Message? Messenger?

These two words should intimately work together. They don't always do so. Why? Let me ask you the obvious question - which of the 2 is the most important? Rhetorical? Yes. But sometimes our actions do not confirm our words. Obviously, we all would say, it is the message that's the most important. Question: how do we go about confirming this? What actions do we take to ensure the message is heard, understood, and there's a plan to implement 'it'? I would argue that the message is the most important but that we give little attention to our words, definitions, assumptions, etc. and don't check with the listener to ensure the message spoken is the message heard. 

Harsh? New question - have you ever presented a message and subsequently discovered that at least some of your 'audience' never understood? I have. which makes me a tad more intentional about what I say and that the listener hears without me getting in the way or confusing/providing a mixed message. And my role: 

   1. to be as clear in both the words as well as in the 'how' of presentation, 

   2. observe the 'audience' and if I sense any lack of understanding to rephrase, 

   3. to ask the listener, not just if they understood, but their opinion and what  

       questions they have.

Once the message is delivered, you have the opportunity to turn it into a dialogue. And my primo way of dialoguing is to ask questions. This subject is really simple, there should be no doubt... but too often our actions don't confirm. When we become aware of the lack of connection between message and 'audience' - what do we do? 

To put the shoe on the other foot... what do You do when you are listening to a presentation - do you seek clarity and understanding? Do you ask questions if you aren't positive of the speaker's point? Are words defined so everyone can be on the same page? You are the audience in this situation and we need to verify what we think we hear.

Responsibility for understanding is always a two-way street even though most of the burden is on the presenter. Unless you, as presenter, are only interested in the sound of your own voice - you will attempt to make certain everyone IS on the same page with the same definitions of words. Obviously the goal is simple: when both the speaker and listener are in sync, with the same goal (understanding) as the ultimate test then we can move forward to the next step in the process. But ultimately we need to double check as we move through the process from the presentation to the next step, to the next step after that so that we all do in fact hear the same message. 

70 x 7

I'm a huge fan of forgiveness. I do not have a problem seeking it when I know I'm wrong. Why? A number of reasons... I don't need to carry the baggage of my (unrepented) poor behavior or sin. I still have enough 'junk' in me (though God's not done with me yet) that adding to the things I'm dealing with makes absolutely no sense. I'm also a huge fan of relationships, and value this highly. AND forgiveness is also a two-way concept - I must forgive others too! I need to do so whether or not they ask for my forgiveness. However, the prime reason is that since I need forgiveness myself, the Word tells me in Matthew 6:14-15 

   "In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You

    can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If

    you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part." MSG

   "For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your

    heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others 

    [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your

    relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses." AMP

 

No misunderstanding this. Do note though that the Father is not discarding us, we simply are putting ourselves apart from what He does - forgive.

70 x 7 - familiar with the phrase? This was the answer by Jesus when asked by Peter how many times should they forgive someone. When you put that phrase into mathematical terms that would mean 490 times you would have to forgive another person, even when it was for the same offense. When applied to yourself that's rather comforting... when applied to others, maybe not. 

Do you carry around a notebook and make hashmarks against someone who offends you? Waste of time and effort. Are you the kind that complains (typically to anyone who is listening) that you 'forgave that person for their offense before and they continue to behave that way'. This creates you as this wonderful, forgiving person who should be complimented. Really... do you ever repeat your sins? Do you find yourself coming to the Lord many times for things you repeat? 

When Jesus was teaching about forgiveness (Matthew 18:20) - I believe that it's our attitudes that he was targeting. I really don't think He was giving us specific numbers. He was telling us we should always live a forgiving life - forgiveness is a lifestyle! So do you know your attitude... and why? Standing with arms crossed or a pained and suffering expression on your face is just so much postering. It fools no one. Be a forgiving and forgiven person, the blessings are incredible.

Ohh... and by the way, include forgiving yourself in this. Most people are their own worse enemy. There are positive aspects to this but too often we also live in the past of our mistakes/sins. You did what you did/said, you can't snatch that back but you can seek forgiveness and leave it in the past. Live in 1 John 1:9

   "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful

    and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins

    and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing,

    everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]." AMP

Remember He knows we aren't perfect, that we are being perfected. He understands our frailty [Hebrews 4;15] and always, always is there to reestablish relationship. To me, relationship with the triune God always trumps unforgiveness.

FAILING

I used to not believe in failure primarily because of how the word was defined and applied and ALL the emotions that surround this word. Now I think I’ve gain a different perspective and understanding on how the word should be defined and applied. Failure really isn’t only defined by the level (or lack) of successfully attaining a particular goal - though part. Nor can it be applied to someone or something else (the scapegoat never has a chance). Resolution should be the first order of business... not the last. 

First, we’re not in the business of judging others (on their level of attainment) and second - was there something that should have been done prior to attempting to accomplish (fill in the blank)? What part, if any, do we play in the overall assessment of failure? If we are totally 'hands off' and are only observing - does this mean that we can't become part of the solution? 

‘Failure’ is often subject to so many variables that assigning blame is difficult (and really... why should this be the focus other than learning from the situation). This brings up my first point: blame. Too often blame is an attempt to shift any fault away from self. That typically requires sooo much energy and distortion that finding the cause is thwarted. Understandable or not, cause and blame should never be used in the same breath. Besides, the focus should be on resolution. Errors should be treated as learning points. Unless the action was deliberately and purposely deceitful, don't accent the wrong sy-llable. 

My second point is that what is accomplished in terms of resolution when the focus is on everything else: blaming or feeling sad/frustrated/etc. that the goal wasn't attained? Sooo... the point should be that given the goal wasn't met, what should be done now? Is the goal still attainable? Was it ever? If it isn't attainable, what could become the next step? Are you prepared? Do you have everything necessary to ensure success? The questions should lead to answers which should lead to movement.

Scripture speaks to failure many times and in many ways. If you feel you are or about to fail, or you are in the midst of failure, etc. I would like to forcefully inform you that you DO have a foundation to speak to failure: Isaiah 41;10, James 1:2-4. Jeramiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalms 73:26, 2 Timothy 1:7, and Philippians 4:6, 13. Though this is only a smattering of scriptures about failure - they cover just about every type of failure we face: personal, spiritual, relational, 'professional'. But don't just read them - make them part of your own spiritual weapons to fight against our real enemy. 

It's inevitable that we will face failure but HOW we face it is the answer to how long and how bad. Encourage others with those scriptures because you can be a great support for those who have recognized their failing but don't seem to know what to do next. With every obstacle we face, our first offense should be the Word and how it speaks to the situation.

Failure is actually fleeting (unless it's a catastrophic one) except in our minds. Many of us are plagued and then fear enters to stop us from living. Unless your intention was to fail in the first place, grant yourself some grace, talk with the Lord, make what amends need to be done - and keep on movin'. Failure is an event not a lifestyle or personal definition. Actually... if you fail at (fill in the blank) this tells you this isn't the right approach and now allows you to assess what might be - could end up being a win-win.

 

Afterthought

Have you ever felt like an afterthought? Not really excluded but not really includer either,,, more of a, '...oh, we should also invite (you) too.' Maybe it's a sense of being a 'too'. Or maybe you think you're being taken advantage of? Or perhaps you feel you are invisible (you aren't) - but you don't feel valued or of any value - acknowledged. Or any combination of those or ones I hadn't thought of. Those are really painful feelings. I have to ask... do you do this to others? Sometimes it seems that we are blind to the very thing we dislike that WE do.

When it comes to you... what do you do with those feelings? Stuffing them down won't work. But... trying to explain them is incredibly difficult. Even if you don't get to the root of why you feel this way, you can become proactive against the feelings and defeat them! How? Use the Word. Speak to those feelings about who you are and are becoming. If the feelings try and rise up don't stuff them down because they will return but speak to them by telling them that you may have been (fill in the blank) but that was your old man. You've been made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) and that baggage is not part of who you are.

One time I heard or read - God don't make junk. Perhaps not the best way to phrase this but you have to admit that there's little doubt about what it means. Simply... this means that though you may have been a wretch, because you are born again - that doesn't apply to you any longer. Scripture teaches that we have been wonderfully and fearfully made (Psalms 139:14), that our names are written on the palms of God's hands (Isaiah 49:16). All that points to the fact that we are not a mistake. That we are in the right place to do what has been prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10). No... we are never an afterthought, we are always intentional.

The only issue is - us. Will we act on and grow in the confidence of Whose we are and Who we are becoming? The alternative - be controlled by those negative feelings. No brainer ... yet, it can come up and cripple us when we let it. But why do we believe that we are of no consequence. Probably because that's what the devil wants us to be. While I have said this countless times, it bears repeating - stop believing his lies! He hates when we reject him and accept the Lord's gift of life but he gets incredibly vicious in his attempts to stop us from becoming who the Lord has always seen. It seems that the bottom line really is whether we believe the Lord or we believe the liar. Sounds simple and I know it's not... and yet....... Why live in a handicap position when you can live in abundance? (John 10:10)

[[The final question always comes back to You! How do you know, understand, integrate, apply what is relevant to you and your life?! Does it make any difference to you and who you are and are becoming?]]

 

'Devil's playground'?

'The mind is the devil's playground.' Who said that?! And yet everyone, saved or not, holds to this belief. And no, it's not in scripture. The closest is in Proverbs 16:27

   "Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece." [TLB]

But if you read this same verse in other translations, you won't find anything even similar. Even if they all said the exact same thing  - the point is IDLE and says nothing about one's mind!

First: if you have accepted the Lord, satan has none of you. Period. Doesn't mean he won't try and what tools does he use: lies, deceptions, misunderstandings, mis-quoting, suggestions, etc, BUT, and this is a big but, he will always try to get Christians to be taken unawares by twisting scripture. What's the devil's purpose, why does he come? John, Luke, and Peter all speak to the reason. John 10:10 tells us that the devil, satan, "comes only to kill, steal, and destroy". Any questions? That's fairly specific. The devil really hates God's creation, but especially Christians.

John does continue the thought by quoting Jesus when He compares the devil's purpose with his own:

   "I came that they (us) may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to

    the full, till it overflows]."

(That's a stark difference! So WHY would one not choose the Lord? For some of the same reasons that Adam and Eve did. And in every case the result is an empty, joyless existence. Talk about buying into a lie!

So what are our defenses against the devil? What can we do so we don't buy into his lies? We have a number of offensive and defensive weapons. We're not fighting a human battle - this is a spiritual battle for everything And our foundation is:

   "For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our

    [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. The

    weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our

    weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are

    destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that

    sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every

    thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ," 

    [2 Corinthians 10:3-5, AMP}

In Ephesians 6 we are told to put on the whole armor of God. In Ephesians 4 we are told to put off the old (carnal) man and put on the new (reborn, saved). In 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 we are told that we are a NEW creature. And how many times does the Lord tell us that He will never leave or forsake us? Countless.

However, the point is that is WE who do the doing. Never alone, never on our own because He watches over us. 

By the way... did you catch the point that it is we who take every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ? Plus, and this is a huge plus:

   "For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?

    But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes]."

    [1 Corinthians 2:16]

We all know that 2 things, in any dimension, cannot occupy the same space. We can't be Christ's and act like the devil at the same time. And we know, intuitively, that we have everything to be successful. But it is we who do or don't do. We have a marvelous manual in the form of the Bible. Jesus defeated him when he attempted to tempt Him  by saying - 'it is written'. We can too. But only when we have the Word in our heart. We can... if we will.

Devil's playground? Doesn't he wish..,...

Re-Learn?

If the lesson seems familiar... it probably is. But don't, in haste, feel like you've 'done this' so it's not important. Truly, that's the wrong attitude. Maybe it is a relearn - because you missed something the first time? Or...it may be a deeper level of learning, understanding, and/or application? Sometimes it's a case of you may know... and understand... and even teach the lesson but forget to apply it TO YOURSELF! 

If this sounds like something I've just learned/discovered - relearned... you're right. Let me share my latest but also recognize my 'duh'. First and foremost I believe in healing. I've a number of reasons, experiences, and scriptures that I stand on as a pillar in my foundation. [Of course semantics can get in the way since too often we use words and assume everyone has the same definition. Not necessarily.] However, the point needs to be - how we believe: is it words only or is it a personal stand? Would anyone know that (fill in the blank, ex. healing) was a tenet of yours? Just how do we act on what we believe becomes the question. And as a hint: words only doesn't define believe.

Back to my example: recently I was feeling some discomfort (heart), not doctor serious. I must confess though that I am a card carrying big baby when I don't feel well and a 'poor me' was beginning to seep in around my edges. Why didn't I do something, you ask? Logical question. Actually I was basically just moaning. And then a 'flash of insight' struck (defined: I began listening to what the Lord had been saying). WHY was I acting so ineffectively? And especially, why hadn't I prayed for healing for myself? (The DUH) So I stopped moaning and took time to come to the Lord seeking my own healing. I took a stand against my/our arch enemy and banished him from interfering and stood on the scriptures that prove we serve a God who heals (and no, I don't ignore what may be happening but I do focus on who I am becoming). The result for me after I had prayed was the absence of the discomfort, I could take deep breaths again. 

I have two points: 1-That we sometimes forget to listen to what we are saying, what we believe and to include ourselves in the 'lesson'. But don't waste time bemoaning your lack or mistake... and do what you need to do. 2-Re-learn? Perhaps the wrong word but it speaks to our continual growth. I don't believe there is any spiritual matter that's one and done... there are layers, depths, plateaus, etc. 

Yes? No?

The argument to 'what if I do (fill in the blank) and am wrong?!' is... 'what if I don't (fill in the blank) and I should have?!' Never forget the message in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-20). Also the other phrasing of this same 'dilemma' - 'is it me or is it the Lord' holds little validity when you consider that when you accepted Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit came to reside in you. So the answer is 'yes'. I must admit that I tend to believe that if it isn't what we're supposed to do, we do have a check in our spirit telling us this. So... what do you do? 

   "Jesus answered, “I told you, but you don’t believe. Everything I have done has

    been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words. You don’t

    believe because you’re not my sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know

    them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected

    from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The

    Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and

    Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one

    heart and mind.” [John 10: 25-30, MSG]

Action is really based in faith and fear of failure. However, when we focus on faith we are imbued with confidence and purpose. Plus, this scripture gives us the confidence that we WILL hear the Lord's voice. It may not be an audible voice, but we will know! Fear if failure is like shifting sand - thus easily recognized. We never should act from a fear of failure position and, in case you were wondering, it is not the 'check' I referred to earlier. A check is a 'stop. consider, and confirm' - not fear. When you put the Matthew and John verses together you really do have all the information you need to decide what you will do.

   "But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything

    more than that comes from the evil one. " [Matthew 5:37, AMP]

 

Yes or No is not stated in terms of 'maybe'. Maybe gives no support to the action and all it does is leave confusion. 'Maybe' may give you the option and safety of changing your mind but it does little for your character and I'm not referring to changing your mind... it's where your mind is in the first place. Bottom line may be... what's your level of conviction, confidence, commitment to your yes or no? 

[[The final question always comes back to You! How do you know, understand, integrate, apply what is relevant to you and your life?! Does it make any difference to you and who you are and are becoming?]]