Luke 17:32 "Remember Lot's wife!"
Since I was a little girl, journalling has been one of my favorite pasttimes. Writing my thoughts and experiences on paper has always helped me come to terms with who I am, where I've been, and where I'm going. Since hindsight is typically "20/20", it's by critically examining the details of my past that I can see the many ways God's preserved my life over the years, even when I didn't know it was Him. Whether it was snatching me out of bad relationships, protecting me from violence, or whispering a word of caution before I made a big mistake, Christ wouldn't allow my own ignorance and deception to abort my destiny- and for this I am eternally grateful.
In the midst of sin and temptation, God always gives us a "way of escape" (1 Corinthians 10:13), but it's up to us to take it. In today's text, Luke urges us to remember Lot's wife- a woman who, after being rescued by angels from complete annihilation, decided to turn back and consequently died because of it (Genesis 19). Lot's wife was so used to her former way of life that she couldn't accept the new life God passionately wrestled to give her. She thought that one quick peak into her past wouldn't do any harm, having little idea that it would actually be her last.
The time has come for each of us to decide who and what we love the most- God (Life) or Satan (Death). There's no in between. While Satan is constantly laboring to make his side look much more appealing, the truth is that "Abundant Life" can still only be attained through Jesus Christ. While choosing God may mean giving up a relationship, mentality, or lifestyle to which you have grown accustomed, His aim is not to restrict you but to save you- even from yourself. The next time you find yourself at a crossroads, torn between moving forward or turning back, I urge you to reread Genesis 19 and "remember Lot's wife".
Recommended Readings: Genesis 19, John 12:25, Romans 6:23
© Edwina Findley 2007 All Rights Reserved.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
"Facedown!"
Numbers 20:6 "Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them."
There is no sin quite so powerful, so deceptive and conniving as the sin of Pride. Because of its subtle, quiet nature, pride can fester for years without detection, masking itself under self-sufficiency, moral pretension, and intellectual superiority. The spirit of pride convinces its host that there is very little about him or her that needs changing, regularly empowering their ego and completely absolving them of fault. Pride causes us to think higher of ourselves than we ought, proclaiming "I can do ALL things!" while covertly eliminating "...through Christ that gives me strength."
I wrestle vehemently with the spirit of pride, and perhaps you do too. Unfortunately, it usually takes some major obstacle or storm to come into our lives before we recognize our own frailty and limitations. I believe this is a part of the struggle Moses and Aaron experienced in Numbers 20.
Both men were in very powerful positions, and hundreds of thousands of people looked to them for instruction, direction, and sustenence. While temptations of pride often accompany such esteemed offices of authority, when the Israelites began to rebel, both men recognized that without the strength and anointing of God, they were absolutely powerless.
There are at least four other references in the Bible to Moses and Aaron falling "facedown" before the Lord, humbling themselves in submission and fervently beseeching the Lord for guidance, favor, forgiveness, and deliverance. They knew that the higher God elevated them, the further down they'd have to descend. As Jesus put it "the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves." (Luke 22:26). God generously responded to their act of worship and immediately revealed his glory.
It's important for us to remember that no matter what we attain or accomplish in life, we will always need God. He is the source of everything, and without Him we are nothing. We all know that "pride comes before a fall", but the good news is that we can choose in what direction. My preference- "Facedown"!
Recommended Readings: John 15:5, Luke 22:24-27, John 3:30, Galatians 2:14-21, Proverbs 16:18
© Edwina Findley 2007. All Rights Reserved.
There is no sin quite so powerful, so deceptive and conniving as the sin of Pride. Because of its subtle, quiet nature, pride can fester for years without detection, masking itself under self-sufficiency, moral pretension, and intellectual superiority. The spirit of pride convinces its host that there is very little about him or her that needs changing, regularly empowering their ego and completely absolving them of fault. Pride causes us to think higher of ourselves than we ought, proclaiming "I can do ALL things!" while covertly eliminating "...through Christ that gives me strength."
I wrestle vehemently with the spirit of pride, and perhaps you do too. Unfortunately, it usually takes some major obstacle or storm to come into our lives before we recognize our own frailty and limitations. I believe this is a part of the struggle Moses and Aaron experienced in Numbers 20.
Both men were in very powerful positions, and hundreds of thousands of people looked to them for instruction, direction, and sustenence. While temptations of pride often accompany such esteemed offices of authority, when the Israelites began to rebel, both men recognized that without the strength and anointing of God, they were absolutely powerless.
There are at least four other references in the Bible to Moses and Aaron falling "facedown" before the Lord, humbling themselves in submission and fervently beseeching the Lord for guidance, favor, forgiveness, and deliverance. They knew that the higher God elevated them, the further down they'd have to descend. As Jesus put it "the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves." (Luke 22:26). God generously responded to their act of worship and immediately revealed his glory.
It's important for us to remember that no matter what we attain or accomplish in life, we will always need God. He is the source of everything, and without Him we are nothing. We all know that "pride comes before a fall", but the good news is that we can choose in what direction. My preference- "Facedown"!
Recommended Readings: John 15:5, Luke 22:24-27, John 3:30, Galatians 2:14-21, Proverbs 16:18
© Edwina Findley 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Anointed Alliances, Pt. II
Exodus 31:2-3, 6 "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you.”
Last week we discussed the unique privilege and responsibility of being chosen by God. Through a brief examination of Bezalel, Moses, Jeremiah, and Mary, we realized that if the Lord has placed a significant calling on our lives, He's also anointed us with the skills, talents, and abilities we need to fulfill that mission- even if we don't completely realize it. God anticipates our success in advance, and therefore equips us with "anointed alliances" to undergird us during the process- namely an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind every creative endeavor in the Bible, dating all the way back to the creation of the world. In fact, it was not until God exhaled His 'ruach' breath into Adam that human life officially began (Genesis 2:7). It is the same with us. When you received that amazing vision from the Lord, what happened? Your eyes widened, your heart leapt, and your body experienced a sudden intake of breath. Some call this the "AHA" moment. Essentially, God's spirit joined with your spirit and breathed into your lungs all the passion, drive, and ambition needed to fulfill His desires in the earth.
But He didn't stop there.
Our text shows us that after choosing Bezalel and anointing him for the substantial undertaking, guess what God gave him? HELP! God recognized that the task was too big for Bezalel to accomplish alone, and sent Oholiab and other craftsmen to believe in the mission and assist him on the journey. In times when Bezalel felt tired and disheartened, these anointed alliances helped and empowered him to go all the way. What's more, God stirred the hearts of the Israelites to FUND the vision-- giving Bezalel and the crew everything they needed to make the dream a reality. The Israelites brought so much that Moses eventually had to tell the people to stop giving!! (Exodus 36:2-7)
God knows what you need when you need it. You belong to Him, and He takes care of what's His. If the Lord has called you to do something, it's because He already knows that you can. He is faithful, and will bring about all the help, resources, knowledge, and "anointed alliances" you need to fulfill the calling. All He needs now is you to do now is trust and obey!
© Edwina Findley 2007 All Rights Reserved.
Last week we discussed the unique privilege and responsibility of being chosen by God. Through a brief examination of Bezalel, Moses, Jeremiah, and Mary, we realized that if the Lord has placed a significant calling on our lives, He's also anointed us with the skills, talents, and abilities we need to fulfill that mission- even if we don't completely realize it. God anticipates our success in advance, and therefore equips us with "anointed alliances" to undergird us during the process- namely an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind every creative endeavor in the Bible, dating all the way back to the creation of the world. In fact, it was not until God exhaled His 'ruach' breath into Adam that human life officially began (Genesis 2:7). It is the same with us. When you received that amazing vision from the Lord, what happened? Your eyes widened, your heart leapt, and your body experienced a sudden intake of breath. Some call this the "AHA" moment. Essentially, God's spirit joined with your spirit and breathed into your lungs all the passion, drive, and ambition needed to fulfill His desires in the earth.
But He didn't stop there.
Our text shows us that after choosing Bezalel and anointing him for the substantial undertaking, guess what God gave him? HELP! God recognized that the task was too big for Bezalel to accomplish alone, and sent Oholiab and other craftsmen to believe in the mission and assist him on the journey. In times when Bezalel felt tired and disheartened, these anointed alliances helped and empowered him to go all the way. What's more, God stirred the hearts of the Israelites to FUND the vision-- giving Bezalel and the crew everything they needed to make the dream a reality. The Israelites brought so much that Moses eventually had to tell the people to stop giving!! (Exodus 36:2-7)
God knows what you need when you need it. You belong to Him, and He takes care of what's His. If the Lord has called you to do something, it's because He already knows that you can. He is faithful, and will bring about all the help, resources, knowledge, and "anointed alliances" you need to fulfill the calling. All He needs now is you to do now is trust and obey!
© Edwina Findley 2007 All Rights Reserved.
Monday, March 26, 2007
"Anointed Alliances" Pt. I
Exodus 31:2-3, 6 "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you.”
There is no feeling on earth quite so remarkable, and perhaps so overwhelming, as the feeling of being chosen by God. Hand-selected before the world began to perform a particular task or mission, the chosen person’s trajectory is an unusual blend of both privilege and responsibility. While these individuals are divinely empowered to accomplish great exploits, they must also contend with the weight and demand of such a monumental calling. As Luke 12:48 says, “from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
The Bible is filled with examples of people who, although chosen, didn’t believe they actually had what it took to carry out the tasks God set before them. Moses complained of a speech impediment. Abraham was over the hill. Jeremiah was just a kid. And Mary had never had sex. How could God reasonably expect any of these people to begin, much less complete their divine assignments given these personal limitations?
Anointed Alliances.
Regardless of how many gifts and talents we personally possess, God’s kingdom is strategically set up so that no man can operate in absolute exclusivity. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12, we are one body with many parts, each designed to function in conjunction with the whole. The second we become prideful, self-centered, or self-sufficient our spiritual impact will inevitably diminish. In order to fulfill your purpose, it is crucial that you tap into the anointed alliances God has provided- starting with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told the disciples that apart from Him, they could do nothing (John 15:5), and oh how true that is! As we can see from our text, it was the Spirit of God that empowered Bezalel to live up to His calling- equipping him with all kinds of skills, knowledge, and creative abilities to accomplish the divine calling on his life. Moreover, being “filled” with the Spirit also gave Bezalel access to God’s endless supply of wisdom, power, favor, and discernment- priceless treasures on his purpose-filled journey. By remaining connected to the Source, Bezalel exchanged his lack for the Lord’s bounty, and was therefore divinely positioned for ongoing success. Talk about nepotism!
God is not in the business of failure and false starts. He is all-knowing, and doesn’t assign purposes to people He knows do not have what it takes to achieve them. If God has chosen you to do something outside of your realm of ability, stay in the Word, hold on tight to the Holy Spirit, and stay tuned for next week’s WOW. To be continued…
Recommended Readings: Exodus 35:30-36:7, Isaiah 61, Romans 8
© Edwina Findley 2007 All Rights Reserved.
There is no feeling on earth quite so remarkable, and perhaps so overwhelming, as the feeling of being chosen by God. Hand-selected before the world began to perform a particular task or mission, the chosen person’s trajectory is an unusual blend of both privilege and responsibility. While these individuals are divinely empowered to accomplish great exploits, they must also contend with the weight and demand of such a monumental calling. As Luke 12:48 says, “from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
The Bible is filled with examples of people who, although chosen, didn’t believe they actually had what it took to carry out the tasks God set before them. Moses complained of a speech impediment. Abraham was over the hill. Jeremiah was just a kid. And Mary had never had sex. How could God reasonably expect any of these people to begin, much less complete their divine assignments given these personal limitations?
Anointed Alliances.
Regardless of how many gifts and talents we personally possess, God’s kingdom is strategically set up so that no man can operate in absolute exclusivity. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12, we are one body with many parts, each designed to function in conjunction with the whole. The second we become prideful, self-centered, or self-sufficient our spiritual impact will inevitably diminish. In order to fulfill your purpose, it is crucial that you tap into the anointed alliances God has provided- starting with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told the disciples that apart from Him, they could do nothing (John 15:5), and oh how true that is! As we can see from our text, it was the Spirit of God that empowered Bezalel to live up to His calling- equipping him with all kinds of skills, knowledge, and creative abilities to accomplish the divine calling on his life. Moreover, being “filled” with the Spirit also gave Bezalel access to God’s endless supply of wisdom, power, favor, and discernment- priceless treasures on his purpose-filled journey. By remaining connected to the Source, Bezalel exchanged his lack for the Lord’s bounty, and was therefore divinely positioned for ongoing success. Talk about nepotism!
God is not in the business of failure and false starts. He is all-knowing, and doesn’t assign purposes to people He knows do not have what it takes to achieve them. If God has chosen you to do something outside of your realm of ability, stay in the Word, hold on tight to the Holy Spirit, and stay tuned for next week’s WOW. To be continued…
Recommended Readings: Exodus 35:30-36:7, Isaiah 61, Romans 8
© Edwina Findley 2007 All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
#24- "God of Hope"
Romans 15:13- “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
There are times in life where circumstances can seem so bleak, just the word “hope” is an inconceivable notion. Sure, it’s easy to have hope in a summer season, when abundance and prosperity reign, but what about in the cold, dreary winters when storms are raging and circumstances seem insurmountable? In seasons like these, many are left to wonder where God is and whether the terrible tide of life will ever really change.
There are times in life where circumstances can seem so bleak, just the word “hope” is an inconceivable notion. Sure, it’s easy to have hope in a summer season, when abundance and prosperity reign, but what about in the cold, dreary winters when storms are raging and circumstances seem insurmountable? In seasons like these, many are left to wonder where God is and whether the terrible tide of life will ever really change.
All through the Bible are examples of men and women that faced obstacles so enormous, most of us would have immediately cowered under the pressure. Daniel encountered lions. Paul endured imprisonment. Jesus suffered crucifixion. Even our enslaved ancestors struggled against obstructions so gargantuan, it is a marvel that we are able to vote, read, work, and sit in the front of the bus today. In each situation, Satan endeavored to construct just enough mental and physical barriers to devastate the individual’s spirit, and thereby destroy their passion, perseverance, and purpose.
But the devil is a liar! This scripture is so refreshing because it shows us that God does not desire that we live in anxiety or agony, but in a constant, perpetual state of hope. Hope is defined as “a wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment”. This confident expectation serves as our primary defense against depression, doubt, low self- esteem, and worry. God is the absolute embodiment of hope, and Romans 15:13 let’s us know that even in tumultuous circumstances, He wants to give us joy and peace- a feat that can only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you have found yourself overcome with doubt and discouragement, please commit this scripture to memory! Remember that God is right beside you every moment of every day, loving you and encouraging you to keep on going despite the odds. Make a firm decision to forsake fear and live in hope- confidently expecting the Lord to work everything out for your good. And finally, allow the Holy Spirit to saturate your soul with so much joy that it could only have come from one eternal source- the God of Hope!
Recommended Readings—Psalm 42, Psalm 91, Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 6:25-34
© Edwina Findley 2007 All Rights Reserved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
