Make Me a Servant

In my weekly bible study we are studying the tabernacle with Beth Moore in A Woman's Heart. We are looking at what led up to the reason for needing the tabernacle and of course sin in the Garden of Eden is where our break in communion with God began. As we studied the Garden of Eden this week, then there were things the Lord spoke to me.  I shared them with my sweet sisters and now I want to share them with you!

Genesis 2:15 says the Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work and take care of it. The word “take care” here in verse 15 also means to guard the garden.  However, Adam didn’t do that, did he? He allowed the serpent to come in. The serpent shouldn’t have even made it to his wife, Eve, but he did. Adam wasn’t doing what God had commissioned him to do.

courtesy of pearls of promise ministries

Genesis 3:24 says that God drove out man and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life.  The word guard here is the same word used when Adam was instructed to take care of the garden. Now that Adam wasn’t there to guard it, then the Lord instructed the cherubim to do it.

Interestingly, the garden was Adam’s tabernacle. Adam was like the priest and the garden was the sanctuary. The garden was their place of worship. The place of worship for the Israelites was the Tent of Meeting. It was instructed to the Levites, the anointed priests, in Numbers 3:7-8 says “They are to perform duties for him (talking about Aaron here) and the entire community before the tent of meeting by attending to the service of the tabernacle. They are to take care of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting and perform duties for the Israelites by attending to the service of the tabernacle.” The commission given to priests regarding the tabernacle was the same commission given to Adam in the garden. Work it. Take care of it. Guard it.

So I share this with you.  The same way Adam was called to serve God by guarding & caring for the garden, the priests were called to guard & care for the tent of meeting because it was their sanctuary. We too are called to guard and take care of our sanctuary. Our church. We are called to serve our church. Adam didn’t guard his church nor did he guard his heart. Adam didn’t obey God’s commission and now that he wasn’t there to serve the Garden, then God had to use someone else. He used the cherubim.

God is going to do what God is going to do. We can do it with him or we can do it without him. Doing it with him, obeying him, and serving him allows us to receive His blessings. Or we can choose to ignore His commission & not guard against those who will seduce us into sin. Like Adam, we will miss blessings and all that the Lord has planned for us.

So we must guard our church and guard our hearts. Because of Jesus, our bodies are our temple now. The Holy Spirit no longer resides in the garden or a tabernacle. He resides in us! Let’s do as He has commissioned us. Like Adam and the Levites, we must work & take care of our church. We must care for & guard our souls. If we don’t allow the Lord to use us, then He will surely use someone else.

Sin of Dissatisfaction

Have you ever been guilty of the sin of dissatisfaction?

credited to www.fourgrainer.com

Is your house not big enough or nice enough?
Is your car not the one you wish you were driving?
Do you wish your children behaved all of the time?
Do you wish your husband romanced you like the husbands of the Hallmark movies?
Do you wish your wife had it all together?
Do you wish your boss recognized your talent?
Do you wish friends recognized your work in the friendship?
Do you wish you were prettier, thinner, better, etc?
Do you wish someone would notice you for who you are and everything you do?

I am guilty! G-U-I-L-T-Y!! Not that I admit that with excitement. It's more like, I admit it shamefully.. with my head down, eyes averted, and sheepishly raising my hand explaining that yes... sometimes, I do indeed wish for more than I actually have.

How satan just loves to turn our satisfaction into dissatisfaction!! Stop looking at what seems to be  lacking and let's look at what has been given...

My house is warm on this day that feels like it's below 0 outside.

My vehicles gets us from point A to point B safely.

My children are children... and although they don't always behave how I wish they would, then I can praise God they are all healthy and strong! Those strong minds will mean they have strength to stand up for what's right!

My husband may not woo me in the ways I may selfishly desire, but he works hard to provide for us. He helps me with our children. He doesn't complain that the house is a mess and dinner isn't ready on time. He is gracious to me.

I'm the wife who doesn't have it all together and the house is rarely clean, but our kids are healthy, doing homeschool, & well-fed. Hey! That must count for something!!



The Lord has given me many blessings! It is downright sinful to be so ungrateful as to complain that what I've been given is not enough. It is only pride and idolatry that breeds that sin. Adam and Eve had everything in the Garden of Eden. They lacked nothing. Everything wrong in this world: in our marriages, in our families, in our churches, etc. was lacking. So it's safe to say... sin isn't because of what we have. Sin isn't because of what we don't have. Sin is simply an issue of our heart. Oh how desperately deceitful our hearts are!! (Jeremiah 17:9) Do not buy satan's lies that we need more stuff, bigger salaries, & better things. Less of our man, less of our children, less of our church, etc.


Sweet Friend, let's take our thoughts captive to the Lord. Remembering that above all, He is the King, and we are only on this earth to worship & honor him. We are only on this earth to tell others about Him! Who am I to say that what I don't have is good enough? Truly, how good the Lord is to me. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." Praise Him!

When I wrestle with such sinfulness in my heart, then it's my prayer that as sisters in the Lord we can lift each other up in prayer and ask the Lord to make our hearts grateful and our minds satisfied. He alone... Jesus alone... is enough!

Words For Better or Words For Worse?

I grew up in a home where words were used to bring harm. A playful jest that was only truly fun for the jester. Yells & screams of imperfection haunted me by those I longed to please most. Words spoken over me that wrought fear of uncertainty and unknowns within my bones. 

It wasn't until I got married that I realized the damaging words that encased my heart. It was then that I used those same words to bring harm to my new husband. Our marriage was deteriorating in the few short months since we had both donned our wedding bands. A kind, courageous friend pulled me aside one day and spoke the truth with love to me. A truth that shook my core. "You're not a nice wife", she told me. She explained to me how she had seen my bullying, emasculating, and hateful words to tear my husband down. The sad part was... I knew it was all true. I had done that & I felt utter shame.

But why?

It shattered the very being of who I was but the answer was quite simple. Using my words in that sort of way was all I had ever known.

Thirteen years later and that man is a rock in my life and we are so very happily in love. I am grateful to God every day for saving our marriage.  I rejoice that the Father gave him to me to do life with! 

Candidly I share with you, I continue to be redeemed over the words I choose. I am still a work in progress.

That friend and I have since parted ways as we both moved to different states. Now, the Holy Spirit pulls me aside and whispers truths into my spirit... and lately he's continued to show me more about the words I speak.

Isaiah 58:13 says “If you call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, seeking your own pleasure, or talking too much; then you will delight in the Lord.”

You see I've learned, our words are a developed picture of our heart. Matt. 15:18 says that what is in our hearts comes out of our mouths. Psalm 19:14 requests for the Lord to make the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart pleasing to Him for He is my rock & redeemer!  My words can defile others (Matt 15:11) and my words can oppress, rebel, and disgust the Lord (Isaiah 59:13)

Like the fires in Gatlinburg,TN that began with a small piece of brush from wildfires in the chimney tops destroyed more than 15,000 acres of mountains, our words have the same power. James 3:5-6 says, “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

Pic courtesy of The Watchers

 In Isaiah 6:6-7 Isaiah’s lips are purified by an angel with a burning coal. The fire within the coal purified his mouth and then wickedness was removed and his sins atoned for. This was his justification moment. His salvation moment! This speaks to me and shows me that if his lips were purified & all wickedness removed from him, then our mouth is a messenger that performs the potentially wicked duties of our heart.

So, we can choose… will we allow our mouths to be like that of a deadly spark that destroys the lives of others and wreaks havoc to those in our paths? Or will we allow our mouths to be like that of Isaiah? Allowing the angels to take the fire of purification and cleanse our mouths, therefore purifying our hearts?

My prayer is that my words will be uplifting and strengthening to others. This includes The Hubs and our precious children. As I come alongside others, then I want to use my words to encourage our fellowship with each other. I want my words to reveal Jesus to them! 

What about you? Can you relate? Are you using your words to reveal Jesus to others?

Unafflicted

My current Bible Study I'm doing is Beth Moore's Children of the Day. It's a study through 1 & 2 Thessalonians with Paul on his missionary journey. I'm only 1/3 of the way through, but it is a great lesson! I love doing Bible studies to learn more about the Bible. Digging deeper into God's word so I can learn more about Him! I've done several along with Beth Moore & Priscilla Shirer at this point and I've done some on my own. Unfortunately, time constraints don't allow me to do as many on my own these days as I wish. This season of my life is a bit hectic and that's okay. I love that God gives me these women to do studies with alongside the other women in my bible study group!

I must share that one of my favorite things about studying the Bible is seeing God's work all come together. A moment when you can see His abundance weaving through each part of the tapestry in His word! My lesson this morning interweaved with 2 past studies and I must share! It's a great word!

1 Thessalonians 3:1-4

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker1 in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

the HCSB version says (in v. 3) 3 so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions. 

Affliction in the greek translates to Thlìpsis - figuratively to oppress with evil, afflict, distress. (Zodhiates, Dictionary, s.v.). 

Afflictions come from satan. They are meant to torment us, oppress us, and bring harm to us. 

Verse 4 says, however, the people had been warned beforehand that they would suffer. Knowing that they were told of such things gave them the opportunity to plant their feet. Be on guard. To stand firmly against any strikes the enemy might throw at us.

Ephesians 6:13-14  Reminds us to stand firmly against the enemy while putting on God's armor. We don't have to fight. We just have to put on God's armor. I actually did a blogpost earlier this year on standing firm with the armor of God - here.

Exodus 14:13  commands us to stand firm and see the Lord's salvation. Verse 14 goes on to remind us once we stand firm, then the Lord will fight for us!

So we can remember we don't have to fight against the oppression, affliction, and distress that satan tries to afflict us with! The LORD will fight for us!! All we have to do is stand firm. Be prepared.. with our armor! Then, when the Author of Lies tries to afflict us we won't be shaken!

It's a choice, really. Satan will attempt to afflict us. We have been warned of such in the Bible. I am warning you now. He *will* attempt to afflict you! We can choose to be afflicted or to stand firm. We can choose to be shaken or to stand still. 

What will you do? Will you let the Lord fight for you? 

I Need Jesus

Do you have days where all seems to go awry? My day was a little bit like that. I woke up early to have my bible study time. Waking up early has never been natural for me. Lately, however, I have been waking up at 5:30 am to begin my day. When all of my children wake up, then the organized chaos begins! I'm learning I like my early mornings by myself. However, this morning two of my kiddos woke up at 6:30. Just as my breakfast had finished cooking and I was about to sit down with my cup of coffee and my bible. (Those are 2 things that get me out of bed in the morning... coffee & my bible. Anybody else feel that way?) I informed them that I would get their breakfast, but they had to sit quietly at the table to eat and then they could go play in another room, because this morning... I need Jesus!

Boy did I ever need Jesus this morning! After I finished my bible time, then I got a text from a sweet friend & church member. Please pray. Along with a picture...  this sweet little girl (a family member to this friend) is having open heart surgery today. A sweet little baby that was possibly all of 1 month old... if my guess is a correct estimation from her picture.

So, I prayed for that sweet girl. Her doctors. Her parents.

I went to our homeschool co-op classes this morning. A lady shares, please pray. A family friend was 21 weeks pregnant and they had to take her baby yesterday. The baby has a 20% chance of life.

My heart broke. I prayed for that sweet little girl. Her doctors. Her parents. That no matter what... God would get the glory.

Later this evening, one of my best friends texted me. Please pray. I am 22 weeks pregnant and got bad news today about my baby girl. My heart is aching and I feel like my life has been changed forever as I know it. 

So, amidst tears I prayed for that baby girl. Her momma, my best friend & her husband. For the doctors. For the new life they will forever face.

Three baby girls who are so loved and cherished by our Heavenly Father. By our Maker, the Strong Creator, Elohim. Who created these beautiful girls with His tear filled, loving, & holy hands... knew this very day they would need lots of prayers.

First baby girl ended up not having surgery today. I'm sure there's a blessing & a hardship received with that very news. I'm sure her day of surgery will come soon and while she waits... I will continue to lift her up to our mighty God, our El Shaddai.

Second baby girl went home to be with Jesus. We don't know if her parents know Jesus, but I pray they do... or will come to. I have never experienced the loss of a child to the extent this mother is experiencing today. I know One who has though and it's my prayer that He will send the Holy Spirit to comfort this family and give them peace as they've never experienced before. For He is Jehovah Shammah. 

Third baby girl will continue to be bathed in my prayers (and that of others) until her birth day when the extent of her medical issues will be seen in their full fruition. Until then, she is held at the bosom of Adonai and her parents, my friends, put their full faith & trust in Him. Knowing that God can heal her at any time, if He so chooses! He is Jehovah Rapha.

So today, yes, I needed Jesus!! I needed Jesus, El Olam, to fill me up so that He could overflow me and I could have enough of Him to spill out and love on these people who came to me seeking prayer.  That's what my time with Jesus does for me. Fills me up. Spills over into every aspect of my life. I want to be so full of Jesus that He just oozes from me!! I am so thankful for my time with Him this morning. So tomorrow I shall do the same. Wake up at 5:30. Grab my bible & a cup of coffee... and I will be on my way to another day to serve those around me however I can. Whether it's through prayer or encouragement... God will guide me. But whatever lays in wait for me... one thing is for sure. I won't be able to do any of it without Jesus.

Beauty in the Trinity

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Have you ever looked at verses like these and been confused by the copious use of the word "he"? Who is "he" and who is "me" and who is "mine"? It can be a little confusing and honestly a verse that's easily looked over. But I ask that you stop and really explore it!

When the Spirit of Truth ~ this is the Holy Spirit ~ comes, he will guide you into all the truth.  For he (the Holy Spirit) will not speak on his own authority. Because all authority comes from God! but whatever He (Holy Spirit) hears he will speak and He, (the Holy Spirit) will declare to you the things that are to come. The Holy Spirit speaks truth over us!

He (the Holy Spirit) will glorify me. Me is Jesus! for He (Holy Spirit) will take what belongs to Jesus and declare it to you and me. Not ask. Not pretend. Not offered. DECLARED!

All that the Father has is mine (Jesus); therefore I said that He (God) will take what is mine (Jesus) and declare it to you! Declared means to proclaim something with solidarity and to announce with great emotion. It is to acknowledge possession of something.

Jesus is announcing with great proclamation that we have possession of all that's His!

I often feel like I'm lacking in discernment, confidence, and assurance of who I am. I pray often for God to give me discernment, confidence, and assurance. 2 Corinthians 2:16 says, "But we have the mind of Christ" so this means that I have the same knowledge in my mind that Christ has in His! I pray for discernment, confidence, and assurance, but because I have the same mind that Christ has, then I have discernment, confidence, and assurance through Him!

 Since I pray for these things and I have received the Holy Spirit who comes from God, then I have understanding of what's been given to me by God (1 Cor. 2:12) The Holy Spirit speaks truth over me. He declares to me what He has in mind for me. He tells me who I am because of Jesus! He sets me on the path (Psalm 16:11) that God has planned for me! Because I have Jesus, then I have the Holy Spirit within me, and because I have the Holy Spirit, then all discernment, confidence, and assurance is mine. It is given by the Father, administered by the Holy Spirit, and made whole within me through Jesus!

              Psalm 119:32-35

32I pursue the way of Your commands,

for You broaden my understanding.

33Teach me, LORD, the meaning of Your statutes,

and I will always keep them.

34Help me understand Your instruction,

and I will obey it

and follow it with all my heart.

35Help me stay on the path of Your commands,

for I take pleasure in it.

Praise our Holy Father who has all wisdom, power, and glory forevermore! So please know that because of God's love for us, then we are given the Holy Spirit. He pours blessings on us and goes before us to prepare the way (Mark 1:2). We are forgiven and made whole by the fullness of Jesus who died for our sins! 

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As I learn more about the beauty in the trinity, then I must declare there isn't anything more beautiful!