Good morning Zebras,

God showed me a couple of “new” stories in the Bible.   Of course, they aren’t new-but they certainly hit home in a new way.  I’ll share one today and one tomorrow. The first one is in 1 Kings 13.

God sent a prophet to cry out against king Jeroboam, which he did. When Jeroboam tried to seize him, God made the king’s hand shrivel up.  The king asked the prophet to intercede on his behalf, which he did, and the king’s hand was restored.  The king then invited the prophet home, but the prophet refused.

1 Kings 13:7–10 The king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and have something to eat, and I will give you a gift.” But the man of God answered the king, “Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. For I was commanded by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’ ” So he took another road and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.

On his way home, he was met by another prophet who after hearing what had happened came out to meet him.  He too invited the prophet to come for dinner and once again the prophet refused until the man said this:

1 Kings 13:18–19 The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ”(But he was lying to him.) So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.

During the meal, the word of God came to the liar:

1 Kings 13:21–22 He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: ‘You have defied the word of the Lord and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your fathers.’ ”

In my book, it is the liar who should have gotten punished, but it wasn’t, it was the prophet who disobeyed God.  On the way home, he was attacked by a lion.  The lion killed him, but did not eat him nor maul the donkey he had been riding.  The lion was found just sitting by the body.  Because the circumstances of his death were so unusual it served to reinforce the message he had been sent to give: those who disobey the Lord will die.

So many lessons!  

The prophet resisted the temptation to eat when it came from someone he knew was “evil” but gave in when it came from another “man of God.” If you have been given instructions from God, you are the one He is going to hold responsible.  There is no shifting blame to someone else, you need to obey, it didn’t work with Adam it won’t work for you. 

The prophet’s death served to reinforce his message. We act like God will always protect us when we are doing His work and He will but that does not necessarily mean physical protection here on Earth. Perhaps God will be more honored by our death. Jesus died a horrible death as did many of the disciples and their deaths served to spread the Gospel. The world is afraid of dying, Christians shouldn’t be because as Paul says: “for me to die is gain.” We need to be willing to “die” for the cause of Christ. 

John 12:24–25 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

And finally, never play the “God card” to get your way.  Do not say “God told me” (or in this case one of His messengers) unless He did.   

Love,

Jill

Jars of Clay

Good morning Zebras,

Yesterday as I finished up writing the post my prayer became “Dear Lord, please let all of us see the possibility for true transformation that lives inside of us because of your indwelling Spirit.” Which brought to mind this verse:

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

The best visual of what it looks like to be a pot of clay is Susan Boyle.  She was a 47 year unemployed overweight woman who has bad hair and a pretty unfashionable outfit. Coming on stage she doesn’t look like anything special in fact the audience is sort of laughing at her and then she sings. And everything changes because Susan Boyle is a jar of clay, nothing special on the outside but filled with an amazing talent. 

We too are jars of clay. But what we have on the inside is not the ability to sing, but the power of God.  God’s people are full of words, when they should be filled with the Holy Spirit because when He speaks things change. 

Love,

Jill

P.S.  I still watch her audition from time to time.  My new favorite part is when she is asked why her dream hasn’t worked out so far and she replies: “Because I’ve never been given the chance before, here’s hoping that will change.” It reminds me to never give up hope on the promises of God. 

Susan Boyle's Audition

Good morning Zebras,

My daughter mentioned this model of communication to me when she was home this summer and I can’t quit thinking about it. Of course, I mentally adapted it a little to fit in with the omniscient nature of God.

In this theory communication is divided into four quadrants, like a window pane. Each area contains a different level of information known to the world. 

Area one: Open area, what is known by the person about him/herself and is also known by others including God

Area two: Blind area, ‘blindspot’: what is unknown by the person about him/herself but which others and God know.

Area three: Hidden area, hidden self, avoided area, or 'façade’: what the person knows about him/herself that others do not know but God still knows.

Area four: Unknown area or unknown self: what is unknown by the person about him/herself and is also unknown by others and known only by God.

Most of our communication occurs in the first area.  Things we know and we know other people know as well.  But I think God’s people are supposed to develop relationships that communicate in the second and third area.  To do that we need to be willing to be transparent with people about who we really are and willing to hear people tell us truth, as revealed by God, about what they see.

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

But it’s tough, being “sharpened” hurts and it takes both courage and humility to speak and hear truth. And it takes love.  Only the person who really loves you will continue to tell you things you do not want to hear. Of course, God knows everything and He loves you more than anyone so if you aren't willing to listen to anyone else He is still able to show you your "faults."

Psalm 139:23–24 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Paul had no illusions about who he was: a sinner, saved by grace for the sole purpose of showing others what God can do.

1 Timothy 1:15–16 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Have a great day Zebras following Paul’s example as he followed the example of Christ. (1 Cor 11:1)

Love,

Jill

Choose Wisely

Thank you to everyone who said a prayer for Nick I will certainly keep you updated. 

This was originally posted in October of 2010 but it is a lesson I have not forgotten. As we grow in our faith God will often leave two doors open and trust us to pray and pick the right one.

Jonah 1:2 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish.  He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

Good morning Zebras,

There are a lot of lessons in the book of Jonah, but I think my current favorite is: Just because the ship is at the dock doesn’t mean you should get on it.

We all know the story. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to tell them to repent but Jonah didn’t want to go. He had his reasons. The footnote in my Bible says:Nineveh was a powerful and wicked city. Jonah had grown up hating the Assyrians and fearing their atrocities. His hatred was so strong that he didn’t want them to receive God’s mercy.

So Jonah ran. I can just see him running to Joppa, praying all the way.  Maybe he was praying as I do when I don’t want to do something.  “Dear Lord I know you told me to go to Nineveh, but maybe I heard You wrong. If You really want me to go, close the door to my escape and don’t provide a ship.  Then I will KNOW You want me to go to Nineveh”

I can just imagine his relief when he saw that ship!  “Yeah, I don’t have to go!  God provided a ship and I can sail in the other direction!”

We all know the rest of the story.  God really did want Jonah to go to Nineveh so He provided a storm, a big fish and a little readjustment to Jonah’s attitude.

In life we are all faced with choices.  One looks hard and one looks easy.  One is the way God wants us to go and one is the way that makes sense.  Following God and obeying His commands does not appear to make sense.  It does not appear logical to the world and sometimes it doesn’t even appear logical to other Christians. 

That’s why we have to rely on God.  James writes: But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

Often times as Christians we pray for open and closed doors, clear signs of God’s purpose for our life, and that’s good, but I think it is even a greater test of our faith if He leaves both doors open and trusts us to pick the right one.

Love,
Jill

Nick's Choice

Good morning Zebras,

My son is a junior at Moody Bible Institute training to become a youth pastor.  This summer he is required to do an internship.

Two prospects floated to the top.  The first was a church in Illinois that was willing to pay $4,000 plus room and board for a youth ministry intern.  The second was paying your own way to minister somewhere outside of the United States.  He asked me my opinion.

Of course, the first thing I said was that he needed to pray.  I know God talks to Nick, I’ve seen it before, he just needs encouragement to trust what he hears.  The second thing I said was that money should not be the driver to do God’s work. 

Christians have an interesting relationship with money.  They know the Bible says:

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Followed by:

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

But they still act like they can negotiate a truce.

Years ago, I convinced Gary to quit putting money into savings and to just use what God gives us for His glory.  At the time the parable of the “rich fool” struck a little too close to home.

Luke 12:16–21 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”  

But it was God who convinced Gary to start taking it out.

Matthew 6:19–21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I don’t know which door God will open for Nick but I’m praying it is the one that has the greatest potential of seeing “the fire of the Spirit” at work. 

Love,

Jill

If It Be Your Will

Good morning Zebras,

Yesterday, when I went to walk my dogs I forgot the “poop bags.”  Of course, I didn’t notice it till I needed one and then it was too late to do anything about it.  I refuse to leave poop in other people’s yards, so I searched my pockets to see what I had to pick it up with.

My searched revealed a few tissues I carry for my OPDN, (old person drippy nose.)  Not exactly ideal but they would have to do.

I picked up the poop and immediately began to pray “Dear Lord, you know I don’t want to carry this poop all the way home in a flimsy tissue but I will if that’s what You want me to do but you know my heart and you know I would really appreciate it if You provided a bag.”

After praying I started searching the streets for “the bag,” because I have learned once you start praying for something you need to start looking for the answer.  But the answer didn’t come only another poop, which I picked up with another tissue. 

At this point I have two tissues, two poops, and still no bag.  So, I repeated my prayer. “Lord, you know I really don’t want to carry this poop around but if that is Your plan for me today, I will.  But I would really appreciate a bag.” 

This time after I prayed, a friend walked by and she was carrying extra bags so she gave me three.  Way more than I needed!

Moral of the story:  

You need to be willing to carry poop if God tells you to, He asked a lot more of Jesus:

Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Know that God hears your prayers.  Have faith, expect answers.

Mark 11:22–24 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that fwhat he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Pass on what God has given you, it will be a blessing to someone else.  

Colossians 3:12–13 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

And be honest when you speak to God, you can’t fool Him anyway, He already knows your heart.

Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Love,

Jill

https://youtu.be/wHAHt2Hv_DI

P.S. The link is to a great song that fits with today’s message of being willing to “carry poop” for God.  Years ago, our worship team played it and I’ve loved it ever since.  Leonard Cohen, who was Jewish, wrote a great song on submitting to the will of God.  The introduction is eerily relevant considering it was recorded in 1985.  

Disciple or ?

Good morning Zebras,

“With the exception of the Bible, no book has had as profound an effect on my life as “My Utmost for His Highest.” - Charles Stanley.

I couldn’t agree more.

I’ve been reading Oswald Chambers for at least thirteen years, maybe longer.  In the early years, I didn’t understand half the entries but I persevered.  It is a good journal and marker of growth because I make notes on the pages and then reread them on the exact same day every year. 

Thursday was the first time, I can remember, that I disagreed with what he wrote.

The thing you need to know about this book is Oswald didn’t write it, he preached it and after his death his wife gathered up his sermons and made them into a book.  I say that because yesterday’s entry was preached to a group of students that were pursuing ministry at The Bible Training College where he taught, so the focus was the call God places on people to preach the gospel.

“Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:16

His point was that the call to preach the Gospel is different than the call of salvation, which is true.  When God places the call to preach on you it becomes a burning desire that must be answered.  What I disagreed with was this:

“Our Lord never requires the same conditions for discipleship that He requires for salvation… discipleship has an option with it-‘If anyone’”

Luke 14:25–27, 33 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them He said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.  And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple…In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Maybe it’s just semantics, maybe he’s using the words differently than we do now or maybe I’m missing something.  But I do not see salvation as an experience separate from discipleship.  Salvation is the beginning, discipleship is the outcome.  And even though Jesus says “If” I’m not sure refusing to be a disciple after salvation is an option. 

What are you if you aren’t a disciple?

I do not see Jesus saying: “Oh, you want to have salvation and not really follow Me?  That’s fine, I’m totally good with that.  I’ll just save you and not require anything.  I have a two-tier system consisting of disciples and the merely saved.  You go back to doing whatever it is you were doing and I’ll catch you later in heaven.”

Salvation is easy it comes from God, discipleship takes work but the power and the desire comes from God as well and it’s our job to work out our salvation with “fear and trembling” with the power and  direction of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:11–14 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

And I know Oswald Chambers agrees with that.

Love,

Jill