Our world is fallen.  We cannot forget.  Times will get hard one day…this fact hasn’t changed.  The Bible is clear about it all.  We can’t allow the longevity of our time on this earth to cause us to fall numb to the Truth.

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts.  Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace.  Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.  Again, I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.  A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.  Gently instruct those who oppose the truth.  Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.  Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.  For they have been held captive by Him to do whatever He wants.  2 Timothy 2:22-26

The Scripture doesn’t instruct us to go along with the foolishness of others…but it says to gently instruct those who oppose the truth.  A change of their heart is up to God.

I think we forget too easily that standing for truth will not be popular, very often.  In fact, it will most often be vehemently opposed by the enemy of our souls.  We must gain endurance within ourselves.  Endurance to continue to do good, no matter what.  To not grow weary in doing good. 

Remember.

The description of those at the end is strikingly similar to what we see today, is it not?

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.  For people will love only themselves and their money.  They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.  They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control.  They will be cruel and hate what is good.  They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.  Stay away from people like that!  2 Timothy 3:1-5

The lack of self-control is evident every day.  Not only in unbelievers, but also in believers.  We have lost a value for self-control.  Blame shifting is at an all time high.  Parents don’t want to take responsibility for their children. 

We must remember.  We must take responsibility for ourselves and our families. 

Don’t forget…the times are dark, but we cannot grow weary in doing good. 

After worshiping with someone recently, they told me they thought the songs should just begin and end.  Sung without any extra worship time within them.  Just sing the song, be done and move on…the person said. 

It struck me.

I said nothing.

It’s good to be provoked into remembering why something is so special and sacred to us.  This comment from the person wasn’t offensive or out of order.  It was their honest feeling.  I knew the best thing would be to fall silent and then speak again days later…after I’d spoken with God about how best to explain…because I knew that the real problem was, they didn’t understand. 

I took it to God.

He spoke.

The truth was revealed.

Worship is a conversation.  We sing a written song and then we give God a chance to respond to us individually or with a prophetic utterance from within the group. 

When He reminded me of my favorite part of worship…the in between…He also reminded me that many who don’t enjoy it, feel that way because they don’t know how to listen for Him. 

So today I’d like to provoke you.

I encourage you to listen to some worship this week or play and sing in your home.  After you have sung the written song begin to listen to heaven.  What does God want to say to you?  If you’ve never heard Him speak before…then before you worship, tell God you’d like to hear His voice and invite Him to speak during the song. 

We should never forget that the entire point of worship is not to perform for anyone.  It’s to worship God.  To honor Him.  We were made to worship, remember.  It’s a time when we return to our origin and bring our Father the glory due His name. 

He alone is worthy of praise.

I pray you have a wonderful conversation with God through worship today.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!  Worship the Lord with gladness.  Come before Him, singing with joy.  Acknowledge that the Lord is God!  He made us, and we are His.  We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For the Lord is good.  His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.  Psalm 100:1-5

My kids and I have had so many conversations as they’ve grown up, about adults they interact with who behave like children.  My kids have legitimately asked me about this because it confuses them so much.  In their hearts they believe, as I did, that those who are older are more mature…but that’s simply not always the case.

You can grow older and still behave like a child.  Age does not equal maturity.  Scripture even lets us see this…

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.  1 Timothy 4:12

And as we’ve discussed before the path to maturity is also written I scripture…

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4

I’ve learned from observation, over the years, that some adults have no idea how to navigate troubles.  Even the totally normal troubles of the day strike a broken part within them that lashes out with insecurity and childishness.

Childish behavior is starkly different than childlike faith.

Childish behavior lashes out in anger instead of stepping back and asking for wisdom.  Childish behavior makes everything about them. Childish behavior feigns grace and generosity, but at its core is presenting selfishly again…to create a false martyrdom around themselves.  Childish behavior cannot accept differing opinions and shuts down and/or goes into the “woe is me” pattern to deflect any need for them to mature and change. 

What if we all decided to pursue maturity…and to raise families who are able to mature…and who minister to others in a way that teaches them to mature and take responsibility for themselves. 

It’s not easy and takes a great deal of self-control, but I believe if we want to turn our nation around, it begins with each one of us learning how to mature.

It begins with us, but then we must raise generations after us in a way that causes them to mature.  That’s the only way to break this toxic cycle.

If you will, repeat this prayer…

God, please forgive me for resisting maturity in any way.  I surrender to You and the growth opportunities You’ve brought into my life.  Thank You for loving me enough to make me grow up.  Teach me how to raise a family who also learns how to mature.  Make us complete, lacking nothing.  Come and lead our family.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The other day I was lamenting the sinful parts of me.  The things I wrestle with so severely.  I desperately desire to live a holy life and to obey God in everything, yet there are certain things that I consistently wrestle with, and I hate it.  It makes me feel like such a disappointment to Him. 

As I prayed and talked with God about it and repented, yet again, I felt moved in my spirit.  I asked, “God, if You were judging me what would it look like?” 

I’ve often imagined the great judgment day and, in my mind, silly though it may sound, I imagine a giant screen in front of everyone.  Like the ones you see at the drive-in movies.  Immediately, when I asked God about my judgment that’s what I saw.  Two giant screens.  I expected to see a roll-out of my shameful highlights, but instead what I saw was the screen was completely stark white. 

He spoke, “This is what it would look like.”

Then it soaked into my heart, because of Jesus that’s the judgement I receive.  Suddenly I saw a waterfall of Jesus’ blood over me and when it had washed over, I was suddenly stark white.  Though my sin was scarlet, He has made me white as snow.

Friends, we often too easily forget that Jesus’ salvation in our lives is the most complete thing we’ll ever know.  It’s easy to get caught up in our struggles and decide we are lost all over again, but that’s simply not true.  Once found, we are found forever.  We are covered from past, present, and future sins.

Not as a license to go and sin, but as a message to our hearts that we are loved that much.  The fruit of that love in our lives is the desire to pursue obedience. 

We will never be perfect, yet we act as though we can. 

Jesus alone is perfect.  His perfection created salvation…not ours…remember?

We pursue righteousness and continually land in the provisional grace of the day.  We wake again and receive another portion of it to navigate another day.  His grace is sufficient.

Never forget the simplicity of the cross.  It cost Him everything and gave us everything.

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.  Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8:34-36

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

In the wee hours of the morning, I was thinking of those around us who are lost.  Many of them have Jesus in their hearts, but something has pulled them off course and they are wandering.  I thought of myself, when I was wildly off course, yet had Jesus in my heart…the world had my leg and no matter how I tried it seemed I couldn’t break it’s grasp…until I began to find healing for the things that plagued me.  Up until the time I hit rock bottom and began to receive healing, I had no idea I needed it. 

I want you to think about that statement. 

Up until the time I hit rock bottom and began to receive healing, I had no idea I needed it.

I believe most people are that way.  The only difference is in this current culture it’s become en vogue to have a messed up life.  That’s insane.  Then I realize that in my life experience I’ve always been surrounded by people who competed with each other over their brokenness.  But I digress.

This morning when I considered the wandering ones…I saw a lighthouse.

God spoke to me, “Lisa, when someone you love is wandering you don’t wander after them.  Stand as a lighthouse and continually let them see the light that leads them home.”

Wow.  It’s just so true, isn’t it?

What are the characteristics of a lighthouse?

They are often on an island out in the water.  They are solid, strong, and immoveable.  They can weather storms while still shining their light around and around.  They use their light silently as a beacon toward home.  “This is the way!!”, the light seems to shout without words.  In the storms ships look for a lighthouse to direct them home.

It can be difficult to witness someone we love wandering.  We know that only pain will come and often much disappointment.  But chasing after someone isn’t our job, it’s God’s. 

In my years of wandering every person in my life failed me in one way or another, and now that I’m much older I realize that was by design.  He wanted me to find Him. 

So, as I watch the troubled waters stirring over the wandering ones in my life, I stand resolute.  Still.  Quiet…unless God directs me to speak.  Steady.  Ready to receive.

As a lighthouse we simply continue to allow God’s presence in our live to shine as a beacon. 

We seek to live right.  We seek God daily.  We use self-control in our behavior toward the wanderers.  We never stop being who we are and stay immoveable.  And we know that one day that light that radiates from within us will help guide them home. 

It’s always only been about them and God.  He is the One they need.  We must stay out of God’s way. 

“You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

I really wrestle with the knowledge that our country has been taken over.  A lot of those in high and powerful positions aren’t Americans by birth and have no loyalty to our country.  Many others are part of some strange and convoluted ruling class that’s been created.  Raised from birth to become corrupt and hateful leaders. 

It should be no shock that a country founded upon Christianity would be under such severe attack all the time.  It makes sense that other countries are against us, while others seem to cheer for our demise out of some sort of jealousy. 

Whatever the scenario…we Americans have been betrayed.

As I consider this I often go to God and plead the case of our true countrymen.  Those who appreciate freedom and morality.  Those with a sense of gratitude for this fine land in which we live.  An appreciation of America’s founding documents and ideas. 

We have so much to be grateful for.

What I do believe…and it’s ok if you don’t…is that most Americans are moral and at least lean toward Christianity.  I believe we’ve been gaslit into believing that the current horror show we are seeing is popular.  I believe Americans are by and large conservative in nature.  Desiring to allow all to live in freedom. 

So, in my heart I feel true America has been betrayed…and this Scripture has become my prayer.

O Lord, come back to us!  How long will you delay?  Take pity on Your servants!  Satisfy us each morning with Your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.  Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!  Replace the evil years with good.  Let us, Your servants, see You work again; let our children see Your glory.  And may the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful.  Yes, make our efforts successful!  Psalm 90:13-17

I believe that God will come and set us free.  Free from the saboteurs within.  Those who never loved America in the first place and are actually trying to cause her demise.  We are not subject to them.  We the people are supposed to be in charge…but a secret group has taken over and is attempting to lead us to destruction.  That is not the American way.

No, I have not put all my faith and hope in America, but I do live here so it matters to me.  It should matter to all of us.  Why would we neglect our own country?  How is that good stewardship?  The truth is it isn’t. 

Being a good steward means being involved.  Being a good steward means acting responsibly within this country. 

One nation under God.  Indivisible.

Do you know where true riches come from? 

We all know the correct answer, but do we really believe it?

In the struggle of change and unlearning old habits that have been engrained in us from birth…one can often feel like a wrestler…having wrong thinking pulled off our minds and clinging to Truth.  It can feel like such a back and forth.

One thing that I keep finding in Scripture is the definitions of true success…it’s so very different from what we’ve been taught.  It’s so starkly contrasted from the world and the majority of the church…

Let’s read the follow scripture…

Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.  These teachings promote a godly life.  Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding.  Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words.  This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.  These people always cause trouble.  Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth.  To them a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.  Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.  After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.  So if we have enough food and clothing, let us to be content.  But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.  And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.  But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things.  Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.  Fight the good fight for the true faith.  Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.  And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering.  Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.  1 Timothy 63-14

We want a truly godly life…not a version of one that looks pretty to the world but falls short of God’s plan. 

I want to know what God’s standard is, not the worlds.

We must continue to return to Scripture for all our answers.  True godliness with contentment is great wealth according to the Word.  That’s a great place to begin. 

Seek godliness and practice being content. 

How much do you allow perception to throttle who you are?  How much do you allow it to throttle who you were created to be?

I realized this weekend that I have allowed my concern over people’s perception of me, within church specifically, to throttle who God made me to be.

I’ll be honest…I have a lot of thoughts on this subject, but I am feeling so convicted by Holy Spirit to shut up.  So, I’m laying my thoughts and opinions aside and I’ll take a different route with this topic.

Do you hold yourself back from the Lord because you’re afraid of what others will say or think or accuse you of being motivated by?

Basically, I’m asking…are you letting the fear of man reign in your life instead of the fear of the Lord?

I know I’ve touched on this before, but I was so deeply provoked in this area over the weekend that I cannot move forward without allowing God to speak to it again.

Sometimes we don’t realize our true motives until we put ourselves in an environment that we’re not accustomed to…like visiting a church. 

It was in this setting that I discovered I’ve grown a lot, but also saw more clearly what’s been holding me back.

I am a worshiper. 

When I meet with God, He consistently shows me that He created me to be one who ministers at His feet.  One who worships and leads others to worship.  I can’t escape it.  It’s in my DNA.  Denying it is like denying that I am a woman…it’s undeniable. 

I see what is happening in worship culture all around the world.  So many worship leaders have fallen astray in major ways.  It’s shocking and saddening…but for me, it’s caused me to become so afraid of myself that I’m constantly holding back.

Scripture tells us that our hearts are deceptive.  That’s one reason I’m constantly reaching out to the Lord and asking Him to guard me, especially when it comes to worship. 

Satan was a worshiper…who fell to his own pride and was cast out of heaven. 

That’s a terrifying thought.  I don’t ever want to become so deceived.  I face worship and leading worship with fear and trembling. 

It’s all very sobering.

I’m allowing you to witness my wrestling for a reason.  The reason is that I believe we all have something we wrestle with…and it doesn’t help to pretend it doesn’t exist. 

When I worshiped at a church I visited this Sunday, I became embarrassed because I desperately wanted to worship in spirit and truth, but I knew when I did that others would notice because I have a loud singing voice.  It just is what it is.  If I’m truly worshiping, it is most often loud.  Not because I’m showing off, but because that’s how I worship all the time.  I feel worship in my entire body.  I sing from my toes and stretch toward heaven as if my body is bursting and I just need to release the sound. 

Worship. 

The sound He created me to make, yet I become embarrassed when it draws the attention of others. 

As I wrestled with this on Sunday, God said, “Lisa, do I make beautiful flowers so nobody will notice them?  No, I want people to see and admire their beauty.  In this same way I gave you the voice you have and sometimes people will notice.  That’s not a problem.  That’s Me sharing the beauty I’ve put inside of you.  Can you trust Me in this?”

I stood, with my eyes still closed and worship still dripping from my lips and tears forming in my eyes…and I said, “Yes.”

My question for you today is this…will you trust God with your gifts as well?

As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.  Romans 11:28-29

I woke in the night.  I felt panic and anxiety over me.  Nothing had provoked this, but here it was.  I laid in bed, in the state between being awake and asleep.  I began to pray and suddenly I saw a bundle of balloons.  I thought, “I pop the balloon of anxiety and release it to You, God.”

This caused a beautiful feeling of release and a feeling of being lighter.

Strange because balloons normally lift up…pull up.  Yet, these balloons I saw were somehow weighing me down.

So, I popped another and called it the balloon of fear…then another and another…listing off negative emotions that came to mind.

It was a powerful release. 

I find it increasingly interesting the way God speaks to me in dreams and in the state between sleep and wake.  Both times that my mind is in a more rested and neutral space.  A place where I can receive.

I encourage you to find space for you to come to the Lord and pop the balloons that are weighing down your life.  Unlike normal balloons that would lift you up…these balloons create a weight…a hindrance.

Go before the Lord, ask Him to reveal to you the weighted balloons in your life.  Then simply pop them.

Only God can explain how these things work.  I only know that it does work.

I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever!  Young and old will hear of Your faithfulness.  Your unfailing love will last forever.  Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.  The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, My chosen servant.  I have sworn this oath to him: ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’”  All heaven will praise Your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise You for Your faithfulness.  For who in all of heaven can compare with the Lord?  What mightiest angel is anything like the Lord?  The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God.  He is far more awesome than all who surround His throne.  O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies!  Where is there anyone as mighty as You, O Lord?  You are entirely faithful.  You rule the oceans.  You subdue their storm-tossed waves.  You crushed the great sea monster.  You scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.  The heavens are Yours, and the earth is Yours; everything in the world is Yours- You created it all.  You created north and south.  Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon praise Your name.  Powerful is Your arm!  Strong is Your hand!  Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne.  Unfailing love and truth walk before You as attendants.  Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of Your presence, Lord.  They rejoice all day long in Your wonderful reputation.  They exult in Your righteousness.  You are their glorious strength.  It pleases You to make us strong.  Yes, our protection comes from the Lord; and He, the Holy One of Israel, has given us our king.  Psalm 89:1-18

Recently I spoke with someone who had faced a bitter disappointment that led to great sorrow.  It’s often natural for us to try to pull someone out of sorrow and push them toward joy…but I feel that is a disservice. 

There is a time to mourn. 

We must make room for the sorrows we face, so when the joy of the morning comes it’s far sweeter!

There’s a balance we must find in life.  Growing up in the church it seemed nobody was given room to fully process the difficulties in life…the sorrow and disappointment and things that cause anger.  Instead, we were bolstered up with Bible arrows and told to press right into being joyful and accepting.  But this scripture shows me that we need a time between that…

Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.  Proverbs 25:20 

And this one…

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Romans 12:15

And…

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

The current time we live in seems to stall out on the sorrow part…victimhood has become a commodity to the world.  That is also not to be so.  We aren’t to camp in any of these things, but to continue walking through them. 

Our lives are a journey.  This journey meanders through many different seasons, but we can’t embrace one until we release the last.  The only permanent thing is God.  If we are walking with God, then we will begin to appreciate the beauty of every season.  We will find the purpose of each season.  We will begin to grow through each season…and that, my friends, is the true purpose…to allow each season we encounter to do its work in bringing us to maturity in Christ.

So, live in each moment, but only remain in Christ.