King Jehu

     I just finished reading a few chapters in 2 Kings- 8,9, and10. Usually I will only read just a chapter or a portion of a chapter so that I can really dig into that chapter. But this morning, I read more. I went from story to story, learning a lot, but also gaining a nice sized picture of the events of that time. Then arrived at the story of Jeru. Very interesting story.
     Jeru was a commander of Jerhoram, King of Judah. One day a young prophet comes to him to anoint him and let him know that he would be the new king of Judah. The prophet also gave specific instructions for Jeru that entailed eradicating the entire family of Ahab- just as Elijah had prophesied. If you read the story, you see that Jeru did a mighty fine job. But, what gets me is how his story ends. He was clearly skills at what he did. Wise and also influential. He rid of any trace of Baal worship from the land.Woot!! Right? Yea, that's some good stuff, but then he remained a worshiper of golden calves. What?!
     God does this thing in Exodus where He took His finger and wrote ten wonderful commands onto stone tablets. The first two say that we should not have any gods other than God and that we should not make any idols to worship. Jeru was on fire for the Lord, mostly. But does mostly even count?

Can we be mostly Christian? Can we be mostly driving in one lane? Can we mostly clean a dirty dish and it be considered clean?  

Joshua 24:15 challenges us to choose who we are going to serve. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus counsels that no man can serve both God and Satan, he will always pick a side.
     It's a sad ending to such a great beginning. Reminds me of the story of Judas, such a sad ending to such a great beginning. Morale of the story? We have to go all the way, man! We can't only give a portion of our life to God and think that that is good enough. We all know the verse,

"For what shall it profit a man, if should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" ~Mark 8:36. 

So, what shall it profit a man if he thinks that giving most to God is good enough, and is used by the Lord, but looses his soul in the end?
     "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive our demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly,'I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!'"

Amazing Sabbath!!

God, you are more than amazing! Sometimes, slash most of the time, I just can't put you into words. Today, I would say, has been an affirming day. The word that was spoken by your manservant was.... the fire that consumed much of the mess in my heart. The word was fierce and bold, reminding me that God is not looking for followers who will watch Jesus carry His cross. He wants followers who will take up their own cross and walk with the Lord. Accepting whatever consequences that come about because of that decision. Keep me eyes focused on Christ and we will not fall into the traps that Satan will set up.

Affirmation.

More than just a beautiful thing, it is needed in the lives of all men. There is not a person on this plant who can go without the affirmation the Lord provides. Also, today He showed me how we, people, can affirm each other. It isn't always about sharing something a person has never heard before, so many times it is saying what they have heard. Speaking those familiar and comforting words at the right time pertaining to the right circumstances. Thanks Lord!

There is so much beauty to be seen in the works of the Lord. Besides the beautiful weather that kept me smiling as I took a walk, I took in the scents of the love of God. I took in the sights of miracles. I felt the presence of my one true love. For me, that calls to entitling today an Amazing Sabbath!! :-D

For What Reason?

So, God is not so subtly showing me that His reasons are not always my reasons. So, why would you put me in that situation? That question for some reason tends to appear it's pretty little head into my life. Why? Why? Why? It is true that God does not have to answer that question, but because of love He sometimes does. He has definitely been doing that for me there past few weeks. Why has He been doing that? Preparation.

Preparation: The action of making ready or being made ready for use.

It is a series of actions. The simple everyday events that he has allowed to take place in my life has been to prepare me for the future that He is taking me to. I think that we have grown up in an evironment where we think that we have to be set up in a certain type of environment or relationship to learn what is needed. What about God? Does He not poses the ability to teach and educate on anything that He has created or that you need to know about? We ought not to limit God to a very small classroom. He can set you up in a situation or teach you one on one. 

Ultimately he wants us to be prepared to what is to come. There are so many lessons in the Bible that educate us and prepare us for an unknown future. There are even some books that are prophetic so that we are prepared for situations that will be so far out off our conception. The future may be unknown, but it does not have to be foreign.

I love the thought that God puts me in the know when I think I know not. When He gives me peace in place of worry when I feel like I am still filled with fear. When He gives me glimpses of a future that is unlike my past. When I learn about x from situation y.

God retaught me that He has no limits.