....if there be any praise....

You know, it seems fairly easy to grasp these words within the context of Philippians 4:8.

Honestly, I think it would be easier to grab the horns of a bull! I guess this is why Paul's letters have stood the test of time and all kinds of trials so that we could continue to strive for living by these words!

"...if anything is excellent or praiseworthy...think about such things." 

Just so I can get this straight I will place the entire verse here in the 1984 NIV. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

So who doesn't want to think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable but then the rest of the verse...if ANYTHING is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Now this is where I struggle getting this straight - complete and utter conviction. My whole life I have been able to find hope in the darkest places but these verse have taken.me.placessszzzzzz.

The bottom line is this if 99 out of 100 things are going wrong but one thing is excellent and praiseworthy~~~~~~~~focus on that!

And now the best way to put what it is going on in my head would be found in this touching commercial "Cuz this is where it's at!" But think on these things...
You can think with this, or you can think with that..you can think like this or you can think like that or you can think with this:  

                                                                                                    cuz this is where it's at!




Abiding Still,
Chel

Jesus is the Gate

Recently, I have felt compelled by the Lord to compile the different names of His I have taught over the last 8 years. I am putting them in a lesson format for what I hope to be a fabulous series digging deep into His many names! I am so excited that the Lord has compelled me to take this journey!!!

Why you ask? I am so glad you asked!!! His name itself is a rich treasure!!!

The first name I decided to dig into is The Gate! The context is based primarily on John 10 and a wonderful sermon I heard from my pastor, Dr. Danny Howe. When I looked up the information on our Lord being The Gate, I was never so excited to find the hidden treasures in the nooks and crannies of the old testament! Now I am not going to fully go into all that a gate does but I do want to highlight some valuable insights that touched my heart.

In John 10, Jesus explains how He is the gate through which the sheep must enter - the eternal kingdom that is - but he explains it to them in a way they would fully comprehend. See this crowd understood the idea of a Shepherd and how the shepherd not only guided the herd but he guarded them as well. As my pastor, Dr. Danny Howe, explained a shepherd who was traveling with his herd would often have to use temporary shelter for the sheep. Without the guidance of the shepherd, the sheep would wander as sheep are prone to do. So at night he would gather them all together and guard them with his own body. Not all shelters would have an actual gate; therefore, he would literally lie down in the doorway. This protected the sheep inside from what might come in after them but also from their own tendency to wander. The would literally have to trample their Shepherd if they wanted to leave.

2 Chronicles 23:19 tell us that, "He also stationed doorkeepers at the gates of the LORD’s temple so that no one who was in any way unclean might enter." (You are now the temple! And Jesus is your Gate not just the keeper but the entire Gate! I have discovered the keeper too, so hang in here with me.)

This keeps getting better the deeper you dig!

In Deuteronomy 6:1-9, we read how important the Word of the Lord is and in verse 9 we see a role it has been given, "Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." His Word is a gatekeeper! All throughout the Old Testament we see the significance of a gatekeeper and all the duties they are charged with and how it is an inheritance for them as well. In Deuteronomy chapter 6, we see the inheritance of His Word. It all ties together in a clear & concise way! I stand in awe!

Now see the interesting link here to Psalm 119:11: When we hide (or treasure) His Word in our hearts - being the doorway to our temple - we are protected because His very Word keeps us from sinning. The hiding of the Word in our hearts is the same action we see the Israelites doing by putting it on their gates and doorframes so that they would be saved!

Then as I began to dig a little deeper, I found a nugget of names neatly folded within one verse and significantly tied to the eternal inheritance and lineage of Jesus. In both 2 Samuel 23:15-16 and 1 Chronicles 11:17-18 I found a beautiful request from King David.


2 Samuel 23:15-16, "David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD."


1 Chronicles 11:17-18, "David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD."

I do not know what is running through your head right now but mine is reeling with eager anticipation to share what just broke through to my mind and heart!!!! When anyone in the Bible poured out a drink offering, especially water, it was always tied to a very humbling experience. The water is poured out which reveals and acknowledges that what was received was beyond their own resources and straight from the Lord. They poured it out in deepest obdience and thanks to give back to God what He had given them.

Below I have listed a few realizations I saw in those particular verses. I hope that you see what unfolded as I dug into this for the treasure!

David is the royal line from which Jesus would come. 

Jesus is the water that gives eternal life - the Living Water.

Jesus told the woman at the well in the New Testament that we would draw water from Him and never thirst again.

When Jesus was pierced on the cross water flowed first from Him showing the end of His human resources - all His mortal body could do it did. He was the drink offering of water and blood.

 
Now there is still more!!!

Jesus is not just the Living Water but He is also the Bread of Life from Bethlehem which is the House of Bread!

So here was David - the line of Jesus - asking for the life giving WATER found in the WELL at the GATE of BETHLEHEM! Then David poured out the water as an offering.

Now there is still a little more perfect treasure here:

David was in a stronghold.  Just prior to verses 15 and 16 we read all the praises David has for his Lord. He called Him by His many names and recognized how HE had made a way for him throughout his life. A way he could have never done on his own. He speaks of his house (his line) and all that the Lord had promised to him through it. All these words are recorded as the FINAL words of David where he follows it by pouring out a drink offering to the Lord.

This is a foreshadowing of Christ Himself through these mighty words and all because He is the GATE! The difference here is that David was used to make a way for Jesus, whereas Jesus made the WAY for us!

Our LORD and His Word is flat out Amazing!

Abiding Still,
Chel

Get REAL

Relationships

           Exemplifying

           Agape

                   Love

"Got REAL?"

I've got REAL with these two loving smiling ladies!

Both are wonderful mentors to me!

So you got REAL? I sure hope so! There should be no better place to look than your church if you go to one. This is the place were we should be able to be looked upon deeper rather just glance by someone. Now if you are a believer then you should do this for everyone. I'll explain this further by sharing what God has been doing in and around me for some time now.

Now before I could fully understand the fullness of REAL there were things I needed to realize and deeply learn. To me, there seems to be a spectrum by which we can view relationships other than the titles "acquaintance, co-wacko, co-worker, BFFL, BFF, LYLAS (love you like a sister), bestie, sister, sistah, Siesta, etc etc.....See the bottom line is that you simply do not know what is going on in someones life unless you look deeper. Perhaps you only glance at people so as to protect yourself and not be vulnerable to the things or with the people that come with looking deeper. Or maybe you find yourself around people who appear, at least to you, to have "it" altogether. (Trust me they don't.)

I'm not sure what end of the spectrum you are on but we have all been on any section of it at some point in our lives.

For those who thought I had it altogether, they did not realize that deep inside I was struggling with a challenging depression. I would do the things I was supposed to do because they had become habit in my life and in my heart but the JOY of it was absent or distant. And then to top that off no one seemed to have noticed that there was something going on at a deeper level. I just felt judged for not doing a good enough job here or there. But to "everyone's" defense - I did not even know I was depressed! So to accuse them of failing when it was hard for me to see would be unfair. But on the other end to say I put on my smile or my mask so no one would know wasn't intentional but later revealed to me as true. See life was very difficult for me for a solid 2 - 2 1/2 years. Little did I know it had begun its ugly process shortly before October of 2007.

One place I have been is actually what guided me into the depression was in the area of protecting myself. I protected myself right into isolation! This is wheree my depression began. Ironic isn't it? To learn that protecting myself lead to depression is a huge eye opener. But see when you are depressed you feel dead inside, hence the lack of JOY, but it is proven in the Word of God:

Matthew 10:39 (New Living Translation - important for words)

"If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."

When we protect our lives we push God right out of that role and fulfill this scripture. I find it interesting the Lord showed me this scripture at the very beginning, prior to 10/07, but unfortunately I had only allowed its application to one incident instead of over my whole life. My journey began with the Truth right before my eyes but I still missed it! Had I not missed this key of Truth I might not have gone so long without JOY!

Psalm 5:11 (NKJV - a must for word's sake)

"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;

Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;

Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You."

Now that these truths are deeper within me, I hope to show you the correlation to all this and having REAL friends. See one avenue through which the Lord guided me away from depression was allowing me to be rehired with a previous employer. This place has been safe for me - safer than any other place. This is good and true because I do mean the only only only only place I felt safe and built up! Yes you read that right: the only place I felt safe and built up! Now, I must add Lavernia Baptist Church in Lavernia, TX. This church made me feel at home for the two visits in which I was actually "doing the thing" while feeling so little joy and they loved me, they accepted me and allowed me to serve in my calling! Bless you all, Lavernia ladies you Rock for our ROCK! You provided me a soft place to fall by way of sharing what the Lord is doing in my life. You bless my very soul!!!

If you are thinking there are implications to my office and Lavernia BC being the only safe places unfortunately you are right!  I felt the need to protect myself every single other place I was.

So what has changed?

I'm so glad you asked!!!

Jesus!!! Jesus Jesus Jesus! He sets the captive free even when, especially when, the captor is you!

Now I not only seek what is REAL but I also seek to be REAL. I looking forward to this journey and hope you will join me with the next few blog posts and let's Get REAL together!

Abiding Still,

What do you crave?

Romans 14:20, "Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble." NIV (c) 1984



We eat for for more than mere satisfaction - we eat to be filled. It is a such a struggle we face daily to be fully satisfied ~ pun definitely intended. I don't know about you but I find myself these days eating for relaxation. I seek foods that promote endorphins and serotonin boosts! aka COMFORT FOOD! Wow, what does that reveal about my faith & perspective toward my Father?

In Psalm 119, I see that I am comforted by His laws, His ways, and HIS WORD (the Bread of Life). In Isaiah and the Beatitudes, I see that when I mourn I am comforted by Him. So if food takes that role - His Place - then I am still not satisfied, not filled, and continue to long for more.

Because I was Made to Crave - HIM!

Too many times we turn to others and other things instead of Him to filled in that area where we fill unsatisfied. I can go to any one of the Minor Prophets and find how the Loving Lord comforted His people and their land. I can look to 2nd Corinthians and discover the many ways to be comforted by God directly, His people, and most of all His Holy Spirit which was sent as a promise to continually give me (us) comfort.

You know I had never really given much thought to eating for the majority of my life. I have never struggled with weight in the sense of a medical opinion but only in a self-condeming way. But then I noticed the hold that popcorn had on me I popped to attention! Those fluffy white kernels send my serotonin levels soarin' and my endorphins roaring. I feel uplifted...hmmmmmm ~ This could be an issue! (Shhhh, it's my 'pop-secret'!!!)

But see just one of the things that the Holy Spirit has promised to me is HIS power; therefore, I am EMPOWERED with the power that brought Christ back from the dead! (Ephesians 1:17-19)

I have begun a journey with this book by Lysa TerKeurst called Made to Crave. My friend Angela is guiding us through it, being a certified fitness instructor as well as a personal trainer, Angela can help guide us in this journey with much needed facts and encouragement! I am determined to put food in its proper role in my life and allow God to be the one reigning over  that area which creates my need for comfort!

1 Corinthians 6:12, "“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything." NIV (c) 1984 ~~~~~~~ not even food!


Zecharia 4:6, "‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty."

To sum it up, this book, MADE TO CRAVE, seems to be making an impact on me. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Lysa's testimony, and the fruit of self-control I am learning a little more about Jesus and what He wants for me. Truth is overflowing from this book through the spiritual and realistic application of God's Holy Word to my daily life.
Allow me to add a little about the author, Lysa Terkeurst. I've not been officially requested to review this book but let me tell you that I just can't help myself!

Lysa TerKeurst is a New York Times Best Selling author and speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has led thousands to make their walk with God an invigorating journey. For over 15 years, her message has enabled women to:

Make the Bible come alive whenever you read it.

Discover how to develop inner peace and security in any situation.

Replace doubt, regret, and envy with truth, confidence, and praise.

Stop unhealthy cycles of striving and learn to love who you are.

Sense God responding to your prayers.

You do not want to miss the rest of her story so click on over to her website and check it out plus all the other books she has to offer!


Abiding Still

Vision - Sight - The ability to rest

This first two weeks of scripture memory for me seemed like it went by very quickly. I took the challenge to join in on the Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore - Siesta Mama and all us other gals. I chose 1 Corinthians 13:12 in the New Living Translation. If you did not know this the NLT add a BUNCH of words but these were words worth memorizing!!!

"Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see things with perfect clarity. All I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely." NLT

When I say that this word has been relevant in my life I-kid-you-not! So many things I see right here right now even at this very moment I am typing this post is extremely puzzling! But it is so good that God knows everything including me COMPLETELY!

I am so grateful to my heavenly Father for leading me to this verse! It brings me rest when put to the test. I can rest in knowing that I don't have to see-it-all. I can rest knowing that He-Has-It-ALL! I can rest knowing that He is there on this side and the eternal one. I can rest because He knows what is best for me and for all of us. I never once thought that a verse on "vision" would help me rest but think about it. When you have to strain to "see" it is tiring. When you strain to "see" you become the cloudy image.

I can rest in the "but then"....where do you find your rest?

Abiding Still,