Finicky Worshipers

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrews 13:15

We like to make worship about ourselves.

We like the warm feeling it gives us when we feel it is being done "correctly". When the words we are singing make sense to our ears, and the music is being played by talented musicians - never out of time, with the perfect crescendos moving the audience in and out of the perfect melodious flow. Music done well is a beautiful thing, don't get me wrong - however, when the music must be "done well" for me to lift my heart in praise, worship has turned into something else other than true worship. When we are too occupied with feeling gratified, how do we focus on gratifying God? When we must be moved to worship, we have turned something that is meant to be an offering into something done on our own terms - no longer an sacrifice. 

Have you ever complained about the music style while visiting a church or found yourself critiquing the way the worship band played a certain song? Have you ever made a remark to your husband, friend, etc. about how the worship team "quenched the Spirit", saying "they should have sang that song longer", etc? I have. 

I have made worship about myself. 

When we stand before God on judgment, will he feel we spent our days in true worship, or will he tell us that we wasted all of our opportunities talking about how it should be done differently? 

To a different rhythm.

With different words.

In different circumstances.

When we feel moved.

When we want to.

God is gracious. He envelopes his children in his Spirit and comes close to us when we worship him, but when his grace becomes a requisite - we've missed it. 

Are we spoiled rotten? 

Since when did something we're commanded to do in all circumstances become something we govern? 

Have we taken advantage of His grace? 

Ben and I moved to a different church last year, a church that has a very different worship style than churches we have previously attended. It has reminded me that worship isn't about my preferences, but about opening my mouth and proclaiming His name. It's about living a life full of service to God. Even if that means it's happening while the drums are not on beat or the words don't move me. Even if I am scrubbing toilets, cleaning up after my children, or doing something I just flat out dislike. 

The circumstance doesn't nullify the command to worship. 

Do you find yourself searching for delightful environments in which to worship Him? Do you wait to feel worshipful? I believe God is moving us to a deeper dimension of praise - one in which we adore him simply because he deserves our adoration. 

Thanks for stopping by! With Love - Shara      

I believe in the Complete Sovereignty of God

     Upon reading some responses to my last blog, I realized that what I’d said stirred some emotions. (You can view my latest blog, Speaking To Your Mountain Here ) I searched my heart and asked if my fingertips had gone astray when I typed those words, “part of his plan”. After searching, I came to the conclusion that the disagreement concerning those words is most likely due to semantics or theology. Let’s face it, after only two years as a theology student I have come to learn that a lot of theology is semantics. It is Man made beliefs wrapped up in pretty packages. 

             I believe in the Complete Sovereignty of God-

I believe in God’s complete and total sovereignty. I believe that he knows all, controls all, and has power over all. Therefore, if I get cancer - whether the devil gives it to me or God disciplines me with it ( I will share my story in a moment) he is still in control of the situation. Even if he is only allowing the devil to inflict it on me, as in Job, he is allowing it for a reason - a reason that fulfills his plan for my life. Satan’s self-perceived power is a false security. Therefore, in my opinion, when speaking of Father God who controls all (even Satan) “allowing” and “doing” are interchangeable and to argue that would be arguing semantics. 

“I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything.
    Nothing and no one can upset your plans.
You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water,
    ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?’” Job 42:1-2

Our perception of good and bad is clouded by our imperfection. We do not understand with the fullness and clarity that our perfect God does. If something hurts us, it is bad. A few years ago, I became very sick. I laid in bed one day and literally called upon God and asked him if I was going to die. After what seemed like forever filled with the sound of crickets, he told me “maybe, that is up to you.” I was so taken aback by his response, but knew in my spirit what he meant- I believe he gave me understanding. I was being disciplined and it was up to me how far it would go. Now, don’t get me wrong, he knew the end...he knew I wasn’t going to die. But he allowed me to go through the motions - to feel the sting of my sin - and to repent. The cancer that took my reproductive organs gave me something far greater in return - a love for God like never before and a calm in his sovereignty and power. He is my Father - a good father that will discipline his children. Discipline does not feel good- it may appear as things that are “bad”. But HE does it - the Bible says so. 

“...because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."  Hebrew 12:6 

There are many instances in the Bible that God caused things that we define as "bad" upon his children. He denied Moses’ entry into the promised land as punishment for defiance. He took the life of David’s newborn son because of David's sin. He denied Paul the removal of demonic affliction (his “thorn”) because he wanted Paul to understand the power of his grace, and he states that the man who was blind from childhood was blind in order to bring glory to God upon his healing later in life. 

I am not opposed to differing opinions in theology. Much of my schooling consists of debate. Differences in beliefs and debate causes us to reach deep inside and wrestle to determine what we truly believe. It’s a good thing. One of my favorite quotes goes like this:

"Intellectual integrity requires you to set aside your presuppositions long enough to see them for what they really are." 

     We all have presuppositions. You could call it intellectual baggage. If I could only state one thing that I took away from studying theology, it would be that I know nothing...my beliefs are stuffed into a tiny box that was constructed of my environment, heredity, upbringing and words that I've heard. All I can commit to knowing is that I believe God is 100% in control. My fate it 100% his decision. I submit to this and find freedom here. 

Love y'all! 

In Jesus' Name: Speaking to your Mountain

 

     What is your mountain? What is standing in your way? Fear? Sickness? Depression? Addiction? We all have mountains that park themselves in front of us without any intention of moving and cause us to be stuck, to some degree, from moving forward. They stand there, looming over us, taunting us and we've no power against them - no power to make them move. Or do we? Do we hold the power to move our mountain or better yet to make it crumble? Is that our place or is it playing God, just foolishness and vain?
     A few days ago, a friend of mine sent me a picture of a page in a book she is reading. She asked me to read it and tell her what I thought. The text spoke about speaking aloud to your circumstance, in this particular case in the book it was Cancer, and commanding it to leave, in Jesus' name. This was a new concept to her, young in her faith, and she felt she'd been praying incorrectly up until now - not speaking directly to her hinderances. Basically her question is the same question many Christians have asked - how much authority do we have when we pray.
     I often think about these kinds of questions from the perspective of a parent-child relationship. You know the scene - the class bully is picking on a kid and the kid says, "I'm gonna tell my dad and you'll be sorry!" Well, I think it's kind of the same way with Christians - God's children. When the enemy, our bully, is coming at us - we remind him who our dad is! And how do we do this? We use the only name that brings us access to God - Jesus.

     

     Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 

     We feel perfectly safe doing this because just like the bullied kid's dad says to him, "you tell me if someone hurts you and I'll take care of it", our Heavenly Father has given us permission to use his name. 

     "And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; ... they      will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:17-18 (emphasis mine)

     Not only has he given us permission to do this, but if you read this verse closely it says that casting out demons and healing the sick will "accompany", or go along with, being a Christian. They should be a natural occurrence in the life of a Christian as a sign of who you are - of who your daddy is! We don't have to deal with demons and the mountains they manifest in our lives! The devil knows we've been given authority over him but just like the bully on the playground, the enemy knows he can beat you up for as long as you let him - and he will, for:

    "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" 1 Peter 5:8

     Now, are all uncomfortable things caused by the enemy? No. Sometimes the cancer is part of God's plan. Sometimes the financial distress is pruning. We will not be able to tell every problem or seemingly bad thing to take a hike. How will we know the difference? We must use grow in discernment. I've heard it said, and I agree, that the best way to know what the enemy looks like is to know what Father God looks like. The more time we spend communing with Christ, the more we know him. We recognize the scent of our daddy's cologne. We know what his hugs feel like, what his discipline feels like and when the enemy comes around - we know he's not our dad! That's when we exercise the authority he's given us - in his name - and speak to our mountain! 

     Do you have a mountain that you need to speak to? If you are a Christian, you do have authority over it, in Jesus' name. If you do not have a relationship with Christ, then please know that you Christ is waiting on you - waiting to set you free and give you power over the things you wrestle with. Call out to him!

     

You know you're a SAHM if:

You might be a stay at home mom if:

1. "Spicing things up" means unloading the bottom rack of the dishwasher first instead of the top. 

2. You get your inspiration from the theme songs to children's shows. Mine today: "there's no chance unless you take one!"- icarly show tune - profound stuff right there! Haha

3. You want brownies for lunch. So you make brownies for lunch. :) 

4. You've cried over "never ending laundry".

5.The only deadlines you're worried about involve expiration dates on the chicken that's been sitting in the fridge and sports sign-ups. 

6. You're pretty sure Dr. Sears would agree that allowing your child to climb chairs/cabinets/whatever else they find to get their own snack while you're resting, is helping to build their problem solving skills. 

7. You shout Hallelujah when school is out for summer break, then you're shouting it again when summer break is over! 

8. You've shouted, "I am not your maid!" At least once. 

9. You could be employed as a butt wiper. ( so glad I'm out if that stage of parenting!!)

10. You know that raising your kid/s is the biggest accomplishment you'll ever have, over everything else. 

Thanks for stopping by! Subscribe by email on my homepage! - Shara :)

A Penny for Your Salvation: Why We Try and Earn Salvation

Past to present, religious people have adopted abstinent lifestyles in the name of faith. From the Essenes in the New Testament era, to the beginning of monasticism in the fourth century to present day polygamists. Different groups with different ideals choosing the same path to spiritual ascent- self denial. But why?

What would drive one to choose a lifestyle in which their husband had other wives- wives that said one is expected to befriend and work alongside as family? On the flipside, what would drive one to choose a lifestyle that forbids marriage altogether, or avoid modern conveniences? These circumstances are a bit extreme, but the driving force behind them is the same driving force that causes us to do less dramatic things in order to try and earn our salvation. 

A salvation that is freely given. 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9
Salvation is Freely given, but we cannot fathom that, so we work. 
In vain. 
Tithing out of duty instead of delight to give. 
In Vain.
Checking off another quiet time that didn't penetrate the heart. 
In vain. 
You name the act - it can be used to try and buy His love. Each of us picking our own poison, we're all guilty of it to one degree or another. Because we could never do what he did - what he does.  
We could never offer our lives or our love, unconditionally, to a pathetic transient. We could try but we'd fail. Because from the time man has existed, man has been evil - trying to find a way to beat the system.
Down through the ages, we've passed a legacy of trying to figure out a way to beat His system of grace. We've toiled and prayed and worked to buy his redemption.  
In vain, though, Because He cannot be bought.  For what The Lord is not behind can never be accomplished. 
Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the watchman stays awake in vain.
² It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
    for he gives to his beloved sleep. 
- Psalm 127:1-2 
Do not feel completely mindless or naive for buying the idea, for even theologians and church fathers have fallen prey - it's just not in our fallen DNA to comprehend this mysterious grace.
   One of the biggest imbalances In Christianity has been over election for salvation. John Calvin and Jacob Arminius engaged in this battle with their differing views on salvation, and both views have trickled their way down through the Church. Our beliefs are tinged by the doctrines they formed long ago. Calvin and Arminius both walked slightly to one side or the other from the middle of the road - with Calvin on the side of grace apart from human interference and Arminius on the side of grace extended to humans who God knew would accept his extending of salvation. Calvinism tends to err on sloppy grace and Arminianism on works. Thus you have confusion in the church as to which is correct. These doctrines are composed by men who are not able to conceive God's grace. They, in their fallible human knowledge try and put a label on it. In my opinion, we are best to try and stay on middle ground, both taking comfort in God's grace that is unmerited but given, and maintaining a reverent fear of his sovereignty. 
    In other words, when you find yourself trying to earn salvation, it's time to take some steps back toward the middle of the road. 
He didn't give you salvation because he saw good in you, for “None is righteous, no, not one, no one understands;no one seeks for God.All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;no one does good,not even one.” Romans 3:10-12 
BUT, He is good and allows no one to "snatch you from His hand"! John 10:29

Walk in the middle of the road - it's harder to fall into the ditches there! :)

Thanks for stopping by! Please subscribe! 

Walk This Way: Wondering in the Wilderness Part 2

.

Deuteronomy is probably my favorite book of the Bible, if I had to choose. Imagine getting married and your spouse telling you specific ways in which you could love him to ensure a successful marriage. You'd be all up on that, wouldn't you? That is what Deuteronomy is to me. It is specific blueprints to conquering the wilderness and finding lasting pleasure and security in your promised land. Just like a marriage, though, we have to do our part and dig into the Word to receive these directions. If you're frustrated and lost in the Wilderness, do not lose hope: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 

Knowing that I need direction on my present journey, I dug into Deuteronomy. Chapter 7 was where I felt led so I began to read. (I encourage you to stop and read this chapter now, as I am not going to summarize it but just hit a few keys points.) I read the text 2-3 times as a good Bible student has been taught to do and immediately began to see the blueprint. Here are the points that jumped out to me: 

1. You must destroy the enemy nations.

The major theme of this chapter is Israel needing to conquer the nations that are dwelling in Her land. In fact, if she doesn't completely destroy them, she will not inherit the land. Period. This applies to us as well. We must destroy the enemies that are dwelling in our God given territory. 

Upon first reading this text, I practically skipped over the names of the 7 tribes listed for Israel to destroy. Hittites, Girgashites...Girgashites? That sounds like the villain from the Smurfs...Amorites..when are they gonna just disappear already...Canaanites, blah blah blah! Ill just skip these ridiculous names and get on to the meat! But as I continued to read, I felt Holy Spirit tell me to back up and pay attention to the names. It is important that you name your nations. They each stand for something standing in your way. If you research the meaning of the names of these tribes, you will see they have symbolic meanings such as fear or worldliness. Israel had specific strongholds to conquer. Don't ever skip over names- they mean something. What are the names of your nations? Don't worry if you don't know right now. That will come. 

2. Don't be afraid. 

As I was pondering on the naming of my nations, my eyes fell upon verse 17 and I read, wide eyed, till verse 20: 

^{17 "}Perhaps you will think to yourselves, ‘How can we ever conquer these nations that are so much more powerful than we are?’ ¹⁸ But don’t be afraid of them! Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all the land of Egypt.¹⁹ Remember the great terrors the Lord your God sent against them. You saw it all with your own eyes! And remember the miraculous signs and wonders, and the strong hand and powerful arm with which he brought you out of Egypt. The Lord your God will use this same power against all the people you fear. ²⁰ And then theLord your God will send terror to drive out the few survivors still hiding from you!"

Ok, now this part is really really really crucial. Are you ready? If you start fretting over all this, you're not getting it. Earlier today- I was not getting it. Just a few hours after reading this passage, I was already fretting...big time! I was in pain and questioning his plans. I was frustrated and questioning God's motives. Yup. I do that sometimes. Don't you? 

What do you mean conquer these stupid nations!? How am I gonna do that!?! How am I gonna conquer depression, anxiety, pain?! You're mean! You say you have a future and a hope for me!! Is this some sort if cruel joke?! 

It's ugly inside my heart. That I will never deny. I identify with Paul, feeling like the greatest of sinners. I'm pompous, cynical, fearful, lustful and hot tempered, but OH! how I love Jesus. Love him because I am those things and he sees something worth dying for and something worth living for and something worth loving. Sweet, sweet Jesus. And he lets me yell, kick and fight. He lets me question his motives, this man that died so I can live. He doesn't smite me. He could. But he doesn't. He leads me back to his words, the words He's already told me and I've already forgotten. And this process is sure to be repeated as I am quite forgetful. 

I have a feeling I will frequent these verses quite a bit in this season. It's unnatural to not fear something that threatens to harm, but that is what God is requiring of me - of us. He is calling us to remember the times in our lives when He dominated our enemy, delivering us from the grips of hell. He's saying, "remember when I did that? Strengthen your faith because I am about to do that again!" He is our army general, on his white horse, giving us the pre-battle pep talk, causing bloodthirst to rise our veins. Our horses can barely stand still and we hold tightly to the reins until our leader yells for us to charge. Our general is undefeated and we're guaranteed the victory, if we keep our eyes on him. Not only will our enemy be demolished, but verse 20 tells us that even the hiding stragglers - the ones we aren't even aware of - will be driven out and slaughtered. He's a tried a true warrior. 

Are you bloodthirsty yet?

3. He will reveal their identities 

In point one, I encouraged you not to be upset if you have no idea what your nations names are. To be honest, I'm feeling a little in the dark still. He has a specific battle plan for us. Verse 22 reveals part of this plan: "The Lord your God will drive those nations out ahead of you little by little. (Emphasis mine) You will not clear them away all at once, otherwise the wild animals would multiply too quickly for you." 

This verse tells me 2 things: First, if you don't know what enemy nations you need to destroy, he will reveal them to you in his due time. Second, if you do know your nation's identity, you must wait until he drives them out for you. Either way, wait on Him. The verse is very clear about what will happen if you don't - chaos will insue and overtake you. 

Be patient. He's got this. 

4. He will give you the victory!

As odd as this may sound, God is not a selfish warrior. Let me ask you a question. Imagine you are a king. You've given your life for the sake of your kingdom. Your kingdom is so majestic that all other kingdoms abhor you, desecrating your kingdom and defiling the people you've spent your life protecting. War is declared and you've proven your might as the entire enemy army lays dead at your feet - except their king - who you've got in a strong hold. Would you call over your most pathetic soldier to take his lifeblood, to revel in your victory as his own? 

Verse 23-24: "But The Lord your God will hand them over to you...He will put their kings in your power, and you will erase their names from the face if the earth." 

Christ is that king. He will devour our enemy then hand their leader over to us to finish. To revel in a victory that is not ours but has been made ours. 

I don't get it. I don't understand his love. 

It doesn't stop here. Verses 12-15 list many more blessings that he will bestow upon us if we're obedient in this journey. 

Why does he do this? 

"The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, ⁸ but because the Lord loved you and kept theoath which He swore to your forefathers,the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." Deuteronomy 7:7-8

This wilderness jouney will not be easy, but it will be redeeming. God has not lead us here to let us die. He is a faithful king. A fierce warrior. A promise keeper. He's good, our God!

Thanks for stopping by! Please subscribe! 

Walk This Way: Wondering in the Wilderness

No, that's not a typo or misspelling in my title. As I'm wandering in the wilderness, I'm doing A LOT of wondering. I'm not asking why me? or why am I here?, but rather taking in my surroundings and pondering why this place - this wilderness - has been so despised. Perhaps it's because we don't like to wait. Maybe it's because we don't like to feel any sensation other than pleasure, while the wilderness typically holds a certain amount of growing pains. During my wandering and wondering, I've come up with a few points of encouragement. Feel free to adopt them as your own:

1. Forget the negative connotation. 

The wilderness might be uncomfortable or less than thrilling, but it's a perfectly normal part of the Christian life. One of my favorite verses, Hosea 2:14, speaks of the wilderness: 

“Therefore I am now going to allure her;
    I will lead her into the wilderness
    and speak tenderly to her." 

God wasn't leading Israel to the wilderness to be mean or punish her, but to get her alone - free from distraction. The wilderness speaks of intimacy with Him. Not sounding too shabby, eh? 

2. Put your thinking cap on. 

Sometimes the reason God wants you without distraction is so that he can teach you and grow you - like the Israelites on their way to the promised Land. He was preparing them for something big and the wilderness was their training. They made a mistake, though, and did not submit to that training. Being in the wilderness wasn't their punishment, having to stay there for longer than he intended was. So spend your time wisely by watching for his lead and submitting to his instruction. 

3. Retrain your brain

I've been thinking a lot lately about why we tend to push away from growing pains. When we lift weights and exercise to build our muscles, we experience growing pains. Why should we expect any different with other areas of our lives? A wife learning to better serve her husband might experience stretching; a mom giving birth will feel pain during labor; a child learning to read might get frustrated as he struggles to learn. These emotions are uncomfortable, but they are necessary and can be looked at as mile markers on our journey. When we feel them, we know we are progressing toward our destination. 

 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:14 

If you're in the wilderness, you're not alone! Take this time to enjoy intimacy with Christ. Seek his face and follow his guidance. Keep pressing on!! 

Thanks for stopping by! Please subscribe! 

¹⁵