I’m notorious in my family for changing my mind! After all, it is a woman’s prerogative, right? If I decide to take one course of action (doing something, buying something, etc.), invariably I’ll decide I should choose another. By the time I act, I’ve changed my mind more than once, and it’s a surprise what I end up doing! During this process, after I’ve exhausted my mind, just to give myself peace, I decide “When the time comes to act, whatever I end up doing is how it will be.”
Changing our minds can be either a good thing or a bad thing. I want to talk about changing our minds for our own good.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable perfect will of God.”
Wow, I’ve just this minute figured out that I can change my mind! I CAN CHANGE MY MIND! I can change my mind-set about everything! I’ve practiced and practiced and am now an expert at changing my mind. Now I can put it to good use.
............
I started this article over a month ago, but didn’t know exactly how to finish it. I made the conscious decision to start believing what God’s Word says, rather than to believe what my mind tells me. I decided what I was thinking and believing wasn’t working very well in my life. Well, duh! Once it hit me that I can really and truly change my mind and mind-set about how I think, I was off and running. Amazing things have been happening to me since I figured out I can change my mind!
The most amazing or impacting for me is how my mind has changed about myself. My whole entire life I’ve thought, “I hate myself”, “I don’t like myself.” “I wish I wasn’t the way I am.” I’ve walked in frequent periods of depression and hopelessness. I’ve berated and hated how I am, how I talk, how I act. And God’s Word of, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” … more condemnation! How can I love anyone if I don’t love myself?
In the last week or so, I’ve found the thought going through my mind, “It really doesn’t matter.” Or, “It just doesn’t matter.” This has been in response to my actions, after I’ve talked too long, or too much, or done something embarrassing, or just acted in a way that, in my mind, made me look stupid. And as I kept saying it, it finally registered to my mind and spirit that it really doesn’t matter! I am who I am, and I like who I am. WHAT WAS THAT? Did I just think that? Really? Wow! Now I find myself saying out loud “I love myself. I love who I am in Jesus. I love how I think and process things. I love who I really am. I may not like how my words come out haltingly when I talk, but I accept that it just doesn’t matter, because it’s “what’s inside” me that counts!
Wow! Jesus just set this captive free! It is truly a miracle, a supernatural sign and wonder in my long life! Thank you Jesus! There are endless possibilities before me now…
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Wilbur T. Cornfield - The Swallow Who Spit by Harlas Seidel
Wilbur T. Cornfield: It was a fine name my parents gave me, and I know they were so proud on the day I was hatched. I was just a tiny featherless body with feet and a beak, but I guess that’s how all swallows look when they claw and peck their way out of the confines of their eggs.
Mom said that I was born with my mouth open and hungry all the time. She and Dad kept busy finding bits of food and flying back to stuff it into the mouths of their seven swallow babies. The interesting thing was that Rufus, Ralph, Rachael, Randy, Ruthie and Rasputin all obediently swallowed their food like good little swallows, but every once in awhile I felt this compelling urge to spit, instead of swallow. There was no reason; the food was okay, and I was hungry, but I just spit it out. Ralph was the biggest, and he generally got the food on the floor of the nest.
Mom and Dad caught me one time, and they lectured me pretty good. You know, “We work hard for our food. You’re being rebellious.” … and the ultimate, “Swallows are starving in China,” … or India, or some place.
Now, you and I both know that swallows are supposed to swallow, not spit. Well, maybe I was a little bit rebellious, but I wasn’t stupid. From then on, I tried to spit when no one else was looking. I would cover my beak with my featherless wing and spit as quietly as possible.
Ruthie was such a tattletale. And she watched me like a hawk, not a swallow.
“Wilbur’s been spitting again,” she’d say when Mom or Dad would light on the edge of the nest. I swear, she would rather tell on me than eat, and that’s saying a lot for a baby swallow.
I got into a lot of trouble growing up, but my feathers were growing pretty fast, and I was getting better at hiding my actions.
When the day finally came for us to leave the nest, I was more than ready. Mom and Dad woke us early one morning. “Time to try your wings, kids.” For days we had been jumping up on the lip of the nest and flapping our wings like we really would leap out to what we were sure would be certain death. Ralph almost fell one time. Rasputin and Randy beaked him just in time and pulled him back to the safety of the nest.
That morning there was to be no turning back. With their strong wings they forced Rachael up to the edge and over. The rest of us couldn’t see, but Mom took off with her and a couple minutes later Rachael landed on a branch above the nest. I knew they were going alphabetically and for once I was grateful that my name was Wilbur, instead of Andrew or Axel or something. Ralph was next, and he made it to the branch Rachael was on. Randy and Rasputin followed, flying and landing successfully. Rufus tried to hide, but let me tell you, a nest is not a good place for hide-and-seek. Boy was I glad to see Ruthie go over the edge: she was such a little snert!
Soon, my six siblings were perched on the branch above the nest. I knew what was coming, but I didn’t know if I was ready. Dad hopped toward me, and I don’t know what came over me. I started spitting uncontrollably.
“Wilbur!” I heard Mom say. “Now stop that! You’re a Cornfield and Cornfield’s don’t spit.”
I felt Dad’s strong wings pressing against me, and I think he pecked me, too. I was still spitting when I plunged over the edge of the nest. It was about 30 feet down, as the crow flies; but I wasn’t a crow, and at that particular moment, I wasn’t flying, either. The last thing I remembered was Ruthie yelling at Mom. “Wilbur’s spitting! Wilbur’s spitting!”
I don’t know how long I lay on the ground, but when I woke up and looked around, they were all gone: Mom, Dad, Rachael, Ralph, Randy, Rasputin, Rufus and Ruthie. I wiggled my feet, legs, neck and wings. Nothing was broken, but I was still pretty woozy. I hopped around a little and made some swallow sounds to let Mom and Dad know I was okay, and I was hungry. But they didn’t come.
I was very sorry for my rebellion then, and I swore to myself that if they would only come back for me, I would never ever spit again.
About that time, I heard a familiar flapping of wings. Suddenly Mom was there beside me, and I knew I would be safe. She fed me a morsel of food and told me that she loved me. I told her I would never spit again, and I was sorry for my rebellion.
I guess this is about the end of my story. Mom and I hopped over to the edge of an embankment. She flew out and back a couple of times to show me how, and then she gently nudged me. I flapped my wings, and before you knew it, I was flying. We rejoined the family just in time to head off to Capistrano.
The moral of my story is, “Children, obey your parents. And stop spitting!”
Signed,
Wilbur T. Cornfield
Swallow
P. S. The T. stands for Truebird
Mom said that I was born with my mouth open and hungry all the time. She and Dad kept busy finding bits of food and flying back to stuff it into the mouths of their seven swallow babies. The interesting thing was that Rufus, Ralph, Rachael, Randy, Ruthie and Rasputin all obediently swallowed their food like good little swallows, but every once in awhile I felt this compelling urge to spit, instead of swallow. There was no reason; the food was okay, and I was hungry, but I just spit it out. Ralph was the biggest, and he generally got the food on the floor of the nest.
Mom and Dad caught me one time, and they lectured me pretty good. You know, “We work hard for our food. You’re being rebellious.” … and the ultimate, “Swallows are starving in China,” … or India, or some place.
Now, you and I both know that swallows are supposed to swallow, not spit. Well, maybe I was a little bit rebellious, but I wasn’t stupid. From then on, I tried to spit when no one else was looking. I would cover my beak with my featherless wing and spit as quietly as possible.
Ruthie was such a tattletale. And she watched me like a hawk, not a swallow.
“Wilbur’s been spitting again,” she’d say when Mom or Dad would light on the edge of the nest. I swear, she would rather tell on me than eat, and that’s saying a lot for a baby swallow.
I got into a lot of trouble growing up, but my feathers were growing pretty fast, and I was getting better at hiding my actions.
When the day finally came for us to leave the nest, I was more than ready. Mom and Dad woke us early one morning. “Time to try your wings, kids.” For days we had been jumping up on the lip of the nest and flapping our wings like we really would leap out to what we were sure would be certain death. Ralph almost fell one time. Rasputin and Randy beaked him just in time and pulled him back to the safety of the nest.
That morning there was to be no turning back. With their strong wings they forced Rachael up to the edge and over. The rest of us couldn’t see, but Mom took off with her and a couple minutes later Rachael landed on a branch above the nest. I knew they were going alphabetically and for once I was grateful that my name was Wilbur, instead of Andrew or Axel or something. Ralph was next, and he made it to the branch Rachael was on. Randy and Rasputin followed, flying and landing successfully. Rufus tried to hide, but let me tell you, a nest is not a good place for hide-and-seek. Boy was I glad to see Ruthie go over the edge: she was such a little snert!
Soon, my six siblings were perched on the branch above the nest. I knew what was coming, but I didn’t know if I was ready. Dad hopped toward me, and I don’t know what came over me. I started spitting uncontrollably.
“Wilbur!” I heard Mom say. “Now stop that! You’re a Cornfield and Cornfield’s don’t spit.”
I felt Dad’s strong wings pressing against me, and I think he pecked me, too. I was still spitting when I plunged over the edge of the nest. It was about 30 feet down, as the crow flies; but I wasn’t a crow, and at that particular moment, I wasn’t flying, either. The last thing I remembered was Ruthie yelling at Mom. “Wilbur’s spitting! Wilbur’s spitting!”
I don’t know how long I lay on the ground, but when I woke up and looked around, they were all gone: Mom, Dad, Rachael, Ralph, Randy, Rasputin, Rufus and Ruthie. I wiggled my feet, legs, neck and wings. Nothing was broken, but I was still pretty woozy. I hopped around a little and made some swallow sounds to let Mom and Dad know I was okay, and I was hungry. But they didn’t come.
I was very sorry for my rebellion then, and I swore to myself that if they would only come back for me, I would never ever spit again.
About that time, I heard a familiar flapping of wings. Suddenly Mom was there beside me, and I knew I would be safe. She fed me a morsel of food and told me that she loved me. I told her I would never spit again, and I was sorry for my rebellion.
I guess this is about the end of my story. Mom and I hopped over to the edge of an embankment. She flew out and back a couple of times to show me how, and then she gently nudged me. I flapped my wings, and before you knew it, I was flying. We rejoined the family just in time to head off to Capistrano.
The moral of my story is, “Children, obey your parents. And stop spitting!”
Signed,
Wilbur T. Cornfield
Swallow
P. S. The T. stands for Truebird
Friday, July 23, 2010
Harboring a Grudge by Harlas Seidel
Picture a ship, Y.S.S. (Your Soul’s Ship) Bitterness, filled with pirates and cutthroats, pulling into a harbor (The Harbor of the Grace of God). It is tied up to a pier, and the crew is about to go on shore leave. The crew plan to terrorize the inhabitants of this place.
Look at the crew as they leave the ship. Pride swaggers down the gangway. Pride is always first. He always draws attention to himself and never backs down from a fight, whether he is right or wrong. Things always have to be done his way or not at all. And he will fight with anyone who opposes him. He is loud and boastful and eternally striving to prove his point, in order to get others to follow him. He used to be the captain of this ship, and never thought his demotion was fair. He is subversive, and struggles to regain control, so he can take the ship wherever he wants.
The next off the ship walks with a limp, and is covered with scars and wounds. He is a very close companion to Pride. You can hear him muttering to himself and to anyone else who will listen. He is a pitiable character, and in fact, his name is Self-Pity. He stays very close to Pride, even though Pride has led him into a lot of scrapes and fights, and Self-Pity always gets hurt. He makes a lot of sniveling noises, and never hesitates to let others know how tough his lot in life is, or to show off his scars. The thing is, most of the scars never heal because Self-Pity continually picks at them and opens them up anew.
Self-Pity has no real position in the crew of Y.S.S. Bitterness, but goes around with his two side-kicks, Murmuring and Complaining, bending the ears of those foolish enough to ask how he’s doing. In fact, Murmuring and Complaining are the next two down the gangway. They stick close to Self-Pity, knowing that if he were ever fired, they would be out of a job as well. You can hear their incessant chatter as they disembark, and you know that the dark little rain cloud hovering over them will follow them into the town. Quite a crew: Pride, Self-Pity, Murmuring, and Complaining; but really this is only the foretaste of that which is yet to come.
There is a space before the next two characters begin their descent down the gangway. The reason is obvious when you see their countenances. Anger and Hatred are good buddies; but only with each other. They can recount every bad thing that has ever happened to them, and the more they think on these things, the madder they get. They are uptight, and don’t care who knows. Everybody better stay out of their way; for in their thinking, they have been pushed far enough. And they won’t take it any more. They lash out even during their calmer moments. And they are forever on guard, perceiving every action from any other as hostile. They are ready to take revenge, and fighting fair is not something they do very well.
After awhile, a hulking, giant-like person steps to the edge of the gangway. The ship actually leans toward whatever side he is on. This is the Captain of the Y.S.S. Bitterness. A scowl distorts the features of his face. The boards groan beneath his feet, afraid they might break under his weight. Captain Grudge is coming ashore. (This is what is known as harboring a grudge.)
The crew are all waiting for Captain Grudge; something is wrong. The Harbor Master is speaking to them in a calm voice, but one with definite authority. The ship, Y.S.S. Bitterness is not being granted access into this harbor at this time. The Harbor Master introduces Himself. Forgiveness is His name. His police, the shore patrol, Love, Joy, Peace, Long-Suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance are with Him. They surround the crew of Y.S.S. Bitterness to make sure that Forgiveness’ orders are carried out.
Pride tries to speak, but Meekness points his sword at Pride’s throat, and Pride is broken. Self-Pity tries to tell of all the wrongs done him, but Faith stares him down. Then as if at a signal, Captain Grudge turns and lumbers back up the gangway. Anger and Hatred threaten, but in the end they are silenced by Peace. They follow Captain Grudge, with the rest of the motley crew slowly trailing behind.
The ship hoists its sails and Y.S.S. Bitterness leaves the Harbor of the Grace of God. The village is once again safe and returns to expressing praise and worship to the Living God.
Look at the crew as they leave the ship. Pride swaggers down the gangway. Pride is always first. He always draws attention to himself and never backs down from a fight, whether he is right or wrong. Things always have to be done his way or not at all. And he will fight with anyone who opposes him. He is loud and boastful and eternally striving to prove his point, in order to get others to follow him. He used to be the captain of this ship, and never thought his demotion was fair. He is subversive, and struggles to regain control, so he can take the ship wherever he wants.
The next off the ship walks with a limp, and is covered with scars and wounds. He is a very close companion to Pride. You can hear him muttering to himself and to anyone else who will listen. He is a pitiable character, and in fact, his name is Self-Pity. He stays very close to Pride, even though Pride has led him into a lot of scrapes and fights, and Self-Pity always gets hurt. He makes a lot of sniveling noises, and never hesitates to let others know how tough his lot in life is, or to show off his scars. The thing is, most of the scars never heal because Self-Pity continually picks at them and opens them up anew.
Self-Pity has no real position in the crew of Y.S.S. Bitterness, but goes around with his two side-kicks, Murmuring and Complaining, bending the ears of those foolish enough to ask how he’s doing. In fact, Murmuring and Complaining are the next two down the gangway. They stick close to Self-Pity, knowing that if he were ever fired, they would be out of a job as well. You can hear their incessant chatter as they disembark, and you know that the dark little rain cloud hovering over them will follow them into the town. Quite a crew: Pride, Self-Pity, Murmuring, and Complaining; but really this is only the foretaste of that which is yet to come.
There is a space before the next two characters begin their descent down the gangway. The reason is obvious when you see their countenances. Anger and Hatred are good buddies; but only with each other. They can recount every bad thing that has ever happened to them, and the more they think on these things, the madder they get. They are uptight, and don’t care who knows. Everybody better stay out of their way; for in their thinking, they have been pushed far enough. And they won’t take it any more. They lash out even during their calmer moments. And they are forever on guard, perceiving every action from any other as hostile. They are ready to take revenge, and fighting fair is not something they do very well.
After awhile, a hulking, giant-like person steps to the edge of the gangway. The ship actually leans toward whatever side he is on. This is the Captain of the Y.S.S. Bitterness. A scowl distorts the features of his face. The boards groan beneath his feet, afraid they might break under his weight. Captain Grudge is coming ashore. (This is what is known as harboring a grudge.)
The crew are all waiting for Captain Grudge; something is wrong. The Harbor Master is speaking to them in a calm voice, but one with definite authority. The ship, Y.S.S. Bitterness is not being granted access into this harbor at this time. The Harbor Master introduces Himself. Forgiveness is His name. His police, the shore patrol, Love, Joy, Peace, Long-Suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance are with Him. They surround the crew of Y.S.S. Bitterness to make sure that Forgiveness’ orders are carried out.
Pride tries to speak, but Meekness points his sword at Pride’s throat, and Pride is broken. Self-Pity tries to tell of all the wrongs done him, but Faith stares him down. Then as if at a signal, Captain Grudge turns and lumbers back up the gangway. Anger and Hatred threaten, but in the end they are silenced by Peace. They follow Captain Grudge, with the rest of the motley crew slowly trailing behind.
The ship hoists its sails and Y.S.S. Bitterness leaves the Harbor of the Grace of God. The village is once again safe and returns to expressing praise and worship to the Living God.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Magnify The Lord!
When we read the scripture, “O magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.” (Psalms 34:3), we usually think of expressing honor to God in praise and worship.
However, in Philippians 1:20:21, Paul gives us a different slant on magnifying the Lord. “Christ will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through life or through death. For to me to live is Christ – His life in me: and to die in gain – the gain of the glory of eternity.” (Amplified) Let us consider what it means to magnify Jesus in our bodies.
The definition of magnify is to give honor, to make great, to enlarge. If words are too small for us to read, we might use a magnifying glass to enlarge them, so we could see them better. In actual fact, we would either put the magnifying glass directly on the words or position it towards them. The glass would be focused upon the words we wish to see, and we would have to look through the glass to see them.
What do we magnify or put the magnifying glass on in our lives? What are we focusing on? Is it Jesus? Or is it self? If we focus on ourselves, we are in essence magnifying ourselves. So what we see is still ‘self’ and all that we ‘are’, including our failures and wrong habits, and/or our successes and all we do that is right and good. When we look at or focus on ourselves, we also will naturally draw other people’s attention to us.
Consider this familiar scenario. We see someone standing outside looking up at the clouds and pointing towards the sky. As we watch, someone else comes and does the same. Soon we have to go see for ourselves what everyone is looking at. If we look at ourselves, the magnifying glass is directed at our hearts or ‘self’. To personalize this, I look at me. How to I measure up? Am I a success or a failure? Am I happy or sad? Is life hard or easy for me? Am I a good Christian or a bad Christian? If I stay focused on me, eventually other people’s attention will be drawn to me. And I might get criticized or exalted depending upon how I am evaluated by myself and others. Unfortunately, we all tend to look at ourselves and each other, judging what is good and/or bad in all our lives. It is still we who are being focused upon or ‘magnified’, not Jesus. People see us, not Jesus.
John the Baptist said in John 3:30, “I must decrease, and He must increase.” As we take the magnifying glass and focus it on Jesus in ourselves and each other, He is increased. This magnifies and gives honor and glory to the God who created the universe, who lives in those who believe in Jesus Christ. Let’s look through the glass and see Jesus. We look at who Jesus is, even if it’s ‘only us’ He lives in. We see His love, His goodness, His mercy, and His power, and He lives in us! And as we keep our eyes on Him and point to Him, pretty soon someone else will come along and be curious about what we’re looking at with such rapt attention and awe. And Jesus will be magnified in our lives, not us. What we all will see in Jesus. Is that not what we all long to do, to “magnify the Lord” in our lives?
Jesus prays to the Father in John 17:22-23, The glory which you have given Me, I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that you have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” We can cooperate with God’s plan for us to be drawn together in one by putting our magnifying glass upon Jesus, not just in our own lives, but in one another’s lives as well. Let us help each other to focus on Jesus, rather than self, within each of us. Let us magnify and exalt the lord together!
However, in Philippians 1:20:21, Paul gives us a different slant on magnifying the Lord. “Christ will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through life or through death. For to me to live is Christ – His life in me: and to die in gain – the gain of the glory of eternity.” (Amplified) Let us consider what it means to magnify Jesus in our bodies.
The definition of magnify is to give honor, to make great, to enlarge. If words are too small for us to read, we might use a magnifying glass to enlarge them, so we could see them better. In actual fact, we would either put the magnifying glass directly on the words or position it towards them. The glass would be focused upon the words we wish to see, and we would have to look through the glass to see them.
What do we magnify or put the magnifying glass on in our lives? What are we focusing on? Is it Jesus? Or is it self? If we focus on ourselves, we are in essence magnifying ourselves. So what we see is still ‘self’ and all that we ‘are’, including our failures and wrong habits, and/or our successes and all we do that is right and good. When we look at or focus on ourselves, we also will naturally draw other people’s attention to us.
Consider this familiar scenario. We see someone standing outside looking up at the clouds and pointing towards the sky. As we watch, someone else comes and does the same. Soon we have to go see for ourselves what everyone is looking at. If we look at ourselves, the magnifying glass is directed at our hearts or ‘self’. To personalize this, I look at me. How to I measure up? Am I a success or a failure? Am I happy or sad? Is life hard or easy for me? Am I a good Christian or a bad Christian? If I stay focused on me, eventually other people’s attention will be drawn to me. And I might get criticized or exalted depending upon how I am evaluated by myself and others. Unfortunately, we all tend to look at ourselves and each other, judging what is good and/or bad in all our lives. It is still we who are being focused upon or ‘magnified’, not Jesus. People see us, not Jesus.
John the Baptist said in John 3:30, “I must decrease, and He must increase.” As we take the magnifying glass and focus it on Jesus in ourselves and each other, He is increased. This magnifies and gives honor and glory to the God who created the universe, who lives in those who believe in Jesus Christ. Let’s look through the glass and see Jesus. We look at who Jesus is, even if it’s ‘only us’ He lives in. We see His love, His goodness, His mercy, and His power, and He lives in us! And as we keep our eyes on Him and point to Him, pretty soon someone else will come along and be curious about what we’re looking at with such rapt attention and awe. And Jesus will be magnified in our lives, not us. What we all will see in Jesus. Is that not what we all long to do, to “magnify the Lord” in our lives?
Jesus prays to the Father in John 17:22-23, The glory which you have given Me, I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that you have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” We can cooperate with God’s plan for us to be drawn together in one by putting our magnifying glass upon Jesus, not just in our own lives, but in one another’s lives as well. Let us help each other to focus on Jesus, rather than self, within each of us. Let us magnify and exalt the lord together!
Friday, June 18, 2010
BUT - For Us or Against Us?
How many of us have heard or said these words?
“I believe God loves me, BUT...”.
“I know God forgives me, BUT…”.
“The Scripture says…, BUT …”.
These are all words using the big “BUT” against us.
The following is a reversal. Why not use “BUT” for us?
1. God loves me totally, completely, unequivocally, irrevocably, forever - past, present, future. NO BUTS. (Romans 8:35-39). I was cut off from God (through Adam and Eve), BUT God sent Jesus (because He loves me – see #1) to shed His blood for the remission of my sins, bringing me into salvation and relationship with God. (John 3:16)
3. In my flesh there is no good thing, BUT my flesh has been crucified with Christ. My flesh can’t keep God’s standard, BUT Jesus is keeping it for me. (Romans 7:18-Romans 8:4; Philippians 2:13)
4. I am experiencing hard times and tribulation, BUT Jesus Christ lives in me and He has overcome the world; I am more than a conqueror in Him. (John 16:33: Romans 8:37)
5. My life doesn’t seem victorious, BUT God is completing the work He began in me. (Philippians 1:6)
CHALLENGE:
Next time you use the little word “BUT”, use it for you (positive), rather than against you (negative). Make your own list! Besides giving you a whole new outlook, it also works wonders in searching the Scriptures to see if a thing is true, rather than searching to see if a thing isn’t true. “The Bereans received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” ( Acts 17:11)
Final Thoughts...
“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, BUT WE KNOW that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)
“The wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life.” (Romans 6:23)
“I believe God loves me, BUT...”.
“I know God forgives me, BUT…”.
“The Scripture says…, BUT …”.
These are all words using the big “BUT” against us.
The following is a reversal. Why not use “BUT” for us?
1. God loves me totally, completely, unequivocally, irrevocably, forever - past, present, future. NO BUTS. (Romans 8:35-39). I was cut off from God (through Adam and Eve), BUT God sent Jesus (because He loves me – see #1) to shed His blood for the remission of my sins, bringing me into salvation and relationship with God. (John 3:16)
3. In my flesh there is no good thing, BUT my flesh has been crucified with Christ. My flesh can’t keep God’s standard, BUT Jesus is keeping it for me. (Romans 7:18-Romans 8:4; Philippians 2:13)
4. I am experiencing hard times and tribulation, BUT Jesus Christ lives in me and He has overcome the world; I am more than a conqueror in Him. (John 16:33: Romans 8:37)
5. My life doesn’t seem victorious, BUT God is completing the work He began in me. (Philippians 1:6)
CHALLENGE:
Next time you use the little word “BUT”, use it for you (positive), rather than against you (negative). Make your own list! Besides giving you a whole new outlook, it also works wonders in searching the Scriptures to see if a thing is true, rather than searching to see if a thing isn’t true. “The Bereans received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” ( Acts 17:11)
Final Thoughts...
“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, BUT WE KNOW that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)
“The wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life.” (Romans 6:23)
Seidel Archives Introduction
Several years ago, I put Harlas' and my writings into church publications such as monthly newsletters, bulletins, and magazines. A couple of the magzines were Branch News and Heartbeat (Listen for the Heartbeat of the Spirit) from The Vine Christian Fellowship in Eugene, OR. I'm labeling these articles as Seidel Archives, rather than Heartbeat archives, since I realized a lot of our writings were so spread out.
I'm having to retype these as I go (from existing hard copies). May you be encouraged and blessed from reading or "rereading" them with me.
I'm having to retype these as I go (from existing hard copies). May you be encouraged and blessed from reading or "rereading" them with me.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Words and Focus
What is our focus? What are we looking at? 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “We look not at the seen but the unseen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.” It also tells us to “not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
When the problems of life seem to “encroach on our space”, it is time to redirect our focus on God, on His Kingdom, on our spiritual lives. Instead of keeping our eyes fixed on us and our problems, or the problems of our loved ones, we need to put our eyes on God. One way we can do this is by changing the words we speak. We can take our eyes off ourselves and turn them to God by reading aloud (or reciting from memory) scripture verses having to do with who God is, and what He’s done and does! I’ve tried this and it works! We can get the spiritual momentum by swinging our eyes around, off ourselves and on to God.
Wow! This answers the question I’ve had a lot of times over the course of my life. I’ll be going along good “in the Lord”, and it seems like there is a spiritual dynamic or momentum that keeps growing, and I’m hearing from God and seeing things in the spirit almost every day. Then “something” happens, and all of a sudden, that momentum is gone. And I feel like I’ve lost it, lost that connection, and it feels awful! Once you’ve tasted that kind of life in the spirit with the Lord, and you lose it, you know you’ve lost the best thing in your life. I’m not talking about losing my salvation, or even actually losing my connection with God, but rather losing that continual, daily connection of being able to see things in the Kingdom and hear words from the Holy Spirit. (If you’ve never had that kind of life, and would like to, first of all seek God, but let me know and I’ll share with you how I learned to develop that kind of walk with Jesus.) I’ve learned that if I “lose that momentum”, I can just start building that momentum again! And the sooner I start after “losing it”, the easier it is to recover some of the momentum from before..
Back to words and our focus! The Bible says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.” It also says “Set your affection on things above.” These are scriptures that address what our focus is. “What are we looking at?” Like Peter when he walked on water because Jesus said, “Come.” As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on top of the water! But then he took his eyes off Jesus, put them on the waves, and started to sink. Sometimes our problems, or the affairs of this life, busyness, all the activities or business we have to take care of, plus work, just take up so much time that our focus becomes on those things, simply to survive. As hard as it may be, we each have to find or make time to turn our eyes back on Jesus, on the eternal spiritual kingdom.
We can speak words about how God works in our lives. Even in the midst of the busyness we can say “God keeps me in perfect peace because my mind is stayed or fixed continually on Him.” Isaiah. 26:3. We can say, “God’s got my back! He always leads me in triumph in Christ Jesus. God always provides for me. I am a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, therefore, all my needs are met according to His riches in glory.”
Like David, we can say “God helped me slay the lion, and the bear (previous problems in our lives), and He is well-able to slay this giant, mountainous problem in my life. He is also well able to give me wisdom to know how to handle all the affairs of my life. He will give me the wisdom, spiritual help and guidance I need to get me out of the mess I got myself into. The Holy Spirit will teach me all things and bring to remembrance all things Jesus said. He is God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,. God made man and raises man from the dead. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
These are all scriptures I’ve put into my own words, made them my own declarations to speak and declare over my life. I encourage you to do the same. Speaking God’s Word or words redirects our focus on Him and His eternal Kingdom. When the affairs of life claim all of your attention, redirect your focus by speaking God’s Word, and speaking scriptures that declare who God is, and what He has done and can do.
When the problems of life seem to “encroach on our space”, it is time to redirect our focus on God, on His Kingdom, on our spiritual lives. Instead of keeping our eyes fixed on us and our problems, or the problems of our loved ones, we need to put our eyes on God. One way we can do this is by changing the words we speak. We can take our eyes off ourselves and turn them to God by reading aloud (or reciting from memory) scripture verses having to do with who God is, and what He’s done and does! I’ve tried this and it works! We can get the spiritual momentum by swinging our eyes around, off ourselves and on to God.
Wow! This answers the question I’ve had a lot of times over the course of my life. I’ll be going along good “in the Lord”, and it seems like there is a spiritual dynamic or momentum that keeps growing, and I’m hearing from God and seeing things in the spirit almost every day. Then “something” happens, and all of a sudden, that momentum is gone. And I feel like I’ve lost it, lost that connection, and it feels awful! Once you’ve tasted that kind of life in the spirit with the Lord, and you lose it, you know you’ve lost the best thing in your life. I’m not talking about losing my salvation, or even actually losing my connection with God, but rather losing that continual, daily connection of being able to see things in the Kingdom and hear words from the Holy Spirit. (If you’ve never had that kind of life, and would like to, first of all seek God, but let me know and I’ll share with you how I learned to develop that kind of walk with Jesus.) I’ve learned that if I “lose that momentum”, I can just start building that momentum again! And the sooner I start after “losing it”, the easier it is to recover some of the momentum from before..
Back to words and our focus! The Bible says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.” It also says “Set your affection on things above.” These are scriptures that address what our focus is. “What are we looking at?” Like Peter when he walked on water because Jesus said, “Come.” As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on top of the water! But then he took his eyes off Jesus, put them on the waves, and started to sink. Sometimes our problems, or the affairs of this life, busyness, all the activities or business we have to take care of, plus work, just take up so much time that our focus becomes on those things, simply to survive. As hard as it may be, we each have to find or make time to turn our eyes back on Jesus, on the eternal spiritual kingdom.
We can speak words about how God works in our lives. Even in the midst of the busyness we can say “God keeps me in perfect peace because my mind is stayed or fixed continually on Him.” Isaiah. 26:3. We can say, “God’s got my back! He always leads me in triumph in Christ Jesus. God always provides for me. I am a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, therefore, all my needs are met according to His riches in glory.”
Like David, we can say “God helped me slay the lion, and the bear (previous problems in our lives), and He is well-able to slay this giant, mountainous problem in my life. He is also well able to give me wisdom to know how to handle all the affairs of my life. He will give me the wisdom, spiritual help and guidance I need to get me out of the mess I got myself into. The Holy Spirit will teach me all things and bring to remembrance all things Jesus said. He is God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,. God made man and raises man from the dead. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
These are all scriptures I’ve put into my own words, made them my own declarations to speak and declare over my life. I encourage you to do the same. Speaking God’s Word or words redirects our focus on Him and His eternal Kingdom. When the affairs of life claim all of your attention, redirect your focus by speaking God’s Word, and speaking scriptures that declare who God is, and what He has done and can do.
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