Even MORE Miscellaneous Thoughts on PRAYER, Part 6

   "Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without

    anger and disputing or quarreling or doubt [in their mind]." [1 Timothy 2:8]

As an aside... Paul was also speaking to the women, to everyone - NO anger, disputing, quarreling, doubt - none AND lifting up holy hands! Do you say that this was for a 'then' not a 'now'? How do you reason that? What's your scriptural foundation? There are many verses that talk about lifting up our hands. A few are:

   " “So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands”     

     (Psalm 63:4).

   "May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands

    as the evening offering." (Psalm 141:2)

   "Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present

    your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy

    and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of

    worship." [Romans 12:1]

You do see 'body'? My point is that the lifting of hands is definitely scriptural. No, I didn't always know this. Do You remember the first time you were in a service and witnessed people raising their hands? I do. Slightly embarrassing? Did you know what to do? I think I did... but resisted. Honestly, I think in the middle of worship, I took my eyes off the focus of worship - the Lord - and put it on me. Silly, I know. But I do believe that my initial reaction was based in me. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit helped me to understand. 

At the same time and related was a study I was doing on Freedom in Christ and came across many scriptures:

Galatians 5:1, 13   

  "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ...

   "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

2 Corinthians 3:17  

  "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

John 8:32. 36  

  "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

  "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

 

Romans 8:1-4  

  "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."  

I could cite other verses, but the points been made. WE are FREE in Christ. It is only through Him that our freedom lies. Now... how do I join that to the raising of hands?  Simple. That expression of worship is entirely in our hands but what is it we intend? What sparks our worship? WHO are we worshipping? Do we even know how to worship?

Raising your hands may seem foreign to you but have you thought that maybe, just maybe your reaction is trumped by scripture and the reality that many people express their worship to the Lord by lifting their hands? I know that when I realized that my worship was literally in my hands that my reaction and expression changed. Ultimately whether you do or don't, never let the expression by someone else expressing their worship refocus your worship from the Lord to yourself. Worship should always be an act of worshipping the Lord, who has made ALL the difference in your life.

 

How BIG is your GOD?

I suspect you've heard that question/phrase before. Have you answered it? Do you limit Him? Of course, we all do. We have trouble getting our heads around 'God'. If one could actually understand then you have to attempt to understand that He loves us and has prepared a rich and wonderful life for us... one filled with fruitfulness and fulfillment.

And yet... do you realize He also hears your whispers? Those words that you speak thinking no one hears you - He does. I could be totally wrong but I think we still have to ask Him into these times too. Remember the scripture in Matthew that talks about ask, seek, knock? I have no doubt that the Lord always has our answer and is more than willing to help us achieve 'it'... but I also believe He never invades. He waits for us to not only turn to Him but to invite Him into our situation.

   "The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand (ability, power) limited (short,

    inadequate)? You shall see now whether My word will come to pass for you or

    not.” [Numbers 11:23]

   "Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short That it cannot save,

    Nor His ear so impaired That it cannot hear." [Isaiah 59:1]

While just these 2 scriptures should end ALL doubt... it rarely does. Why is it we have so much trouble believing a God who continually, day after day, proves to us in so many ways (regardless of our attentiveness) Who He is, What He does? And yet we quickly believe the lies the devil tells us!

There's a wonderful book called "God's in the small stuff... and it all Matters". Truth. The amazing part is that He WANTS to be with us in our lives. He loves us - always has... always will. Whether your need is small or large, He's there. And He chooses to be with us. Now... how about us? Do we choose to be chosen? Do we choose to let the Lord in? Do we choose to be helped? And if not... what are we choosing???

If you say that He's not there... why? Is it your focus, asking amiss (James) what your think you need? Do you just expect Him to act without being invited to join you? Is there a misguided thinking that if you give it to Him, you don't need to do anything but receive? When you make Jesus your Lord, when you invite Him into your life... you suddenly don't become a spectator. YOU are the actor in your life.  YOU have responsibilities. But you aren't in this alone. 

I can promise you that God is MORE than enough, bigger than you could ever imagine and yet concerned with your smallest need. Never forget that He is the Creator God. And He wants to be in relationship with us. If you want to be fruitful, to be fulfilled then you need to be in relationship. Actually... whether your request or need is BIG or small   The Lord is always with us... He tells us He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13: 5). However, to be together in partnership is your choice.

Inner Healing

I think we all need inner healing - some more than others. We may not be aware of this and maybe the effects of the wound(s) are under some control but they still exist. And yes, they can be real or an unintended offense we have taken incorrectly... but exist they do. Since we live in a fallen world our experiences do include these kinds of pain - deliberately or unintentionally inflicted. Many times, these feelings get stuffed down and seem non-existent, but they are far-reaching unless dealt with. However, if these wounds are multiplied many times over (especially in our younger years) they can become part of our expression of who we are.

I've recently discovered that those whose wounds are obvious because the acts against them are repeated, are often told to 'grow up' or dismissed in some way which only adds to the feelings of insecurity, defensiveness, or repetition of the acts by the inflictor on oneself toward others. But affect relationships with others... oh, yes. Part of the difficulty is these feelings may have been shoved down so far that the person doesn't even realize. And that dull ache never goes away completely.

I don't think I realized just how many walking wounded there are! A few generations ago if this defined you, you would be told to 'get a grip', or 'that was then, don't think about it', or... give it to Jesus. Now while the last suggestion IS the right one, to one really explains how one goes about giving it to Jesus. True that He will take this burden, He will heal our hearts and minds, He knows what we're feeling. I sometimes think that it is this last phrase that stops us. It's difficult to get one's head around that Jesus knows and understands us, each of us. And this is where our faith has to take the lead.

   "Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already

    ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold

    fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him

    as Savior]. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and

    understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted

    [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet

    without [committing any] sin. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the

    throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence

    and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His

    amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at

    the right moment]." [Hebrews 4:14-16. AMP]

Did you realize you can come to Jesus with your tears... or with your bravado and He won't reject you? Seriously. Do you realize? It's You He loves, You He cares for, You He wants to be in relationship with... You. And when you experienced those shame and/or pain times, He was there - you just didn't know. More important, do you realize He can and He will heal those hurts, those memories and help you into the abundant life He has prepared for YOU. It's true.

But... (there seems to always be a 'but') but you need to lay all that at Jesus' feet and freely give it to Him so that He can heal you. Honestly, counselors, good friends can help a great deal but it's only when you rid yourself completely, totally, finally of those crippling memories and self defeating actions and emotions by giving them to Jesus that healing can occur. But HOW do you do this? I believe it is an incredibly personal act. You have to want to be healed, to give away part of what's defined you for decades. Probably you have to ask Jesus to help you give it to Him. Perhaps even with tears in your eyes, you can use the following as a guide and say something like this to the Lord... or develop your own prayer. 

   I give you my tears, my feelings, my inability to be whole... I need You and

   Your healing in my life. Your Word in Hebrews 4 tells me I can come boldly to

   the throne to seek Your help, believing that You do reward. I am so weary of 

   this pain and maybe I don't understand it's origin, but I know it haunts my life.

   Help me Lord. And help me too not to try and wrestle it out of Your hands later,

   but to leave it at the cross. Holy Spirit, I need Your presence in my life to help

   me to discover me anew and to become the person You've always seen. Thank

   You for healing me and making me whole. I accept this new life you are giving

   me and give You all the praise and honor. I accept Your Healing and Peace.

Afterthought:

  I wish I had thought of this earlier… I didn’t. When it comes to inner healing, I think the point is not necessarily to forget what caused the wound but to not let it continue to define, cripple, and control. There comes a time, point that we have to forgive whatever, whomever we associate with the wound - including ourselves. We have to surrender whatever ‘it’ is and leave it at the side of the road and continue on our journey. If we don’t then I don’t see how we can ever walk - healed.

Never, Never Alone...

I should probably add - unless we choose to live our lives on our own 'abilities', according to what we think. If this particular writing seems familiar ... it probably is. It is critical for us since WE are the actors, WE do the doing, BUT... BUT WE HAVE THE ANSWERS, THE METHOD TO SUCCESS... ABIDE IN HIM! Stand on the scriptures that tell you who you are, whose you are, and what you can do!

   "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be

    empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless]

    might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid   

    armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully]

    stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the

    devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with

    physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the

    world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of

    wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places." [Ephesians 6: 10-12]

 

What are we asked to do? 1. Be Strong in the Lord. 2. Put on the full armor of God. Why? So that we can stand up against all the schemes and strategies of the devil. To me, this sounds like we have everything we need to successfully defeat the devil in our lives. Also the Word tells us that if we resist the devil... he will flee.(James 4:7). Do you know what being strong looks like? One thing I am sure of is that if I have accepted Jesus as my Lord that because He said He would never leave or forsake me, then there iw no room for the devil. Never believe the lie that the devil attempts to advance that he is stronger and has claim over you. And trust me - he never wants you to realize who you are and whose you are.

Do you know how to be strong? Putting away fear is one piece and putting away doubt is another, though this is not an exhaustive list but these 2 are always present. Each of us seems to have our own little Achilles heel. For some it's pride... for another is can be hesitancy and I could go on but the point is - WE have to lay these feelings aside and believe what the Lord has said (and proven) plus what He does, has done, and continues to do on our behalf.

You do realize that you have both armor and weapons?! Without armor we aren't protected from the enemy's fiery arrows and without our weapons, how do we fight?  Scriptural foundation:

Armor

   "Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to

    [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and

    having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your

    place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your

    ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral

    courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of

    righteousness (an upright heart), and having strapped on your feet the gospel

    of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the

    readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective]

    shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil

    one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the

    Word of God."  [Ephesians 6:13-17. AMP]

Weapons

   "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, being ready to punish

    every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is

    complete." [2 Corinthians 10: 4-6]

Yes... I do talk about our armor and weapons a great deal - they're important!  This is no mere skirmish we're in - this is all out war and until we take it as serious as it is, we are entering into a conflict with one had tied behind our back. Foolishness. When reading about our armor, reread verse 10-12 to further understand what the armor is and can do. In my thinking we also have another weapon - what Jesus said when He defeated the devil: 'It Is Written'. Our sword is only as effective as we have taken the time to study, learn, understand, apply the Word of God. With the armor and the weapons... we are totally ready and able to defeat the devil and I mean every time he attempts to kill, steal, destroy and uses deception, lies seductions. 

While we aren't fighting alone we aren't passive. https://harvest.org/know-god-article/how-to-stand-strong-through-the-devils-attacks/ is an interesting read. The article points out:

   1. Be strong in the Lord.

       “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

   2.  Satan recognizes that God is your power-base. 

        Therefore, Satan’s goal is to get between your soul and God.  

   3.  Remember God’s love for you.

        John 10:29 and Romans 8:38–39

   4.  Remember Christ’s victory over Satan at the cross.

        1 John 3:8 / Colossians 2:14 / John 12:31–32

        We are not fighting for our victory, we are fighting from His victory! 

   5.  Resist the devil.

        James 4:7 and Ephesians 4:27).

We read these methods of overcoming the devil in the Word and in other books. When we see the devil using 1 or more of his wiles, we can always use those defenses.  We also have fellow brothers and sisters to stand with us - the prayer of agreement accomplishes much.  And yes, I write on this topic all the time! Why? Because it is not just important… it is critical. The enemy will try all tricks and lies to deceive us and render us ineffective. WE are the ones who are equipped to overcome the devil. WE can do this but not of ourselves. WE are equipped and we have our Triune God with us to lead us to victory!

  

On the job training [OJT]

You do realize that ALL Christians are in an on the job training [ojt] situation - yes? We learn and grow through our successes and mistakes. For me, some of my understandings:

 1. We do, act during the ojt - we're not just learning

 2. We will never be left to our own devices, we have a partner in what we do and

     He is called - the Lord. But, though He could, He never will do more as our

     partner than what we allow Him to do.

 3. It's OK to be in this 'status', it takes time to learn and understand, be and do. 

 4. We never go into any situation without being totally prepared, but this also

     requires us to utilize our preparation... like putting on the whole armor of God

     plus knowing about our weapons.

Obviously, there are more I could list, but these 4 are always involved in our learning and growing, discovering and acting. However, I think it is critical to learn about our armor and weapons, but not simply in an intellectual format - we need to know when, where, how to use our weapons and the importance of not rushing into any battle without our armor.

   “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,” [AMP]

I also believe that based on our personal giftings, we also need to learn when and how to act on our gift because we all are called to ministry. Nowhere in scripture does it tell us that we have been called to merely sit in a pew. Why would God go to all the trouble and anguish He and Jesus experienced to have us do nothing with our salvation? Does that make any sense. There are family and friends and maybe even an enemy that needs to know the Lord that you can become the Lord's hands and feet and mouth. We can always share and demonstrate through our behavior just how important being born again is.

On the job training is always the opportunity for us to grow in our gifting, in our calling.

   "So roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game, be totally ready to receive

    the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old

    grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better

    then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of

    life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness.   ,,,

    Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost

    God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in.

    He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished,

    sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—

    at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was

    going to do this for you. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then

    raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have

    a future in God." [1 Peter 1: 13-15, 18-21 MSG] 

I could share other verses but my point is OJT. Once we are saved, and yes we do come just as we are, we are not instantaneously mature Christians. We start just as the natural birth starts - with babyhood. But if we want to become all He sees in us, all we can, then we need to grow, to continue our journey of becoming. It's never a cake walk but anything worth having does require us to be fully engaged. One of the tools is our OJT that will lead us as we abide in Him to fruitfulness and fulfillment (John 15: 4-11). What an adventure, what a journey is in front of us!!!

 

Messing Up

 We all do this… yes? And there are degrees in this as well… yes?   Personally, I rarely do anything by halves. Therefore, when I mess up I do so in a full blown, spectacular fashion. Recently I’ve experienced just such a misadventure. But ME, the great proponent of analyzing - did/have I? No! Sometimes, I truly don’t understand me. Here analyzing was staring me in the face and I didn’t see it !!! Now that a day or so has passed I do see and self- examination is the order of the moment. As I look back over the last few weeks, there’s actually been a spate of incidents ranging from the simple to more complex, but similar none the less. What’s happening?!

  To all my family and friends (f 'n f) who have been subject to my little bouts... a profound apology. Granted, not all messing ups are related and some are genuinely 'innocent'. Doesn't absolve us from the consequences of our words

and/or actions but the variety are more easily dealt with. The Messing Up that I'm talking about, that I recently realized, is much more serious. It is a disease that can gobble up the perpetrator and cause confusion for the f 'n f - it truly can blindside everyone. The disease... "ME-ISM". And try as I can, I do not find any justification or excuse for this disease. It is despicable, demeaning, and downright wrong!

  This disease does NOT promote or provide an adult self because just like a little child, it typically creates some form of tantrum. And an adult displaying a tantrum is never a pleasant observation nor experience. Eventually, hopefully, the non adult realizes and ends the behavior If you think I'm being overly dramatic, think back when you either observed or were party to this in some fashion. It is not pretty. And the perpetrator's desired result gets garbled. There's nothing to commend this choice of behavior but it doesn't have to continue to dictate - we sufferers can overcome.

  Me-ism has many definitions and expressions but in my case I think it has more to do with feelings of non-appreciation. This appears to be my default definition but it still is rooted in me-ism. And who should I be attempting to please? Man is not the answer.  But we do... there is a least a tiny shred of people pleasing in all of us (and don't look superior because I think it's part of our DNA, though some have a worse 'case' than others). The ultimate question is: who controls, who dictates words/behavior the people pleasing part or the Lord? Remember, Love is not people pleasing, it's unconditional but it's not blind. 

I think we all forget our foundation (the Lord) from time to time and that's when the devil sweeps in with a false people pleasing and me-ism. Those 2 combined are incredibly shackling and they do a good job of playing off of each other even though it may appear that they are diametrically opposed. Through the Holy Spirit, we have the authority and power to overcome. And that, dear reader, is what we should do. Especially the me-ism should be caged. We really can do this and we really need to. Scripture is always the best offensive weapon so find your foundation and use it against these forces. You really are an overcomer... it isn't easy and never a cake walk... but it is doable!

The Making Process

   "Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my

    anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And

    lead me in the everlasting way." [Psalms 139: 23-24]

   "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable and

    pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer."

    [Psalms 19:14]

   "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me

    sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where

    there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness,

    joy.

    O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to 

    console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in

    giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in

    dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen." [St. Francis of Assisi]

I just listened to a Pastor Morris podcast. Convicted! He was talking about the 4 stages we all go through. The final stage is the 'Make me' stage but it is preceded by the 'search me' stage. These 2 are the maturing, growing stages all growing Christians experience. And they can be a bit of an 'ouch' at times and a bit of a delighted surprise at other times. However, if we really truly want to become a vessel that the Master can use - unavoidable.

I tend to think in terms of 'process' so I see our spiritual lives and growth as an ongoing process. I typically think about this specific aspect when I've just realized that I have done, said something very, very un-adult of me. The old 'one step forward, two steps back' behavior.. It always is very disappointing. And yes, that is the state at this particular moment in time. I did. For me, I think the disappointment comes after I've gone to the Lord, confessed, and received my cleansing (thank heavens for 1 John 1:9).  Sometimes self-forgiveness is not a easy 'task'. Critical, just not easy. However, it should stand out as a stark reminder that we always need to treat others with a spirit of forgiveness... especially if they haven't asked for it.

The 'Making Process' is what I call 'Becoming Me'. It is a never-ending adventure of discovery... sometimes with surprises and sometimes with a bit of embarrassment - truly, it's all good. We do need to learn from our successes as well as our 'failures'. Both provide lessons and information and do not tell me that you don't learn from success. We aren't one dimensional which means we do experience both realities. Just always remember that the Lord NEVER leads us in failure. Failure typically occurs when we decide we 'can do it' ourselves and get out of our partnership with the Lord. That behavior is always counter productive and can stem from a desire to 'prove' oneself as much as it can be ego emerging. KNOW the difference.

The 'Making Process' I view as a loving statement by my Lord that He will help me (as much as I 'allow' Him) to grow into the best Me I can be. Actually, I think He's more interested in this than I am. We become valuable and usable to Him when we 'allow' Him to help us become.... I somehow think it's far more a 'making' on His part. Yet it is always my choice, my decision.

   "And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly

    acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person

    more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His

    resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may

    share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed

    [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; so that I may

    attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead.

    Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have

    already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of

    that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.

    Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but

    one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies

    ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the

    upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  [Philippians 3: 10-14]

Unless we're standing still (which is really defined as going backwards) we are always moving in  some direction. When our direction is toward the goal of the upward call then it's an enhancing, an empowering direction. The last sentence is the point.