"This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other." (Zechariah 7:9,10)
How many times have we read something in the bible saying something about rulers, slaves, kings, queens, and we automatically skip over it, claiming it is no longer applicable to our modern-day lives?
The bible says, in the above Scripture, that we are not to oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. When I hear the word "oppression," I automatically think of a president, or a ruler, or someone in charge. But I fail to remember this:
This day and age, we are ALL kings and queens. We all have the ability and the choice to oppress.
"Here is a trustworthy saying: if we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him." (2 Timothy 2:11,12)
To oppress is to: burden with cruel or unjust impositions (obligations) or restraints.
Are we placing unfair or unreasonable rules and obligations on widows?
To oppress is to: weigh down, to crush, to put down, or to press upon.
Are we putting down those less fortunate than us? In our words and our actions? How about "foreigners" who act, look, smell "weird" to us? And not just racial foreigners, but maybe people who are just different?
Are we "oppressing" our brothers and sisters?
Have we seen our friends or family oppressing the poor, the unfortunate, the heavy-hearted?
Even without meaning to, everyone can be victim to an oppressing spirit.
"When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." (Proverbs 29:2)
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Joyful Defending
Have you ever been faced with the choice to defend Jesus?
What did you do?
Numerous times, I've found myself in that position. I'm not too loud about my own life in my workplace, but somehow it always gets out there that I'm a Christian (God thing?), and the reaction of the people around me is pretty immediate.
These are some of the things they say:
"Oh, so you're one of the Jesus freaks?"
"Tell me, what do you think about ________________ and ___________."
"Here comes the virgin Mary!"
It got me thinking: did the apostles of Jesus ever find themselves in this position? When he's going about his business, and then someone finds out about his faith, does Paul find himself in a position where he must suddenly defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Or defend Jesus Christ Himself?
My answer is this: No.
Because Paul's life WAS his walk with Jesus Christ.
". . . I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of
knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider
them rubbish that I may gain Christ" (Phil. 3:8)
Nobody "discovered" that Paul was a Christian because they already KNEW. They knew that Paul=Christ follower. And when someone brought up Jesus Christ and the Gospel, Paul responded out of his intense devotion and passionate love for Christ:
"I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone that believes..." (Romans 1:16)
Why is it that we always wait for someone to bring up Christianity? Why is it that we cower in shame or fear whenever someone says Jesus' name and looks at us, expectantly, and we never have anything to say? Why is it that we feel we must defend Jesus out of servitude instead of joyfully proclaiming our undying love for Him?
Loving Jesus, defending Him, and responding to persecution, should be an act of joy for Christians.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." (James 1:2)
Prayer:
Lord, help me to put away fear. Fear of being pushed away, despised and rejected because of my love for You. Help me to come to a greater understanding of You so that I can no longer see the things of this world, and I only see the things of You, and that is all that matters. I love you, Jesus Christ! And I want the whole world to know, so that they may experience this steadfast and forever love that you have given me.
Amen.
"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)
"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
"God Moment"
Since the big move to Yakima, my walk with God has been desert dry. I've spent the past couple months jobless, curled up in the down comforter, watching Hulu and Netflix on my phone all day (because the TV was too far away).
It was depressing. I was depressing.
Outside the sun was shining, as if teasing me. Sometimes I would look out there and think, "maybe I should go outside today," but upon further examination, I realized that outside was unknown and scary. So I secluded myself again.
Colin would ask me what was wrong, and I'd smile and say "nothing," and even say a couple more things to hide the truth: "I'm just upset I don't have a job," "I just don't know anybody here." But the truth of the matter was...
I was running away from God. Again. After everything He had taught me, after all we had gone through together. I was turning by back again, and I was ashamed.
One night, after spending another entire day in bed (and feeling ashamed when Colin walked in the door after working so hard), I was "getting ready for bed" (although I had already slept all day), and randomly, I hear, very lightly...
"Give me eyes to see more of who You are,
May what I behold steal my anxious heart,
Take what I have known and break it all apart
For You, my God, are greater still.."
I looked at Colin, but he continued about his business, unaware of the miraculous saving grace moment going on between me and God.
"And no sky contains,
no doubt restrains all You are,
the greatness of our God
I've spent my life to know that I'm far from close to all You are,
the greatness of our God"
My brow furrowed, hands searching the ground for where the sound was coming from.
My phone. My stupid phone. I slid my finger across the screen, ready to shut off the music that was making me feel so...
What was it making me feel?
"Give me grace to see beyond this moment here,
to believe that there is nothing left to fear.
And You were on it, high above it all,
And You, my God, are greater still"
I decided to listen, taking this moment as one of those "God" moments that I hear so much about. My soul began to hurt. Or ache... or come alive. Something like that. It was hard to explain.
"And no sky contains,
no doubt restrains all You are,
the greatness of our God
I've spent my life to know that I'm far from close to all You are,
the greatness of our God
To all You are, the greatness of our God."
I closed my eyes, because I've heard this song before. And I know how the bridge goes. And I suddenly knew that my iPhone randomly developing a mind of its own, and starting to play Hillsong United's "The Greatness of Our God," was no accident. God was speaking to me, and my sleeping soul had responded immediately with an intense, fiery passion that produced tears in my eyes.
"And there is nothing that could ever separate us,
No, there is nothing that could ever separate us from Your love.
No life, no death, of this I am convinced
You, my God, are greater still."
*******
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-(Romans 8:38-39)
It was depressing. I was depressing.
Outside the sun was shining, as if teasing me. Sometimes I would look out there and think, "maybe I should go outside today," but upon further examination, I realized that outside was unknown and scary. So I secluded myself again.
Colin would ask me what was wrong, and I'd smile and say "nothing," and even say a couple more things to hide the truth: "I'm just upset I don't have a job," "I just don't know anybody here." But the truth of the matter was...
I was running away from God. Again. After everything He had taught me, after all we had gone through together. I was turning by back again, and I was ashamed.
One night, after spending another entire day in bed (and feeling ashamed when Colin walked in the door after working so hard), I was "getting ready for bed" (although I had already slept all day), and randomly, I hear, very lightly...
"Give me eyes to see more of who You are,
May what I behold steal my anxious heart,
Take what I have known and break it all apart
For You, my God, are greater still.."
I looked at Colin, but he continued about his business, unaware of the miraculous saving grace moment going on between me and God.
"And no sky contains,
no doubt restrains all You are,
the greatness of our God
I've spent my life to know that I'm far from close to all You are,
the greatness of our God"
My brow furrowed, hands searching the ground for where the sound was coming from.
My phone. My stupid phone. I slid my finger across the screen, ready to shut off the music that was making me feel so...
What was it making me feel?
"Give me grace to see beyond this moment here,
to believe that there is nothing left to fear.
And You were on it, high above it all,
And You, my God, are greater still"
I decided to listen, taking this moment as one of those "God" moments that I hear so much about. My soul began to hurt. Or ache... or come alive. Something like that. It was hard to explain.
"And no sky contains,
no doubt restrains all You are,
the greatness of our God
I've spent my life to know that I'm far from close to all You are,
the greatness of our God
To all You are, the greatness of our God."
I closed my eyes, because I've heard this song before. And I know how the bridge goes. And I suddenly knew that my iPhone randomly developing a mind of its own, and starting to play Hillsong United's "The Greatness of Our God," was no accident. God was speaking to me, and my sleeping soul had responded immediately with an intense, fiery passion that produced tears in my eyes.
"And there is nothing that could ever separate us,
No, there is nothing that could ever separate us from Your love.
No life, no death, of this I am convinced
You, my God, are greater still."
*******
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-(Romans 8:38-39)
Monday, March 25, 2013
The Sin in the Saving
"He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30)
What is our first reaction to our brother or sister in distress? For me, as I'm sure it is for most of you, it is to run to their side, to nurse their wounds, to whisper "sweet nothings" into their ears.
"It's going to be alright. I'm here. I won't leave you."
We don't realize just how damaging that could be.
If we consistently and constantly run to the aid of our friends when they are hurting, what does that make us? According to a certain author that I greatly admire, we are becoming enemies of the Bridegroom. We are holding them back from the only true source of comfort.
"...when you begin to see that person in the middle of a difficult and painful struggle, don't try to prevent it, but pray that his difficulty will grow even ten times stronger, until no power on earth or in hell could hold him away from Jesus Christ." (1)
The truth of the matter is, Jesus Christ may very well have to wreck a life before He can truly save it.
Jesus: "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:34-39)
To be honest, it's foolishness to think that I, a human being, can possibly bring better comfort to my ailing friends and family than the eternal and all-loving God of the universe.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to understand. Help me to love you more than I love even my most cherished family members. I pray for every one of my friends and family right now that are struggling. I pray that you increase their suffering, not out of hatred, but out of passionate love, so that nothing can keep them away from you and your unfailing love!
Amen.
(1)- Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost For His Highest.
What is our first reaction to our brother or sister in distress? For me, as I'm sure it is for most of you, it is to run to their side, to nurse their wounds, to whisper "sweet nothings" into their ears.
"It's going to be alright. I'm here. I won't leave you."
We don't realize just how damaging that could be.
If we consistently and constantly run to the aid of our friends when they are hurting, what does that make us? According to a certain author that I greatly admire, we are becoming enemies of the Bridegroom. We are holding them back from the only true source of comfort.
"...when you begin to see that person in the middle of a difficult and painful struggle, don't try to prevent it, but pray that his difficulty will grow even ten times stronger, until no power on earth or in hell could hold him away from Jesus Christ." (1)
The truth of the matter is, Jesus Christ may very well have to wreck a life before He can truly save it.
Jesus: "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:34-39)
To be honest, it's foolishness to think that I, a human being, can possibly bring better comfort to my ailing friends and family than the eternal and all-loving God of the universe.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to understand. Help me to love you more than I love even my most cherished family members. I pray for every one of my friends and family right now that are struggling. I pray that you increase their suffering, not out of hatred, but out of passionate love, so that nothing can keep them away from you and your unfailing love!
Amen.
(1)- Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost For His Highest.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Bland but not permanently so
"Well, here comes Jesus..."
Sounds a bit like disappointment, doesn't it? The truth is, and yes I'm going to say it: a lot of the time we treat our relationship with the almighty living God, His son Jesus Christ, and the eternal and all-sufficient Holy Spirit as if it's our moral obligation. As if it's our moral obligation to serve Him, like a slave.
But He doesn't want that. He never has. Why else would He have given us the ability to choose?
Jacky and I (Natalie), the creators of this blog, are not pretending like we have it all figured out. To be completely honest, I'm at a rather dry stretch with my relationship with Christ, and it does feel kind of bland at times.
But love never fails. It never gives up. And not for one second have I ever denied the presence of my Lover and my Best Friend in my life.
I'm messy. Imperfect. But I'm loved, and I know it. Jesus Christ is always with me, IN me.
If you're like Jacky and I, and even if you aren't, you're invited here. Hopefully we can all learn together that Christianity is much more than an overused, socially uncomfortable, and politically incorrect word.
And without further ado, welcome to our blog! And, Well, Here Comes Jesus!
Sounds a bit like disappointment, doesn't it? The truth is, and yes I'm going to say it: a lot of the time we treat our relationship with the almighty living God, His son Jesus Christ, and the eternal and all-sufficient Holy Spirit as if it's our moral obligation. As if it's our moral obligation to serve Him, like a slave.
But He doesn't want that. He never has. Why else would He have given us the ability to choose?
Jacky and I (Natalie), the creators of this blog, are not pretending like we have it all figured out. To be completely honest, I'm at a rather dry stretch with my relationship with Christ, and it does feel kind of bland at times.
But love never fails. It never gives up. And not for one second have I ever denied the presence of my Lover and my Best Friend in my life.
I'm messy. Imperfect. But I'm loved, and I know it. Jesus Christ is always with me, IN me.
If you're like Jacky and I, and even if you aren't, you're invited here. Hopefully we can all learn together that Christianity is much more than an overused, socially uncomfortable, and politically incorrect word.
And without further ado, welcome to our blog! And, Well, Here Comes Jesus!
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