Wilt thou be made whole?

I've chosen for my life verses for 2016 two parts of a passage from John 5.  They've been on my mind for a long time and if you know anything about me, being on my mind can be quite the adventure!  One thought leads to another that takes me down a different road where I wonder about this and then ponder about that.  As I told Steve yesterday when we wrapped up the morning's lesson on The Armor of God study we are doing and he had commented on how well he had enjoyed that lesson but wasn't sure that I had since I was so distracted by these life verses, I told him "I don't have a one-track mind.  I have a whole playlist going on in there!"  

Can you relate to me?  No matter how good your intentions, no matter how strong you purpose to do something, you find your mind on too many different tangents and you just wander about, hoping that eventually it will all come together and some sense can be made?  Yesterday, I woke up early, so excited to begin this journey but decided I'd do some pre-writing first.  After all, I used to tell my students to do this so that their essays would be more fluent.  Focus on three points, I'd tell them, and keep it to the point with just enough details to show a good understanding of what they were writing about.  If you are a faithful reader of mine, you know I can tend to ramble about on occasion so part of my plans for this year are to be more succinct.  We'll see how that turns out!  

John writes of a meeting of an impotent man and Jesus in chapter five of the Bible.  I will be referring to it for a while now so let's go ahead and read that passage now, shall we?

After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, He saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed Himself away, a multitude being in that place.

14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay Him, because He had done these things on the sabbath day.

Quite a passage huh? There is so much to be gleaned from this and I hope I can do it justice!

As mentioned, I have two portions of this to claim as my life verses for this year. The first is the question itself: Wilt thou be made whole? The second is the response: Sir, I have no man...

Friends, are you like me and tired of not being all you were meant to be? Are you finally ready to stop making excuses and get on with the abundant life that Christ Jesus Himself has promised you? If so, I invite you again to wander with me on this journey of scripture and get real, get answers, and get better. Whole. Let's not be afraid to touch the hem of His garment and allow Jesus to press through our madness. Yeah, that is from another story but as mentioned, in my head there are so many thoughts going on in there and after all, doesn't all scripture work together for good?

Let's pray!

Dear God, I am so excited about this opportunity to delve into Your Word! I just know I am going to be the better for it.

Father, as others perhaps join me on this venture, I ask You to come to us just as You did to the impotent man. He lie in his condition for thirty-eight years. Thirty-eight years, Lord! Some of us have been in our messes for a long period of time as well and Lord? We too are tired of the excuses. Tired of being looked over and brushed aside as the world jumps ahead of us and tries to steal what is rightfully ours. Make us whole is my prayer, Lord God. Be our Man!

In the name of Jesus I pray this. Amen.

Don't Speak

As per the usual, it all started off innocently enough.  The end of the year is usually a time of reflection and tidying up those things that I want to compile and put in their rightful places as I prepare for the fresh start of 2016.

I like to keep back ups of my files:  pictures, emails, and things that I write.  I love technology but don't trust it to be around forever so I prepare in advance to have several copies of things in various places--just in case.  So, this morning as I was copying my WanderingThroughTheBible blogs, my eyes drifted to previous blogs and before I knew it, I was further back in time that I had planned on being.  And, as I wrote, it started off innocently.  I caught an error in one blog that dealt with a recent topic so I fixed it and then began to read the whole story.  This led me to check out a few others and before I knew it, the old hurts, yearnings, and missing of those who have passed filled my heart.  And that was okay until...

Until I caught the title of some of my blogs that took me over to the Dark Side.  Titles like "Attention Wal-Mart Shoppers," "K-Mart, Long John Silvers, or Me," as well as "He Was My Dad Too."  I read them.  I felt the pain wash over me again, still carrying the force of the tidal waves of emotion that apparently is just as strong since my eyes filled with tears and my heart ached with loss.  Some of the titles I didn't even have to re-read, for I knew that if I kept on with this I would be just where the devil wanted me:  stuck in the mire of the misery.

I wanted to end this year with a reflection of my life verse for the year so that is what I am going to do now.  The verse is from 2 Timothy 2:15 and reads as follows:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

I want to spend the time in this blog reflecting to see if I have done this.  Did I study God's Word?  Did I show myself approved?  Am I ashamed of what was and was not accomplished?  Did I rightly divide the Word of Truth?  

Yes, uhm, definitely, and mostly.  

As I ponder on all that has gone on these last 364 days, there was much more time in God's Word than ever before in my life, I do believe.  Did this make God happy?  Sure!  Did He approve when I persevered into seeking a deeper knowledge with Him?  No doubt (pun intended as you will understand with today's quote).  Do I need to be ashamed of the work I put into this endeavor?  Definitely!  While many hours were spent delving into these riches, many more were wasted on things that are just gonna burn up when all is said and done.  Lastly, did I rightly divide these truths I have been shown?  

Mostly.  Often.  80-85% of the time I did but that other 15-20%?  That time was spent still listening to the lies of the wicked one.  That time was spent arguing over doctrines that are over my head.  I daresay some of it was horribly wasted trying to convince others that my knowledge was right while theirs was lacking.  I'm sure a portion of it was spent trying to validate my reasons and rationalizations for my actions that were not as honoring to God as they could have been.  Rather, as they should have been.

So, as the year closes and the devil is still on my back, continually trying to bring me down and make me feel useless, worthless, and just a general annoyance to those who'd rather see cute pictures and read funny stories on Facebook and Blogger instead of my constant wanderings I have a choice.  I can listen to him and allow the defeat to consume me.  Pretty sure though that I have been there and done that a few times already.  Or, I can continue.  God said He'd use the foolish things of the world to confound.  He also said His Word would not return unto Him empty.  He said I was to love and use my talents for Him.  While not all of my blogs and stories are Pulitzer Prize worthy (I wish!), there are several of them that have been useful-- if to no one else but myself and my number one fan Steve.  

I entitled this blog "Don't Speak" in deference again to the passage used on the quote.  But guess what?  I am going to speak.  I am going to keep writing.  I'm still going to keep studying and one day find that approval of my Lord and lose my shame.  Tune in tomorrow as you read about my new life verse that I am so excited about!  

Let's end this year with prayer, shall we?

Dear Lord,

Thank You for this platform to share my thoughts, my doubts, my fears, hurts, and needs.  Thank You for the gift of writing that so often the devil tries to keep me from using and sharing with others who may be facing the same battles and trials that I experience.

Father?  Thank You mostly for Your Words that teach me.  I cherish them and want to read them over and over and glean the truths that are still waiting to be mined.  I want to read between those lines and ponder on what often isn't said but is implied and I want to discover what those implications are so that I may know You more deeply than before.

As this year concludes, I ask that I may be found worthy, Lord.  Through Christ, You have redeemed me but my work isn't finished.  There is so much more to do!  Mold me and make me more like Jesus so that I may without any doubt be acceptable in Your sight is my prayer.  I love You!  Amen.

The Winning Side

Ouch!  I saw this meme this morning as I was perusing Facebook to see what I'd missed overnight.  I kind of chuckled inwardly as immediately a few folks came to mind and I was reminded of ways they had let me down but then I moved on because, hey, who really wants to end the year with such negativity, right?  We're on to you, Devil, and if 2015 has taught us anything it's that you are only as strong as we let you be.

Speaking of which, recently Steve and I have begun a new Bible Study by Priscilla Shirer, entitled "The Armor of God."  It's a video/workbook study and the topic is one that I have dealt with many times in my blogs.  Also, recently I found some cool little pocket reminders that you may remember I wrote about as well from a local store called "Treasures" here in Caldwell County.  One kid at church has been fascinated with them and I have a little project lined up for him that he's yet to find out about but that I think he will love.

But I stray.  Back to the blogging!

Before Steve left for work this morning, he told me how he's going to use the verse from Ephesians 6:12 for his life verse for the coming year.  For those of you who may not be familiar with it, here it is:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

As we've been studying this passage, it has really hit home about what our struggles are about--not whom.  Did you get that?  Did you see it?  Gently friends, I must remind you that--contrary to popular belief--life isn't all about you.  It's not all about me.  Shocking, huh?  As my daughter once said, we're all just celestial lab rats.  Kidding but...There is some truth in this.  For you see, there are forces at work that are above our pay grade.  Way above it!  There is a war going on and we are pawns in it.  Now I don't know about you, but as for me, being used is a major pet peeve of mine!  When I take the time to step back and consider what's really at play here, I have a decision to make and you do too.  Whose side are we going to bat for?  Whose side are we going to cheer for?  Which team already has the promised victory?

Mmn hmn.  Team Jesus.  Team Heaven.  God's Army.

I want to encourage you today to take some time to ponder those aggravations that have crossed your pathway lately.  Those folks who continue to get your goat, to make your life miserable, to take your eyes off of Christ and get in the flesh and wish damage to?  Those situations that anger you and cause you to doubt?  The calamities going on in the world that just seem to have no end?  Friends, these are all part of the scheme, part of the war for control.  When you can take the time to consider what is going on and see how you are being used, I think it might just change your perspective.  When you realize the choice is in you to let the madness reign and continue or whether you choose to believe these forces at work can be thwarted by your refusal to be used to harm others, change will come about in your lives.  Those petty annoyances can be more easily shaken off when you accept that those sent to pester you are just lab rats too.  I mean seriously:  do you really think folks want to be hate goats, want to be hated, want to just ruin your life?  Honestly?  Come on now.  You know better than that!

Who are you going to believe?  The Jesus Who said He has come that you might have life and have it more abundantly or are you going to believe in the thief who has come to rob, steal, kill, and destroy you?  I know what I am going to do and Whom I am going to trust!  My prayer is that you will do the same.  Let's end this year on a high note rather than inviting those who haven't harmed and/or disappointed us yet to take one last shot.  Who's with me--er, rather, who is with Christ?  Stop fighting battles you aren't even meant to participate in.

Let's pray!

Dear Lord, as this year is nearly over a new one upon us, help us.  Help us to consider Your Word, Your promises, and Your plan for our lives:  the plans to give us a hope and a future.  Help us to choose love, to walk away from conflict, and to not partake of evil in any manner.

Thank You for the gear provided to us as we strive to be soldiers on the lookout for possible infractions of the joy You have provided for us.  We don't want to fight (Lord, You know one of my biggest mantras is how I am a lover not a fighter!) but when engaged, Father, may we have our battle gear on.  Our helmets of salvation, belts of truth, feet shod with the preparation of peace, breastplates of righteousness that can only be found as children of You.  May our shields of faith be proven and may Your sword of the Spirit--Your Word, Father--be ever present in our daily dress.  Lastly, as the study Steve and I are doing teaches, may we be constant in prayer.  Without You we are nothing, can do nothing, and no good will be found in us.  But with You, Lord?  Oh, what victory!  I like winning, Lord!  Thanks for choosing me to be on Your team!  When You put me in, Coach, may I be ready and willing to serve is my plea today, asked in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord.  Amen!