Trends and
Presumptions
by Mary Lindow
As
I sit here in the outdoors this evening enjoying an unusually cool and
brilliantly moonlit sky, I am stirred to speak openly and transparently about
the things that God is not only dealing with in my personal journey with him,
but also some of the trends and presumptions that occur in the world of
"Christendom" when it appears and feels as if the Father God is far off and
seemingly unresponsive to the cries of those desperate for relief and merciful
compassion.
Through
his own personal agony David came to a new understanding of what it really was
that God required from man.
Enmeshed Into Deception
God
is not interested in our outward sacrifices or "offerings."
This
does not necessarily mean that God never requires outward forms of worship or
expression or observances. Many lines of Scripture prove that at times he does.
But it does mean that these are not the things that he requires first. If our
religious practices contain nothing more than outward actions and performance,
then God takes no pleasure in them.
God
always looks underneath what goes on outwardly, and looks to the motives and
the attitude of the heart.
What
does he look for there?
David
tells us in Psalm 51:16 -17 "For you delight not
in sacrifice, or else would I give it; you find no pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to
God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow
for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not
despise."
Broken and Contrite
These
are not common words to our ears these days!
Just
what does it mean when God asks that we have a broken spirit? Does he want us
to be beaten down and humiliated? I am sure that this is not his plan.
Then
what is a broken spirit? It is an "inner self" that has come totally to the end
of itself. It makes no claims, and offers no arguments.
All
independence, all self-will, self-promotion, all self-righteousness have been
pruned away.
Such
a spirit simply turns and trusts completely upon God, not trusting in his own
skill, merit, popularity, or ability to influence. This one who has willingly
allowed the disciplining of his soul knows that he or she must only trust in
God and his unrelenting mercy.
If
we will ALLOW him to guide us, HE knows how to produce this brokenness of
spirit in each of us. Just remember, he treats us as individuals. And he would
never abuse our individuality. He uses just the right amount of intensity
needed to accomplish his desires, that we would relinquish our mistrust in his
plan and fully step into total abandonment, willingly accepting his plan.
"For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children
of men." Lamentations 3:33
Affliction Also Known as "Discipline"
If
there was ever a man who had to face affliction also known as "discipline" - it
was David. I am amazed that he never became bitter. He even admitted that it
did him good! God allows us to come under afflictions/discipline, not because
he is mad at us, nor because he has rejected us. It is actually a demonstration
of his faithfulness.
When
he sees us taking a wrong turn that will lead to our own harm and damage, he
allows difficulty and affliction/discipline to turn us back to the way that
leads to peace and blessing.
When
I say affliction I am not accusing God of bringing about harsh and devastating
blows in order to knock us down and break our arms in the process. No! No! No!
In
Psalm 119:67, 71, 75 it says: "I used to
wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. My
suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. I know, O Lord, that your regulations are
fair;
you disciplined me because I needed
it."
When we are Thrown a Curve
Ball
How
do we respond when we are "thrown a curve ball" and everything we
carefully planned out and prepared for suddenly takes a turn we did not expect?
David
did not view afflictions/disciplines as disaster. He saw it as a form of
correction - something to adjust his life. He was saying, "Before I was afflicted/disciplined
I went astray and I suffered for it. Now I've learned my lesson! It pays to
obey your word!"
Are You in the Middle of
Difficulty, Loss, or an Adjustment?
May
I caution you? Don't fight back! And whatever you do, do not argue with God!
Admit
that God is dealing with you and allowing an affliction/a disciplining, a
difficulty or disappointment, to address major issues of stubbornness, lazy
spirituality, dependence upon others for water from the word, and more than
often - a sour and willful independence that does not like accountability in
every area.
Ask Him, "What is it that
You are Doing?"
"Am
I off the pathway that you have planned and have willfully gone my own way?"
The
Lord is seeking, looking, longing for you to turn away from things that are
harmful and to bring you back to things that are in his purpose and plan.
If
we are willing to learn from these afflictions/disciplines, there will come a
time when we will indeed look back with gratitude for the things we have
learned and matured in.
My
dear friends. We were not created to serve ourselves or to meet our own needs.
Whatever we need, the Lord will see to it that we get it, as we move along the
pathway that he has chosen. You may be asking the question, "Why is it so hard
for me to hear from the Lord at first when it comes to difficult issues and
decisions?"
We
must understand we cannot instantly "unlearn" what we have lived our entire
life. We must as the Scripture says be "transformed" from who we are
to what we want to be.
We
need to understand with our whole heart that we were intended to be godly in
every way. In our relationships with others, and above all, in our relationship
with God the father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. If one is out of order
then both will be.
But! As a dear brother in the Lord by the name of
Larry Reese says, "We are not to fear the passing of time or fear that we are
wasting time by spending time with the Lord, searching out his word, and being
still in his presence. You will never lose anything by doing these things!"
Trends, Blogs, and
Comments
It's
no secret that social media has become quite a form of communication! One of
the problems that can occur when "listening" to trends, blogs, and commentary
from others is that sources quoted and information gathered might well be
skewed to interject thoughts and opinions into the minds of those who never
think for themselves. Believers in Christ are not to be uninformed, but they
are to be wise about what they "ingest and digest" when it comes to the
lifestyle of a Christian.
Do
not rely upon the wisdom of men to help you to ultimately reach the destiny
that God himself paid the price for. He is not an ego-driven maniac looking for
his entourage of followers to validate his importance!
He
"paid it forward" so that we would have the opportunity to walk upon
a pathway, although narrow, that leads to purposeful living and a fruitful
reaping of productivity that will only advance us into further opportunities to
speak of hope and a purpose for others.
Beware of False Humility
and Undertones of Disdain
If
there were one thing that sickens the heart of God it would be underhanded and
slippery craftiness oozing from those who resist the full aspect of allowing
God to create in them a clean and contrite heart.
It
always amazes me how individuals that need notoriety and a place of "mystical"
influence seem to be able to cunningly discredit good and godly saints around
them who have perhaps lovingly warned them about deceptive practices or micro-management
control issues, knowing that they risk the loss of relationship when doing so.
It is as if these individuals secretly feel entitled to sidestep the issue of
preferring your brother or sister, and humbly listening to their insights and
observances.
Equally
amazing, are those who listen to only one side of a conflict or disagreement,
and then spiritualize-away the fact that harm or discord has happened.
And so, the Lord allows the difficulties and
afflictions to come and expose the areas of favoritism, embracing the "new and
exciting" rather than the narrow and at times
- dry pathway to mature godliness. There will always be among us, those
claiming to have "THE" word of the hour, the "message of the forefathers", and
on and on the platitudes and justifications are listed to justify the mocking
and putting down of the simple and unique message of self-abandonment.
Listen for the Sound of
Mercy
Listen
to the "tone" in the voice of those addressing the crowd, the congregation, or
perhaps a small study group. False humility has a highly "honeyed"
pitch of barely restrained condescension, laced with heavy doses of unsolicited
advice and counsel.
Rarely
will individuals who have an exaggerated view of their own importance allow
others to warmly and intimately engage in transparent communication and
dialogue regarding the unique and yet equal calling and gifting of each child
of God.
Now is the Time - the Time
is Now!
These
words have been spoken out from the Lord over the lives of many who seemingly
can hardly lift their heads due to delays, betrayals, losses, and a deep, deep
internal anguish. It seems as if God sees greater fruitfulness when we are at
the bottom of the proverbial "barrel"!
Those
who are forever wishfully proclaiming that the "bad times are over and good
times are ahead" are sadly attempting to override the ache of the soul when it
longs to return to the comfort zone of self indulgence.
"But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless!" Jeremiah 7:8
Know
this. To avoid the chastening and bruising of our souls is a guarantee that not
only will you cause devastating and brutal pain to others, but also most
importantly, you shall grieve the Holy Spirit.
I
encourage those of you reading and listening, to test the fruit of those who
claim to have a special and mystical "in" with the Lord.
The
Lord is not one who neither "excludes" nor leaves the broken out in the cold,
nor does he invite into his inner courts of wisdom and revelation, those who
would use it to their own personal advantage or fame.
It is Time! Now is the Time! The Time is Now!
It
is time to face the chastening of the Lord in the light of the purpose he has
behind it. Growing up and maturing finally in the things he has been dutifully
prodding you to do for a long time now.
Procrastination
fellowships with slothful and sloppy approaches to relationship with God and
with mankind.
For
once and for all make the decision to not blame-shift or deflect onto others
what God is dealing with in the wickedness of your own soul.
Now
is the time to be willing to lose your life, to be afflicted -- yes even to the
point of having the Lord remove and expose those who have become disobedient,
self-promoting, and abusive in the circles you walk within.
"SEE TO IT that no one takes you captive through hollow and
deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles
of this world rather than on Christ."
Colossians 2:8
Open Your Ears
The
Lord is speaking! Listen!
He
has wisdom to impart to you that may well save and instruct others who might
fall into foolish behavior. It is not
about your comfort, your "wants" nor even your dignity! It's about a
willingness to be the servant of the Savior, and to emulate His example.
He
Is Speaking......Are we listening?
"The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught." Isaiah 50:4
Mary Lindow