R. I. P.

“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:19

Ripley on the Hunt

The family pet. What a blessed relationship. We see in all things, the mark of a loving creator. In this relationship, particularly, we see that we do indeed carry in us, the image of God. They stand by our side and are loyal to the end. They rejoice in our presence, showing signs of glee at our returning home, and they love nothing more than to walk and work at our side.

We lost our family dog to a snake bite yesterday. She was a significant part of our lives, but especially in the life and restoration of my husband. Ripley was a spark of life, a companion who never judged and some thing to live for; hope came in the form of a 50kg canine.

When Rip was New

When my husband first received Ripley, he spent a great deal of time with her. He enjoys hunting, and he had now met a determined girl, who loved hunting maybe even more than him! Together they would go bush, chase pigs and return sore and tired, but elated. This companionship gave my husband a little joy where he thought all joy was lost. It was not long after receiving Ripley that he called on God to pull him out of the darkness of alcoholism and back into the land of the living. Hallelujah!

I thank God for bringing Ripley into our family. Receiving her was one of the first events which led to the preservation of my husband and the ultimate restoration of my marriage. God knows just what is needed and when; we see His providence in the life of a Bull Arab fondly known as Rip.

Her favourite toy - a basketball!

She was a powerful, muscle bound, beauty, who always sat with her front legs crossed, and wore too much eye make-up. Her massive head and broad smile struck fear into the heart of every visiting Jehovah’s Witness, and love into the hearts of those who knew her.

She was a friend to my husband, a playmate to my children, and a guard of our home. She brought joy, blessing and provision to our family through the birth and sale of many puppies; and has left behind her a legacy of gorgeous dogs with a heart for pig hunting.

Great Playmates.

We are eternally grateful for the time we have shared with her and she will forever be remembered and loved. R.I.P. Ripley, and thank you Lord, for the blessing that she was.

A Hebrew Revelation

I have been thoroughly enjoying my time in the Word this week. I have found it difficult to post, however, as much has been inputted into my heart…too much and too broad to put into words. Every time I open the word, it seems it is all saying the same thing; everywhere confirmation of God’s heart and instruction. It all seems so clear.

I have decided to post a lengthy, but rich passage of scripture, so I can refer back to it now and then. There is really no need to elaborate, as the writer of Hebrews has written very plainly. I will however, highlight the words that leaped off the page, so to speak, as I was reading. There is also one particular point that stood out, which I will close this post with.

Hebrews 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the decietfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. 15 While it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” 16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?… 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. … 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, … 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. …
5:7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

I found it most interesting that in Hebrews 3:12 and 13 we are called to exhort one another daily that we may not depart from the living God.  Each day, with all our heart, we are to walk, clinging, seeking, in and by the Spirit of God. 

The amplified version describes Jesus reverence for God noted in Hebrews 5:7 as “His godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father.”  Here we see Jesus, who considers being departed from the presence of God, horrifying.  It is this fear, this love for the presence of God, which causes us to seek Him continually, and will keep us in obedience to His Word.

Ultimately, it is our heart’s cry for Jesus that God is interested in.  If our hearts are turned wholly toward Him, we shall see the Glory of God manifest. It is hearts turned wholly to Him, that will hear His voice and can enter His rest;  the rest that is available to us now by His Spirit, and the rest that we shall experience eternally at His ever approaching, glorious coming.

The Work of His Fingers

Every so often you come across a children’s book that brings that little something extra…that little something that makes you smile, that makes you want to read it again. My heart was lifted when I read “The Work of His Fingers” by Alison Brown. I purchased the book from Creation Ministries (www.creation.com), and was taken on wonderful journey of rhyme in praise of creation.

This book opens little hearts to the wonder and precision of God’s amazing design in all things, while at the same time refutes the big answers evolution offers today. I will read this delightful book to my children (and any child that happens to come into my care ) over and over again. My three year old son “loves this book, thank you very much, mummy!” and my 11 year old is quick to put up his hand to read it to him, (I guess that’s a big tick from him as well).

The illustrations, also by Alison, are a pleasure to behold, bringing humor and life to the pages. I recommend this book to everyone who has the opportunity to read to littlies, as it establishes truth and addresses, oh so subtly, the alternative views being offered today.

It is not often you are surprised by a purchase that turns out to be a real gem, but today, I was.

Hearing by the Word of God.

We often talk about walking in obedience.  How we must be willing to obey, but I tell you, one cannot obey if one is not willing to listen and be instructed.  We must be willing to listen to God, by spending time in His word and in His presence.  We must shut out the clamor of this world and quiet ourselves before the Lord.  Here we will hear His voice and receive the security and peace which comes from knowing God.

We see around us, a world walking in rebellion; nations of people living for the god of ‘self’.  We also see, churches filled with people who file in on Sundays to worship, and file out only to gorge themselves on the delicacies of this world and be slaves to mammon and the temporary security it brings.  It is a hypocrisy and an abomination!

“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;” Isaiah 30:1

As God begins to shake this world in an attempt to get the attention of many, we would do well to remember the past and listen.  “God is the same, yesterday, today and forever.”  Hebrews 13:8

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:11-12

The time is all but upon us, when the security found in possessions, governments, local authorities, even churches, will be stripped away.  Only those who are grounded securely in Jesus Christ will be able to have peace and life amidst a world gone mad.  As the earth begins to shake under the power of God’s hand, hear the call to repentance.

Now is the time to forsake totally the things of this world, and put your trust wholly in Him.  The bible is full of His great and precious promises to those who are His children (2 Peter 1:4).  We can be sure of them if we are His.

God speaks.  He has spoken in the past, and it is written, that we may learn from it.  As He speaks now, may we all take heed!  The day is about to come when the final judgment will be spoken which will purge this world of sin and death.  Hallelujah!

I have just finished reading, “The Vision and Beyond” by David Wilkerson, and I will finish off with an exciting quote.

“The way tragedies and disasters are striking the earth with such frequency and intensity would suggest that the earth is suffering labor pains.  The Bible says God is going to create a new heaven and a new earth.  This old earth will pass away and melt with fervent heat.  The very elements are to be melted away.  We are witnessing not so much the death of an old world – but the birth of a new one.”  The Vision and Beyond, ch. 9.

Those who are secure in Jesus Christ can welcome this time knowing that God is in control, and can rejoice in the ever nearing Day of the Lord.  If these things do not bring you excitement and joy, draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  May you urgently “hear what the spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 2:29)

Duped by Reactions.

Reaction: physical or emotional response to a stimulus; any action resisting another; opposition to change.

Yesterday I was challenged with a number of opportunities to act in a Christ-like manner. These opportunities have caused me to realize that, as Christians, we are called to act, not react. There is a negative implication inherent in the word “reaction”. It is resisting and opposing something.

Proverbs 17:27 “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.”

With each and every opportunity that was presented to me yesterday, I would not describe my actions as being calm and containing few words! Certainly my eyes were firmly fixed on the things of this world, the circumstances and the flesh.

To never take ones eyes off Jesus means that we will never react to circumstances with an earthly, fleshy view. I found that when challenges came yesterday, my immediate reaction was in the flesh. My “self” immediately took charge and always resulted in a negative outburst. This, of course, didn’t once help the situation; to the contrary.

In order to act according to the will of the Father, one must be walking in the spirit; armed and ready in the spirit so that when challenges come, it is the spirit that rises up in us and takes charge.

I am greatful for my dear friend who was present at my final opportunity to display Christ-like grace and patience, (fail! ) She reminded me that when I had prepared my plans earlier (according to His will as I believed it to be), God knew that they would be somewhat crushed. It made me realize that these events in our lives can be viewed as spirit-training opportunities.

I am now aware of areas in which death of ‘self’ must further be addressed. I have been able to repent and am thankful that God continues to lead us into all truth, and that the testing of our faith produces patience.

The small, pretty much insignificant, dramas of yesterday will have helped to prepare me for the crucial moments of tomorrow. The time is coming, when only those who constantly dwell close to Jesus will be able to stand. We will be called to completely forsake the things of this world; we must be dead to all of them.

Learning to hear so that we are able obey the Word of the Lord, will require actively seeking to hear Him now. This is only achieved by being attentive to the Holy Spirit at all times. We cannot be attentive when we are distracted by the trappings of this world or the earthly circumstances presented to us, whether negative or favorable.

As I was preparing this entry, it was interesting to note that the words, react, reaction, respond and response, do not appear in scripture (KJV anyway). The bible teaches us to walk in the Spirit, and to act accordingly.

May we all learn from missed opportunities and keep our eyes firmly fixed on Him. May we seek always to hear His voice and walk every moment with Him, until the glorious Day of His appearing.

Choices That Lead to Life.

Deuteronomy 30:19 “I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life.”

Everyday we have a choice, either to do those things that lead to life, or do things that do not bring us closer to God and may ultimately lead to death.

Psalm 25:12-14 “Who is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord?  Him shall He teach in the way that he should choose.  He himself shall dwell at ease, and his offspring shall inherit the land.  The secret [of the sweet, satifying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.”

The more time we spend in the Lord, the more He will reveal to us, both of Himself and His word.  Ultimately, we should never not be ‘in the Lord’. 

We have a choice – choose Him, choose life.

Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!

I don’t like getting into theological debates (truly I don’t ), however, I found myself discussing the topic of celibate homosexuals in ordained positions in the church over at Tim Farley’s Blog Theologically Speaking.

After putting in my two cent’s worth, I found myself unable to shake the yuck feeling you get (well, I get) when you have been discussing such a topic.

Ephesians 5:11-12  “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.”

The topic seemed to result in a search for scriptural basis to justify a homosexual’s desire for continuance in their sin. Is there a debate as to whether or not homosexuality is a sin, even the desire of it? (rhetorical question – done debating this topic!)

Romans 6:1-2  ”What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

*sigh* oh, I really didn’t want to be going over this again in my head, so I’ll try to move on quickly to the point, but I wanted to give some background…

In considering the sins of those in positions in the church, I realized that the ‘debate’ that I had entered was akin to profane and idle babblings. The focus was totally wrong.

Each man (or woman) must stand before Jesus alone, we must only look at our own relationship with Him. Our focus must be solely on Him – as a committed christian, he is my sole desire and I seek only to please Him daily. While our heart is turned to Christ, and our delight is in Him, we shall walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh.

Romans 8:5-6  “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

If your mind is set on Spiritual things then you will have life and peace, not struggle with the flesh.  If you are debating things of the flesh, then you are not focused on Spiritual things.

Philippians 4:8  “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” 

In these times when the world is screaming out to attempt to deceive those who are not fully committed in their relationship with Christ; planting seeds of doubt as to the truth and clarity of God’s word (twisting words and looking for loopholes in a sea of knowledge yet little wisdom,) we must seek the Holy Spirit ever the more to teach us and guide us into all truth.

We must take our eyes off the sins of others, focus only on Jesus and comfort each other with the assurance of His coming.

Revelation 22:11-17  ”He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.  But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and merderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.  “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches.  I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say “Come!” And him who hears say, “Come!”  And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Daily morsels of goodness.

David Wilkerson is a country preacher who went to New York and introduced young gang members to Jesus.  His book “The Cross and the Switchblade” is a testimony to God’s grace and power. 

After having re-read the book a couple of months ago, I wondered what David Wilkerson was up to now.  How happy I am that I have found his blog of daily devotionals! DAVID WILKERSON TODAY contains daily morsels of goodness for your souls.  I encourage you to regularly read what he shares, and have added this blog to my blogroll.

David Wilkerson also has an urgent message to all who are equipped with eyes to see and ears to hear, regarding the lateness of the hour and events coming to pass shortly. A must read. May we all be constantly looking unto Jesus in these days to come.

Jesus or Godliness?

I was challenged recently (as I often am ) by a comment made by Timbob on his blog Grace County. He said, “are people truly seeing Jesus in me or are they seeing a form of godliness?”

This caused me to consider how I might be seen by those around me, by friends and strangers, brothers and sisters in Christ, and the lost. When they look at me, do they see Jesus, or just some form of godliness? Do they think that I’ve got a handle on life, embrace faith, and it is working for me? Or do they think that I’m a good person, and figure that’s just the way I am?

The following scripture came to mind as I pondered these questions:

“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31

What does this mean?

“Thus says the Lord; ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24

“Glory that he understands Me, that I am the Lord…” followed by what it is the Lord does in the earth! This is what we must present to those around us. The first thing God does, is exercise lovingkindness.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all the mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-2

We can believe and operate in the grace and power of God, yet if we have not love, we are nothing. The Father is Love. The Son is Love. If He abides in us, we will be love. Do not be fooled, “if I have not love, I am nothing.”

Continuing on, verse 3 says: “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”  Our good works done in our own glory, even to the death, profit nothing.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Matthew 7:21-23

Jesus makes it clear, we can only know the Father and His will if we know the Son. If we love Him with a sincere heart and desire only His glory then we will display His love to those around us. Our confidence is in Jesus Christ; His love displayed to others is the evidence of the Holy Spirit reigning in our lives.

This post is much longer than intended, so I shall close now with a final scripture in the Amplified Version. May we all seek His glory, delight in and declare His lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth, that all may see Jesus through us.

1 Corinthians 13:4-13 

“4Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 6It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 7Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]. 9For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect). 10But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded). 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside. 12For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as [in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]. 13And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Opportunity, let us do good to all.

After a little blog surfing this morning, I have been both convicted and challenged.  Cindy Hanson has perfectly articulated the current state of many eyes blinded to an unseen world in her post LIVING BEYOND MY WASTELAND.

Cindy’s post led me to MARK PEDDER’S WEBLOG which cut straight through to my heart. 

“I say then; Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galations 5:16 

While we take our comfort for granted, one look at the unseen world in which Mark and Christine shine the light of our Lord, exposes just how much of our lives are in fact, focusing on fulfilling the lusts of our flesh.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especailly to those who are of the household of faith.” Galations 6:10

Our treasures maintain the poverty of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  In most of the western world we have no idea of poverty.  Being unable to afford groceries this week, while living in relative comfort, is not poverty.   

“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:17

Look around you.  How many fleshly lusts are we fulfilling at the expense of a brother or sister in Christ?  Needless wealth in exchange for spiritual poverty and suffering saints; it takes “good stewardship” to a whole new level. May we always use all the provision of God for His purposes.