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Prayer, Hope, and Answers!

At certain times in our lives, we encounter situations that require us to lift up deep cries, wails, and prayers to our heavenly Father. These prayers may involve our health, our family, our loneliness, or a multitude of other circumstances. Let’s take a look at Hannah’s prayer and discover how Hannah felt and how the Lord chose to answer her prayer. Keep in mind that God always sees the big picture for YOUR life, and God’s answers are always designed especially for you or whomever you are praying for.

In 1 Samuel 1-2, we read that Hannah was married to Elkanah. Elkanah was a Godly man who loved Hannah very much; but the Lord had not blessed their union with any children. Peninnah, also Elkanah’s wife had children. Peninnah continually provoked Hannah because of her childlessness to the point she wept and would not eat.  Hannah was embarrassed and grieved with this harsh treatment. Have you ever been at the point, like Hannah, where you have experienced embarrassment, grief, and/or distress? If so, let’s look at the process that Hannah experienced and see if you find any similarities in your life.

  1. God loved Hannah. 1 Samuel 1:5
  2. Hannah had no children. 1 Samuel 1:5
  3. Hannah was embarrassed and grieved. 1 Samuel 1:6
  4. Hannah was provoked, so she wept and did not eat. 1 Samuel 1:6
  5. Her husband loved her. 1 Samuel 1:8
  6. Hannah was distressed. 1 Samuel 1:10
  7. Hannah prayed to the Lord as she wept bitterly. 1 Samuel 1:10
  8. Hannah vowed her unborn child to the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:11
  9. Hannah poured out her soul to Eli the priest. 1 Samuel 1:15
  10. Eli gave Hannah hope. 1 Samuel 1:17
  11. Hannah left with a good countenance and wasn’t sad anymore. 1 Samuel 1:18
  12. Hannah conceived and bore a son – Samuel. 1 Samuel 1:20
  13. Hannah gave her child to Eli as she vowed. 1 Samuel 1:24-28.
  14. Hannah rejoiced and glorified the Lord for his answer. 1 Samuel 2:1-2

How often do we find ourselves in one or more of the steps that Hannah found herself? When I read 1 Samuel 1, I became so impressed that Eli gave Hannah hope. And, it took that hope to get Hannah out of her funk. Proverbs 13:12a says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick. . .” It was hope that made Hannah’s countenance shine. She went away with hope. Through hope, her strength returned. She ate and left with a smile on her face (while still in the midst of her situation)!

When you are facing situations beyond your control, remember HOPE. Even Zophar, in Job 11:18, states, “And you shall be secure and feel confident because there is hope; yes, you shall search about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.”

If a friend or family member is in a distressful situation, give them hope. Tell them they can be secure in the Lord Jesus Christ by confessing their sins and trusting in Him. Pray for their perseverance to ease the sorrow they are facing during their difficult time.

In Luke 13, Jesus healed a woman who had been sick for 18 years. “She was bent over completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look upward.” But she encountered Jesus and was “released from her infirmity . . . all the people rejoiced over all the glorious things that were done by Him.”

The complete verse in Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Amen!!! Keep praying and your longing will be fulfilled in His way in due time.

“For this child I prayed; and the LORD, hath given me my petition which I asked of Him.”

1 Samuel 1:27

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Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG²) is an international network of independent bloggers who meaningfully blog—and who are serious—about matters relating to the Bible. Follow the members on Twitter using our BG² List.

www.PattiGreene.com

State of Emergency

I read a lot of news articles – many involving a particular state of emergency I have them sent directly to my iPhone. I use Google Alerts so I will be notified immediately on certain topics. I read many online newspapers. And I subscribe to “real” magazines.

One day one of the articles that came through one of my sources and printed in the Star Tribune was entitled More than 40 people killed by 2 female suicide bombers in northeastern Nigeria. The article was about two teenage girls that entered the busy marketplace in Maiduguri, a provincial capital in NE Nigerian state of Borno. In their vests were explosives hidden beneath their full hijabs. The first girl detonated her bomb killing 3 women. As rescuers rushed in, the second girl screamed and set off her explosives, killing many more.

While bombings and killings like this occur frequently in Nigeria, I wondered if we are getting desensitized hearing about it. The answer is probably YES. But, with this article, I wondered if the two girls were being used by the Islamic Extremist group Boko Haram who were immediately suspected to be the insurgents responsible for the attack. Were the girls forced to carry the bombs? And were these girls from the group of the 200+ girls kidnapped from Chibok (78 miles southwest of Maiduguri) in April, 2014 that are still missing? Then, my mind wondered if people are really “suicide bombers” if they are forced to carry out a task such as this. I also placed my heart into the minds of those 200 girls’ parents still missing – wondering if they were all now concerned that these two girls might have been their daughters. There must be nothing like losing a child, double that with your child being kidnapped, double that with thinking that your child might be used by an Islamic militant group to carry bombs, and double that with not knowing if your child is dead or alive.

Maiduguri is the largest city in Borno state. The city had already been placed under a state of emergency because of the extreme violence there.

But what happens when a city has been declared in “a state of emergency?” The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English states a state of emergency is, “when a government gives itself special powers in order to try to control an unusually difficult or dangerous situation, especially when this involves limiting people’s freedom.”

No matter what your ‘State of Emergency’ might be, God is the only one that can come to your rescue, answer your questions, and get you to a place of safety. He can do that, but you must first place your trust in Him as your Lord and Savior. With your relationship secure in Him, He has provided you with His Holy Spirit who can guide you in prayer and help you to understand the Bible in new and exciting ways. Look to Him, read His Word, and believe He will touch you and guide you.

While cities and countries depend on the government to help them during these states of emergencies, we must depend on God through our Lord Jesus Christ to get us through our own personal emergencies.

Ephesians 4:19 – And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ESV

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Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG²) is an international network of independent bloggers who meaningfully blog—and who are serious—about matters relating to the Bible. Follow the members on Twitter using our BG² List.

www.PattiGreene.com

Cocooning

Have you ever woken up feeling that you just want to go back to bed. You don’t want to think about the future. You don’t want to pick up the house. You don’t care if the dishes are left in the sink. And you don’t care about even opening the curtains to let a little light in. That’s what I call cocooning!

You just want to remain in the dark. You want to stay in a place where no one can see you. You want to be closed in where you can be alone with your own thoughts and even give yourself the freedom to have a pity party if you desire. And heaven help us if the doorbell rings. We don’t want any intrusions, so we pretend we aren’t home and pretend no one is behind the door. Sometimes these feelings stem from just being lazy. Other times it is because you have been too involved in the outside world that you need a break.

It is okay. It happens to all of us at one time or another.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s verb definition of cocoon is “to spend time at home instead of going out for other activities.” I am one of those people who likes to cocoon!

Usually when I am at home, I like my curtains closed most of the time. It isn’t because I don’t like the light; it is because when I am at home, I like to be truly at home – closed in; away from noise; away from outside pressures. I just like the secure-closed in feeling of being safe – of being allowed to think my own thoughts without distractions.

Jesus needed those times too. He needed to get away to pray by himself. He needed that quiet time to dwell on his life and his God-given mission. We need that too. But, with too much time to reflect, we can become so introverted that we are no use to others. Yes, closing in to relax and have time alone with God is necessary, but if when we find ourselves closing in without the spiritual tug to open ourselves up to be used by the Lord, we need to re-evaluate our motives.

Years ago, I had surgery. I had to stay in the house by myself for 2-3 weeks. Yes, I enjoyed the solitude needed for healing. I enjoyed the days getting up going to the fridge to get a drink, and then going back to bed surrounded by my blankets and my favorite books and reading materials. But, there does come a time when we need to get out. We need to experience life and be around other people.

If we find ourselves in a position where we feel we just can’t get out and face people, we need to muster up enough courage (with God’s help) and fortitude to be able to get going with life. It isn’t that we have to give up our quiet solitary life completely. But, we do need to ‘escape’ our cocoon and see what God has for us.

To do this, we must take time in our solitude to ask God for courage; to trust the Lord to show us how to be brave; how to minister to others; and when to cocoon back into the solitary we enjoy and many times need.

Mark 6:31 ESV

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Joshua 1:9 ESV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

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Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG²) is an international network of independent bloggers who meaningfully blog—and who are serious—about matters relating to the Bible. Follow the members on Twitter using the BG² List.

www.PattiGreene.com

Intercessory Prayer

Recently, my husband and I have been the recipients of “Intercessory Prayer.” Intercessory prayer means that you are offering prayers for others, i.e. friends, family members, co-workers. It is as simple as that. During our need for prayers, we can honestly say we could feel the prayers of others reaching heaven and coming upon us to help us in our situation.  Within us, those wonderful prayers created peace, security, healing, and comfort to particular need.

Have you ever noticed that sometimes you can’t pray for yourself or the only thing you can do for others is pray for them? Maybe there has been an accident, an emotional or psychological incident, an unforeseen occurrence, or a spiritual dilemma creating an inability for you to pray. Those are the times to call upon your believing friends so they can lift you up in prayer and support you. There are also times, when you can’t do anything else but pray.

On October 29, 2014, while living in Lagos, Nigeria, an elderly-appearing man knocked on the back seat of the car window when I was stuck in bumper to bumper Lagos traffic. His wrinkles showed a very hard life. His dry swollen hand went up to his dry, cracked, parched lips begging for something to drink. Yes, I had a half Coke Zero in the car, but due to company security policy [due to possible kidnappings and armed robberies which are ongoing in Nigerian cities] we were strongly advised to err on the side of caution and not open our windows or doors for anyone. He stood there for what seems like an extremely long time. All I could do was turn my head away and pray. While I wished I could quench his thirst, I couldn’t. There are really times you can’t do anything but pray.

I have been writing out my prayers out in notebooks and journals since 1973! Yes, I know you don’t think I could be that old, but I was 17 years old when I started. I still have all those journals. It is very humbling to look back over my prayers. One day, I decided to look through some of my “prayer journals” and I saw that early in my Christian walk, most of my prayers were about ME and then about ME some more, but as I matured in the faith, I noticed my prayers had started becoming more about other people. Yes, I still pray about my concerns and life, but they seem to be a lot less about me and more for others now. Praise God.

In the Bible we can find many examples of intercessory prayers. Let’s look at three examples.
EZRA – In the book of Ezra, the scribe and scholar named Ezra, discovers an apathy developing among the Jews returning from Babylon to Jerusalem. The officials told Ezra about the Israelites and Levites not separating themselves from the Babylonians people and about their wicked acts and direct violations of God’s will which included intermarrying with foreign women.

When Ezra heard this, he rent his undergarment* and his mantle*, he pulled hair from his head and beard, and sat down appalled. He trembled. He sat astounded. But then he arose from his depression and he fell on his knees and spread out his hands to the Lord his God. He then says, “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads and our guilt has mounted to heavens. Since the days of our fathers we have been exceedingly guilty; and for our willfulness we, our kings, and our priests have been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, captivity, plundering, and utter shame, as it is today.” [Ezra 9:6-7 AMP] “Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there gathered to him out of Israel a very great assembly of men, women, and children; for the people wept bitterly.” [Ezra 10:1 AMP] Within this example, we can see the dire pain that Ezra felt toward those returning Jews. He was interceding on their behalf. Have you ever interceded for someone with that much depth and passion before?

Another person who came boldly to God’s throne in prayer is Paul. Paul prayed many times for believers in the New Testament. In Philippians 1:9-11 ESV, Paul prayed, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Jesus was probably the ultimate intercessor of all times. He prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. [Luke 22:32] He prayed for believers and His disciples. He prayed for those who crucified him. Many times Jesus prayed with deep cries and tears for those around him. As Jesus prayed, so should we.

But how do we know for whom to pray? There are so many people and so many needs. While not an exclusive list, I have found most of my directions to pray for someone has come from these sources.

  • Seeing a need;
  • Feeling a holy hunch that someone/some issue needs prayer;
  • Hearing about a need and it being brought to my attention; and
  • Discerning a possible prayer need.

Intercessory prayer is powerful. It is like putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, feeling their pain, and praying from God’s perspective. Let’s look around us this week and see for whom God brings to us to pray. There are many faces today that need our prayers. Look for that face in the crowd. And pray diligently and boldly.

In Jesus’ Name.

Bible Verses:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. 1 Timothy 2:1

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  Romans 8:26

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

Prayer:
Jesus, let us pray in your power and strength. Lord, show us people and issues that need our attention in prayer. Imprint their needs upon our hearts so we can’t let go until prayers have been lifted up for them. Let us pray as you would – seeking God and trusting all outcomes to You. Take our prayers and bring them to the Father. Let your will be accomplished through our prayers. Cleanse us so we can receive Your wisdom and discernment in all we do. Thank you Lord. Amen.

God bless you.
Patti Greene

* The undergarment was a tunic.

* In biblical times, a mantle was typically a large, loosely fitting garment made of animal skin, probably sheep skin.
Breneman, Mervin. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther: an exegetical and theological exposition of Holy Scripture (The New American Commentary). Holman Reference. 1993.

“What in a mantle in the Bible?” Got Questions Ministries. [15 June 2015.]

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Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG²) is an international network of independent bloggers who meaningfully blog—and who are serious—about matters relating to the Bible. Follow the members on Twitter using the BG² List.

www.PattiGreene.com

 

Leadership Part 2: Nehemiah

My husband is a manager in the corporate real estate profession. If you were to ask him how difficult it is to get a building project started, he would definitely tell you that it is not the easiest thing to accomplish. There are a lot of factors involved, like in which country are you going to build it; what are the legal laws of the land; how much money is needed; who would be involved; how obstacles should be handled, the leadership of the involved people, and the timeline for completion.

Nehemiah faced similar obstacles as he attempted to fulfil his spiritual calling to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. The entire city, including the wall , was destroyed in 587 BC during the siege led by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

Last week, we looked at the first five leadership skills using Nehemiah as a model. We saw how Nehemiah was delving into his project with faith in God, compassion, and a huge goal in mind. As a refresher, the first five leadership skills were:

  1. Make your voice and presence known to those who count.
  2. Spend time planning your project(s).
  3. Stand up for what is right.
  4. Set clear expectations for performance.
  5. Surround yourself with the best talent possible.

To read, Leadership Part 1: Nehemiah,  click here.

Leadership Skills

  1. Be humble and acknowledge that God is your strength.

The books of Nehemiah and Ezra are thought to have originally been one combined book inthe Bible. It is obvious that Ezra, the priest and scribe, and Nehemiah, governor in Jerusalem and re-builder of the city wall, were colleagues. After the completion of the wall, the people needed some reconstruction of their own. We find Ezra and other Israelites gathering by the Water Gate worshipping, reading the Law, teaching the people to acknowledge the Lord, and encouraging them to study and understand the words of divine instruction. Then, on this HOLY DAY, we see Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites rejoicing.

If you are in a ministry role, after a big project (like Vacation Bible School), the workers need to regroup and be encouraged again to stay working for the Lord and seeking again to please Him as they move forward. If in the ministry, do you encourage your employees (or volunteers) to humbly worship, read the Bible, encourage them to study God’s Word, and reiterate that God is their strength?

If in a job situation, when your employees perform remarkably well in completing a difficult project, do you just let their “high” accomplishments go unnoticed, or do you praise them and encourage them to continue on with their good work?

The letdown after a big project can loom for a long time, but as leaders, we can prevent that with a little time spent afterwards looking forward to the next project, the next ministry, or next learning opportunity.

“And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. . . And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, ‘Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.’ And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing because they had understood the words that were declared to them.”

Nehemiah 8: 6, 9-12

  1. Correct and admonish when needed.

The time will come when someone who works for you needs correction and admonishment. It is a tough and sensitive issue that leaders face. Nehemiah was able to lessen the load by pre-handling this, giving his men an example from the book of Deuteronomy which they all understood: Moses’ explaining to the gathered rebellious children of Israel the consequences of their disobedience (namely, arousing God’s ire, and where that may lead). What better way than to pre-warn people of situations which may arise, where correction, admonishment or even firing may result, by talking about it beforehand? How wise!

“But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion, you delivered them time after time. You warned them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, of which you said, ‘The person who obeys them will live by them.’ Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen.”

Nehemiah 9:28-29

  1. Obey the company or ministry policies.

Companies, churches, organizations, and families have policies and/or rules of ethics. They are there to be abided by unless, of course, they are against God’s laws; in that case, decisions and prayerful considerations need to be made on a course of action. If your ministry (individual or group) does not have policies, it may be time to develop them. Many ministries have or are developing boards or foundations to oversee their own activities to be sure they are operating under an authoritative source.

In Nehemiah 10, the purpose was to join and bind the people together with an oath to follow God’s laws, commands, regulations, and decrees. Regulations and codes of behavior are very important in corporate offices, ministries, and even within homes, especially where children are growing up under the instructions of their parents.

“The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand— all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.”

Nehemiah 10:28, 31

9. Celebrate the achievements of others.

Nehemiah celebrated the dedication of the wall with gladness. In both businesses and churches, we see achievement awards, 10-year anniversary recognitions, and “Good Job” certificates. All these play an important role among those who have worked with you to achieve the goals the Lord has given you. You may not even be aware that those who are working for you are inwardly proud of their own personal accomplishments through “your” project. If you close a deal at work, how about a party to acknowledge the good and steadfast work of your employees? How about throwing a dinner to thank those who volunteer their time and effort in the ministry? And, what’s wrong with some ice cream for good grades?

“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.”

Nehemiah 12:27

  1. Define roles and responsibilities AGAIN.

And finally, in Nehemiah 13, we see that Nehemiah had left Jerusalem during the 32 years of King Artaxerxes’ reign. But, when he returned, he found the house of God in disarray. Widespread shenanigans were going on in his absence. Upon arrival in Jerusalem, Nehemiah proceeded to command that the chambers be cleaned. He contended with the officials and asked them why the house of the Lord had been neglected and forsaken. He reproved the nobles and warned them. He cleansed them from everything heathen and he started all over again with defining roles and responsibilities [Nehemiah 7:65]

In ministry and work, defining roles and responsibilities is not a one-time thing. It must be continually taught. Just as in our lives, we must incessantly be in the Word of God and frequently hear God’s expectations continually. It isn’t just going to church on Sundays. It isn’t just going to a conference. It isn’t praying only in our time of need. Our bosses or ministers will not always be around to instruct us as was the case with Nehemiah; when he wasn’t there, the people turned to ungodly activities.

We, as individuals, must remember that is our duty to stay in contact with the Lord. We can’t live in someone else’s shadow. And, as a leader, we need to constantly remind those working with us to be responsible and obedient with or without “the leader or boss” around. This chapter reminds me of the idiom, “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.” Let’s be responsible ourselves and teach those who are under our leadership to always act like the cat is around!

“But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Sometime later I asked his permission and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God.”

Nehemiah 13:6-7

In conclusion, let’s celebrate Nehemiah’s contributions. His administrative skills were outstanding. He completed the work God assigned to Him. He faced obstacles honorably. He acknowledged his strength came from the Lord. If only he were here, I’d throw him a party of grain, legumes, and domesticated beasts to celebrate the legacy he left behind to the family of God!!!

Bible Verses:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. (Luke 15:23)

Prayer:

Oh mighty God, thank You for the leadership roles You have placed me in. Let me be an example to others through Your strength. Give me wisdom and humility so I can lead as You want me to. Let me rejoice at the achievements of others. In YOU alone I trust.

God bless you.

greenenpastures.org

Works Cited:

“Nehemiah: Who wrote the book?” The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. [21 June 2015.]

Stedman, Ray. “Nehemiah: Rebuilding the walls.” Authentic Christianity. [June 21, 2015.] Wallace, Wanda T. and David Creelman. Leading people when they know more than you do. Harvard Business Review. 16 June 2015. Web.

Edited by E. Johnson

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Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG²) is an international network of independent bloggers who meaningfully blog—and who are serious—about matters relating to the Bible. Follow the members on Twitter using the BG² List.

Spiritual Gifts: I’m NOT gifted in that!

Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts inventory survey? They are surveys that help define where you are best-suited to serve in the body of Christ. Whenever I take these surveys – and I have taken plenty of them – I find myself scoring consistently high in certain areas and scoring consistently low in other areas. Through my survey results, I have come to understand that God has fashioned and knit me together just how He wants me to be by the gifts He has bestowed upon me.

But, I have also learned that just because I score low in some areas, God may still choose to use me in those areas that I just don’t feel comfortable, capable, or even care to be involved in.

While the main thrust of this blog is not to teach about specific spiritual gifts, I want to show you how we can operate and be used by the Lord outside of our high-scoring spiritual gifts.

But, what are the spiritual gifts? The major spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible that can be used effectively by believers within the church are:

Leadership
Administration
Teaching
Knowledge
Prophecy
Discernment
Exhortation
Shepherding
Faith
Evangelism
Apostleship
Service/Helps
Mercy
Giving
Hospitality*

If you would like more information about discovering your spiritual gifts; what specific gifts encompass; and take a spiritual gift survey, please click on the link below by Lifeway Christian Resource. There is nothing like knowing what your spiritual gift(s) are. Knowing creates peace: It creates confidence: And it creates the knowledge that God knows exactly what He is doing in our lives.

http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_PDF_Discover_Your_Spiritual_Gifts.pdf

Sharing the truth about our gifting is tough. We don’t want to sound proud and righteous if we possess certain gifts. On the other hand, we hate to admit that we have a very hard time working within the reins of other gifts. In school, most of us want to score high in every subject, but spiritual gifts don’t work that way. In a true confession, I share that I am consistently low in the gift of the Service/Helps ministry.  Maybe that is because I don’t particularly like to cook. So if you are sick, please be happy I have given you a McDonald’s gift card instead of trying to make you a gourmet meal! Or maybe it is because I live in a state of fatigue and serving requires energy. I just don’t know.

But, even though I score low in this area, I recognize that God still wants me to serve and help my friends, family, and the body of Christ. It is important to understand God can and will use you outside of the realm of your spiritual gifts. You are not required to operate only in your high scoring gifts.

Periodically, we are asked to step out of our comfort zone. I like animals, but I am not a huge animal lover. But one day, I was truly impressed to take a friend to the vet to comfort her as she experienced the tough decision to put her dog down. Not my comfort zone, but God used me. And, I was totally blessed being with her during this sad time in her life.

When God leads you or I on a mission outside of your gifting, think of it as the Lord stretching us through the Holy Spirit. When God sets us apart for a mission, He can use any gift or personality trait to fulfill His purposes. The Lord will walk beside us empowering us to fulfill His goal. I find it so exciting and adventurous to see the new and sometimes bizarre ways God might use me, like the time I witnessed to a Buddhist only to be told they could not except the Lord because their relatives were on the mantle (in a jar)! Let’s approach our life with the attitude that we are ready to be used by the Lord in whatever area He wants to use us.

Sometimes we are on receiving end of gracious acts of service or help from others. Sometimes we aren’t. I have experienced both and benefited from both. I was once in a position where I was ostracized without a real or tangible explanation of why. I went through speculation, hurt feelings, anger, and loneliness. I was particularly hurt because the criticism came from fellow believers. It was a tough time and it stayed with me for a long time. Even today, 20 years later, I think about it. At the time, I remember wishing someone (a real human being, besides my husband) was walking this road with me. However, God allowed me to walk through this experience alone. I was alone with my feelings and emotions – with only God to talk to. I didn’t like going thorough those emotions by myself. None of us like suffering alone. But, that experience has made me more sensitive to the sufferings and ill-treatment of others. It has given me a little more “Discerning Smarts” to recognize someone who is inwardly suffering or needs some help.

We all need encouragement at times in our lives: Some more than others.

While serving and helping is tough for me, I need reminders on how to do it. As I share some tips on how we can help others, think of the people you know. Maybe you are desperately in need of help from others right now. Or maybe it’s time for you to help someone else.

How to Serve and Help Others

  • Be practical.

Ask yourself what you can practically do to help others. Can you bring a meal? Can you take their child to soccer practice? Can you make some calls? Usually, people don’t want to be an imposition on others, but use your judgment and try to put yourself in their shoes to see what you can do or offer. I have found rather than saying, “Call me if you need anything,” it is better to say, “I’m stopping by the grocery store and I can pick up some groceries for you. What do you need?”

  • Be there.

Maybe a person just needs someone to listen to them. It is amazing how we can help by just listening. We don’t even have to respond. I think Job’s friends would have been a lot better off in the “Service/Helps Department” if they just listened to Job instead of feeling they had to point out his failures and inconsistences.

  • Be kind and patient.

Recently my husband broke 6 ribs (in 2 places each) – OUCH! Believe me, there is a reason I am not a nurse. Just being in the hospital made me nauseous a few times. The smells, sounds, and sights in the hospital were not my cup of tea and a few gags occurred in my system!

While recuperating, I had to put my husband socks on his feet. I had to pick up everything he dropped. I had to help him put his arm in his shirt and jacket. But, I didn’t mind, because I love him!

You may encounter similar events like this. If so, give your time, love, kindness, and patience to the needed recipient.

Remember also that it takes time to heal – whether healing is in the area of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing.

  • Be an encouragement.

Encouragement can come in many forms. It can be a timely note or a phone call. It can be giving hope or security. Just ask the Lord how you can encourage those He brings in your path. He will show you. To use an old cliché, “You may be the only Jesus someone sees.” Think about how Jesus would encourage those in need, then as Nike says, “Just do it.”
God may not call you to help in every situation you encounter. But, if God is giving you the ‘holy hunch’ to be involved in a person’s life, take the role with enthusiasm and thankfulness! And see where God leads it.

You may not be called to use your top level gifts in every situation, but go with His leading. Whatever it is, let Him have His way with you. Let’s praise God for whatever He chooses to do with our lives.
Like vocalist Darlene Zschech sings in I give you my Life, let’s give the Lord all of our life without limiting our service to Him and see what He can do.

I give you my Life by Darlene Zschech

This is my desire, to honor You
Lord, with all my heart I worship You
All I have within me, I give You praise
All that I adore is in You

Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul, I live for You alone
Every breath that I take, every moment I’m awake
Lord have Your way in me

Lord, I give You my heart

I give You my soul, I live for You alone
Every breath that I take, every moment I’m awake
Lord have Your way in me

Bible Verses:

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 ESV

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:  whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV

Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
Matthew 25:44-45 ESV

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6-8 ESV

Prayer:

Thank you Lord for creating me exactly how you wanted me to be. Thank you for using me for Your glory. Lord, show me areas where I can grow. Lead me to people I can help. Let me recognize your leadership in my life. Allow me to always give glory and honor to your Name. Amen.

God Bless You.
Patti Greene

*The gift of tongues is excluded from this blog as we are concentrating on the major gifts used within the church body.

And don’t forget COMMENTS are always welcome!

Books by Patti Londa Greene Awaken Me: a devotional prayer journal and God, It’s Me: 181 Days for Young Adults to Become Passionate about Prayer and Bible Study

Bibliography

Fischer, Sharon. “What to do when you don’t know what to do.” Worldwide Challenge, June 1983.“Spiritual Gifts Survey.” Lifeway Christian Resources. (2003). Web 5 July 2015.

<http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_PDF_Discover_Your_Spiritual_Gifts.pdf>.

Zscheck, Darlene. “I give you my heart.” <http://www.songlyrics.com/darlene-zschech/i-give-you-my-heart-lyrics. 3 July 2015>.

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Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG²) is an international network of independent bloggers who meaningfully blog—and who are serious—about matters relating to the Bible. Follow the members on Twitter using the BG² List.

www.PattiGreene.com

 

Shoes, Sin, and Savior

My excitement began when I put on my brand new pair of silver high-heeled shoes! While I don’t have an obsession with shoes, most women [like me] feel pretty confident slipping their feet into a new pair of sandals, wedges, boots, flats, heels, or tennis shoes. I am no exception.

Yesterday, I was “pumped” gracing my feet in this new pair of shoes for their first time. My shoes and I were going out-on-the-town for the first time to Sax Fifth Avenue in Houston’s Galleria to enjoy lunch with my good friend Dorothy. I stepped out of the house with my serotonin level bouncing high!

As I pulled out of my driveway, I noticed my garbage man (okay, sanitation worker) had come, and I needed to bring the garbage can to the back of the house. I exited my car and dragged the garbage can to its resting place. But then the unthinkable happened. I was heading back to my car and I stumbled on the front of my right shoe. Right then and there, I experienced grief, regret, and discouragement all at the same time. Nothing affects a girl’s mood more than getting a tear in a brand new pair of shoes tear the first time they wear them.

But, I continued to the Galleria with the express thought that I would stop at the shoe repair store on my way home and see if the cobbler could somehow prevent my shoe from tearing more. On the drive to the Galleria, my tiny tear somehow became a BIG rip in my mind. When I walked into the Galleria, I was so conscious of the tear in my shoe that my mind even thought, “The Galleria is so fancy that no one should be wearing a torn shoe here.” Crazy, right!

After a lovely lunch with my friend, I decided to drive directly to the cobbler to fix this problem before it got out of hand. In my mind, the cobbler had all of a sudden become elevated to having a doctorate degree in ‘Shoe Repair.’ If anyone could fix my shoe, he could!

I arrived at the shoe repair shop, parked my car in the parking lot, and began pondering and contemplating whether I should go in or not. I finally decided that I was putting way too much emphasis on my new pair of shoes. To make a long story short, I decided not to spend $10.00+/- to get a small tear fixed when my shoes only cost $39.00. I drove home without entering the hallowed doors of my savior –THE COBBLER.

So, why am I compelled to tell my shoe story? It is because all through the day my mind was drifting to find a spiritual meaning to this event. For now though, let’s pretend the small TEAR in my shoe is SIN and the COBBLER is THE LORD.

Just like the cobbler wants to fix our shoes, God wants to fix us. When you and I first sin, we would be wise to go to the Lord immediately to get our sins forgiven and deal with it before we sin more. We all sin, but do we always turn to the Lord after one little bitty sin? Sometimes we do, but other times, we wait until our sins mount. The longer we wait to go to the expert, the problems and consequences of our sins (our tears) get bigger and bigger.

Take the prodigal son. He went off with his inheritance. Excited about his new adventure, he squandered his wealth and became involved in ungodly behavior. He enjoyed himself until one day, he found himself eating with the pigs. His sins accumulated, but finally he decided he had it better at home and he returned to his father. And, the good news is his father accepted him. It would have been best if the ‘prodigal son’ never left home and sinned, but he did.

Sometimes however, we  try to avoid our Father. When avoiding Him, He will be constantly pursuing us to come to Him or to come back to Him. When we postpone or reject God, our situation and consequences usually get worse. The longer we wait the harder it becomes, but remember that God continues to pursue us until the days of pursuing are over.

Whether we have been involved in a crime; had an abortion; deceived our spouse, or other actions, God still loves us. He cares about us, and He will continue to put spiritual people, spiritual literature, spiritual songs, and more in our pathway as he convicts us to return to Him. Our Heavenly Father sees the small tears (sins) in our life, and He wants to fix them as soon as possible before they turns into large tears that come with more dire consequences.

By deciding not to go to the cobbler, I didn’t get the small tear in my shoe fixed. But, it’s just a shoe!!!

Our lives are more important than shoes. God is there to heal all the small tears and big tears in our lives. When we turn to Him, we experience true freedom and well-being. Actually, it can mean the difference between heaven and hell. Wherever you are in your spiritual walk, choose God. Don’t wait. He loves and cares for all of us.

Make God the Master Cobbler in your life. Today!

Bible Verses:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

But if we keep living in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NIV

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.  And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.  Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.  And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:11-24 ESV

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, Thank you for being with me today. Lord, show me my sins – even those little ones that I barely notice. I confess both the small sins and the big sins to you right now. Let me quickly recognize when I hurt others. Lord, you are better than a cobbler who is limited to their expertise. You can fix everything. I ask you to fix me and forgive me for where I have failed you. And trust you as my personal Lord and Savior. Amen.

I hope you enjoyed my blog today, but I’ve got to run. I saw these really cute pair of red strappy sandals . . .

Patti

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Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG²) is an international network of independent bloggers who meaningfully blog—and who are serious—about matters relating to the Bible. Follow the members on Twitter using the BG² List.

www.PattiGreene.com

 

A Biblical How-To File

I created a folder on my computer called, “HOW-TO.” This is the most important folder I have. It saves me the most time and alleviates more frustration than any other folder I have made. All articles, tips, and important documents that I don’t want to spend time looking for again are stored in this HOW-TO folder. I refer to this folder almost every day for one thing or another.

Some of the document titles are:

– How to do a Quick Book entry;

– How to get rid of millipedes;

– How to give a wedding toast;

– How to make a Facebook banner;

– How to make a good tradeshow display;

– How to make an adult bib;

– How to mentor;

– How to potty train a toddler;

– How to resize images;

– How to write a book.

But, what if we had a Biblical “HOW-TO” folder? Well, we do. It is the Bible. It is in this book that we can find stories, encouragement, and important words from God on how to live our lives according to His purpose. All through the Bible, people spoke or pondered the HOW-TO’s of life just like we do today.

[Jeremiah] Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” Jeremiah 1:6

[Ezekiel] Show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. Ezekiel 44:23b

[Job] For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away. Job 32:22

In this blog, I want to just take a minut portion of some of the HOW TO questions that people ask God about and give a short answer through the Word of God. It is my prayer that maybe one or more of these alphabetically listed HOW TO questions will speak to you today.

A – How to deal with ANGER

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20

B – How to be your BEST for God

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15

C – How to accept CHRIST

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:9-10

D – How to view DEATH

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20

E – How to handle EVIL

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17, 21

F – How to understand your FUTURE

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

G – How to deal with GREED

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Luke 12:15

H – How to understand HOLINESS

For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”
Leviticus 11:44-45

I – How to be an INTERCESSOR

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18

J – How to deal with JEALOUSY

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4

K – How to become KIND

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2 Peter 1:5-7

L – How to handle LONELINESS

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

M – How to view MONEY

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5

N – How to love your NEIGHBOR

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
James 2:8

O – How to be OBEDIENT

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James 1:22-25

P – How to PRAY

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:6-8

Q – How to live a QUIET life

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
1Timothy 2:1-2

R – How to deal with RESENTMENT

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.
Hebrews 12:14-15

 

S – How to understand SUFFERING

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:2-3, 12

T – How to resist TEMPTATION

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

U – How to UNDERSTAND God

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
Proverbs 3:5-7

V – How to handle VOWS

It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
Ecclesiastes 5:5

W – How to deal with WORRY

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6

X – How to be an EXAMPLE to others

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:2-3

Y – How should we view YEARS from God’s perspective

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2 Peter 3:8

Z – How to be ZEALOUS for God

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Titus 2:11-14

Bible Verses: Above

Prayer:

My heavenly Father, I love you. Let me seek you for all the questions I have in life. Assure me that you know what is best for me at all times and in all circumstances. Let your Holy Word be my guide and comfort every day of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

May the Lord our God bless you as you walk with Him. Have a great weekend!

Patti

 

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Babies make me Laugh!

I wish I were the kind of blogger who has blogs written months in advance, but I am not!!! Most weeks I am on the lookout for new material to write about and what you see is usually about as new and fresh as it comes. But, this week you will have to indulge me a little. You see, for the past 5 days, my husband and I have been given the wonderful opportunity for some “special” time with our 16-month old granddaughter while her parents and two brothers went on a vacation of their own. And as always, babies are so much fun. [Pictures have been removed. To be replaced soon.]

This little girl has been such a joy, but caring for a baby takes time and ENERGY. So, in this week’s blog, I am allowing myself some creative time sharing some baby pics and Bible verses since I just experienced one of those busy summertime weeks.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 2 Timothy 1:5

“When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age.” Victor Hugo

. . . likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire. 1 Timothy 2:9

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. Psalm 31:9

Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 20:10

With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD. Psalm 142:1

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 1 Peter 2:2

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2

the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance. Proverbs 1:5

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17

 

Copyright permission given by baby’s mother – Jennifer Colley

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Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG²) is an international network of independent bloggers who meaningfully blog—and who are serious—about matters relating to the Bible. Follow the members on Twitter using the BG² List.

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Compromising

We live in an age where compromise is all around us. Compromises are made daily in the areas of values, morals, ethics, relationships, and belief systems. Compromising in areas God has warned us about can, and most often does, lead to disastrous consequences in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

In The Danger of Compromise, Pastor Greg Laurie says, “Have you ever heard the story of the guy who could not decide what side he wanted to fight for during the Civil War? He put on the coat of the North and the trousers of the South, and guess what? He got shot from both sides. This is what happens to the compromiser, the person who tries to live in two worlds. It is one miserable life.”

Bernie Madoff, founder of the Wall Street firm Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, was convicted of fraud and of operating a Ponzi scheme that is well-known as one of the largest investment scandals in the history of the United States. He defrauded many investors of billions of dollars. Madoff was convicted and sentenced to 150 years in prison. His small compromises, which eventually became huge compromises, led to investors losing their entire life-time savings. But on a personal level, the consequences were even higher. His wife left him. His son Andrew died of cancer while blaming his cancer relapse on the stress caused by his father’s fraud. His other son, Mark, committed suicide by hanging himself on the second anniversary of his father’s arrest. Madoff lives with the regret that both sons never forgave him for his corruption. We would be wise to recognize that our compromises/sin will always affect other people – even our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

It is imperative that we be attentive to the Lord in all areas of our lives and strive to be consistent and mature in our actions. We can see in the Bible how some believers led impeccable lives and were devoted to God until small compromises/sin affected the life that God intended for them to have.

Solomon was a righteous and Godly King until his later years when corruption overtook him. Solomon even asked God for wisdom above worldly possessions. He went from fully trusting God for his life and kingdom to worshipping idols in the form of wealth and power in his latter days. Notice that Solomon continued worshipping God while loving many foreign Gods and burning incense to paganism. This led to God’s anger against him. Solomon is known today as the godly king who compromised. He did not keep God’s commandments and the Bible states that Solomon did turn away from the Lord.

In 1 Kings 11:1-13, the Bible says:
Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and did not wholly follow the Lord, as David his father had done. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lordcommanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen. And the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite.”

If compromising can affect Solomon, a king who was originally so devoted to God, it can happen to us also. Even good Christians can compromise. Usually it occurs very subtly. We get wrapped up and ensnared – unaware until our compromising goes from a little compromising to continual compromising. However, it can be avoided by being attentive to the Lord in all areas of life. By daily giving Him our lives, we can avoid compromising/sinning. This is where daily praying and daily Bible reading come into play. But, we aren’t perfect. Jesus knows that, so when we do find ourselves in little lies or little compromises, we need to ask for forgiveness and for help to change our ways immediately.

Our friendship with the world can take the form of materialism, popularity, sex, and more. Compromising can affect our marriage, our spiritual life, our relationships with our children, and our business relationships. Unfortunately, we are sometimes the recipient of someone else’s compromises. Even then, we need move forward structuring our life around God and His provisions for us. He will rescue us and sustain us during these times.

In the Old Testament, Daniel, and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are examples of those whose strong beliefs did not allow compromise in their lives. They refused to bow down to the gold statue set up by Nebuchadnezzar even with the threat of being thrown into a fiery furnace. [Daniel 3:1-15] They trusted in the God who was sufficient for all their needs and a God who rescued them.

Let’s ask for God’s help this week to be believers that walk in Biblical standards. Let’s not be believers who only want to get into Heaven and be thought of as good people. Let’s truly get our relationship with Christ on solid ground, so we can live daily in His presence trusting that God will help us when we are weak.

Bible Verses:

Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals.1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV

Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”Jeremiah 6:16 ESV

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness.2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV

Prayer:

Lord, give us power to praise and love you always – to the end of our days. When we compromise, show us immediately, so we can get back on track quickly. Prevent us from causing damage to others through our actions. Help us not to damage our Christian witness through our actions. Let us walk with you daily through our prayers and Bible study. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Patti

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www.PattiGreene.com