Getting Stuck

Oh, it happened again... Life! I had been doing pretty well in keeping up with writing to the blog every day, but then, well, life happens. During the past eightteen or twenty months the Lord has been teaching me what His priorities are for my life and I've been trying to listen. One thing that I know I can't allow to happen is to let busyness interfere with my "real" life. But I also know that God has given me a gift and that I need to share it, so here I am! At this point all I know is that I'll be posting to the blog as often as I can without getting obsessive or burning myself out over it.

So, over these past months I've been getting stuck on a couple of Bible passages. Try as I might to get past them, I just can't, and that's not such a bad thing. At first I simply continued reading and studying, but the Lord kept bringing me back. Even I could figure out that He was wanting to show me something. I must admit that I'm very glad to have gotten stuck as it feels like tiny windows of understanding are opening up for me. I know that I'm getting about as much understanding as an ant might, but it's a start and it sure it fun!

I hope that you won't let your drive to accomplish a certain amount of Bible reading or studying get in the way of the Lord unwrapping one of His treasures for you. Don't rush yourself. Take your time and let the Lord show you the way He would have you go. I know that you'll be very glad you did!

Back to UnderTheShadowOfHisWing

James 1:27

The religious observance that God the Father considers pure and faultless is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being contaminated by the world.

- James 1:27

Here's another verse that tells us that part of what our obligation is as a believer in the Messiah Yeshua is to keep ourselves from being contaminated from the world. Some days this is easier than others. During the last week of October it can sometimes get difficult - especially with a little one in the house.

Our son has never been trick or treating. We've explained to him from an early age that we don't want to do anything that would make God sad and that participating in Halloween would do just that. For the past three years he has gotten quite a thrill by handing out bags of candy to trick or treaters that come to our door. Why? Because the first thing that he puts in each bag of candy is a tract telling the children how they can have a personal, real relationship with God through Christ. That gets our son really excited!

Another thing that this time of year always seems to highlight is the apparent compromise and error that has found its way into the church at large. There are many, many Christians who don't see any problem with fully participating in Halloween. There are those who think that it's okay to do what non-Christians are doing, but to call it something else. If we look at the verse from James again, I think we can get a good idea what God's position is on the matter. We are not to allow ourselves to be contaminated by the world. That means that we are also not to take something of the world and try to relabel it to make it non-pagan or to make it Christian. We are not to allow ourselves to be contaminated. Period.

Many say that not participating in things like Halloween isn't fair to the kids. After all, it's just harmless fun. Well, no, it's not harmless fun. The devil will use any opening he can get to destroy someone's life, whether we think it's fun or not. And if you want fun for the kids - and the whole family - all we need to do is look to God's Word!

In the Old Testament God has appointed seven feasts. Each of these feasts points to the Messiah in some way and each can and should be celebrated by Christians today. No, we can't and shouldn't keep them as though we were under the Law because we aren't. We have been set free from the Law and are now under the Law of Christ. But I do believe that we can celebrate these feasts with joy in our hearts for the wonderful things the Lord has done for us through His Son, Yeshua, Jesus the Messiah.

It has been a joyous blessing for us to be able to celebrate and share with our son the feasts that the Lord has given us. They are a great way to learn more about our Messiah, as well as wonderful ways to fill our hearts with joy. So rather than look to the world for our fun and celebration, let's look to the Word and join our Father in celebrating the life He has given us!

Back to Under The Shadow of His Wing

1 Peter 1:13-16

Therefore, get your minds ready for work, keep yourselves under control, and fix your hopes fully on the gift you will receive when Yeshua the Messiah is revealed. As people who obey God, do not let yourselves be shaped by the evil desires you used to have when you were still ignorant. On the contrary, following the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in your entire way of life; since the Scripture says, "You are to be holy because I am holy."

-- 1 Peter 1:13-16

First I just wanted to say how good it feels to be back. My computer was in the shop for a couple of weeks, but it's home now! Now, on to our verse for today!

Over the years I have found that God quite often repeats Himself. It's not for His benefit. It's for you and me. We humans tend to be stubborn and rather thick headed at times - well, at least I know I am! In this verse from 1 Peter, Peter is telling believers that we need to actively disallow evil in our lives and desires. We are to actively become holy in our entire way of life! Why? Because God said that we are to be holy because He is holy. That scares me. It sounds very intimidating. I know myself well enough to know that I'm not holy or perfect in any way. I rather feel defeated before I even start!

But last night something dawned on me. It had to be God, because the thought was comforting and made me feel much better about these sorts of verses. To be holy doesn't mean to be perfect, or to live a life that is super-spiritual. To be holy means to be set apart for God. If we are to become holy, we are to continually be set apart in every area of our lives for God. He will guide us and show us the things that we need to let go - the evil desires and practices that we still cling to even though we are now His children. Oh, and "evil" doesn't mean that you're doing something heinous. It simply means that you're doing something that's displeasing to God.

Time and again God calls us to be holy. Time and again God calls us to cleanse ourselves from the desires and trappings of the world. Why? Because He loves us and He knows what's good for us - even if we think we know what's best for ourselves. He knows what will hurt us. He knows what will cause us pain and suffering. He sent His Son, Jesus, to set us free from these things, and only with His help can we do that. Ask Him and He will indeed help you become holy. He's the only one who can, because He is holy.

Back to Under The Shadow Of His Wing

James 1:19-20

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

- James 1:19-20

Sometimes we think we know what God is saying to us through His Word. Sometimes what we think He's saying is what He's saying. Other times, however, what we think He's saying isn't really what He's saying at all. Take the above verse for example.

I'm sure that you've heard this verse preached to mean that we need to listen well in conversation, slow to speak in conversation or in an argument, and slow to become angry with others as this would not be beneficial to ourselves or others. After all, we have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen twice as much as we speak! While this message isn't inherently bad (and it could be excellent advice in some situations), this isn't what God was trying to tell us through James.

In the previous verse James had said, "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." So he is speaking of the Word of God when he goes on to the next verse about being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. But what exactly is he saying?

When listening to the Word we need to listen intently, giving respect and reverence to the Word. In being slow to speak, James is telling us not to interrupt the preaching of the Word. And in being slow to anger, we are not to become angry with the Word. Angry with the Word? Yep!

Have you ever read something in Scripture and it simply rubs you the wrong way? It might have to do with your lifestyle, your money, your job, or your relationships. You read it and while you know that the Word is speaking the truth and that it is speaking to you, you'd simply rather overlook that particular portion so that you don't have to be inconvenienced. But inside you might find that a seed of anger has been planted toward the Word - and toward God Himself.

"Who is He to tell me what to do?"

"I've lived my life just fine until now. I don't need any help."

"If I want to change anything in my life, I will, but on my terms."

These or a host of other seeds will lead us down a road that is not healthy for us. When we find ourselves in this situation, we need to ask God to show us what it is that's burning our toast so that He can come with His healing. As James says, man's anger doesn't bring the righteousness that God desires us to have in our lives. It is God's desire that we live in righteousness. And if we will allow God the courtesy of leading and teaching us in His ways, He will lead us into freedom in every area of our lives.

Back to Under The Shadow Of His Wing

Romans 8:6

Having one's mind controlled by the old nature is death, but having one's mind controlled by the Spirit is life and shalom (peace).


- Romans 8:6


Time and time again in the New Testament we see that our mind plays a very important role in our salvation and in the process of becoming more Christ-like. We are to have the mind of Christ. We are to renew our minds. Temptation and sin begin in our minds. And in this verse from Romans we can see that our mind does need to be controlled, but by whom?


Rather than allowing our minds to be controlled by our old nature, we should allow our mind to be controlled by the Spirit of God. Being controlled by the old nature would be allowing ourselves to continue to be involved in thoughts and actions that we partook of prior to coming to Christ - things that Scripture says are against the Law of God and are sin and death to us. This could include, but is by no means limited to, watching violent or sexually explicit movies, listening to music that promotes violence or drug use, continuing to engage in addictive behaviours, or simply allowing our minds to run free in our thought life. All of these things will bring us pain and will keep us from having a close relationship with the Lord.


We must choose what we allow into our minds via our eyes and our ears. We must choose to say no to things that are unacceptable to God. We must choose to turn our lives over to God and allow Him to lead us in His ways.

If we allow ourselves to be controlled by the Sprit of God we will begin to be freed from the old nature and start to experience the freedom that Christ died to give us. We will spend time studying Scripture so that we can know God better and come to know His will. In this way His Spirit can have more and more control in our lives and we will indeed experience His life and His peace - in our minds, in our bodies, and in every area of our lives.


Back to Under The Shadow Of His Wing

Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

- Psalm 136:1

This psalm, like so many others, declares the goodness and greatness of God by recalling His mighty deeds. As His deeds are retold, we are told time and again to give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and that his love endures forever.

I have come to understand the importance of being able to remember the things that God has done for us. Over the past sixteen months I have been journaling more regularly than I ever have before. I've tried in the past, but was never very consistent. But over the past sixteen months I haven't gone for more than a few days without making an entry. By doing this, I have been able to look back and recall things that the Lord has done or spoken to me through His Word. These things have been especially encouraging for me on days when I really need encouragement. It is also a great testament to the Lord's faithfulness and love. Truly He is good and His love endures forever.

If you've never kept a diary or journal, I would encourage you to do so. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, and you don't have to be an eloquent writer. The words are between you and God alone. I think you'll be amazed at how your relationship with Him will strengthen as you praise Him, ask Him questions, and jot down His words for you. You will also be able to see the consistency of the Lord as time goes on. To give one example - I had come across a book I had started to journal in at least four years ago. The page I happened to open it up to had a verse on it - Zechariah 3:17. This verse has become quite precious to me during the past sixteen months, and it was amazing to me that the Lord had been speaking those words to me at least that long ago, if not further back. Had I never written that down I would have missed an opportunity to marvel over the Lord's love and mercy. Don't you let a chance like that pass you by!

Back to Under The Shadow Of His Wing

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

- Romans 15:13

Wow! Now that's a power-packed verse! Hope. It's vital to our very existence. Have you ever met anyone without hope? Very sad. Sadder still, have you ever been without hope? There have been a few times in my life when I've felt that there was no hope. But God always brings me back to His Word and the power in His Word.

This verse is so beautiful because it gives us the key to attaining hope - trusting in God. God is the God of hope and He will fill us with joy and peace when we trust in Him. Then, in that place of trusting Him, He will pour out so much hope into us by His Holy Spirit that we will overflow with hope! God even gives us the faith to be able to trust Him, so He's really put the whole burden on Himself. Isn't that just like Him? What a wonderful God we serve!

If you feel that you don't have any hope, please turn to the only One who can give it to you - Y'shua, Jesus the Messiah. Let Him show you the truth about Himself. Let Him fill you with His hope.

Back to Under The Shadow Of His Wing