Psalm 34:8 – TASTE and see that the Lord [our God] is good!
Have you ever drooled over a chocolate cake recipe? I have. I can almost taste the richness of the cake and the creaminess of the icing. As I absorb the ingredients in my mind I can imagine what flavors each one adds to the delicacy. The sugar, cocoa, milk, eggs, and butter all add to enhance the flavor. I dream of licking the beaters and licking the bowl, because I know I won't be able to wait for the finished product. I see the tall glass of milk standing guard over my plate and the glimmering fork in my hand. A little dramatic but true all the same.
Research has shown that vision can elicit the drool mechanism, just as Pavlov demonstrated with ringing the bell to cause his lab partner (a dog) to salivate. Our senses can "trick" us into thinking the cake/dog treat is actually in our mouth. But what's the actual difference? It's not in our mouth, it's in our mind. Only by experience can we truly taste what we so heartily desire.
I can read about God and His love for me, attend Bible study from sun up till sun down, and sing praise songs till I'm hoarse – but have I EXPERIENCED God. Have I really tasted Him, ingested Him, and let Him nourish my soul?
God is offering us a taste almost in the form of a command. He doesn't say, "Would you like to" or "How about a try." The verse is a command with an exclamation point at the end. Taste and experience God in all His fullness. Don't just stare at the recipe, listen to directions on how to bake the thing, then image what it will taste like . . . if only! Just Do It, as Nike so eloquently put it. There is a world of difference between the one dimensional recipe and our all consuming God. His Presence is indescribably good. And He's fat free!!!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
TEMPLE
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Do you not know that your body is the TEMPLE (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit who lives within you, whom you have received (as a Gift) from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price (purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own). So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.
I didn't really intend for this word to follow the M&M/junk food lesson, but I guess God did as He is the one who gave me these two passages at the same time. What would you do if you owned a home with an adjoining room that you rented out, but this time the tenant was a loud, sloppy criminal. This new occupant trashed the place (your place), played loud music, invited every freak imaginable over at all hours, and stole from you. I would probably call the police and have him removed, wouldn't you? Maybe you had tried to reason with him. Told him the rules countless times and given him many chances to mend his ways. But this rebel wasn't about to change. In fact, he was hell bent on disrupting the small room he rented plus the main house that you lived in. EVICTION!
I sometimes wonder why God never just struck me down and evicted me. I sincerely asked him into my heart where He took up residence. But then I slowly but surely began to tear down His home with my laziness, poor food choices, smoking, drinking, lust, gossip, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger – you name them and I have invited them over for a party at one time or another. Thank God he didn't kick me to the curb, but rather He evicted those sinful behaviors, evil spirits, and ungodly thoughts.
My job is to cooperate with His rules for a clean home and not allow those intruders back in. I can't help who rings my door bell, but I can discern who is allowed in and who I only peek through the window at and dismiss away. God has also graciously given me His Holy Spirit to work as a “bouncer” within to warn me of suspicious characters and bounce them to the street if they try to muscle their way in. The day I invited Christ into my heart was also the day I received an Almighty Cleaning Crew to make this temple, His temple, a Holy One.
I didn't really intend for this word to follow the M&M/junk food lesson, but I guess God did as He is the one who gave me these two passages at the same time. What would you do if you owned a home with an adjoining room that you rented out, but this time the tenant was a loud, sloppy criminal. This new occupant trashed the place (your place), played loud music, invited every freak imaginable over at all hours, and stole from you. I would probably call the police and have him removed, wouldn't you? Maybe you had tried to reason with him. Told him the rules countless times and given him many chances to mend his ways. But this rebel wasn't about to change. In fact, he was hell bent on disrupting the small room he rented plus the main house that you lived in. EVICTION!
I sometimes wonder why God never just struck me down and evicted me. I sincerely asked him into my heart where He took up residence. But then I slowly but surely began to tear down His home with my laziness, poor food choices, smoking, drinking, lust, gossip, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger – you name them and I have invited them over for a party at one time or another. Thank God he didn't kick me to the curb, but rather He evicted those sinful behaviors, evil spirits, and ungodly thoughts.
My job is to cooperate with His rules for a clean home and not allow those intruders back in. I can't help who rings my door bell, but I can discern who is allowed in and who I only peek through the window at and dismiss away. God has also graciously given me His Holy Spirit to work as a “bouncer” within to warn me of suspicious characters and bounce them to the street if they try to muscle their way in. The day I invited Christ into my heart was also the day I received an Almighty Cleaning Crew to make this temple, His temple, a Holy One.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
WAYS
Isaiah 55:8-9 – For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My WAYS, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My WAYS higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
We well educated human beings tend to have a little trouble with this verse, or at least I do. I understand that God is sovereign and that He is all wise, but I still think I can run the world, or at least my little corner of it, sometimes. And I even go so far as to be put out when God doesn't give me a step-by-step diagram when it pertains to His plans for my life – as if I could improve or even comment on His outline! The words trust and obey come to mind at a time like this.
God gave us the perfect example in raising children. Even if you don't have children, you were one once so you can relate. I tell my children that they are not (no, not maybe) allowed to eat sugary junk food all day long, period. (I love when we say "period" as if they can feel the impact). They want to know why and have a debate. How insulting! Now, I could accommodate them with a stack of documentations from notable dentists, pediatricians, and cardiologists with case studies of the affects of sugar and fat on the human body. I could try to explain the physiologic decay of tooth enamel and rising cholesterol levels in vessels, but I know this would just be over their sweet little heads. They must trust my better judgment and obey my wise instruction. Even if I explained to them in detail the terrible and painful consequences of their actions, would it really make a difference. Wouldn't they still respond with the old "that won't happen to me" statement that we have all used at one time or another?
Unfortunately, there are times when they have disobeyed and lied and now punishment must be administered. Why? Because I'm mean and don't want them to enjoy a few M&M's? Heavens no! I love my children dearly and want only the best for them, and because of that great love for their well being they must learn obedience to authority – PERIOD!
Forgive us Lord for acting like children. For sneaking and lying and disobeying your simple commands. Commands that are for our own good. We do believe that Your ways are higher than ours, and even if we were given every single detail it would probably still be over our sweet little heads. Amen. (Now I'm craving M&M's)
We well educated human beings tend to have a little trouble with this verse, or at least I do. I understand that God is sovereign and that He is all wise, but I still think I can run the world, or at least my little corner of it, sometimes. And I even go so far as to be put out when God doesn't give me a step-by-step diagram when it pertains to His plans for my life – as if I could improve or even comment on His outline! The words trust and obey come to mind at a time like this.
God gave us the perfect example in raising children. Even if you don't have children, you were one once so you can relate. I tell my children that they are not (no, not maybe) allowed to eat sugary junk food all day long, period. (I love when we say "period" as if they can feel the impact). They want to know why and have a debate. How insulting! Now, I could accommodate them with a stack of documentations from notable dentists, pediatricians, and cardiologists with case studies of the affects of sugar and fat on the human body. I could try to explain the physiologic decay of tooth enamel and rising cholesterol levels in vessels, but I know this would just be over their sweet little heads. They must trust my better judgment and obey my wise instruction. Even if I explained to them in detail the terrible and painful consequences of their actions, would it really make a difference. Wouldn't they still respond with the old "that won't happen to me" statement that we have all used at one time or another?
Unfortunately, there are times when they have disobeyed and lied and now punishment must be administered. Why? Because I'm mean and don't want them to enjoy a few M&M's? Heavens no! I love my children dearly and want only the best for them, and because of that great love for their well being they must learn obedience to authority – PERIOD!
Forgive us Lord for acting like children. For sneaking and lying and disobeying your simple commands. Commands that are for our own good. We do believe that Your ways are higher than ours, and even if we were given every single detail it would probably still be over our sweet little heads. Amen. (Now I'm craving M&M's)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
AM
Exodus 3:14 - And God said to Moses, I AM who I AM and what I AM, and I will be what I will be; and He said, You shall say to the Israelites, I AM has sent me to you!
I must admit that this verse puzzled me for many years, until ......
One day I realized I was tired of playing church and pretending to be good. I realized that I had deep rooted hurt and bitterness, that my marriage was struggling, and that I needed to self-medicate just to get through the day. My denial gave up and I found I needed a mother, father, sister, husband, counselor, therapist, doctor, lawyer, friend, and mediator. But who could fill such a tall order? Where could I find such qualified people who would be willing to be everything I needed every moment of the day, when I needed them? That's when "I AM" spoke to my heart and said "I Will!"
Moses was asking God for a title, for a name, because he knew the people were going to ask him. God replied with, "Tell the Israelites that I AM has sent me to you." It's as if He were saying, I AM ___________(you fill in the blank). I AM a friend, a counselor, a doctor, a lawyer, a lover ............... the list is as countless as our needs. God knows that at different seasons of our lives we will need a different aspect of His character so He left the line open and available for us.
If you ever do a study on the names of God you will be absolutely flabbergasted at the list God composes for His people. He is a Creator (Genesis 1:1), a Provider (Genesis 22:13), a Healer (Exodus 15:26), Peace (Judges 6:24), a Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), a Husband (Hosea 2:16), a Shield and Shelter (Psalm 91), a Judge (Psalm 94:15), Hope (Jeremiah 17:7), and a Father (Luke 15:20). There are so many more in scripture, but these are just a few of my favorites. The more you look, the more you will find.
Do you need deliverance from bondage like the children of Israel did, provision like Abraham, guidance, hope? He is ......... what we need when we need it. All you have to do is ask I AM and HE WILL!
I must admit that this verse puzzled me for many years, until ......
One day I realized I was tired of playing church and pretending to be good. I realized that I had deep rooted hurt and bitterness, that my marriage was struggling, and that I needed to self-medicate just to get through the day. My denial gave up and I found I needed a mother, father, sister, husband, counselor, therapist, doctor, lawyer, friend, and mediator. But who could fill such a tall order? Where could I find such qualified people who would be willing to be everything I needed every moment of the day, when I needed them? That's when "I AM" spoke to my heart and said "I Will!"
Moses was asking God for a title, for a name, because he knew the people were going to ask him. God replied with, "Tell the Israelites that I AM has sent me to you." It's as if He were saying, I AM ___________(you fill in the blank). I AM a friend, a counselor, a doctor, a lawyer, a lover ............... the list is as countless as our needs. God knows that at different seasons of our lives we will need a different aspect of His character so He left the line open and available for us.
If you ever do a study on the names of God you will be absolutely flabbergasted at the list God composes for His people. He is a Creator (Genesis 1:1), a Provider (Genesis 22:13), a Healer (Exodus 15:26), Peace (Judges 6:24), a Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), a Husband (Hosea 2:16), a Shield and Shelter (Psalm 91), a Judge (Psalm 94:15), Hope (Jeremiah 17:7), and a Father (Luke 15:20). There are so many more in scripture, but these are just a few of my favorites. The more you look, the more you will find.
Do you need deliverance from bondage like the children of Israel did, provision like Abraham, guidance, hope? He is ......... what we need when we need it. All you have to do is ask I AM and HE WILL!
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