Quick and Powerful

Good morning!  Let’s pray!

Dear Lord, as we begin this day, may we be bright and beautiful as the pictured sunflower is.  May we be discerners of our thoughts and see the difference between our feelings and our failings.  Lastly, may the intentions of our heart line up with those of Yours so that we may best edify You and Your Word.  In the name of Jesus I ask these things:  amen.

Many of you know that I write this blog with the hopes of sharing my experiences of wandering through Bible verses and sermons and songs and life events with the hope--with the intent--of becoming more like Christ and less like...the world.  About once a week or so, I get a notification that someone has "liked" a post from a previous blog, some dating back months and even years.  Curious as to which post generated this, I will go back and re-read what was written so that I might refresh my mind.  Some of it is good stuff (insert smiley face here)!  Seriously though, some of those blogs rekindle a feeling, a sense of discovery, and often--like the verse being used for today’s devotion--pierce me asunder.  The lesson I learnt way back when often has been either forgotten or misplaced.  

Isn’t that the way it is with God’s Word?  Many of us learned verses as a child, kept them in our hearts, but forgot to apply them to our minds.  We feared when we should have had faith.  We questioned when we should have trusted.  We doubted when the storms came, forgetting that the Master of the Sea was in charge.  We fell apart when the times got rough instead of standing strong, even though it was all we could do to just stand.  But then, but then God’s Word was somehow once again illuminating our darkness.  His truths were being proclaimed in the lives of people around us.  Songs of His power filled our ears and our hopeful hearts yearned for more.  We dusted those Bibles off, added the newest Bible app to our phones, tuned the radio station back to one of Christian-oriented themes, and began pondering those songs of victory in Jesus, of what a friend He is, and considered anew that it is in Christ alone where our hope is found.

There is so much to be gleaned from this verse that for today I am going to stop and just let it soak in.  The Word of God is quick and powerful.  It comes to our minds when we least expect it.  It brightens our days with the promises provided.  The truths of the Lord are as real today as they were when they first originated.  Ponder them anew, I suggest.  Don’t tackle them all at once.  Instead, read one or two favorites of yours and keep them in mind throughout the day.  If they convict you of some error in judgment that you need to correct, don’t run from them and discard them.  Let your hearts be pierced so that God may reign faithfully and truly.  Your souls, your spirits, your minds will be better for it.  I know mine is!

Let’s pray--again!

Dear Father, I thank You so much for the words I read that originate from You.  This particular verse, Lord?  How many times have I heard it and discarded it?  Yeah, too many.  

I got a card earlier in the week, Lord.  Words that were meant to be funny but instead cut me to the quick.  Words that reminded me that what was meant in fun instead hurt my heart to its core (my soul?).  Powerful words, Lord, that were meant to pick up but instead brought me down.  May I use their lesson to remind myself how much effect my words have.  Whether from a blog, something I spoke, or something I myself wrote in correspondence, may I be more careful and considerate of my audience for I never know if those words will come back to haunt me or to honor me.  I prefer honor, Father.  I want to be more like You so help me, I ask, to keep guard over my tongue, my thoughts, and the things that are said that may not ever be taken back.  May my mouth produce blessings and not cursings is my prayer today.  In Jesus’ name I ask for help with this, God:  amen.

Become Complete

Com·plete (adjective)  

: having all necessary parts : not lacking anything
: not limited in any way
: not requiring more work : entirely done or completed

Okay, most of you know I have a song going through my head at all times and if not a song, there’s usually some excerpt or quote that I can pair up with any situation at hand.  That being said, please watch this scene from the movie “Jerry Maguire.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpWAlvWNZj0  

Pretty sweet, huh?  Now, take a few--four to be exact--seconds to watch this scene from “Austin Powers:  International Man of Mystery.”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcerV0AO0bM  

While not as pull-at-your-heartstrings-touching as was Jerry’s declaration to Dorothy, it still had an effect on its audience.  It also reminds me of that Michael Bolton song “Completely” as he croons about his need:

Completely

Not half but whole

With heart and soul

Completely not in between

But everything

Completely

That's the way it's got to be

Sometimes I find myself searching for...for that someone, that soul mate, that best friend who totally gets me yet loves me anyways.  I seek someone who understands me, who supports me, and who knows what I’m thinking even when words aren’t used.  For the most part, I have this in my husband but...but he can’t always be with me for that boost that I yearn for, for that affirmation I desire, and for those times when I just plain out need whatever hole I’ve dug myself into for someone to reach down and pick me up out of.  So, I seek for completion in doing crafts, watching movies, reading books, planning events for my church, cooking, eating, and anything else that I feel might finally fill that empty spot inside of me that aches to be filled.  

Neil Diamond once sang one of the saddest songs I have ever heard called “I Am I Said.”  I can’t hardly listen to it without tearing up most times.  Read the following haunting verse:  

But I got an emptiness deep inside

And I've tried

But it won't let me go

And I'm not a man who likes to swear

But I never cared

For the sound of being alone

As I was reading my Bible this morning, I came across this portion of a verse in II Corinthians 13:11.  Two words but oh, how they struck a chord in me this morning!  What were they?  “Become complete.”  That emptiness Neil sang of?  Oh yeah:  I feel it too!

We already read the definition for “complete” so we kind of know what we are talking about but as I focus on the first word, “become,” I had to know its definition also for full comprehension.  It means “to begin to be or come to be something specified: to begin to have a specified quality” (per Merriam-Webster).

To wrap this all up, as God’s children we are to begin to be not limited, to not require any more work.  Yep, I too muttered in my head “Uh oh” as I realized that I’ve got such a long way to go.  But then again, you know what?  That’s why I--and you--needed a Saviour.  And we didn’t just need Him once:  we need Christ Jesus to continually save us.  From ourselves, from the world, and from the evil one who wants us to continue to feel less than, not good enough, and alone.  Day by day, minute by minute.  So, as I close this blog, I have one last song to run through your head today to let you know--and to remind myself--that no, we are not home yet but that’s okay.  Why?  Because…

He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He's still working on me.

There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,
Don't judge her yet, there's an unfinished part.
But I'll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hands.

He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He's still working on me.

In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He's the Potter, I'm the clay.

Pray with me?

Dear Lord, Your incomplete daughter is reaching out to You again this morning.  Father, I started this blog off a little disconsolate as I felt the weight of so many pressures on my heart but as I wrote, I was encouraged by Your Word, by the songs that show me that I am not perfect but that that’s okay because You are indeed still working on me.  I’m sure that I take up a lot of Your time!  Thank You, though, for not giving up, for not letting go, and for reminding me that what You began You will complete.  While I may often feel alone and disheartened by those around me, You never leave my side.  Help me, Lord God, to allow You to be enough for me and to not so desire the accolades and friendships of the world.  They continuously will let me down, Lord, and the devil will constantly throw those losses in my face.  May I seek completion in You and You alone is my plea today, Lord, and I earnestly ask it in the name of Jesus.  I believe Your Word to be all I need.  Help my unbelief is my prayer.  Amen.

I am the light of the world? Uh oh!

Do you ever question your salvation?  I’m being very serious here and need to have you readers validate my blog today.  Sometimes we all put on such a show that it’s a wonder Hollywood hasn’t come knocking to have us star in their next feature film about how everything is always fine, dandy, and how great God is when you are a child of His.

Yesterday as I was mowing, I was so mad.  Truthfully, I’ve been mad for a while now.  Not at a person--although the devil tried to bring several to mind and I could have easily fallen into that trap and agreed with him about their uselessness and carelessness.  I’m not mad at a corporation--but the political arena in front of me and the country surely can irk me whenever either choice for president of this land I love is on the air.  I’m not even mad at the weather--for its heat which is about the temperature of my blood boiling doesn’t even begin to describe what I am feeling.  I’m just mad!

For a couple of weeks, Steve and I have been studying the Fruits of the Spirit--that is, when we make the time to.  Between family, fixing things around the house, and other fluff, the time we take to study God and His Word often is pushed back until the end of the day when our minds and bodies are worn.  Talk about useless people!

In Galatians 5, Paul writes about what sort of deeds people who live in the flesh partake in.  I don’t think he leaves any vice uncovered and I am sure that was intentional on his part to show us all how desperately wicked and dirty we are.  Sunday at church--as is the norm when there are five of these in a month--the Lord’s Supper was offered.  As Pastor Dale expounded on examining ourselves per Timothy 2, my dander was up then.  How wretched, dirty, and black my soul was feeling!  I thought about getting up then and walking out: for you see, this anger has been simmering on the back burner of Stef’s Stove for a little while now.  Last night, as Steve and I once again discussed these verses of Galatians 5, I told him about my mowing incident and how I wondered why I keep going through the same issues if I am saved and why do they still plague me so?  I mean, seriously, some of the things that try to steal my joy are things that have been in my life for such a long time.  Will they not ever go away and leave me be?!  I thought I dealt with them but maybe I’m just not really saved after all, I questioned, because if so then why am I still so desperately wicked, so dark in heart, and why isn’t the love of Christ emanating from me as it should if I am indeed His?  

The hot tears seeped out of my eyes. The angst throbbed in my soul.  The hurts threatened to surface as I was torn between the Rock and this hard place that I seem to not find escape from.  Why if I am God’s child am I still so miserable, sad, and overwhelmed with certain obstacles that I just cannot seem to hurdle over?

“Do you think these things would bother you if you weren’t His?  Do you think the devil would throw them in your face if you weren’t making headway with them? Do you think they would trouble you if you weren’t saved, Stef?  Probably not, for then they wouldn’t matter.  You wouldn’t be concerned with this loss of joy, lack of peace, lack of fellowship.  You wouldn’t be pondering God’s Word and seeking His truths.  You wouldn’t care and wouldn’t try to be better.  Oh, and by the way, you aren’t the only one who goes through this.  You aren’t the only one the devil aims his bow at and shoots these fiery darts at, Stef.  Others too are his targets.”  

Last night as we worked on lighting up the gazebo, we had some issues with the light sets.  Some wanted to work while others didn’t.  I knew Steve had had a rough day and this icing on top of not having the lights work was nearly the final straw.  I prayed and asked God to please let the new fuse that Steve was putting in work.  Guess what?  It didn’t.  Ooookay.  Time for Plan B.  After spending over an hour in an awkward position after an already back-breaking day, Steve had had enough.  He took the lights down, went to get the simple strands that are quite basic in nature and much easier to deal with, and while I boxed up the pretty ones, he installed the Christmas LED light strands that are now hanging simply in my gazebo, offering a prettier glow, a more dependable light, and one that does the job just fine.

“What has this to do with your salvation issues, Stef?”  

Thanks for asking!  Simple light is the answer.  When I don’t complicate things by trying to be more obvious than what is necessary, I can better do my job.  When I don’t try to join up with others who aren’t interested in radiating and illuminating Christ, my teeny little shine may be feeble but it still burns.  Just doing the job of shining my little light--as the strands that are now filling my gazebo’s world--is all that is necessary.  If I could do the rest, I wouldn’t need a Saviour, now would I?  

As the process for examining myself goes on, as the works of the flesh become less evident while I endeavor instead to be more fruitful, my prayer is that these little doubts once again get shown the Light and my heart realizes God chose me, knowing full well what He was in for, and elected me in spite of my blemishes and flaws.  I can’t fix me and will still stumble but He promises to pick me up, to hold me with His hand, and to lead me to the paths of righteousness.  No, I’ll never be good enough, clean enough, or worthy in the world’s eyes but thank God, THANK GOD, His eyes see differently!

Let’s pray and get on with dwelling on the whatsoevers instead of the woe is me, shall we?  I think so too!

Dear Lord God, Father of Lights, and Lover of my soul:

Why You choose to fool with the likes of me is bewildering and the longsuffering You endure as I continually flub up amaze me.  I can only say “thanks” and offer myself to You.  Chasten me when I err.  Remind me when I doubt.  Use me when the time is right and when I’m not in useful mode, keep me from spreading my darkness on others.  You called me to be light, Lord.  May the light of Jesus beam forward from me is my prayer, asked in His name.  Amen.

PS

Lord?  Thank You.  Thanks for saving a wretch like me and loving me when I am most unlovable.  I love You too!