wisdom and walk in it toward them that are without, redeeming the time. There is not much time, folks!

 According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, WISDOM is defined as:

WISDOM, n. s as z. G.

1.       The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion.

Using that wisdom, our speech should be with grace, seasoned with salt. May I speak freely to you and me about this matter? Contemplate the following and ask God to help you as I am praying for God to help me as well:

1.        Have we added grace to our speech? Are we kind, full of good will toward others or are we hateful and condescending?

2.       Do we try and reconcile those separated by sin? Is our grace an actual grace or do we provoke others to wrath, separating friendships?

3.       Are we virtuous showing affection by our words to those “without” or are we dishonest in our responses, causing stink instead of a sweet smelling unto the Lord?

4.       Do we show favor and pardon to those who have wronged us or do we go after them using all malice and hurtful words destroying their very good character?

5.       Are we honest, full of integrity or are we not trusted, looking for gain by unlawful methods?  

 1Th 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.  

May I ask again, “Why would those ‘without’ even desire the Lord Jesus Christ whom we claim we serve?” Even if you stumble, get up and try again. Time is running out, friend, and Spring Break will be over just like our lives. Grab the time, right now, before another second ends!

Until next time, Lord willing.

Sharon

Salvation

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

This past month at the Bible college my daughter attends, a preacher stood and challenged the student body to spend one hour a day in prayer for a solid week.  He asked them to determine for themselves if it made a difference in their lives.  My daughter called me up early on Friday morning last week and began telling me how God had changed some things in her life because she had accepted the prayer challenge.  I listened to her and my mind went back to the time when I was her age in Bible college and a preacher came through and made a similar challenge.  Those are sweet memories because it is where I learned to put on my helmet of Salvation (deliverance).

I believe that once we:

1. Gird ourselves with Truth
2. Protect ourselves with the Breast Plate of Righteousness
3. Shod our feet with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace
4. Shield ourselves with Faith

the enemy gets very frustrated.  He has tried everything to take us down and we are protected at all sides, so he tries to confuse us until we stumble, lose our armor and are no longer a threat to him.

How does he confuse us?  By messing with our minds.  Satan wants us to believe that our situation is hopeless and that there is NO deliverance!  This is why we need the Helmet of Salvation.  We must not let wrong thinking undo everything we have learned. 

It is wonderful that my daughter is becoming an adult and maturing in her faith in God.  It is wonderful that she is wanting to talk to God for longer periods of time and share her heart.  But I know the devil is going to take a spin at her life until she feels dazed and confused about all the Truth that she has learned and known about God.  I know this because I have experienced it.  So have many of you. 

So, how do we practically put on the Helmet of Salvation?  We test all thoughts and ideas by the Truth of God's Holy Word.  This means making sure we are reading and studying an untainted translation of the Bible.  This means making sure we are listening to preaching that lines up with that Word and isn't sugar coated just to make us feel good.  It would be sad if all we cared about was feeling good in life because it lasts for just a brief second and is gone.

Ask yourself:

Am I filling my life with things that are contrary to God's Word?  If so, why? 
Am I testing my heart against what God says or am I basing my decisions on feelings?

If a gospel song is leading your life, you have got problems.  God's Word cannot be reduced into a chorus that you hum during the day.  You need to read It so that you know what It says so you can live It, not just sing about it. 

If quotes of past preachers and noted Christians are leading your life, you have got problems.  God's Word cannot be left to cute quotes and sayings.  It is the Living, Inspired and Preserved Word.  It should dominate our lives so that we know when wrong thoughts are presented and we can reject them. 

I imagine I will go to my grave trying to weigh wrong thoughts against Truth.  It is a difficult area for all of us, so why not encourage each other with Scripture before cliché?  I know when I have asked a friend for prayer and they quote a Scripture, it brings immediate answers to me.  Sometimes it is peaceful, other time it shows me I am in need of some confession time with the Lord and making something right that is wrong spiritually.  But either way, I am wearing my helmet of Salvation and testing all that comes into my mind.

I hope you will put on your helmet and protect your mind today.  The enemy would love to see us walking around in a daze and not accomplishing what we need to for the Lord.  Don't let him mislead you today.  Seek and follow Truth.  There is NO confusion in what is right.

Until next time, Lord willing,
Sheri

Spring Break

Col 4:5-6 ¶ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Eph 5:15-16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

A young boy sat across from me using part of my desk to write a summary of his book report. From his mouth he spoke the words so that he could hear what to write. He had trouble writing thoughts down, so I told him to speak it out loud and then to write what he heard himself say. He sat in a chair with two books and a pillow under him in order to reach my desk. Behind him stretched out on a small mat, a three year old whimpered these words, “I want my mommy.” She saw me out of her crinkled little eyes and began to say it louder. She was intrigued though with all the excitement of the day. Students and teachers flowed through my office like flies! It was the Friday before Spring Break.

Another youngster sat in my adjoining conference room trying to finish his late work from the last five weeks but determined to finish it in 30 minutes in order to NOT face suspension once returning FROM Spring Break.

A sophomore stood at my door looking around at the levels of conversations with groanings and asked, “Mrs. Loyd, did you forget our appointment?” I just smiled and answered, “No, but if you will, have a seat and we can meet with a grand audience! We both smiled at each other and she pulled up another chair right beside the youngster speaking his book report!  “Oh me”…..I silently prayed, “Lord, give me YOUR wisdom for I feel the immediate urge to run to the funny farm!” Grandma Baxley used to refer to the state mental hospital as the “funny farm” but it wasn’t funny to us as youngsters, because we really believed it was a sad place to send anyone. Today was different and I understood what she meant.

Meanwhile, sitting at the desk with two students, I looked up as a teacher enters the room, glancing around at the children and said, “Uhm…..I’ll come back AFTER Spring Break.” We laughed but commented that we can do anything because Spring Break is about to begin!

Everyone “did their time” in Mrs. Loyd’s office and loaded up shouting, “SPRING BREAK IS HERE!”  But the day had not ended, yet…..because on the way to dismissal a seven year old decided to pat a young girl’s bottom as she swished by him. “You did what, young man?” I shouted as he stared at me.

“Mrs. Loyd, I was so excited because we get to have Spring Break, I just lost myself!”

“To begin with, YOU ARE NOT LOST, and secondly, you cannot pat a young girl on her bottom!”

“My daddy does,” he cried.

“You are not your daddy and that girl is not your wife! Now, go to Spring Break before I lose myself, also!”  He ran out of my office, and I busted into laughter. I’m sorry folks, but sometimes, you just have to bust a gut over things that happen all at one time. I began to think over the day and thanked God for His bountiful blessings as He uses us to bring honor and glory to His name even while busting a gut. The student's "time in my office" will end one day and so will MY “time” in God’s order of business end for me.  These verses in Colossians 4 and Ephesians 5 are so full of good meat.

1.        Did the young man who wrote the book report get reprimanded? Yes. He lost several points from his 100, but he finished with a smile on his face, a kick in his step with a couple of pointers that could help him in the future.....while doing time in Mrs. Loyd’s office.

2.       Did the 4 year old learn her lesson by spending an hour in the Principal’s office? No! She loved every minute of it, but it gave her teacher a break!

3.       Did the sophomore accomplish anything sitting beside an 11 year old trying to block out a whimpering toddler behind her? Yes. We had a blast! And, she walked away realizing she needed to sign up for the next ACT and look over a list of scholarships while on HER Spring Break. She also had an opportunity to share with me some struggles in her life while I reminded her that maybe, just maybe her brain was a gift from God and needed some tender loving care by feeding it with God’s Word!!

Spring Break! How many I have seen come and go. I am not in the spring of my life anymore, but I face the Fall before the winter storms, redeeming the time. It is my desire to help you, the reader to know this One who allows us the next Spring Break!  Our speech whether to the adult, the teen, the adolescent or the toddler should be always, always with grace, seasoned with salt that we may know how to answer every man…..(woman & child)  I certainly have not been perfect in this area. God’s word has the answer and as we spend “our time in His Office” don't get frazzled by the interruptions of the day. Grab that time, hang on to it with all of God's strength and rejoice in the fact that God needed YOU for a particular task, redeeming the time.  I believe you and I can walk away refreshed with a kick in our own step!

What does it mean, exactly to “walk in wisdom toward them that are without?”  I would like to share with you some more thoughts this coming Thursday, Lord Willing!

Sharon