deception disguised

I saw a large white, deadly serpent slowly moving around the door, across the top of the door and moving on around the room. I, who usually respond with great fear to snakes, actually found myself admiring the beautiful color of this lithe creature. Yet, I realized that it was extremely deadly and I needed to be very concerned.

When I fully woke, I asked God, "What does this even mean?" This disturbed me and I prayed for understanding.

This snake represented deception that Satan uses to find a way into  our lives. He is determined  to destroy us.  He is our enemy. He does not want us to believe in God, trust God, nor worship God. He wants to make us miserable, and alienate us from God.

Jesus warned us.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 NKJV

While he may use quick events and destruction, he is sly and stealthy. He uses tools and strategies that we may not recognize at the time. That is how he works.
Deception is a tool the enemy of our soul uses to draw use away from God. It is not an instantaneous outcome, but a slow process that occurs over time. Then one day, you have come to a place that God is no longer first nor important to you at all. Satan has accomplished the goal of destroying your soul.

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
II Timothy 3:13‭-‬15 NKJV

Paul said: Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
I Corinthians 15:33‭-‬34 NKJV

Deception comes in many forms. It usually comes as something small. We may at first tolerate it or even dismiss it. But, what we allow into our presence, into our homes and in our lives, will become your thoughts, your actions and your desire. You will slowly allow God to to take a back seat and other things will take precedence. We must be aware and cautious that we do not allow any thing to become more important than God. We can easily be deceived by the beauty, the fun, the excitement , or pleasure that may be presented. For a little while, it may be harmless, but once it gets too close, it is too late, it will have you in within grasp and be able to bite you, destroy you,  wrap around you. You are overtaken and under its control. That is deception.
Be wary, saints of God. Do not be deceived by the slow, sly deception of the enemy of your soul.

ripple effect

Have you ever thrown a rock into a still pond? When that rock hits the water, it creates a circle of ripples that progress across the water.  I think a lot of our actions and words can also create ripples. Our very lives create an effect that can progress across the lives of others.

Following a funeral recently, I was thinking about how I became who I am.  It wasn't just me, isolated and alone who made me who I am. Many others made decisions that affect my life. I go back to my great grandfather. He made a decision to know Jesus, to preach the gospel and raise his family in the Word. His son, my grandfather, laid his sin down on an altar, and began living his life for God. He preached the gospel and did his best to teach his family the same. My dad, then made that choice as well to live for God, preach the gospel and teach his children the same. Here I am, also living for God and trying to be an example to my children and teach of what God has for their lives. While none were perfect, their influence created a ripple that makes me who I am.

My mom made a decision as well, as a teenager, her parents went to church and loved God, but my mom made a decision to allow God to direct her in her life. God brought my parents together. I can say I have been witness to the hand of God as I grew up. God provided in many ways, when my dad was laid off, when we had little, we had hope. I have seen my parents pray, and God answer. To this day, I know God is still answering prayers my parents have prayed.

Being raised in church, I also got to see many others who lived a life for God that spoke volumes about who God is.  One such lady, was Edith Mayes. I will always remember the miracles she would tell about, her daily talk and walk with God and her example. When you asked her how she was her reply was always, "I am blessed!" Even when things appeared bad, she was blessed.

Another great example to me is Rev. John Hattabaugh. He lived many years as a missionary in Argentina, raised his family there and started many churches. He faced many trials and even death for preaching there.  But Argentina went from very little people who knew God to now hundreds of thousands who  serve God because one man and his family served faithfully. His stories amaze me. He still works for the Kingdom to this day. He is a man of God Still reaching for souls.

My husband and I would not be who we are without the influence of many others.  His pastor's wife, Sis. Betty Dillehay, knew we belonged together. She made sure he was at a youth camp where I was. That is where we became inseparable.  There are many people who have spoken into our lives and encouraged us along the way. Pastor Holiman is one of those people. He may not ever realize how much influence he has had on my husband. He has been a mentor and a friend.  I cannot list all the people who have created a ripple that has progressed into my life.  From before I was born to today, my current Pastors and church family, work family and friends, each play a role in my life. Each are important and teach me mamy things.

We do not realize  how we affect the lives of others.
Paul told Timothy to be an example.
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 KJV

And James spoke of the prophets.
Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
James 5:10 KJV

We can look around and see how we are affected by others and how we affect the lives of others. We need to see that we create a ripple that will progress into our children's lives and into the lives of those around us. I want to be a positive influence and a life that demonstrates the love of God.
I want my children to be able to say that their mom and dad created a ripple that brought them hope and faith in Jesus.
I pray that my life is a ripple to others influencing them to have faith and hope in God. By the grace of God,  may I live a life that demonstrates how much He loves us.

filling the temple

I was looking at some pictures of beautiful, old buildings and I was amazed at how intricate the details are. The construction took place years ago and yet the ornate carvings and designs have endured. Today, we don't use that same craftsmanship in our buildings. It was truly a use of art in the very design of the buildings many of these buildings were churches and temples. The best was poured into a place of worship.
It got me thinking about the temple that Solomon built for God in the book of  1 Kings. David, his father, had gathered materials and laid out the plans. Solomon took the charge from David and commissioned artisans and gifted builders to create the most beautiful temple, overlaid in gold with masterpieces designed into the walls and tapestries. It must have been awesome to see.  I am not sure artist renderings capture even half of the splendor. The purpose of this temple was to be a house of worship for God Almighty , where His presence actually dwelt and manifested. When Solomon dedicated the temple, in 1 Kings 8:10, a cloud  filled the temple. The priests could not perform their service because the glory of the Lord filled his temple. It's amazing to think about.  The priests and the Israelites had a set of laws for how they entered the temple and how the temple was to be reverenced. It was a place of holy worship for the majesty of God.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who  is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
I Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 NKJV

Paul wrote that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we have the Spirit of God in us, we are described as a temple.  Our very bodies house the Spirit of God. If I am a temple that has the Spirit of God dwelling within, there will be a different way of living. God is holy and righteous. He is not a God who will tolerate sin.

If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
I Corinthians 3:17 NKJV

God comes in and cleans us up, gets rid of the sin and moves in. He will not want us to bring in the sin again and fill up our house with it. He is there.
There is a vision described by Ezekiel in chapter 8, where God revealed to Ezekiel the detestable things occurring in the temple. The temple was defiled and God was not pleased. Judgement came. The people would not heed the warnings of Ezekiel. The glory of God was not willing to stay in the presence of the sin that was filling the temple. Ezekiel was distraught and God was angry.

God does want us to recognize that we are His temple and as such, we need to think about what we allow into our temple. As we view media, read information, participate in certain activities, we should always be mindful, that we are the temple of the Living God. And yes, while He is merciful and full of grace, we need to make an effort to willingly please Him. I want to be sure the glory of God fills my temple so much that there is no room for anything else. I do not want to allow a secret sin or even a casual thing to enter and become sin before His presence.  There is a children's  song that explains this concept very well, "Oh, be careful little eyes what you see." It addresses what we see, hear, say, go, and do.  Each part of our body that actually brings in information is mentioned because that information will be planted and effect our thinking, feeling, and beliefs.  Some may not think it a major deal to watch certain types of entertainment, but eventually, the things you watch, hear, and do will effect the way you think, speak, and act.  I may be stepping on toes, maybe  my own, but if what I am doing brings things into my thoughts and ideas that are against God, I may need to turn from those things. I need to make sure my temple is a place of worship for my God who lives in me.

The way we think about about ourselves should also change. I am not my own. I have been bought with a price.  I am not in charge.  That actually takes a lot of pressure off of me and I can trust the One who is in charge: God. I also begin to think twice about how I treat myself.  I have sometimes allowed myself to criticize my self, to think poor thoughts about who I am and how I look, etc.  I may even allow those feelings of poor self worth to bring me to binge eat that dessert I don't need or to not take care of my health.  I have witnessed people partake in substances and activities that destroy the body and reduce self worth even more. Their body becomes so broken, it is hard to function or even do what God may have called them to do.
This is not the plan or purpose God has for our lives and bodies. His plan is to fill us with His Spirit and to dwell in us and with us. He wants to be there as our Savior, our Comforter, our friend.  He wants full access to every part of us. We cannot keep back just a part of our temple for indulging our self interests. It would be like going to buy a house and moving in, only to find the previous owner is still going to live in one of the rooms. We wouldn't accept that. We should not ask God to do the same. Let's  rethink what it really means to be a temple of God.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which  is your reasonable service. And 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 and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1‭-‬2 NKJV

We live as a temple of God.We present ourselves to be acceptable and holy before God. We are transformed into new creatures by His Spirit.  We are no longer going to want to bring into our temple the things that displease our new Master of the house. We will instead seek for the things that will please Him. Let's be a magnificent temple for Him, a place where He will dwell forever. ( 1 Kings  8:13)  Let our temple be adorned with our masterpieces and our worship. Let's make God's presence comfortable and invited always into every part of our being. Let's  be filled with worship for the Mighty Savior who came in and changed us into new creatures.  Let's make sure our temple is a pleasing dwelling place for our Lord, clean, pure and holy before God.

praise through the storm

"Can anything else go wrong?" That is what I have asked more than a couple of times recently.  Have you ever felt like nothing is going right? I think we have had to repair just about everything in our house lately, and some things more than once. The AC repair man has been here multiple times, the refrigerator, my kitchen chairs, a floor board, sewer pipe, and even my car, to name just a few. I have several people in my life that are in desperate need of healings and help.  I have felt a bit overwhelmed a few times.    But I know that I can call on Jesus in every storm.
As I was driving home to yet another repair going on, I began to just sing praises. I knew my husband was missing needed sleep and trying his best to get this new problem taken care of.  Yet, I could sing praises because I knew God was still there, taking care of us and providing.  I have experienced God's provision many times.  I have seen God provide for our finances, our health, our needs so many times. Even when we may get frustrated and feel down, God has turned it around when we just gave it to Him.  So many times, we take our eyes off of His goodness, and look at the circumstances. We see the overwhelming issues and problems and forget that He already has an answer.
Life will always have problems. Life will always throw a curve ball. But God is always ready to provide.  We just have to keep trusting Him.

I have found that as the problems come, I can just praise Him more. The joy and peace will fill me instead of fear and worry. I can look to God for my help.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord , Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalms 121:1‭-‬3 NKJV

He is my shelter and my hiding place. He strengthens us and leads us through. He is a sure foundation when everything else is shifting. Even when a loved one faces hardship, depression, or despair, we can call on Jesus to change the situation, defeat the despair and replace it with peace. He will attend to our prayers and answer.

Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah
Psalms 61:1‭-‬4 NKJV

God is good and faithful. He is kind and overwhelmingly generous. He provides when the odds seem impossible. We only need to trust and have faith. I am grateful and thankful that I can run to His arms and feel His love flood through my soul. His peace and joy that cannot be explained washes away the fear, doubt and worry.  I may still have troubles and trials, but I can find peace in my storms. I can still sing praise because God is good no matter what this life may bring. God is a rock for our soul.

Praise God through the storms, He will carry you through. Yes, that trouble may still be there, but God will provide and soften the blow as only God can. He loves us and wants to be our shelter and strength. He will turn it around for our good.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

Thank you Lord for your provision, faithfulness, and goodness.

Eat His Word

Have you ever found yourself  desiring and enjoying a favorite food? I am working on a delicious chocolate cake for my daughter's birthday it smells so good. It is soft and moist. The chocolate frosting is just creamy and oh so good.  What about those favorite foods we all go for. Those chips and salsas - it's like you just can't stop eating them. We crave foods, we enjoy foods. We delight in foods. We can all name a food we just love to eat. We can describe the flavors and textures so well our mouths start watering. That is why commercials and menus use pictures and descriptions that entice us to to buy and try the foods they advertise. We rejoice in delicious food.  This same delight, craving and enjoyment should be a part of our spiritual desire for the Word of God.

Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV

Jeremiah was a vivid, passionate, colorful prophet. When I read Jeremiah, I always end up taking a look at my own passion for God and His Word. Jeremiah was dedicated and passionate about speaking the truth, the Words that God directed. He spent much of his time in trouble with other prophets who were speaking their own words and calling them God's word.  He called them out and ended up in a pit. He went to the extreme as directed by God to speak the fiery Word God had for Jerusalem and surrounding nations.  When he spoke of the word of God in chapter 15, he said the word was found and he ate them.  He told God that His word was joy and rejoicing of heart.

How do I react to the Word of God?   Do I seek out the Word of God? Do I describe it as joy and rejoicing of heart ?  Do I partake of His Word like I am eating?

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Psalms 119:11 NKJV

We eat to bring sustenance to our physical bodies. Food is what gives us energy, strength, and keeps us alive.  We also partake of food when we sit down and fellowship and enjoy the company of friends and family. We desire food, we crave after some foods. Our spiritual food, His Word, is what strengthens our spirit, gives our spirit life and energy. His Word can sustain us and keep us going.  We should desire it, seek after it, crave it even more than the physical food.  It will bring us not just life here, but everlasting, eternal life. It is what we truly need.

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
I Peter 2:2 NKJV

The Word of God  should not be an afterthought,  a drudgery we quickly read through , or even forget about.  It should be our first craving of the day and our last thoughts as we lay down to sleep. His word should permeate us, energize us, and feed us. We should feast on His Word as often as we can.  It should delight us.

We need to desire, enjoy, and find delight in feasting in His Word.

our steps are ordered

This past week, after facing some struggles and seeing waves and storms pour in, God placed this verse in my heart.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord , And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him  with His hand.
Psalms 37:23‭-‬24 NKJV

As we go through this life, we find times of great joy and prosperity as well as times of struggle and worry.  We may, at times, wonder where we are going and what we are to do. God reminded me this week that He is directing my life and His plans are laid out for my life.  I forget that God already looked ahead and said, "I know what you need." I basically take my eyes off of Him and start looking at the waves like Peter did. That becomes worrisome and scary.  When I keep my eyes on Jesus and place my trust in Him, those waves don't bother me and worry does not come. Instead there is peace and security through Jesus.  We limit God when we worry and fret over the things in this physical life. I am tired of allowing myself to worry and allowing the trivial things of this life to overwhelm me.  Yes, some things are big, but God is always bigger.

Psalms 37 goes on to say:

I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. He  is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore. For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever.
Psalms 37:25‭-‬29 NKJV

I love how we can know, as saints of God, that we will be preserved forever.  God loves us and He is not going to leave us in the midst of a struggle.  I have experienced God's amazing love and comfort in the midst of painful loss. I have experienced God's provision in the face of impossible need. God has always provided, comforted and loved. I sometimes may lose sight of who He is. He is my Provider, my Comforter, my Peace, my Everything. It comes down to me resting in the truth of who He is and keeping my trust firmly placed in Him.  When I rest in the truth of who He is, nothing in this world can shake me, distract me, nor overwhelm me.

But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord ; He  is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.
Psalms 37:39‭-‬40 NKJV

When life may intend to overwhelm , we can call on Him. When struggles seem too big, we can place it at His feet. When the enemy of this life attempts to derail us, we can find hope and rest in Jesus.  When the path may feel obscured, we can still keep going in Jesus. Our steps are ordered by the Lord.  He will direct our paths. He has set a way before us that will lead us into what is best and right.  We just need to follow.  I pray we can follow His path completely and fully trusting that He has us in the palm of His hand. I move forward as I have seen God move in my storms, provide answers and even call me into new things for His Kingdom.  I stand amazed and feel truly humbled to know that God has taken time to love me and give me grace.  I don't  always know how or why, all I know is He loves me.  That is enough. We can keep walking in faith knowing he has ordered our steps.

finish strong

This past week, I attended the funeral of a great man of God. He was someone that I, along with many other people, have admired and looked up to for many years. He leaves a legacy of service to God, faithfulness,  and grace extended those who were suffering. He knew God and worked to give that same knowledge to those he met.  He was a prince among men when it came to his walk with God.  I do not say that lightly. Pastor Elzie Quinn was a true man of God.
I have attended many funerals at this point in my life, and I know that many of them have finished this life trusting in Jesus even in the face of death and illnesses that claimed their physical lives.  They left a testimony and a legacy of what it means to truly live for Jesus.  My grandparents, saints of God I have known, and even my own mother left this world on spiritual high notes. God revealed His love and faithfulness even in the midst of our sorrow and loss  God shows his people his hope and love as He receives the souls of the saints that are passing from this life to eternity.  We may sorrow in losing them here, but we are left also with joy and hope for eternity.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Psalms 116:15 KJV

This week, I have thought a lot about him and others I have known.  I have also thought about the lives described in the Bible of the disciples. One thing that has stood out to me is that spiritually, they have all finished strong. The agent of death may have taken the body, but their spirit was strong with Jesus.  They left a mark on those around them and the world is a better place because they had lived for Jesus. 

My son and I watched the movie about Paul the Apostle this week. It was mostly about the end of his life and time in prison.  Much of the letters he wrote were during time he spent in prison. These letters are now part of our Bible.  Many of these scriptures fill us today with hope and understanding about how to live a life for Jesus.  At one point, in the movie, Paul said, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain."  My son said, "I know that scripture, Philippians 1:21!" He has been studying Philippians for Bible quizzing at youth camp.  How exciting to know these scriptures are being planted into his heart and mind. This movie led to us discussing persecution and how Jesus is still with us through terrible moments. I told him that these scriptures planted in his heart will give him power and strength to go through the hard things.  I began to cry to think that my son and daughter may one day face hard times as Christians.  We may not have a lot of persecution here in America, but it is happening around the world.  I watched in the movie as several of the Christans were killed for Christ's sake.  They were portrayed well. They turned to God in prayer and in faith knowing that the present sufferings were but for a moment and could not compare to the glory they would have eternally. They finished strong.

How many of us are prepared to finish strong? Whether we face trials of physical ailments that cripple and maim, spiritual battles, or any attack that is meant to destroy us, we need to finish strong. Persecution is scary and we may face more of it here in America as time goes on.  But those around the world today are facing great persecution holding on to the truth that God is with them and He is faithful to us. They give us hope that we too can finish strong.

Paul wrote these words to Timothy:

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:5‭-‬8 KJV

Paul understood and believed that his reward was waiting.  I know many saints that have already passed on, that have also known this reward was waiting.  They fought a good fight and finished the course strong.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1 KJV

I want to finish strong. I want my children and all those I know to finish strong. I want to demonstrate in life and even in death, that Jesus is Lord. I want to reflect the love of God and leave hope for all those I meet.  I want to always be ready with a word of faith and encouragement, a word of prayer and hope for life with God . I want my life and death to show that God has had a plan all along and when we follow after Him, eternity is joyful. The means of our death and passing matter little in comparison to the reward of eternity with our Savior. May the truth of our loving God be evident in life and in death.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 KJV

I want to run this race with faith and end it in faith. And as those who have already run the race and shown us the way, I want hear those words as I enter the realms of eternity.

His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
Matthew 25:23 KJV

May we all finish strong.